What's the Answer? - Create

Best Practice Example: ‘Go Your Own Way’ Leaving Care KitSTATE:ORGANISATION(S):TARGET GROUP:FOCUS:QueenslandDepartment of Communities, Child Safety Services and CREATE FoundationYoung people transitioning from care, 17 yearsA satchel containing information and resources to help support and prepareyoung people to transition from careTransition from Care has been identified by both the department and CREATE as a key component ofcase planning. The department assigned November 2009 as Transition from Care month and, inconjunction with CREATE, developed resources to highlight the significance of transitioning youngpeople from care.‘Go Your Own Way’ kits contain resources to help young people answer common questions aboutindependent living and also practical tools to help them support themselves. Some of the resourcesin the satchel include:• booklet on services available to smooth the path to independence developed with CREATE YoungConsultants input• cookbook written for teenagers by celebrity teenage chef Sam Stern• ‘Transition from Care’ journal containing artworks and words of advice from CREATE YoungConsultants who have been through their own transition from care.Department of Communities, Child Safety Services provided CREATE with $70,000 of non-recurrentfunds in 2009-10: $50,000 to purchase the satchels and resources that are included, and $20,000 forthe development and the distribution of the kits over an 18 month period. One Thousand (1,000) ‘GoYour Own Way’ kits will be distributed over a three-year period, from August 2010 to August 2013.The kits are packed and posted from CREATE’s national office by volunteers (providing additional inkindsupport), and are then provided to Child Safety Service Centres to give to young people whenthey turn 17. CREATE also provides backpacks to fostering agencies and residential care agencies onrequest.57