Program Book - Vermont Foster and Adoptive Family Association

The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association
In Partnership With
The New England Foster Care Association
Working Together
to Navigate Change
Friday Institute with
Charlie Appelstein
March 21-23, 2014
Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center
Burlington, Vermont
Saturday Keynote with
Judge Britt Hammond
Sunday Closing with
Steve Lulek
Special Thanks To
Our Conference Sponsors
Sponsors
Ronald McDonald House Charities
Vermont Adoption Consortium
Vermont Coalition of Residential Providers
Vermont Department for Children and Families
Underwriters
Child, Youth and Family Services at HowardCenter
Easter Seals Vermont
Green Dolphin Inc
Howard’s Flower Shop
Lake Sunapee Bank
Shareholders
Peoples Trust Company
Sticks and Stuff
In-Kind Contributors
LUND
UVM Child Welfare Training Partnership
Valley Vista
2 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
The Schedule of Events
Friday March 21st
7:30 - 9:00am
9:00 - 4:00pm
9:00 - 3:00pm
12:00 - 1:15pm
4:00 - 7:00pm Registration and Continental Breakfast
Institute, Charlie Appelstein
Commissioner’s Meeting with NEFCA by Invitation
Buffet Lunch
Weekend Registration Open
Saturday March 22nd
7:30 - 9:00am
8:15 - 8:45am
9:00 - 10:15am
10:15 - 10:30am 10:30 - 12:00pm
12:00 - 1:15pm
1:30 - 3:00pm
3:00 - 3:15pm
3:15 - 4:00pm
6:00 - 6:30pm
6:30 - 8:30pm
8:30 - 9:30pm
Conference Weekend Registration and Continental Breakfast
Welcome and VFAFA Business Meeting
Keynote, Judge Britt Hammond
Break
Session I
Lunch on Your Own
Session II
Break
Open Forum
Social Time
Banquet
Special Guests: Comedy Divas
*18+ Adult Language Comedy Act
Sunday March 23rd
7:30 - 9:30 Breakfast
9:00 - 11:00 Sunday Closing with Steve Lulek
Table of Contents
Sponsors.................................................................................................................................................. 2
Schedule & Table of Contents.............................................................................................................. 3
Welcome Letters.................................................................................................................................... 4-7
Speakers.................................................................................................................................................. 8-9
VFAFA Business Meeting & Annual Report...................................................................................... 10
Weekend Events..................................................................................................................................... 11
Presenters & Exhibitors...................................................................................................................... 12-13
Special Thanks........................................................................................................................................ 14
Children’s Activity Fund....................................................................................................................... 15
Supporters............................................................................................................................................... 16-29
Committee & Board Members............................................................................................................. 30
By-Laws................................................................................................................................................. 31-32
Certificate of Attendance...................................................................................................................... 33
Evaluation............................................................................................................................................. 35-36
Room Assignments & Map................................................................................................................ 37-38
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 3
Welcome!
This year’s 27th annual VFAFA Conference is being presented in partnership with the
New England Foster Care Association. Vermonters wish to extend a warm welcome to
all those attending from our neighboring New England states.
This year’s theme “Working Together to Navigate Change” will allow foster, adoptive,
and kinship families to explore and help initiate positive changes for the children in
our care. We will strive to work collaboratively with our state human service agencies,
legislative leaders, courts, and most of all our children and families that we serve.
The workshops this year continue VFAFA’s tradition of providing top notch training
and an opportunity to network with other families. Workshops and networking gives
us better insight and continued inspiration to provide healthy outcomes for our
children. VFAFA would appreciate your feedback concerning workshops, any aspect of
the conference, or how the association can better represent your concerns and needs.
VFAFA is always looking for assistance for board positions, committee assignments,
legislative advocacy, conference committee and your new ideas so that we may
continue the grassroot advocacy for our families.
In closing, I wish to thank you all for the dedicated commitment you provide for the
children in your care. What we do today can make their future and ours
forever brighter.
Thank you again,
Jim Bulger
VFAFA President
4 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
NEW ENGLAND
FOSTER CARE ASSOCIATION
Dear Foster and Adoptive Parents of New England,
I am thrilled to welcome you to our biannual New England Foster Care Association
Conference in conjunction with the Vermont State Conference.
I have had the opportunity to work with many wonderful people in organizing this years
conference and sincerely appreciate all of you traveling many hours for our planning
meetings. I realize the amount of work involved and I would like to especially thank Jane
Siddall, Jim Bulger, Martin Bursque, and Pam Piper along with all the staff and volunteers
in Vermont. Thank you to the Vermont foster and adoptive parents for welcoming us.
We are honored to have such wonderful presenters, including Judge Britt Hammond
who is our keynote speaker, Charlie Applestein who is presenting at the Institute on
Friday and Steve Lulek who will be closing our Conference. There are several very
interesting workshops scheduled for Saturday with outstanding speakers.
I hope that you all have a terrific weekend not only with participating in workshops, but
also networking with others. From my own experience, I have met the most generous,
kind, giving, compassionate people at foster and adoptive parent conferences. These
are the people who can pick you up, offer advice based on their own experiences, laugh
with you, and cry with you. Make some new friends and enjoy the VFAFA Conference.
Looking forward to meeting you all.
Sincerely,
Patricia Moroney-Ghanem
President
New England Foster Care Association
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 5
Welcome to the 27th Annual VFAFA Spring Conference!
