Fall 2016Fostering Footnotes

Dates and Doings

An ONGOING Support Group for Foster and Adoptive Parents, Relatives, and Others Caring for Children Who have Experienced Trauma

Caring for children who have been traumatized is often challenging, especially when they don’t respond to your tried and true parenting skills! This group will offer tools for managing behaviors you are dealing with in your home. Care-givers will learn more about the impact of past trauma on children, how to avoid potential triggers, and ways to calm the intense emotions and behaviors that can disrupt and disturb the routines of your home. There will also be opportunities within the group to share personal frustrations and learn from the experiences of others. This group will be led by Mary Baggerman and Suzanne Coleman, two therapists from our Counseling Center, with years of experience working with foster/adoptive children and their families.

Children’s Support Group--for School-Age Kids in Care

Children who are in care often feel like they are the only kids who have ever experienced this disruption, and the trauma that preceded it. This group will give them a chance to find out that they are not alone! While the adults are in the support group, school-age children in care will have special sessions with Rina Battani and Deb Faling, also seasoned Counseling Center therapists, to learn more about their own experiences, and how to handle their strong emotions. They will even learn some skills to share with their caregivers in the other group!Both groups will meet every 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6-7:30 pm at Family & Children Services at 1608 Lake Street, Kalamazoo, MI 49001. Please RSVP to Karin King, 269-344-0202 ext. 121.

Coming Soon! - Foster Parent Engagement Training - TBA - Presented by Rebecca CloreRebecca Clore, Quality Services and Compliance Manager, joined Family & Children Services in July 2015. Rebecca is responsible for the organization’s quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives, supporting outcome and evaluation efforts for behavioral health and child welfare programs, and leading the organization’s accreditation efforts. Rebecca is also the Statewide Fidelity Leader for PMTO in Michigan, an evidence-based parenting program for families who have children experiencing social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Prior to joining Family & Children Services, Rebecca worked for over 9 years at Kalamazoo Community Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services as the Children’s Evidence Based and Community Trainer. A Kalamazoo native, Rebecca received her BA from James Madison College at Michigan State University and an MSW from The Catholic University in Washington, D.C. Rebecca has over 15 years of experience in the non-profit and human services sector.

Parenting The High Needs Child - Facilitator, Jane WolfFor foster, adoptive, kinship parents and parents of special needs children who are struggling with their child’s behavior at home, in school and in public. This training is offered every 3rd Monday of each month from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at the Family Enrichment Center, 415 S. 28th St., Battle Creek, MI 49015. Please call 269.660.0448 to register. Childcare provided.

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Parents of Special Needs Children Support Group (PARC NIGHT)All parents with special needs children and anyone who would like to gain a better understanding of children are encouraged to attend group meetings at the Family Enrichment Center, 415 S. 28th St., Battle Creek, MI 49015 on the second Monday of each month, 6:30 - 8:30 pm. A representative from PARC, (Post Adoption Resource Center), facilitates this group. Contact the Family Enrichment Center at 269-660-0448 for more information.

November 12th, 2016 - The 8th Annual Family SeminarIf you are in need of training, this is a great way to get in your required 6 hours of annual training.This training event is being coordinated by the Training Coalition of the Calhoun Foster Care Collaborative. This collaborative is a partnership of local Department of Health and Human Services offices, Post Adoption Resource Center (Judson Center), other area child placement agencies and the Family Enrichment Center. Registration - You can register using the Family Seminar 2016 Registration form or you can find a printable copy of this form and an online registration link on our website at FECFamily.com. Directions - Seminar will be held at Lakeview Middle School at 300 S. 28th Street, Battle Creek, MI (across from the Family Enrichment Center). Child Care will be at the Take-A-Break Child Care Center at 415 S. 28th Street, Battle Creek, MI (across from Lakeview Middle School and behind Westlake Presbyterian Church). Take I-94 to exit 95 (Helmer Road), go north. Turn right on to W. Columbia Avenue heading east. Turn right at the first light (S. 28th Street, heading south). Lakeview Middle School is located on the right. Take-A-Break Child Care Center is on the left.

Family Enrichment Center The Family Enrichment Center exists to fill the gaps of the Child Welfare System by providing training, support, mentoring and services to all families with an emphasis on foster, adoptive and kinship families. Be sure to like us on Facebook (facebook.com/fecfamily) or sign up for our email list at FECFamily.com.

