Foster Parent Focus - FamiliesFirst Network

2011
June
2
Issue
7
Volume
Development
May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month and got a free ticket to a Sawmill Band show and,
the Foster Home Development staff plans
foster parents got a special discount at Circle
activities for the entire month to show our
Bowling in Pensacola.
foster parents that you are appreciated!
Another part of foster parent appreciation
The month began with appreciation cards sent month is the recognition of foster families
to each family (via Foster Home Developwho have provided outstanding service in the
ment) by the children of Trinity Presbytepast year. Throughout the year, Foster Home
rian Church in Pensacola. On Saturday, May Development and Case Management staff
7th, the Foster Home Development office
collected nominations. From those nominahosted a Beach Party at the Navarre Beach tions, the following families were awarded:
Pavilions. The 50 families who attended got
bags of goodies, had lunch, played games and Rookies of the Year: Stephanie and Levi
Daniel. The Daniel’s first placement was very
enjoyed the day with their families.
rough – disrupted 3 daycares and had signifiOn May 14th, the Gadsden St. United Meth- cant behavior issues in public and at home -but they would not give up and insisted on
odist Church offered families 3 hours of
keeping the child so that they could provide
free childcare for all the children in their
home. Also on May 14th, the Pensacola Rid- one-on-one attention. Thanks to their commiting Center offered free horse back riding to ment, this child was able to make significant
fostering families.
improvement.
The Dance Academy of Santa Rosa offered Transition award: Kelly and Leif Olsson.
The Olsson’s have worked very hard to help
free dance classes to adults and children on
the children in their home transition back to
May 28th.
their biological parents. The Olsson’s created
Throughout the month of May, foster parents
(Continued on page 2)
who purchased a meal at the Farmers Opry
Home
Foster
Network
FamiliesFirst
Foster Parent Focus
Foster families honored with Appreciation events
Foster Home
Development staff
members accept a
$1,000 donation
for Foster Parent
Appreciation
month from Junior
League of
Pensacola
members Jennifer
Holler and Sherri
Barber.
Foster parents receive awards for service
(Continued from page 1)
and involved him in positive activities which resulted in earning a place on the honor roll.
Foster Parent Focus Page 2
a housewarming gift for the parents and made
handmade quilts for the children to take home.
Above and Beyond: James and Katherine
Freer. The Freer’s went above and beyond “the
Overcoming Challenges: Tracey Steele. Tracey call of duty” as they cared for children in their
had two children with significant special needs
home. They held a birthday party with 20 friends
and overcame many challenges to ensure that the AND the biological parents, hosted sibling and
children got the help they needed. She reparent visitations in their home and allowed the
children to create and serve a meal to the parents
searched their particular issues, was diligent in
obtaining services and provided many enriching in the Freer home.
experiences. Tracey also worked closely with the
Family Engagement: Dan and Cindy McClary.
parents, even transporting them to treatment as
After the children in the home of Dan and Cindy
they worked toward reunification.
McClary were reunified, the McClary’s stayed
Star Mentors: Alicia and Derek Stone. When a connected. They kept the children on overnights
child with very poor nutrition and significant edu- and for weekend activities, provided soup when
cational needs was placed in their home, the
the family was sick, and did everything possible
Stone’s worked with him extensively. They ento encourage and support the family.
couraged the child to make good food choices
“Thank You!” to community supporters
Please join us in thanking the following busiMacedonia Baptist Church
nesses and individuals for providing cash, door
prizes, discounts and special events to honor fos- Mary Beth Price, State Farm Insurance
ter parents during Foster Parent Appreciation
Christina Miller, Allstate Insurance
Month.
Farmers Opry
The Junior League of Pensacola
Circle Bowling
H & H Barbecue, Milton
Gadsden Street United Methodist Church
Kimberly Robbins
Pensacola Riding Center
Finis Calvert, State Farm Insurance
The Dance Academy of Santa Rosa
Darren Spicer, Allstate Insurance
Trinity Presbyterian Church, Pensacola
ECW of St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church
Navy Federal Credit Union
First Assembly of God, Pensacola
University of West Florida
Capt. Paul Kelly, Pensacola Police Dept.
