1

WINTER 2016

Northwest Regional Caregiver

NEWSLETTER

D avid and Michele

Giesbrecht began

fostering in February 2008

and have been foster parents for

almost nine years. In the summer of

2011, they achieved Level 2 foster

home status.

They have four children and

thirteen grandchildren. Two of their

adult children live in Grande Prairie

with their families and they have one

child at home. The Giesbrecht’s live

on an acreage and are able to have

some animals. This is an interest that

David is able to share with their nine

-year-old daughter, Janet. Other than

that, their time is spent with the

children in their home, grand-

children, friends and enjoying church

activities. Since nine of their

grandchildren live in the area, they

have many wonderful opportunities

to be a part of their lives and watch

them grow up along with their

daughter at home.

“As foster parents we feel so

blessed to be a part of the lives of the

children who come in to our home.”

says Michele. “For all that we give to

them: love, food, safety, security and

consistency, we get so much more in

return. It is so cool to watch the

children change as they begin to heal

and learn more about who they are.

Our hope is that they gain some

tools to live the life that is ahead of

them. We see it as our job to love

and support them for however long

they are in our home. Then,

wherever they go from there, they

have that love to go along with them.

Continued on next page...

Compassion and community

motivate the whole family

Northwest Region

Training Schedule 2017 — CORE Training

Grande Prairie Child & Family Services Office: 214 Place South, 10130-99 Ave, Grande Prairie, Rm 404

Jan 10, 6-9 pm E1: Effects of Abuse/Neglect on Brain Development

Jan 12, 6-9 pm E2: Managing Attachment Issues

Jan 18, 6-9 pm E3: Working with ADHD, ODD and CD

Jan 24, 6-9 pm E4: Understanding FASD

Jan 31, 6-9 pm E5: Managing FASD

Feb 7, 6-9 pm E6: Managing Substance Abuse

Feb 9, 6-9 pm E7: Suicide Awareness

Feb 15, 6-9 pm E8: Sexual Abuse

Mar 2, 6-9 pm G1: Keeping Family Connections

Mar 7, 6-9 pm G2: Our Role in Reducing Risks

Mar 16, 6-9 pm H1: Communication

Mar 22, 6-9 pm H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

Apr 6, 6-9 pm F1: Making the Cultural Connection

Apr 8, 9 am-12 pm F2: The Aboriginal Exper- ience; Severed Connections

Apr 8, 1-4 pm F3: Creating Connections

May 3, 6-9 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

May 9, 6-9 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

May 18, 6-9 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

High Level/La Crete Child & Family Services Offices: 9814-101 Street, High Level, AB Pine Centre, 10002-96 Avenue, La Crete, AB *All classes are from 5:30 pm—8:30 pm and will be held at the High Level office

Dec 20, C1: Childhood Development

Jan 3, C2: Assessing and Reporting Develop- mental Issues

Continued...

Michele, Janet, and David Giesbrecht

Respite providers needed We are updating our list of respite providers in

an effort to support child care needs for foster

care providers. If you want to add your name to

this list, please contact your foster care

caseworker. A reminder overloaded homes

cannot provide respite.

2

Behaviour Management From Northern Lakes Collaborative Services

T ransitions occur regularly during the school day. Children often have

difficulty transitioning from one activity, place and/or group of people.

During these times, children usually demonstrate a variety of unex-

pected behaviours. Consider the following when transitioning from the Christ-

mas holiday and returning to school:

Have a countdown on a calendar to remind children how many days until

they return to classes

Several days before school begins, gradually reduce the amount of time chil-

dren are on technology and gam-

ing systems as these tend to be

highly preferred activities and

not as available at school

Engage your child in discus-

sions about what they are look-

ing forward to at school. Try to

build excitement and anticipa-

tion for the activities at school

and have your child set goals to

work towards

Learn more at:

http://www.nlcsrcsd.ca/

2

2017 — CORE Training

High Level/La Crete ...Continued

Jan 17, C3: Creating a Developmental Environment

Jan 31, D3: Parenting Tool Box

Feb 7, D4: Goals of Misbehaviour

Feb 21, D5: Monitor, Evaluate and Report

Mar 7, E2: Managing Attachment Issues

Mar 21, E6: Managing Substance Abuse

Apr 4, E7: Suicide Awareness

Apr 18, E8: Sexual Abuse

May 2, F2: The Aboriginal Experience

May 16, G1: Keeping Family Connections

May 30, G2: Our Role in Reducing Risk

Jun 13, H1: Communication Skills

Jun 27, H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

High Prairie Child & Family Services Office: 5226-53 Avenue, High Prairie, AB

Jan 21, 9 am-12 pm E2: Managing Attachment Issues

Jan 21, 1-4 pm F1: Making the Cultural Connections

Feb 18, 9 am-12 pm E3: Working with ADHD, ODD and CD

Feb 18, 1-4 pm F2: The Aboriginal Experience; Severed Connections

Mar 18, 9 am-12 pm E6: Managing Substance Abuse

Mar 18, 1-4 pm F3: Creating Connections

Apr 22, 9 am-12 pm E7: Suicide Awareness

Apr 22, 1-4 pm G1: Keeping Family Connections

May 20, 9 am-12 pm G2: Our Role in Reducing Risks

May 20, 1-4 pm H1: Communication

Peace River/Fairview Child & Family Services Office: 9715-100 Street, Peace River 10209-109 Street, Fairview Note: Courses will be held in the community that has the most registrants—please contact Lindsey to confirm locations: 780-835-7191 Dec 19, 6-9 pm D4: The Goals of Misbehaviour

Jan 9, 6-9 pm D5: Monitor, Evaluate, Report

Jan 16, 6-9 pm E1: Effects of Abuse/Neglect on Brain Development

Continued...

Did you know? Non-prescription medications are funded through your monthly child maintenance compensation payment.

...Continued from front page

It has been amazing to watch our

young daughter, our adult children

and our grandchildren be a part of the

lives of those who come into our

home. The children in our family have

been so accepting of each child who

joins us. We could never have done

this without the love and support of

our adult children and our friends.”

Those who work with the Giesbrecht

family admire their level of

commitment to children in their care.

One caseworker noted that when

visiting their home it’s hard to tell if a

child has been there for 10 hours or

10 years, such is the level of

assimilation in the household. David

and Michele are also very involved

with helping new caregivers learn by

regularly appearing as panel members

at Orientation to Caregiver Training.

They continue to access new learning

opportunities for themselves, as well,

and attend educational forums, and

events for caregivers, such as

barbecues and holiday parties. Among

birth families, social workers,

community agencies, and other

service providers, they have gained a

solid reputation for their deep sense

of compassion and community. From

inspiring other family members to

foster, to maintaining a warm and

welcoming home, at the Giesbrecht

household, it is always a family affair.

3 3

Tell your friends! It’s easy to contribute

to our Kids-In-Care!

Collect bottles and cans at your

home or workplace, label the

bag or box with account #1838

and take to Plus 1 or 2 Bottle

Depot. These funds go exclusively to Grande Prairie’s

Kids-in-Care Christmas party.

Plus 1 Bottle Depot, 10502—96 Avenue, Grande Prairie

Plus 2 Bottle Depot, 7601 Resources Road, Grande Prairie

Please ensure that you submit your maintenance

invoices on a regular basis with the following:

Invoice date

Vendor name, address and vendor number (if number is

known)

Child’s name

Purchase date, expense description, dollar amount

Vendor signature

Receipts attached

We appreciate

your cooperation!

2016/2017 — CORE Training

Peace River/Fairview ...Continued

Jan 23, 6-9 pm E2: Managing Attachment Issues

Jan 30, 6-9 pm E3: Working with ADHD, ODD, and CD

Feb 6, 6-9 pm E4: Understanding FASD

Feb 13, 6-9 pm E5: Managing FASD

Feb 22, 6-9 pm E6: Managing Substance Abuse

Feb 25, 9-12 pm and 1-4 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

Feb 27, 6-9 pm E7: Suicide Awareness

Mar 6, 6-9 pm E8: Sexual Abuse

Mar 13, 6-9 pm F1: Making the Cultural Connections (with Elder)