Parenting Tools - Parent Management Training Oregon Model (PMTO) - November 8 & 22, 2016, 8:30 am - 4:30 pmKRESA Building, 1819 East Milham Ave. This course is designed to provide tools for giving good directions, encouragement, as well as work in emotional regulation. The workshop aims to provide skills for clinicians working with children and their families. To register, please email or fax registration form to: Erin Praedel, erinp@fcsource.org, 269-344-0285 (fax).

Come join the Foster Parent Recruitment Committee

Here at Family & Children Services we recognize that our foster parents are the best recruiters!! If you have a passion for foster care or adoption and like bringing awareness to the community about the needs of these kids in care, perhaps you would like to participate in the Foster Parent Recruitment Committee. Come brainstorm ways to engage our great community on how we can all help support foster children in our area! If you are interested in learning more please email Ashley Takace at ashley.takace@fcsource.org or Korey Stone at koreys@fcsource.org.

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Begin End6/27/2016 7/10/2016 7/13/20167/11/2016 7/24/2016 7/27/20167/25/2016 8/7/2016 8/17/20168/8/2016 8/21/2016 8/31/2016

8/22/2016 9/4/2016 9/14/20169/5/2016 9/18/2016 9/28/2016

9/19/2016 10/2/2016 10/12/201610/3/2016 10/16/2016 10/26/2016

10/17/2016 10/30/2016 11/9/201610/31/2016 11/13/2016 11/23/201611/14/2016 11/27/2016 12/7/201611/28/2016 12/11/2016 12/21/201612/12/2016 12/25/2016 1/4/201712/26/2016 1/8/2017 1/18/2017

1/9/2017 1/22/2017 2/1/20171/23/2017 2/5/2017 2/15/20172/6/2017 2/19/2017 3/1/2017

2/20/2017 3/5/2017 3/15/20173/6/2017 3/19/2017 3/29/2017

3/20/2017 4/2/2017 4/12/20174/3/2017 4/16/2017 4/26/2017

4/17/2017 4/30/2017 5/10/20175/1/2017 5/14/2017 5/24/2017

5/15/2017 5/28/2017 6/7/20175/29/2017 6/11/2017 6/21/20176/12/2017 6/25/2017 7/5/20176/26/2017 7/9/2017 7/19/2017

For questions, please contact Alana at 269-488-7922 or alanah@fcsource.org

DIRECT DEPOSIT BEGINS NO LATER THAN THIS

DATE

DIRECT DEPOSIT BEGINS NO LATER THAN THIS

DATE

In an effort to increase accuracy and decrease the number of overpayments to you, it is critical that our internal accounting procedures change. This

change will start with the cycle beginning on 8/17/16 to allow you time to adjust your budget. We have outlined the schedule below through July

2017. We will also be adding direct deposit beginning no later than 9/14/16 and will issue payments via EFT to decrease the time it takes for mailing.

Please do not hesitate to contact Alana at the number below if you have any questions. The direct deposit authorization form is included and it must be completed and returned by 8/14/2016 to ensure timely deposits to begin on

or before 9/14/2016.

Check schedule changesCheck schedule changes

Checks processed and deposited no

later than:

Billing Period

Family & Children Services 2016-17 payment schedule

Community Foster Parent Resources

Here are some resources in the community that are passionate about serving foster parents and the children in their care.

Fostering Hope is a 501c 3 Non-Profit organization. The organization’s mission is to bring hope into the hearts of foster children, encouragement into the lives of foster parents and support to local agencies that serve them. This organization can assist in organizing family events, providing respite care, and other needed resources. Contact Amy VanPutten at 269-760-9087 or amyjvanputten@gmail.com for more information.

Braden’s Closet is a resource for any foster parent who is in need of clothing, shoes, sheets, blankets or comforters for the children in their care. Braden’s closet is a part of Fostering Hope and all items are tax deductible. They also accept donations for all gently used clothing. Items can be brought to North Point Church on Sunday mornings and Mon - Thurs or at the Dan Chilla State Farm Insurance agency in Allegan, Mon-Fri. Braden’s Closet is located at 930 Foxwood Lane Otsego, MI. For more information please contact Sharon Baxter at 269-567-0603.

St. Luke’s Episcopal Church has clothing available for new and/or existing foster children. If your child is in need of any clothing items, please contact Melissa Brink at melissab@fcsource.org or 269-312-9970 or Shari Boone at sharib@fcsource.org, 269-290-0011 or 269-373-0248 ext.277.

