Karla Kuliny’s community foster care program
In 2024, we are excited to announce that we have become a therapeutic foster care provider in Western Australia.
Karla Kuliny has recently been awarded a contract by the Department of Communities to offer community foster care to First Nations children and young people in care arrangements on Boorloo, Whadjuk Boodjar (land) (Perth Metropolitan region).
We are committed to improving outcomes for children and young people in our care. Our approach focuses on understanding and responding to their unique needs, strengths and cultural identities.
It is our aim for First Nations children who cannot live with their birth parents to remain in the care of their extended family or with members of their community. When this is not possible, we support foster carers to understand the cultural identity of the child or young person they are caring for, providing opportunities for them to develop and maintain cultural connectedness. We do this by bringing together the child’s care team and collectively developing an extensive cultural plan.
Where it is in their best interest, we will support children and young people to be reunited with their families as soon as possible.
To deliver this service, we walk alongside our long-standing allies and colleagues at the Australian Childhood Foundation (the Foundation). Karla Kuliny and the Foundation have a strong, longstanding corporate relationship that spans more than 11 years. Together, we share a commitment to culturally strong, trauma-informed therapeutic care for children, families, carers, and communities.
It is all about the quality of relationships for us at Karla Kuliny.
First Nations children and young people who have experienced trauma need relationships with carers that are safe, adaptable, flexible, fun, nurturing, and supportive of cultural connectedness. We offer support that is responsive and adapts to the changing needs of children and carers.
We believe in true partnership with carers, valuing their knowledge and expertise recognising that the people closest to the child know them best. With the right support and training, it is the relationship between carers and the children they care for that truly changes lives.
‘Dabakan Kooyliny’
Go Slowly, Walk Slowly, Walk Together
In Western Australia, First Nations children represent 58% of the total number of children in out-of-home care. This over-representation means that a significant number of First Nations children are at risk of losing their cultural connection to their families, communities and country.
Karla Kuliny, through our CEO, Dr Glenda Kickett, has held a longstanding relationship with the Australian Childhood Foundation (the Foundation). We began our partnership journey 12 years ago to develop and deliver culturally strong, therapeutic care for First Nations children in WA.
Karla Kuliny and the Foundation work in a third cultural space that recognises Katitijin, the centrality of knowledge and culture, alongside trauma-informed healing approaches, as evidence of what works for First Nations children alongside mainstream theories and approaches.
It takes a community
First Nations children and young people in foster care need culturally safe strengthened relational networks that will journey with them over their lifetime. From long term, short term to short break care, there are many ways you can make a difference.
Long term care
Long term foster care is for children and young people who will live in foster care under a final court order, until adulthood, sometimes with a view to create permanency in the care arrangement.
Short term care
Short term foster care is for children and young people who are waiting for a decision from the Children’s Court of WA regarding their longer-term living arrangements, which may include a plan to reunify them with their parent or parents.
Short break care
Short break care offers regular, ongoing support to a child who is currently living in a short or long-term foster care arrangement. It may occur regularly, one weekend a month, or on an ad hoc basis when needed to support the child, foster carer and family.
Acknowledgement of Country
Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians and owners of the lands and waters throughout country. We show and pay respects to our Elders, past and present, and to the children and young people who are our leaders of tomorrow. We recognise the enduring connection to lands and waters and the role as the original storytellers around the campfire that continues to create strong pathways for our children and the generations to come.
As we return to campfire, we honour the wisdom and knowledge that has been passed down through generations, and we are grateful for the inspired and rich cultural heritage of the oldest continuing culture in the world. We acknowledge the importance of preserving and celebrating traditions, and we are committed to a future of cultural respect and understanding.
May we continue to create a shared journey that respects the traditions and wisdom from our elders with the intergenerational transfer of knowledge that not only enriches the journey of our children we also strive to foster a strong sense of identity and belonging – creating strength from past to present and into the future.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.
Acknowledgement of Country
Karla Kuliny Aboriginal Corporation acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the traditional custodians and owners of the lands and waters throughout country. We show and pay respects to our Elders, past and present, and to the children and young people who are our leaders of tomorrow. We recognise the enduring connection to lands and waters and the role as the original storytellers around the campfire that continues to create strong pathways for our children and the generations to come.
As we return to campfire, we honour the wisdom and knowledge that has been passed down through generations, and we are grateful for the inspired and rich cultural heritage of the oldest continuing culture in the world. We acknowledge the importance of preserving and celebrating traditions, and we are committed to a future of cultural respect and understanding.
May we continue to create a shared journey that respects the traditions and wisdom from our elders with the intergenerational transfer of knowledge that not only enriches the journey of our children we also strive to foster a strong sense of identity and belonging – creating strength from past to present and into the future.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.