Dubbo's own Leticia Quince has put her writing skills to the test, shining above 100 others to have her work published in a Department of Family and Community Services document.
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Shining a Light on Good Practice consists of 20 contributed chapters allowing children in foster care to share their stories, along with input from their caseworkers.
Working closely with her caseworker Robert McKechnie, the pair were able to collaborate the chapter Robert and Leticia: Once Upon A Time which recounts Leticia's journey within the foster care sector.
Having been in foster care for almost five years, Leticia said she originally wrote her chapter on the two year anniversary of living with Dawn Horner, or Mum as she now calls her.
"It's something I do every year now, I just wanted to say thank you and to show her how much I appreciated what she has done for me," she said.
Leticia said she had no issue when it came to putting the pen to paper, finding it easy to write her journey from the heart.
Her caseworker Mr McKechnie is pleased to have been involved with Leticia's placement in Dubbo.
"I've been working in this sector since 2006. Originally I was part of the child protection team, but now I've moved on to foster care," he said.
"Most caseworkers don't do this kind of work for the public recognition, we do it to see the outcomes."
"Shining a Light on Good Practice not only shows the long-term options in foster care," Mrs Wheeler said.
"It also demonstrates the further opportunities children can reach."
"This is the first time the report has been released and we're hoping to do it on an annual basis."
Relocating to Dubbo has opened up doors Leticia only ever dreamed of walking through.
Studying for her HSC this year, Leticia is set on gaining entry in to university to study a Bachelor of Social Work.
Mr McKechnie is thrilled with Leticia's determination in life, attributing her to be a very dedicated young lady.
"Working with Leticia has shown me that no matter what life throws at you, take what you can and you can achieve anything."