Keeping you informed on our mission:
Strengthen the Child's Voice, Heal the Hurt, and Break the Cycle of Abuse and Neglect for Children in Fort Bend and surrounding counties.
Our therapy dogs provide support to children in court
Save these dates and plan to join us for these upcoming events
We are in the depths of a hot, humid Houston Summer but things are not slowing down at Child Advocates of Fort Bend as we bring all kinds of Summer programming, celebrations and enrichment to our children. We celebrated our elementary students and all their academic and behavioral accomplishments this school year with a pizza party and custom cookie decorating class.We then celebrated our high school graduates with a Commencement Celebration on a Saturday with accolades, speeches, gifts and a wonderful lunch. Next was our WINGS Campus Crawl where our teenagers traveled to colleges and vocational schools across the state to learn about higher education-- and Boy, did they ever get inspired! This month, they will learn all about how to prepare for successful adult living in our WINGS Lifeskills week. The celebrations continue with our Case Closing later this month where we get to recognize our wonderful Volunteers for all
their dedication advocating for their children in the many cases that have recently closed. We end the Summer with our NEST Enrichment week with STEAM interactive learnings, visits to museums and opportunities for exercise and social skill-building.
This month’s issue of VOICES of CAFB focuses on Normalcy. When children are removed from their homes due to abuse or neglect and placed in foster care, their lives are abruptly disrupted and everything that was familiar is changed. They have to quickly learn how to navigate this new world they have been thrust into, when all they want is to be safe and be “normal”, just like other kids. For children who have been sexually abused and are clients in our CAC, their trust of adults has been shattered and they have been exposed to things that are not normal for children their age. Our work with children continued next page
n the understanding of trauma can bring as much normalcy as ese children’s lives Not only are volunteers keenly aware of this, nds Council goes that “extra special requests so desperately ur children and youth so they ormal”, just like their classmates
or everything you do to bring children’s lives who have been nd shattered Through your ur generosity, and your care these children can have the nities as other children
en ' s Sake,
fford, CEO
By Renee Johnson
A few weeks ago, I was able to witness a therapy dog help a child through her experience in court, and it will forever be etched in my heart
Jax, a Golden Retriever therapy dog with a spirit as gentle as a whisper yet a presence that is so profound Jax and his handler entered the solemn halls of the Fort Bend County Courthouse a few weeks ago, not as a mere companion, but as a beacon of hope and solace for two siblings, as they participated in the final day of their parent’s termination trial hearing
The courtroom buzzed with tension as the children, their CASA volunteer and staff workers, their Criminal Court Advocate and CPS caseworker were all waiting for the trial to begin and in walks Jax and his handler We were all excited to see him Jax met the judge, and he was assigned his own bailiff
Jax’s presence seemed to dissolve the palpable anxiety that hung in the air. Jax’s reassuring presence gave comfort in each stroke of his fur, every gentle nuzzles and in each trick he performed. The smiles and endearment were visible on each child’s face, as well as the others in attendance. Jax’s connection with them was understood by all who watched. His empathy, understanding, and unwavering support made a huge difference in those siblings’ lives on such an important day.
As the Judge read her verdicts to terminate both parents’ rights and unpleasantries filled the air, Jax remained by their side, as a steadfast ally in the face of uncertainty.
The impact of Jax’s being at court that day will forever be engrained in everyone ’ s hearts and minds that were present that day.
By Aly Ferrante and Jheri Walters
During the school year, children and families often have busy schedules full of classes, homework, sports, clubs, and other extracurricular responsibilities that fill up the calendar quickly. As everyone enters these next few sweet months of summer, it is the perfect time to slow down and find meaningful ways to connect with your children.
The wonderful thing about connection is that it does not have to consist of grandeur trips or gestures, but more so the simplicity and intentionality of making space for togetherness. It is in these meaningful moments that you can strengthen your relationship and help foster healthy emotional, psychological, cognitive, and social development of your children
Connection oftentimes looks different for each family, but a great way to start is through child-led play. By allowing your child to take the lead in play, with you as a follower, you are enabling them to take control of learning at their own pace through first-hand experiences. By following their lead and showing genuine interest, you are showing your child that their interests matter ultimately, helping them to feel secure and connected.
