It’s August! One Week efore
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August 2017 Volume 5, Issue 08 Photo by Daniel Wallace & Jesse Miller “We belong together” Meet Desiree, Age 14 Angel, Age 11 Jaylene, Age 10 Evan, Age 8 Jayden, Age 7 Brianna, Age 3 Jorge, Age 2 Heavenly, Age 1 This group of kids has eight times the love and fun! They will thrive in a two-parent home that loves the hustle and bustle of a big, happy family, and who will be open to helping them maintain ties to extended family in the area. These kids have a very tight bond and they desperately want to be placed in the same home, so they can all be together again. To learn more about adoption, please visit: heartgallerytampabay.org Photos 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: [email protected] Aug. There is no HCFPA Respite Program in August Aug. 16 New Foster Parent Orientation 6 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL Sept. 9 HCFPA Membership Meeting 10 am - 12 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Childcare: $2 per child Sept. 16 HCFPA Respite Program - September 10 am - 12 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Childcare: $2 per child Sept. 20 New Foster Parent Orientation 6 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL UPCOMING EVENTS It’s August! That means schools will open their doors for the start of another school year. Drivers need to be focused on their driving to insure that our youngest citizens are safe in their neighborhoods and near their schools. Two Weeks Before One Week Before Three Days Before Start getting your kids back on their school year bedtime routine. Stock up on non-perishable basics like juice/milk boxes, napkins, sandwich bags and snacks. Enjoy It (don’t forget the tissues or the camera) Grocery shopping. Make sure your camera is fully charged and ready for first day photos. The Night Before FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL: Prepare lunches and snacks for first day of school. Pack supplies in backpack. Lay out clothes for first day of school. Set alarm clock. Schedule haircuts as needed. Plan meals for the first week of school. Purchase supplies like pencils, markers, crayons and paper.
Transcript of It’s August! One Week efore
August 2017 Volume 5, Issue 08
Photo by Daniel Wallace & Jesse Miller
“We belong together”
Meet Desiree, Age 14
Angel, Age 11
Jaylene, Age 10
Evan, Age 8
Jayden, Age 7
Brianna, Age 3
Jorge, Age 2
Heavenly, Age 1
This group of kids has eight times the love and fun! They will thrive in a two-parent home that loves the hustle and bustle of a big, happy family, and who will be open to helping them maintain ties to extended family in the area. These kids have a very tight bond and they desperately want to be placed in the same home, so they can all be together again.
To learn more about adoption, please visit:
heartgallerytampabay.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: [email protected]
Aug. There is no HCFPA Respite Program in August
Aug. 16 New Foster Parent Orientation 6 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL
Sept. 9 HCFPA Membership Meeting 10 am - 12 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Childcare: $2 per child
Sept. 16 HCFPA Respite Program - September 10 am - 12 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL - Childcare: $2 per child
Sept. 20 New Foster Parent Orientation 6 pm @ The Family Place, 9391 N Florida Ave.,Tampa, FL
UPCOMING EVENTS
It’s August! That means schools will open their doors for the start of another school year.
Drivers need to be focused on their driving to insure that our youngest citizens are safe in their neighborhoods and near their schools.
Two Weeks Before
One Week Before
Three Days Before
Start getting your kids back on their school year bedtime routine.
Stock up on non-perishable basics like juice/milk boxes, napkins, sandwich bags and snacks.
Enjoy It(don’t forget the tissues or the camera)
Grocery shopping.
Make sure your camera is fully charged and ready for first day photos.
The Night Before
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL:
Prepare lunches and snacks for first day of school.
Pack supplies in backpack.
Lay out clothes for first day of school.
Set alarm clock.
Schedule haircuts as needed.
Plan meals for the first week of school.
Purchase supplies like pencils, markers, crayons and paper.
No HCFPA Respite Program in AugustPlease note that there is no HCFPA respite in August. Getting ready for Back-to-School.
HCFPA Meeting 2nd Saturday in SeptemberDue to the Labor Day weekend, we will be holding the September HCFPA meeting on the second Saturday of September. We look forward seeing you on September 9, 2017 at 10 AM at the family place.
HCFPA Board OpeningsHCFPA currently has an Executive Board position opening for our Childcare Chair and Volunteer coordinator positions. If you have a passion for children, feel this position is for you and would like to join our board please contact Kimberly Hernandez at [email protected].
