ANNUAL REPORT / 2011-12

ANNUAL REPORT / 2011-12
TR AIN IN G
ADVOCACY and OUTREACH
POST LICENSING TRAINING CLASSES
CAFAP offers training and skill building taught b y a wide variety of
experts to help foster, adopti ve and relati ve caregivers to be fully
prepared to nurture the children in the care of the Connecticut
Department of Children and Families (DCF).
OPEN ADOPTION ADVOCACY
Licensed individuals considering open adoptions of children in the
custody of the Connecticut department of Children and Families (DCF)
can obtain an attorney through CAFAP at no cost. The attorney will help
explain the open adoption process and provide an agreement when
appropriate.
CPR CLASSES
A current CPR Certification is required for foster parents caring for
children with medically complex needs. Classes are offered statewide
and fees are reimbursed by CAFAP.
CONFERENCE SERIES
CAFAP offers four yearly conferences, ranging from one-day training
sessions to the two-day Annual Conference. These events draw on skilled,
experienced child welfare experts and offer unique opportunities for
networking and learning.
SUPPORT
AREA LIAISONS
Positioned in DCF area offices, Area Liaisons guide,
teach and support families in their efforts to
become self-advocates. CAFAP Liaisons provide
insight, offer resource referrals, and coordinate
community support groups.
BUDDY SYSTEM
Experienced foster, adop ti ve parents, or
relati ve caregivers provide support for
newly licensed parents. Buddies are
paired with their families for a minimum
of six months or until families are
comfortable with their level of
knowledge and experience.
24 HOUR HELPLINE
CAFAP’s toll-free, confidential peer
support helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven
days a week. Foster and adopti ve parents may ask questions
or just talk with someone who understands the unique challenges they
face. Individuals may reach the Helpline by calling 1.888.223.2780.
SUPPORT GROUPS
In partnership with DCF, we offer support groups in
both the English and the Spanish languages with babysitting
services throughout the state,
COMMUNICATION
Our website and quarterly newsletter contain information about
programs, support groups, services, training schedules, community
resources and conferences. In addition to our quarterly newsletter, the
Association offers two e-newsletters; one for the foster and adoptive
community and another for families engaged in the process of becoming
licensed.
PUBLIC POLICY
CAFAP tracks bills and advocates for legislation and issues relevant to
foster, adopti ve and relati ve caregivers. The Association works with a
committee of interested families each year to develop a legislati ve
agenda, as well as training families to learn how they can become
invol ved in the legislati ve process.
OUTREACH EVENTS
C AF AP o ffe rs e ve n ts s pec i fi cal l y
des igned to b u i ld , cele b ra te a nd
s uppo rt o u r com mun i ty, as we l l as
e ve n ts th a t p ro vi d e a we lc ome to th o s e
wh o ha ve b egun th e jo u rne y to b ecom ing
a l icens ed fam il y.
CHILDREN’S HOPE FUND
Al l c h ild ren des er ve a b ri gh t fu tu re . Wi th th i s
i n m ind , C AF AP h as de ve l o ped a Chi ld ren ’s
Ho p e Fu nd th a t a l lo ws th e commun i ty a n d s
uppo rte rs to h e lp s pons or th e wis hes and
d reams fo r Connec ti c u t’s fos te r
a nd ad op ti ve c hi ld ren .
CAFAP is privileged to have numerous outstanding partners
supporting our mission. Below is a sample from 2011-12.
Boy Scouts | The Believe Team | Bushnell Theater | Meg Cavanaugh | The Children’s
Museum | Citizen’s Bank | Connecticut Association of Nonprofits | Connecticut
Department of Children and Families | Connecticut Women’s Journal | The Dinosaur
Place | Foster Adoptive Mission | Rita Ghizzoni | Girl Scouts of Connecticut | Hearts,
Hands and Homes | Home Builders Association of Greater Hartford | Mary Jones Show
| New Britain Rock Cats | Nutmeg State Federal Credit Union | Pearl Ballroom | Sarah
Radl | Raymour and Flanigan | Rocky Hill Chamber of Commerce | Salon Alexander |
Sticks and Stones Farm | Stonington High School | SuperCuts | Wadsworth Atheneum
Our Mission
The mission of the Connecticut Association of Foster
and Adoptive Parents is to strengthen foster, adoptive
and relative caregiver families through support,
training and advocacy with the aim of nurturing child
safety, well being, and stability in partnership with child
welfare professionals and the entire community.
