Special delivery for kids in care, with love from Queensland

Six thousand foster and kinship care families in Queensland will soon receive a special delivery from Queensland Foster and Kinship Care (QFKC) and the Queensland Family and Child Commission (QFCC).

QFKC Executive Director Bryan Smith said packs were being bundled up and sent far and wide across the state as a gift to children in care and to recognise their carers’ extraordinary contribution to keeping young Queenslanders safe.

“The QFKC Carers Calendar is a favourite among the foster and kinship care community, and families look forward to receiving it each year,” Mr Smith said.

“The calendar features illustrations from Queensland children in care, which helps them feel a sense of worth and belonging to their community.

“This is also an opportunity for us to reach out to every foster and kinship carer in Queensland to remind them that support is always available on their care journey and encourage them to reach out for help.”

QFCC Principal Commissioner Luke Twyford said carers opened their homes and their hearts to children who needed safety, love and security, often with little recognition.

“As a token of appreciation, every foster and kinship care home in Queensland will this year receive a Queensland-focussed children’s picture book, The Right to Be Me, along with the QFKC Carers Calendar,” Mr Twyford said.

“The pack is a small way to say a big thank you to foster and kindship care families, and it goes a long way to making children in care feel valued, included and connected.

“We can’t underestimate the value in acknowledging children in care and telling them that the community cares about them, regardless of their family circumstances.

“I hope this book will be a welcome addition to the home library and a tool to help carers develop their children’s literacy, a fundamental skill needed to set them on a path to success.”

ENDS

Background

The Right to Be Me is a picture book about children’s rights, written by local author Allison Paterson and local illustrator Amanda Letcher (JSACreative)

Local organisation Children’s Rights Queensland developed the book in response to calls from teachers and educators for more resources about children’s rights.

Aimed at children aged 5 to 10 years, the book features the voices of children from many backgrounds and locations across Queensland, talking about children’s rights. It includes traditional Djabugay languages spoken in the Cairns region.

It was launched at the Queensland State Library in October 2021.

For media information contact:

Kirstine O’Donnell | Queensland Family and Child Commission
Phone: 0404 971 164
Email: kirstine.odonnell@qfcc.qld.gov.au