Do you have the desire to make a positive difference in a child’s life?

We want to make the foster care process straightforward…

• Are you over 25?
• Do you have a good understanding of the needs of children?
• Do you have a spare bedroom in your home?

If you answered YES to all of the questions above we’d like to hear from you.
You could qualify to join our dedicated team of foster carers.

We are holding monthly information sessions where you can find out more about what’s involved in becoming a specialist foster carer, the assessment process, and other prerequisites. For more information about future dates please visit our Foster Care Information Sessions page.

Come along to get a better understanding of foster care, including why children need foster carers, a realistic view of the responsibilities of a foster carer, the important links foster carers can provide for children and their birth families, and the steps involved to become a foster carer.

There is a lot for children to absorb at the start of a school year.

From changing friendship groups to new teachers and classrooms, many of your child’s experiences will be different to last year.

Some children will adapt quickly to change but others may lack confidence and optimism.

New teacher styles

New teacher styles can be a sticking point for some children. Just as we all learn in different ways, each teacher will take a different approach in the classroom.

Some children will not notice this difference but, for many, it can be overwhelming and a cause of anxiety. This may be apparent instantly or over time.

If change is bothering your child, what can you do?

• Listen to your child! Try not to disregard the little things which can be big issues for them. Encourage them to express their worries and how they think you can help.
• Ask them about the good things at school, such as the best part of their day or a fun fact they learned. This will help them focus on the positives.
• Children do best at school when parents and teachers work together. Open and effective communication is critical. Work with your child’s teacher and let them know about any problems or concerns your child has.
• Encourage your child to talk to their teacher. This will help build trust and your child’s sense of security in the classroom.
• Always reassure young people they are not alone and that problems can be worked out.

Friendship groups

Group dynamics often change at school and during the holidays. Friends may play together at recess and lunch but move in different social circles outside of school.

As a parent, watching your child grapple with friendships is very difficult – and hard to fix!

It is confusing and often painful for children if they are omitted from weekend playdates or groups at school one moment and then included the next.

Be understanding and try and give them some advice without saying too much. This is a normal developmental stage so reassure them it is ok to be sad and that it will get better with time as friendships evolve.

A changing group dynamic is different to bullying, which is repeated verbal, emotional or physical abuse intended to hurt, frighten or threaten another.

Tips for kids on forming friendships:

• Always try and be pleasant and well mannered, even to people you may not hang out with.
• Talk to others and be interested in what they do! You might find you share interests and hobbies, play the same sports and like similar music.
• Listen to what others say and join in the conversation.
• Be helpful and friendly – doing things for others and lending a helping hand goes a long way!
• Be mindful of others’ feelings. Don’t talk about them behind their back. Every person is different!
• Avoid arguments with people if they don’t agree with you on certain things. Try and understand their point of view and be honest about your own feelings.
• Be a good listener and encourage them to make positive choices.
• Understand that close friendships take time to develop and, while it’s good to have a best friend, you can have lots of other friends too.
• Have fun together!

For more information, visit:

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetailsKids.aspx?p=335&np=286&id=1636

*If you need extra support, Centacare provides counselling to parents, families and children, and primary and secondary school students. Other support is provided through the National School Chaplaincy Program. For more information, please phone 8215 6700.

This week we are sharing tips and links to help you support your #children to manage their wellbeing and learning.

While the focus is traditionally on the first day of school, families are urged to look out for their children in the coming weeks, as they adjust to new experiences, friendship groups and the demands of learning.

Today we look at separation anxiety.

*If you need extra support, Centacare provides counselling to parents, families and children, and primary and secondary school students. Other support is provided through the National School Chaplaincy Program. For more information, please phone 8215 6700.

Separation anxiety

Separation anxiety is often experienced by parents and children at the start of the new school year.

It is most common in early childhood but may be exacerbated after extensive family time in the holidays, and if your child is apprehensive about their new classroom routine and environment.

They may become upset before school knowing you will soon leave them for the day, and again at drop-off time when the separation occurs.

Most children will bounce back and be relaxed and happy at school but may become upset again at pick-up time when their parent or carer returns and they are reminded of the separation.

