Carer allowance extended for young people up to 19 years old
The Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women has brought forward the commencement date to extend the fortnightly caring allowance for a young person up to 19 years, regardless of their education status, and will be backdated to 29th March. This early commencement is in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need to minimise unnecessary relocations for young people. The foster and kinship carer information on the Department's website has also been updated with new Q&A regarding the change.
Updated version of YAC legal information sheet for young people on COVID-19
In the 9th April edition of eNews, PeakCare highlighted the legal information guide for young people answering concerns around COVID-19, published by Youth Advocacy Centre (YAC). An updated version of the guide has now been released, including answers to common concerns faced by young people, including the rules around leaving their homes and visiting friends and family. The guide also includes information about essential activities such as going to court, going to work or education where the activities cannot be done at home, and links to further resources.
Children and young people called to share their experiences on growing up in Queensland
Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC) is calling for children and young people to share their responses on what it's like to grow up in Queensland. Through surveys, postcards and art activities, the project seeks to gather insights about what is important to children and young people, what their communities are like and their hopes and dreams for the future. There are various options for young people to respond including: youth survey for young people aged 13-18 years; postcard questions for children and young people aged 8-18 years; junior survey for children aged 8-12 years; art activity for children aged 4-7 years. Over 3,900 children and young people have already participated to share their experiences on growing up in Queensland in 2020.
National Reconciliation Week 2020: In this together
Wednesday, 27th May to Wednesday, 3rd June marks National Reconciliation Week 2020, reminding us that we are all #InThisTogether. Share, support and celebrate National Reconciliation Week 2020 by tuning-in to a host of virtual events, and by joining in on the conversation online. Take a moment to acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Land and choose a social media platform, or the privacy of your own space, to pay respects. Consult the AIATSIS Map of Indigenous Australia for a guide to the Traditional Owners of the Land in your area, and tag the Traditional Owners and/or your own mob plus #InThisTogether2020. On Friday, 29th May, Busby Marou, Alice Skye and more, will be hosted in concert by Christine Anu on her National Evenings show on ABC Radio. Find out more about National Reconciliation Week 2020.
National Childrens Day - children encouraged to have their say
Children's Day 2020 celebrates the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and our connection to mob, family and kin. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are invited to share the strength and diversity of their voices by sharing a short (up to 30 second) clip saying this year's theme: We are the Elders of tomorrow, hear our voice, to be included as part of Children's Day promotions, including a new TV ad. Find out more.
Young people require more support during the pandemic, finds YANQ survey of COVID-19 impacts on youth sector
Responses to Youth Affairs Network Queensland (YANQ)'s survey of COVID-19 impacts on the youth sector show that increasing numbers of young people demonstrate higher support needs during the pandemic, with specific needs for transport, emergency accommodation and food. Responses from workers cite concerns about keeping in contact with young people with reduced face-to-face time, and administration issues such as not being able to access client files and lack of resources when working from home. Services experiencing higher demand include food banks, mental health resources, domestic and family violence support, and family mediation. Overall, respondents noted a high level of need for additional resources, support and funding. Read the survey responses. An online meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, 27th May at 11am for Queensland youth sector members to discuss how the youth sector can collectively respond to the pandemic. To register, email director@yanq.org.au.
Free online forum to celebrate parents on UN Global Day of Parents
Join Family Inclusion Network to recognise the shared strength of parents as part of UN Global Day of Parents celebrations. UN Global Day of Parents is held annually to honour parents and parental figures and their commitment to supporting, protecting and caring for children. The free online forum on Thursday, 4th June at 11am will explore how the shared strength, insight, creativity, and humour of parents is changing child and family welfare practice in Queensland. The Hon Di Farmer, MP, Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence will be in conversation with parents during the forum. Find out more and register.
QCPW planning update and nominations for Awards closing soon
Queensland Child Protection Week (QCPW) planning is full steam ahead. Award nominations closing Friday, 29th May. New categories this year include Thriving Communities Initiative for community initiatives focused on enhancing child protection, Transition 2 Success Initiative for outstanding young person or outstanding contribution made by local community groups or local business to get the best outcomes for young people 15 and over who are involved in the youth justice system or at risk of entering it, and the Child Safe Organisation Award for outstanding implementation of the National Principles for Child Safe Organisations to protect children from harm, and/or creating an organisational culture that fosters child safety and wellbeing. This year represents a special opportunity to celebrate the challenges and opportunities of work achieved in the child protection sector, and nominations for new categories is strongly encouraged. Find out more and apply.