Pensacola State College
John Jerralds, Pensacola City Council
John Kizziah State Farm Insurance
Rita and Steven Dixon
Betty Wade
Susie and Rufus Smith
Okaloosa County
Stephanie and Ronald Raybon
Dorothy Bess
Russell Gremillion
Terry and Samuel Braman
Santa Rosa County
Sarah and Neal Riemer
Lisa and Norm Domek
Audra and Michael Rogers
Trisha and Diego Hinojosa
Cathy and John Weaver
Escambia County
Patricia and Tommy Hyler
Walton County
Andrea and Brett Skoog
Jessica and Andrew Parrott
Samuel Critzer
Sharhonda and Barry Owens
Sherri and Stephen Marisich
Carla and Stephen Dixon
Tami Cyr and Ann Ryan
Mary and Randall Nelson
Joy and Jeffrey Geoghagan
Welcome
New
Foster
Foster Parent Focus Page 3
Parents
Association opens office, offers services to families
We congratulate Gerald Waters
and the South Santa Rosa Foster
and Adoptive Parent Association
on the opening of their new
FAPA office at 2282 Highway
87 in Navarre. The office, which
is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
will host the FAPA’s monthly
meeting on the fourth Monday
of each month. Other services
include: free notary service for
any foster or adoptive parent,
free webcast trainings, diapers
for foster parents with new children, access to the Department
of Children and Families Access
Florida website and a quarterly
membership dinner and social
for foster or adoptive parents.
The dinners may be held on site
or at a restaurant and may be
free or at a discount. For more
information call 850-939-5220.
After hours emergency number available to foster parents
When you have an after hours
emergency, call the Family Services
Counselor for your child. If you do
not hear from them in an appropriate amount of time, call their
supervisor. If you do not hear
from either of them within an appropriate amount of time, contact
the FFN On Call number. This
number covers all four counties.
850-32
4-2850
FFN
On Cal
l
Coordinator explains Independent Living program
times of all skills training
classes and events. Providers
Independent Living Coordinator
and foster parents can be added
to the Independent Living email
list and receive the newsletter
The Independent Living Coordi- electronically.
nators would like to thank all of
you for your hard work with the The Independent Living Proteens that we care for. We
would also like to give you an
outline about the very important
program that we offer to the
teenagers from 13 to 17 years
old.
Foster Parent Focus Page 4
By Michael Simmons
The Independent Living program is available to youth in
care, ages 13-17 who have been
adjudicated dependent and are
living in a licensed placement.
Services include but are not limited to: skills assessments, multidisciplinary staffings, skills
training classes, special events,
and educational conferences.
A newsletter, TEEN FOCUS, is
mailed to every youth in foster
care monthly. The newsletter
contains important information
on upcoming dates, places, and
gram works in conjunction with
the youth’s primary Family Services Counselor. A Transitional
Staffing Plan is created with the
youth and an age appropriate life
skills assessment is conducted
for each youth in care once they
enter the program. The youth’s
primary case manager is able to
determine strengths and needs in
the youth’s life and the information is incorporated into the
youth’s case plan tasks if necessary. Assessments and individual staffings are updated regularly by the Independent Living
staff and forwarded to the primary case manager. Often skills
training exercises are targeted to
youth who may need extra attention in areas determined by the
assessment.
Monthly District wide skills
training classes are offered to all
youth at six locations. Youth
who cannot attend these classes
due to incarceration or placement restrictions, are mailed
skills training packets so they
will also be able to participate.
Topics such as financial management, self-care, education
and employment are examples
of skills training youth receive.
Youth’s attendance and information on progress is forwarded to
the youth’s case manager. A
“17 Only” skills training and
(Continued on page 7)
Groups offer support to foster and/or adoptive parents
Foster Adoptive Parent Associations are available for support and training in all four counties.
