I wish I could say I am an optimist, I can’t. I wish I could say I’m always grateful, I’m not. Sometimes I take for granted the fact that I get to attend the Permanency Conference held every summer. I may even complain about how long I have to be away from my family or all the clothes I have to pack or the long drive. I can definitely suffer from “can’t see the forest for the trees” syndrome on occasion. Shortly after my arrival at this year’s conference, I ran into a colleague who network news network news is published quarterly by the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network and Independent Living Program Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Office of Children, Youth & Families P.O. Box 2675 Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675 Fall 2007 in this issue: Statewide Straight Talk 31st Annual Pennsylvania State Foster Parent Association (PSFPA) Conference page 7 Prime Focus ibelong.com page 11 Legal Services Initiative Paralegal Corner The Voice of the Network May Your Strength Give Us Strength The 2007 Permanency Conference 4 page 6 page 1-800-585-7927 (SWAN) www.independentlivingpa.org www.adoptpakids.org was preparing for a presentation. She confided in me that she was anxious. Only being partially focused, still suffering from the “forest for the trees” syndrome, I answered, “Oh, don’t worry, you’re a great presenter.” She looked at me for a moment and then said she wasn’t concerned about herself as a presenter, but whether she would leave her audience with something worthwhile. Whether after her presentation they would feel stronger and more hopeful than when they arrived. “May your strength give us strength May your faith give us faith May your hope give us hope” … (Bruce Springsteen) by Pam Wagner, Best Practice Division Manager, Diakon/FDR (continued on page 2)
Transcript
I wish I could say I am an optimist, I
can’t. I wish I could say I’m always
grateful, I’m not. Sometimes I take for
granted the fact that I get to attend the
Permanency Conference held every
summer. I may even complain about
how long I have to be away from my
family or all the clothes I have to pack
or the long drive. I can definitely suffer
from “can’t see the forest for the trees”
syndrome on occasion.
Shortly after my arrival at this year’s
conference, I ran into a colleague who
network news
nneettwwoorrkk nneewwssis published quarterly by the Statewide Adoption andPermanency Network andIndependent Living Program
Pennsylvania Departmentof Public WelfareOffice of Children, Youth & FamiliesP.O. Box 2675Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
was preparing for a presentation. Sheconfided in me that she was anxious.Only being partially focused, stillsuffering from the “forest for the trees”syndrome, I answered, “Oh, don’tworry, you’re a great presenter.” Shelooked at me for a moment and thensaid she wasn’t concerned about herselfas a presenter, but whether she wouldleave her audience with somethingworthwhile. Whether after herpresentation they would feel strongerand more hopeful than when theyarrived.
“May your strength give us strengthMay your faith give us faithMay your hope give us hope”
… (Bruce Springsteen)
by Pam Wagner, Best Practice Division Manager, Diakon/FDR
(continued on page 2)
I thought about her comment most ofthat day, feeling that my responsewas inadequate and shallow. Irealized she was right; the mostimportant thing we give to eachother in this network is strength andhope, especially when we cometogether. The few days we gather inJuly for the Permanency Conferenceprovides us with these key essentialsand even though there are manythings to attend, workshops, amatching event, an award banquet, apicnic, and a children’s program, themost crucial thing delivered is atime for renewing our spirit.Whether we are families orprofessionals, being together makesus stronger than being apart.
As the words strength and hope ranthrough my mind I thought about theBruce Springsteen song “Into theFire.” Written in the aftermath of9/11, it honors those who rushedinto the towers to save lives whileothers were rushing out. While notmany of us will ever be asked togive this ultimate sacrifice, we aregiven the opportunity to profoundlyaffect the lives of those we serve.Through our collective efforts weexchange strength, hope and faithwith each other. How lucky wereally are to have the opportunity togive of ourselves for the benefit ofone another.
As the conference week continued, Iobserved this commitment in action.There were families supporting oneanother and professionalsexchanging insights, visions andideas. In the end, most of us left theconference a little stronger and morehopeful than when we arrived. For ashort time, we weren’t just seeingindividual trees, but the wholebeautiful forest.
(continued from page 1)
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Pictures of award winners featured on pages oneand two. Listing of all award winners featuredon page three.
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Congratulations 2007 PermanencyConference Award Winners!
Permanent Family RecognitionsMelanie and Frank Belcher of Somerset County whowere nominated by Carol Landman of Berks CountyChildren and Youth Services and Lisa Richards and KristenWalters from Children’s Aid Home Programs SomersetCountyKaren and Edward Klahr of Berks County who werenominated by Ruth George of Berks County Children andYouth Services.John Hettinger of Lycoming County who was nominatedby Chawn Gehr of KidsPeace Adoption Services inWilliamsportJohn and Joanne Johnson of Washington County whowere nominated by Abby Cannon of Try Again Homes,Inc.Marco and Michelle Munari of Bucks County who werenominated by Sandra Schreffler of KidsPeace in ReadingEdwin and Karen Dock of Snyder County who werenominated by Natalie Chesney of Snyder County Childrenand Youth Services.
Independent Living Professional RecognitionCleopatra Anderson-Wright of Philadelphia Departmentof Human Service, Achieving Independence Center,Mobile Life Skills Program who was nominated byStephen Eidson of the Pennsylvania Child Welfare TrainingProgram.
Permanency Teamwork RecognitionsJoanne Logan of the Penn State Cooperative Extension ofWestmoreland County, Sandy Straton of Laurel YouthServices and Annette Gross of Wesley Spectrum Serviceswho were nominated by Annette Gross of WesleySpectrum Services.
