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Join Our E-Group
Keep up to date on the latest
news and events.. Ask questions… get answers!
Our e-mail group makes communication
with all of us more efficient. You can get answers to your questions from more
than one person by sending only one email! Also, if you have a question and you
do not know who to ask, just email the group. This is only for our foster &
adoptive families. If you are interested in becoming a member of our group, contact
Dawn Corrigan, Email Web form or call
her at (315)724-2989
FAFSS UPDATE
It’s hard to believe it’s September already and summer’s over.
I hope you and your families have been able to enjoy the beautiful weather we’ve
had.
Change is a part of life, and FAFSS is not exempt from that. You’ll
notice that there have been several changes in positions of leadership. I’m
excited to have Carol and Monica join us as our newsletter “team.” Please
contact them with any information you may have for our newsletter.
I’m
sorry to tell you that Sarah Borek has moved away and will no longer be providing
our educational advocacy service. I will be assuming her responsibilities until
we can find an appropriate replacement. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED AND HAVE EXPERIENCE
OR KNOW OF ANYONE WITH EXPERIENCE IN THIS AREA, PLEASE CONTACT ME. In the meantime,
please be assured that I will address any education issues your foster child/ren
may have.
We will be scheduling a Christmas party this year. If you
would like to be involved with the planning or serve in a supportive roll, please
contact Jolie Touris our “Discovery” Program Coordinator.
If you
have a foster care issue that you would like us to address with OCDSS administration,
NOW IS THE TIME TO LET ME KNOW. We meet with county administration periodically
and address the issues that we are aware of. I am serving on a committee for Model
Court. If you have any concerns that I could bring to their attention, please
call or email me.
Volunteer Opportunities
We have several positions with FAFSS we need to fill. The largest area of
need is in public relations. (Promoting FAFSS) We need someone or several that
would like to work together to “advertise” FAFSS to the media, agencies
and public. This may also include helping to improve our website and brochure.
If you know someone with expertise in these areas but they are not foster or adoptive
parents that is not a requirement.
I understand you want to help with the
work we do, but you don’t have a lot of time and you’re not sure where
you would fit in. If you have time to make phone calls we need you. Don’t
feel overwhelmed thinking we only want you if you will take a “position.”
If you have secretarial or grant writing experience we could use your help.
Do you have the “gift” of hospitality? Your talents would be greatly
appreciated. Do you like to bake and would be willing to provide refreshments
for meetings or training workshops? What comes to your mind?
Your support
for the work we are doing benefits YOU and your foster/adoptive children. The
more input you have, the more we can accomplish together. I’m looking forward
to hearing from you soon. Dawn
The next support
meeting- Is Oct. 5th at 7:00PM 2 Lowell Dr, New Hartford. RSVP to 724-2989.
This will also be a meeting to discuss the upcoming Christmas party. Anyone wishing
to get more involved with the assoc. or help in any way, this would be the meeting
to attend.
Juice and Jammies…
Are
you looking for something to do with your children that is fun and educational?
Are you looking for something that gets you out of the house to talk to other
parents? Maybe you are looking for a bit of time to spend browsing around for
something to read without your children tugging you in their direction. This is
just the place. Barnes and Noble Bookstore, Consumer Square Commercial Drive,
New Hartford, NY 13413 ph:(315)768-1075
Juice and Jammies starts at 7pm every
Friday and runs until about 7:30-7:45. What a GREAT place for us and our children
to get together!! Hope to see you there!!
More Reading fun…The
Utica public library will begin its SATURDAY hours starting Saturday, Sept.10th.
The library will be open from 8:30 am - 5:00pm. Keep those children READING !!!!
*Free* County Days /Utica Zoo
The
Utica Zoo will host “county free days” Residents from counties across
NYS will have free admission to the zoo on specified weekends. They must provide
proof of residency, such as a valid driver’s license, Niagara Mohawk bill
or telephone bill. For information on county dates, call 738-0472 *****Mandatory
training workshops*****
Mandatory in order to maintain certification
and receive special foster care rates. 7th floor of the Oneida County Office Building,
800 Park Ave, Utica, NY. If you have any questions, Please call Jennifer Turner
at 798-5265.
Training workshop :Team Building Training for Foster
Parents and Caseworkers
September 14, 2005 Wed. 9:45am-12 noon
September
14, 2005 Wed 6:45pm-8:30pm
September 15, 2005 Thurs 9:45am-12 noon
September
22, 2005 Thurs 9:45am-12 noon
September 22,2005 Thurs 6:45pm-8:30pm
September
23,2005 Fri 9:45-12 noon
Did you know about…
Childcare
at Oneida County Court house in Utica?
The Children's Center is a program
that is run by the YWCA. It provides childcare to children of ages 8 weeks-12
years old who accompany their caregivers to court. It is free, safe, and confidential.
The services are available Monday through Friday during regular court hours. There
is a simple registration form the first time you use the service. Return visits
are super quick and easy, because you only have to register once. It is very convenient
too. You can sign your child in before your court proceeding and when you are
done, you just pick them up. It is well staffed, clean and there are toys and
activities for them to play with or participate in. Are you still unsure? The
next time you are in the court house, just ask for a tour. The Children's Center
is located just past the vending machines, down the short hall near the judges'
chambers on your right as you are walking in. For more information you can call
793-6035.
