Kids In Care Connect

(Therapeutic Program and Kick Club)

Branch: Beenleigh PCYC

KICC Program and Kick Club is a tailor-made program for kids in foster care. This program aims to intervene early and connect these young people to their local Police Citizens Youth Club for ongoing long-term support.

Objectives of the Kids in Care Program - Therapeutic 4-day Program:

To provide an environment where children in foster care can express feelings of grief and loss, and obtain support in coping with these feelings.
To provide an environment where children in foster care can connect and interact with other children in care, and benefit from each other's experience through a peer support process.
To provide an environment where children in foster care can develop connections and enhance the quality of relationships with the Department of Child Safety Case Workers, the PCYC, St Vincent de Paul and other local community agencies and organisations.

Objectives of the Kick Club:

To provide a sense of belonging and connectedness to the Beenleigh PCYC through regular outings, participation in club activities, and familiarity with staff and facilities.
To provide a positive, safe, empowering environment for Kick Club members.
To provide strong boundaries around negative and anti-social behaviours and positive feedback and reinforcement around pro-social behaviours.
To provide young people with a support network of other young people with similar experiences in care.
To provide strong, supportive adult role models.
To provide opportunities for KICK Club members to do some community service activities and help others in their community.

All participants in Kick Club must have previously attended the therapeutic program Kids in Care Connect (KICC), offered during school holidays at PCYC.

KICC benefits the children by providing a safe and secure environment in which the children are able to explore and express feelings associated with their experience of being a child in the foster care system.

Through Kick Club, children are encouraged to re-connect with members of their original KICC Program cohort - thereby providing continuity. The children feel connected to PCYC and to additional supports in their community.