School and Year Start-up PaymentIf you are receiving the Unsupported Child’s Benefit (UCB) or the Orphans Benefit (OB) you are eligible to receive a School and Year Start-up Payment. The School and Year Start-up Payment is to help you with school-related costs at the...
Remembering Billie GallowayIt is with great sadness that I write this message. Billie Galloway (Aunty Billie) passed away Saturday morning surrounded by friends and family. This has left a huge hole in our world, but the legacy she has left behind has made her one of...
Core Competence Standards Break-down In November we wrote about the amendments to the Social Workers Registration Act, which require all Social Workers to be registered from 27 February this year. This will give everyone greater assurance of Social Workers’...
Children's Glasses Subsidy Do any of the children in your care have problems with their vision? If your answer is yes, you may be eligible for the spectacle subsidy. The Children’s Spectacle Subsidy is for children who are 15 years old or under provided they have a...
Meri Kirihimete - Merry ChristmasAs Christmas draws closer, and the end of the year is in sight, I would like to take this moment to thank each and every one of you wonderful caregivers. This year hasn’t been an easy one. With the emotional, physical and financial...
Barbara's JourneyMany years ago, in a town far, far away (Invercargill), Barbara began her journey with The New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation, now known as Caring Families Aotearoa. Barbara was first elected as the Lower South Caregiver's Representative on...
2020 Annual Report DownloadOn Friday 16 October, we held our 2020 Annual General Meeting in Lower Hutt. This year we also made the AGM available virtually and had members join us from all around Aotearoa. The AGM was opened by Hera Clarke (Poutaki Māori), followed by...
New Requirements for Social WorkersAmendments were made to the Social Workers Registration Act (passed by Parliament in early 2019). This Act will make it mandatory for anyone calling themselves a Social Worker, and practising in New Zealand, to be registered with the...
We are Learning TogetherIn October we presented our first Ako Ngātahi-Learning Together online discussion series. The first part of the series was on 'Shield Against Shame' which explored the behaviours traumatised tamariki develop to keep themselves safe. Both an...
Keen on making the most of the summer holidays? Caring Families Aotearoa and Ezibed.com have teamed up to bring you exclusive accommodation deals, for a limited time only! Summer is just around the corner and it’s time to get out and explore our beautiful backyard,...
How is COVID-19 making you feel?We have all been affected by COVID-19... It has caused a range of feelings for both adults and children. As a Caregiver, you will have added pressure as you are looking after children who already have high needs and this is further...
Is it time to have a big clear out?As the days get longer, the mornings become crisp and the temperature begins to warm up, we know that spring is on its way. Freshly cut grass, daffodils and baby animals all around. What a glorious time of the year.Instead of taking...
Masks for Care FamiliesCraft Cafe Creative Being co-founders, Susan Allison and Susie Jones have been working with children from St Francis de Sales School in Island Bay, Wellington, to make masks for our members. A group of children gave up their lunchtimes to cut...
The light at the end of a dark tunnelA few weeks ago, Lillian wrote to Caring Families Aotearoa to say how grateful she is for our support of her family. This is Lillian's story that she wanted to share with you, so you know how much our support is making a difference...
Thank you Sprig and Fern PetoneOne of the reasons we’re able to continue offering our support services to you, our wonderful caregivers, is because of everyday people in the community. People like the patrons and staff at the Sprig and Fern Tavern in Petone. The...
Respite CareRespite is an opportunity for care families to recharge their batteries and to look after themselves – ‘it is easier to run on a full tank of gas than an empty one’. Respite can be a much needed service for caregiving families. It allows caregivers and...
Training UpdateOur training is designed to enable and equip you with the knowledge you need to help your tamariki (children) thrive. Through our partnership with the Ministry for Children, Oranga Tamariki, we deliver the National Caregiver Training Programme (NCTP)...
How to battle NITs - Advice from the NitLady Head lice can be an extremely frustrating, seemingly endless nightmare but with the right knowledge and products you can eradicate them and prevent re-infestation long term! Here is what I have learned... Head lice are...
Chairman's MessageKia ora tatou, Firstly a big thank you to caregivers in these challenging times. I first became interested in the issues facing caregivers when assisting Linda (CEO) on the submission to Government on "Improving Outcomes for Children in Foster Care"...
Winter Energy Payment This information is correct as at 18/05/2023The Winter Energy Payment is an extra payment to those who receive a main benefit, New Zealand Super or Veterans Pension to help with the cost of heating their home over the winter months. If you...