Reforming the system to support youth mental health
The University of Sydney’s has launched YOUTHe, a five-year Centre of Research Excellence (CRE) in suicide prevention for young people. The initiative comes as online and phone counselling services for young Australians face unprecedented demand during COVID-19. The Centre combines evidence-based research with unique modelling techniques to plan, implement and evaluate emerging technologies to better support youth mental health. It aims to give every young person presenting with suicidal behaviour access to evidence-based, personalised and ongoing health care. Find out more.
NDS weekly sector update
Disability service providers are invited to participate in new weekly webinar briefing by National Disability Services about important changes and sector updates in light of the changing landscape resulting from COVID-19. The NDS - Fast Facts sessions will create further opportunity for NDS to hear feedback and queries from providers. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for Tuesday 2nd June at 10am, and Tuesday 9th June at 10am.
New COVID-19 helpline for people with disability and their carers
The Federal Department of Social Services has established a new helpline offering information and referrals for people with disability and their supporters about Coronavirus on 1800 643 787. The helpline is available Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday and Sunday 9am to 7pm (AEST). A live chat function is also available on the website. Find out more.
New fact sheet: supporting people with disability during COVID-19
The Department of Communities, Disability Services and Seniors has issued a fact sheet supporting the understanding of Queensland Health's latest public health directions to assist in containing, or to respond to, the spread of COVID-19 within the community. The fact sheet outlines how directions no. 2, no. 5 and no. 10 apply to people with disability, organisations, workers and volunteers providing support services to people with disability in Queensland under Stage 1 of the Roadmap to easing restrictions. View the fact sheet.
Join the Pyjama Foundation for National Pyjama Day 2020
Join friends, colleagues and classmates on the comfiest day of the year, Friday 17th July (or select a day that suits your school or workplace) and support children and young people in foster and kinship care by participating in National Pyjama Day 2020. Create a fundraising page today on the National Pyjama Day website to encourage donations in support of your chosen activity and receive a free Pyjama Day host kit, or sign up for the #InMyPJs challenge to go about your daily activities in your pyjamas and share on social media to let the world know about the cause. Find out more.
Queensland Community Achievement Awards now open
Nominations are now open for the Queensland Community Achievement Awards 2020, designed to encourage, acknowledge and reward the valuable contributions individuals, communities and businesses are making throughout Queensland. Categories include Community Hero Award, Community Group of the Year Award, Safety Award, and more. Find out more and nominate.
COVID-19 impacts on individuals, families and service delivery
Children and Young People with Disability Australia (CYDA) is conducting the 2020 National Education Survey on the educational needs of children and young people with disability, directly from children and young people and their carers. This year the survey will also consider the impact of COVID-19 on education. The survey is strictly confidential and collects no identifying information. Take the survey.
Child Family Community Australia (CFCA) are conducting a 5-minute survey of child, family and community welfare professionals on service delivery needs during COVID-19. The survey aims to understand evidence, information and resource needs during COVID-19, and how CFCA and Expert Panel can assist in meeting these needs. The survey will close Wednesday, 3rd June. Take the survey.
For parents, carers and families, the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) is conducting the Life During COVID-19 survey to understand how Australians are coping with and adjusting to the Coronavirus pandemic. Responses are invited from every person in every type of Australian family, over the age of 18. Take the survey.
The Monash Gender and Family Violence Prevention Centre has created a short, anonymous online survey to measure gender-based violence and help-seeking behaviours during the COVID-19 crisis. The researchers are interested in how frontline workers providing support for women experiencing violence are adapting services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Take the survey.
Curtin University and Women's Services Network (WESNET) are conducting a survey of practitioners on how they see technology being used in domestic and family violence. The survey is open to practitioners from organisations focused on supporting women and children who have experienced domestic and family violence. Take the survey.
