The Voices of Child Advocates of Fort Bend AUGUST 2024
The ofVOICES
Inside / Inside /
CEO Update •Case Closing
CEO Update •Case Closing
• Navigating Grade Level
• Navigating Grade Level Changes Changes • Staff + • Staff + Program Updates Program Updates
• And More!
• And More!
CASE CLOSING
See who we honored
A Parent’s Guide to Helping Students Navigate Grade Level Changes
Keeping you informed on our mission:
Strengthen the Child's Voice, Heal the Hurt, and Break the Cycle of Abuse and Neglect for Children and Families in Fort Bend and surrounding counties.
Updates on staff, our programs and more.
See what they’ve done...
Save these dates and plan to join us for these upcoming events
Hello Friends1
from the ceo
Getting ready for back to school
I hope that this newsletter finds you well and recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Beryl. At CAFB, we lost power for three days and were forced to close our offices. This forced us to reschedule all our clients across our CAC service lines including forensic interviews, therapy sessions, advocacy meetings with children and families and court. We also made the difficult decision to cancel our annual WINGS Lifeskills week for our teenagers. Our staff was sensitive to the impact of the storm on children and families. CASA Advocates reached out to children and youth in foster care to check in and determine if they were impacted and needed any help. Across the agency, our staff experienced power outages, some lasting a week, damage to their homes and yards, as well as closures of summer school, camps and day cares. But, our ever-resilient and caring
staff offered their homes to family members and responded, as always, with flexibility and support. I am so proud of how the entire CAFB family – from our Board of Directors to our staff and volunteers checked in regularly and took care of each other. The clean-up will continue, and we will do whatever we can to help our children who have experienced additional trauma from the hurricane on top of their abuse to heal and recover.
In the aftermath of the hurricane, August means the return to school. We are geared up for a great year starting with the annual FRIENDS of CAFB Backpack Program. These dedicated ladies devote hundreds of hours purchasing and filling over 201 personalized backpacks for elementary, middle and high school children and youth served by CAFB. Thank you to FRIENDS members and the continued next page
We will be working hard to ensure that our kids are “school-ready” and prepare them for the year ahead including meeting with their teachers, counselors, ensuring their doctor’s visits are completed, and that they are enrolled and have access to resources for any special needs.
We have made great progress over the summer on our two newest initiatives: Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative (CAP-C) and Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Collaborative. We have completed the research phase of our CAP-C by conducting personal interviews with 72 individuals including abuse survivors, parents and foster parents of survivors, teachers, counselors, medical professionals, daycare providers and child welfare staff to identify factors that might have prevented abuse We are midway through the development of a CAP-C Resource Website for use by professionals Upcoming will be to develop a Prevention Campaign and prototype it in
professionals, law enforcement, CPS, school personnel and judges in the fundamentals of this trauma-informed approach for children who come from hard places. It is transforming the way professionals work with children who have experienced abuse or neglect so they minimize trauma and achieve the most positive outcomes.
Enjoy the rest of your summer and thank you for all you do to strengthen the voice of children, heal their hurt and break the cycle of abuse and neglect. We appreciate your support and having a heart for children.
For the Children's Sake,
Ruthanne Mefford, CEO
Ruthanne
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In July, Child Advocates of Fort Bend staff, board members and volunteers came together to celebrate and show our gratitude to the volunteers who have closed a CASA case in the past 6 months. While we celebrate ALL our volunteers on a regular basis, it’s something special to surround those who have walked with a child(ren) and caregivers through their CPS journey. CASA volunteers give so much of their time, care and compassion to others during their CASA case. They get to know and love children and caregivers. They advocate for them in not just the court setting, but in the school environment, as well as with others involved in the case. They often must think outside of the box when finding resources and always go the extra mile.
Some of the words that stood out in the speeches about our honorees coming from the Volunteer Supervisors were “Grace. Intention. Commitment. Resiliency. Advocated with a sense of urgency. Angels on earth.” Other statements that stood out were… “she sees people and meets them where they are ” , and “she focuses on the humanity and dignity of people”. We heard “she sticks around for not just the good times, but the really hard and challenging ones as well”. And one statement from an honoree, a CASA volunteer, made all of us tear up… she said “I thought I would help a child, but my child (that she advocated for) changed my life”.
