Foster Roster Eastern Region December 2010

09V O L U M E

D E C E M 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 issueAnnouncing... P.1

What is a Family P.2

Happy Holidays P.3

UFAFA Update P.4

Eastern 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

By: Nikki MackayDirector of Foster Family RetentionUtah Foster Care Foundation

Another new year is upon us and your foster family retention team is excited about upcoming improvements to this valuable newsletter you are now reading. Beginning in February 2011, the Foster Roster will be printed in glossy full color, thanks to Newslink Professional Publishing Services, LLC and foster mom Marcy Heidelberger. Each Roster will cover two months of in-service training schedules, tips, upcoming events and other information you are used to seeing in the Foster Roster, plus more content

you have not seen in the newsletter. It will be delivered by mail every other month, with updates available at www.utahfostercare.org.

We look forward to working with Newslink on the Foster Roster and appreciate the donation of layout and printing services provided to the foster parents of Utah.

We would like to express our deep appreciation to Presto Print for the wonderful job they have done printing and mailing the Foster Roster in 2010. We look forward to working with them in the future on other projects.

Announcing…Changes to the Foster Roster

DI VouchersIf you have a child in foster care in your home who has not yet received DI vouch-ers, 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.

(2,1) -1- 12- Eastern Region.indd 11/29/2010 10:27:05 AM(2,1) -1- 12- Eastern Region.indd 11/29/2010 10:27:05 AM

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Special thanks to:p

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DakotaBirthday: 02/1999 Grade in School: 6th Heritage: Caucasian

This energetic, outgoing young boy is Dakota. He can often be found fishing, four wheeling, camping, swimming, and playing soccer. Boy Scouts is also a favorite activity of his, as well as taking some time out to read a great book. Dakota dreams of someday being a fireman. He excels in science, social studies and reading, which he loves. If your family can provide Dakota with the love and support he needs, we urge you to inquire.

For more information, please contact:

The Adoption Exchange801.265.0444

www.utdcfsadopt.org

This letter appears in the Utah Foster

Care Foundation’s FY2010 annual re-

port. The report was mailed to 800 sup-

porters, legislators, and members of the

media throughout the state. The entire

annual report is available on the Foun-

dation’s website at http://www.utahfos-

tercare.org/.

Mom, dad, brothers and sisters, grand-ma, grandpa, foster mom, foster dad, foster grandma, foster grandpa, step-grandpa, siblings, aunts & uncles, cous-ins, second cousins, friends.

“Families” are not always people de-scended from a common ancestor. “Family,” “kinfolk,” “clan,” “neighbor-hood,” or “community” means belong-ing, protection, love, support, well-being, pride, encouragement, safety. Families can also bring heartache, loss, grief and loneliness.

Sometimes families are separated by drug abuse, poverty, neglect or illness. Sometimes children are left to them-selves. Neglected and abused children usually end up in the foster care sys-tem. Sometimes people step up and volunteer to enlarge their “family” and provide protection and safety for those less fortunate. In FY 2010, 702 families stepped up.

THESE ARE UTAH’S FOSTER PARENTS.

They are as diverse as the children they serve. They are people who care - deeply. They are people who see the suffering of children and make a deci-sion to take them in, to nurture them, to give them a chance to become whole.

A chance to belong, to have their own family someday.

In this report, you will meet single par-ents, families with biological and ad-opted children from foster care, families who came to this country with a dream and ended up as foster/adoptive par-ents. The Utah Foster Care Foundation serves every type of family. Every fam-ily is guided through the initial process of finding out if foster parenting is a good “fit” for them. Each family goes through the same thorough 32 hours of training. Each family is offered sup-port through foster family community groups. And each family is offered on-going training on a variety of subjects, whether they live in Sandy or Brigham City or Blanding.

This is our vision: to improve the lives of vulnerable children placed in foster care by providing compassionate, nur-turing and qualified foster and adop-tive families.

It’s rewarding, challenging, fun - and sometimes it’s heartbreaking. It isn’t for everyone. Our Foundation community includes those who have never been foster parents. They contribute, instead, through volunteer efforts and financial support.

You can make a difference in the lives of Utah’s foster families. Become a part of our community…and if you’re al-ready contributing, thank you!

Kelly Peterson,CEO, Utah Foster Care Foundation

What is a Family?By Kelly Peterson,

Utah Foster Care Foundation CEO


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Special thanks to:

LloydBirthday: 05/1998 Grade in School: 7thHeritage: Caucasian

Meet Lloyd, who has a big heart and loves to give hugs! Chutes and Ladders and Uno are two of his favorite games to play. Always ready for an adventure, Lloyd loves to ride his bike, ride his scooter, jump on the trampoline and color. Intrigued by many things, Lloyd enjoys toys that light up or make sounds; they can captivate him for hours! One of Lloyd’s favorite meals consists of hot dogs and chips, although he likes to eat almost any food. Those who know Lloyd say he does best in a structured environment and that he responds well to positive reinforcement. If your family can provide Lloyd with the love and support he needs, we urge you to inquire.