State of Vermont
Department for Children and Families
Commissioner’s Office
2nd Floor, 5 North
103 S. Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-5920
dcf.vermont.gov
[phone]
[fax]
802-241-2100
802-241-2980
Agency of Human Services
February 14, 2014 Participants at the 2014 VFAFA Spring Conference Sheraton Hotel and Conference Center Burlington, Vermont Dear Foster, Kinship, and Adoptive Parents, A warm welcome to all our wonderful foster, kinship, and adoptive families here in Vermont as well as those who travelled here from our neighboring New England states. Welcome to the 27th annual VFAFA spring conference! This year’s conference is brought to you by the Vermont Foster and Adoptive Family Association (VFAFA) in partnership with the New England Foster Parent Association — a partnership that makes this year’s theme especially appropriate: Working Together to Navigate Change. The conference is a great opportunity for you to learn and grow and to connect with other families and staff. My congratulations and thanks to all of the conference organizers. They have done a wonderful job. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Governor Shumlin for once again stepping up to the plate to support children and families. His budget for next year recommends: 




An inflationary increase of 1.5% for foster families (effective July1); $50,000 to help children attend camp; $50,000 to support Vermont Kin As Parents; $237,000 to support more subsidized adoptions; and $1 million to support children with intensive needs in family‐like settings. Thanks Governor! And thanks to all of you for what you do for children, youth, and families in your communities. You are the indisputable backbone of the child welfare system and should be very proud of the role you play in our work. Sincerely, Dave Yacovone, Commissioner 6 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Working Together
to Navigate Change
is the powerful theme for this year’s conference. Learning together at
conferences is an important way in which we get better at what we do. I hope you will take full advantage of the many opportunities you will have
for learning and networking. This is a chance to re-charge your batteries,
increase your skills and make new friends.
It is always wonderful to see our Vermont caregivers and professionals at our
annual conference. This year, we welcome you to the combined conference of
the New England Foster Care Association and the Vermont Foster and Adoptive Family Association. Truly, whether you are an adoptive parent, foster
parent or kinship caregiver or partnering professional, you cannot do this
work alone. To help children and families heal from the trauma they have
experienced, we need a supportive network of family, community and
professionals who are with us in good times and bad.
Whether you provide short term care for a child, or you are a family who has
provided a lifelong commitment through adoption or guardianship, or a
person who supports children and caregivers through your professional role,
what you provide is critically important. We appreciate each and every one of you, every day. Thank you.
Cindy Walcott
Deputy Commissioner
Vermont Department for Children and Families
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 7
Charlie Appelstein, Featured Speaker
Friday Institute 9:00am - 4:00pm
No Such Thing As A Bad Kid:
The Power of a Strength-Based Approach in Reshaping
the Lives of At-Risk Children, Youth, and Families
Agenda
7:30 - 9:00am Registration
9:00am - Institute Welcome
Charlie Appelstein
10:15 - 10:30am - Break
10:30am - The Power of a
Strength-Based Approach
12:00 - 1:15pm - Lunch
1:15 - 3:15pm - The Power of a
Strength-Based Approach
3:15 - 3:30pm - Break
3:30 - 4:00pm- Questions &
Application
Charlie Appelstein, M.S.W. is a prominent youth care
specialist and author who trains and consults nationally and internationally. He draws directly from his 27 years working in Child Welfare
including six years as Program Director and Treatment Coordinator
for The Nashua Children’s Home, a residential Treatment Setting in
Nashua, NH. Charlie has developed a Train the Trainer series for
Residential Care Professionals and his Gus Chronicles are focused on
a child who has been abused and is living in a Residential setting.
He has also provided training for numerous school systems throughout
New England. His most recent book No Such Thing as a Bad Kid: Understanding and Responding to the Challenging Behavior of Troubled
Children and Youth speaks to his strength-based approach to working with youth. Charlie Appelstein received his Master of Social Work
from Simmons College of Social Work. He lives in New Hampshire
with his wife and daughter.
8 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Judge Thomas “Britt” Hammond
Saturday’s Keynote Speaker 9:00am - 10:15am
Why We Matter:
The Critical and Evolving Role of
Foster, Kin, and Adoptive Families in
the Child Welfare System
Try to imagine Child Welfare without the Caregivers…….
In his brief historical synopsis of the development of child
welfare law and the evolution of foster parenting in the
US, Judge Hammond will remind you of just how
important you are to the children you care for and the
Child Welfare System as a whole. In addition, his ongoing
efforts to clarify and teach caregivers of their “Right to
Notice and Be Heard” in the courtroom, will remind us
all of the importance of “Working Together to Navigate
Change.” Be Reminded, Be Inspired!
Judge Britt Hammond, juvenile court judge for Toombs Judicial Circuit in the State of Georgia was
appointed to the bench on October 1, 2004. Prior to that, Judge Hammond worked as an agency (GA
Department of Family and Children Services) attorney for eight years before becoming a judge. He also
maintains a general law practice. He currently holds positions of leadership within the Georgia Council of
Juvenile Court Judges serving on the Permanency Planning Committee, and as Vice Chairman of the Education Certification Committee. He serves as Lead Judge on several projects for the Supreme Court of Georgia’s
Committee on Justice for Children (GA’s Court Improvement Program) including Title IV-E Court Order
Improvement, Foster Parents Rights to Notice and Be Heard, and I.C.P.C. Improvement.