MCAT-Mobile Crisis Assessment Team (315)732-6228
Call
MCAT if: ~Your child is experiencing a psychiatric emergency such as making
suicidal/homicidal statements/gestures. He/she does not have a treatment provider
or the program is closed ~There is not a medical emergency (if there is ,call
the emergency room) or an immediate lethal situation ( if there is, call Law Enforcement).When
calling, ask to speak with a MCAT counselor and give identifying information such
as name, address, and phone number and explain emergency , focusing on child’s
current behavior. MCAT strives to use the least restrictive means of resolving
a psychiatric emergency. Inpatient treatment will be recommended only when the
community based services do not meet the child’s needs.
Congratulations
!!!!!!On Aug. 15, 2005, Anne and Robert Valeo became the proud parents of
Liliane Grace. Liliane is 2 years old
Where am I ?
I sit here
day after day and night after night.
I look around me. What do I see?
I see a lot of pictures on the wall. I see the lady and
man that I live with
now. I see their children.
I see their friends.
They are happy and smiling
from their pictures on the wall.
They look so happy, so connected, so much
like a family.
I think of myself.
I feel so small.
I’m not on
that wall.
Where am I? Where do I fit here?
Please,,, help me to see?
Please,,, help me stand tall?
Please ,,,put my picture on the wall?
Written by Carol Babicz
I know this may sound like a trivial thing to some.
Maybe it is something you have just never thought about. If your home is like
mine, you PROUDLY display your family photos. You try to capture the closeness
of your family on that wall for all to see. Try to remember to place a picture
of your foster child on that wall also. It may seem so small a thing to do. You
may think it will not matter or that they will not really benefit much from it.
Please remember that this is a very small act that could make your foster child
feel SO CONNECTED, SO LOVED !!
Transracial
Parenting
Many times we are asked to take care of children that are
not of our race. Though this may not seem like a problem for us, sometimes issues
arise that we did not fully think through and we do not necessarily have all the
answers. Some of us are lucky enough to have a friend that is the same race as
our foster/adopted child. Others have to turn to the written word. Here is a list
of books that can be found on the Barnes & Noble website that may be of help.
If the book is not in our local New Hartford store, it can be purchased through
the website at Barnesandnoble.com or the store clerks can order them for you from
their store.
It’s All Good Hair- A guide to styling
and grooming black children’s hair…by Michele N-K Collison $10.48
Kinki Kreations- A parent’s guide to Natural Black Hair for kids…By
Jena Renee Renee Williams $11.65
Dim Sum, Bagels, and Grits- A source book
for Multicultural families…By Myra Alperson $14.00
Transracial
Adoption and Foster Care- Practice issues for professionals…By Joseph
Crumbley $18.95
LET US NOT FORGET LOTION !!!!!!! IT IS GOOD AND
ESSENTIAL FOR MOST SKIN TYPES !!! Dry cracked skin can be so itchy and painful.
It is so easy to avoid.
There is a VERY WIDE range of literature available
on the Barnes & Noble website if you do a search for …Foster Care, Transracial
parenting, Black hair care, and Bilingual parenting. Those are some of searches
that were done to find these titles. Remember, EDUCATION and TRAINING are keys
to raising healthy children! It's fun, affordable,
safe and easy !!
Are you looking for a place to purchase affordable
clothing, toys, shoes and more for your family? Do not forget about e-bay. How
many times have you been sick over packing your children's clothing and toys away
because they had outgrown them and they were barely used or worn? This is what
e-bay is all about. You can find many great items in new or slightly used condition.
Many times they are name brand items. Simply go to www.ebay.com/.
Type in the name of what you are looking for or browse the hundreds of categories
available. When you find something that interests you, place your bid. Start your
bid at the lowest price you are able to. As long as no one else bids higher it
is yours for the lowest price. Watch your item in "my e-bay" to see
if you are the winning bidder. If you get outbid by another person you can back
out by not bidding higher than their price or you can bid higher and continue
to purchase that item. Only raise your bid high enough to outbid the current highest
bidder. They may not be willing to go ANY higher and you can always raise your
bid again if they do. If you are the winning bidder, you pay the seller and the
item is shipped directly to your home. Most sellers accept money-orders or credit
cards through PayPal. To learn more about PayPal go to
www.paypal.com/.
Some sellers will also accept personal checks. Read through the listing to see
what types of payments are accepted. Remember to ask any questions before bidding
because most sales are final. Why spend hours driving around from garage sale
to garage sale? You can usually find just what you are looking for at e-bay.
Have
fun and HAPPY BIDDING!!!!CONTACTS Keep
up to date on the latest news and events… ask questions…get
answers! Our e-mail group makes communication
with all of us more efficient. You can get answers
to your questions from more than one person by sending
only one email! Also, if you have a question and
you don’t know who to ask, just email the group.
This group is for OUR foster & adoptive families,
so if you are interested in becoming a member of
our group, contact Dawn Corrigan: By
Web Form or by phone (315) 724-2989. | |