For more information, please contact:

The Adoption Exchange801.265.0444

www.utdcfsadopt.org

Utah Foster Care Foundation

would like to

wish you and yours a very Happy Holiday Season

and a

Prosperous New Year!


UFAFA Executive Committee

President: Renee Calkins1st VP: Michelle Ostmark2nd VP: Beth HardmanSecretary: TBD Treasurer: TBD

www.myufafa.com

By Renee Calkins, President Utah Foster/Adoptive Families Assn. (UFAFA)

We are sad to say goodbye to our president, Jennifer Gardner, and our 2nd Vice President Cayce Thill. Family responsibilities have called them away. Please try to be patient with us as we get our executive committee back up to speed! We will be focusing on filling the secretary and treasurer positions, as well as familiarizing ourselves with our new positions. Renee Calkins will become the president, Michelle Ostmark will be our 1st vice president, and Beth Hardman will be our 2nd vice president.

Thank you to all of our website members who participated in our

survey!! According to those results, we can see that it is important that we continue to focus on allegation support, advocacy training, advocacy at the legislature, advocacy with DCFS, locating community resources, and emergency preparedness. It is exciting to note that Cayce will be heading up the mentoring aspect in partnership with the Foster Care Foundation! Please feel free to call any of us with questions!

www.myufafa.com or [email protected]

Utah Foster/Adoptive Families Association Update

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UFAFA Announces Some Changes


in this issueA Gift of Thanks P.5

Attitude of Gratitude P.6

Partners in Parenting P.7

Training Updates P.8

EASTERN REGION UPDATE

Eastern Region Office

475 W. Price River Dr. #152Price, UT 84501

Phone: 435.636.0210Fax: 435. 637.9702

Toll Free: 877.636.0210

Area Representative

Kobi Marchello

Moab Office180 S. 300 E. Suite C

Moab, Utah 84532Phone: 435.259.3345

Fax: 435.259.2691

Foster/AdoptiveFamily Recruiter &

Retention SpecialistGeri Winkler

Vernal Office1052 W. Market Drive

Vernal, Utah 84078Phone: 435.790.4225

Fax: 435.781.1539

Trainer

Les Harris

Roosevelt OfficeRR 3 Box 8008

Roosevelt, Utah 84066Phone: 435.724.0959

Retention Specialist

Faith Spencer

A Gift of ThanksBy: Faith SpencerEastern Region Retention Specialist, Utah Foster Care Foundation

Dear Families, I heard recently the expression, “feeling gratitude and not expressing it is like wrapping a present and not giving it.” With that in mind, I want to offer to each family in our area my heartfelt appreciation for all you do. Although this expression of thanks may be too infrequent, the work you do matters so very much to each

precious child you touch. You are in the business of mending lives and hearts, even when that means opening your own to pain and uncertainty. Thank you for your willingness to love, to try, to extend your family circle to those in need. Even if the full impact of your efforts is never known or acknowledged, please accept this gift of gratitude—even if it isn’t expertly wrapped.

May the joy of the holiday season be with you and those you love and care for.

Faith

DECEMBER 2010

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Teaching Children an Attitude of Gratitude

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:Faith SpencerUtah Foster Care FoundationRR Box 8008Roosevelt, UT 84066

ORfaith.spencer

@utahfostercare.org

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Wishing Well Funds

By Deborah Spaide From familycares.org

We often receive calls from parents who want their children to visit a homeless shelter to learn to be thankful for what they have. Children learn gratitude by visiting shelters, but it is not for possessions. Consider these reactions from kids who visited a homeless shelter:

Phillip, age 9, “WOW! That was so cool. You mean all those kids live together and play together all the time? I bet they never get lonely.”

Rachel, age 13, “The kids were all so happy there. They don’t have anything, but they are still happy. Maybe they know more than I do.”

Gratitude is a perception — a way of looking at things. We often learn true gratitude from the ones we pity. A homeless child can teach us to be grateful for friends and laughter. A bed-ridden and ill person can teach us to be grateful for seasons and sunsets. In Tuesdays with Morrie, by Mitch Albom, Morrie is a college professor who is dying from Lou Gehrig’s disease. Although the disease had claimed control of his body, Morrie described how he manages his spirit:

He nodded toward the window with the sunshine streaming in. “You see that? You can go out there, outside, anytime. You can run up and down the block and go crazy. I can’t do that. I can’t go out. I can’t run. I can’t be out there without fear of getting sick. But you know what? I appreciate that window more than you do…I look out that window every day. I notice the change in the trees, how strong the wind is blowing…I am drawn to nature like I’m seeing it for the

first time.”

