September / October 2017 Volume 5, Issue 09

Photo by Daniel Wallace

“I’m a trivia whiz-kid.”

Meet Fernando, Age 15

If you had to condense all of Fernando’s characteristics into one word, it would be Loyal. He’s fiercely devoted to friends and family, and he’d go to the ends of the earth for the people he loves. Fernando has an uncanny ability to remember and reiterate facts about cars, basketball players and rappers, and he’s good at teaching others how to play the video games he likes. He loves to learn new skills – from cooking and laundry to car mechanics – and he enjoys being helpful. He spends most of his free time playing video games or being outside, and he also digs the MMA fights on television.

Fernando’s ideal family would be “funny and laid-back,” and he’d be most successful in a two-parent home with a nurturing but firm male figure. Fernando is a great, sweet kid who seriously deserves and needs the consistent love and guidance of a forever family.

To learn more about adoption, please visit:

heartgallerytampa.orgPhotos provided by:

Contact our Fostering Respect hotline if you have a problem or concern, and cannot get the matter resolved with the case manager or your FDS representative.

P: (813) 541-8017 | E: fosteringrespecthillsborough@eckerd.org

Oct. 21 HCFPA Respite Program 10 am - 12 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Childcare: $2 per child

Oct. 18 New Foster Parent Orientation 6 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL

Oct. 23 Board Meeting 8:30 am - 9:30 am @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL

Oct. 25 New Brand Launch - Eckerd Connects For more information, please visit Eckerd.org

Oct. 28 HCFPA - Fall Frenzy -Trunk or Treat 2 pm - 5 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Pre-registration required

Nov. 4 HCFPA Membership Meeting 10 am - 12 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Childcare: $2 per child

UPCOMING EVENTS

Halloween Safety TipsDress-Up SmartsChoose fire-retardant costumes. Look for a label that indicates flame-resistance on any costumes, wigs, and headpieces you purchase. If you’re making the costume yourself, examine the fabric content and talk the salesperson to help you choose the least flammable material.

Use make-up instead of masks. Hypoallergenic, non-toxic face paint is a better choice than a mask, which may obscure your child’s vision and hinder his breathing. If you do opt for a mask, cut oversized holes for his eyes and mouth, and encourage them to take the mask off each time they crosses the street.

Attach reflective tape to her costume to make them easier to spot. A few strips on her back, front, and goodie bag should do the trick. If they are planning on biking or skateboarding, stick some tape on that as well.

Give them a flashlight, watch, and cell phone to help them see where they going, know when to head home, or make a call if they are in trouble. Make sure they know their curfew and how to contact you.

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HCFPA Respite Program HCFPA will be offering our respite program on Saturday, October 21st from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm at The Family Place.

An RSVP and a $2.00 charge per child are required and can be made at HCFPA.org. Space is limited and RSVPs will be honored first come, first serve.

Theme this month:

Super Heroes

Special Thank You For donating to the clothing closet:

• Once Upon A Child - Northdale• Wee Boutique - Apollo Beach

Upcoming Event Save the Date - October 28th for the Fall Frenzy “Trunk or Treat” event. Stay tuned for

detail information at HCFPA.org.

Hillsborough County Family Partnership Alliance

HCFPA meetings held the 1st Saturday of the month and the Respite Program is held the 3rd Saturday of the month at 10:00 am at The Family Place office located at Eckerd Community Alternatives on the corner of Busch Blvd. and N. Florida Ave.

President’s Corner

Hello HCFPA Families,

On behalf of the children we care for and the families of HCFPA, I have been busy advocating , bringing your concerns and being a voice at the table throughout the system of care both locally and state wide. Be assured that I will continue working toward positive change and finding solutions. Thank you for all of the loving care you provide the children and remember how much they need us!

I would like to welcome new members to the HCFPA family. Our membership consists of foster and adoptive parents, relative and non-relative caregivers. HCFPA offers members support, great trainings, the clothing closet, food pantry, fun free events, a monthly Respite (baby sitting), advocacy, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot and other wonderful items for your family.

I would like to thank the HCFPA board for all they do for our membership. HCFPA is run by an all volunteer board of foster and adoptive parents who donate time and energy to make HCFPA a great alliance. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact a board member.