Mothers and fathers, too, can feel a sense of loss at leaving their little ones at school.

What can you do for yourself and your children?

• Teachers are fantastic and usually highly experienced at working through separation anxiety. If your child is finding it hard to leave you, talk to their teacher and see what is possible in terms of supporting your child.
• Always say goodbye! While it is often tempting to sneak out of the classroom when your child is upset, this will not build trust. Even if your child is upset, reassure them they will be ok and say goodbye. Indicate when you will return. In time, they will learn they are safe and that their carer will always come back.
• If you are struggling with separation anxiety as a parent, talk to a friend! The school community offers a range of opportunities to connect with other mums, dads and carers. You can also alleviate some anxiety by getting involved with your child’s learning for small periods each week, such as helping at student reading time.
• Keep a relaxed and happy look on your face when you’re leaving. Even if you are sad, give your child confidence by putting on a happy demeanour.
• Once at home at night, try not to be negative about what may have occurred that morning. Instead, build your child’s confidence and resilience through positive reassurance.

For more tips and links, visit:

http://www.cyh.com/HealthTopics/HealthTopicDetails.aspx?p=114&np=141&id=1848

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/separation_anxiety.html/context/732

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/anxiety_and_fears.html/context/732

http://raisingchildren.net.au/articles/anxiety_stepladder_approach.html

Juggling work and home life can be tricky without the support of family and friends.

When life gets busy for foster families, respite carers step in.

“In many ways, they are the backbone of the foster care system,’’ says Kirsty Drew, Executive Manager, Family Outreach and Relationship Services.

“They provide backup support to full-time foster parents and give them the time they need to nurture their own wellbeing, safe in the knowledge their foster child is being cared for by a familiar face.’’

Centacare is now recruiting respite carers, aged 25 to 70 years, to host children for short-term stays, such as on weekends, during school holidays and, sometimes, at late notice.

“If a full-time foster parent falls ill, they need to have the flexibility of someone to call on to help out,’’ Kirsty says.

“At the same time, respite care gives children and young people an opportunity to forge meaningful relationships outside of their foster home, as they experience new adventures in the company of others.’’

Centacare provides the training, assessment and ongoing support required to become a respite carer, and there are no out-of-pocket costs.

Respite care is a good way to start for people who want to help vulnerable children aged 0 to 12 but are unable to make a full-time commitment.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re single, married, retired, or employed full or part-time, if you have room in your heart and home, consider becoming a respite carer,’’ Kirsty says.

For more information on becoming a respite foster carer, visit our Foster Care website’s information sessions page, or phone the foster care team on 8159 1400.

SAVE THE DATE!

Centacare is bringing the play, Out of the Blue, to town for a regional tour of South Australia next month.

Out of the Blue tells the story of a group of men who get together at the local footy club to pay tribute to a mate they have lost to suicide.

Reflecting the harshness of life in the bush, the story is relevant to men everywhere – and their partners.

Written by Stig Wemyss, the production is the work of widely-acclaimed HealthPlay, set up by Alan Hopgood AM more than 20 years ago to bring challenging health issues to the public through comedy and drama.

Out of the Blue is being presented as part of Centacare’s Drought Assistance Program which provides mental health and counselling support to drought-affected communities.

The play is suitable for adults, and children aged 15 years and over. A crèche will be provided at each venue.

The tour dates are:

• Sunday, April 3

Tailem Bend Town Hall, Railway Tce, Tailem Bend.

Free sausage sizzle at 5.30pm

Performance at 6pm

• Monday, April 4

Meningie Area School Hall, 1 North Tce, Meningie

Free sausage sizzle at 6.30pm

Performance at 7pm

• Tuesday April 5

Tintinara Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, Becker Tce, Tintinara

Free sausage sizzle at 5pm

Performance at 5.30pm

• Wednesday, April 6

Meadows Memorial Hall, Mawson Rd, Meadows

Free sausage sizzle at 6.30pm
Performance at 7pm

• Thursday, April 7

Mt Barker Town Hall, Stephen St, Mt Barker

Free light lunch from 12pm

Repairing relationships between mothers and children who experience intergenerational trauma, neglect and abuse is the focus of a new approach to child protection.

