09 VOLUME OCTOBER 2010 A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR FOSTER & ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN UTAH in this issue Important Information P.1 Preventing the Flu P.2 Celebrate Adoption P.3 UFAFA Update P.4 Southwest Region Update Begins P.5 fosterroster STATEWIDE UPDATE Utah Foster Care Foundation Offices Murray 5296 S. Commerce Dr. #400 Murray, UT 84107 Phone: 801.994.5205 Fax: 801.994.5206 Toll Free: 877.505.KIDS Ogden 3340 S. Harrison Blvd. #200 Ogden, UT 84403 Phone: 801.392.1114 Orem 252 N. Orem Blvd. Orem, UT 84057 Phone: 801.373.3006 Price 475 W. Price River Dr. #152 Price, UT 84501 Phone: 435.636.0210 Roosevelt Phone: 435.724.0959 Vernal 1052 W. Market Dr. Vernal, UT 84078 Phone: 435.781.4224 Moab 180 S. 300 E., Ste. C Moab, UT 84532 Phone: 435.259.3345 St. George 321 N. Mall Dr. #B102 St. George, UT 84790 Phone: 435.656.8065 Richfield 201 E. 500 N. Richfield, UT 84701 Phone: 435.896.1232 The Utah Foster Care Foundation is implementing a change that will make it easier for families to shop and save at our Partners in Parenting (PIP) businesses across Utah. For many years, the foundation has issued a Resource Parent ID Card to each currently licensed foster/adoptive family. Sometimes families would not receive these cards for a variety of reasons. This caused difficulties in getting PIP discounts. You will simply need to show your current Foster Care License (issued by the state) at the business to receive your discount. This change is effective immediately. Resource Parent ID Card Changes DI Vouchers OSW TAL Scholarship If you have a child in foster care in your home who has not yet received DI vouchers, there are still some available. Please e-mail: [email protected]or call 877.505.KIDS. Please note that all DI Vouchers expire December 31, 2010 and no exceptions are made. The Olene S. Walker Transition to Adult Living Scholarship is accepting applica- tions for Spring Semester 2011. Youth who were in DCFS foster care after age 14 or adopted after age 16, may be eligible. Check the Just For Youth web site for more information, applications and deadlines - www.justforyouth.utah.gov/ education. For help contact Patti VanWagoner @801.652.2173 or Jode Littlepage at 801.707.9734. (2,1) -1- 10-Southwest Region.indd 10/1/2010 10:20:47 AM (2,1) -1- 10-Southwest Region.indd 10/1/2010 10:20:47 AM
Transcript
09V O L U M E
O C T O B E R2 0 1 0
A M O N T H L Y
N E W S L E T T E R F O R
F O S T E R & A D O P T I V E
P A R E N T S I N U T A H
in this issueImportant Information P.1
Preventing the Flu P.2
Celebrate Adoption P.3
UFAFA Update P.4
Southwest Region Update Begins P.5
fosterroster
STATEWIDE UPDATE
Utah Foster Care Foundation Offices
Murray5296 S. Commerce Dr. #400Murray, UT 84107Phone: 801.994.5205Fax: 801.994.5206Toll Free: 877.505.KIDS
Ogden3340 S. Harrison Blvd. #200Ogden, UT 84403Phone: 801.392.1114
Orem252 N. Orem Blvd. Orem, UT 84057Phone: 801.373.3006
Price475 W. Price River Dr. #152Price, UT 84501Phone: 435.636.0210
RooseveltPhone: 435.724.0959
Vernal1052 W. Market Dr. Vernal, UT 84078Phone: 435.781.4224
Moab180 S. 300 E., Ste. CMoab, UT 84532Phone: 435.259.3345
St. George321 N. Mall Dr. #B102St. George, UT 84790Phone: 435.656.8065
Richfield201 E. 500 N.Richfield, UT 84701Phone: 435.896.1232
The Utah Foster Care Foundation is implementing a change that will make it easier for families to shop and save at our Partners in Parenting (PIP) businesses across Utah.
For many years, the foundation has issued a Resource Parent ID Card to each currently licensed foster/adoptive family.