Like Morrie, children can be trained to search for a silver lining in any situation and to appreciate the windows in their lives. Those little (or maybe big) obstacles, which seem to block the way, may be golden gateways. Our busy lives are not conducive to time spent on appreciating obstacles. Americans have come to use critical logic the way a child uses his “blankee.” We are trained to notice what is broken, what still needs to be done, what we want but don’t yet have. The rhythm of our lives, for both adults and children, has for many of us, reached tachycardia.

Gratitude is grown in the pauses, the exhales of life. A musician, Arthur Schnabel once said, “The notes I handle no better than many pianists. But the pauses between the notes – ah, that is where the art resides.”Check your life-rhythm. If the beat is irregular and ineffective, try to slow down. Apply some pauses. Here are some ideas for teaching children an attitude of gratitude:

• Play a game with your kids to find the hidden blessing in a situation • Keep a “Gratitude Attitude Calendar” in the kitchen and ask your kids to contribute one thing they are grateful for each day • Offer “Silver Lining” awards to any child who can turn a bad situation into a blessing • Encourage older kids to keep “Perspective Journals” where they explore a situation from several points of view • Read Acres of Diamonds by Russell Conwell together • Let each child be “Tude” for a day and let him know why you are grateful for his life


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Eastern Region Partners in ParentingPartners in Parenting are local businesses that want to show their appreciation for all you do by offering dis-counts and specials to foster families.

Just present your Fos-ter Care License to take advantage of these offers, and be sure to let these businesses know that you appreciate their support!

While the Utah Foster Care Foundation is sincerely grateful to our Partners in Parenting, we cannot endorse any of the services or products offered. A statewide list and description of all Partners in Parenting is available at our website: www.utahfostercare.org.

Your Foster Care License identifies you as one of our valued foster care providers and allows you to enjoy the benefits and savings from local merchants.

You MUST have your Foster Care License to access discounts from these busi-nesses. Please do not ask for exceptions.

If you are aware of any business that would like to become a Partner in Parenting, please call Faith at 435.724.0959.

All Scrapped Up

Cold Stone Creamery

Personal Reflections PhotographyKFC/A&W Restaurants

RC Fencing

Rod’s Mini Lube

Northeastern Utah Office Supply

Gravel Pit Lanes

Slick Rock Cinema

K & A Chuck Wagon

Blanding City Pool

San Juan Theatre

10% discount & free scrapbook class

150 S. 700 E. #Bin Price

10% off

10% off

10% off

$1 off per foot materials and labor

10% off - see store for details

10% discount

2-for-1 bowling

Discount passes - call Geri

$4.00/adult & $3.00/child tickets

1191 E. Mainin PriceJennifer801.518.6368130 N. Carbonville Road in PriceRhett435-790-768111 N. 200 E.Roosevelt only290 E. 200 S.in Roosevelt1078 Millcreek Dr.in Moab

580 Kane Creek Blvd. in Moab

50 W. 100 S.in Blanding

120 W. Center Streetin Blanding

496 N. Mainin Monticello

Free dinner 1x per month w/reservation

Free family pass—contact city offices

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Cluster Facilitator

Contact Information

Kim @ [email protected]

“I have been a foster parent for

a little over 2 years and have

fostered children between the

ages of 8 and 18 years. I am

currently fostering 3 teenage

girls.”

[email protected]

“I have 3 wonderful children

and I have been a foster parent

for 5 years. Call me anytime!”

Grand/San Juan Cluster & Training InformationMonthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents

For the Family

Come join us for an eve-ning of food, festivities and fun! Details below.

December 11th

Christmas Party

Presented by Judge Manley

Foster parents will be given an opportunity to learn child welfare prac-tices from the perspective of the juvenile judge.

Date TBA

Time TBA

Moab DCFS1165 S. Hwy 191

Meet the Judge

Merry Christmas everyone! We look forward to seeing you and your family at our annual Christmas party on December 11th from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Senior Center in Moab. We will play games with prizes, provide pizza and salads for everyone, and Santa will be there to visit each child. Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share.

See you there!

Presented by Les Harris, LCSW

Foster and adoptive parents are essential to helping youth in their care achieve success. This training will provide caregivers with strategies to assist youth making a transition to adulthood.

February 2nd

5:30pm - 9:30pm

Monticello Library80 N. Main St.

FFY Class 1

Your RFC isAl [email protected]


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Carbon/Emery/Adoption Cluster & Training InformationMonthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents

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For the Family

Join us on December 9th.

Details are listed below.

