Southwest June 2010 Foster Roster

09V O L U M E

J U N E2 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 issueChalk Art Festival P.1

Successful Symposium P.2

Fostering Healthy Children P.3

UFAFA Update P.4

Southwest Region Update Begins P.5

fosterroster

STATEWIDE UPDATE

Utah Foster Care Foundation Offi ces

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

Richfi eld201 E. 500 N.Richfi eld, UT 84701Phone: 435.896.1232

Utah Foster Care Foundation’s

Don’t miss it!

June 18-19The Gateway

We are still looking for general and

foster parent volunteers. If you

are interested, please visit the

Chalk Art Festival web site to register.

http://www.chalkartfestival.org/

http://www.facebook.com/ChalkArtFestival

Visit the Kids’ Korner and

join in on the fun!

Watch as artists create

beautiful, temporary works

of art.

(2,1) -1- Southwest June 2010 Foster Roster.indd 5/26/2010 10:37:08 AM(2,1) -1- Southwest June 2010 Foster Roster.indd 5/26/2010 10:37:08 AM

Special thanks to:

Joseph V.

Birthday: 10/2000 Grade in School: 3rd Heritage: Native American

ALL BOY, is the best way to describe this friendly kid. Joseph is a very athletic child who loves football but enjoys anything played with a ball. He would do very well and is looking forward to someday playing on a sports team. An intelligent guy, Joseph likes to tinker, draw, fi gure things out, learn new things, and play with LEGOS. When Joseph feels relaxed and comfortable in a situation, his silly side seems to come out. When this happens Joseph very much enjoys this “hang-out” time. He is a very observant kid who happens to notice little details in things. Some of Joseph’s current interests are animals and Transformers.

For more information, please contact:

The Adoption Exchange801.265.0444

www.utdcfsadopt.org

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By Mick Woolsey, LCSWDirector of EducationUtah Foster Care Foundation

Greetings! We wanted to thank everyone who contributed to the success of our very 1st Annual Utah Foster Care Foundation Symposium held April 21st and 22nd in Midway. We had a great turnout and enjoyed several presenters’ views on trauma and attachment. Foster parents attending were eligible for three hours on Wednesday afternoon and six hours on Thursday to be credited towards licensure renewal. Clinicians were also able to obtain 9 CEU’s toward their licensure renewals.

Dr. Doug Goldsmith from the Children’s Center was the keynote

speaker. His presentation, “Attachment in Perspective: Keeping the Big Picture in View,” included case studies as well as grounded ideas of how to help families struggling with attachment and trauma issues. We want to thank him for his time and expertise and received numerous evaluations thanking him for all he shared. Foundation trainers Liz Rivera, MS, Les Harris, LCSW, Mick Woolsey, LCSW, and Nancy Zelenak, MSC explored other areas of attachment. Topics included Discipline with Traumatized Children, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Secondary Trauma & Foster Parents and Matters of the Heart from Children in Care.

We look forward to next year’s Symposium and hope you can join us!

Successful Symposium

Dr. Goldsmith presenting at the Symposium.


Fostering Healthy Children

By Chris Chytraus, R.N., BSN, CPMProgram ManagerFostering Healthy Children Program

As a foster parent, you should have received a letter from the Utah Dept. of Heath about the national recall of many “over the counter” medications.

Below is a list of the brand names of the medicines on the recall list. If you have any of these medications, you should check the NDC code on the packaging. A complete listing of these codes can be found at https://www.utahfostercare.org. If you have any of the medications with the NDC code listed, you should return it to the pharmacy where you purchased it.

If you have been giving a child any of the medications listed and they have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea PLEASE CONTACT THE CHILD’S MEDICAL PROVIDER and let them know.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the nurse assigned to the child’s case or the Fostering Healthy Children Program at 801.584.8598 or toll-free 800.829.2900 ext. #4.

Medications recalled May 3, 2010:

• Tylenol Infants’ Drops• Children’s Tylenol Suspensions• Children’s Tylenol Plus Suspensions• Motrin Infants’ Drops• Childrens’ Motrin Suspensions• Childrens’ Motrin Cold Suspensions• Childrens’ Zyrtec Liquids in Bottles• Childrens’ Benadryl Allergy

3

Jasmine M.

Birthday: 10/97 Grade in School: 5th Heritage: Caucasian

This bright young lady enjoys singing, acting, sewing, drawing, reading, and gymnastics. Jasmine likes animals. She relishes in being physically active and busy. Like many other girls her age, Jasmine is interested in cosmetology, especially make-up and hairstyling. As a fi fth grader, Jasmine is above grade level, has higher than average intelligence, and loves to learn!