Philanthropy RecognitionJoe Shearer who was nominated by Melissa Eller ofDiakon/FDR.
Permanency Advocate RecognitionPennsylvania State Foster Parent Association who wasnominated by Sandy Gallagher of the Department of PublicWelfare, Office of Children, Youth and Families.
Permanency Professional RecognitionNancy Johnson of Lackawanna County Children andYouth Services who was nominated by Natalie Witt-Washine of Diakon/FDR. Additionally, Nancy was recog-nized by the Lackawanna County Commissioners on July24, 2007 for her outstanding commitment and dedication infinding permanency for children.
County Collaborative RecognitionJudge Carol L. VanHorn, Esquire and CassandraRahauser, Esquire of the Franklin County Court ofCommon Pleas and Brian Bornman, Esquire and DianeHeckman of Franklin County Children and YouthServices who were nominated by Diane Heckman ofFranklin County Children and Youth Services.
SWAN Advisory Committee Outstanding Service toAdoption Recognition
Kathy Boyd of Chester County Department of Children,Youth and Families who was nominated by Diane Horseyof Chester County Department of Children, Youth andFamilies.
Congratulations to Curtis Black, Nicole Weller,Laurie Boucher, Charlie Ruthrauff and RoseanneDesilver for being selected as the Unsung Heroes atthis year’s Permanency Conference.
Unsung HeroesAwards
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Congratulations Pennsylvania! SinceFederal Fiscal Year (FFY) 2000Pennsylvania has seen a 48%decrease in the total number ofchildren in foster care with a goal ofadoption, with our biggest successseen in the overall reduction in thenumber of children of color with agoal of adoption. Our success hasbeen due in part to a combination ofchanges in recruitment, policy, bestpractice and primarily, the hard workof the network.
Our efforts began in 2000 whenSWAN launched our first mediacampaign. The televisioncommercials, radio advertisementsand print advertisements weredesigned to not only raise generalawareness about children in fostercare in need of adoptive families, butto highlight the need for AfricanAmerican adoptive families. As youmay recall, the media campaignfeatured a teen-aged AfricanAmerican boy and his AfricanAmerican adoptive parents and wasaired specifically on those stationsidentified by our media contractor asbeing the most popular with AfricanAmerican and faith-basedcommunities. While we placed alarge focus on the need for AfricanAmerican adoptive families becausewe had such a large population ofAfrican American children in need ofadoptive homes, we also reached outto the Hispanic communities torecruit prospective adoptive families.In addition to the televisioncommercials, SWAN developed printmaterials in both English and Spanishand a radio commercial in Spanishthat was broadcast on Latino radiostations in the metro markets.
To enhance this adoptive familyrecruitment campaign, in FFY 2003,SWAN partnered with thePennsylvania State Foster ParentAssociation (PSFPA) to begin astatewide foster parent recruitmentcampaign. The foster familyrecruitment campaign consisted of a
television commercial, a radiocommercial and print advertisementsthat again featured African Americanand Hispanic children.
These two campaigns continuedthrough FFY 2005 and were a hugesuccess, generating a 124% increaseof approved adoptive AfricanAmerican families. In fact, thecampaign generated such a large poolof waiting families, that for the firsttime, Pennsylvania had more waitingfamilies than waiting children, a trendthat continues to this day. Currently,Pennsylvania has more than 1,200approved adoptive families waitingfor a child and less than 900 childrenwith a goal of adoption who do notyet have an identified adoptivefamily.
The media campaign was just the firststep. Recruiting African Americanfamilies willing to adopt childrenfrom foster care is not enough. Inorder to be successful, you must facethe fact that children of color aredisproportionately over-represented inthe foster care system. In order tobring this crisis to the forefront, webegan to do something verysimple…we talked about it.Beginning in 2001, during SWANquarterly and statewide meetings weprovided updated statistics about thenumber of African American childrenwaiting in foster care for an adoptivefamily and highlighted how longsome of those children were waitingcompared to their Caucasian counter-parts. For instance, in FFY 2000, notonly were 65% of the childrenavailable for adoption from thePennsylvania foster care systemAfrican American, they were alsowaiting as much as five years longerthan their white counter-parts for anadoptive family.
During subsequent SWAN quarterlymeetings and conferences, wecontinued to focus on the need forworkers to do all that they could tohelp move African American childrenmore quickly through the system.
Keynote speakers, trainings andworkshops focused the Network’sattention on this crisis. Thisopenness, this ability to speak aboutthe issue at hand, allowed us to reallylook at our own values and how theycompared or contrasted with bestpractice.
In 2003, the Office of Children,Youth and Families issued newpolicies and procedures regardingPermanent Legal Custodianship(PLC) and Kinship Care aspermanent placement options forchildren in the foster care system.The use of these permanency optionswhen reunification is no longerpossible and adoption has been ruledout by the court, is supported as anoption for children to maintain tieswith their birth family whilepromoting their safety, well being andpermanency.
Also in 2003, SWAN expanded thepopulation of children served by theSWAN program. Since January2003, SWAN serves all children inthe custody of their county agency,not just those children in custodywith a court-ordered goal of adoption.By allowing services to begin prior tothe goal of adoption being establishedby the court, critical services, such aschild profiles, child preparation forpermanency, family profiles and childspecific recruitment can begin earlierin the lifetime of a case so thathopefully, once termination ofparental rights occurs the countyagency has already identified aprospective adoptive family for thechild.
