Connection to Culture
Connection to Culture
What does the program offer?
This program is about ensuring children and young people in the Out of Home Care system, family based placements, or residential services placements, are supported to maintain a connection to their family and culture through an active and rigorous approach to creating and sustaining cultural connections.
This includes working with foster carers who have Aboriginal children in their care and working with AFSS Residential Services who provide care for Aboriginal children and young people.
AFSS wants to ensure that each Aboriginal child and young person in AFSS care (residential services or family based placement) has an individualised Cultural Support Plan that focuses on their connection with their own language, culture and community.
What are the outcomes
Foster Carers
We actively engage with the carer households, liaise with Carer Support Officers, to support the ongoing implementation and review of each child’s Cultural Plan.
Residential services
Collaboration with AFSS Residential Services to ensure the implementation of an individualised Cultural Plan for each child and young person in care.
Training and development
Develop and facilitate training packages for AFSS staff, AFSS carers and the broader non-government organisation sectors in cultural awareness, cultural safety and cultural competency frameworks.
We work with Carers, AFSS staff, Department for Child Protection staff, children and young people in care, being respectful and working with specific cultural needs.
We meet with you on a regular basis to review and plan cultural activities.
We keep your personal information confidential.
We ensure you’re included in all discussions and decisions.
We provide practical help and support to ensure Aboriginal children and young people are connected to their culture.
Cultural Immersion Program
At AFSS, connection to culture sits at the heart of everything we do with Aboriginal children and young people in care. Beyond providing safety and stability, we are dedicated to nurturing a strong sense of identity, belonging, and pride in who they are and where they come from.
Through our Cultural Immersion Program, young people are supported to reconnect with culture, community, and country while strengthening relationships and rebuilding trust. These experiences play an important role in healing from trauma and fostering resilience.
By creating opportunities for meaningful cultural engagement, we aim to ensure every young person develops lasting connections and positive memories that will guide them throughout their lives. Activities may include immersive day trips and bush camps, participation in Welcome to Country and smoking ceremonies, bush tucker experiences and traditional roo tail cook-ups, vibrant colour runs celebrating culture, storytelling alongside Elders, and creative ochre painting combined with on-country learning experiences.
Help Connect kids to Culture
All donations go towards our children's fund contributing to cultural activities and events for kids in care
Connection to Culture
Children's Day
AFSS hold a Connection to Culture Children’s Day event every year.
Children’s Day is a meaningful opportunity for AFSS to celebrate the strength, spirit, and cultural identity of Aboriginal children and young people. Each year, our teams proudly bring community together to honour children as the heart of culture and the future of community.
Through vibrant, culturally rich events, children are encouraged to explore their identity, connect with culture, and experience a deep sense of belonging. From creative activity stations and storytelling to music, art, and shared community moments, Children’s Day creates a space where culture is celebrated and young people feel seen, valued, and supported.
These gatherings not only create joyful childhood memories but also strengthen connections between families, community, and culture – reinforcing the importance of walking together to support the next generation.