SUBJECT:                                           National Office. NZ. Report October2004

Sydney Motivational Trip & our GRG Grandchildren:

Eight very, very tired teenaged grandchildren returned safely back to NZ from this sponsored trip. Grandmother Maree (chaperone) did a very good job. She has reported back to the GRG Trust: Our grandchildren are a credit to their grandparents. I had no problems with any of them, the girls behaved well and our boys, what a lovely bunch, very respectful and I appreciate the way they cared for our girls. We have had a letter of thanks from Paul one of the boys, this trip obviously had a profound effect for him and we are so pleased.

Diane & GRG:  I don’t know how to thank you.
That trip was an experience that is beyond I know how to describe, thank you
so much and everyone else at GRG who help me and the others to get over
there.
Walking on fire was a piece of cake you just have to be in the right mindset
and well, he (Anthony Robbins) certainly knows how to leave you revved up, I got about 5
hours sleep in the entire time I was over there and after walking on fire me
and some others went to the gym and ran on the treadmills for about 2 hours
(I’m not a running kind of person, I do now) then hit other machines like
rowing and stuff this was at 3 am Australian time!!

When I got back we were still wired like never before I still am but I
sort of lost a little control and I crashed when I got home for about 15 hours,
got up and ready again. Some people at work are looking at me differently,
so positive and just bouncing around, a different Paul that left. Even my
boss is a little stunned, like where do you find the energy, easy just
entering the right frame of mind thinking the right thoughts and playing the
right music to associate and away I go again.

It’s hard to describe to people unless they have been themselves.

If there is anything I can do, sing out, I am in both you and the GRG’s debt
for a lifetime. One I want to go again next year with Jules from ICAN Trust as a
chaperone and will be more than happy to look after others if you wish to send some more kids over again. Again anything I can do within my power for both you and the GRG I will do
my best to make happen.
Thank you again

Paul is 19 and lives with his Grandmother in West Auckland.

Proud Grandparents Report:

Our grand-daughter Awhina, whom we have had since she was 4 years old and now is 14, has won honours, in pre-advanced tap dancing. This lovely young lady has been tap dancing since she was 4.

Attention all GRG’s in the Wellington Region.

The Wellington group has been successful with a funding application and we would like to hear from you if you have a project that we could consider sponsoring grandchildren over the summer holidays.

If there is an activity/holiday programme/camp/sporting tuition that you would like your grandchild/ren to attend over the summer holidays then please apply in writing to GRG Wellington, 3A Woodridge Drive, Newlands, outlining your proposal for consideration. Applications will close Friday 10th of December 2004.

Australian Liberal Party Recognises GRG’s:

$70 million announced, at Coalition Launch, specifically earmarked for Grandparent Carers, in Child Care package. If elected, Coalition guarantees no Grandparent Carer will be out of pocket for childcare expenses, and will receive full refunds. Effective: 1st January, 2005 if Coalition wins election.

Supporting grandparents who care for Children

Grandparents who have the responsibility for the primary care of young grandchildren face the same challenges as younger parents. However many grandparents do not enjoy the health, energy or vigour that can often be needed to care full time for these children. Although grandparents have access to assistance such as parenting payments, family tax, and child care benefits, caring for young grandchildren can also be financially draining.

A re-elected Coalition Government will provide grandparents caring for their grandchildren with improved access to Child Care Benefit, at a cost of $70 million over four years.

By waiving the work, study or training test for access to Child Care Benefit grandparents will be able to access full time child care of up to 50 hours per week if required.

The work, study and training test will be waived from 1 November 2004.

A re-election Coalition Government will also make child care more accessible for grandparents in receipt of income support, such as aged pension or carer payment, be enabling them to access Special Rate Child Care Benefit.

Special rate Child Care Benefit will cover the full cost of child care fees charged to eligible grandparents. Grandparents will be able to access Special Rate Child Care Benefit from 1 January 2005, subject to the passage of legislation.

We are waiting NZ and the Liberal party were voted in.

Dealing with Temper Tantrums (for the little and not so little)

Everyone has temper tantrums once in a while. I have been known to have a few well -planned tantrums of my own when I need to get my point across. But with our children tantrums are a way of coping with the uncertainties of their early lives. We tend to feel sad that the children came to us from unreliable and unstable bio parents. We tend to want to undo the early hurts and make up to the child for past pain we did not cause. That tends to make us second-guess our natural instincts when dealing with behavior issues like temper tantrums. By all means we must get the children psychological help when needed, but in the meantime we must treat unacceptable behavior issues with consistency and firmness. Here are 5 strategies for dealing with tantrums.

