Healthy Habits For Young People In Residential Care

  • Minister for Child Protection

The Andrews Labor Government is giving young people living in residential homes the support they need to prepare for adulthood.

Minister for Child Protection Luke Donnellan today attended the Resi ROCKS (Recognising our Carers’ Knowledge and Skills) forum and announced the Labor Government will extend the HEALing Matters program.

The program is all about teaching young people about the importance of healthy food choices and physical activity. Research shows young people in residential homes are more likely to have a poor diet, are at risk of eating disorders, or have unhealthy eating habits compared with young people in the wider community.

Thanks to HEALing Matters, residential homes will be able to receive grants of up to $1,000 to purchase products that promote good health and better diets.

Training will also be provided to residential care workers so that they better understand the links between healthy habits and better physical, cognitive, social and emotional outcomes for young people.

Resi ROCKS brings together more than 400 residential care workers from across the state to share ideas that better support young people – and celebrate their dedicated work.

To learn more about HEALing Matters visit healing-matters.org/home

As stated by Minister for Child Protection Luke Donnellan

“There’s nothing quite like a great diet and a dose of good exercise. We’re making sure young people in residential homes can enjoy the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.”

“We’re so grateful for our dedicated residential care workers, who play such meaningful and important roles protecting young Victorians.”

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