My Forever Family NSW will be in Wellington on Friday to talk to the local Aboriginal community about the important role kinship and foster carers play and what they can do to support children currently living in the out-of-home care system.
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A need for more Aboriginal foster careres in Wellington and Dubbo has prompted the yarn session which will feature Emily Blackhouse, Todd Williams and representatives from local Aboriginal foster care agencies Ngarambang and Yiri.
My Forever Family NSW spokesperson Michelle Stacpoole said the session would be looking to "engage the community on Wiradjuri Country to talk about issues and challenges children in the out-of-home care system face, and help them understand how they can help."
"We are here with the support of local Aboriginal agencies to help guide people on their foster care journey," she said.
Speaking at the event 21-year-old Emily Backhouse was placed into care in 2009 and since then has been actively advocating for the rights of children and young people.
Miss Backhouse will talk about her experience in care and the importance of keeping a strong connection to culture.
Also featured at the event will be former Wellington singer and songwriter Todd Williams, who is the first Aboriginal winner of the Starmaker prize and Tamworth.
His debut album Ten 'Till Midnight was recorded live and was released in 2004.
In Australia there are almost 45,000 children living in the out of home care system and approximately 40 per cent of these children come from an Aboriginal background. However, there is a drastic shortage of Aboriginal carers available to care for these children, particularly in the region, including Wellington and Dubbo.
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