There are endless simple activities that you and your child can engage in alongside each other that serve as a great way to connect Here are some ideas to start off your summer: Going on an indoor/outdoor scavenger hunt (opportunity to work together and problem solve)
Go camping (pack and plan together)
Visit a museum or cultural sites (learn together)
Movie night (allow child to choose the movie)
Create a family photo album (create it together)
Work on a craft project (create it together)
Volunteer at a nonprofit (build self-efficacy skills and teamwork)
Garden (Allow child to pick out plants and tend to them together throughout the summer)
Read a book (Make it an everyday ritual)
Highs and lows of the day (Talk about “high” and “low” of the day- acknowledging and validating their feelings)
Create a family tradition/ritual (secret handshake, dance party night, bike rides, evening walks)
Drawing/coloring pictures
Creating a story together and illustrating it
Eat meals together when possible Cook or bake together
Game night
Behavior matching (mimic their behavior/body language. For example, if your child is stretched out on the floor playing, you do the same! If you child chooses chocolate ice cream, you do the same!)
Spending intentional time connecting with your child makes all the difference. Use this summer as an opportunity to find ways, big and small, to pour into your child and watch your connection bloom!
For families experiencing the journey of trauma recovery, the significance of relationships cannot be overstated. Whether it’s recovering from a personal trauma or supporting a loved one through theirs, the power of human connection has an important role in healing.
1. Support System: Building strong relationships with family, friends, or support groups creates a safety net for individuals navigating trauma recovery. Having a reliable support system fosters a sense of belonging and provides emotional validation, crucial for healing.
2. Sense of Security: Trauma often disrupts an individual’s sense of safety and trust. Healthy relationships provide a secure environment where survivors can gradually rebuild their trust in others and the world around them.
3. Validation and Empathy: One of the most significant aspects of trauma recovery is feeling understood and validated. Genuine relationships offer empathy and validation, affirming survivors' experiences and emotions, which are essential for processing trauma.
4. Reduced Isolation: Trauma can lead to feelings of isolation and alienation. Meaningful relationships combat this by offering companionship and connection, reducing the sense of loneliness often experienced by survivors.
5. Promoting Healing: Positive relationships contribute to overall well-being, which is crucial for trauma recovery. Emotional support and encouragement from loved ones can bolster resilience and aid in the healing process.
While trauma recovery is undoubtedly a complex and individualized journey, the role of relationships cannot be overlooked. Building and nurturing healthy connections with family, friends, and supportive communities can provide the foundation for healing and resilience.
By Dana Mersiovsky
As the days grow longer and the temperatures rise, children and families eagerly anticipate the joys of summer. However, this season also brings unique challenges in ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children. Child abuse prevention is a critical aspect of summertime safety that requires attention and action. Communities and individuals can work together to create a safer summer for all children. Here’s how:
Understanding the Risks
Summer can be a time of increased risk for child abuse due to various factors. Children are often out of school, which means they may lack the daily oversight provided by teachers and school staff who are trained to recognize signs of abuse. Additionally, the stress of providing full-time care and entertainment for children during the summer months can be overwhelming for some caregivers, potentially leading to harmful situations.
Preventive Measures
To combat these risks, it’s essential to implement preventive measures that safeguard children from abuse:
Educate and Empower: Provide training for parents, caregivers and summer programming staff on recognizing and responding to signs of child abuse. Knowledge is power, and informed adults are better equipped to protect children. Child Advocates of Fort Bend provides these types of training for our community. 1.
Establish Safe Environments: Ensure that summer camps, daycare centers, and recreational programs have robust policies and procedures in place to prevent abuse. If your child is participating on one of these programs, do not hesitate to inquire about the program ’ s policies and procedures.
continued next page
3. Promote Open Communication: Encourage children to speak up about their experiences and feelings. Create an atmosphere where they feel comfortable reporting any uncomfortable or inappropriate interactions.