Our Vision
CAFAP’s vision is that the citizens of Connecticut
recognize that family life is a necessity for all children.
The family creates the optimum environment for
appropriate responses to a child’s developmental and
specialized needs. We also envision that foster and
adoptive families are of an adequate number, skill and
cultural diversity to assure high quality care for all
children who need out-of-home placement. This
knowledge, skill and attitude will be transmitted
through peer to peer empowerment. Lastly, CAFAP
strives to help develop communities that are engaged
in meeting the unique needs of foster and adoptive
children and in supporting their resource families.
How Can You Help?
Learn More
Consider becoming a foster or adoptive
family. Become inspired and learn more
about the rewards of fostering and adopting
by can watching our video “Families Are a
Work of Art” located on our website, or you
can call 1.888.KID.HERO to learn more.
Donate Now
Make a donation to our Children’s Hope
Fund. The Children’s Hope fund directly
helps to support foster and adoptive
youth and their families. Please make
a difference for a child.
Take Action
Get involved with our Hope Project Toolkit.
CAFAP ‘s Toolkit which includes all the
materials necessary to host a supply drive
or community service project within your
organization, school or civic group.
Download it from our website at
www.cafap.com.
Spread the Word
Once you have shown your support to
Connecticut’s youth, you can share the
mission with friends and family. Please
become our Facebook Fan and stay in
tune with CAFAP happenings. We have
frequent events in which you and your
friends can become involved. Help build
even more hope for the upcoming year.
Volunteer
CAFAP has opportunities
in which you can provide your time
and effort to benefit our mission.
We are looking for Board
members and active
committee members. To learn
more, please contact us
at 860.258.3400.
A special thank you to the benefactors who make our work possible…
A Bead of Roses
Ae tna Giving Program
The Annie M. Ciarrocchi Revocable Trust
Anonymous
Anthony L. Fiorito, Inc.
Associated Builders & Contractors
Ilona Bencze
Nicole Bernie
Ka thy Brady
Richard E. Brokaw
Mark Busa and Mary Rose Meade
Michelle M. Byam
Casey Charitable Matching Program
CAFAP Employees: Blue Jeans Campaign
Robert and Doris Cerasani
Connecticut Forensic Laboratory
Gael Curtin
Ca therine and Michael Doyle Andre
(Paul) and Lisa Dubreuil Darlene
Dunbar and Carol Bozena Mr. &
Mrs. Anthony Fiorito
Jean Fiorito
Martin and Janine Fiorito
Michael and Lori E. Garrity
Roberta L. Gaston Kinion
Thomas and Deborah Gilman
Pat Gra y
Greater Hartford Area Combined
Federal Campaign
Jessica Greer
Sandra Hamal
Drew R. and Ka thy A. Hund
Sharon A. Hunt
Huntington Financial, Inc.
Lillian A. Jackson
Irvin R. Jennings, MD and Eileen O'Brien
Jennings, MD
Melissa Jordan
Ka therine L. W. & Winthrop Crane
Charitable Foundation
Am y and Clifford Kennedy
Kaitlynn Kennedy
Geralyn Kogut
Tom and Jodi Lagassie
Danielle and Rachelle Le vasseur
Thomas A. Loto
Deborah I. Malette
Brian E. and Donna M. Mattiello
MBI, Inc.
Craig R. McGarrah
Joseph Mercer
Kyle, Ka ti and Rebecca Mitchell
New Britain Rock Cats
Over the Hill Gang Eastern Chapter
Marion Paris
Mark and Deborah Pasquale
Pharmco
Diane Pisker
Ted Provencher, Jr.
