The Federal Budget 2014-2015 foreshadowed a range of initiatives described as necessary to address structural problems in Government Finances. The Budget is widely considered to be “unfair” and vulnerable families, children and young people will be adversely affected. While a number of the measures are yet to be passed in Parliament, the Centre and many child and family services organisations have expressed grave concern for the wellbeing of children and families using their services and for the likely significant impact of financial pressures on family relationships.
In response to the potential devastating impacts for young people the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare is uniting with YACVIC VCOSS and Council to the Homeless Persons in a forum to develop a response to the measures. Read more & Register
Learning &Development
The Centre offers a range of accredited and non-accredited training to members and non-members.
This one-day interactive workshop aims to provide practitioners with an understanding of counselling and the confidence to use basic counselling skills in a direct practice setting.
The centre has conducted regional consultations with events held so far in Wangaratta, Ballarat Warrnambool, with a consultation to occur in Shepparton on 16 July.
Further consultations will be organised across other regions, including a Melbourne metropolitan consultation over the coming months.
Follow the links above to register for the events, or contact the office on (03) 9614 1577 if you have any questions or wish to raise a particular agenda item for your region.
Sector wide Forum
A CEO and sector meeting was held on Wednesday 28th May. Gill Callister (Secretary of the Department of Human Services) and Nicholas Pole (Dep Sec DEECD) gave updates on the priorities for their organisations in relation to the sector.
A panel responded and addressed key issues from their perspective.
We would like to invite you to the Debutante Ball for young people in care, hosted by the Commission for Children and Young People in partnership with the Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare (The Centre).
The Debutante Ball is a symbol of the growth, aspirations and spirit of our young people and will be held at the Melbourne Town Hall on Monday 11th August 2014.
Further details, including ticketing information and the Deb Ball journey can be found on the Deb Ball page.
New Directions in Permanent Care
On 26th June, The Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare in cooperation with Permanent Care and Adoptive Families is holding a twilight policy and practice forum on Permanent Care. The forum is very timely as Government seeks to implement the findings of its Permanent Care Project.
Further information and details can be found here.
ACWA 2014 – 18-20 August 2014
Children in a Changing World – Challenges for Families and Communities.
This conference provided by ACWA will deliver a unique Australian opportunity to hear international speakers on the latest research impacting children, their immediate and extended families, and the communities in which they live.
The Commission for Children and Young People invites submissions to its Inquiry into the adequacy of the provision of services to children and young people who have been subjected to sexual exploitation or sexual abuse whilst residing in residential care.
Fun4Kids Festival is Australia’s BEST children’s festival made up of 15 incredible zones of kids’ entertainment and activities. With so many things to do in one location, you can choose your own adventure and enjoy the Festival at your own pace.
June 29 – July 6 2014 (First week of the winter school holidays)
Carers Victoria is pleased to release the final discussion paper about young carers and public policy that has been made possible through funding from the Helen McPherson Smith Trust.
The starting point for this project was that although there was growing awareness about the needs and difficulties faced by young carers, it wasn’t always clear how policy directions should respond to these needs.
Sheree Limbrick, Board Diector at the Centre for Excellence in Child & Family Welfare & Director of Operations at CatholicCare Melbourne will be running in Run Melbourne on 27 July 2014.
Sheree will be raising funds for the Refugee & Aslyum Seeker services managed by CatholicCare Melbourne & Gippsland.
The Victorian Premier’s Volunteer Awards is an opportunity to recognise, thank and celebrate the significant contribution of Victoria’s volunteers.
Established in 2013, the awards recognise people who give freely of their time to enhance the lives of Victorians. In addition to recognition, winners of the awards will receive a donation for their chosen charity.
Beyond 18 is an exciting and important new research project that seeks to improve the experience of young people transitioning from care.
The project is being run by the Australian Institute of Family Studies, and aims to find out what life has been like for you while you’ve been in care, what’s happening as you transition out of care, and what life is like after your official care orders have finished.
CFECFW Regional Consultations
Sector wide Forum
Debutante Ball
ACWA 2014 – 18-20 August 2014
CCYP
Fun4Kids Festival
Carers Victoria – Discussion Paper
Run Melbourne – Sheree Limbrick
Recognising the contribution of our silent heroes
