Foster care policy a life saver, say teens
An Invercargill transition house is part of a national network that now gives foster kids support into their adult lives.
Dannelle Mcmurdo, 16, and Krystal Sampson-Bungard, 18, reside in a supported living home.
The Nga¯ Kete Matauranga Pounamu Charitable Trust’s supported youth living manager, Kerstin Kummerer, runs the home, which is a pilot venture between Oranga Tamariki and the trust.
Minister for Children Tracey Martin was in Invercargill yesterday to visit the home, where young people were taught about money management and cooking and given direction about tertiary education.
Distinct from traditional foster care, this programme was specifically designed to give young people the tools to sustain independence.
Mcmurdo entered state care at birth, and Sampson-Bungard when she was a toddler.
Mcmurdo said she was in one foster home for most of her life but had suffered abuse. She can now call any of the staff of the house when she needs support in any area of her life.
‘‘The staff are like parents. This house is filled with laughter.’’
In foster care she said it was common for her to leave the house for days at a time and go and get in trouble. ‘‘I would probably be in lock-up [if it wasn’t for being in the supported living home],’’ she said.
Next year she will go Telford to study an equine course.
Previously, youths in foster care were expected to become independent at age 18. Under new provisions announced by the Government in May, people in state care can now remain in the Oranga Tamariki system until they are 25.
Sampson-Bungard said she was in a depressed state when she turned 18 and being on her own could have ended badly. She had been in and out of foster homes and had also lived on the streets.
With the skills she has learnt at her new home, Sampson-Bungard will be studying nursing full time and plans to move out next year.
She said the change in policy allowing those over 18 to stay with a carer had helped her immensely.
‘‘It’s good they’ve changed the rules. A place like this is great because it teaches you things that school doesn’t.’’
Martin said some young people who have been in the care or youth justice systems had experienced a difficult start to life and it was wrong that support for them ended when they turned 18.
‘‘It is time to recognise the special responsibility we have for the young people leaving the state’s care,’’ she said.
The Government’s 2019 Budget designated $153.7 million to Oranga Tamariki over four years to assist young people to transition from state care into adulthood.
Oranga Tamariki site manager Raewyn Hubbard said the Invercargill house was aimed at 18- to 21-year-olds and was expected to have six to 10 young people live there in the next 18 months.