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 Hernandez Hillsborough County Family Partnership Alliance, President
Student’s First Day of School in Hillsborough County.
August 10th, 2017
HCFPA Board of Directors
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
Parliamentarian Mershell Godbolt
Treasurer Wes Binder
Clothing Closet Chair Membership Chair
Kathryn Melendez [email protected]
(813)541-6623
Fundraising & Gifts In Kind Chair Candi Tamney
Childcare Chair Open Position
Relative Caregiver Chair Missy Saffold
(813) 516–9745 [email protected]
Respite Chair Emily Binder
Event Chair Karen Queen
Hospitality Chair Jessie Holsinger
Training & Education Chair Robin Tamney
Communications Chair Brendale Perkins
Volunteer Coordinator
Open Position
HCFPA.org
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: [email protected]
Congratulations!Foster Parent Anniversaries
Date• Thomas & Maria Slowey 8/1
• Mary & Chad Cole 8/4
• Bernadette James 8/4
• Martha & Eduardo Hernandez 8/4
• Nichola Easy 8/6
• Deborah Munoz & John Mcdowell 8/8
• Tia Dix 8/10
• Justine & George Russum 8/11
• Alice Burney 8/13
• Keshia & Paul Drayton 8/15
• Kassee & Joseph Metzger 8/17
• Lynnette & John Crawford 8/20
• Deborah Lekenta 8/22
• Emily Carlisle 8/23
• Deionne Cleveland 8/25
• Kristen & Adam Gilley 8/26
• Nora Dowling 8/26
• Nicole & Amy Gentile/Aubin 8/26
• Michelle & Michael Vasquez 8/26
• Renaye Wiggins-Montgomery 8/27
• Anna & Louis Weaver 8/28
• Cynthia Mann 8/29
• Chenwe & David Iloanya 8/29
• Sue Ellen & Jo Anne Abraham 8/30
• Jennifer & David Parsons 8/30
• Angela & John Timoneri 8/30
• Adam Sinwich
• Amanda Sherburn
• Brandy Swager
• Catherine & Jonathan Godwin
• Cathy Johnson
• Crystal Lauderdale & Peter Masa
• Deborah Parham
• Dennis & Timeka Woods/Shorter
• Kristen & Ryan Trippe
• Lovincer & Jonerthern Kiriisa
• Mairobis Pupo-Martinez & Ernesto Ortega-Arbella
• Marilyn Terrelonge
• Natasha & Aaron Kreye
• Rachel & Kevin Vanus
• Sarah Hurt
• Sharon Broom
• Sylvia & Joel Juren
• Tessa & David Loaring
Licensed homes in July 2017
Back to School Preparation For Foster ChildrenThe summer holidays are drawing to a close and the return to school and normality is looming. For children in foster care, the change in routine may be challenging and it may take some time to adjust. Here are a few tips that should help you as a foster parent to prepare your child in care for a new school year.
Build Excitement - The school year will present many opportunities to your child in care, in addition to classes and homework. It would help to do research on the school and learn about the activities that are offered to your foster child depending on their interests.
Let Them Be Involved - If your foster child is taking their own lunch to school, let them be a part of choosing what they want to eat for the day – and let them help you pack it. Exercising independence helps with growth and maturity and it will let your foster child know that their opinions matter.
Revive Sleep Routine - For your child in care, there will be no more sleeping without alarms during weekdays for a good while. Sending them to bed early is your best bet for a productive day.
Create a Dialogue with Teachers - When you have the contact information of your foster child’s teacher, letting him or her know you have a foster child would be a great way to prepare the teacher for possible challenges. Chances are, the teacher will understand and be willing to work with your foster child to ensure they have a successful school year.
Get Involved - In addition to receiving progress reports, reach out to your foster child’s teacher to stay on top of how they are doing. Your foster child may be dealing with a number of distractions caused by previous experiences, so it’s in their best interest when you are aware of any hurdles they may need help overcoming.
Back to School Costs - Before you send your foster child off to school, the inevitable school shopping must take place. Here are a few tips to help avoid breaking the bank:
• Make a list of what you need to buy and stick to your budget• It’s worth buying clothes a size larger than required for growing kids• Keep an eye out for sales throughout the year