Judge Hammond is a recipient of the 2012 Georgia County Welfare Association’s “Friend of Children Award”
and the 2012 American Public Health Services Association’s “Mitchell Wendell Jurist Award” for significant
contribution to the field of children’s law. He was published in the November/December 2012
edition of Fostering Families Today Magazine regarding his “Tips for Testifying” presentation for foster
parents and has been a frequent presenter at the National Foster Parents Association Annual Conferences.
Judge Hammond is a Graduate of the Cumberland School of Law, Samford University, in Birmingham, Alabama. He resides in Thomson, Georgia with his wife and their three children.
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 9
Vermont Foster Adoptive Family Association - Annual
Saturday 8:15am - 8:45am
Emerald Ballroom
Agenda
Meeting called to order
Vote to accept the Annual Report
Election of President, Vice President & Secretary
Business Meeting
Nominations from the floor
will be accepted for the offices of:
President
Vice President
Secretary
Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association
Annual Report
• Continued work to strengthen local associations or support groups, by
hiring a facilitator for training.
• Governor’s proclamation declaring May as Foster Care Month.
• Legislative collaboration with VOICES for Vermont children to monitor
and advocate for our children.
• Held a one day conference May 9th 2013 with Dr. Joseph Crumbley in
collaboration with Vermont Kin as Parents, the Adoption Consortium, and
the Child Welfare Training Partnership.
•“Tournament For Teens”, golf tournament raising scholarship funds.
• Continued to expand the VFAFA website under the direction of Patrick
Brown.
• Hosted a legislative day at the State House.
• Raised funds to support the Children’s Activity Fund.
• Planning for the 2014 conference in conjunction with (NEFCA)
New England Foster Care Association.
• The board meets monthly including several networking meetings
(see VFAFA website for details).
Respectfully submitted on behalf of the VFAFA Executive Board.
Jim Bulger VFAFA president 10 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
27th Annual Spring Conference Celebration
Saturday Evening
Emerald Ballroom
Social Hour 6:00 pm
Banquet 6:30 pm
Special Guests 8:30pm
Vermont Comedy Divas
*18+ Adult language comedy act
A celebration in honor of
foster, adoptive, kinship families
throughout New England!
Sunday Send Off
Steve Lulek, Featured Speaker
Owner of Vermont Adventure Tours
and Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center
Emerald Ballroom
Buffet Breakfast - 7:30-9:30am
Closing- 9:00-11:00am
Follow your Dream • Find your Purpose
Steve’s passion is adventures and fitness, and he has
dedicated his life to introducing adolescents and
adults to the joys of being in the wilderness.
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 11
Presenters
Anna Berg
Youth Leadership Coordinator/AmeriCorps VISTA
[email protected]
Michelle Larrabee
Danville, VT
[email protected]
Amanda Churchill LICSW
Director – Youth Development Program
[email protected]
Steve Lulek
Vermont Adventure Tours &
Green Mountain Rock Climbing Center
Rutland, VT.
www.vermontadventuretours.com
Laurae Coburn Phd, LCMHC, LADC,RYT
Arlington Counseling and Wellness
Arlington, VT.
Diane Dexter
Adoption Manager State of Vermont
Co-Director - Project Family
[email protected]
Lee Gallagher LICSW, CYT
Clinical Director, Bennington School
[email protected]
Sharon Goedkoop LICSW
Dothan Brook Associates
[email protected]
Sarah B. Greenblatt
Sr. Associate Director
Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative
[email protected]
www.jimcaseyyouth.org
Amanda Hudak MS, LADC
Dir. Adolescent & Young Adult Services
Valley Vista
[email protected]
Deidra K Razzaque
UVM Child Welfare Training Partnership
[email protected]
Janice Sabett
Family Support Consultant-Training Specialist
[email protected]
www.VermontFamilyNetwork.org
Dr. Nina Sand-Loud
Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center
[email protected]
Christopher Smith
Program Supervisior of Transition House
HowardCenter Children, Youth and Family Services
www.howardcenter.org
Craig Smith LICSW, LADC
Clinical Director of Valley Vista
[email protected]
Lisa Steckler LCMHC, LADC
Shrewsbury, VT
[email protected]
Josh Kroll
North American Council on Adoptable Children
(NACAC)
[email protected]
Ellen Vaut
Family Support Consultant
[email protected]
www.VermontFamilyNetwork.org
Natanya Lara
Guide For International Parenting
Shelburne, VT
[email protected]
Kristi Wrigley MS, LCMHC
Clinical Director – Comprehensive Care Program
HowardCenter Children, Youth and Family Services
[email protected]
12 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Exhibitors
Becket Family of Services
Plymouth, NH
www.becket.org
Bennington School
19 Fairview Street
Bennington, VT 05201
Camp For Me
PO Box 4177
Burlington, VT 05406
Jewelry by Sharon
4516 SE Basswood Terrace
Stuart, FL
Joey’s Fashions
274 New Milford Tpke
New Preston, CT 06777
Kurn Hattin
Westminster, VT
kurnhattin.org
LUND & Project Family Heart Gallery
Burlington, VT
www.lundvt.org
N.A.C.A.C
North American Council on Adoptable Children
www.nacac.org
Prevent Child Abuse Vermont
94 Main St
Montpelier, VT
www.pcavt.org
Southern New Hampshire University
463 Mt. View Drive, Suite 101
Colchester, VT 05446
UVM Child Welfare Training Partnership
Mann Hall
208 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05406
Vermont Adoption Consortium
641 Comstock Rd., Ste. 1
Berlin, VT 05602
www.vtadoption.org
VCORP
Vermont Coalition of Residential Programs
Vermont Family Network
Blair Park
Williston, VT
www.VermontFamilyNetwork.org
VT-FUTRES
Educational Stability Grant
Dept. of Social Work, University of VT
NFI North, Parenting with Love and Limits
98 Russell St
Lew, ME 04240
Pheonix Books
Phoenix Books Essex
21 Essex Way
Essex, VT 05452
Phoenix Books Burlington
191 Bank Street
Burlington, VT 05401
www.phoenixbooks.biz
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 13
VFAFA THANKS YOU
FOR YOUR GENEROSITY!