Sometimes families would not receive these cards for a variety of reasons. This caused difficulties in getting PIP discounts.
You will simply need to show your current Foster Care License (issued by the state) at the business to receive your discount. This change is effective immediately.
Resource Parent ID Card Changes
DI Vouchers OSW TAL Scholarship
If you have a child in foster care in your home who has not yet received DI vouchers, there are still some available.
Trevor J.Birthday: 07/1993 Grade in School: 12th Heritage: Caucasian
Trevor dreams of becoming a veterinarian someday. This young man loves animals and has often wished that he lived on a farm or in a home with pets. He also has a passion for photography. Playing football, being involved in a good game of basketball or enjoying a challenging video game are also ways in which Trevor enjoys spending his time. A great sense of humor and an appreciation for those around him make this kid a joy to be around. If your family can provide Trevor with the love and support she needs, we urge you to inquire.
For more information, please contact:
The Adoption Exchange801.265.0444
www.utdcfsadopt.org
It is FLU shot time again. Please remem-ber to send in the HVR for documenta-tion to the Health Care Nurse.
On the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov) they have listed some “Key Facts About Seasonal Flu Vaccine.”
There are two types of vaccines:
• The “flu shot” — an inactivated vac-cine (containing killed virus) that is given with a needle, usually in the arm. The flu shot is approved for use in people older than 6 months, including healthy people and people with chronic medi-cal conditions.
• The nasal-spray flu vaccine —a vac-cine made with live, weakened flu virus-es that do not cause the flu (sometimes called LAIV for “live attenuated influ-enza vaccine” or FluMist®). LAIV (Flu-Mist®) is approved for use in healthy* people 2-49 years of age who are not pregnant.
The seasonal flu vaccine protects against three influenza viruses that research indicates will be most com-mon during the upcoming season. The 2010-2011 flu vaccine will protect against 2009 H1N1, and two other influenza viruses (an H3N2 virus and an influenza B virus). The viruses in the vaccine change each year based on international surveillance and sci-entists’ estimations about which types and strains of viruses will circulate in a given year. About 2 weeks after vac-cination, antibodies that provide pro-tection against influenza virus infection develop in the body.
When to Get Vaccinated
Yearly flu vaccination should begin in September or as soon as vaccine is available and continue throughout the influenza season, into December, Janu-ary, and beyond. This is because the timing and duration of influenza sea-sons vary. While influenza outbreaks can happen as early as October, most of the time influenza activity peaks in January or later.
Who Should Get Vaccinated
While everyone should get a flu vac-cine each flu season, it’s especially im-portant that the following groups get vaccinated either because they are at high risk of having serious flu-related complications or because they live with or care for people at high risk for de-veloping flu-related complications:
1. Pregnant women. 2. Children younger than 5, but espe-cially children younger than 2 years old.3. People 50 years of age and older. 4. People of any age with certain chronic medical conditions. 5. People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities. 6. People who live with or care for those at high risk for complications from flu, including: a. Health care workers. b. Household contacts of persons at high risk for complications from the flu. c. Household contacts and out of home caregivers of children less than 6 months of age (these children are too young to be vaccinated).
Preventing the Flu Information from the Health Care Nurses
Karen M.Birthday: 03/2002 Grade in School: N/A Heritage: Hispanic
Little Miss Karen’s beautiful smile will melt your heart! This sweet girl loves the color pink, princesses, music, soft things, and anything in Spanish. Karen is responsive to positive people in her life. She’ll often share with them her great smile and will reach out toward them. She is typically a very happy child. If your family can provide for Karen with the love and support she needs, we urge you to inquire.
For more information, please contact:
The Adoption Exchange801.265.0444
www.utdcfsadopt.org
Celebrate National Adoption Awareness Month
With
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 2010 11:00 am - 2:00 pm
Enjoy unlimited miniature golf 10 arcade tokens and
1 pass valid to choose from the following attractions
Go Karts, Slick Track, Rookie Go-Karts, Rock Wall, Laser Tag or Maxflight Roller Coaster Simulator.