CASA volunteers truly open their hearts and give their time for the benefit of others in need, and we love to honor that gift of service. It was a beautiful evening filled with love and gratitude.
Please help me celebrate these volunteers:
Karen Beham
Pat Broom
Nancy Dale
Kathy Eyring
Carrie Fix
Susan Greer
Beatriz Guevara
Rebecca Hoelscher
Alexis Jackson
Julia Jagnanan
Claire Kraft
Maxine Parappilly
Meagan Philip
Debra Poncik
Sarah Smith
Jill Thaxton
Karl Wagner
Michelle and Wynndel Watts
Smooth Transitions:
A Parent’s Guide to Helping Students Navigate GradeLevel Changes
By Aly Ferrante and Jheri Walters
Transitioning from Home to Kindergarten
It is the journey from the home to kindergarten which is one of the most vital achievements in the life of the child. It brings with it a feeling that is both challenging and thrilling, not only for kids, but parents have as well. As a parent, there are several ways you can help smooth this transition and set your child up for success:
Getting the Routines Established:
Before entering Kindergarten, start getting a routine established by having your child do things that are done in school. Set up a routine of a particular time to get up, meals, and bedtime so they will adapt smoothly to the organized life of school
The School's Visit:
Try to attend one of the many orientation
nights or open houses so that your child will have a chance to explore the new surrounding areas. If it is possible, arrange a visit to the classroom and the yard before the first day to have your kid be at ease. They may even look forward to that day.
Give Them Freedom:
Teach your child independent behavior by making them go through simple practices of how to dress, use the bathroom by themselves, and following easy rules. These techniques will increase your child's morale and help them feel self-assured for the Kindergarten day Kids can also practice daily packing lunch items on their own, eg opening food items such as straws for juice boxes, chips, etc
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FEATURE STORY
Transitioning from Elementary to Middle School
The move from elementary to middle school is a time of great change for students, as they learn to deal with new academic expectations, social dynamics, and a larger school campus. As a parent, you can aid your child through this transition by:
Open Communication:
Let your child know you are there for them by facilitating open communication. Encourage them to share their thoughts and concerns about the change and be there to address them. Calm them of any worries they have and let them know that it is natural to have mixed emotions at the start of middle school.
Foster Independence:
Middle school means getting more responsibility, so make sure your child knows that it is their job to shape their life through education. Teach them to be their own advocates, and to follow their schedules, learning time management skills will be beneficial, and if they feel they have failed in class, ask their teachers for assistance.
Be Involved:
Engage in your child's education by visiting school events, parent-teacher conferences, and volunteer opportunities. Being there and actively participating will clearly show your child that education is vital to you, and you will be with them at each step of the way.
Transitioning from Middle School to High School
The step from middle school to high school is one of the most important steps that sets the direction of your child's life, in terms of academic and personal development.
Encourage Goal Setting:
Make it easier for your child by identifying school or personal goals and future education n high school and beyond. Make them analyze their likes, strengths, and career ambitions and support them in planning to reach the goals they have set.
Promote Time Management Skills:
High school comes with greater academic pressures and more extracurricular activities, so students need to develop better time management skills. Create a schedule or planner that your child can use to keep track of their commitments and prioritize tasks without wasting time.
Provide Emotional Support:
High school can be an emotionally tough time for many students, so provide emotional care and support for your child unconditionally as your teen faces new obstacles and experiences. Remind them they can turn to you for help and tell them that you are there to guide them through the good and bad times of high school.
Finally, passing through the transitions of grade levels is not only a concern of your child but is also of the youth's education life. With these suggestions and with support and encouragement, parents will walk their kids through these transitions in a self-assured way and with success.
If your child has been diagnosed with a disability, please find additional resources by clicking this link: Texas Project First to learn more about how to transition your child through various grade levels.
