Foster Caring Bringing News & Support to Caregivers in Region 1
Foster Caring Bringing News & Support to Caregivers in Region 1 Reach Out for Support On Social Media With Fostering Together’ s Facebook Pages Check out the following great Facebook pages for support for caregivers: Region 1—https://www.facebook.com/groups/region1Fosteringtogether/ Walla Walla— https://www.facebook.com/groups/wallawallafosteringtogether/ Tri Cities— https://www.facebook.com/groups/tricitiesfosteringtogether/ Yakima— https://www.facebook.com/groups/yakimafosteringtogether/ Ellensburg— https://www.facebook.com/groups/ellensburgfosteringtogether/ Grant & Adams— https://www.facebook.com/groups/246081882227071/# Whitman, Garfield & Asotin— https://www.facebook.com/groups/406466886166080/ Stevens, Ferry & Pend Oreille— https://www.facebook.com/groups/116131188401503/ Chelan & Douglas— https://www.facebook.com/groups/fosteringtogetherchelandouglascounty/ *see page 10 for other great links! Regional Newsletter Goes Electronic In order to make better use of our resources and be more environmentally friendly we are going green. After this issue, it will be available online at www.fpas.org/newsletter. The only exception is if you are not able to view the newsletter online then you need to send in the enclosed form to be added to the mailing list. This newsletter will go out twice annually March/April and September/October of each year. Be sure you are on the email list by signing up for the email list serve at www.fpas.org/ newsletter. You will receive notice of the newsletter as well as more frequent updates on resources, free give aways and events taking place. Hear about special events, free events, and great opportunities. This is the way you can be informed right from the start! Thank you for your understanding! Questions, feel free to email to [email protected] or call (509) 363-3523. Region 1 Caregiver Newsletter Spring/Summer 2014 Do You Care? Check out page 7 Inside this issue: Go Green/Facebook 1 Social Media Protocol 2 Reimbursement 2 Training 3 More Training! 4 R1N Support Groups 5 R1S Support Groups 6 Around the Region 7 Fostering Together 8 From the Doc 9 Great Links 10 Foster Caring 10 Who to Call? 11 Calendar North 12 Calendar South 12 Social Media Reminders for Caregivers and Staff RCW 13.34.136, the permanency plan of care, addresses in part outside communication for children in out-of-home care as well as outlining caregivers’ roles in social networking websites. The policy attached to this RCW states specifically the following: 4 3 0 2 2 . O u t s i d e C o m m u n i c a t i o n fo r C h i l d r en i n O u t -o f - H o m e C a r e Procedures: C. Inform caregivers on social networking websites regarding children in out-of-home care must not include: 1. Child's name 2. Identify the child as being a foster child. 3. Discussion about case specific information about the child or the child's family D. Inform caregivers if there are safety reasons why unidentified photos may not be posted on the caregiver's social networking site(s). E. Discuss communication planning with the child and caregiver during monthly visits. For more information: http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ ca/pubs/mnl_pnpg/chapter4_4300.asp#43022 Get Reimbursed Promptly The following is a friendly reminder from our payment staff at Children’s Administration: Overpayments—to avoid overpayments, do not collect for the day the child leaves the foster home. Mileage—Please remember to include addresses and the purpose of each trip on your mileage reimbursement form. The mileage reimbursement form can be found online at www.fpas.org/resources.php. Beginning January 1, 2014, the reimbursement rate for mileage is .56 cents per mile. Clothing Perk—Region 1 North During 2013 a total of 478 children were served by the Clothing Perk in Spokane! This was a 100% increase from 2012 when only 234 were served. Teen Closet—Region 1 North During 2013 a total of 387 teens were served by the Teen Closet in Spokane. Watch for information on the TC-50 coming in June! More information at www.teencloset.org Page 2 Other Trainings Upcoming Training: Plus! Foundations for