75 South Fork Drive Draper Utah
525 South Deseret Drive Kaysville, Utah
Cost: $5.00 per family Any size family - Cash Only Please
By Cayce Thill 2nd Vice-President Utah Foster/Adoptive Families Assn. (UFAFA)
Email Your Legislator
What if every candidate running for legislative office this year had their email boxes flooded with the message below during the month of October? We think it would make a difference in how they view child welfare. We are asking you to simply fill in the blanks and email this to the legislative candidates in your districts. If you need to know their contact information, please email [email protected].
Sample email:
SUBJECT: District (fill in)Dear (fill in candidate’s name), Congratulations on making it this far in the campaign this election year. I just wanted to let you know that ____(number of children in foster care in your home) in my home, along with 2800+ children just like them, are waiting to see who wins the upcoming election. You see, if you win in November, you and your legislative partners become the custodial “parents” of these children. They are depending on YOU to make sure all of their physical needs are provided for. They depend on me, as their foster parent, to provide them with love, acceptance, nurturing and stability. It’s a big responsibility for both of us.
Sincerely, (YOUR NAME)
Need Support?
Working through difficult situations as a foster parent is often easier when we can do so with another parent who has already “been there.” Being able to talk through these tough times can validate us and lighten many of our burdens. But finding the right person to talk with can almost be as hard as working through the issue at hand. To provide our families withadditional support, UFAFA is starting a mentoring program for foster/adoptive/kinship parents and we need you!
You understand the challenges our parents face daily because you have already worked through them. You can help nurture and support those families during their rough times, help preserve placements, and provide stability for our children. If you are interested in becoming a mentor, or would like more information, please email [email protected].
We do not have access to all families’ email addresses. Please register on our website and send us your email address so we can update you.
321 N. Mall Dr # B102St. George, UT 84790Phone: 435.656.8065
Fax: 435.656.8071Toll Free: 877.656.8065
Area Representative
Debbie Hofhines
Trainer
Cliff Farnsworth
Retention Specialist
Diane Callister
Richfield Office
201 E. 500 N.Phone: 435.896.1232
Toll Free: 877.656.8065
Foster/Adoptive Family Recruiter/
Retention SpecialistMarissa Douglas
Insight Trainings Held in Cedar and St. George Division of Child and Family Services, Utah Foster Care Foundation and resource parents gathered together in August to get some “Insight” on what the other person or agency does for children in need.
We had a panel of foster parents talk to the group for a couple hours giving an example of their worst and best day, and then answering questions from the
audience. The groups then broke up and talked about a case scenario while they ate pizza, salad, and dessert. The next 2 hours, a panel of DCFS employees talked to the group and answered some great questions. Time was spent getting to know each other and connecting. Hopefully this will become a yearly training.
Utah Foster Care Foundation has funds available to meet the special needs of children in foster care when DCFS is unable to meet these needs for any reason. Funds are limited.
Requests MUST include the following:• Child’s first name, last initial and age• Foster parent’s name and home address• Caseworker’s name and contact information• The item being requested and the associated costs• Brief description of how the child will benefit
Request should come in writing by a foster parent, the child in care or the caseworker.
PLEASE NOTE:• Dispersal of funds can take up to 4 weeks.• Checks are mailed to the foster parent’s home address.• Funds are for children in foster care ONLY. • Items covered by the foster care reimbursement or by Medicaid are not eligible.• Only requests previously denied by DCFS are eligible.
VACATIONS:• A child in care can receive vacation funds only ONCE in their lifetime.• Vacations are restricted monetarily & may not cover all costs.
SUBMIT REQUESTS TO:Diane CallisterUtah Foster Care Foundation321 N. Mall Dr. #B102St. George, UT 84790
ORdiane.callister
@utahfostercare.org
6
Wishing Well Funds
By Randy DeVaul www.safeathomeonline.com
Celebrating Halloween with costumes, decorations, and trick-or-treating can be a lot of fun for the entire family! To ensure it remains fun for everyone, here are some suggestions to keep the celebration safe and healthy.
First, pre-plan for both your house and your kids. Costumes that are bright and reflective will reduce the tire marks from drivers not seeing ‘halloweeners.’ Use non-toxic, hypoallergenic makeup in place of full-faced masks to prevent vision and breathing problems. Wigs and costumes should also be flame-retardant. Too many children and adults end up in burn units from pranks and ill-suited costumes.