In addition, there is an adoption support group in
Escambia county. If you are interested in joining
one of these associations, attending one of their
monthly training meetings or just need more information, please call or email the contact person
listed for your county or call 453-7766.
North Santa Rosa county: Stacy Langston
232-4442
Escambia county: Sissy Wise 549-3593
Adopt R Us Adoption support group: Ejohn
Palomino 375-2212
South Santa Rosa county: Gerald Waters
936-1372
North Okaloosa/Walton counties: Curtis Byrd
419-1014
South Okaloosa/ Walton counties: Brooke
Frizzell [email protected].
Court Corner:
Trauma Informed care “lens” helps foster
parents see people --- instead of problems
by Karen L. Jordan
Foster Parent Focus Page 5
Managing Attorney
Welcome back to the Court Corner! The topic
this time is the implementation of Trauma Informed Care. Hopefully you have at least heard
this term used. I’m hoping that through this
dramatized scenario you can see how you can
very positively and lastingly impact the families you deal with
and the children that are in your
care.
Since we left our family last
time, Suzie, Sam, Sam Jr., and
Joe are doing fairly well. Suzie’s
cousin, Mary and her husband
Robert have moved to Pensacola
as a result of Navy orders. Mary
and Robert are the proud parents
of Bobby, an eight year old second grader and
Jane, six years old in the first grade.
The home environment is deteriorating rapidly.
The house is way beyond messy; the clothes
aren’t getting washed and there is very little to eat.
The kids have missed a lot of school, but when
they do attend, they are ravenous and eat anything
that is offered. Mary is drinking more heavily
every week trying to cope with the pain and guilt
she is feeling.
Today, while bringing the kids home
from a rare day at school Mary was
involved in a car accident that resulted in the death of an elderly couple. Mary was arrested for DUI manslaughter, and for driving under the
influence with unrestrained minors in
the car. Very intoxicated and distraught, Mary fought so hard that the
police officers had to use their tasers
to get her under control.
The kids were already hysterical about being
tossed around during the wreck. Seeing what was
The kids have done fairly well with the transition happening to their mother with the policemen was
from Alaska to Florida. Nine months ago though, extremely confusing and upsetting to them. LuckJane had a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting. ily, Bobby’s broken leg seemed the most serious
of the children’s injuries at the scene. To ensure
Jane is so afraid of going through that again that
it’s a daily struggle to get her to go to school or go there were no internal injuries, the kids were
placed in separate ambulances to be taken to the
outside. She won’t even watch cartoons if there
hospital for further testing, despite Bobby’s veheare bees in them.
ment protests that he needed to stay and look after
Unfortunately, Robert was called away to the War his mother and sister. Neither child understood
and was killed two months later. Before he left, why each of them and their mother were all going
Robert had a talk with Bobby about being the
in different vehicles in separate directions.
“man of the house” while he was gone and Bobby
took this role very seriously. After learning of his At the hospital, doctors and nurses poked and
father’s death, Bobby felt increasingly responsible prodded, gave shots and IVs, and set Bobby’s broken leg. Eventually a stranger came and told
for his mother and sister.
Bobby and Jane that she would be taking them to
Mary took Robert’s death very hard. She is doing a nice place to spend the night. Both children
her best to keep things together, but she just can’t were confused because their parents had always
seem to focus on anything – not even the children. taught them to not talk to or go anywhere with
She still feels guilty about Jane’s bee sting epistrangers and they felt very anxious about getting
sode and she just doesn’t have the energy to fight into another car so soon after the wreck.
with Jane to get her to go to school every day or
Feeling helpless again, Bobby and Jane got into
talk to the teacher who has been trying to reach
the lady’s car. After arriving at a nice home,
her.
(Continued on page 6)
Trauma Informed “lens” empowers foster parents
(Continued from page 5)
Foster Parent Focus Page 6
Bobby was told to say good–bye to his sister because this home only took little girls. Utterly defeated by now, Bobby sat in the back of the car
watching Jane, who was kicking, crying and
screaming, slip away from
him. He was suddenly silent
and stayed that way for days.