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A Letter From Rosemary

Dear Foster Families:

As I leave Family & Children Services at the end of my career I wanted to share my appreciation for the work you do in our community as Foster Parents.

Having met many of you over the years, I know that compliments are not why you serve – your intention comes from a heart for children and the opportunity to ease their pain and calm them when their world is falling apart through no fault of their own.

The public may never realize your impact on the lives of children, but at the Agency, we do! You represent the best of all in us and our intention to protect all children and support their health and healing.

The opportunity to witness your compassion for children is among the fondest memories I’ll cherish. Thank you for all that you do and may the kindness you give to our vulnerable children and their struggling parents return to you and your family.

With deep gratitude for your service,Rosemary Gardiner, CEO

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Who are all these workers?

Here at Family & Children Services we have several different types of workers in our Child Welfare Unit. Each of these Specialists plays a crucial role in the unit and has specific job function to ensure the utmost in quality customer service and care for you as a foster family and the foster children you care for. Here is a brief description of each role in the foster care and adoption unit.

Foster Care Specialist - the Foster Care Specialist’s primary role is to:• Assist parents in identifying and removing barriers to reunification• Help connect parents to services needed and community resources• Work with parents and foster parents to develop a Parent Agency Treatment Plan• Facilitate communication and information sharing between the parents and foster parents• Ensure that the children assigned have their needs met including medical, dental, educational, emotional, and behavioral• Attends court hearings to inform the judge about the progress in meeting the goals of the Parent Agency Treatment Plan• Provide support to the foster parents related to the children in their care• Provide ongoing support to parents once the children have been reunified• Complete a monthly home visit with children in care.• Bridge any gaps between foster parents, the Foster Care Licensing Specialists, and biological parents when deemed necessary and appropriate. Foster Care Specialists are often are able to do this through participation in FTM’s or internal team meetings

Foster Care Licensing Specialist - the Foster Care Licensing Specialist primary role is to:• Complete the initial licensing process and home assessment for individuals who are interested in caring for children served through the Child Welfare system. • Provide opportunities for foster parents to connect with each other, and to find ways to cultivate connections to Family & Children Services through a variety of activities and events.• Work with foster parents to ensure that they not only stay in compliance with licensing rules and regulations, but understand the value of licensing rules and regulations.• Provide ongoing training opportunities so foster parents have as much information as possible to meet the ever-changing needs of the children placed in their home.• Bridge any gaps between foster parents, the Foster Care Specialists, and biological parents when deemed necessary and appropriate. Licensors often are able to do this through participation in FTM’s or internal team meetings.

Foster Care Adoption Specialist - The Adoption Specialist’s primary role is to:• Communicates progress on permanency plan with Foster Care and Licensing Specialists• Meets with the family quarterly to assist and support the family as needed• Completes Home Study Assessments for adoption in addition to any addendums• Completes Subsidy paperwork to help meet the child’s long term needs• Attends court hearings to inform the judge about the progress in meeting the goals of the Parent Agency Treatment Plan• Prepares legal documentation for adoptions• Completes child assessments in effort to match children’s needs with potential adoptive families.

Family Support Worker - The Family Support Worker’s primary roles are:• Coordinate parenting time schedules and connect all parties to ensure parenting times.• Oversee parenting times in the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo office, as well as in homes and community settings.• Provide feedback to parents and offer guidance and support during parenting times.• Provide detailed observation notes to case managers after each of the parenting times.• Provide support to Foster Care Licensing staff and Foster Care Case Managers.

ChampsBy: Rachel Mooney

Rachel Mooney is BSW social worker with Post Adoption Resource Center and an alumnus of foster care and an adult adoptee. She recently shared the meaning behind the acronym “CHAMPS” at a training held at Eastern Michigan University. She uses this acronym to empower foster and adoptive families and children in order to help them reach their fullest potential.

Care about and respect their past. A child’s past impacts their life every day. Even if they do not remember much, it still plays a huge role in who they are and how they react to all situations. When your child is behaving in a seemingly inappropriate way for someone their age, remember trauma delays development and often these delays are not physical but emotional. Learn the developmental age of your child, separate from the chronological age, and care for them as they need based on that.