4. Support for Families: Offer resources and support to families that may be struggling. Child Advocates of Fort Bend offers and collaborates with many additional community partners that offer assistance and support to families.
5. Community Involvement: Foster a community culture that looks out for the welfare of its youngest members. It’s up to all of us to normalize the conversation about child abuse prevention.
By taking proactive steps towards child abuse prevention, we can all contribute to a season filled with positive memories and free from harm
Remember, child abuse prevention is a collective responsibility Let’s work together to make the summer a time of safety, joy, and growth for our children
For more information about community outreach and training opportunities provided by Child Advocates of Fort Bend , contact Dana Mersiovsky at dmersiovsky@cafb.org.
Water Safety: Drowning can happen quickly, in as little as 20 seconds, and is often silent Be aware of any body of water near playgrounds, your home, or places you are visiting Review water safety with your child anytime you are going to be near water Most importantly, designate an adult who will not be distracted by conversations, a phone or device, or under the influence of alcohol to supervise children when around water of any kind
Wearing a Helmet may not seem “cool” to your children, but fun outdoor activities can quickly become dangerous without them Injuries from falls and crashes can cause a trip to the ER, leading to broken bones, a brain injury or even death Helmets protect the skull by absorbing energy from a hit, protecting the brain from injury There are many sizes of helmets, so it’s important to find one that fits appropriately.
Dehydration: Be on the lookout for symptoms of dehydration and heat exhaustion including irritability, confusion, fast heart rate and increased thirst. In babies, a sunken or depressed fontanel, which is the soft spot between the bones of a baby’s skull, can be another sign of dehydration according to UpToDate. If you ’ re worried your child is dehydrated, Pedialyte® is a good source of electrolyte replacement when given with water. If he/she isn’t showing improvement, you should visit an ER or urgent care facility for evaluation.*
ATVs: Texas has ranked 1st in the US for ATV and UTV accidents since COVID. Kids shouldn’t ride on ATVs until they are 16 for several reasons… Kids fall off due to either the ATV itself losing balance, or the child becoming wiggly. ATVs can quickly become out of control for children younger than 16, which leads to accidents, causing serious danger and
death If you do happen to ride an ATV with a child, be sure they are wearing a helmet, as well as you Always be a good role model
Screentime: Establish expectations for the number of hours of screen time they are allowed each day Discuss websites and apps that they may/may not visit or use Chat rooms, online games, apps, and virtual reality sites are common places where cyberbullies and predators hang out Keep digital devices in common areas of the house This will allow for better monitoring Make sure they know to immediately leave if they come across something inappropriate online and to tell a safe adult Remind them that everything they post on social media is public and permanent **
And don’t forget the sunblock! Broad spectrum and at least 50 spf.
Important conversations to have: Talk to your child about real-world dangers. Explain that it’s not safe for them to be alone with one adult, or to visit inappropriate websites with their friends. Remind them that the rules you establish apply at all times, whether they are at home or not.
Establish a private code word for them to text you if they feel unsafe and need to be picked up.
Talk to any person who will be supervising your child, and let them know the rules you have set and your expectations of safety. Ask your child specific questions when they get home like who was there, what did they do, and if they were in any unsafe situations.
* From Texaschildrens.org article discussing Summer Safety issues
** From MBF Prevention education website
Did you know that Child Advocates of Fort Bend participates in the TX CASA Specialty License Plate Program? You can order a custom license plate with the phrase “Big Voices for Little Texans”. Not only can you spread awareness and show your support for us but a portion of the cost of the plate goes to Texas CASA and the local programs to increase our statewide efforts to advocate for
every child in the foster care system. To order your plate go to https://www.txdmv.gov/motorists/lice nse-plates and search for CASA under specialty plates OR visit your local tax assessor ’ s office and ask for the Court Appointed Special Advocate license plate
updates on training, staff and MORE!