TBRI® in Classrooms
By Aly Ferrante
Research has shown repeatedly that trauma impacts brain development in terms of emotional regulation, cognition, impulse control, memory, sense of self, and a myriad of other ways Children who have experienced trauma often exhibit difficulties in many aspects of their lives including within the classroom Oftentimes, trauma can present as behavioral issues that can impede their own behavioral and academic success in school This calls for the need for trauma-informed classrooms
By building a strong foundation to understand the impact that trauma can have on the developing brains of children, coupled with tools to help these children cope, we can bolster healthy connections within children’s lives and establish a collective approach within our community to help children heal and be successful in classrooms
Our Trauma and Wellbeing Advocacy Team has partnered with a local educator to create a trauma-informed classroom setting by providing flexible seating, creating a calming corner, developing activities for her to build connection with her students, provide her with TBRI® tools to utilize within their classrooms and provide 1:1 TBRI® coaching and support for this educator to help her work through any barriers she is experiencing.
Not only is it important for administrators, faculty and teachers to be well versed in understanding and tools, our team also works with youth to empower them to recognize when they are feeling dysregulated and teaches them tools to help build self-regulation skills.
By working toward building trauma-informed classrooms, educators and students, we are
working toward building a safer, healthier space in which every child can heal from their experiences and be successful.
If you ’ re interested in learning more or attending a free TBRI® caregiver training, please see our website at www.cafb.org or contact Alli Waterwall at Awaterwall@cafb.org
Did you know, the color of your child's swimsuit can make a significant difference in what you can clearly see under the water?
Neon colors, especially neon orange, are the most visible under water – either in a pool or open water Think bright & contrasting –wear a color that contrasts the most with either the bottom of the pool, lake, river, or ocean
As helpful as a neon swimsuit may be, adult supervision continues to be the most effective way to keep children safe in the waterremember to designate one responsible adult to watch swimmers at a time Take turns throughout the day and encourage children to take periodic swim breaks to give everybody time to relax and recharge
monthly spotlights
updates on training, staff and MORE!
Preparing Volunteers for the New School Year
Educational advocacy for children in foster care is of utmost importance as it plays a crucial role in ensuring their academic success and overall well-being Children in foster care often face unique challenges that can negatively impact their educational experience Child Advocates of Fort Bend volunteers serve as powerful allies who work to ensure that the children they serve receive the support and resources they need to thrive in school
One of the key roles that our Advocates have during the school year is to facilitate communication and collaboration between the child, the foster care/child welfare system, and the educational institutions they attend This involves advocating for the child's educational needs and rights, such as ensuring access to appropriate school placements, special education services, and academic support
Special thanks to our CAFB volunteer, Sheri Walters, staff member, Sandra Glenn, and Kathryn Reaves, Elementary Counselor Coordinator with LCISD who brought their expertise from their backgrounds in education to help our volunteers navigate and learn best practices for the children they are serving as the new school year begins
Andrea Haro, Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach
Hello, my name is Andrea Haro and I joined CAFB as the new Collaborative Family Engagement (CFE) Coach on June 17, 2024. I have over twenty years of experience in child welfare. I most recently worked for Harris County’s Child Advocates where I had a specialized caseload focusing on CFE and family finding. I am passionate about working with children and their families and I’m excited to put my knowledge and experience into this role.
I moved to Texas from Florida three and a half years ago My two adult children, TJ and Justin, also live here as well as Justin’s wife, Chloe, and my two adorable grandchildren, Onyx and Ryder I’m loving Texas and having my family all together in one place!
I am already seeing the compassion and dedication of everyone at CAFB and am looking forward to being a part of this team
Cheryl Henderson, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP Director of Human Resources & Organizational Culture
Hello, my name is Cheryl Henderson and I am the new Director of Human Resources & Organizational Culture. I come to CAFB with over 20 years of HR leadership experience. working with national and global companies. I hold a Bachelor of Administrative Management and an MBA with a concentration in Human Resource Management.
I live in Katy, Texas with my family and have three daughters and a lively grandson… and let’s not forget my 2 fur babies.