One of the unforeseen benefits ofproviding adoption services tochildren who do not yet have a courtordered goal of adoption quicklybecame evident…permanent familieswere located earlier in the case. Byperforming child profiles prior to thegoal of adoption, workers were ableto identify relatives and othersignificant individuals or familieswho were previously unknown to
From theDepartment of Public Welfare by Lorrie Deck, Director,Statewide Adoption andPermanencyNetwork
statewidestraighttalk
(continued on page 5)
5
them but who were often willing toeither adopt the child or become apermanent legal custodian orkinship care provider.
Additionally, while our adoptionfinalizations have remained fairlyconsistent, we have seen anincrease in the number of childrendischarged to permanent legalcustodianship and to kinship careproviders, children who prior tothese policies, would have mostlikely remained in foster care.
To support our new policies and toenhance our recruitment efforts,particularly for African Americanchildren, in 2006 SWAN designedand launched a new mediacampaign designed to recruitResource Families (foster andadoptive families). The campaign,designed to be reflective of thechildren in care in need of fosterand adoptive homes, consists ofthree new television commercials,one featuring an African Americansibling group, one featuring a 13-year-old Caucasian girl and the onefeaturing a nine-year-old AfricanAmerican boy.
To support the new mediacampaign, in 2006 SWAN launchedthe Pennsylvania Heart Gallery.The Pennsylvania Heart Gallery isan awareness exhibit that featuresprofessional portraits and personalstories of Pennsylvania’s waitingchildren. The children featured inthe exhibit were from 17 differentPennsylvania counties. The exhibittraveled across the Commonwealththroughout the year, visiting someof the largest populated areas. 52children were featured with 32(62%) of those childrenrepresenting a minority race orethnic background. At thecompletion of the first year of travelfor the exhibit, 23 of the 52children featured had been placedwith a permanent family. Of the 23children placed, 14 (61%) were of aminority race or ethnic background.In May of 2007, we began thesecond year of the Heart Gallery.The Heart Gallery currently features50 children, most of them olderchildren of color, who all needadoptive families. As of August 1,28 (56%) of the children featuredhave found adoptive families.
In addition to the new televisioncommercials and the Heart Gallery,
in FFY 2006, SWAN partnered withThree Rivers Adoption Council(TRAC) to manage the SWANOlder Child Recruitment Initiative.The SWAN Older ChildRecruitment Initiative is fundedwith a $150,000 grant from SWANand has one goal …to increase thenumber of adoption finalizations forchildren between the ages of 10 and18. In just one year, TRACrecruited 400 families for thispopulation of youth, 178 (45%) ofwhom were of a minority race, andcompleted 33 family profiles on thefamilies recruited, 10 (30%) ofwhom are of a minority race.Through this initiative, in oneyear’s time, TRAC matched 17older youth with permanentfamilies, 13 (76%) of whom wereof a minority race.
At the completion of FFY 2000,there were 4,123 African Americanchildren available for adoption andby the completion of FFY 2006,there were 1,585, representing a62% decrease in the number ofAfrican American children in needof adoptive families. While otherminorities comprise a smallpercentage of the total number ofchildren available for adoption, thenumber of Hispanic children with agoal of adoption also decreased,from 455 in FFY 2000 to 348 inFFY 2006, representing a 24%decrease. Comparatively speaking,we have seen a 20% overalldecrease in the number ofCaucasian children with a goal ofadoption, from 2,042 in FFY 2000to 1,642 in FFY 2006.
We know our recruitment methodsare paying off in other ways aswell. Although the overall numberof minority children available foradoption has continued to decrease,the number of children of color whoare finalized from the Pennsylvaniafoster care system each yearrepresents approximately 50% of alladoption finalizations. Thisachievement is largely due to thevery hard work that all members ofour Network do on a daily basis tofind permanent homes for all ofPennsylvania’s waiting children.
children. Pam and Judi, both long-time professionals inthe adoption field, shared stories from their years ofexperience, families they’ve known, as well as theirown personal journeys. They spoke about adjustingexpectations, celebrating the small things, the necessityof humor for survival and honoring yourselves as youdo this most critical work. In short, they spoke aboutthe complex roles, challenges and joys that familiesface everyday.
Thank you to all who helped make this year’sconference a great success.
The 31st annual Pennsylvania State Foster ParentAssociation Conference, “Creating Connections,” washeld on October 18-20, 2007, at the Holiday Inn-Harrisburg/Hershey, in Grantville, Pennsylvania. The conference focused on how to better servePennsylvania’s foster children through the improvedarray of services now available to children and theirresource families.
The topics that this year’s speakers highlighted includededucation, cultural diversity, mental health, advocacyand support and legal issues. Resource families (foster,adoptive and kinship), health professionals and publicand private agency professionals who providepermanency services attended the conference to learnand share information about current best practices inworking with our children.
The conference opened with a luncheon on Thursday,October 18. The keynote speaker this year was KarenVadino, a nationally known motivational speaker,humorist, trainer and consultant who shared her uniqueand humorous approach to life.
Twenty-two separate workshops in eight different topicareas were presented Thursday afternoon throughSaturday morning. Continuing education credits and 11hours of training were available to those who attendedworkshops.
On Thursday evening, the annual dinner and benefitauction for the PSFPA Scholarship Fund was held. The auction raised $5,886.00 and along with the moneyfrom our raffle, donations and resource store, over$10,000.00 in scholarship money was raised.