Hello, I'm Sandra Glenn, and I joined the CAFB family as the Outreach Coordinator on June 3, 2024. I am truly honored to be part of this remarkable organization. With 32 years in education and 1.5 years in the non-profit sector, I bring a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to making a positive impact. After retiring as a principal from the finest district in Texas, Lamar CISD, I dedicated 1.5 years to serving in the non-profit sector, further fueling my passion for community service.
Fort Bend County has been my home for many years My husband Jeremy and I have lived in Richmond for the past 23 years, where we ' ve raised our two sons, Jeremy Jr, and Jayson, both graduates of George Ranch High School We live, shop, and worship in this wonderful community, and I am passionate about serving the families here
As I step into this role, I am ready to work tirelessly to amplify the voices of children, heal the hurt, and break the cycle of abuse and neglect in Fort Bend County Together, we can make a difference
Hello! I’m Jordan Schlafer and I started with Child Advocates of Fort Bend on June 4th and am the newest Advocacy Specialist on the Court Advocacy Team I have a passion for helping others, especially those that need assistance navigating the court system I was born and raised in Sugar Land, Texas and attended Sam Houston State University where I graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Victim Studies Previously, I worked for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Victim Services Division as a Staff Victim Advocate My role was to assist TDCJ staff who became victims of crime while on or off the job, traveling throughout a third of the state, visiting various parole offices and prison units to meet with staff I was also previously employed for several years with the Fort Bend County District Attorney’s Office as a Victim Assistance Coordinator There I accompanied victims and their families to court and walked with them through the criminal justice system Throughout my years in this field, I have interacted with many staff employed at Child Advocates of Fort Bend and I could not be more grateful and excited to be part of this amazing team!
Didyouknowthatyoucandonatecars,airplanes, boats ,motorcyclesortrucksandselectChild AdvocatesofFortBendtoreceivetheproceeds?
VisitHEREforquestionsorcontact Lisaatlmoore@cafb.org
Practicing self-care can be an antidote to burnout, which is a combination of mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion. While employees in many fields experience burnout, social service professionals are particularly susceptible because of the high levels of empathy required by their jobs. Once the need for self-care is acknowledged, creating new habits is essential to keeping burnout at bay.
In June, Child Advocates of Fort Bend began the Self-Care Summer Series for staff and volunteers. We welcomed Brandie Joyce
Trigger, RN, NC-BC of Well Woman Co, who provided an interactive session on the power of relaxation to build capacity and resilience. She shared the importance of breath, movement and sound and offered techniques in each realm to use as we navigate this journey of taking care of self. The session was closed with a 10 minute “Sound Bath” which provided meditative and calming effects for the group. We are grateful to Brandie for sharing her expertise and helping us remember the importance of taking care of ourselves.
REST is more than napping on the sofa. Rest is anything that makes our nervous systems feel safe enough for our stress responses to switch off so our minds and bodies can recover and restore (Nicola Jane Hobbs)
Physical rest is sleep Stretching
Nourishing good Mindful movement
Mental rest is any kind of non-thinking activity Baking Painting Gardening
Single Tasking
Emotional rest is Crying Journaling
Therapy Healthy emotional expression
Sharing rather than suppressing Social rest is hugs Solitude Intimacy
Community Activism Employee resource groups
Sensory rest is silence Relaxing music
Soothing scents Loose clothing Cozy socks Pleasurable touch
Spiritual rest is Meditation Prayer Poetry Yoga Energy healing Full moon rituals
Creative rest is drawing Craft making Cake decorating Fantasy novels Trying a new recipe Playful rest is anything fun and unproductive Watching a romcom. Playing a board game. Doing a puzzle. Building a fort.
Ecological rest is Houseplants. Car-free days. Growing your own. Hiking. Bird watching. Wild swimming.
Altruistic rest is any kind of giving without expecting anything in return. Deep listening. Volunteering. Random acts of kindness. Contributing to something larger than ourselves. Sometimes holding space for others and sometimes letting ourselves be held.