For more information, please contact:

The Adoption Exchange801.265.0444

www.utdcfsadopt.org

Special thanks to:

Recall on Children’s OTC Medications

Visit our web site for the

whole list


AnnouncingFoster/Adoptive Dads of the Year 2010

Utah Foster Care Foundation would like to announce the fi ve Foster/Adoptive Dads of the Year for 2010:

Eastern Region:Jeff Edwards

Northern Region:Chris Erickson

SLV Region:Mike Millgate

Southwest Region:Gerardo Reyes

Western Region:Mark Broderick

If you know these dads and would like to support them, an awards ceremony will be held in their honor on Saturday, June 19th at noon. The ceremony will be held at the Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City.

Come join the fun!

U F A F A E x e c u t i v e Committee

President: Jennifer Gardner1st VP: Renee Calkins2nd VP: Cayce ThillSecretary: Michelle OstmarkTreasurer: Beth Hardman

www.myufafa.com

Utah Foster/Adoptive Families Association Update

UFAFA is coming to a region near you!

Correction: UFAFA is coming to YOUR region!

We want all regions of the state to feel that they are represented by Utah Foster/Adoptive Families Association (UFAFA) and their needs are addressed. We felt that creating regional committees that are modeled after and report to the executive committee would be the best way to accomplish this goal. These committees would coordinate various endeavors in each region that would help fulfi ll the purposes of UFAFA. We need volunteers to staff these regional committees!

We are also looking for volunteers to create and staff “resource centers” throughout the state! Northern Region has a great one that is supervised by the Utah Foster Care Foundation. It has been such a success that we would like to spread it to all other regions. Basically, it is a place

where donated clothes and other items are sorted, stored and distributed (by appointment) to foster/adoptive families in need of the items.

Please check out our website (www.myufafa.com) to get more details on these Volunteer Opportunities.

ALSO – we have emailed questionnaires about child welfare to all candidates that are running for state legislative positions. To see how the candidates in YOUR district responded, please email Jenn @ [email protected] with your voting district (found on your voter registration card – there will be two, a house and a senate) as the subject line.

Thanks for all you do every day to make the world a better place!

Jennifer GardnerUFAFA President

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in this issueNew RFC P.5

Support Workers who Help Children P.6

Partners in Parenting P.7

Training Updates P.9

SOUTHWEST REGION UPDATE

St. George Offi ce

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

Richfi eld Offi ce

201 E. 500 N.Phone: 435.896.1232

Toll Free: 877.656.8065

Foster/Adoptive Family Recruiter/

Retention SpecialistMarissa Douglas

Southwest Region has a New RFC

Southwest Region welcomes Ben Ashcraft as the newest Resource Family Consultant (RFC) and Adoption Specialist for the Utah Division of Child and Family Services (DCFS). Ben’s job is to “be there” to help foster families as they navigate DCFS and the courts.

Another major goal is get to know the families, so they can make the best possible placement that not only meets the children’s needs, but also utilizes foster parent’s strengths in dealing with trauma based behaviors. The RFC team also wants to provide education and support for families as they learn about the behaviors of the children in care and the culture of DCFS.

Ben will spend time getting to know the families in his area and asking their opinions on how DCFS can better serve children in care. He will visit families in their homes as well as at Cluster meetings and activities.

Ben is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, graduating with a Masters Degree from Utah State University in 1997. He has worked with troubled youth in residential care on the development of positive living skills along with helping

parents to develop effective parenting strategies. In addition, he has worked with couples struggling with marital issues and with individuals dealing with a variety of personal and relationship challenges.

He grew up on a farm in southeastern Idaho with his parents and 8 siblings. He loves spending quality time with his beautiful wife of 17 years and their 4 children. He enjoys running marathons and spending time hiking, camping, and 4-wheeling.

One of his favorite quotes is by Ralph Waldo Emerson: “That which we persist in doing becomes easy to do; not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our ability to do has increased.”

JUNE 2010

5


Reprinted from USA WeekendMarch 12-14, 2010

Take a deep breath. Now, tell the kids to unplug from all electronic entertainment Friday evening to Monday morning. It may seem like an impossible feat for everyone in your family to ditch video games, email and TV for 48 hours. But with some of these enticing activities, it just might be possible, so give it a try. We think you’ll enjoy it!

1. Before Friday, explain that each family member must suggest a game or activity. Tell spooky stories, take a hike in a nature reserve, go ice-skating, play a card game.