In addition to working at CAFB, I am an Adjunct Professor at Lonestar College in the School of Business and am a DDI certified facilitator. In my spare time, I support my daughters’ aspiring sports and modeling life, travel every moment that I can, and am a certified spiritual life coach.
NEST
At the end of every semester, we celebrate our NEST age group (youth ages 6-13) for their academic and behavioral success with a fun, age-appropriate activity and an awards ceremony. On May 31st, we had the honor of celebrating 20 kids who all worked so hard this semester! Whether it’s making the honor roll, improving reading skills, making behavioral progress or showing kindness and compassion towards classmates, we were so excited to honor each win, big and small.
At this semester’s event, youth gathered at the CAFB office for a cookie decorating lesson from an amazing local baker, Aydee Deaton, from Sugarberry Cookie Shoppe located in Fulshear. Everyone also enjoyed pizza, and received standing ovations and praise for their successes as they accepted their awards and gifts. Incentive Party is a wonderful opportunity for CASA and CAC youth to set aside the weight of the world for a few hours and celebrate their accomplishments!
WINGS
Transitional planning for youth in foster care is critical to ensure that youth are prepared and equipped to make a smooth and healthy transition into adulthood Transitional planning helps youth map out goals and puts action steps in place so they can achieve the hopes and dreams they have for themselves For many youth, this includes postsecondary education
This June, our WINGS Program hosted its annual WINGS Campus Crawl to give youth a glimpse of the endless opportunities that are out there and accessible to them! We tailor our college campus visits to schools that youth have expressed an interest in This year, that included University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Texas State University, and Sam Houston State University
Youth learned about the admission process, available areas of study, campus life, residential life, and toured each campus Most importantly, youth were also connected with student organizations on campus specifically designed for foster youth alumni These organizations provide a support system away from home where they can find solice
Youth left each day recounting what they liked about each school and which ones they liked the best (to the lightheartedly delight/dismay of some UH, SHSU, Texas State alumni staff)! While some youth were reenergized to pursue a degree after graduating high school, others gained newfound motivation that they did not have before THIS is the “good stuff”- the opportunities that invigorate the hope youth have for their futures It was a busy (and very hot) week, but our hearts stayed full!
The Child Abuse Prevention Collaborative (CAP-C) Initiative is well underway. Professionals and parents will soon be able to use the new CAP-C website to find information and resources about child abuse prevention. CAP-C Meetings are continuing to be held monthly with partner organizations from across Fort Bend County. Recent panel presentations have discussed mental health and child abuse prevention and TBRI® (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) for fathers.
In addition, using a human-centered design approach, we are incorporating the voices and perspectives of stakeholders who have had personal experience with child abuse. From February through June of this year, research interviews have been conducted with 72 participants. This included meeting with survivors of child abuse, parents, school and daycare staff, medical personnel, professionals who work in the field of child welfare, and high school students. We asked them about their experiences and what could have been done to prevent abuse from occurring. The purpose of this research is to learn about what resources, support, and information would be helpful in preventing abuse and neglect. We have begun to look for trends and key themes in the data that will help us understand which areas need to be the focus for further work.
During the interviews, the research participants have opened up and have been forthcoming with us about their history and ideas. For example, one former foster child shared her personal experiences of growing up in challenging environments, which included physical and emotional abuse, neglect, and loss of her mother. She discussed the impact of these experiences on her life, including difficulties forming close relationships, trust issues, and struggles with mental health. She emphasized the importance of open communication with children, self-care, and setting boundaries. She stated that the event in her life which made the biggest difference was joining a foster care program as an adolescent and connecting with other children who had similar backgrounds. She encourages others to seek help and not be victims of their circumstances. Other survivors and parents talked about the support and care they received at our CAC and CASA and how validated they felt. It took tremendous courage for both survivors and parents of survivors to talk to us. By doing so, they are selflessly contributing to preventing other children from experiencing what they suffered through.