So much has happened to
this “normal” young family
in a very short time. Now
they are all scattered and
each is deeply scarred.
What trauma can you see in
Mary, Bobby, and Jane?
Thinking of the “traditional”
route our cases can take,
what kind of services would we have previously
offered this family when we looked only at the
facts -- a dirty house, missed school, inadequate
food, substance abuse and an incarcerated parent?
Parenting classes, substance abuse classes, perhaps something offered in the jail? With these
services, would that help repair and ensure a
safely reunited family? On the surface, perhaps.
react differently to Jane when she is afraid to go
outside and play if you knew about the bee sting
episode that was so traumatic to her? Will you
help Bobby take the weight of the world from his
shoulders and teach him how to be a carefree little
eight year old ? What an even deeper, more profound and a more lasting difference you can make in these
lives if you knew what had
happened to the children you
open your hearts to, rather
than just knowing what their
parents “did” to bring them
into the system.
I’ve tried to weave several
layers of varying degrees of
trauma into our story. How
many can you see? As our
“expert parents” you have the opportunity to be
the first firm life line toward helping these traumatized children and their traumatized parents to
rebuild a strong, healthy, nurturing reunited family.
For deepening your commitment to and understanding of the impact trauma has on “our kids” –
as well as what you already do every day for these
precious souls – I sincerely thank each and every
To ensure a lasting and meaningful reunification one of you. As always, I look forward to hearing
we must take a hard look at the underlying issues from you and answering your questions or help in
– what actually happened to each of the members any way within my power. Until next time – it
of this family from their own unique perspectives, has been my pleasure. KJ
rather than just focusing on what the mother did.
A year ago this young mother didn’t wake up one
Trauma Training Available
day and say to herself, “a year from now I will
drink excessively, cost an elderly couple their
Editors Note: Trauma Informed Care training classes
lives, neglect my children and end up in jail, so
are available for foster parents!
I’d better get started doing all that!”
To register for the next
Wouldn’t it be better to help Mary identify and
deal with the grief, loss, depression and pain that “Caring For Children Who Have Experienced Trauma”
she is feeling? Won’t that go farther in addressclass being held
ing the dirty house, the substance misuse, or the
missed school than a parenting class?
every Tuesday Sept. 13 to Nov. 1,
When you look at this family through a Trauma
Informed Care lens, what can you suggest to
help heal our broken young family? Would you
call Caroline Klages at 453-7766.
Childcare may be available.
Teens benefit from Independent Living program
If you have any questions, please call:
(Continued from page 4)
Foster Parent Focus Page 7
support dinner is held once a month for youth 17
years old. This class focuses on the issues, concerns and services directly concerning these youth
preparing to turn 18 and live on their own.
Special events are offered to youth such as the
chance to attend focused training conferences,
Computer Camp, Etiquette Night, The Annual
College Tour, Adventures Unlimited Teambuilding, and Big Kahunas.
Melody Kohr, Supervisor,
Program 437-8972
Independent Living
Caprice Blizzard, Santa Rosa County Independent
Living Coordinator, 437-8973
Michael Simmons, Escambia County Independent
Living Coordinator, 437-8969
Joe Kennedy, Okaloosa and Walton Counties Independent Living Coordinator 833-3788
We are asking for your assistance. We know that
you provide the teens with basic skills education
in your home. However, we would like to know
what it is that you work with the teens on. The
assessments that we complete with the teens covers a large area of knowledge of basic skills. We
would like to give the teen credit for having the
knowledge. And we would also like to give you,
the foster parent, credit for providing the education. The assessments get filed with the court and
are also a part of the Judicial Reviews that the
Family Services Counselor writes.
Congratulations
On
your adoption!
Addresses
Requested
Alexander Hanson
Alana Byrd
Peter Hanson
Ian Cozart
LeBron Colinet
Jordan Robinson
Britney Colinet
Jaylen Robinson
Destiny Sistrunk
Maribel Kingsbury
Emma Secchiari
Sarah Soles
Nikki Byrd
The Foster Home Development staff works diligently to keep our
families aware of events and activities available to them. Because
some of these are short notice, we like to send email notices. If
you are willing to receive information (including the foster parent
newsletter) in email format or if your email address has changed,
please contact Stephanie Dickey at 850-453-7766.
