Northern June 2010 Foster Roster by Utah Foster Care Foundation

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VOLUME

09 JUNE 2010

A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FOR FOSTER & ADOPTIVE PARENTS IN UTAH

fosterroster STATEWIDE UPDATE in this issue

Utah Foster Care Foundation Offices

Chalk Art Festival P.1 Successful Symposium P.2

Murray 5296 S. Commerce Dr. #400 Murray, UT 84107 Phone: 801.994.5205 Fax: 801.994.5206 Toll Free: 877.505.KIDS Ogden 3340 S. Harrison Blvd. #200 Ogden, UT 84403 Phone: 801.392.1114 Orem 252 N. Orem Blvd. Orem, UT 84057 Phone: 801.373.3006 Price 475 W. Price River Dr. #152 Price, UT 84501 Phone: 435.636.0210 Roosevelt Phone: 435.724.0959 Vernal 1052 W. Market Dr. Vernal, UT 84078 Phone: 435.781.4224 Moab 180 S. 300 E., Ste. C Moab, UT 84532 Phone: 435.259.3345 St. George 321 N. Mall Dr. #B102 St. George, UT 84790 Phone: 435.656.8065 Richfield 201 E. 500 N. Richfield, UT 84701 Phone: 435.896.1232

Fostering Healthy Children P.3 UFAFA Update P.4 Northern Region Update Begins P.5

Don’t miss it! ster Care F Utah Fo oun dat io n ’s

June 18-19 The Gateway Visit the Kids’ Korner and join in on the fun! Watch as artists create beautiful, temporary works of art. 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

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Successful Symposium

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.

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.

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

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

By Mick Woolsey, LCSW Director of Education Utah Foster Care Foundation

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, figure 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 Exchange 801.265.0444 www.utdcfsadopt.org

Dr. Goldsmith presenting at the Symposium.

Special thanks to: 2

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Jasmine M.

Fostering Healthy Children By Chris Chytraus, R.N., BSN, CPM Program Manager Fostering 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.

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

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 fifth grader, Jasmine is above grade level, has higher than average intelligence, and loves to learn!

Recall on Children’s OTC Medications 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.

For more information, please contact: The Adoption Exchange 801.265.0444 www.utdcfsadopt.org

Visit our web site for the whole list

Special thanks to: 3

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Announcing Foster/Adoptive Dads of the Year 2010 Utah Foster Care Foundation would like to announce the five 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 Executive Committee President: Jennifer Gardner 1st VP: Renee Calkins 2nd VP: Cayce Thill Secretary: Michelle Ostmark Treasurer: 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 fulfill 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 @ ufafa1@gmail.com 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 Gardner UFAFA President

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NORTHERN REGION UPDATE JUNE 2010

in this issue A Letter From Carol P.5 Northern Region Office Grief and Foster Parenting P.6

3340 S. Harrison Blvd. #200 Ogden, UT 84403 Phone: 801.392.1114 Fax: 801.392.1112 Toll Free: 877.392.1114

Partners in Parenting P.7 Training Updates P.8

Area Representative

Kinship, Court Advice and Rumors By Carol Baumann, Northern Region Director, DCFS Dear Foster Parents, Several concerns have recently been brought to my attention and I thought the best way to reach most of you would be through the Foster Roster. Kinship: As you all know we are required to pursue appropriate extended family members as placement options. When a child is placed with you, please ask about potential kinship – and keep asking. I know it is heartbreaking for you to form an attachment to a child, only to be told months later that a viable kinship option has come forward. We do our best to make sure we explore kinship up front but we also continue to explore throughout the case. Jean Marie Morris (801-395-5906) heads up our kinship team and she can answer your questions when they come up.

Court: You are invited and encouraged to attend all court hearings – in fact, this is your right by federal mandate and state law. Some judges will ask you to speak, others forbid it. You may always ask the child’s caseworker to include a paragraph expressing your thoughts and concerns in the court report and/or talk with the GAL prior to court.

Brenda Durtschi Foster/Adoptive Family Recruiter Maryanne McFarland Trainer Brian Young Retention Specialist Mindy Lundgreen

The courtroom can be an uncomfortable place to be and the types and numbers of hearings are confusing. Laura Thompson, our AG section chief, will be offering training to foster parents this spring and summer. I encourage you to attend as it will be a great opportunity for you to learn and ask questions.