Silent Auction and
50/50 Raffle Proceeds
Go directly to
The Children’s Activity Fund
which provides Enrichment Activities
for Children in DCF custody living in a licensed foster home.
• • • • • • •
Silent Auction items and other in-kind donations are gathered
with hard work from individuals all over the state.
Those who have given in-kind donations include but are not limited to:
All Occasion Cards
Robert Quelch Photography
Allards Unfinished Furniture - WRJ
Anza Youngren Plum Love Pottery
Apple Mountain
Barry Callabault Chocolates
Baskets from our districts and local
foster parent associations
Ben & Jerry's
Bibben Ace Hardware - Springfield
Billings Farm & Musuem
Bounce Around VT
Burton Snowboards
Cloverleaf Jewelry & Gifts - WRJ
Designs by Lauri
Diane Shortsleeve
Drew's All Natural - Chester
Electric Youth Dance-Georgia
Fitness Zone Gym
Flashbags
FoodScience of Vermont
Giovanni's Hair Salon - Springfield
Hatley
H&R Block - Springfield
Heritage Toyota
Jay Peak
Jiffy Mart - Downer Four Corners
Jill's Boutique
Jim & Donna Bulger
Kiss The Cook
Lauri Samson
Leunigs
Lindt Chocolate - Lebanon NH
Metal & Fire
Nick Nickoladis
Nortrax/John Deere - Springfield Papa Frank's - Winooski
Paul’s DVD’s Rutland MA
Pheonix House Restaurant-Berkshire
Phyllis Bowdish
Premier Designs
Riverside Grange of West Topsham
Rocky's NY Pizza
Salon Elixir in Swanton
Salon Elizabeth
Seventh Generation
Sheraton - Burlington
Sherman Williams. - Springfield
Silpada Jewelry
St. Johnsbury Academy
Stafford Technical Center
Subway - Springfield
The Carpet King & Tile - Springfield
Tractor Supply - Claremont, NH
Tradewinds
Twincraft Soap - Essex
UNIFI Chesterfield NH
Upper Valley Food Co-op - WRJ
VT Butcher Block & Board Company
Chamber of Commerce - Montpelier
VINS - Institute of Natural Sciences
Nature Center
Vermont Mountaineers
Vicki Ryea
Whistling Man Schooner
Wood's Cider Mill - Springfield
14 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Children’s Activity Fund
Request Form
VFAFA has limited amount of money available to supplement the cost of enrichment activities for
children in foster care.
The criteria are;
· a child in the custody of DCF
· a child living in a DCF foster home
· one grant per child a year
Funding is on a first-come, first-served basis and must be used for children currently living in the
foster home. Requests should be for enrichment activities and NOT for treatment or remedial
education programs. The amount of funding may vary based on the request, but will not
exceed $100.00 of the total cost. Children and youth are encouraged to contribute to the cost
as appropriate. Checks will be made out directly to the organization unless foster parent has
provided payment. If foster parent has provided payment, they will be directly reimbursed with
the submission of receipt and the Children’s Activity Fund Request Form.
Child’s Name:Age:
Foster Parents Name:
Address:
Telephone:E-Mail:
Activity/Camp:Date:
Total Cost:Amount Requested:
Other funding sources and amounts received (include child/family contributions):
Briefly describe what the activity is and how the child will benefit from this experience (use back of sheet if necessary)
Please advise the Person/Organization the check should be payable to:
***Return form and receipt (if applicable) to:
Lauri Samson, 161 Federal Street, St. Albans, VT 05478***
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 15
Fo
!
youe,
k
an eri
Th th, Val hris,
Jas r be
Ga on, M ing
ry,
t
Ca elissa her
e!
rla ,
B e l e, C
Ky
er
Diff
A
king ena,
Ma ah, Ath za
Li
ar
,
S
leen
Col
e!
enc
In t
Don he lif
e
na,
Mic of a c
hele
h
, A ild!
dam
Bennington County Foster Families
Rock!
~ Bennington DCF staff ~
16 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Beckett Family of Service
Bennington School
Brattleboro Retreat
Brookhaven Treatment & Learning Center
Community House
204 Depot Street
Howard Center
New England Kurn Hattin Homes
Laraway Youth & Family Services
Lund Family Center
Mountainside House
Northeastern Family Institute
Onion River Crossroads, Inc.
Valley Vista
Voices for Vermont’s Children
Washington County Mental Health Services
Woodside Juvenile Rehab Facility
The Vermont Adoption Consortium is comprised of agencies
and groups who have joined together for a common purpose:
to support Vermont’s guardian and adoptive families.
Stay informed about topics important to adoptive families
by calling us at (802)223-4744 or
visiting us on the web at www.vtadoption.org
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 17
The Newport DCF/Family Services Office
wishes to thank foster parents for the hard
work, care and commitment you have shown
to the children of our community.
It is YOU who make the difference in a
child’s life.