CAP C
Criminal Court Caregiver’s Training
By Claudia Sorto
On Monday June 17th, CAFB hosted a Criminal Court Caregivers’ Information session Twenty English and Spanish-speaking caregivers gathered in the Training Room for a special information session to shed light on the workings of the criminal justice system that their children will soon take part in as witnesses A hallway down, loving volunteers assisted by watching the caregivers’ children in the CAC playroom while their parents received this important knowledge
As the session began, Jheri Walter, CAC Clinical Director, explained to the caregivers the importance of trauma-based therapy and more information regarding therapy Metoyer Martin, CAFB Sr Director of Strategic Programs & Services, talked about the free TBRI training and how this training can be rewarding to the caregivers and to those who work with children who have been abused Victim’s Services Supervisor LeShae Haynes spoke about the many resources available to the families once a defendant’s case is indicted. Next, prosecutor Jessica Ramos Dunbar delved into the intricacies of criminal proceedings, explaining the roles of various legal entities. As the session ended, the group felt a collective sense of empowerment. They came seeking knowledge and left with a newfound grasp of the system that affects their lives and the lives of those they care for.
The Criminal Court Caregiver’s information session has achieved its purpose, leaving behind a trail of enlightened citizens ready to advocate for themselves and their loved ones, assured they can count on their own Criminal Court Advocates to lead the way during this lengthy process
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TEXAS MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY
Child Advocates of Fort Bend is honored to have Texas Mutual Insurance Company serve as a partner in our mission by awarding a 2024 Generational Learning grant. Our project “Transforming Lives and Building Futures for
Texas Mutual Insurance was created in 1991 to offer a stable, competitive source of workers' compensation. Currently they provide insurance services for more than 75,000 policyholders with1.5 million workers in their care. For more isit
What a treat it was to host several residents from the Oak Park Retirement Community at our June Sip & Stroll. This lively group visited our campus to learn more about the work we do to give better meaning to what THEY do What do they do? They make blankets by the hundreds, assemble snack, hygiene, and care bags for the kids we serve and bring them to us monthly They’ve donated over 1500 blankets over the last two years By providing basic needs and comforting items for those who need it most this group is making a difference towards hope and healing THANK YOU!
AUGUST IS. . .
National “Make-a-Will” Month
August is typically the month we think of as the end of summer with the focus on sneaking away for a final vacation and getting the kids ready to head back to school. But the month, recognized as National “Make-a-Will” month, can also provide an annual reminder for us to update wills or create one if one doesn’t already exist.
Surprisingly, only 30% of Americans have a will Experts say, even if you plan to live to 150, having a will helps protect your family and ensures that your wishes are known.
Myth: Wills are only important if you have a lot of money or property
Fact: False Aside from determining who gets your money and property, you can nominate guardians for minor children, name caretakers for pets, leave instructions for digital assets, write funeral wishes, and more A will can also save your loved ones the time, money, and stress of lengthy, expensive probate court proceedings
Myth: My family knows what I want, so I don’t need a will
Fact: Your family might know what you want, but they won’t get to make any decisions for
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you if you don’t write them down in a will. Instead, a court will make decisions based on local laws.
Myth: Writing a will is a long, complicated, and expensive process
Fact: There are various options for completing a will While consulting an estate attorney is likely the best option if your assets are complex, a simple, more straightforward document can be easily created on-line if that fits your needs. FreeWill.com is an example of one such site.
When creating a will, many choose to honor a non-profit organization that has been significant in their lives with a legacy gift A planned gift, as they are often called, may come as a portion of an estate as a bequest in a will Leaving just 1% of an asset, for example an IRA, can have a huge impact on a nonprofit’s future Child Advocates of Fort Bend honors all donors who make a planned gift with membership in the “Forever Angels Legacy Society” For more information or for assistance in determining a gift that would be meaningful to you and your family, please contact:plannedgiving@cafb.org
O N O R S P O T L I G H T
I chose to become a “Forever Angel” because Fort Bend’s children deserve a champion While no one can do everything, everyone can do something Through my legacy gift to Child Advocates , I’m making a lasting impact on their lives and shaping a stronger future for our community.
