As many of you are aware, this month we are saying farewell to our longest standing member of the Caring Families Aotearoa team. Andeana Pilalis has been with Caring Families since we were The New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation back in 2009 and has proven...
We were very excited to hear Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announce that the numbers for inside events, under Red, would move from 100 to 200. This means that should we still be in the 'traffic light system' and under Red in September we are most likely going to be...
One-on-One SupportSometimes, having someone to help you navigate the ‘where, what and who’ of a situation provides relief and can make it clearer. Our Regional Coordinators across Aotearoa are here to do just that – awhi, support and advocate for you when you need it....
Linda's MessageKia ora e te whānau These are truly challenging times for all of us now. We must make so many decisions about what is right for us and others, and as a country. We at Caring Families Aotearoa have had to make some tough decisions over the past two...
Price of FuelThe price of fuel has risen so much lately that we squeeze the trigger of the fuel pump slowly, because we don’t want to see the dollars racing upwards on the screen. However, the cost of not filling our own tanks can be even more devastating for us and...
School and Year Start-up PaymentIf you are receiving the Unsupported Child’s Benefit (UCB) or the Orphan’s Benefit (OB), you are eligible for a School and Year Start-up Payment. The School and Year Start-up Payment is to help you with school-related costs at the...
Support GroupsIn the above picture are the most supportive, amazing people one could ever wish to meet. This group formed after they all attended the Foundations for Attachment training and this network is something that Rob, our Therapist, would like to replicate...
Christmas Colouring CompetitionGet creative and take part in our Christmas Colouring Competition! How to enter: Children, any age can either colour in the gingerbread person provided by clicking the button below OR can draw their own gingerbread person. Once your...
Supporting your Tamariki this ChristmasNow that the countdown to Christmas Day has started, what is on your mind? Are you planning your Christmas lunch or dinner menu? Thinking about the colour theme for your tree? Wondering about what the perfect gift would be for...
Holiday Allowance Payments to be Paid Before ChristmasAs announced by Hon Kelvin Davis on 23 June 2021, anyone receiving the Orphans Benefit (OB), Unsupported Child Benefit (UCB) or Foster Care Allowance (FCA) will receive their Holiday Allowance payments...
A Gift for the Music LoverAs you may already be aware, Caring Families Aotearoa, has a close relationship with former Carterton MP and Defense Minister, Ron Mark. Having grown up in care himself, Ron has a very personal connection to the fostercare community. Ron has...
Making Improvements for CaregiversCaring Families Aotearoa is dedicated to ensuring that every care family and whānau is enabled, supported, and has the skills to provide tamariki/children with a secure home where they can be healed. To ensure this happens, we...
Did you know we provide One on One Support?Strong support is vital to ensure secure and healing homes for children in care, so that they can heal. It is important that you never feel alone during your caregiving journey. We have Regional Coordinators throughout...
Poem - In my Mummy's TummyA caregiver, who wishes to be anonymous, shared this poem with us to share with other caregivers. Caregivers, every day, support tamariki and rangatahi (children and young people) in care who have experienced trauma at a young age, some...
Caring Families Aotearoa Highlights of the YearWhat a year it has been! We have continued training, supporting, and advocating for caregivers, despite the challenges that the world has thrown at us. We are very excited for the future as we continue to grow and adapt...
New Strategic PlanAt our Annual General Meeting, on the 20 October, Linda Surtees, CEO, presented our new strategic plan that came into effect at the beginning of this financial year. Linda highlighted what we will do to enable and support our members and their...
The Results Are InIn June 2021 we ran our annual caregiver survey so we could get your feedback on the services Caring Families Aotearoa provides, the support and training you receive as well as your current caregiving situation so we can identify gaps to better shape...
Voyage For VOYCESpirit of Adventure Scholarship Fund for Rangatahi (young people)!Rangatahi in care aged between 16 – 18 years old have got an amazing scholarship opportunity to take part in a life-changing Spirit of Adventure voyage! Solo sailor and former foster...
Let's Make A ChangeIn August we piloted our latest training, Making Changes – Stability in Hard Times. This newly developed, Intermediate level training was delivered to six caregivers in Lower Hutt, Wellington. We received excellent feedback and we hope this training...
We've joined Chooza, and here's why you should tooWhat is Chooza? Chooza is an online store, that lets you sell and buy whatever you want, with the proceeds of each sale going to a charity. There is a selection of charities to choose from, and Caring Families Aotearoa...