Outdoor decorations can be really cool, but remember you will have children running across your yard. If you plan to be visited by extra-terrestials, goblins, monsters, royalty and superheroes, remember these children cannot actually fly. Unless, of course, they are flying over your yard stuff from not seeing them. Keep your decorations lit or in non-pedestrian areas (such as front lawns and culverts) to reduce potential lawsuits and prevent injuries. Other items you may not think of include flower pots, garden hoses, low tree limbs or roots, and other house and yard items.
Find accessories for costumes that are flexible and soft. Knives, sticks, swords, and guns – even play ones – can pose life-threatening hazards if your child falls on them or gets him killed in some neighborhoods or business areas if the weapon looks real.
For the main event, have a route or location already established. Many of
the malls now offer a safe environment along with costume contests for children, as do other organizations. Make sure you have the right batteries for flashlights. Feed your children a good meal prior to going out to reduce the sugar-meal-syndrome when returning with all of their goodies.
Act responsibly with your pets. Try not to put them outside or in a high visibility area. It not only scares the daylights out of the ‘weeners, but can make your pet more aggressive as it believes it is under attack by strange beings. Keeping your pet indoors will also reduce the risk of the pet being attacked or injured by someone.
And finally, the basic list: warn your children about entering people’s homes or vehicles; do not let your kids use bicycles, rollerblades, or skateboards; don’t let younger children go alone and, if possible, go in ‘herds’ or groups. That works well for the kids and the homeowners; don’t let your children eat anything that is not properly wrapped; only go to homes that have the outside or porch light on.
Randy DeVaul is the creator of ‘Safe At Home’( www.safeathomeonline.com ), a website member community with the goal of protecting you and yours in and from your home.™ He has been writing his ‘Safe At Home’ column regularly since August 2004. Comments are always welcome at [email protected] .
Bring the whole family to the annual Meet a Foster Parent Pumpkin Festival on Friday, October 15th at The Gate-way. While the kids decorate pumpkins, it’s the perfect time for parents to learn how they can help Utah children in fos-ter care AND the importance of planning for their children’s higher education expenses with Utah’s 529 college sav-ings plans. Additional infor-mation available at www.uesp.org or 800-418-2551.
Pumpkins, paint and decorat-ing materials will be supplied by the sponsors of the festival, the Utah Foster Care Founda-tion and the Utah Educational Savings Plan.
“Meet a Foster Parent” Pumpkin Festival
Friday, October 151:00pm – 4:00pmThe Gateway, 100 South 400 WestNorth end, near the fountainsPumpkins available while sup-plies last.
(In case of rain, the festival will take place in the Union Pacific Depot Grand Hall)
Holiday Celebrations
Holiday Help
Christmas is just around the corner! A few of our local businesses and organizations would like to help! If any Resource Families need Sub for Santa or extra Christmas gifts for children in foster care only, please contact Diane at 877-656-8065 by December 3rd, 2010. The following information will be needed: *Child’s name*Child’s case worker’s name*Foster parent name and phone number*Age of child*Gender*Specific wishes*Clothing size This is a first come, first served project that is available to the Southwest Region only.
Jumpin Jacks Kids Christmas Party
For all Children of Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Parents, ages 2-12.
Friday, December 10th, 20105pm– 9pm
Jumpin Jacks Kids314 N 3050 E
St. George, Utah The children will be making a craft project. Pizza will be served for dinner. While the kids are busy jumping and having fun, parents can take some time to shop or go out to dinner! ALL KIDS MUST WEAR SOCKS!
PLEASE RSVP BY DECEMBER 3rd To Diane at 877-656-8065
Cedar City/Beaver Cluster & Training InformationMonthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents
8
Presented by Carolyn Washburn,
USU Extension
Come enjoy learning about Budgeting and Canning while relaxing with other Foster Moth-ers.
October 9th
5:00-10:00pm
RSVP for Location
Women’s Retreat
Presented by Jenny Arm,
Utah Pride Center
Statistically LGBTQ youth are more likely to be the targets of violence. They are also more likely to become homeless. This training will help us find ways to create safe envi-ronments for these youth.
