NSW, Kookaburra Kids

Kookaburra Kids supports children 8-17 who live in a family affected by mental illness, by providing FREE camps and other activities that are fun, healthy, positive and safe.

This early intervention program has been developed and implemented to achieve the following outcomes:

• To provide children and young people with respite from the stress they experience at home and school.
• To provide the opportunity for children and young people to have a break from looking after an unwell parent and to be 'kid'.
• To provide the opportunity for children and young people to meet others with similar family circumstances.
• To provide a supportive environment that allows children and young people to discuss issues and concerns that they face when living with a parent with a mental illness and the impact it has on themselves and their family.
• To provide support and referral pathways for children and young people.
• To provide education and coping skills to minimise risk in the future.
• To provide the necessary tools to help build resilience.

Criteria for acceptance into the Kookaburra Kids program:

• Age: 8 to 17 years of age (primary/high school).
• Referral area: Sydney and Illawarra Shoalhaven areas.
• Have a family member suffering from a mental illness (children who have been removed from the family are still accepted into the program).
• Mental illness does not need to be formally diagnosed.

Kookaburra Kids offers an annual program consisting of the following:

WEEKEND CAMPS
There are four camps held during the year, each camp is designed to cater for different age groups.

• March (school grades 5 and 6).
• May (school grades 7 and 8).
• September (school grades 3 and 4).
• November (school grades 9 to 11).

At camp the children will participate in recreational and sometimes challenging activities, with a purpose of developing and enhancing their coping skills, communication skills and social skills however, most of all they will just have fun and have an opportunity to be a 'kid' without the responsibilities of looking after an unwell parent.

An important component of the camp is the Mental Health Education Program. Psychologists have developed age appropriate booklets containing information about mental illness and activities for the children to complete at camp and then take home as a referral source. The camp provides a safe environment that encourages children to talk about issues they may have at home, The Camp Counsellors can provide additional counselling and will complete a Carer Plan for follow up after camp, if required. To ensure that the needs of the Kookaburra Kids are met, the program ensures that the ratio at camp is never more than three children to one Camp Leader.

Kookaburra Kids engages the services of more than 50 passionate, professional and dedicated volunteer Camp Leaders who bring with them a wealth of knowledge from many backgrounds such as Psychologist, Police, Teachers, Nurses and Youth Workers. A number of Trainee Leaders are involved, who were in the past registered as children of the program, and have now returned to pass on their lived experience.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM
During the Easter, July and October holidays, Kookaburra Kids offers an exciting and engaging activity for all ages (eg ice skating, bowling, laser tag and movies). The regular contact with the child and young people allows Kookaburra Kids to monitor their progress and ensure that they are utilising the services that are available. All activities are free.

FAMILY PICNIC DAY
On the first Sunday of December, Kookaburra Kids holds a Family Picnic Day where the children, young people and their families are invited to a BBQ lunch and to participate in picnic games and team challenges. The highlight of the day is a visit from Santa. The Family Picnic Day is free for the whole family and a gift is provided to every child and young person.

Written evaluations are completed pre and post camp by the children and young people to measure outcomes and learnings. Camp Leaders are required to complete an evaluation after camp to measure the effectiveness of the camp. Leaders also complete a camper feedback form for each participant, allowing Kookaburra Kids to build a profile of each child and young person, that assists the next time they attend camp or an activity.

There is no other respite/support program in the area that deals specifically with mental illness.

The entire program is FREE.

To make a referral contact Pam Brown on 02 8203 1917 or 0408 402 591.

Applications for families are available on the http://www.kookaburrakids.org.au website.

The Australian Kookaburra Kids Foundation Inc is a not for profit organisation and a registered charity. Volunteer Camp Leaders are required to attend training and complete a 'Working with Children Check'.