Christmas Party

The Juvenile Justice System

Presented by JJS Staff

When youth need place-ment in the local deten-tion facilities foster par-ents can learn what to expect from the Juvenile Justice System.

January 11th6:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Price DCFS475 W. Price River Dr.

Understanding

Join us for our annual family Christmas party on December 9 at 6:00 p.m. at the Fairgrounds. Santa will be there, and we’ll provide dinner for your family. There will even be cookies to frost! Please contact Kobi ASAP if you would like to come but have not yet given your RSVP. Also, if you are in need of additional help this holiday season with providing gifts for your kids, please cotact [email protected].

See you on the 9th!

Cluster Facilitator

Contact Information

& Child Development

Presented by TBA

Understanding develop-mental milestones can help caregivers readily recognize when children have deficits that need to be addressed.

February 9th6:30 pm - 9:00 pm

Castle Dale DCFS1060 N. Desbee Dove Rd.

[email protected]

“Leland & I have been foster

parents for 15 1/2 years. We

have four married children and 13

grandchildren. Feel free to contact

me with questions or suggestions by

phone or email.”

Early Intervention

Your RFC isTammy [email protected]


Uintah Basin Cluster InformationMonthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents

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Presented by Les Harris, LCSW

Foster and adoptive parents are essential to helping youth in their care achieve success. This training will provide caregivers with strategies to assist youth making a transition into adulthood.

December 1st & 15th1:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Vernal DCFS Office1052 W. Market Dr.

FFY

Out of Therapy

Presented by Joel Wendle, LCSW

Foster parents can learn how to support children through the therapeutic process.

January 27th6:00 pm-9:00 pm

Vernal DCFS Office1052 W. Market Dr.

Getting the Most Insight TrainingCluster Facilitator

Contact Information

Presented by Faith Spencer

This session will allow foster parents and DCFS caseworkers to explore the strengths of their work and discuss ways to improve service delivery.

February 28th10:00 am - 2:00 pm

UBET Building211 E. 200 N.Shanna

[email protected]

[email protected]

Your RFC isJacina [email protected]

Merry Christmas to all of our wonderful resource families. Thank you for submitting your Wish List requests. Gift pickup of donated items will be on Thursday, December 16 from 5 – 7:00 p.m. at the Roosevelt DCFS office. Please contact Faith at 435.724.0959 if you have any questions or are unable to pick up your child’s items at that time. Also, please call if you have received a placement after the deadline for wish list requests. Please enjoy a safe and joyous holiday season with your family!


In the Know...Information and terms for currently licensed foster parents

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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 Faith Spencer at 435.724.0959 for more information.

For more information on upcoming Cluster trainings, see pages 8-10.

What are

Clusters?

To register for classes con-tact your Cluster Facilitator.

If you have questions about trainings, you may

contact UFCF Trainer:

Les HarrisEastern Region Trainer

Phone: 435.781.4224

Email: [email protected]

Toll Free:

877.505.5437

Please be ready with your name, phone number & a brief message so that you may re-cive prompt attention.

Notes on In-Service Trainings:

• Classes are for licensed foster parents ONLY

• Training hours will be applied to re-licensing requirements

• Primary caregivers are required to attend 12+ hours of in-service training per year

• Secondary caregivers are required to attend 4+ hours of in-service training per year

• ADULTS ONLY unless otherwise specified

• Classes start on time

• You must attend the entire class to receive credit

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.

REMINDER: Family team meetings do not count

toward in-service

Terms to Know


Follow Us OnlineFor Regular

Updates:

Katy Andrews Community Volunteer

LeRoy Franke Division of Child & Family Services

Steve Goodrich, Vice ChairUPS

Kevin LaRue KSL Radio

Hank Liese, MSW, Ph.D., ChairUniversity of Utah

Mayor Dan McArthur City of St. George

Jean Nielsen, SecretaryHuman Services, Salt Lake County

Gary Ogden Fred A. Moreton & Co.

Fred Riley, Past ChairLDS Church

Lori Steele McCann Erickson

Jeff Tesch, LMFT Foster/Adoptive Parent

Kate Toomey 3rd District Court

Gloria Talley Wilkinson Zions Bank

Jayne Wolfe, Ph.D. Psychologist

Bruce Olson, Board Attorney Ray, Quinney & Nebeker

NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSALT LAKE CITY, UT

PERMIT NO. 579

5296 So. Commerce Dr. #400Murray, UT 84107

In partnership with the

Division of Child and Family Services

utahfostercare.org fosterateen.org

a private, non-profit organization

UtahFosterCare

Utah Foster Care Foundation

UtahFosterCare

Utah Foster Care Foundation Board of Directors


Foster Roster Eastern Region December 2010

Documents

Transcript of Foster Roster Eastern Region December 2010