On Friday evening, the annual awards banquet was heldand PSFPA honored a few of the individuals who havedone so much to help improve the lives of our familiesand children. Congratulations to all of the awardwinners!
On Saturday morning, the conference closed with thereflections, poetry, poignancy and humor of JudyDamiano and Pam Wagner to celebrate the crucial roleof foster and adoptive parents in the lives of our
Foster Parents of the YearAllen and Jean Grabowski
Paul and Tammy Clinger
Agency of the YearLancaster County Children
and Youth Agency
Foster Parent Association of the YearLebanon Foster Parent Association
Caseworker of the YearRochelle Livingston
Community PartnershipWMGH/WLSH
Executive Director’s AwardBecky Krentz
President’s AwardLorrie Deck
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“If children live with security, theylearn to have faith.”
Recently I saw a commercial foribelong.com, an approach to getpeople to join a credit union—tapping into our human need tobelong, to be a part of somethingmore; a way to connect all our partsto being a whole of something. It isa good metaphor for the purpose ofour work with the children and youthwho are entrusted to our care whentheir families are unable toadequately parent them. Our effortsare intended to provide them with theemotional or relational belongingnessthat they seek.
Once in care, children are frequentlyasked to transfer thatbelongingness/love to strangers. It isthe heart of our work in making theirconnections to others. If you are thatstranger, how will you work with thechild/youth to actualize theseconnections into long lasting familialrelationships? If they are not toreturn home, what safety and well-being work is required to assure theopportunity for belongingness? Dowe identify a “permanent resource”and then “hope” it works?
The foster care system was onceagain the object of “bad press” whena recent longitudinal study by the JimCasey Youth Opportunities Initiativereported that children are better off intheir own homes rather than in fostercare. Wow! What a negation of allthe efforts and commitment we maketo assure safety and well-being forabused and neglected children.While the study results highlightedknown challenges in the system, isthe implication here that foster careis bad for children? No, it is morethe reality that a once caring idea ofthe 1940’s, for children who could
not remain with unsafe families, wasnever used as it was meant to beused. Foster care was designed to“foster” the growth of children infamilies, on an interim or temporarybasis, until these children could bereturned to their families. Over theyears, this well-intended practice hasbeen adapted to be all things to allchildren who have come into thesystem. Foster families were neverintended to be a permanent place forchildren to belong and be loved inlife-long relationships.
Adoption of children living in thesystem came into practice in theearly 80’s becoming the process bywhich children became legalmembers of new families. Asknowledge and skills have grownand developed over the past 25 years,much has been learned about theprocess of “adoption” and the valueit provides for children towards theirwell-being and permanencyrelationships. Kinship families aremore valued and viewed as integraltowards providing permanency formany children. Prior relationshipswhich youth have formed havebecome recognized as potentialresources for permanentrelationships. We are making theconnections…are children feelingthey belong?
Are we losing emphasis on the valueof adoption as the preferredpermanency plan? For many youthunable to return home, adoptionoffers a lifetime commitment plus thesense of belonging and security thatthey need to develop faith in self andothers to live successful adult lives.While adoption may be challengingfor some youth, due to painfulattachment experiences, “the desirefor family is hard-wired in us”
(Casey Initiative). The increase inthe number of adoptions of youngadults in their 20’s who have chosento be adopted gives credence to this.
Youth testifying before acongressional subcommittee, in July,on aging out of the system, said thefollowing about family:
“We must provide youth with thelifelong support a family grantstheir own…”
“If I had experienced some formof permanency in my life before I left care, I know my transitionwould have been easier.”
“Permanency is having someonethere to help you when you needit, not by appointment when youneed to talk to someone.”
“Permanency is having someoneto lean on for support whenobstacles come your way.”
“I want people to call family…”
“Your parents are there for you tomake sure you have food…”
“Your parents were always thereto forgive you…
“For many of us in foster care, wespent our childhood quietly cryingfor family.”
“I would encourage moreadoptions—establishingpermanency for us.”
Our work to assure security for thechildren and youth entrusted to ourcare begins with the philosophy that“every child deserves a family” and“all children are adoptable.” We have listened to the voices of ourchildren and we are creatingconnections for them. We honortheir past families and important
ibelong.comby Darla L. Henry, Family Design Resources, Inc.,Co-director and SWAN Specialist: Best Practice, Training and Policy
PrimeFocus
(continued on bottom of page 8)
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Who Are Pennsylvania’s ApprovedAdoptive Families ?How Can We Access Them?by Jane Johnson, Division Manager, Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange, Diakon/FDR
Pennsylvania has a wealth of adoptive families who areavailable to our waiting children. These families comefrom all regions of the state; are primarily couples, arewell represented by families of a minority race orethnicity and are willing to accept our diverse group ofchildren.
The need for adoptive families has been addressednationally and locally in many ways. Pennsylvania haschosen the unique method of creating a network ofagencies to study and approve families. But does itwork? The number of registered adoptive families(1,250) with Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange (PAE) issignificantly more than the number of registered waitingchildren (296) with PAE.
Statistics from June 2007 provide proof that Pennsylvaniahas done an amazing job of finding and training familiesto accept our children. In June, there were 1,250 familiesfrom 140 agencies studied, approved and waiting forchildren. These families reflect a wide range of childcharacteristics which the families are approved andwilling to accept.