Thanks VFAFA for
working tirelessly on behalf
of children and foster,
adoptive and kin caregivers.
Eckerd serves over 14,000 children and their families each year through a full
continuum of life-changing behavioral health and child welfare programs and
services in seven states. Eckerd’s mission is to provide and share solutions
that promote the well-being of children and families in need of a second
chance.
18 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
...to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child,
a garden patch, or a redeemed social condition;
To know even one life has breathed easier
because you have lived...this
is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Honoring and celebrating
adoptive and foster parents
n
3 Atwood Ave. n W. Lebanon, NH
603-298-8237 n www.cfsnh.org
Serving families in New Hampshire and Vermont
Proud to serve children and the families who care for them.
n Foster Care n Adoption n Mental Health Counseling
Healthy Families Home Based Services n Trauma Therapy
A private, nonprofit since 1850
Easter Seals Vermont
Burlington • Morrisville • St. Johnsbury • Berlin
Hartford • Bennington • Middlebury
Newport • Rutland
Strengthening Families Across Vermont
Child and Family Support Services
Family Group Conferences
Family Safety Planning
Family Time Coaching and Training
Post Permanence Support
Youth Development Services
641 Comstock Rd, Suite 1 • Berlin, Vermont 05602
P. (802) 223. 4744 • F (802) 229.0848
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 19
>>> THANK YOU <<<
New England Foster Parents
for your selfless service to children in care!
The National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) is a nonprofit organization
dedicated to serving the needs of foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers
throughout the country. As the national voice for caregivers, NFPA is proud to
support YOU in your role in the child welfare system.
Need support?
Call us at 800.557.5238
Email us at [email protected]
Need information?
Become a member! Visit our website at www.nfpaonline.org
Like us on Facebook at National Foster Parent Association
Follow us on Twitter @NFPAOnline
Join us June 5-8, 2014 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando for the
2014 NFPA/FSFAPA National Conference!
Supporting foster, adoptive and kinship parents nationally
2021 East Hennepin Avenue, Suite 320, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55413
20 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Welcome to the 2014 VFAFA Spring Conference!
A warm welcome to all our wonderful foster, kinship foster,
and adoptive families here in Vermont as well as all those who
have travelled here from our neighboring New England states.
Thank you for all you do for children, youth, their families,
and your communities. We deeply appreciate your tireless
efforts and incredible commitment. You should be proud!
Dave Yacovone
DCF Commissioner
Cindy Walcott
Family Services Deputy Commissioner
THANKS TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL
FOSTER/KINSHIP FAMILIES
MANY HEROES
ONE MISSION
WE APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO!!!!
THE SPRINGFIELD DISTRICT OFFICE
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 21
Inpatient Alcohol and Chemical Dependency Services
for Adolescents and Adults
23 Upper Plain
Bradford, VT 05033
(802)222-5201
[email protected]
22 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
“OUR MAp StARtED
A REVOLUtION.”
FIND OUT HOW AT 4-H.org/revolution
There is no investment we can
make that will pay us so well as
the support and appreciation
we offer our kin, foster and
adoptive families.
Our communities owe you a
debt of gratitude!
Thank You
for all you do, always.
Jim Cameron
Green Dolphin LLC
4-H IS THE YOUTH DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM OF
O U R N AT I O N ’ S C O O P E R AT I V E E X T E N S I O N S Y S T E M .
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 23
HARTFORD
DISTRICT WISHES
TO THANK
ALL OUR FOSTER
FAMILIES!
WE COULD NOT
DO IT
WITHOUT YOU!!
Mercado’s memoir chronicles how a middle child from a large family experiences love, forgiveness
and hope despite a lifetime of abuse, neglect and abandonment in the mountains of Puerto Rico. The
memoir opens with scenes of an idyllic childhood. Mercado lived in a small town outside Ponce,
Puerto Rico, where her life included colorful characters in a bustling community. There were eight
children at the beginning of Mercado’s story, all battling to use a single bathroom and hairbrush.
Doris’ mother, Lina, worked as a seamstress. She was stern, but she encouraged 4-year-old Doris to
read the newspaper. Doris’ father was well-liked and played affectionately with the children in their
chaotic but happy household. Within two years, two more boys were born into the Mercado family;
both needed extensive medical attention. The strain took its toll, and finally, the family moved in
with Doris’ beloved grandmother in the mountain town of Jayuya. After the move, Doris’ life deteriorated. Her mother beat her repeatedly with a broomstick, and Doris spent many days nursing badly
bruised limbs. Life continued to fall apart for the Mercado clan,
particularly when Doris’ paternal grandmother invited Lina and
the youngest children to New York for a fresh start. Doris and
five of her siblings were left in the care of their father, although it
was 14-year-old Doris who assumed chief responsibility. Within
days of her mother’s departure, Doris’ father also walked out without explanation, leaving Doris and the others to fend for themselves. This living arrangement continued for another three years.
Doris warned the children to keep their situation secret, so they
wouldn’t alert the authorities. This profoundly sad story of neglect
is told in simple, direct language. Doris’ capacity for forgiveness is
astonishing, as is her single-minded focus on the love she feels for
the brothers and sister left in her care. She eventually moved to the
U.S., and her reunification with her parents was filled with more
pain and abuse. Mercado’s reaching adulthood in one piece is remarkable; arriving with her soul intact is miraculous. A straightforward, moving story about resilience.