November 17th
7:00-9:00pm
DCFS Regional Office856 Sage Dr. Cedar City
LGBTQ Party
Cedar City
Remember $100 Wal-mart Card to be given away in January!!
Every time you attend a Cluster meeting during 2010, your family name will be put in the drawing!
Good Luck!
Free Stuff:
The St. George UFCF office has a used wooden kids table and 1 chair to give away to the 1st person who calls and claims it. Please call Diane or Debbie if interested at 435.656.8065.
Cluster Facilitator
Contact Information
Mark your calendar for our
Family Christmas Party!
Monday, December 6th at 5pm
Community Presbyterian Church
RSVP to Amy
Plenty of food, fun, and games.
Come get into the holiday spirit and visit with other families.
St. George Cluster & Training InformationMonthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents
10
Presented by Carolyn Washburn,
USU Extension
Come enjoy learning about Budgeting and Canning while relaxing with other Foster Moth-ers.
October 9th
5:00-10:00pm
RSVP for Location
Women’s Retreat
Presented by Jennifer Gardner, UFAFA President
Come Learn how to ad-vocate for yourself as a foster parent and for your children in various settings while working in the DCFS system.
November 6th
9:00am-Noon
St. George DCFS Admin. 359 E. Riverside Dr.
Advocacy LGBTQ
Remember $100 Wal-mart Card to be given away in January!!
Every time you attend a Cluster meeting during 2010, your family name will be put in the drawing!
Good Luck!
Need respite or babysitting during the day?Please contact:
Laura Randall, Apple Valley435-877-1202 or 467-1202
Cindy Sullivan, Santa Clara435-673-5772
Christmas Party/Breakfastand
Memorial Meeting
Presented by:Cliff Farnsworth, CSW
Come learn how to say goodbye and grieve the loss of a child in foster care.
December 4th
9:00-11:00am
Staheli Family FarmRSVP to Brandee
Cluster Facilitator
Contact Information
Presented by Jenny Arm,
Utah Pride Center
Statistically LGBTQ youth are more likely to be the targets of violence. They are also more likely to become homeless. This training will help us find ways to create safe envi-ronments for these youth.
The St. George UFCF office has a used wooden kids table and 1 chair to give away to the 1st person who calls and claims it. Please call Diane or Debbie if interested at 435.656.8065.
In the Know...Information and terms for currently licensed foster parents
11
Clusters are groups of foster, adoptive and kinship families that meet together on a monthly basis.
Clusters can help you:
• Obtain in-service training hours
• Meet other foster, adoptive and kinship families
• Get support
• Arrange respite care
• Attend fun family activities
Call the Cluster facilitator nearest you or contact Diane Callister at 435.656.8065 for more information.
For more information on upcoming Cluster trainings, see pages 8-10.
What are
Clusters?
To Register For Classes:
Contact: Cliff Farnsworth
Southwest Region Trainer
Phone: 435.656.8065
Email: cliff.farnsworth
@utahfostercare.org
Toll Free:
877.656.8065
Please be ready with your name, phone number & the title of the class you would like to be registered for.
Foundations for Youth
Class 1
Presented by:Cliff Farnsworth, CSW
Foster parents must help youth build a solid foundation upon which they can more easily make the transition to living independently.
This is a four part series that is required for all foster parents serving youth fourteen years of age and older.
December 14th
5:30-10:30pm
359 E. Riverside Dr.St. George
IMPORTANT:TO REGISTER FOR A TRAIN-ING THAT IS CLUSTER-SPONSORED, YOU MUST CALL YOUR AREA CLUSTER FACILITATOR.
• Approved Trainings- In-service trainings provided and approved by Utah Foster Care Foundation.
• Foundations for Youth-FFY is required for families caring for youth 14 and up.
• Community & Partner Trainings- Call your regional trainer for approval prior to attending a class or conference that is held within the community and is not a pre-approved training.
• Approved On-line Training- Families may visit the web site: www.fosterclub.com for up to 2 hours of online training per year.
• Peer Parent Training and Resource Family Consultant (RFC) Training- 6 hours each per year may be used toward licensure. RFC Training must be provided by DCFS RFCs.
