Home Stretch is a public campaign aiming to build support to extend the age of foster care from 18 to 21 years of age in Victoria and Australia.
Home Stretch is asking all state and territory governments to join Tasmania and South Australia in committing to provide an option for the provision of care to be extended to any young person needing or seeking this, until 21 years of age; much like what is happening in any other family setting in Australia.
By implementing this reform and extending the age of care to 21, governments can change the lives of some of Australia’s most vulnerable young people for the better.
New ReachTEL data collected in May 2018 shows that Victorians overwhelmingly support updating the current legislation that currently places the maximum age of care at 18 years.
Key findings from the report:
• 76%of Victorians support extending the age of care for foster children from 18 to 21.
• 71% of Victorians agree that supporting children emerging from foster care during early adulthood will help prevent homelessness, unemployment and reliance and social services.
• 69% of Victorians believe that children in foster care should have the option to remain in care until the age of 21.
• 73.8% of Labor voters and 73.5% of Liberal voters believe that children in foster care should have the option to remain there until age 21
About Home Stretch
Home Stretch is an initiative led by concerned organisations and individuals from around Australia who champion the extension of state care from age 18 to 21. The initiative aims to provide a united front in their support of children in care around Australia.
For more information go to: http://www.thehomestretch.org.au
The Victorian Home Stretch campaign is generously funded by Gandel Foundation, David Taylor Galt Charitable Trust managed by Equity Trustees, The William Buckland Foundation, & Sidney Myer Fund.