The WA Government has announced the expansion of a project which helps vulnerable children in care remain connected to their multicultural background.
The CaLD Community Carers Program, first trialled in Mirrabooka and the Pilbara, helps to engage ‘community carers’ who are best placed to provide care for culturally and linguistically diverse (CaLD) young people.
The project will now be rolled out statewide, with the Department of Communities establishing ‘community carers’ as a new primary carer category.
The project was first trialled across the Mirrabooka and Pilbara child protection districts in 2024, with community carers in the trial project representing the Hazara, Burundian, Myanmar, South Sudanese, Somalian and Kenyan communities.
“The CaLD Community Carers Program is helping children and young people maintain their connection to culture and community, providing much-needed stability and familiarity while they navigate this period of their life,” said Child Protection Minister, Jessica Stojkovski.
“The Cook Government is proud to announce we are rolling this initiative out State-wide, expanding the number of primary carer groups to support more children and young people in care.
“Foster, family and community carers play a vital role in supporting some of WA’s most vulnerable children and young people.”
