Kidsave Training 2
description
Transcript of Kidsave Training 2
Kidsave Training 2
HousekeepingReview calendarPreparing for your child’s arrivalWhen you arrive homeThe Transition - first days…
settling inImportance of routine, schedule,
predictabilityHoneymoon periodChaperoneTranslatorsCamp and camp behaviorSupport sessionsWeekend eventsUtilizing Kidsave support
Topics to Cover
Paperwork statusItems missing per family
FinancialHosting fees/application
fees owedMoney raised to
date/money left to raiseFundraising – how
balance of funds will be raised
Housekeeping
Dates for Calendar
Arrival & departure dates – • Arrival early July (3?)• Departure early August (2?)
Support session dates• July - TBD• July - TBD
Weekend event dates• Saturday, July• Sunday, July• Saturday, July• Sunday, July
Chaperone dates in your home• Review with each family
Preparing For Your Child’s Arrival Tell your friends, family, co-workers that you are
hosting Identify camp for your child if you have not yet
done so Get to know other host families – contact
information provided by Kidsave Have your host child’s room ready
Don’t forget a nightlight, Spanish books/magazines Purchase a lice treatment and/or familiarize
yourself with businesses who do professional lice treatments
Have a calendar with events ready for your host child to see (template available)
Review the safety plan document with your children
Have chaperone accommodations prepared regardless of schedule
Preparing For Your Child’s Arrival
Learn some Spanish phrases and words – make flash cards in English and Spanish and put around the house
Familiarize yourself with Colombian restaurants, foods and recipes Kids love soup, chicken, rice and lots of
fresh fruit Bigger meals at lunch (usually hot), smaller
for dinner Watch the soda…they rarely have in
Colombia Watch the sugar
Have your house routines ready to review with your host child
If you can have them translated that would be very beneficial
Airport ArrivalCome 30 minutes earlier than
arrival timeDon’t forget your welcome signBring a backpack with small
welcome giftsHave snack ready for your child Have something in your car if your
host child gets sickChaperone schedule subject to
change at this timeWear your Kidsave t-shirtBring your camera!
When You Arrive Home
Dogs – keep them in a separate room upon arrival – kids may be scared
Show your host child around your home – where they will be sleeping, bathroom
If not too late review house routines/rules
Be sure your host child knows where you will be sleeping
Be prepared that sleep may be difficult the first night due to excitement/over stimulation
Adjustment Issues Kids may have a hard time falling
asleep Not used to sleeping alone Have a nightlight in the room Some prefer the door open,
others prefer closed Food
Kids dislike spicy foods Need comfort foods (chicken,
rice, Colombian food) Love Hawaiian pizza!
Kids may have difficulties if families have little or no Spanish Make use of translation services
– app on smart phones!– Google Translator
The Transition
Limit Choices/Don’t Over Indulge Overwhelmed with too many choices Avoid supermarkets , Target and malls early on Remember…when you give them choices they may not know what the choices are (especially food in the pantry) Don’t encourage the child to eat seconds and thirds Keep sweets as a special treat Limit sodas Don’t overdo activities – give kids down time Limit TV, computer and video game time
The Transition
The Importance of Routine, Schedule, Predictability
Have your calendar posted with all activities and be sure your host child understands the schedule for each day
Review the next day’s schedule at dinner the night before
Keep a routine for waking up, dinner, time for bed, TV time, computer time
The Honeymoon Period
Usually lasts 1-2 weeks After the first couple of weeks
more likely to test the rules, boundaries
Contact your social worker with any challenges that present for tools to deal with the situation
Keep your coordinator informed The coordinator and social worker
will be checking in to be sure you are supported.
Other things…. Coordinators will assign a buddy
family to each host family Weekly reports – MANDATORY –
access on Kidsave website - provide information for ongoing advocacy
Departure…all kids must go back If you have children – be sure to talk
to your child about welcoming the child into your home – let them know they might get jealous…it is normal and that they must come to you when they are having these feelings
Don’t forget to give your own children some one on one time during the visit.
Things That Could Occur
• Inappropriate use of computer or television
• Money or special items stolen or in your host child’s bag
• Your host child may dislike camp
Role of Chaperones & Translators
Translators Translate only what is said Translator NOT there to build a
relationship with the child but to help build the hosts’ relationship with the child
Schedule of translators /contact info/time availability will be provided by coordinator
ChaperoneWill stay with you
approximately one week
May not speak English
Will write two reports – after 2 weeks and one final
Is NOT to take the lead but to assist host families as needed
Summer Day Camp
Talk to the director about
advocacy (i.e. child specific advocacy flyer, camp
newsletters, media) Pack enough food for snacks
and lunch Be sure your contact
information is inside your host child’s backpack
First day of camp – stay with your host child until they are comfortable
Be sure to talk to the camp director and counselor BEFORE the child arrives (no personal history to be shared, does not know how to swim, does not speak English, may be shy )
Visit the camp with your host child prior to camp starting…trial run! Ideally the child will have 2 or 3 days to settle in before starting camp Send your host child with a backpack and all items needed
Support SessionsMandatorySession 1:
Purpose to discuss how kids are doing
Share storiesProvide support around issues
that are presentingInput from chaperone
(translator must be available)Session 2:
Review departure infoHow to say goodbyeOngoing communication and
adoption decisions
Weekend Events
Attendance required Don’t be late! Can miss one event – Week 2 Where visiting families will
come to meet the kids Where chaperone can see all
the kids at one time Where kids can see each other
and check in Invite media Advocacy, advocacy, advocacy
Utilize SupportContact sheet provides
email and phone information for host families, social worker and Kidsave LA
Keep contact sheet on the refrigerator and in your car, and input numbers into your phone
Make contact with your buddy family BEFORE the child arrives
Contact coordinator for program questions, & social worker for issues that need attention