Join us this Wednesday, May 2, in Elder Park at a candlelight vigil to remember all women and children who have lost their lives as a result of domestic violence.

​Events are being held across Australia this week in a mark of national remembrance.

The hour-long Adelaide vigil organised by the Coalition of Women’s Domestic Violence Services of South Australia, will begin at the Elder Park rotunda, on the southern bank of the River Torrens, at 5.30pm.

Everyone can play a part in raising awareness of domestic violence and an understanding of warning signs of abuse to support women and children at risk.

As part of the Power to End Violence Against Women education program, Port Adelaide Football Club joined Centacare at last year’s vigil.

http://www.portadelaidefc.com.au/video/2017-05-08/hartlett-speaks-on-domestic-violence-ptv

From jumping castles to kayaking, we have school holiday fun covered for kids!

Children’s Fun Day at Wandana Community Centre

When: Thursday, April 26

Ages: 5 to 15 years

Time: 10am to 1pm

Free activities! Rock climbing, jumping castle, arts and crafts, and a BBQ. Sausage sizzle $2.

Please call 8261 8124 to book your child’s place. Children aged under five years must be accompanied by a parent/adult.

Beyond Kayaking 

Communities for Children is holding a kayaking program at four locations across the Murraylands. Come and have some fun with the kids on easy to use sit on top double kayaks. All equipment is supplied. Just bring a hat, water, sunscreen and solid soled shoes (no thongs please). Sit on top kayaks are wide and stable for beginners, and provide great fun for children. Please phone Lyall at Centacare 8215 6320 to book your session.

• Murray Bridge @ Long Island

Monday, April 16

10am to 12 noon and 1pm-3pm

• Swanport Reserve

Thursday, April 9

10am to 12 noon and 12.30pm to 3pm

• Murray Bridge @ Sturts Reserve

Tuesday, April 24

9am to 10.30am

• Mypolonga

Tuesday, April 24

12 noon to 3pm

The impact of drug use is felt across generations – many young and older people using methamphetamine are parents too.

Centacare’s Kids in Focus (KIF) service supports parents and carergivers who are misusing alcohol and/or other drugs. The team has made this video to illustrate how children can be affected by their parents’ lifestyle.

My world from Centacare on Vimeo.

Based in the northern suburbs, KIF is a home visiting service and uses child-focused interventions to increase parenting capacity, build healthy relationships between parents and their children, and provide safe family environments.

Parents and caregivers may be more susceptible to substance misuse if they have experienced intergenerational and multiple complex trauma, including mental health, family violence and homelessness.

Children in these families are vulnerable and at risk of accumulative chronic childhood neglect and abuse, leading to long-term behaviour and developmental issues and concerns.

Many parents have never known a nurturing, stable environment and, often, do not allow themselves to see the impact of their drug use on their children.

This includes a lack of play and educational opportunities, unrealistic expectations of the child – including the responsibility for caring for other siblings – developmental delays and mental health.

When parents and caregivers use methamphetamine, children often do not have basic necessities such as food, water, and shelter, and they frequently lack adequate supervision and medical care.

Our KIF team works in partnership with families to strengthen relationships, address drug addiction and assist parents to maintain a clear focus on the well-being of children.

Going back to school is not just daunting for little ones – older students can feel anxious too. Our parenting educators have put together some tips for parents of young people starting high school this year.

Many young people find starting secondary school a time of mixed emotions.

While they may feel excitement, fear, confusion and have a sense of curiosity and adventure, most will admit that starting a new school experience can be a bit scary.

They may feel lost and confused, miss their primary school friends and worry about fitting in.

Adjusting to these differences and their new learning environment can be challenging.

Secondary schools are much bigger, anonymous places than primary school where everyone knows your name. New school routines and unfamiliar classrooms and teachers add an extra dynamic.

Friendship circles change and even established bonds can be challenged in high school, as students tackle one of the primary developmental tasks of establishing identity.

Signs your child is not coping may include:

• Irritability
• A short-temper
• Being disagreeable or rebellious
• Withdrawing from family
• Refusing to go to school
• Articulating stress through tummy pains and headaches

While children may exhibit some of these behaviours regardless of the onset of a new school year, if these signs persist after the first few weeks of term, it’s time to speak to the school to help address the source of stress.

It is equally important that parents look after their own well being too. Remember, this can be a stressful and confusing time for you also, as you juggle work, family and other commitments, and try and figure out how much support to offer your child.