2. Enjoy a fun, easy breakfast. Kick off the weekend with a special family breakfast on Saturday morning. Set up a sundae bar: Fill parfait glasses with fresh fruit, with a

few spoonfuls of yogurt and sprinkle of granola.

3. Liven up dinner conversation. Take some small pieces of paper and write questions on them, such as, “If you could have a superpower, which one would you want?” “What does it mean to be a best friend?” “What is your favorite movie?” Put in a large jar. Each family member takes a turn picking a question to answer while eating dinner.

4. Play a family trivia game. Before the weekend, come up with 20-25 questions about your extended family. Example: “What was great-grandfather Thompson’s profession? (If children in foster care are in your home, have some questions they could answer about them, or their family)

5. Go on a tiny treasure hunt hike. Give each family member a

10 Ways to Unplug Your Weekend

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 fi rst 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 benefi t

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


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

Just present your Resource Parent ID Card 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.

The Resource Parent ID Card identifi es you as one of our valued foster care providers and allows you to enjoy the benefi ts and savings from local merchants.

You MUST have your Resource Parent ID Card to access discounts from these businesses. Please do not ask for exceptions.

If you do not have a Resource Parent ID Card, please call Darcey at 877.505.KIDS.

If you are aware of any business that would like to become a Partner in Parenting, please call Diane at 435.656.8065.

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MLB Studio

Community Mortgage Co.

Shine’s Black Belt AcademyCalvary Carpet, Upholstery & Tile Cleaning

Big Scoop Café

Hurricane Barber Shop

10% off any package 435.674.5211

50% off program fee

20% off cleaning up to

20% off any menu item

$2.00 off

Brent Hofhines: 435.229.3245

435.688.7282,

435.656.2300, St. George435.656.3440, St. George435.635.8260

small container, challenge everyone to fi ll it with items from the great outdoors in a certain amount of time. Offer prizes for the most, or widest variety, etc.

6. Try prop charades. Choose a prop (like empty paper towel tube, take turns acting out zany ways to use it-spy glass, torch). Other family members guess what it is being used for.

7. Set up an activity center. Cover a table and get out the colored pencils, clay, watercolors, paper-and everyone get creative!

8. Have a blackout night. One night, keep the lights off in the house and light with candles!

9. Record memories. In a local spot in the house, place a blank notebook with a pen attached. Then encourage family members to write one entry each day about the unplugged weekend.

10. Reminisce. Before everyone goes to bed on Sunday, take time to refl ect. Each family member shares 3 things that they liked about the weekend.

10 Ways to Unplug Your Weekend (con’t.)


Southwest Region Cluster ConceptsMonthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents

For in-service training details, see the training pages

Clusters are groups of foster, adoptive and kinship fam-ilies 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 “Upcoming In-Service Trainings” on page 9 .

What are

Clusters?

Manti

Family Cluster Campout - Pine Lake Campground (near Bryce Canyon)Registration required, see page 11

Facilitator: Nancy435.283.5020

[email protected]

St. George

Experiences with Foster CareSee training pages for details.

Facilitator: Brandee435.652.3979

[email protected]

Cedar City/Beaver


Facilitator: Amy435.586.7403

[email protected]

Facilitator: Lisa435.438.2651

Richfi eld


Facilitator: Coylene435.896.2023

[email protected]

UFCF on Facebook

Foster families in the Southwest Region can now connect with each other on a private Facebook page. No one will see this group, except for approved foster/adoptive/kinship parents. It’s a great way to communicate with other parents, fi nd out about upcoming trainings and activities.

You need to be invited to join, so send your request to [email protected].

There is also an “open” Facebook page for Utah Foster Care Foundation where you can communicate with families statewide.

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Southwest Region TrainingMonthly training announcements for currently licensed foster parents

Parenting Tip of the Month

Foundations for Youth

Insight Training

Attachment is not just for children.

Consider how your own attachment history impacts your reaction to children.

***

When using www.fosterclub.com website to obtain up to 2 hrs of inservice training, please remember to put your trainers email ([email protected]) as a second email (after you take the quiz)!

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.

Call Cliff if you are interested in this training.

Division of Child and Family Services359 E. Riverside DriveSt. George, UTSponsored by the St. George Cluster

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.