LocaƟons at:
St. Albans, Georgia, Swanton, Enosburg Falls, Essex Member FDIC
www.ptcvt.com
1-800-479-2196
The
The Armor of Love and Hope
Armor review Doris Mercado’s memoir is one of perseverance and reconciliation, reminiscent of
Tobias Wolff ’s This Boy’s Life and Ernesto Galarza’s Barrio Boy. Her story is partly one of family but
also one of self-reliance, recounting her troubled childhood in Ponce, Puerto Rico and also poverty
and homelessness in Massachusetts. What I most admired in the work was the author’s frankness, her
ability to portray family truths so intimately and honestly. –John Paul Jaramillo, author of The House
of Order Stories John Paul Jaramillo Associate Professor, English Dept. of Arts and Humanities
Lincoln Land Community College
Springfield, IL 62796
217-786-2897 [email protected] www.llcc.edu/jpjaramillo
The bank with a heart.
Armor of
Love
and
Hope
Doris Mercado
Foster/Adoptive Advocacy Professional releases inspiring memoir.
24 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
The Middlebury office wishes to acknowledge all of our amazing
foster parents for the care they provide to some really great kids!
Thank you to: Melissa, Jonathan+Janelle, Kathleen+Eugene, Susannah,
Meg+Jessica, Rose+Floyd, Amand, Kelly+Jody, Erin+Jacob, Dawn+David, Janelle,
Amy+Nick,Wendy+Mark, Melanie+Luke, Marcy+Matthew, Carole+Michael, April,
Kenneth+Judith, Andrea, Stacey+Steven, Tony+Kathy, Kristen+Paul, Melissa+Tim,
Kristen+Richard, Susan, Scott+Bailee, Tammy+Gary, Martha, Usamah+Marie,
Cheryl+William, Jennifer+Shawn, Chris+Andrea, April+John, Kimberly+Glenn,
Carla+Mathew, Carol+Randall, Dallas+Jeffrey, Kristen, Christine+Marc, Jennifer+Jesse,
James+Patricia, Bernadette+Christopher, Amanda+Robert, Pam+Lawrence, Kevin+Andrea,
Walterine+Vilas, Deborah+Frank, Laurie, Roberta, George+Patricia, Sean+Tammy,
Nathan+Renee, Elaine+Robert, Wesley+Cheryl, Penny, Debra+Mark, Janis+Paul, Sharlene, Amanda+David, Kelly+Kevin, Ellen, Leslie, Debra+Tim, Linda+Chet, Heidi+Dan,
Patricia, Lorraine, Michelle+Todd, William+Linda, Beth+Randall and Peter+Barbara,
Tamara+Joey, Kevin+Michele, Courtney, Michael+Tammie, Marilyn+James,
Rebecca+Matthew, Jasmine+Ben, Kathleen+Dennis, Sheila+Donald, Robert, EmmaJean+Patrick, Elizabeth+Christopher, Dianne+Stephen, Katrina+Travis, Megan+Jonathan,
Rachel, Kathaleen+Martin, Leah, Lewis+Ronna, Andrew+James, Jan+Ricky, Michael+Ellen,
Margaret+Philip, Michele+John and Stacey+Nick.
All children and youth need
safe, permanent families that love, nurture,
and guide them through
childhood and into adulthood.
To achieve this goal,
we need competent, caring
professionals and caregivers.
The Justice for Children Task Force
thanks you for all you do
for these children.
The Vermont Supreme Court created the Task Force
as a collaborative, interdisciplinary effort
to improve outcomes for children in foster care.
artwork by Ali Palin
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 25
Jesilyn Designs
2014 Registration Brochure
& Program Book Design
Thank you to all the incredible,
open-hearted, hard-working foster,
kinship and adoptive families
in Vermont!
26 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Families like yours…
give kids a chance to succeed.
give kids a place to call home.
give kids a permanent family.
Thank you! HowardCenter
To foster and adoptive
Child, Youth & Family Services
1138 Pine Street
families for all that you do Burlington, VT 05406
for Vermont’s children. 802-488-6600
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 27
“All kids need is a little help, a little hope and
someone who believes in them.”
Magic Johnson
Thank you member families of VFAFA for your dedicated
service to the children and families of Vermont!
We are proud to be in “Partnership” with you!
The Child Welfare Training Partnership:
 Is a collaboration between the University of Vermont and
The Department for Children and Families
 Provides “Foundations for Kinship, Foster and Adoptive
Families”—training required for licensing
 Offers “Fostering to Forever: A Lifelong Journey” (focus
on permanence)
 Designs advanced training educational opportunities on
important topics that will help caregivers understand and
care for a child with a loss and trauma history
 Produces, “Voices at the Table”—a resource blog for
kinship, foster, and adoptive families in Vermont
http://voicesatthetable.wordpress.com/
28 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
The Brattleboro
District wishes to
thank our amazing
foster parents for
their dedication
and never ending
commitment to the
children and
families in our
community.
Coming together,
sharing together,
working together,
succeeding together.