Some statistics about these families are:
• 21 percent are of a minority race or ethnicity;
• 60 percent will accept children over the age of 9 years;
• 60 percent will accept children 0 – 4 years;
• 53 percent will accept children with multipleplacement histories;
• 63 percent will accept children with an abuse history;
• 55 percent will accept children with emotionaldisability;
• 25 percent will accept children with a runaway history;
• 71 families will accept children with 4 and moresiblings; and
• Families come from 66 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties.
PAE’s job is to track these families and match childrenwith them. This can be done in multiple ways. Wheninformation on a waiting child is received he/she ismatched with the top 10 families, matching demographicand characteristics of the child with those the family iswilling and approved to accept. Workers for childrenhave multiple options when requesting matches, they can:
• Request more than the 10 initial automated matches;
• Request additional matches if the initial 10 matches donot produce a resource family for the child;
• Request customized matches based on the needs anddesires of the child; and/or
Pennsylvania has so many diverse and well trainedfamilies that we are the envy of many states. We havebeen told many times by other states that they reviewPennsylvania family profiles and quickly make decisionsto place children with the families we have trained; withthe very families who have told us that they are willing toaccept placement of one of our kids. Yet, 296Pennsylvania children continue to wait. PAE is a richresource for our children and should be utilized to itsfullest. Contact PAE at 800-227-0225 to assist in yoursearch for a family for any child with a goal of adoptionwho does not have a resource.
(continued from page 7)
relationships and integrate their pastsby answering their questions so thatthey can move on to their futures.
Children and youth actualize whenthey feel secure and belongingness tofamily. We must continue toactualize our practice skills byprioritizing decisions and activitiesaround the love and security thatchildren seek; by preparing and
supporting our families towards theirreadiness and actualization to parentthese children so that placementdecisions are not “hoped for”placements. Children will then havehope for their future havingintegrated their family experiences.They are not required to let go ofthose they love; there may bephysical absences but they continue
to embrace the love for their familyin their hearts. As we recognize andsupport their pain and hurt, and helpthem secure the whole of themselvesby rebuilding the pieces of theirfamilies, they find emotionalpermanence to a family to whomthey can say, i belong.
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theideaexchange
Try-Again Homes, Inc. and Washington County Childrenand Youth Services (CYS) are partnering to help giveolder youth a better chance for success. The twoagencies work closely together and are really listening toyouth about their needs and ideas that we have forimproving programs and services.
One example is theIndependent Living (IL) Banquet.The annual Washington County Independent LivingBanquet was a success this year with 50 youth attendingalong with Commissioner Diana Irey, IndependentLiving Project Specialist Stephen Eidson, WashingtonCounty Children and Youth Services Administrator, JeffFelton; Supervisors and Caseworkers and Try-AgainHomes, Inc. Administrator, Scott Hilliard, Director ofOperations, Kim Gavran; IL staff members CrystalRivera and Leanna Roupe; and other agency staffmembers. A total of 18 IL participants received a gift forgraduating from high school or obtaining their GED. Ofthose 18 graduates, 15 are continuing their education tocolleges such as Robert Morris University, CommunityCollege of Allegheny County, Penn CommercialBusiness and Technical School, and Wyoming TechnicalInstitute. IL participants at the banquet were alsohonored for completing their first year of college,graduating from college, obtaining their permits andlicenses, moving into their first apartment and purchasingtheir first cars. The evening of celebration was not only
spent honoring participants, but also as a chance to let theyouth share experiences with each other and get to knowone another. Youth helped the IL staff plan the event andacted as hosts and spoke about their experiencesthroughout the evening.
In addition, Jeff Felton, the CYS Administrator, recentlyasked IL youth to interview candidates for the ILsupervisor’s position, which became open when BernieTychinski retired. That same week, he and his staff alsoheld a focus group with IL youth to discuss services andideas that youth have for improvements and expansion ofprogram initiatives.
Because of the close ties that county commissioners,CYS and Try-Again Homes have established andbecause we are looking closely at ways to help youthsucceed, this year the county began offering a stipend toyouth who are in college. This stipend, approximately$300 per month, helps youth in college with daily livingexpenses and allows them to concentrate on theiracademic studies without the worry of working extrahours. The agencies understand the need to workcollaboratively and allow creativity in their work forsuccessful programming for the youth we serve.
We continue to be proud of what is happening inWashington County and wanted to share that news withthe SWAN Network!
Washington County: Partnerships for Older Youthby Leanna Roupe, IL Caseworker, Try-Again Homes, Inc
Diane Irey, Washington County Commissionerand Stephen Eidson, IL Specialist, CWTP
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independentLiving
The 2007 Annual Independent Living (IL) Youth Retreat washeld on Penn State Mont Alto’s campus during the week ofJune 25th. This week long retreat brought 16-21 year oldcurrent and former substitute care youth together from all overthe Commonwealth for a week of learning and fun. Youthparticipated in classroom discussions, activity sessions, an off-campus trip, a banquet, a dance, activity presentations and avariety of other leadership opportunities such as co-facilitationof classroom sessions and participating in focus groups.
The IL Youth Retreat Steering Committee, which is comprisedof IL youth and staff from across the Commonwealth,developed the Youth Retreat theme, “Our Stories, Our Lives,Our Future.” This theme served as the foundation for theclassroom discussions throughout the week. Youth createdstoryboards about their lives, shared their stories and discussedtheir future goals and dreams. Classroom sessions werefacilitated by one trained adult facilitator and one trained youthco-facilitator. Youth co-facilitators were chosen to serve afterparticipating in a competitive application process. Throughoutthe week, these youth leaders assisted in classrooms, served aspositive role models and helped set an overall positive tone forall retreat participants.