Notes on In-Service Trainings:

• Classes are for licensed foster parents ONLY

• Training hours will beapplied to re-licensing requirements

• Primary caregivers arerequired 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 unlessotherwise specifi ed

• Classes start on time

• You must attend the entire class to receive credit

Director of Education Mick Woolsey, LCSW

Phone: 435.229.8808Email: mick.woolsey @utahfostercare.org

Insight Training is a panel of foster parents with their children & a panel of caseworkers. Dinner will be served at 5:00 pm that will have a small group discussion during dinner. You can earn 3-5 hours of in-service training by attending Insight! Childcare will be provided by the Family Support Center.

• August 18th, 2010; 3:00pm - 8:00pm sponsored by the Cedar/Beaver Cluster. Location is TBAPlease call the Family Support Center to RSVP for your children.

• August 25th, 2010; 3:00pm - 8:00 pm sponsored by the St. George Cluster.Location is TBA

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Southwest Region TrainingMonthly training announcements for currently licensed foster parents

Upcoming In-Service Trainings

10am - NoonClay Creek Rd.

Escalante

Foster Parent CampoutPresented by

Cliff Farnsworth, CSW

Come have some fun and hang out with other foster families.

Participate in Team Games for training hours.

Sponsored by theRichfi eld Cluster

June 12th

7pm-9pmSt. George DCFS

377 E. Riverside Dr.

Experiences with Foster Care

Presented byPanel of Speakers

Come listen to a birth parent, a foster parent, and a child previously in foster care describe their experiences in the Foster Care system.

Sponsored by theSt. George Cluster

7pm-9pmSt. George DCFS Admin.

359 E. Riverside Dr.

Allegation Prevention

Presented by Cliff Farnsworth, CSW

We will talk about how to prevent allegations as well as how to respond when one occurs.

Sponsored by the St. George Cluster

June 16th July 13th

July 14th

Training Tips:

• 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 training hours.

IMPORTANT:TO REGISTER FOR A TRAINING THAT IS CLUSTER-SPONSORED, YOU MUST CALL YOUR AREA CLUSTER FACILITATOR.

7pm-9pmAmy’s Home

The Relationship Factor

Presented by Rick Clements

Training will teach you how to better connect emotionally with children in care.

Sponsored by the Cedar Cluster

July 20th

6:30pm-8:30pmRichfi eld DCFS201 E. 500 N.

Allegation Prevention

Presented by Cliff Farnsworth, CSW

We will talk about how to prevent allegations as well as how to respond when one occurs. (Light Dinner)

Sponsored by theRichfi eld Cluster

August 18th

6:30pm-8:30pmRichfi eld DCFS201 E. 500 N.

Healthy Eating/Canning

Presented by USU Extention Service

Come learn how to take better care of yourself by eating healthy. (Dinner served)

Sponsored by the Richfi eld Cluster

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Southwest Region Annual Cluster Campout

June 11 - June 13

Pine Lake Campground

Directions:Travel 13 miles east on

Utah State Highway 12

from the junction at Hwy

89. Then travel 11 miles

north on John’s Valley

Road (#22). Then head

east for 6 miles on Clay

Creek Road (#132) .

Please note:-No electricity hookups

-There is running water

and clean toilets

-Families are responsible

for their own food and

drinks, except for

Saturday’s lunch

-Pine Lake Campground

accommodates trailers

or RVs up to 45 feet

-Pets must be leashed

-No discharge of fire

arms or fireworks

-Unloading access for

OHV trails is available

-All terrain and OHV are

NOT allowed in the

campground

Deadline for Registration is June 8, 2010

Name:

Address:

City/State/Zip:

Phone:

# of people in your family:

We will be staying Friday night (free)

Yes No

We will be staying Saturday night (free)

Yes No

We will need a spot for a

Tent Trailer

We will attend Saturday’s event ONLY (free)

Yes No

I am...

Resource Parent Adoptive Parent

Kinship/Specific DCFS Licensing

Utah Foster Care Foundation would like to remind you that there is a small lake and all the little

hazards of camping at this outing. We would like to remind you to supervise and use all safety

precautions with the children in your care. The Foundation is not responsible and cannot be held

liable for any accidents that occur.

Signature:

Please send this form to Diane Callister, Southwest Region Retention Specialist

321 N. Mall Dr. #B102

St. George, UT 84790

OR fax to 435-656-8071

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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

Salvador Mendez, MSW Division of Juvenile Justice Services

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-profi t organization

UtahFosterCare

Utah Foster Care Foundation

UtahFosterCare

Utah Foster Care Foundation Board of Directors


Southwest June 2010 Foster Roster

Documents

Transcript of Southwest June 2010 Foster Roster