Here are some favourite pieces of parental advice drawn from our parenting groups over the years:

• Remember that despite their emerging sophistication, students still need to hear you say you love, approve of and support them
• Provide reassurance by normalising some of the confused and unsure feelings and perhaps share your own high school experience
• Celebrate their strengths: they need to be reminded of what they do well while they tackle challenges
• Be a supportive listener and don’t give advice too quickly: help them problem-solve and encourage thinking for themselves
• Be patient while your student tackles the challenges of first year high school and remember that being organised is usually a learned skill
• Get to know the school community – other parents can be your best resource.

What is your happiest childhood memory?

Centacare parenting educator Kay Buckley recalls the freedom of growing up in the ‘50s – and crossing one of the nation’s busiest thoroughfares on her 2km walk to school each day.

“I lived in Sydney and I’d cross the Hume Highway – without traffic lights, on my own, at six! That was normal back then.

“In the 1980s when I was bringing up my own kids, we lived on a fruit block and they’d be gone from morning ’til night. Now most parents are reluctant to let their kids walk to the end of the street.’’

As parents become increasingly confused about what children can and cannot do, young people’s resilience – and their freedom to learn and grow – is gradually being eroded and replaced with fear, Kay says.

Our fears are often unlikely but our fears are likely to become more likely if we don’t skill our kids up

Kay Buckley, parenting educator

In response, Centacare is encouraging parents to use practices that build competence, optimism and capability. Allowing children to take some risks also helps to nurture resilience and persistence, Kay says.

“Our fears are often unlikely but our fears are likely to become more likely if we don’t skill our kids up.

“Children have always been able to take risks and if we don’t let them take little ones incrementally, with some scaffolding and support around them, then there’s a certain inevitability about what they may do as adolescents.

“We complain that our children can’t do anything or won’t do anything, but we don’t give them life skills and freedom because we do everything for them. We don’t coach them anymore; we stand there clapping on the sidelines. We should be giving them instruction.’’

Kay’s 12 ingredients of competence:

• Offer opportunities for initiative and autonomy at an early age
• Help build confidence by partialising challenges
• Stop lecturing, testing and drilling
• Reinforce your child’s excitement about achievements
• Recognise effort rather than outcome
• Create an environment where mistakes are accepted
• Stop rescuing your child
• Teach the language of optimism and persistence
• Model positive self-talk
• Help children manage strong emotions
• Affirm your child’s ability to impact their world
• Encourage responsibility, good judgement and persistence

To nurture resilience in children, Kay recommends:

• Exposure to healthy role models
• Discover a sense of spirituality
• Support them to develop life skills
• Recognise islands of competence
• Promote positive self-talk

National Child Protection Week (September 3-9) is an opportunity for everyone in the community to think about how we can work together to keep all children safe.

Centacare will mark the start of this important week with a special event at our Wakefield St office on Monday, from 10.30am.

Hosted by Seven Network presenter Rosanna Mangiarelli, the event will explore the theme `It takes strength…’

It takes strength to be a voice for children. It takes strength for families to overcome challenges in their lives. It takes strength to make positive change.

As part of the event, Rosanna will interview a panel of child protection experts, with a focus on the role Centacare is playing in supporting vulnerable children and families.

You can play a part in this too! Even small actions can help to improve a child’s future. By building stronger communities, we are creating safer environments for our children.

Wondering how you can help? NAPCAN has these tips:

• Be a good role model for children
• Be kind to children, parents (and yourself!)
• Take the time to really listen to children and believe them if they tell you something
• Learn about what help services are available so you can support others if they need help
• Don’t judge other parents and families; remember that we’re all trying our best
• Look out for all children, not just your own
• Be a friendly, helpful member of your local community
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or to ask someone if they need help
• Check out our  these Tip Sheets for more ideas about how to play your part

#ncpw #playyourpart #Centacare #childprotection

Centacare’s much loved Kolbe Cottage has reopened after a six-month state-of-the-art renovation.

Known for its home-like environment, Kolbe has been providing support for children with intellectual disabilities for more than 34 years.

A housewarming party for families, friends and staff last week marked the start of a new era at the 1930s Plympton site.

It has been transformed with an open-plan living, dining and kitchen area, sensory room, office space, and new bedroom and bathroom facilities for clients and staff.

A playground, to be built in the coming months, will complete the project.

Kolbe offers overnight stays and day respite on weekends and during school holidays for children aged 5 to 18 years.

The redevelopment will enable Centacare’s respite and day options program, Centanet, to operate concurrently on-site for the first time.

Centanet supports young people to engage in a range of group-based community and recreational activities, with an emphasis on having fun with friends.

Lyn Lenthall has worked at Kolbe for the past 20 years and says clients are already embracing their new “home”.

