Change is constant. Change can be stressful, requiring something to change within ourselves, maybe even something with which we have grown very comfortable. And not sure we want to do without… except in the end, change is constant. Our children and youth rush to the next stage of life—“when I get to go to kindergarten, when I learn to play piano, when I join the volleyball team, when I find my first job, or first date, or first car…” Everything is wonderful, something to look forward to, a sign of growing up, moving closer to the threshold of adulthood. This energy and positive attitude are built into many of our children and youth.
So there’s the challenge for us as foster caregivers and adoptive parents…the children who have entered our hearts and our homes have suffered from traumatic experiences. Trauma changes everything—changes how we perceive the events in our lives, the level of seriousness or threat involved, our ability to use “common sense”. One of the effects of trauma is losing our hope, or positive energy or outlook. It can even remove our desire or ability to “just try one more time…” Especially when that trauma occurs during our first three to five years of life, when all events have the greatest
by Carol Bennett-Barker Trainerimpact, for good or bad, due to the rapid rate of brain development during those early years. A major task for child development is the wiring of the brain, which will happen “best” when supported by limitless nurturing, safety, unconditional love, encouragement, and stability.
Then our major task—as foster caregivers and adoptive parents—is to help the children and youth in our care to understand they are safe. That they are precious, competent, strong, kind, and smart, and we are so glad to be sharing this time together. Change is in our midst every day. This applies to our children and youth helping them to recognize the many possibilities within themselves, to envision themselves as capable, caring, compassionate, and creative, a person who can make a difference in this world. This doesn’t happen overnight, but is the result of consistency, stability, and support from their caregivers, modeling these positive qualities, day by day. Relationships begin to grow and strengthen, healing begins, including the possibility of healthy changes which guide our children and youth in care into adulthood, with confidence, wisdom, kindness, and strength.
Bring out those sweet photo books or family videos.
Treasure and savor them with the children and youth in your home that appear in those pages or moments…remember how they struggled at that earlier stage compared to what has become a simple process now, just a few years later. Remember early dreams of what they wanted to become or where they wanted to live when they were younger, or what was a favorite food or who was a favorite person or pet… change is constant. We often grieve change, focusing on who is gone, or traditions or rituals that have been modified or set aside.
So there’s at least one more quality of change that may be
so helpful for these wonderful young people—beginning to see how change is evidence of growth and broadening horizons, introducing new possibilities, new adventures, and a guaranteed opportunity to meet new acquaintances, make new friends, and expand our hopes, opening our hearts to these new experiences which can enrich our daily lives and how we view ourselves and others. We can model, encourage, and appreciate this important ability to change, grow, and heal every day, with much gratitude as a reminder for all of us—no matter where we’ve been or what we’ve experienced, we can move on to something much greater, because of this ability to heal, learn, and change
by Jessica Bennett Educational and Life Services CoordinatorPlease share the attached and following information with all 9th, 10th, and 11th grade youth in care that are within a 75 mile radius from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. I have spoken with several students who have participated in First Star Academy in the past, and all have said it was a fun experience that helped them consider and pursue a college education!
First Star ISU is a FREE college prep program for high school youth in foster care that live in Central Illinois (75-mile radius from ISU). First Star Academy ISU is currently recruiting high school students in foster care for a ENGAGING AND FUN college prep program! Students must have an open DCFS case and live in Central Illinois. The First Star Academy program includes:
• College academic instruction (Math and English)—a real start toward college immersion
• Encouragement, motivational training, life skills instruction
• Mentoring opportunities with Illinois State University college students and college professors
• Individualized attention and services focused on college admissions
• Theatrical and artistic expression
• Group reflections and team building
• Enrichment activities (e.g., recreation; physical education; game nights)
• Field trips and Service learning
• A laptop computer and technical support
Watch a short video to learn more: youtu.be/OZZtGRgc_wM
and contact Stacey Wiggins, First Star Academy ISU Interim Director at swiggin@ilstu.edu or 309.438.5841 if you have any questions.
The CYFS Foster Caregiver Advisory Board has been busy this past quarter helping review our CYFS Implementation plan and working on a way to reach out and support foster parents. The board put together a welcome letter that will go to every new foster parent as they become licensed. The purpose of the letter is to help new foster parents know they have a team of seasoned foster parents who are willing to help them as they begin to foster. What a great way to network and support each other as we all work to help the youth in our care.