Continuned on page 6

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Wishing Well Funds 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 first 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 benefit 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: Mindy Lundgreen Utah Foster Care Foundation 1181 Christmas Box Lane Ogden, UT 84404 OR mindy.lundgreen @utahfostercare.org

Kinship, Court Advice and Rumors Continued from page 5

Placements: Have you ever tried to battle a myth or rumor? Every time you think you have extinguished it – there it is again dancing merrily along! So it is with placements. Yes, some caseworkers have foster parents they love to work with just as some foster parents have certain case workers they love to work with. This does not, however, determine placements. The placement committee works diligently to match the needs of the child or sibling group to the strengths of the foster family. That is the basis of the decision – the best interest of the children. Fear: This is another myth I have chased for a few years. My understanding is that foster parents fear if they complain or go to someone’s supervisor, someone will retaliate. If your concerns/complaints are not addressed by the caseworker, the next step is the supervisor. That is

their job. You should also be talking to your Resource Family Consultant (RFC). That is their job. Please, give these folks a chance to do their jobs. Like you, they are here because they care about the children. With that as our common ground, we can seek resolution to our problems. Please know I do not have my head in the sand. I know there are problems. I will continue to work closely with Jennifer Gardner (new president of the Utah Foster/ Adoptive Families Association) and she is working hard for you! Let us work together to find resolutions. As foster parents you are such an important part of our efforts to care for children so we can send them home or offer them other options for permanency. The children need us to work together to find solutions – they are counting on us! Carol Baumann

Combined Cluster Swim Party Come enjoy a fun evening of swimming, water slides, splash pads, pizza and pop at the North Shore Aquatic Center, 2480 N. 200 E. in North Ogden. Please RSVP to your cluster facilitator. Sponsored by the Box Elder, Foster/Adoption, North Ogden, Weber West, North Davis, South/Central Davis Clusters.

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Northern Region Partners in Parenting

Fantastic Sam’s Green with Envy, Inc Kid-to-Kid Pampered Chef

$2 off adult & $1 off child cuts & $5 off cut/color 10% off lawn care

335 E 36th Street, Ogden 801.399.1239 801.808.8282

10% off purchases

Bountiful, Ogden, Layton

20% off kitchen items

Personal Reflections Photography Pizza Runner

10% off FREE upgraded size

Po’ Mans Photography

FREE 8x10 & 33% off sheets Free birthday bouquet for children in care

Halo Balloon Art

20% off all purchases

Plato’s Closet Sara Jane’s Closet

$5 off cut, color, perm or style

Wisebird Bookery

10% off purchases

AVON

10% off all purchases

Scentsy

10% discount

Detangles Hair Salon Scentsy - Cache Valley www.ifrogz.com - headphones, ipod/phone cases MIche Bags

Brenda 801.782.2042 Jennie Defriez 801.518.6368 801.394.4265 Ogden Howard 801.548.6273 801.444.0501 Layton 545 S Ring Road Layton 801.776.3030 Clearfield 801.479.8880 Ogden Kristy Ware 801.985.7027 801.309.1017

801.675.0997 Ogden Nikki 10% off retail price 435.563.4765 15% off all products. Coupon David 877.443.4765 code: foster15off 10% discount on all purchases Kristygetmichebags @yahoo.com; 801.726.0912 $3 off haircut for children in foster care

Partners 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 identifies you as one of our valued foster care providers and allows you to enjoy the benefits 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.

Peer Parent Training Peer parents teach parenting skills and provide support to families receiving DCFS intervention. Peer parents earn $9.50/hour and determine their own schedule. If you are interested, attend the next Basic Peer Parent Training: Saturday, June 12th 2010 from 9am-1pm at the Clearfield DCFS Office, 1350 E. 1450 S. To register contact Pam Takos 801.397.1363 or grystone@burgoyne.com. This counts toward In-service hours for foster parents.

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 Mindy at 801.392.1114.

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e r a at s? h W er t s Clu Clusters are groups of foster, adoptive and kinship families that meet together on a monthly basis. Clusters can help you: • Obtain In-service training hours • Meet other foster, adoptive and kinship families

Northern Region Cluster Concepts Monthly Cluster announcements for currently licensed foster parents For in-service training details, see the training pages.