- 2014 VFAFA Conference
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 29
Conference Committee
Jesilyn Amsden
Chris Ascoli
Peggy Bosley
Debbie Boyce
Martin Bursque
Margi Cameron
Michelle Colburn
Rebecca Fitzsimmons
Michelle Fox
My-Lanh Graves
Brenda Hamlin
Martha Hanley
Sharon O’Neill
Pamela Piper
Maggie Reilly
Deb Richards
Diane Robie
Lauri Samson
Sarah Sargent
Jane Siddall
Lisa Steckler
Brian Thompson
Michelle Thompson
Shannon York
Brenda Zavattero
VFAFA Board • District Representatives • Member’s At-Large
Jim Bulger, President
417 VT Rte. 25
W. Topsham, VT 05086
802-439-5259
[email protected]
Jane Siddall, Vice President
49 Fairground Rd
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-9850
[email protected]
Lisa Steckler, Secretary
1772 Upper Cold River
Shrewsbury, VT 05738
[email protected]
Rose Lessard, Treasurer
310 Snowbridge Rd.
Barre, VT 05641
[email protected]
Barre District
Daniel Lessard
802-479-0491
[email protected]
Bennington District
Kendy Skidmore
(802) 688-9733
[email protected]
Brattleboro District
Brenda Zavattero
[email protected]
Erin Bristol
[email protected]
Burlington District
Vacant
Hartford District
Alicia Connors
Hartland, VT
[email protected]
Middlebury District
Martha Hanley
(802) 377-7861
[email protected]
Morrisville District
Vacant
Newport District
Vacant
Rutland District
Cinn Smith
(802) 265-2014
[email protected]
St. Albans District
Lauri Samson
(802) 782-5607
[email protected]
St. Johnsbury District
Vacant
Springfield District
Vacant
--Martin Bursque
6 Randall Street
Springfield, VT 05156
802-885-1771
[email protected]
Dan Boyce
15 Mt. Pleasant Drive
Brandon, VT 05733
[email protected]
Pat Richardson
1722 Upper Cold River
Shrewsbury, VT 05738
[email protected]
30 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Vermont Foster/Adoptive
Family Association By-Laws
www.vfafa.org
VERMONT FOSTER/ADOPTIVE FAMILY ASSOCIATION
BY-LAWS
Amended March 24, 2012
ARTICLE 1
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OFFICE
(a) The name of this organization shall be the VERMONT
FOSTER/ADOPTIVE FAMILY ASSOCIATION.
(b) The principal office of the Association shall be located in
the district of the Secretary.
ARTICLE 2
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association shall be to:
(a) Advocate on behalf of foster and adoptive families.
(b) Advocate on behalf of children.
(c) Raise public consciousness of foster care and adoptive issues.
(d) Support recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive
families.
(e) Promote and coordinate support services and trainings for
families.
(f) Promote collaboration among foster and adoptive families,
community services, child welfare agencies, legislative bodies
and governmental agencies for the benefit of foster and adoptive families.
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association shall conduct activities which are exclusively within the meaning of
section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 as the
same may be amended from time to time.
ARTICLE 3
MEMBERSHIP
(a) All licensed foster parents and adoptive parents which
includes persons in the process of being licensed) are represented by the Association.
(b) Only those persons, agencies or associations with currently
paid dues shall be eligible as voting members in the Association.
(c) General Membership - Upon payment of dues, general
membership shall be conveyed to kinship care providers,
adoptive parents, private agencies, an association or organization of foster parents, social service workers or citizens
interested in advocating for the goals of the Vermont Foster/
Adoptive Family Association. General members shall have access to all information and mailings related to the Association's
activities.
(d) Honorary membership may be awarded by the Association.
The benefits of this membership shall include auditing meetings and receiving mailings. This membership does not include
voting rights.
www.vfafa.org Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association
By-Laws
ARTICLE 4
OFFICERS
(a) All officers of the Association shall either be licensed or
formerly licensed foster parents in good standing in the State
of Vermont or have served as Board members.
(b) The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
Association. The President shall preside at all meetings of the
membership or of the Board. The President shall be responsible
to see that all the requirements of these by-laws, applicable
Vermont State Statutes and all directives of the membership
and of the Board are faithfully enforced. The President shall
work in conjunction with the Vermont Public Child Welfare
Agency to coordinate any position they share.
(c) The Vice-President shall act as President during the absence
or disability of the President. The Vice-President shall also
perform any other duties, which shall from time to time be
delegated by the Board.
(d) The Secretary shall act as clerk of all meetings of the members, the Board, and the Executive Committee. The Secretary
shall serve as the historian of the Association and keep a record
in archive (both electronically and hard copy) of all said meetings. The Secretary will disburse minutes of all said meetings,
as appropriate, within two weeks following the meeting and at
the next scheduled Board meeting.
(e) The Treasurer shall be responsible for monitoring the custody of all Association funds, which shall be kept and handled
through accounts at a banking institution as determined by
the Board. The Treasurer shall be responsible for the collection
of dues and for the depositing of all Association funds to the
Association’s checking or savings accounts. The Treasurer shall
present to each meeting of the Board and/or membership a financial statement of the Association funds. The Treasurer shall
be responsible for obtaining and maintaining adequate insurance for the Association. The Treasurer will have the financial
records examined by a licensed accountant annually as directed
by the Board (either a compilation, review or audit).
(f) After leaving office, each officer shall deliver all books and/
or records to the incoming officers before the next meeting.
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 31
(g) The offices of President, Vice-President, Secretary and
Treasurer shall be for a two-year term which shall commence
at the first Board meeting following the Annual Meeting.
voting except in the case of a tie vote.
(h) In the absence or inability of an officer to complete his/her
term as elected, the Board members shall select an individual
to serve in place of such officer until the next Annual Meeting.
(1) Association Officers will be elected by the general membership at the Annual meeting. The President and Secretary will
be elected in even years and the Vice-President and Treasurer
in odd years.