By Makayleigh Adams
Graduating high school is an incr accomplishment It is the culmination of ye hard work and sacrifice, accompanied b promise of a better future For our yout their families, it is arguably an even greate
On Saturday, June 15, 2024, Child Advoca Fort Bend had the honor of celebrating high school graduates who received service either the CAC or CASA Our youth partic in a graduation ceremony surrounded by members, staff, and case partners A sta ovation was provided to celebrate all th youth have accomplished and everything yet to come The Child Welfare Board sur the graduates by gifting them each a lap assist in their next adventures Our youth will be attending various universities, community colleges, and trade schools with hopes of becoming ultrasound technicians, automotive specialists, cosmetologists, nurses, psychologists, teachers, and biochemists.
Thank you to everyone who attended, donated gifts, or played a role in making this year ’ s graduation event possible. Our youth’s desire to celebrate major life events with us is tangible evidence that Child Advocates of Fort Bend is fully involved in and committed to the healing process. Congratulations to our graduates and their families! We wish them nothing but the best in their next chapter of life.
partner H E B supporting the Texas community in times of need and beyond is long. CAFB is grateful to be counted among the hundreds of local charitable organizations they support, whether through their Community Investment Program or the Charitable Trust, recognizing the pillars of advancing education and promoting diversity and inclusion and as staunch advocates for children. Our local H-E-B partner stores in Fort Bend County have stood alongside CAFB with in-kind donations of supplies, food for meetings and training classes, discounts on flower centerpieces for fundraising events and especially with appearances by H-E-Buddy at our awareness and youth celebrations, including Light of Hope and National Adoption Day.
Recently, we were awarded a grant from proceeds of their 39th Annual H-E-B Tournament of Champions golf event. The grant, “A Collaborative Approach to Child
Abuse Advocacy, Treatment and Prevention,” will support our direct services to children who are served by the Children’s Advocacy Center or CASA and our outreach services through Community Engagement. Several CAFB staff were also on hand recently to meet and greet our new local store representative, Matthew Huffer. He even returned to the agency the next day with a donation of H-E-Buddy goods for the kids we serve, again demonstrating the store’s commitment to the welfare of children.
Over the past 38 years, the Tournament of Champions golf fundraiser has raised over $160 million dollars benefiting Special Olympics Texas and other worthwhile organizations that focus on children and educational initiatives throughout the State of Texas.
Thank you, H-E-B, for your continued support!
Since 1991 CAFB Board of Directors has been led by 24 Presidents. During that time staff has grown from 3 to 52 , lived in four different buildings and implemented over 25 new programs, services and partnerships. This group of leaders has been instrumental in changing the lives of over 23 , 000 children and families. It’s no wonder when an invitation to gather as a new Council was proposed nearly all of them signed up.
Led by Bill Rohrbach and Pat King, the goals of this forum of past and current CAFB Board of Director leadership are to (re)engage and/or increase the engagement and connection of former past presidents as a source of institutional knowledge, sense of community and support.
So far two meetings have been held in an informal and welcoming atmosphere where input and suggestions to connect and help grow the agency were discussed. As the year progresses, we look forward to the engagement from this dynamic group. Stay tuned for updates.
Thismonth,wehaveimmediateneedfor:
$20giftcardsforhighschoolgrads!(Visa, Walmart,Amazon,Target)
20regulationbags(drawstringbackpacks withfidgets,notebook,pen,snacks,etc)
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Additionalitemscanbefoundonour WISHLIST
July 9, 2024
TBRI Overview 10am - 4pm Texana Center
July 23, 2024
TBRI Empowering 10am - 4pm
CAFB Training Room
July 25, 2024
Darkness to Light 10am - 1pm
CAFB Training Room
July 30, 2024
Sip & Stroll 5:30pm - 7:00pm Contact Lisa at LMoore@cafb.org to reserve your spot
starting in September! more info
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you. ” it for a few minutes, including you. ”
- Anne Lamott - Anne Lamott