Theatres offer free family movies
during summer months
At select locations, Rave Movie Theatres
are hosting free family friendly movies
on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during
June and July.
Movie selections and dates may be
different at each location.
Call your theatre to see if they are
participating!
Doors open at 9 a.m. and the movie
starts at 10 a.m.
A discounted $4 “Kids Pack” will be available and includes popcorn, a drink and
Welch’s fruit snack
Rave Bayou Blvd., Pensacola
Rave Destin Commons 14, Destin
Yogi Bear -- June 14, 15
Marmaduke -- June 14,15
Diary of a Wimpy Kid -- June 21, 22
Ramona and Beezus -- June 21, 22
Marmaduke -- June 28, 29
Percy Jackson -- June 28, 29
Ramona and Beezus -- July 5 and 6
Chronicles of Narnia 3 -- July 5,6
Percy Jackson -- July 12 and 13
Complete schedule not available. Please call
the theatre for other dates.
Chronicles of Narnia 3 --July 19, 20
Gullivers Travels -- July 26 and 27
The Ridge Cinema in Pace, 4915 Hwy
90, also has Free Summer Kid Shows.
Doors open at 9:30 and the shows start at
10 a.m.
Megamind or Yogi Bear -- June 14,16
Tangled or Marmaduke -- June 21, 23
Shrek 4 or Ramona and Beezus -June 28,30
How to Train a Dragon or Enchanted -July 5,7
Legends of the Guardians or Alvin and
Chipmunks -- 2 July 12, 14
Toy Story 3 or Gulliver’s Travels -- July 19,
21
Free coloring book answers questions about foster care
FosterClub, a national online community supporting oring book, visit www.fosterclub.com/article/
young people in foster care, has developed a coloring coloring-book.
book designed specifically for youth entering the foster care system. Titled Foster Cub Has Questions
About Foster Care and featuring bear cubs as the
main characters, the coloring book includes activities
such as puzzles and mazes. Each page poses a question from Foster Cub that encourages foster youth to
share their feelings or information about themselves
and a tip for adult helpers when they are discussing
difficult issues with children.
For more information, to download or order the col-
Advance Planning Eases Hurricane
Stress
Hurricane season and the approach of
storms is stressful. Advance planning
helps relieve that stress.
no refrigeration, cooking or preparation.
Think about what kind of food you would
take camping - those are the types of foods
that you need on hand after a storm. Many
good foods come in ready-to-eat, nonrefrigerated packaging. Small packages are
a good choice because you won't have refrigeration for leftovers. Make sure you
have a good stock of Sterno, a full tank of
propane for your grill, or plenty of charcoal. Never use propane or charcoal indoors.
Put papers regarding children in
foster care (care and custody letters, phone numbers etc.) in large
water-proof bags and keep them in
a safe, readily accessible location.
In the event of a hurricane, call the
Foster Home Development office at
850-453-7766 as soon as possible.
It is also imperative that you contact the Family Services Counselor
First Aid Kit
for each child as soon as is possible.
It is a good idea to have two first aid kits.
It is vital that we determine your
One for your home and the other for your
whereabouts and your status as
car. Your kit should include things like
soon as is possible.
bandages, scissors, tweezers, soap, latex
If you plan to stay at home during a hurri- gloves, lubricant, assorted size safety pins
cane, you should have the following items and any non-prescription drugs deemed
on hand. It is a good idea to get these
necessary. Stock plenty of mosquito repelitems at the beginning of the hurricane
lant and "bug bite sticks" for relieving the
season because as a storm approaches,
itch of insect bites and stings.
stores become very busy and stock is deTools and Other Supplies
pleted quickly.
Clothing and Bedding
Clothing and beddings items should be
protected by covering them with plastic
drop cloths, placing them in waterproof
boxes, plastic bags or other suitable containers. Be sure to have available: work
boots and gloves, rain gear, blankets or
sleeping bags, lots of towels, hats and sunglasses.
