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The Advertiser
5 days ago
- General
- The Advertiser
Hunter foster carers celebrate $1b state funding, but still a way to go
A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was." A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was." A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was." A Hunter foster carer has welcomed the government's historic funding to child protection, but said there was still more work to be done. The state has announced a $1.2 billion funding boost for vulnerable kids, carers and caseworkers as part of this year's budget. More than $49 million will go towards upgrading or building 44 government-owned care homes, including in the Hunter, as well as a 20 per cent rise in foster carers' allowance. One Maitland-based foster carer, who has been looking after kids and teens for seven years in emergency care, short-term and long-term care, and restoration, said the funding would help. "It's an incredibly hard role but incredibly rewarding at the same time," she said. "To have it recognised that we are hopefully breaking that cycle of generational trauma and making a difference in these children's futures, is just really lovely." She had cared for 35 children, and hoped the new funding meant carers would have more money to support children in extracurricular activities, such as swimming lessons or gymnastics. "Carers were paying above and beyond the carer allowance because we don't do it for the money," the carer said. "Our caring role doesn't end when they turn 18 or 21; we've had a couple of teenagers age out, and I'm still in contact with them." The $191.5 million funding to recruit new caseworkers and maintain existing ones was also welcomed. "They are who we go to when we need something, and when there's a big turnover of carers and caseworkers, that ultimately impacts on the children," the carer said. Despite the significant funding, there was so much more that could be done to truly make a difference, the carer said. She said foster care was a last resort for children, and that more funds for programs that supported vulnerable children before and after they had been restored to their families were needed. As an emergency carer, she would also like to see resources available for things that were not child-specific. As an example, she pointed to funding to boost safety and other aspects of a home. The Minister for Families and Communities, Kate Washington, said the Hunter would get its "fair share" of the system's reforms. Ms Washington said the divide of the 44 new or repurposed care homes throughout the state would be based on need, but some would be in the Hunter. "A child who went through the experience of being holed up in hotels and motels described it to me as being like a doggy in a pound being moved from cage to cage," she said. "We will be reforming the system to ensure that they get the safety, stability and the future they deserve." Troy Wright, assistant general secretary of the Public Service Association, thanked the minister for the funding package and the "recognition of a system in crisis." "What it represents is a great relief for our members on the front line that are dealing with these crises every day," he said. "Now it gives them the confidence that the system they represent is going to be better than it previously was."
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Heathrow Square makeover: Grocery store to downsize, new tenants planned
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal. A Lake Mary retail plaza is moving toward redevelopment as its anchor store literally changes shape. An application filed with Seminole County requests to redevelop Heathrow Square retail center at 100 International Parkway to shrink the size of the grocery anchor, currently occupied by Winn-Dixie, and add new outparcels for a bank and quick-service restaurant. Maitland-based Equinox Development owns the 11.73-acre property, which it bought in 2021 for $18.2 million, according to county records. Equinox President and CEO Ryan Stahl is listed as the applicant on the plans. Company executives did not return a request for comment. Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
24-02-2025
- Yahoo
Widow sues Tallahassee for benefits three years after police officer husband's COVID death
A widow has waited almost three and a half years since her husband's death to receive the benefits he earned by protecting Tallahassee. Now to get them, she's having to sue the city. Melissa Crouch filed a lawsuit in Leon Circuit Civil court at the end of January seeking to declare her rights and collect the money she was due after her husband died from COVID-19 while serving as a police officer. She is represented by Vincent Leuzzi, a Maitland-based attorney. Clifford "Cliff" Crouch, 38, died in September 2021 after contracting the virus that rocked the world. The Tallahassee Police Department accepted Clifford's "injury and resulting death as a work-related accident under the Florida's Worker's Compensation Act," according to the complaint. The city said it cannot comment on pending litigation. Florida law says a law enforcement officer's beneficiary "must be paid" a $75,000 death benefit, and Melissa is legally able to receive that amount or more, according to the complaint. Melissa requested the benefits the law says she's entitled to last July and still hasn't received any compensation. Clifford Crouch's death rattled his family and the community. Messages of love, condolences and memories poured out in the wake of his passing. "The tragic loss of Officer Crouch is being felt across this community and the state,' said Police Benevolent Association President Richard Murphy in a statement at the time. 'We will miss him terribly. While losing a brother in blue is never easy, it's always gratifying to see how people come together to support each other and the family of Officer Crouch.' The real estate professional who sold the family their home when they moved to Tallahassee said she bawled when she heard the news. "He really enjoyed being a father and was just a complete gentlemen," said Patty Wilson, a local Realtor and talk show personality. "You could just tell, he was a special human being." Crouch left behind four children, the youngest being 1 year old at the time. Before coming to Florida to work with TPD, the Crouches lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. And he brought the Cajun culture with him through his business, Coastal Cajun Cooking, which he owned and operated in his free time. "We pray for peace and healing for the Crouch family, our department and the community as we grieve this loss together," TPD Chief Lawrence Revell said in a statement at the time. Local government watchdog reporter Elena Barrera can be reached at ebarrera@ Follow her on X: @elenabarreraaa. This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Widow sues Tallahassee for TPD officer husband's COVID death benefits