ARTICLE 5
BOARD
(a) The Board shall be composed of:
(1) The Association’s officers
(2) One person representing each Vermont Public Child
Welfare Agency district. Each district may send an alternate
member in the absence of the district representative.
(3) A maximum of eight (8) members at-large who are interested in and support the Association’s mission.
www.vfafa.org Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association
By-Laws
(4) The immediate Past President.
(5) A representative from the Department for Children and
Families/Family Services chosen by the Commissioner and/or
Deputy Commissioner and approved by the Board
(b) All members of the Board will have voting privileges with
the exception of the Vermont Public Child Welfare Agency
representative. The President or designee will abstain from
(c) Selection of Board members shall be as follows:
(2) The member of each Vermont Public Child Welfare Agency
District or local association will be selected according to local
practices of the district or their association.
(3) Nominations for the eight (8) at-large Board members will
be reviewed and approved by the Executive Committee and
voted on by the full Board.
(4) The immediate Past President shall serve for one (1), two
(2) year term after leaving office.
(d) Meetings of the Board may be held at the call of the President or Vice-President on a one (1) week notice. Seven Board
members present at a duly called Board meeting shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The minutes of
all Board meetings shall be available to members upon request
and shall be distributed at the next scheduled Board meeting.
These minutes shall describe all items discussed and all actions
taken.
Change
32 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Certificate of Attendance
This certifies that
Attended the 27th Annual
Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association Conference
Working Together
to Navigate Change
March 21-23, 2014 • Burlington, Vermont
34 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
VFAFA Conference Evaluation Form
Spring 2014
Please complete and return to the registration desk. Your input will help plan future training events.
Thank you!
Please check all that apply:
__Foster/Adoptive Parent __ Child Welfare Staff __ Educator
__ Residential Care Provider __ Kinship __ Other
__ Presenter
Overall, how would you rate the conference?
__ Excellent __ Good
__ Okay
__ Needs Improvement
Rate the following
1. Selection of workshops
2. Conference Schedule
3. Awards banquet
4. Conference facilities
Comments:
excellent
excellent
excellent
excellent good
good
good
good
okay
okay
okay
okay
needs improvement
needs improvement
needs improvement
needs improvement
Friday Institute
__ did not attend
Presentationexcellent
good
okay
needs improvement
Relevance of information
excellent
good okay needs improvement
Comments:
Keynote Presentation
__ did not attend
Presentationexcellent
good okay
needs improvement
Relevance of information
excellent
good okay needs improvement
Comments:
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 35
__ attended Open Forum __ attended The Bogeyman Is Real __ attended GLBT Dialogue
Presentationexcellentgood
okay
needs improvement
Relevance of information
excellent
good okay needs improvement
Comments:
Title of Workshop Session I __________________________________________________
__did not attend
Presentation excellent
good okay needs improvement
Relevance of information
excellent
good okay needs improvement
Comments:
Title of Workshop Session II ___________________________________________________
__ did not attend
Presentationexcellentgood
okay
needs improvement
Relevance of information
excellent
good okay needs improvement
Comments:
Sunday Morning Presentation
__ did not attend
Presentation excellentgood
okay
needs improvement
Relevance of information
excellent
good okay needs improvement
Comments:
In the past, Saturday night at the conference included awards for foster parent of the year, social worker of
the year, rookie foster parent and rookie social worker, among others. Would you be interested in seeing
VFAFA acknowledge foster parents and social workers in this way again? Yes____ no___.
What is one thing you are taking away from the conference to help you in your work with children and
families?
Suggestions for future trainings:
Please provide your name, address, phone number, and e-mail, if you would like to help plan future training
events.
36 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
NOTES
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 37
NOTES
38 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association
Room Assignments
Friday
9am Institute, Charlie Appelstein
Emerald Ballroom
Commissioner’s Meeting with NEFCA by Invite
Diamond Ballroom
Saturday
8:15am Welcome & Business Meeting
Emerald Ballroom
9am Keynote Emerald Ballroom
10:30-12pm Morning Workshop Session
Impact of Trauma on Adolescent Brain Development & Permanency
Emerald 3
Understanding the Court Process and Your Role In It - Panel Discussion
Emerald 2
Advocating for Your Child
Amphitheater
Playing with Purpose, Mindful Practices with Children and Caregivers
Emerald 1
When a Child Leaves Your Home
Diamond 1
Are You Crazy? Educating your Children and Extended Family about Kids with Trauma History
Diamond 2
1:30-3pm Afternoon Workshop Session
Tips for Effective Communication with the Courts
Emerald 1
YDP 101 and Supporting Normalcy in Foster Care
Emerald 2
Self-Care for Caregivers: Put On Your Own Oxygen Mask First!
Diamond 1
De-escalation Techniques for Aggressive Youth
Amphitheater
Children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder
Diamond 2
Federal Benefits: Adoption Subsidy and Guardianship Assistance
Emerald 3
3:15-4:45 Additional Afternoon Activities
Open Forum
Emerald Ballroom
The Bogeyman is Real - Navigating Addiction’s Pernicious Dance
Amphitheater
GLBT Foster Parenting/Adoption: Open Dialogue
Diamond 2
Evening Activities
6:30pm Celebration Banquet
Emerald Ballroom
8:30pm Vermont Comedy Divas
Emerald Ballroom
Sunday
7:30am Breakfast Emerald Ballroom
9am Send Off with Steve Lulek Emerald Ballroom
The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association | 39
40 | The Vermont Foster/Adoptive Family Association In Partnership with The New England Foster Care Association