In a state-first for non-government organisations, Centacare has appointed child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Jackie Amos to train and support staff in aspects of Parallel Parent and Child Therapy (P-PACT).

The therapy is used to work with mothers, and children aged 3 to 12, caught in cycles of dysfunction and distress.

P-PACT combines attachment-focussed interventions and trauma-based therapy in a single framework to individually support the mother and child, as well as their relationship.

The therapy offers new hope in the prevention of child abuse and neglect arising from a mother’s personal trauma and its impact on her mental health and parenting.

“The mother might be struggling because she’s unwell due to her own trauma history while her child has emotional and behavioural problems at home and at school,’’ Dr Amos said.

“As a result, the mother and child become severely troubled by their relationship.

“Through P-PACT, we work to repair this relationship by supporting the parent and child in parallel to change their beliefs about themselves and one another.’’

Dr Amos will work with Centacare’s Specialist Family Preservation Foster Care team, Kids in Focus program, Targeted Intervention Service and family preservation and reunification teams.

Her partnership with Centacare will inform her research around how different principles of P-PACT might be useful in diverse settings.

Dr Amos is currently a PhD candidate with the University of South Australia health economics and social policy group.

Are you passionate about families and seeing parents and children thrive?

Centacare Catholic Family Services has formed a Consumer, Carer & Community Advisory Group (C³AG) with a focus on children, parenting and families. The group will canvas new ideas for the future and have input into programs and policies.

By sharing expertise, experience and information, we believe we can strengthen our service delivery and identify gaps in the support we offer.

Currently, Centacare delivers 80 community services across 35 sites in the Catholic Archdiocese of Adelaide, and responds to the needs of about 30,000 people each year.

We operate within a strong ethical and culturally-inclusive framework informed by the values and principles of Catholic Social Teaching.

As a C³AG member, you will use your professional or life experience to identify issues, topics and challenges relevant to our work, and partner with us to make meaningful change.

We value your perspective!

C³AG members meet throughout the year during business hours and are required to undergo a police check.

Parking and administration costs associated with group membership are reimbursed.

Stakeholders who have an interest in the delivery of Centacare services are also welcome to apply.

For more information, please contact Lisa Osborne 8215 6700 or email losborne@centacare.org.au

Wellness workshops will be held next month to support rural women affected by drought.

The free workshops at Coonalpyn and Meningie aim to increase the capacity of women to manage pressures at home and in their communities, and empower them to make positive change.

The workshops are part of a drought assistance program, currently being rolled out in regional South Australia by Centacare Catholic Family Services.

“Drought does not discriminate between men and women,” Drought Assistance Counsellor Sharon Young said.

“Women in rural communities take on critical roles spanning family, business and the community.

“In challenging times, they are often under increased pressure to earn income, as well as to monitor the health of their partners and family, sometimes at the expense of their own wellbeing.”

Women will learn relaxation techniques and simple ways to nurture happiness amidst their daily routines.

Funded by the Australian Government’s Drought Assistance Program, the Women’s Wellbeing Workshop will run at:

• Coonalpyn – Tuesday, March 1, 9.30am-midday at The Community Hub, 2 Richards Tce.
• Meningie – Friday, March 11, 9.30am-12.30pm, Community Health Centre, 2 South Tce.

Other drought support on offer includes: counselling for families, individuals and couples; home visits and outreach services; parenting advice, education and skill development; linking and referrals to other services, in particular programs provided by the Government to support farming families and farm businesses in hardship.

In addition, Sharon is available for counselling appointments at the following locations each week:

• Meningie – Monday, 1.30pm-4.30pm – Coorong District Council,  49 Princes Highway, Meningie.
• Tailem Bend – Tuesday, 1pm-4pm – Tailem Bend Community Centre, 141 Railway Terrace, Tailem Bend.
• Tintinara – Thursday, 12pm-3pm – Coorong District Council, 37 Becker Terrace, Tintinara.

Morning tea will be provided at the Women’s Wellbeing Workshop. For more information, please phone Kristy at The Community Hub on 8571 1018 or Sharon at Centacare’s Murray Bridge office on 08 8215 6320.