Sarah H. Radl
Leonard Rodriguez
Melissa and Charles Schaffrick
Vic toria Schopflin
Elise A. Schreier
Lisa C. Seethaler
Howard Sparks
Andrew and Luana Stanulonis
Derith M. and William H. Stumpf
TAUCK
Gretchen Test
Am y Vecchiarino
June M. and Paul J. Wiehn
IN KIND DONORS Be tty
Ann Atkinson
Backstreet Restaurant
Jana Baird
Bally's Total Fitness
Stacy Barbar
Miranda Barilla
BJ's Wholesale
Carol Blake
Bob's Discount Furniture
Bogey's Restaurant
Bon Appétit Shelly
Brodsky Brookdale
Foundation
Caban-Hernandez Family
Canvas on Demand
Carbone's Market
Jeffrey Cardona
Dan and Kaheta Carlquist
Carmen Anthony Restaurant
Dawn Carr
Carriage House Day Care
Celeste Champion
Cheshire Women's Club
Chili's Restaurant
Citizen's Bank
Sherry Clements
Co-Co Key Wa ter Resort
Community Health Ne twork
Connecticut Department of Social Services
Connecticut Department of Children and
Families Wa terbury FASU
Connecticut Region IV DOT
Connecticut Science Center
Connecticut Sta te Police Troop I
Costco
Sue Crawford
Dolce LLC
Dollar General
Peg Donovan
Doolittle School, Cheshire
Stacey Driggers
April Dudley
Dunkin Donuts
Lisa Dupre
Lillian Echevarria
Myra Emrick
Courtney Ennis
Factory Bedding and Furniture
Fairy Tales Formal Wear
Family Options, Inc.
Maria Ferrazzi
Theresa Fitol
Foundation for Life Ministry
Four Seasons Lawn Care
Brigid Frey
Girl Scout Troop 66232
Girl Scouts of CT
Girls, Inc.
Liz Gleason
Megan Graham
Marie Greco
Jan Handi
Holiday Angel
Daisy Holpes
Ida's Bridal Shop
Interim Health Care
Ellen Jackson
Donna Jacobs
Eileen Jenetopulos
Lori Johnson
Ive tte Juarbe
Cotton Kenny
KidCity Museum
Laurie Kirck
Ken and Teresa Kramer
LA Styles
Melissa LaPila
Laser Planet
La ticrete International Inc.
Annette LeBoeuf
Lego Sys tems, Inc.
Christine Links
Maria Lopez
Macie Grace Foundation
Donna Maitland
Joe Mancini
Maple Self-Storage
Maples Restaurant
Mario's Restaurant
Maribel Martinez
Christina McClintock
Meadow Street Automotive
First United Methodist Church
Michael's Jewelers
Milford Recreation Department
Tammy Moe
Moody School, Middletown
Ashley Moriarty
Kallena Nelson
No Eye Has Seen Photography
Jennifer Norwich
Diane Orlando
Sandra Paholski
Pajama Program
Pediatric Dental Association of Southbury LLC
Ayanna Pierce Meg
Pitchette Maura
Provencher AnnMary Puskarz
Qualidigm
Quassy Amusement Park
Lesa Raven
Ra ymour and Flanagan Furniture
Rocky Hill Congregational Church
RJ Health Systems
Julie Roach
Megan Roche Pilcher
New Britain Rock Cats
Heidi Ross
Rumsey Hall
Genieve Russo
Roxanne and Phil Ryan
Sa ve the Kid
Stop and Shop Supermarket, Torrington
Phyllis Silverman
Sistas Spa and Salon
Somerset Capitol Group, Milford
ST. Joseph College
Sta te of Connecticut Juvenile Court
Storage America
Subway Sandwich
Lisa Sullivan
Target Stores
Daniel and Isabel Tenney
Cheryl Thomas
Timeless Trends
Tower Grill
Treadwell Corporation
Tuga Construction
United Storage
Wa terbury Hospital
Ka thleen Wawrzyniak Webb
White Flower Farm
Stephanie Wright
Michelle Young
Every effort has been made to ensure that this report of giving is accurate and complete. Please accept our apology for any er rors or omissions. We ask that you
report them to the Office of Fund Development so that we may correct our records. This listing reflects all gifts received between July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012.
