With guest Dr Emma Goodall, Director of the Office for Autism from the South Australian Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

She is the parent of an autistic adult, and has worked extensively in the area of autism, education, research and public policy, and teacher training. Dr Goodall defines autism and neurodiversity, explains how autism can present differently in different genders, and outlines key things carers need to understand about neurodivergence in order to better support the children and young people in their care.

Dr Goodall was one of the most popular speakers at the national kinship, permanent and foster carers conference held in Melbourne in August. She kindly agreed to make this podcast, which draws on the main messages shared in her address to the conference. KCV hopes that Dr Goodall will return to Melbourne before too long.

For parents and carers of pre-school children with speech delays.

Get practical tips to improve your child’s communication skills. Refreshments provided.

Friday 11 October 2024

10-11.30am

Warrandyte Community Church

RSVP Sue Batcheler 0413 655 659

Email: suzanneb@mytimevic.com.au

KCV has become aware that many statutory kinship carers do not know about two important Victorian services.

It is important that kinship carers seek as much support for their work in raising children in the early years of the children’s development. The EPCs are helpful and recommended to kinship carers by KCV.

Cheers,

Anne McLeish
Director of Kinship Carers Victoria

At the national kinship, permanent and foster care conference in Melbourne in August KCV had many requests about supports available in other states.  Many of the current KCV resources do reference national programs already. However, it was decided to create a reference point specifically related to national resources so that interstate carers can more easily find them. One of the most important resources is that which outlines the Centrelink payments for which all carers across the country are able to apply.  Even informal carers can be eligible for many of these payments.

We wish all interstate carers the very best.

Cheers,

Anne McLeish

Director

On 17 July 24 the Board of GPV/KCV met with Minister for Children Lizzie Blandthorn and Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson.

The discussion covered a broad range of topics related to the joys and pressures of raising children up until age 11. This age range fits with the Minister’s priority to do as much as she can towards early years support for families. Specific issues discussed included: respite for kinship carers, inclusion of grandparents as support to parents to prevent children being removed, an increased subsidy to the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for children on a health care card (this is a federal issue which the Minister has raised at a national level), and access to early childhood kindergarten.

Board members thanked the Ministers for the generous amount of time they spent talking through some very critical issues.