We aim to keep you informed regarding the many changes in the System of Care.

God Bless,

Kimberly HernandezHillsborough County Family Partnership Alliance, President

HCFPA Board of Directors

HCFPA@yahoo.com | HCFPA.org

HCFPA Food PantryHCFPA and community members can receive HCFPA Food Pantry donations once per month after they self-attest that they have a need for food. Please complete your food pantry request forms and submit them when you come in during the Food Pantry’s hours of operation.

Volunteers are welcome on the 1st Friday of the month from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to help prepare the food distribution. This institution is an equal opportunity program.

Pantry Hours2nd and 4th Friday

of each month 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

President Kimberly Hernandez

kimh@hcfpa.org

Parliamentarian and Food Pantry chair

Mershell Godbolt MershellG@hcfpa.org

Treasurer Wes Binder

wesb@hcfpa.org

Clothing Closet Chair Membership Chair

Kathryn Melendez Kmelendez@hcfpa.org

(813)541-6623

Fundraising & Gifts In Kind Chair

Candi Tamney candit@hcfpa.org

Childcare Chair Michele Goodwin

michelleg@hcfpa.org (813) 679-8474

Relative Caregiver Chair Missy Saffold

(813) 516–9745 MissyS@hcfpa.org

Respite Chair Emily Binder

Emilyb@hcfpa.org

Event Chair Karen Queen

karenQ@hcfpa.org and

Billy Queen BillyQ@hcfpa.org

Hospitality Chair Jessie Holsinger

JessieH@hcfpa.org

Training & Education Chair Robin Tamney

RobinT@hcfpa.org

Communications Chair Brendale Perkins

brendalep@hcfpa.org

Volunteer Coordinator Open Position

Clothing Closet Hours1st Friday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.2nd Friday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.3rd Friday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.4th Friday 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.5th Friday 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

HCFPA Family Clothing Closet HCFPA’s Family Clothing Closet serves infants, children, teens and adults. We thank Eckerd Community Alternatives for their partnership with HCFPA Family Clothing Closet. Please help us support this wonderful resource by donating your gently used or new clothing and shoes. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kathryn Melendez at (813) 541-6623.

Membership Applications: HCFPA Membership applications are available online at HCFPA.org. Applications are also available before every monthly meeting and during the Clothing Closet operation hours.

We Need Your Help!Eckerd Kids is looking for those willing to commit to children in their home, providing them with temporary loving care and serving as mentors to the child’s family. If you have a friend or family member that has room in their home and heart, please refer them to call Eckerd’s Foster Parent Recruitment Line or visit our website at:

P: (866) 233-0790 (toll-free) | Eckerd.org/fosterFree Foster Parent Orientations are held every 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at the Family Place, 9391 North Florida Ave. Tampa, FL

No se discriminará ni se le negará a ninguna persona, por su raza, color, religión, nacionalidad, sexo, edad o incapacidad, la participación o los beneficios de cualquier programa o actividad que reciba beneficios de ayuda financiera federal y que sea administrado por el “Eckerd Community Alternatives System of Care.” Se pondrán a disposición servicios de interpretación de idiomas y señas sin costo alguno para el cliente.

No person shall, on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, or disability be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to unlawful discrimination under any program or activity receiving or benefiting from federal financial assistance and administered by Eckerd Community Alternatives System of Care. Foreign language and sign language interpreters will be made available at no charge to the client.

To include foster parent stories and information in a future newsletter, forward to: crandazzo@eckerd.org

Congratulations!Foster Parent Anniversaries

SEPTEMBER Date• Jennifer & Yvves Johnson 9/1• Lourdes Rodriguez 9/1• Martie & Jimmie

Blackmon 9/1• Laura Stringer 9/2• Melva & Luis Sierra 9/5• Shayla & Paul Parsons 9/6• Walter & Linda Sharpe 9/6• Aramis Hamilton 9/7• Robin Tamney 9/7• Triandra & Benjamin

Shurtliff 9/7• Gary & Jocelyn Randolph 9/13• Cristine & Adam Russell 9/15• Heather & Kevin Smetana 9/15• Megan & Ian Taylor 9/15• Lindsay Hinson-Knipple