Hope for a better future. I often hear parents fall into a trap of the limitations they believe their child will have due to their trauma history and the natural ways their child copes. But allow yourself to feel hope because your hope can give your children hope. Help your child set attainable goals for the future. Your child may want to be a doctor and you just do not think they will ever be able to achieve that. Encourage them in this dream! Have them join science camps or shadow someone who is a doctor. Let them learn on their own that they do not want to follow a certain path. Also, hope that the work you’re doing will not be fruitless. The behavior problems, the defiance and the disrespect will mellow out as they get through their teenage years. Accounting for their developmental age, the teenage years could last well into their twenties.

Affirm your child. Children in the preteen/teen years have so much going on with them. Developmentally they are transitioning from a family-based influence period to a peer-based influence period. This causes incredible iden-tity issues. Who am I and where do I fit in? For an adopted child this period is even more confusing. Am I going to turn out like my biological family or like my adoptive family? Affirming who your child is as an individual can help them with those identity pieces. A defiant child can be seen as defiant or as a strong leader. You could rephrase that negative trait into a positive one by saying you know what you want and you are not afraid to fight for it. Let’s work out a way you can fight for what you want more respectfully. Do research with them to help set attainable career goals and help them see what it takes to get there.

Marvel at your children. If you just found out your kid was doing drugs or sending inappropriate pictures to school mates, this may seem next to impossible. Marvel at where your child has come from and the incredible adver-sity they have overcome. Wonder at their strength. They are survivors and these behaviors are common among teens. Keep a journal of what they have overcome to read during these moments so you can remind yourself of how far they have already come.

Persevere always! It should never be an option to give up on our children for any reason. The type of relationship that you have may have to change in extreme circumstances for safety reasons but never abandon them. They are hurt and trying to learn to cope with scars that are deep. The very last thing they need is to be rejected again by someone who said they cared. Be their Forever Family like you promised. There may be periods that seem hopeless and like you can do nothing to help them, but in these moments hang on to the fact that just by being there unconditionally you are helping them become stronger and more stable.

Savor the moments! The moments when a child, who hates to be touched, wants a hug or your child calls you mom for the first time. Hang onto these moments, relish them because one day your kids will be grown and moved away. Use these moments to push past the times you feel you just cannot break through: You have already!

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Adoption is such a wonderful celebration of family and love. We want to take a special opportunity to celebrate our adoptive families for everything you do to ensure that these special children are a part of a forever family.

November is National Adoption Month!! ♥♥

♥

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Please join us for a community event celebrating the opening of our new facilities!

Thursday, November 10, 2016 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 1608 Lake Street

Kalamazoobrief remarks and ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.

Immediately following the ceremony, we invite you to take a tour of our facilities where you can meet our new CEO, Sherry Thomas-Cloud, and thank Rosemary Gardiner for 44 years

of serving children and families.

Please join us for a community event celebrating the opening of our new facilities!

Thursday, November 10, 2016 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. 1608 Lake Street

Kalamazoobrief remarks and ribbon cutting at 4:30 p.m.

Immediately following the ceremony, we invite you to take a tour of our facilities where you can meet our new CEO, Sherry Thomas-Cloud, and thank Rosemary Gardiner for 44 years

of serving children and families.

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Thank you for taking the time to read Fostering Footnotes. Please contact Ashley Takace at 344-0202 ext. 265 or ashley.takace@fcsource.org if you have comments, ideas, or suggestions.

Foster Care ON-CALL Telephone Number is (269) 569-8294

This phone number is a very important resource for you and for foster children. This is the number that foster parents can call when the agency is closed and your worker is not available, typically between the hours of 5 p.m. and 9 a.m. Monday through Friday and on the weekends. If something happens and you need assistance right away, such as a trip to the emergency room or behaviors escalating out of control, please call this number. During regular weekday office hours, contact your foster care worker directly.

Ways to Help?

If you have a knack for writing and you like connecting other foster /adoptive parents to resources in the community, we would love to have your help with our foster parent newsletter. If you are interested in learning more about this opportunity, please call Ashley Takace at 269-569-8286 or email her at ashley.takace@fcsource.org.

Holiday Shopping

Our Annual Holiday Shopping event will be occurring in December and although the actual date is still being determined; it is sure to be a great time for the children in your home. What this event allows is a chance for the foster children and your biological children to shop for five people so they can experience the joy of giving to others. There is a shopping station and a wrapping station so each child will have a personal shopping assistant and a wrapping assistant during the process. This is also a great chance to meet other foster parents and to mingle with agency staff!

COLOR ME

1608 Lake StreetKalamazoo, MI 49001

Call 269-344-0202 in Kalamazoo269-965-3247 in Battle Creek

Be a Foster Parent. Today.fcsource.org