Kia ora koutou,
Welcome to 2023! The year is well underway with many schools heading back this week and Waitangi Day fast approaching. Good on you for making it through the school holidays. This time of year can feel really intense for adults and children alike. Whether it’s seen you braving the chaos of stationery shops for school supplies, sorting out uniforms for kids that don’t seem to stop growing, easing back into a school weekday routine or supporting anxious tamariki with their worries and feelings about returning to school and learning. It’s a big job to keep all these ‘balls’ in the air!
SUPPORT
Stephanie James-Sadler
National Support Manager
0800 693 323
My days of work are Mon to Friday – school hours. At times I can be away for work but I’d still love to hear from you if you need a chat: 027 501 0398.
We are also eager to help members connect and share with one another. Its truly hard doing the journey alone. If you want to start a small Caregiver group in your area, please let me know so that I can help you get one set up.
Our closed Facebook group is another way of connecting when you want to chat to someone but are unable to get away from the house. If you would like to join, click on the Facebook link and select join group – Facebook
Important Reminder
Just a reminder there is still time to apply for the School and Year Start-up Payment (closes 28 February) and the Extraordinary Care Fund (the next round of applications closes 17 February). More information about each of these Work and Income NZ entitlements can be found at School and Year Start-up Payment – Work and Income and Extraordinary Care Fund – Work and Income
TRAINING & LEARNING OPPORTUNITY
There is a range of online training taking place this month, check out the training calendar below to find out more.
We also have our Programme Manager, Sally Moffatt delivering What’s Behind the Behaviour – Healing Centred Engagement in New Plymouth on the 21st of February from 9.30am – 1.30pm. It’s going to be a good one! Sally would love to see you there. Check out our training calendar for more details and to register.
EVENTS
Foster Care Awareness Week is about celebrating you, our wonderful caregivers. For those around the New Plymouth area, Sally Moffatt, our Programme Manager is delivering “Whats Behind the Behaviour” training on the 21st of February at the Community Centre.
Afterwards, we’d like to extend the time and invite Caregivers to lunch with Sally. It’s a time of connection, as well as celebration. If you would like to find out more and register please click on the link below to our Foster Care Awareness Week page on our website and look for the North West Event.
Tiaki i a koutou anō, look after yourselves!
Stephanie