Activity sessions ran the gamut from “At the Hop” 50’s styledancing, to hip-hop dance, to DJ, to art, fun furniture and manyothers. Youth were able to learn new skills, create and finishprojects and present to the entire retreat what they had learnedduring the week. These activity presentations showcased thetalents and passions possessed by the youth. Two youth,Rahfeese from York County and Kenyada from PhiladelphiaCounty, recorded an original song based on the theme of this
year’s youth retreat titled “The Struggle.” “The Struggle” wasa mix of hip-hop and spoken word. It was performed live byRahfeese to an excited crowd of retreat participants.
Focus groups were conducted with approximately forty youthduring the off-campus trip to Caledonia State Park. Youth co-facilitators moderated the focus groups in order to gather inputfrom youth about their experiences in the substitute caresystem. This input will be shared with the Child and FamilyServices Review (CFSR) workgroup on the state levelpreparing for the next round of CFSR scheduled for 2008 inPennsylvania.
Two excellent guest speakers entertained and motivated theyouth during the week. The first guest speaker, Eric Anderson,shared his talents for illusions and magic with the youth aswell as his story of growing up in foster care and overcomingadversity in his life. The banquet guest speaker, Carlos OjedaJr., spoke to the youth about his life story and let the youthknow that “life is not about the breath you take, but themoments that take your breath away.” Mr. Ojeda Jr.’s messagewas about the importance of education, believing in oneself,permanent connections and working to accomplish your goalsand dreams.
Overall, the 2007 Annual IL Youth Retreat was an outstandingsuccess. Youth left with a feeling of accomplishment,belonging and purpose. Motivated to share our stories, ourlives and our future, IL youth were able to experience life on acollege campus while building skills that will last a lifetime.
2007 Annual Independent LivingYouth Retreat “Our Stories, Our Lives, Our Future” by Justin Lee, Independent Living Specialist, CWTP
I am in awe as I contemplate theStatewide Adoption and PermanencyNetwork (SWAN), a network that Ihave had the opportunity to be a partof over the last five years. SWAN isa network full of participants, bothpublic and private, willing to movebeyond silos and “turf issues” tocreate a system aimed at betteringthe lives of some of Pennsylvania’smost vulnerable children and youthas well as supporting their familieswho work endlessly to “heal thehurts.”
In addition to fostering supportiveprofessional relationships withinSWAN, ours is a network thatrecognizes the importance ofbuilding relationships with othersystems that touch “our” kids andfamilies. It was in this spirit that theSouthwest Region and Post-Permanency Technical Assistantsrecently joined forces for a day longregional meeting.
Wesley Spectrum Services hosted theevent on June 15. Doug Muetzel,CEO of Wesley Spectrum Services,offered very poignant openingremarks about the work that liesahead of all who work on behalf ofhealing wounded children, workingwith their families and thecollaboration necessary to achievegood outcomes.
A regional resource fair turned out tobe a fantastic opportunity foraffiliates, counties, other provideragencies and SWAN programs tonetwork and learn more about whateach has to offer. Twenty-threeagencies and programs participatedby setting up resource tables.Participants continued networking
and building connections over apicnic lunch made possible by foodcontributions from meetingparticipants, the SWAN PrimeContractor, and by volunteer effortsof the Wesley Spectrum staff.
Cindy Laufman Walker and ScotHines, Post-Permanency TechnicalAssistants, conducted a trainingentitled, “To Perm and Beyond”during the afternoon. Their traininghelped participants learn more aboutpost-permanency support servicesthrough SWAN and included aquestion and feedback opportunity.The day ended with an exercise oncompassion anxiety and a reminderof the importance of self-care whileworking in a caring profession.
The success of any regional meetingdepends on the commitment of allwho participate. This event wasmade possible by the volunteerefforts of the Southwest RegionalMeeting Planning Committeecomprised of Sam Gonzales and JillShaffer (Pressley Ridge), RussMcCurdy (The AdoptionConnection, Inc.), Kira Sisk (Try-Again Homes, Inc.) and AnnetteGross and Merri Bindas (WesleySpectrum Services). Planning beganat the Winter Statewide meeting andcontinued until the event.
Jillian is a 14 year old, sweet younglady who is anxious to find a home. Sheloves being active and has a lot ofdifferent interests. Her favorite hobby ishorses. She loves horses, knows how toride and helps take care of the horses inher current home. Jillian loves all kindsof animals and would like a family whohas cats and dogs.
Jillian works very hard at her schoolwork. She says she really wants to learnand tries her very best. She does notlike math or English, but she does likereading. Jillian also likes to cook,especially desserts and she likes toshop, especially for earrings. Jillianenjoys building puzzles, coloring,drawing and watch television.
Jillian said it is very important to herthat her family goes to church andbelieves in God.
All families will be considered forJillian. She is legally free for adoption.Families who are interested in makingJillian part of their family may contactthe Pennsylvania Adoption Exchange at1-800-227-0225. When contacting theexchange, please refer to Jillian’s PAEidentification number, C4808179.
Adoption…A Good Thingby Karen Oldham, Director, SWAN Helpline 1-800-585-7926
helpline
I walked into the pet store the other day expecting to purchase a few
chew toys for my dogs and to admire the latest puppies for sale in the
window. Puppies restore my belief in goodness and simplicity. They fill
my soul with happiness. On this day, I walked out of the store with more
than I expected; I walked out with two new puppies, a huge bundle of
soul filled happiness. I also left with the memory of the conversation I
had with the young clerk in the store. We seemed to connect
instinctively. He, an adopted child, and me, an adoptive parent.