C A F AP S t a f f
Jean Fiorito
Executive Director
Pat Gray
Program Director of Pre-Licensing Retention
Diane Orlando
Program Director of Liaisons and Peer Network
Maura Provencher
Program Director of Outreach Recruitment and Retention
Vanessa Williamson
Program Director of Training
Jennifer Bellamy
Torrington Area Liaison
Angie Hinkel
Middletown Area Liaison
Sheree Breeden
Bridgeport Area Liaison
Deborah Jones
Manchester Area Liaison
Debra Candelora
Meriden Area Liaison
Caitlin Kavanaugh
Danbury Area Liaison
Margaret Carter
New Haven Area Liaison
Heather LaCasse
Outreach Coordinator
Yecenia Casiano
Hartford Area Liaison
Lucinda McPherson
Willimantic Area Liaison
Doris Cerasani
Kid Hero Administrative Assistant
Sandy Paholski
New Britain Area Liaison
Emily Clark
Norwich Area Liaison
Hector Ramos
Kid Hero Program Assistant
Jinnel D’Hereaux
Training Program Assistant
Jennifer Rivera
Kid Hero Program Assistant
Mary Eckerson
Pre-Licensing Program Assistant
Wendy Sander
Peer Network/Careline Program Assistant
Schelita Fleming
Norwalk/Stamford Area Liaison
Melissa Schaffrick
Executive Administrative Assistant
Julie Garceau
Statewide Foster Parent Retention Liaison
Christine Surel
Milford Area Liaison
Carolyn Goodridge
Outreach Social Worker
Jacqueline Vidal
Waterbury Area Liaison
C onn e c t ic ut As s oc ia t i o n of Fos t e r a n d Ad o pt i ve P ar e nt s , I nc .
STATEMENT OF ACTIVITIES
for the year ended June 30, 2012
SUPPORT & REVENUE
Government Grants and Contracts: State
Contributions and other income
$2 ,002,248
$ 345,853
TOTAL SUPORT & REVENUE
$2 ,348,101
EXPENSES
Program Services
Regional Liaisons
Recruitment
PRIDE
Buddy S ystem
Conference
Open Adoptions
Newsletter
Helpline
Kids Fund
Retention
Casey Foundation
Supporting Services
Fund Raising
Management and general
TOTAL EXPENSES
Change in Net Assets
Net Assets, beginning of year
Net Assets, end of year
$586,791
$506,227
$333,879
$135,234
$135,505
$110,700
$6,852
$56,167
$7,121
$15,112
$12 ,490
$1,906,078
$752
$363,857
$2,270,687
$77,414
$54,267
$131,681
Message from the Board President
2011-2012 marks the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive
Parents seventeenth year of service to Connecticut’s foster, adoptive
and relative caregiver families. As a foster and adoptive parent myself,
I know firsthand how important our organization is to the parents we serve.
Fulfilling the organization’s mission of training, supporting and advocating
for foster, adoptive and relative caregiver families, leads us in both our daily
work and our evolving goals as we aspire to continually improve our impact.
Our organization and by extension, our families, relies on the charitable support
of our community partners, donors and volunteers to meet our goals. The
Board would like to thank you for your generosity, time and powerful belief in
the work that we do.
The staff at CAFAP works tirelessly while exhibiting a keen understanding of the
challenges our families face throughout the year. On behalf of the entire Board
of Directors, I offer our sincere gratitude for the dedication of our staff for
they are what make the organization great.
We know that each new year brings change in the foster and adoptive care
community’s needs, policies and landscape. CAFAP welcomes this change and is
energized to adapt while continuing its long history of providing outstanding
service to Connecticut’s families.
Sincerely, Amy
Kennedy Board
President
CAFAP Board of Directors
A my K e nne d y
P re s i d e n t
B ar b a r a R u h e
Tr e a s u r e r
C at h y G e n t i l e - D o y l e
S e c r e ta r y
G l y n i s C as s i s
D i r e c to r
G er a l y n K o g u t
D i r e c to r
The New Brllllln Rock Cats Baseball Team is one
our many valued Community Partners. providmg
consistent support throughout the year.
Volunteers from Community Health Netwrk and RJ Health
Systems dehr Illy donations for the hohllays to be
cLstnbuted by CAFAP Slllff
CAFAP Stall SOI1 gtnerOUS donations for oil" alllllill
·- of llramJ event
tare miSsion in
Connecticut.
Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents, Inc.
2189 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 2
Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067
860.258.3400 phone
860.258.3410 fax
www.cafap.com