& Shane Knipple 9/20• Kathryn & Gil Melendez 9/20• Tracy Brown-Ashley &

Marcelo Ashley 9/20• Alecia Thornton 9/22• Sheba & Paul

Presley Idicula 9/22• Michelle Bernardino 9/23• Michelle & John Goodwin 9/24• Donetta Walker 9/26• Jessica & Andrew Bruza 9/26• Meagan & Cory

Blakey/Singleton 9/26• Regina & Scott Spieler 9/26• Yenia & Yimani Mirabal 9/26• Bertha & James Varrati 9/27• Emma & Chad Fisher 9/27• Sherry & Kerwyn Madray 9/27

• Linda Saunders 9/28 • Patricia & Mark Bote 9/28• Darlene Fant 9/29• Alana Martz 9/29• Guirlande Cajilus 9/29• Colon-Thaler, Joanne 9/30• Kim, James 9/30• Yanson, Alyssa & Mathew 9/30• Zitko, Dawn & Derek 9/30OCTOBER• Karen Hanson 10/2• Brenda & Todd Wendel 10/4• Marie Montreuil 10/4• Patricia & Trevor Brewer 10/5• Melinda Murray 10/7• Henry Pierre 10/8• Leamnia Clark 10/8• Kimberly & John Crawley 10/10• April &Terrance Simmons 10/15• Stacy Appleton &

Leslie Brandt 10/18• Michelle Rene & John

Joseph Jr. Dieffenbacher 10/28• Vickie & Sarah Johanson 10/28• John-L & Lisa Lykins 10/29• Katherine Clarito 10/29• Marilynn Southwell 10/29• Mary & Jim Gilio 10/29• Lyndon & Leslie Schmidt 10/30• Andrea Chidester 10/31• Constance Moore 10/31• Dennie & George

Hammontree 10/31• Ruth Rubio-Swanso &

Robert Swanson 10/31• Teeyauda & James Banks 10/31

• Alana Martz

• Amy & Anthony Dean-Gerving

• Aramis Hamilton

• Ashley & Steven Marchetti

• Bond

• Brenda Buster

• Carla & Gilbert Theophille

• Denise & Omar Tanon

• Elizabeth Rodriguez

• Franco

• Hector & Blanca Caro

• Jennifer & Yves Johnson

• Jessica & Andrew Bruza

• Leticia James

• Martha & Jimmy Blackmon

• Meagan & Cory Blakey/Singleton

• Megan & Ian Taylor

• Mendelyn Cloninger & Bradley Frost

• Natalie & John Owens

• Rachel & Aaron Goette

• Sachina & Michael Bowden

• Saprina & Aaron Pearson

• Sheba Idicula Paul & Paul Presley

• Smith

• Triandra & Benjamin Shurtliff

Licensed homes in August / September 2017

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Stay Safe on the Trick-or-Treat Beat

Round up a group. It’s best for kids of any age to travel in groups of three or more—there is safety in numbers., Plan a route with your child, making sure they knows to call you if they deviates from the plan. Keep their route to familiar streets and houses, working up the street then back down without criss-crossing. Set a time limit when they should come home or call you.

Tell them to visit well-lit, familiar houses. Make them promise to stick to the stoop — and never go inside unless they knows the grown-ups very well. Remind them to say “thank you” for their treats.

Remind them of police and fire safety. Practice the principle of “Stop-Drop-Roll,” just in case their clothes catch on fire. Encourage them to talk to a policeman or call you if anything makes them uncomfortable or upset.

Sift Through the Loot

Check candy wrappers. Pinholes, tears, or unusually loose packages can indicate possible tampering.

Remove choking hazards for young children, including hard candies, small toys, peanuts, or gum.

Don’t let your child eat anything that isn’t sealed. Unless you know the source, throw away homemade or fresh food items.

Keep candy and wrappers away from your pets. Chocolate can be deadly to animals, and they can choke on hard candies and wrappers. Store candy well out of your pet’s reach.

Regulate candy intake. Set a daily quota on your child’s consumption and set a deadline for when leftover Halloween candy gets thrown out.

Source: Scholastic and National Safety Council