Mar 20, 6-9 pm F2: The Aboriginal Experience; Severed Connections

Mar 27, 6-9 pm F3: Creating Connections

Apr 3, 6-9 pm G1: Keeping Family Connections

Apr 10, 6-9 pm G2: Our Role in Reducing Risks

Apr 19, 6-9 pm H1: Communication

Apr 24, 6-9 pm H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

Apr 29, 9-12 pm and 1-4 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

Slave Lake Child & Family Services Office: 108, 101-3rd Street SW, Slave Lake

Jan 7, 9 am-12 pm A5: Addressing Allegations

Jan 7, 1-4 pm Creating a Developmental Environment

Feb 4, 9 am-12 pm D1: Parenting our Special Children

Feb 4, 1-4 pm E4: Understanding FASD

Mar 4, 9 am-12 pm D2: Building a Relationship with Your New Child

Mar 4, 1-4 pm E5: Managing FASD

Apr 1, 9 am-12 pm D5: Monitor, Evaluate and Report

Apr 1, 1-4 pm H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

May 6, 9 am-12 pm E8: Sexual Abuse

May 6, 1-4 pm D3: The Parenting Tool Kit

High Prairie Teambuilding event

A fine time was had by all

at the High Prairie team-

building event that took place

in September. Pictured top:

Dawn Dow, Chelsea Poirier,

and Cheryl Deynaka. Bottom

back row: Lorina Dubois, Leo

Forseille, Terry Forseille, Na-

tasha Linteris, Chelsea Poirier,

Sarah Murphy, Cheryl

Deynaka, Lisa Habibi, Lisa

Pashko, Christie Matthews,

Mac Olsen. Front row: Bev

Aldrich, Heather Chiassan,

Karen Vanderwell, Ann Ful-

ton, Colleen Strebchuk.

4 4

Band consultation attendance reminders

2017 Orientation to

Caregivers Training

Grande Prairie, 10130-99 Avenue

214 Place South, Third Floor

January 27-29, 2017

May 15-17, 2017

October 20-22, 2017

High Prairie, 5226-53 Avenue

January 28, 29, and

February 4, 2017

Peace River/Fairview

Dates to be announced

Northwest Council

2016/17 meeting dates

Feb 8/17: 1-3 pm video conference

Apr 12/17: 1-3 pm video conference

June 14/17: 1-3 pm face to face AGM

in Peace River

Fairview: area office, Grande Prairie:

room 309, High Level: area office, High

Prairie: area office, Peace River: small

boardroom, Slave Lake: main boardroom

Questions about the Council can be directed to

Andrea Kolodychuk by phone or text at 780-835-1441

or by email to: phil.andreak@gmail.com

Really Easy Mushroom Barley Soup 1/4 cup olive oil

1 cup chopped onion

3/4 cup diced carrots

1/2 cup chopped celery

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 pound sliced fresh mushrooms

6 cups chicken broth

3/4 cup barley

Heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery and garlic;

cook and stir until onions are tender and transparent. Stir in mushrooms and continue to cook

for a few minutes. Pour in the chicken broth and add barley. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat

to low. Cover and simmer until barley is tender, about 50 minutes. Season with salt and pepper

before serving.

A reminder to foster and kinship parents that band consultations occur

every three months with the band to which the child in your care be-

longs. Caseworkers will provide advance notice of these meetings and it is an

expectation that caregivers attend with the children, unless unforeseen cir-

cumstances occur. It is a policy requirement that children attend these

consultations with their caregivers in order to update the band regarding

their well-being. This is also an opportunity to seek out extended family for

the children for purposes of potential placements, family ties, community

contacts, and cultural connections.

An inquiry into what health inspectors are looking for re-

vealed a number of items of which caregivers should be

aware. According to the supervisor of Alberta Health Ser-

vices’ public health inspection program for Grande Prairie:

All food has to come from an approved expected

source, so children in care are not to consume farm eggs

and wild meat.

Jams, pickling and home-canned products are not rec-

ommended as it is easy to get bacteria in them. Howev-

er, it is not a requirement to pass a health inspection.

Essentially, things like minor structural issues, handrails,

sleeping arrangements, sanitary conditions of home, in addi-

tion to properly functioning plumbing and wells, are consid-

ered. An attempt to obtain a copy of the full checklist used

by health inspectors was not approved. More information

can be obtained by calling Courtney at 780-513-7518.

A few tips on public health inspections

5 5

6

The nutrients found in Brazil nuts make them a nutritional powerhouse capable of helping you protect your body

from serious disease. These nuts are a good source of protein and contain several amino acids with important functions.

OF THE SEASON

I t was a time of

fun, food and

friends at the

Kids-in-Care

Christmas parties held

around the Northwest

Region.

Happy Holidays

and warm wishes

to all!