Special Items
Always remember family members with
special needs. For children you should
have plenty of necessary baby formula,
diapers, bottles and medications. Adults
with medications such as insulin or other
prescription drugs should have their prescriptions filled before the storm. Don't
forget any denture needs and eye glasses
or contacts. You may also consider asking
your vet about a mild sedative for your
pets if they are anxious during storms.
You should also have some form of entertainment for everyone including books for
adults. Keep all important family docuYou
should
have
a
basic
tool
kit
with
items
Water
ments safe and in a waterproof container.
you feel are necessary to make temporary
Items for consideration to keep safe are
Water should be stored in plastic contain- repairs after the storm. Basics include:
wills, insurance policies, bank account
ers - avoid using glass. Store one gallon of plastic sheeting, paper plates and plastic
numbers, credit cards, your address book
water per person per day - and plan on at utensils, flashlights and a battery-operated
and a household inventory complete with
least five days of need. Save your empty 2- radio with plenty of spare batteries (or
serial numbers and pictures or video.
liter bottles during hurricane season to fill better yet - a hand-crank radio), nonwith water the night before a storm may
electric can opener, fire extinguisher
For more information on hurricane
hit. Fill bathtubs and sinks with water for (because of the candles), tent, matches,
preparedness, go to
sanitation use. Check them for leaks bealuminum foil, plastic storage containers, www.bereadyescambia.com
fore the storm, and if water is draining
plastic garbage bags, small shovel and
out, place a sheet of plastic wrap over the insect repellent. A corded phone (not
drain. Washing machines can also be filled cordless - they require electricity) will help
with water to use for washing hands. Wa- if you have phone lines but no power.
ter purification agents such as bleach
Small, portable antennas will give you
should also be on hand.
access to local television stations if you
have power but no cable. Small televisions
Food
often have adapters for use in automobiles.
Store at least a three day supply of nonperishable food. Select foods that require
FamiliesFirst
Network Foster
Home
Development
5401 W. Fairfield Dr.
Pensacola, FL 32506
Tel: 850-453-7766
Fax: 850-453-7779
Congratulations!
gratulate Ashley Williams on
her promotion to Team Man-
We congratulate Sheila
ager, Santa Rosa County. We
Pittman on her promotion to
bid a fond farewell to Ramsey
Contracts Manager and
Long as he retires and con-
Michelle Posey on her promo-
gratulate Claudia McArthur on
tion to Foster Home Develop- her promotion to Team Manment Specialist. We also con-
ager, Okaloosa County.
Matrix program invites families to join
FFN foster parents who have successfully fostered for one year are encouraged to consider becoming Matrix foster
parents.
PENSACOLA OFFICE
453-7766
Connie Werner
Ext 101
Tina McKenzie
Ext 106
Stephanie Dickey
Ext 100
Michelle Posey
Ext 102
Terri Marshall
Ext 115
Caroline Klages
Ext 105
Melissa Albeck
Ext 108
Tammie Veader
Ext 104
Nicola Spear
Ext 111
Shannon Anderson
Ext 114
Richelle Nagy
Ext 109
FT. WALTON BEACH
OFFICE 833-3898
Brenda Robinson
Sabrina Bivins
Charles Alexander
Successful Matrix families must have
positive recommendations from Foster
Home Development. Extra pre-service
training is provided to prepare the Matrix foster parent for the needs of the
Matrix is a specialized foster home prochildren. While not everyone can foster
gram of Lakeview Center, which serves
these challenging children, the rewards
children who haven’t been successful in
are great. If you are interested call Jane
traditional foster home placements due
Barber at 469-3763 or Lynn Hickman at
to mental health needs, developmental
437-8971.
disabilities and/or maladaptive behaviors.
R
E
M
I
N
D
E
R
Any travel expense that exceeds 60 days
from the date of travel will not be
reimbursed.
If you have questions about travel, contact your child’s Family Services Counselor before submitting your travel form.