Members of the Center for Youth and Family Solutions Foster Caregiver Advisor Board include:
Sarah Hall Champaign
Erica Wild Champaign
Berenice Boyer Rock Island
Bill & Beverly Huffman Peoria Meghan Gentry Champaign
Herneidra Tellery Rock Island
Lois McDonald Peoria
Jillian Wood Bloomington
Suzy Bell LaSalle
Jacqueline Hoke Champaign
Whitney Lawson Peoria
Cynthia Skaggs Peoria
Jessie Howard Bloomington Sarah Wilson Champaign Amanda High Springfield
Ahuge thank you to all of the foster parents and staff who have helped us craft the 2023 Foster Parent Implementation Plan. The 2023 plan truly captures the work we all do to help youth in care. For those of you who are new to the plan, the plan spells out the way in which CYFS carries out the Illinois Foster Parent Law. CYFS uses a family centered, inclusive, trauma informed, strength-based approach to serving the children and families in need. This model ensures children and families are treated with dignity, compassion, and respect while building upon individual and community strengths to resolve life challenges together. In keeping with the vision of CYFS and the Foster Care Program, The CYFS is invested in upholding the Foster Parent Law (Public Act 89.19). Licensing staff take a copy of the Foster Parent Law Implementation Plan and the CYFS Grievance
Policy to each foster home during the first monitoring visit of the calendar year. Both documents are reviewed with the foster caregiver and any questions or concerns are addressed.
Copies of the Implementation Plan are available for foster caregivers at all of CYFS offices as well as online at www.cyfsolutions.org. The Implementation Plan available by contacting your licensing worker and is also periodically posted on the CYFS Facebook Foster Parent Support Group. Comments or suggestions can be made by contacting the Director of Licensing and Adoption, Mary Kay Collins at 309-323-6651 or mkcollins@cyfsolutions.org.
Can you believe it is already October?!? That means the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application for the 2023-2024 academic school year opened on Oct. 1, 2022. Please encourage students to ensure they file their FAFSA at www.fafsa.gov as soon as possible. This application is the first step for post-secondary students to apply for federal, state, and institutional aid, as well as being a requirement for high school graduation.
by Jessica Bennett Educational and Life Services Coordinatorwebsite. Also, remind the student that they will be required to follow up with the financial aid office at the school they choose to attend.
For questions or additional assistance:
• You or your student can contact Jessica Bennett at JBennett@cyfsolutions.org or 309.786.0770 ext. 4215
• The student can seek assistance from their high school academic counselor.
• The Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) has established the following number specifically for youth in care to request assistance. Youth only need to text their first and last name to: 312.761.4611
• Scan this QR code with your phone for a recorded webinar presented by ISAC on completing the FAFSA
The sooner the FAFSA is submitted, the more opportunities the student has to qualify for aid. If the student plans to attend an Illinois college or university, it is critical they file immediately to secure funding from the Illinois Monetary Award Program (IL MAP Grant). This grant is first-come, first-serve and the funds run out very quickly.
Ensure the student ALWAYS uses the website www. fafsa.gov. There is NO FEE to file the FAFSA on this
• Post-Secondary Education Specialist Laura Gutierrez holds virtual office hours on Wednesday from 3-5 p.m. Youth in care, caseworkers, foster parents or anyone needing assistance is welcome to join. This QR code will lead you her virtual hours.
With the holidays fast approaching, here’s another fun recipe to fix with the help of younger hands. The recipe is as followings: Directions
9x13 pan, sprayed with oil 30 oz. frozen shredded hash browns, thawed ½ cup onion, chopped 12 oz. ham, diced 12 oz. shredded favorite cheese (we like Colby jack or sharp cheddar or Mexican) Salt and pepper, to taste 16 oz. light sour cream
by Carol Bennett-Barker Trainer
1. In a large mixing bowl, mix the thawed hash browns, 8 oz, shredded cheese, ½ cup chopped onion, 12 oz. diced ham, salt and pepper, and 16 oz. light sour cream thoroughly. Pour into prepared 9x13 pan. Top with 4 oz. shredded cheese – or more.
2. Bake at 375 degrees for one hour 15 minutes. Let stand five minutes before serving
3. Serve with fresh fruit, juice, cinnamon rolls, scrambled eggs, etc. Good for breakfast, brunch, or winter supper. Good for leftovers, too.
Using a construction paper cutout of an evergreen or snowman or star, glue a current school photo of your foster child in the middle, or current candid you caught on your phone. Punch a hole at the top of the paper cut-out to add a piece of yarn or ribbon to hang the ornament from a tree or elsewhere, and place inside an envelope, decorated by the child with appropriate holiday themes to give as a present to their loved ones. These gifts are meaningful to both the one who makes it, and to the one who receives it.
Stephanie Barisch, LCPC, Director of Therapeutic ServicesHere’s some helpful “reads” with your children and youth in care for the upcoming special days
Your request reminded me of a book that my daughter’s elementary school shared with them that I think could be a wonderful book to share – A Girl with a Cape. https://www.gotyourcape.com
And here is a website with some short and sweet do’s and don’ts for foster care during the holidays: https://www.kidscounttoo.com/helping-foster-foster-youth-through-the-holiday-season
And another that is a sharing of what holidays were like for an individual who was in foster care: https://creatingafamily.org/foster-care/fostering-blog/celebrating-the-holidays-in-foster-care-a-guest-post
Happy reading!
Bloomington-Center 309.829.6307
Bloomington-Morris 309.820.7616
Champaign 217.352.5179
Danville 217.443.1772
Galesburg 309.342.1136
LaSalle 815.223.4007
Lincoln 217.732.3771
Macomb 309.833.1791
Peoria 309.323.6600
Rock Island 309.786.0770 Springfield 217.528.3694