1. Never give in!  When you get to the point where you feel like giving in stop. Giving a person what he or she wants in response to a tantrum teaches him or her that tantrums work. It’s like rewarding bad behavior. No matter how disturbing the tantrum is to everyone involved, don’t do it.

2. Head a tantrum off at the source! Learn to recognize the things that set off tantrums and avoid them. Children are more prone to tantrums when they are sick, tired, wound up, and bored.  Plan trips to the store, when your child is fed, rested and content.

3. Explain before you get to the store what you are willing to give and what will happen if he or she asks for more. Some days when I am feeling like my little one needs a little reward we go to the store and I say, “You may get one toy that is $10 or less.”. Other times when I am short on cash I say. “We are going to the store to get milk. I have no money for anything else. If you ask I will not only say no but you will lose desert tonight.”

4. Do not respond to tantrums. Say nothing until the child has calmed down. Trying to talk to an out of control person is fruitless. After the child has calmed down is the time to talk about what happened and what could have been done differently.

5. Have a “Tantrum Safe Place”.  Set up a place in where a child can kick scream and otherwise go wild but not hurt him self or others.  Remove all objects that can become missiles.  If and when a tantrum erupts promptly pick up the child, deposit him in the safe area without speaking to him and stand guard at the door to prevent escape. Time out rule of thumb is 2 minutes per year age.

Care Supplement: Via WINZ.

If you are receiving UCB from WINZ are you aware that if your grandchildren/whanau children were legally under the custody of CYF you can get this extra top-up. We at the Trust head office are astounded that so many callers are not aware of this. Hence we are repeating this information again. CYF must have had custody of the children and you must have been their caregiver at that time.

There is no time limit as to how long ago CYF had custody. WINZ will only back pay to 1^st July of the year you place an application in for this extra benefit. You will need to make an appointment with your WINZ case worker and you will need documentation that proves CYF have passed their custody over to you via Family Court. If you or your WINZ case worker is unsure about this “Care Supplement” it is on page 4 of the “Help for Kinship Carers” booklet available from WINZ or GRG Trust office. This publication is also on our web site main frame under “Kinship” it is a PDF file.

Needing Family Court Legal Advice?

Did you realise that by phoning your local CAB you can ask them to get you an appointment with a Family Court Lawyer for a free 20 minute consultation. Also many communities have “Community Law Offices” where you also can access help.

Disability Chaos
Press Release by Paediatric Society of New Zealand at  07:05, 14-10-2004

The numbers and resourcing of children and young people with disability in New Zealand are uncertain and confused. Auckland paediatrician Dr Phillipa Clark, speaking at the Paediatric Society meeting in Rotorua, reported on her analysis of data from Statistics New Zealand and the Ministry of Social Development. What emerged was an inconsistent picture. "The Statistics New Zealand data identified up to 90,000 children and young people with a disability, and many of those appeared not to be receiving the services they were entitled to" said Dr Clark. The Ministry of Social Development data (based on people receiving the Child Disability Allowance), showed far fewer children receiving this allowance than would be expected based on the Statistics New Zealand data. Even more troubling, receipt of a Child Disability Allowance appeared to be based more on where children lived, than what was wrong with them. "This really needs sorting out - children are missing out on services they need, and it's hurting them and their families".

Dr Clark said one simple solution would be a child disability register, able to monitor disability rates, and ensure appropriate services were delivered to children who were entitled. She added that it was disappointing that Statistics New Zealand would only release it's information on a "user pays" basis - "that kind of approach cannot be in the best interests of children".

*If you have grandchildren/whanau with a disability, talk to your Doctor about this Allowance*

New GRG Support Group to start:

We send a big thank you and extend a warm welcome to the new GRG Co-ordinators of our Taupo group. Jacky Hill and Edna McNeish can be contacted at the Taupo Therapy Centre 66 Paora Hapi Street Taupo Ph (07)376 8222 email mcneish-e@xtra.co.nz

Child, Youth And Family Lifts Performance As Demand Grows
Press Release by Child, Youth and Family at  14:15, 14-10-2004

Child, Youth and Family has lifted service performance against a backdrop of increased public concern for children and young people, and unprecedented levels of demand for its services, Chief Executive Paula Tyler says in the Department's annual report tabled in Parliament today.