Somehow we seemed to sense the need to share our life stories over the
paperwork of a few puppy purchases. The conversation renewed my
belief in the goodness and greatness of adoption and the simple
barometer needed to measure its success.
This young man, still struggling to overcome the scars of his life, was
able to articulate the need of every child to have someone who “gets it”
and who will stand by them no matter what, on whatever level is needed,
whenever they need it. That is the simple beauty of adoption. It has its
roots in the virtue to help others and its success in unyielding
commitment. It is about developing families who can commit on a
profound level. With that as our barometer, adoption successes are
everywhere.
Adoption successes occur every time some one is there at a time when no
one would be otherwise. Adoption is about having someone. Someone to
attend your graduation. Someone to honor your birthday. Someone to
help bail you out of the messes you create in your life. Someone to hold
you accountable when you need it. Someone to care enough no matter
what happens. Someone to mourn for you for what did happen.
Someone to defend you to the world. Someone to help you find yourself
in the midst of chaos. Someone to care when you may not care about
yourself. Simply, someone to adopt you and commit to you even if you
can’t commit to yourself or anyone at that moment.
I adopted those puppies that day. I committed to them no matter what.
The clerk in the store renewed my faith in the success born out of a
simple commitment. Without it, there is little hope. With it is the
potential for bundles of soul filled happiness, goodness and hope.
Adoption, it is a good thing!
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Steven is a 13 year old, energetic youngman who enjoys a variety of activitiesincluding playing with matchbox cars,board and card games, being outsideand watching television. Steven’sfavorite television show is Walker,Texas Ranger and some of his favoritemovies include Jurassic Park, Godzillaand War of the Worlds. His favoritefoods are pizza, spaghetti and chickenchow mien.
Steven is currently residing in aresidential treatment facility. He hasadjusted well to the structure of hiscurrent placement and continues toimprove both socially and behaviorally.Steven interacts well with peers andrecognizes his behavioral concerns andcontinues to work on improving hislevel of compliance and respect at hisplacement facility.
Steven's favorite subjects in school arereading and computers. He aspires toone day become a firefighter,policeman, a member of the armedforces or a construction worker.
Steven is interested in an active familywho will love and accept him for whohe is. Steven would thrive in atherapeutic home that could providehim with individual attention andguidance.
All families will be considered forSteven. He is legally free for adoption.For more information on Steven,contact the Pennsylvania AdoptionExchange at 800-227-0225. Whencontacting the exchange, please refer toSteven’s PAE identification number,C4309954.
People in the child welfare fieldknow of talented youth who areor have been a part of the fostercare system. Many of theseyouth would do really well at acollege, university or other post-secondary program and often thecosts to attend one of these post-secondary options can be coveredby grants, scholarships andcollege work-study programs. In a recent story in the BucksCounty Courier Times, the effortsof Bucks County Children andYouth Services (CYS)Independent Living (IL) Programto promote higher education washighlighted.
Current and former foster carechildren rarely apply forscholarships or other types offinancial aid, and many shy awayfrom even going to collegebecause they think they can’tafford it, despite the efforts ofsubstitute care providers and ILcoordinators.
Bucks County CYS IL programis trying to change that. Theagency has started a mentoringprogram aimed at helping some
of the 400 children in BucksCounty’s foster care system getinto college. The agency has hired a retireddean from Kutztown Universityto mentor youth who areconsidering post-secondarychoices. Last year he helpednearly 90 youth.
Nicole Bachman, the ILcoordinator from Bucks CountyCYS, stated that she hopes tosign up new mentors soon.Individuals must be trained andscreened before they are matchedwith youth.
If you live in the Bucks Countyarea and would like to help olderyouth in care or those who’verecently left care reach their post-secondary dreams, please contactNicole Bachman [email protected] or goto the Bucks County CourierTimes website to read the articlethat profiled the mentoringprogram.
Mentoring forIndependent Livingand Former FosterYouth Who Want toAttend Collegeby Steve Eidson, Independent Living Specialist, CWTP
independentLiving
15
On Friday, July 6, 2007, as part of the Mitch SmithMemorial Speed Week race, Williams Grove Speedwayobserved adoption night to raise awareness of the need forthe more than 1,300 Pennsylvania children searching for afamily to call their own. Sprint cars displayedphotographs of more than 60 children searching forfamilies as well as Diakon Adoption and Foster Carecontact information.
To share information about the adoption process, anadoption fair was held for all race fans to promote theneed for families to adopt children. Diakon Adoption andFoster Care, who partnered with Dauphin andMontgomery County Children and Youth agencies,Project STAR, Bethanna, AdoptionLinks andNorthwestern Human Services, were thrilled with theevent’s success.
The adoption fair was crowded all night and manymatches were made between families ready to adopt andchildren available for adoption. Diakon and privateprovider informational tables were busy all evening andhad some very serious inquiries as to the adoptionprocess. We are grateful to drivers such as Greg Hodnett,Doug Esh and many others who went out of their way todo publicity for children in need of adoptive families.
Adoption fair attendees also visited the PennsylvaniaHeart Gallery exhibit which is comprised of professionalphotographs featuring the faces of Pennsylvania childrenwaiting for a family.
