Impact Newsletter March 2023

Dear supporters,

Early this year we released a report on the OurSPACE program in NSW. It was found that 74% of children referred to the program experienced up to eight placement breakdowns and 17% had more than nine, a disappointing fact about the out-of-home care system. Despite this, the OurSPACE program has had a significant positive impact on the lives of the children and young people it supports, reducing trauma symptoms and criminal activity, improving placement stability and educational outcomes. We hope that with continued and increased funding, we will be able to ensure more children receive support from the OurSPACE program.

I would also like to share a recent episode on the @awareparentingpodcast with you that featured Gabor Mate. He spoke on a range of topics including attachment, authenticity and intergenerational trauma. With a plug on the Foundation at the end, I wanted to let everyone know that we have the dates for our 2024 International Childhood Trauma Conference. The conference is your opportunity to learn from leading experts from across the globe on neuroscience, trauma, attachment and therapeutic intervention. It is an event not to be missed. Click here to learn more and grab the details to pop into your diary.

Our Darwin counselling spaces received a three-day generous makeover from our corporate partner, Target. These counselling spaces see 60 families of children and young people at any given time and helps over 300 a year. The makeover resulted in a welcoming and warm atmosphere, complete with new furniture, toys, and artwork that feature calming colours. The space also includes a revitalised arts area that encourages play therapy, which can aid children in expressing themselves.

Lastly, Rosie Batty AO, Australian Childhood Foundation Patron, kicked off the year with an inspirational feature in February’s Australian Women’s Weekly. In the feature Rosie discussed grief, domestic violence, amplifying children’s voices and her journey to healing. It is a great piece and I encourage you to have a read.

To close, I want to say I am hugely grateful for your support in helping the children and young people we work with. As the age-old saying goes, we achieve more in numbers. With you part of our community, our impact increases more than you can imagine.

With our warmest thanks,

Dr Joe Tucci

CEO, Australian Childhood Foundation

If would like to contact Australian Childhood Foundation directly you can email or call us today.

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