Cache Valley Facilitator: Laura 435.735.7232 laura.nelson@digis.net

An Evening with Your Caseworkers See training pages for details.

Box Elder

Foster/Adoption

Facilitator: Ann 435.723.3095 kjgkids@gmail.com

Facilitator: Janette 801.546.9465 janette@belnap.org

Being an Advocate In & Out of the System See training pages for details. Family Swim Party see p. 6 for details.

Family Swim Party See p. 6 for details.

• Get support • Arrange respite care • Attend fun family activities Call the Cluster facilitator nearest you or contact Mindy Lundgreen at 801.392.1114 for more information. For more information on upcoming Cluster trainings, see “Upcoming In-service Trainings” on pages 9 & 11.

Facilitator: Jenn 435.787.2858 jjllewellyn@yahoo.com

North Ogden

Weber West

Facilitator: Marilyn 801.782.9080 bobandmarilyn2@msn.com

Facilitator: Rebekah 801.773.7268 houhi43@yahoo.com

Family Swim Party See p. 6 for details.

Insight: A “Supervisory” Evening See training pages for details. Family Swim Party see p. 6 for details.

North Davis

South Central Davis

Facilitator: Patty 801.444.7284 pattymom2@msn.com

Facilitator: Amanda 801.298.6381 david@davidburkemusic.com

Insight: A “Supervisory” Evening See training pages for details. Family Swim Party see p. 6 for details.

Discipline Strategies See training pages for details. Family Swim Party see p. 6 for details.

Level III Facilitator: Maryanne 801.392.1114 maryanne.mcfarland@utahfostercare.org No training this month attend another Cluster if you need in-service training.

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To Register For Classes:

Northern Region Training Monthly training announcements for currently licensed foster parents

Contact: Brian Young Northern Region Trainer Phone: 801.475.5537 Email: brian.young @utahfostercare.org

“He said what?”

Toll Free: Date: August 28th Time: 9:00am - 11:00am Location: Ogden DCFS 950 E. 25th Street Presented by: Brian Young, SSW No matter how you look at it, dealing with an allegation is extremely stressful. We’ll look at why they can happen, what you can do to prepare and what to expect from the process.

First Placement Date: July 17th Time: 10:00am - Noon Location: Brigham City DCFS 1050 S. Medical Dr. Ste. B

877.392.1114 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:

Presented by: Brian Young, SSW This training offers families an opportunity to review some key concepts from pre-service, as well as addressing child/system issues they have experienced during placements.

• Classes are for licensed foster parents ONLY • Training hours will be applied to re-licensing requirements • Primary caregivers are required to attend 12+ hours of In-service training per year

Parenting Tip of the Month Remember the 3 important questions to ask yourself when in a discipline interaction: How is this making me feel? How does the child feel? What’s it doing to our relationship? *** When using www.fosterclub.com website to obtain up to 2 hrs of in-service training, please remember to put your trainers email (brian.young@utahfostercare.org) as a second email (after you take the quiz)!

• Secondary caregivers are required to attend 4+ hours of in-service training per year • ADULTS ONLY otherwise specified

unless

• Classes start on time • You must attend the entire class to receive credit Director of Education Mick Woolsey, LCSW Phone: 435.229.8808 Email: mick.woolsey @utahfostercare.org 9

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Training Tips: • Approved TrainingsIn-service trainings provided and approved by Utah Foster Care Foundation. • Foundations for YouthFFY 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.

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

• Approved On-line TrainingFamilies 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.

Northern Region Training Monthly training announcements for currently licensed foster parents

Upcoming In-Service Trainings

June 9th

June 17th

June 18th

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Brigham City DCFS 1050 S. Medical Dr.

6:30 pm - 8:30 pm Clearfield DCFS 1350 E. 1450 S.

6:00 pm - 8:00 pm Logan DCFS 115 W. Golf Course Rd.

Being an Advocate In & Out of the System

Insight: A “Supervisory” Evening

Presented by Jennifer Gardner UFAFA President

Presented by DCFS Supervisors

Presented by DCFS Caseworkers

The next “Insight” training, here’s a chance to talk with DCFS supervisors & continue efforts to strengthen our working relationship.

Come enjoy dinner and conversation with our caseworkers. Please RSVP for dinner and child care.