Welcome to the Post Placement Resource Centre’s March 2012 newsletter I am so very pleased to be working for PPSS as

1. Welcome to the Post Placement Resource Centre’s March 2012 newsletter I am so very pleased to be working for PPSS as Programs Manager – Training and Education.  My background is predominately within the education sector, both in Victoria and overseas.  I have always had a passion for the wellbeing of children, particularly those who have additional challenges in their lives.  I have a personal interest in the families we assist, as my family was created through adoption. I have been fortunate to meet recently with many of you via our ‘LET’S TALK about school’ sessions.  Thank you for trusting me with your thoughts, concerns and family stories.  It is a great privilege to be building relationships with our members.   Our programs team is always available to offer information and support via email, phone or at our training and education sessions.  Please feel free to contact us. I look forward to meeting many more of you at our upcoming family day in May. Lindy Bok • Education • LET’S TALK: Adoption, Permanent Care and Schools • NEWsession Tuesday 27 March • Due to the ‘sold out’ session in March, PPSS is pleased to offer this session again. • Discussions will centre around: • talking to your child’s teacher/carer about adoption and permanent care • preparing your child for school – including ideas to skill them in answering adoption or permanent care related questions • Date and Time:  Tuesday 27 March from 7.00 – 9.00pm • Venue: Betty Day Community Centre • 67 Argyle Street, St Kilda • To buy a ticket, log on to www.trybooking.com/22107 • Alternatively see www.ppss.org.au – (calendar events) for more information or contact Lindy Bok on: 9020 1837. • At this session participants will receive the PPSS publication • Let’s Talk: Helping Educators Understand the Implications of Adoption and Permanent Care. • This booklet aims to give teachers a deeper understanding of: • how the child’s loss and pre-adoptive/permanent care environment impacts on their time at school • techniques that can help cater to these children’s needs • adoption/permanent care ‘language’ • If you are unable to attend this session, but would like to purchase a copy of the Let’s Talk publication, please contact Deb on email • deborah@ppss.org.auor via phone: 9020 1839.   The price is $18 which includes postage and handling.  • Please note: we do not anticipate offering this session again until late in term 4 of 2012. • Celebrating National Families Week • Families Make • All the Difference: • Helping Kids to • Grow and Learn • Each year, tens of thousands of people and hundreds of organisations celebrate National Families Week which is from 15 May to 21 May. • The aim of National Families Week 2012 is to celebrate the vital role that families play. • National Families Week is timed to coincide with the United Nations International Day of Families on 15 May. This day is observed by the United Nations to mark the importance that the international community places on families as the most fundamental units of society, as well as to show concern about their situation in many parts of the world. The United Nations theme for the 2012 International Day of Families is Ensuring Work Family Balance. • PPSS will host a family day on Sunday 20 May . Venue to be advised. Save the date Sunday 20 May Useful Links The Attorney-General’s Department website has been updated with information about the China Program and its traffic infringement eligibility requirement. It can be accessed at this link: http://www.ag.gov.au/Intercountryadoption/Whatsnew/Pages/default.aspx Out of Home Care - The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development has produced a new booklet that you will find useful. http://www.eduweb.vic.gov.au/edulibrary/public/stuman/wellbeing/A4_partnering.pdf For playgroup times, dates and venues visit our website on www.ppss.org.au

2. Support Groups and Community Events Kinship Care Sessions Melton 26 April , 22 May , 26 June 10:00am – 12:00pm Location: Melton Community Hall Complex - Room 2 232 High Street, Melton 3337 Topics: To be advised Phone: 03 9020 1833 (PPSS), email: info@ppss.org.au Moonee Ponds 24 May 1:00pm – 3:00pm Location: Moonee Valley Community Centre 9 Kellaway Ave, Moonee Ponds 3039 Topic: To be advised Phone: 03 9020 1833 (PPSS), email: info@ppss.org.au Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry – report released On 28 February the Victorian government released the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry report, which outlines significant systems-reform for the child protection system. PPSS and a number of our members made submissions and the inquiry report can be found here: http://www.childprotectioninquiry.vic.gov.au/report-pvvc-inquiry.html The strongest focus of the report is the need to strengthen prevention and early intervention to prevent family break-down, with a further focus on improving supports to ensure better outcomes for children and young people in the out-of-home care system. The government has committed an initial $61.4million over four years to invest in improvements to services, with the government’s initial response available here: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3266-coalition-government-takes-immediate-action-to-protect-victorias-vulnerable-children.html Given the report’s primary focus on placement prevention, there are limited references in its recommendations to the needs and priorities of carers. PPSS will be working hard to ensure that the need for effective post placement support for families in kinship care, permanent care, foster care and adoption are recognised in the implementation process. PPSS would be keen to hear any response you might have to the findings of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry. If you would like to express your view, or are interested in hearing more about the report and its recommendations, please drop a line to jennifer@ppss.org.au or call Jennifer on 9020 1830. Role of carers recognised in law On 15 March the Victorian Parliament passed the Carers Recognition Bill 2012, which recognises the role of carers and care relationships. Amongst other care relationships, this legislation recognises kinship and foster carers and sets out principles recognising carers for their contribution. For more information from the Minister’s office, visit: http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/3404-vital-role-of-carers-recognised-in-law.html Launch of new NOFASARD contact number 1300 306 238 The National Organisation for Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and Related Disorders (NOFASARD) is pleased to announce the launch of their new 1300 number. If you are a parent, carer, service provider or an adult affected by fetal alcohol exposure and you need information, support, training or resources you can now call 1300 306 238.  www.nofasard.org.au • People, Perspectives, Practices • National Adoption & Permanent Care Conference • Monday 22to Tuesday 23 October 2012 • Australian Adoption conferences are held every four years and this year it is hosted by Melbourne. • The conference is an opportunity for adoption professionals from Australia and overseas and for individuals and families affected by adoption and permanent care to meet. • Further information will be posted on www.berrystreet.org.au Strengthening Care: Best Outcomes Sebel Albert Park Hotel, Melbourne Friday 19 to Sunday 21 October 2012 The conference aims to focus on the overall theme of strengthening care, understanding, placement, relationships and partnerships; strengthening outcomes, culture and identity; and strengthening independence for foster and kinship care. For further information on the conference visit: www.strengtheningcare2012.com.au • The conference themes are: • Reconnecting • Cross cultural perspectives • Therapeutic perspectives • Aboriginal perspectives • Outcomes of adoption and permanent care • Strengthening outcomes for children in adoption and permanent care