The 63 children from various counties in Pennsylvaniawho appeared on the wings of the sprint cars and themore than 50 adoptive families present, attended ahospitality event prior to the race. Upon arriving, each ofthe children were given a gift that was generouslypurchased by sponsors of the event. Gifts included bikes,Gameboys, DVD players and gift cards for stores of theirchoice.
The outpouring of generosity from the racing communitywas amazing. These kids are searching for something sobasic that most of us take for granted—a family. It washeartwarming to see them enjoy this evening and all thatit had to offer them. Our hope is that the best gift some ofthese children received at this event was a forever family.
Currently more than 3,400 special needs children wait tobe adopted in Pennsylvania. Of those, more than 1,300children with a goal of adoption do not have a permanentfamily identified. The majority of the children range inages from 10-18; most have special needs, which caninclude medical, emotional or physical disabilities. Singleor two-parent families can adopt, regardless of race orage. If you think you can open your heart and your hometo a child in need or just want more information, pleasecontact Elisa Esh, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care, at800-723-7038 or visit www.diakon.org orwww.adoptpakids.org.
by Elisa Esh, Director, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
Adoption Night at Williams GroveSpeedway: 410 Racers Step Up toHelp Kids Find Adoptive Homes
aroundthestate
From left to right- Jon Douglas, Project Star,Stephanie McCarl and Jennifer Bircher,Diakon Adoption and Foster Care, GregHodnett, winning driver, Elisa Esh and AngieVicchiotti, Diakon Adoption and Foster Care
16
aroundthestate
What are your agency’s plans for National Adoption Month? National Adoption Day (NAD) is Saturday, Nov.17th. NAD is designed to raise awareness about the 114,000 children in foster care who are in need ofadoptive homes. In 2006, for the first time ever, judges, attorneys, adoption professionals, child welfareagencies and advocates in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, helped to finalize theadoptions of more than 3,300 children from foster care. That year, 250 events were held throughout thecountry to finalize adoptions and to celebrate all families who adopt.
Visit www.nationaladoptionday.org for more information on what you can do in your area to support thisnational effort.
Another great resource is the 2007 National Adoption Month Web site. Visitwww.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam for recruitment resources for professionals and adoption information for parents.
November is Adoption Month
Through a generous grant from theMargaret McCormick CharitableFoundation, AdoptionLinks is ableto start a much-needed newprogram for Kinship Care. We arecalling the new program“RAPLinks,” which stands for“Relatives as Parents.” Theprogram’s mission is to providesupport to families in thecommunity where an adult is caringfor a relative’s minor childrenwithout the support of a childrenand youth agency. There is nocharge for the services provided byAdoptionLinks.
Our goal through RAPLinks is toprovide assistance to these families
to create the highest level ofstability and permanency needed tomeet the children’s and family’sneeds. This may mean assisting thefamily to seek other supportiveservices, help get the child anIndividual Education Plan (IEP), setup respite care, create a plan to carefor the children during a period ofincreased need, such as an illness ofan elder caregiver, and so on. Oneunique aspect is our partnershipwith the Cardoza Society, who willbe providing free or low cost legalservices to families who needsassistance, is to create “a legalrelationship” between themselvesand the child, through guardianshipor adoption. We are truly excited
about this new program, and hopethat once we establish the programwe will be able to demonstrate toadditional funders the needs andbenefits of the program.
We are looking forward to helpingfamilies across the CentralPennsylvania area. If you knowone of the over 7,000 kinshipfamilies in this area who needsupportive services, please contactus, we are ready to help! ContactRachel or Kathleen at 717-233-1681.
RapLinks – A New Program atAdoptionLinksby Kathleen Swain, LSW, Assistant Director, AdoptionLinks
17
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology offers hands-on,
technical education to its students. Youth leaving the
child welfare system or youth from disadvantaged
backgrounds receive special financial aid consideration
and can usually attend the college free of charge. The
college continually strives to provide under-privileged
individuals with opportunities and to create an
environment in which individual differences are valued
and nurtured.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology, located in
Lancaster, is a two-year technical college that provides an
education in 17 programs. It is owned by the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and is fully accredited by
the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
The mission of Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology
is to offer a two-year technical education to academically
qualified students of Pennsylvania. The college serves
financially disadvantaged and non-scholarship students as
well as orphans. Stevens, a residential college, prepares
students for skilled employment and full, effective lives as
citizens of the community, the commonwealth, and the
nation. Stevens is committed to lifelong learning,
community outreach and economic development by
contributing to the technical workforce of Pennsylvania.
Of special note to the child welfare and SWAN systems,
approximately 40 percent of students pay no tuition
through its Legacy Award program and receive room and
board without cost. Many students receive full grants
based on financial need. All Pennsylvania residents must
complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA) each year and apply for Pell Grant and
Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency
(PHEAA) grants for Legacy Award consideration.
For additional information or to arrange a campus visit,
contact the Admissions Office at 800-842-3832 or visit
their Web site at www.stevenscollege.edu.
Thaddeus Stevens College of TechnologyPractical Education for Youth
aroundthestate
Montgomery County Children and Youth will hold their 3rd Annual
Matching Event on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 from 4:30 P.M.
to 7:00 P.M. at the Montgomery County Human Services Center
located at 1430 DeKalb Street, Norristown, PA.
Last year’s event was a huge success! There were 15 interviews held
and at least 7 matches made. This year Montgomery County
welcomes the Heart Gallery and additional live music. Contact
Pamela Hartman at 610-278-5829 for additional information or to