In the year ended 30 June 2004, Child, Youth and Family received 43,314 notifications of possible abuse or neglect, far out-stripping the 31,781 notifications it received in 2002/03. The notifications related to 34,036 young people, 23 per cent more than the number covered by notifications in 2002/03.

The annual report shows that despite the increases, Child, Youth and Family managed to improve its response times for critical and very urgent cases during the year.

Paula Tyler says the challenge for Child, Youth and Family is to respond effectively to all children who are suspected of having been, or who are at risk of being harmed, and to do so in a way that ensures the services delivered by the Department are sustainable. In addition the Department must ensure its services are tailored to meet the specific needs of distinct client groups.

To support this, the Government is currently considering amendments to the Children, Young Persons and their Families Act 1989 to provide a wider range of possible responses to community concerns about children and young people. The proposed changes will authorise non-government organisations approved under the Act to carry out some non-investigation services on Child, Youth and Family's behalf.

"Our overall aim is that the right services reach the right children and young people in a more timely way," Ms Tyler says.

In order to improve overall service quality in the short term, Child, Youth and Family has engaged additional social workers, provided extra front line support and provided additional funding for services such as holding family group conferences and implementing social work plans and orders.

Ms Tyler says that considerable work has been undertaken during the year on inter-sectorial work with other government agencies including the Ministries of Health and Education on programmes such as Family Start, Social Workers in Schools, the High and Complex needs initiative and disability services, the Police on family violence work, and the Department of Corrections on the Reducing Youth Offending Programme.

"The Department's progress to date has been made possible through the dedication and commitment of Child, Youth and Family's staff," she says.

"As Chief Executive, it is my aim to ensure that the Department continues on its path of positive development and is able to grasp the opportunities before it to play a strong and effective role in New Zealand society."

Did you know you could get assistance with your Housing?

Mortgage, rent or board costs: Work & Income (WINZ) have relaxed this package as of 1 October.

You could get Accommodation Supplement if your weekly income before tax is under…

If you are                               In Auckland                Other main Cities                    Elsewhere

Single with 1 child                 $876                            $716                                        $636

Single with 2 or more            $1.047                         $847                                        $747

Couple with 1 or more          $1.096                         $896                                        $796

To check if eligible call the Working with Families free-phone on 0800 774 004 (Monday to Friday 7am – 8pm, Saturday 8am – 5pm) or visit www.workandincome.govt.nz

CYF/NZFFCF Caregiver Training Courses Nov/Dec 2004.

These are free of charge and CYF will reimburse you for childcare & petrol expenses.

To book telephone Maxine Carroll on 0508 326 459 or email Maxine.carroll008@cyf.govt.nz

These are worthwhile attending.

NVCI = Non Violence Crisis Intervention.

Hitting Rock Bottom:

The Grandparents in the first article have told the Trust that things have stabilized to a certain degree. The child still gets up there but not over the top. For this they are very grateful. It was also comforting to have the head psychiatrist tell these Grand’s that they have experienced a hurricane with this child and he also stated it was easier for them as they locked the doors and went home every night, whereas these grandparents had to deal with this 7 times 24. The grandparents concerned have placed the child on St Johns Wort and its early days yet but things seem better.

From the second story:

Many thanks to those that responded to my article, it's good to know that we're not the only ones who are going through these tough times. I have managed to get our granddaughter's appointment brought forward, only by 1 1/2 weeks, but that's better than nothing. In reply to the person I spoke to on the phone, many thanks for your words of encouragement, and for reminding me that things do can get better over time. I have also had contact from the Autism Society, with an apology that it took them some time to get back to me, and I am booked into a seminar at the end of this month, so will take heaps of notes from that.

Way to go grandparents if you do not understand things get out there a find out more, it will lighten your heavy load, we encourage all grand’s to do this, it will make a difference in your understanding of what you are dealing with

Central Auckland: Grand’s & Caregivers with under 5’s.

A new Toddlers, Tea & Toys group has started called 3 x T & Maps. Located: at Mt Albert Primary School Hall Cnr Sainsbury & Taylors Rd Mt Albert every Tuesday 9am – 11am. Phone Andrea (Andy) 09 846 4364. All welcome

And to end:

Some fish are dangerous. Jellyfish can sting.
Electric eels can give you a shock. They have to live in caves under the sea where I think they have to plug themselves into chargers.

 (Christopher age 7)

Di

Convenor and the team. return to top