PRESS RELEASE: TODAY GUS FROM CREATE TALKS COVID19 WITH KIDS IN CARE UNDER 12!
A resource for children and young people with a foster care experience:
CREATE continues working hard to support and connect children and young people with a care experience during the Covid-19 global pandemic. One of the ways CREATE is doing this is by developing online resources for children and young people up to 12 years of age.
Children with a care experience are likely to be more vulnerable than peers in the general community at this time.
With a lot of help from CREATE’s mascot, a purple gorilla named Gus, CREATE has begun releasing a series of very short and accessible animations (i.e. less than 1 ½ minute) titled, Gus talks COVID-19 with kids, for kids! over the next five weeks
As a national organisation for a community of over 45,000 children and young people in care around Australia, CREATE was keen to produce a resource that could help its members to understand the impact of the Coronavirus and give them the confidence to reach out for support if they needed it. CREATE is very aware of the potential risk for children with a care experience as they are likely to be more vulnerable in this time and aimed to contribute to the great work being done by foster carers, residential workers and caseworkers.
GUS TALKS COVID WITH KIDS
Today CREATE proudly launched Gus’ first of five animations, What is Coronavirus? Please view the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88vuCBAqbRw&t=4s.
Through the series Gus answers questions received by CREATE and also explains COVID-19, safety tips and all about social distancing to children in a fun way.
CREATE sends the “clubCREATE” newsletter to its members, who already know Gus. He is a big supporter, often appearing at CREATE connection events around the country and in CREATE magazines distributed to children in care around Australia every quarter.
More than ever it is important that those with a care experience are connected to CREATE for support, information and to reduce isolation. Please encourage anyone with a care experience to become a part of clubCREATE so they can stay informed and connected. Sign up here https://create.org.au/what-we-do/clubcreate/
For more information please free to contact CREATE or visit www.create.org.au
CREATE Foundation is the national consumer body representing the voices of children and young people with an out-of-home care experience (including kinship care, foster care and residential care). CREATE develops policy and research to report on and advocate for a better care system.
For further comment from CREATE’s Chief Executive, Ms Jacqui Reed, and/or a young person with care experience contact Leigh White, CREATE Communications Advisor, via (m) 0431 932 122 or [email protected]
Key statistics on the care sector in Australia:
1. 45,000 children were in out-of-home care across Australia at 30 June, 2019.
2. Young people in out-of-home care are 16 times more likely to be under a youth justice order than the general population
3. 35% of young people experience homelessness within the first year of leaving care
4. 46% of males have been involved with the justice system since leaving care
5. 29% of young people who have left care or preparing to leave care are unemployed
6. 36% children and young people in care do not live with any of their siblings
7. 35% of young people in care have five or more caseworkers during their time in care
8. 67% of young people in care over the age of 15 are not aware of having a leaving care plan
McDowall, J. J. (2015). Sibling placement and contact in out-of-home care. Sydney: CREATE Foundation