“I had a participant with me today and it was almost like he knew he was home; he was happy to wander. Other clients I know are excited. They will all love it. It’s just beautifully laid out.”

Catholic Charities, builder Jim Rinaldi, and Centacare’s Kokoda Challenge 2017 team contributed to the redevelopment.  The team leaves for Papua New Guinea on Friday, led by Assistant Director Bernie Victory who is returning to Kokoda for a 13^th time.

“For 20 years staff have talked about how it would be good to have improved facilities but without changing the lovely cottage-like atmosphere Kolbe is known for, and I think we’ve achieved that,” Bernie says.

Lachlan Purves (pictured), Executive Manager, Disability Services, hopes Kolbe’s renovation will open up new opportunities: “Kolbe Cottage has a well-earned and widely held reputation for the high standard of service that has been provided over many years. The renovation to the property itself now brings the site up to the same standard.

“We expect the renovated site will facilitate opportunity to expand on our services, and the number of individuals we can offer our services to.”

For more information about NDIS supports provided at Kolbe Cottage, phone our Disability Services team on 82156818 or email disability@centacare.org.au

Looking for fun activities for the kids? Wandana Community Centre has you covered!

• Dance + drama workshop

Bust some moves on the dance floor and take a drama workshop with a VIP Dance instructor at Wandana Community Centre next week.

Cost: FREE
When: Tuesday, July 18
Ages: 5 years and above
Time: 11am-12pm

• Paper mache + Lego extravaganza

Whip up a paper mache creature and use Lego to bring your imagination to life! Be as creative as you like! We’ve split this create + make session into two age groups so nobody misses out.

Cost: FREE
When: Thursday, July 20
Ages: 5 years and above
Time: 10am-12pm

Ages: 9 years and above
Time: 1-3pm

Ask John Lochowiak why family matters and he recalls childhood trips with his grandfather to the Pitjantjatjara lands.

“We’d sit down and he’d nod and say `there’s your brother over there’. I’d meet him for the first time but straight away we’d behave as brothers,” says John, a Wati (initiated man).

“In traditional settings we don’t use names. We use how we are related and behave accordingly and it strengthens that relationship.

“Uncles and aunties don’t exist because they become our mothers and fathers, and cousins become your brothers and sisters, so our extended family is huge ’’

Family is at the core of the Aboriginal world view, says John, Manager of Centacare’s Aboriginal Services, but he believes this should not preclude non-Aboriginal families from caring for vulnerable children.

The rate of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care is almost 10 times that of other children, and continues to grow.

The causes of over representation are complex, including the legacy of past policies of forced removal, intergenerational effects of separation from family and culture, poor socioeconomic status and perceptions arising from cultural differences in child‐rearing practices.

The national Family Matters campaign highlights these difficulties and the need for change so that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow up safe and cared for in family, community and culture.

“Our family structure is a bit different, but really we are not dissimilar to white families,’’ John says.

“The challenges and dynamics that impact non-aboriginal people impact us too; the need to work and live in dignity and contribute to society is equally as important to our culture.

“I think we need to look closely at how we can better support Aboriginal families to increase their capacity to foster children.

“That support should start with cultural training for Aboriginal people so that they re-engage with their culture because a lot of our people have lost it.’’

John says it just takes one person – black or white – to believe in a vulnerable child in order to make a difference.

“Western culture will talk about significant others and emotionally that children will be stable if someone believes in them.

“That’s replicated a hundred fold in the Aboriginal culture because everywhere they turn they have someone to share in the responsibility of raising them.

“If every child is loved, they have the chance to be good citizens.’’

Centacare’s domestic violence services are taking part in a forum today to examine the development of targeted perpetrator interventions in South Australia.

If women and their children are to be safe, perpetrators should be held to account through effective interventions that stop their violence.

The forum, organised by the Office for Women, is part of the implementation in SA of the National Outcome Standards for Perpetrator Interventions (NOSPI), endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) in late 2015.

The standards will guide and measure the outcomes achieved by perpetrator interventions across the nation.

Identifying shortfalls in the SA system around responses to men’s violence against women is one focus of today’s meeting.

It will also explore ways to develop a framework for the best model of interventions for perpetrators, supported by evidence and best practice.

“Just because a perpetrator goes to an intervention program doesn’t necessarily mean his behaviour changes,’’ said Desi Alexandridis, Senior Manager, Domestic Violence & Homelessness Services.

“From our perspective, it’s really important that perpetrator interventions are conducted in conjunction with women’s services.

“If the victim’s experience is not part of that intervention, then how are we actually going to keep him accountable?’’