Act for Kids has received a $50,000 funding boost to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers in Far North Queensland and Cape York.
The funding has been provided by the Queensland Mental Health Commission to residential Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers of children under child protection.
The funding initiative is part of the 2016-17 Stronger Community Mental Health and Wellbeing grants program.
Queensland Mental Health Commissioner Ivan Frkovic said residential care workers often experienced their own family and wellbeing stresses and challenges.
“To support their important work, we’ve funded a culturally tailored Family Wellbeing Program, to help carers more effectively nurture the wellbeing of the children they look after,” he said.
“Up to 18 staff from the Aurukun, Napranum, Pormpuraaw, Kowanyama and Doomadgee communities will participate.”
The initiatives support the goals of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social and Emotional Wellbeing Action Plan 2016-2018.
Act for Kids Regional Director Kieran Smith says the funding is a welcome addition to the support that the staff in the Act for Kids Safe Houses receive.
“We are so grateful to the Queensland Mental Health Commission for this initiative. Our teams do such outstanding work in these communities and this program will only allow them to do their jobs even better,” Kieran said.