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www.raisinggrandchildren.com.au |
Indigenous ServicesIn the aboriginal community kinship care is a way of life. There is no real need to ‘formalise’ these family arrangements and therefore a large number of grandparent headed families/kinship carers go uncounted and are often unsupported. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 2003:
Issues in the lives of aboriginal grandparents and other kinship carers are similar to those of the ‘mainstream’ population; however they are complicated by the history and legacy of child removal in Australia – the stolen generation. There is a general mistrust of child protection services and government departments which means families often don’t receive benefits and services they could well use. Grandparents say: “This is not about the money, it’s about the children – saving the children and giving them a life”. Government departments and community organisations can, and do, provide ‘koori friendly’ services and assistance. Where do you go for Help?An umbrella organisation (peak body) oversees all Aboriginal children’s services in NSW. For Support GroupsAboriginal Child Family and Community State Secretariat (NSW)- AbSec - tel 02 9264 0088 or 1800 888 698 (24 hour confidential helpline for Aboriginal Foster Carers and services) AbSec has an Aboriginal Statewide Foster Carer Support Service which provides information and support for Kinship and Foster Carers in the indigenous community. It supports over 22 Kinship and Foster Carers groups throughout NSW. A quarterly newsletter keeps groups informed as to developments within AbSec and the community services sector. Aboriginal children’s services can provide ‘koori friendly’ kinship carer support groups and services and can be found at: Link-Up (NSW) Aboriginal Corporation
Ngunya Jarjum Aboriginal Child & Family Network
Burrun Dalai Out of Home Care & Family Support Service
Hunter Aboriginal Children's Service
KARI Aboriginal Resources Incorporated
Shoalhaven Aboriginal Out of Home Care Service
Marungbai Aboriginal Leaving Care & After Care Service
Coffs Harbour Aboriginal Child & Family Community Care Centre
Aboriginal Supported Playgroups for grannies and young mothers are a great place to socialise and receive support and information. They are set up in many areas – some we know are: - Central Coast: Bateau Bay, San Remo, Wyong - tel 02 4390 3414
For playgroups and services in your local area
Office of Indigenous Policy Coordination tel 1800 079 098 has a central role in the Australian Government's arrangements in Indigenous Affairs. Indigenous Coordination Centres or ICCs operate in 30 locations around Australia. They look after most of the Australian Government’s Indigenous programs and should be able to direct you to local Indigenous Services within your community. EducationThe NSW Department of Education and Training (DET) Aboriginal Education and Training Directorate has an Aboriginal Education Policy aimed at improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal students. If you are experiencing any problems with your school contact the school principal and discuss them – ask about their policy. CentrelinkCentrelink has a network of Indigenous Specialist Officers and Remote Visiting Teams who work to unsure Indigenous peoples are aware of the services and programs Centrelink offers. They also work on improving Centrelink services to Indigenous peoples tel 13 1021 Centrelink also produces a fact sheet entitled Do you have any kids in your care? which explains payments and benefits available to you. Indigenous Statewide Legal ServicesIndigeneous women’s services are available through the Women’s Legal Services NSW. Staffed by Aboriginal women this free services includes legal advice from solicitors via the Indigenous Women's Legal Contact Line 1800 639 784. Other legal services can be found at: Kamilaroi Aboriginal Legal Service
Many Rivers Aboriginal Legal Service
South Eastern Aboriginal Legal Service
Sydney Regional Aboriginal Corporation Legal Service
Western Aboriginal Legal Service
Disability ServicesIndigenous Disability Advocacy Services (IDAS) tel 1300 114 237 offers referral, advocacy, information and support to families in which there is a member with a disability. Carers NSW 02 9280 4744 has an ATSI Development coordinator who can assist carers with support programs and resources. |
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copyright 2006 COTA (NSW) 