Behavior Management Disruptive Behaviors By Randi Hankins Youth in care are increasingly demonstrating noncompliance, oppositional or aggressive behaviors creating havoc in the home and community. This training will explore the basic roots of disruptive behaviors and present an evidence based approach to overcoming these behaviors. ARC - Attachment, (Self) Regulation and Competency focuses on developing abilities to understand other perspectives, identify and regulate emotional states and build competencies consistent with developmental levels. Location: DSHS, 1313 N Atlantic, Suite 2000, Spokane Date: Saturday, April 5th, 2014 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM Pre-Registration is Required To register by e-mail – [email protected]: Send your Name, Mailing address, e-mail and Phone Number and specify the class you wish to attend. Parenting This is a comprehensive and fun 36 hour training course designed specifically for foster parents, adoptive parents and kinship providers. Please commit to completing the entire module, even if you can’t complete the entire class at this time. Watch for more details online for the class schedule near you or check with your licensor... Parenting Plus for Moses Lake: April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; May 6, 13, 20, 27; June 3, 10, 17 from 5:30—8:30 p.m. in the DSHS back conference room in the Moses Lake DCFS office. To register by phone – 363-4821 List your Name, Mailing address, e-mail and Phone Number and specify the class you wish to attend. Not sure who to call for assistance with medical information? Call Valerie Marshall at (509) 363-3320. Region 1 Trainers For Spokane and South of Spokane classes contact Renee’ Siers at [email protected] or call (509) 363-4821 For ML, Omak, Wenatchee & Colville, contact Leon Covington at 509.363.3410 or email Leon at [email protected]. For Tri-Cities, Yakima & Walla Walla, contact Ryan Krueger at 509.737.2879 or email Ryan at [email protected] Page 3 (Training continued) Foster Care Support Network Self—Study Articles Pamphlets provided by Foster Care Support Network. One hour of training credit is given for each pamphlet completed. Examples of available articles include: The Difficult Teen Years Fetal Alcohol Syndrome DVD’s for Training Credit Available through Netflix If you have a Netflix account you can request the following DVD’s for training credit. To receive credit request the DVD worksheet from your licensor. For a more complete list access www.fpas.org Contact your trainer for self study materials/articles. The list and worksheets are available at http://www.fpas.org/files/Netflix%20list%201209 %20w%20worksheets_new.pdf Acting Out Beyond F.A.T. City Child Development Child Safety Are you up to date on your First Aid/CPR? Frontline: Growing Up Online To register go online to: Frontline: (The) Medicated Child www.keepthebeatcpr.net Caregiver CORE Class Schedules are listed online at: www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/preservice.asp Access training materials as well as training online at http://fosterparent.dshs.wa.gov Plus at www.fosteringtogether.org Page 4 REGION 1 North SUPPORT SYSTEMS CONTACT LIST March 2014 NOTICE: Support group dates and locations may change. Call facilitator to confirm. Clarkston Support Group Seeking facilitator, For more info. Contact Dena Drury – [email protected] Meets 1st Thursday ea month @ 7 P.M. Lewiston First Nazarene Church-childcare provided Hope Room – Clothes etc. Colfax/Pullman Support Group Dena Drury – 288-2639; [email protected] United Methodist; 109 S Mill St.; Colfax 4th Thursday of the month; 6—7:30 p.m. Colville Facilitator Sandee Kircher (Support Group) 509-937-4151 [email protected] Meets 2nd Tuesday at 11:00; Call to verify date and location. Moses Lake Support Group Contact Dena Drury at [email protected] Immanuel Lutheran Church 1020 S A St.; Moses Lake 3rd Thursday of the month, 6 PM – 7:30 PM Omak Facilitator(Support Program) Sherry Colomb, Facilitator Cell-509-322-2552 E-Mail - [email protected] Call or e-mail for meeting time and location Pend Oreille County Facilitator (Support Groups) Kimberly McNaughton 509-442-2433 [email protected] Call or e-mail for date & location. Wenatchee Support Group Meets 3rd Thursday each month; 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Crossroads Church, 1301 Maple St; Wenatchee Child care available upon request Contact Wendy White at 425-422-6557 or [email protected] for more information Chelan Support Group Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month United Methodist Church in Chelan Potluck Dinner 5:30 PM – 6 PM; Group 6 - 8 Child care available on request Contact Cindy Knight at 509-682-9763 or [email protected] for more information Suncrest Support Group Shelly Lewis, Facilitator 509-994-6715 or [email protected]; meets in Suncrest area/lower Stevens County the 1 st Wednesday of the month from 6 PM – 7:30 PM Call or e-mail for location. Spokane Area Facilitators Buddy Program - Spokane matching experienced foster parents with new foster parents Trudie Nesbitt – 509-487-8270 or 509-768-0710 [email protected] The Younger Years Spokane Support Group Melike Bludau, Facilitator 714-7728 - [email protected] 9:30 AM - 11:30 am - call or e-mail for the date Southside Christian; 2934 E 27th Ave, Spokane Day care available - 3 day notice requested Night Life Support Group (Evening Meeting) Amber Sherman, Facilitator 499-2456 [email protected] Meets 3rd or 4th Tuesday each month – 6:00 P.M. to 8 P.M. Prince of Peace Church – 8441 N. Indian Trail Rd., Spokane Day care available – 3 day notice requested Coffee Time Support Group (Morning meeting) Sandy Porter, Facilitator 509-990-0980 [email protected] Meets 3rd Thursday ea month – 9:30 to 11:30 A.M. Southside Christian; 2934 E. 27th Avenue Spokane, Day care available – 3 day notice requested. Clothing Support Available in the Spokane Area and Region 1 North: 1. The Clothing Perk The Clothing Perk is open to clothe children ages newborn to 12. Please check the FPAS website at www.fpas.org or Facebook for updates. Request a referral from your child’s social worker. For more information, email to [email protected] or call 363-3473. 2. Teen Closet The Teen Closet, offers teen clothing for any teen connected with Children’s Administration in Region 1. Visit their site at www.teencloset.org or call (509) 5341151 to arrange an appt. Located in the Spokane Valley off Argonne at 9212 E. Montgomery #302. Teens are welcome from the region by appointment. Open 2nd Saturday of each month from 9—1. Referrals to be submitted prior to making an appointment. See www.teencloset.org for more info. 3. Julianne’s Prom Closet Julianne’s Prom Closet is open by appointment at 218 N. Bernard St., basement of the Fruci Building; Spokane. They accept quality new and gently used formal wear, and accessories. Call (509) 939-6324 to set up an appointment or make a donation. Page 5 REGION 1 SOUTH SUPPORT SYSTEMS CONTACT LIST Spring/Summer 2014 Yakima Area Kinship Support Groups Mary Pleger runs the kinship navigator program & kinship support group through Catholic Family and Child Services 5301 Tieton Drive; Yakima, WA; 509-965-7100 6:00 – 8:30pm; 2nd Wed. of the month in the childcare center *Must RSVP so she can plan accordingly as they provide childcare & dinner! Andrea Plagens (relative caregiver herself) 2nd & 4th Monday of each month 12 – 1:30pm; Casey Family Programs 404 N. 3rd Street; Yakima, WA; 509-952-5162 Tri-Cities Area Support Groups South Hills Counseling Center/Olive Crest office; 3616 W 27th, Kennewick; childcare provided with advance notice.1st Thursday from 6—8 PM; For more information, contact Jennie Owens at (509) 737-7850. Bethel Orphan Care Support Group; 2nd Thursday of the month; 7:30—9 p.m.; Bethel Church; 600 Shockley Rd in Richland. Contact Windy Hancock; 509-5286392; [email protected]. Other Region 1 South Support: Contact Dru Powers at (509) 928-6697 for support in other areas of Region 1 South. Kennewick Clothing Room Contact Susan Kellie at [email protected] or (509) 948 -8332; or your local social worker for assistance. Volunteers staff it Monday's 9:30-11:30 am and Thursdays 4:306:30 pm. They have toys, school supplies, hygiene items, clothing and some baby equipment. Yakima Area Clothing Closet Fostering Together and CA are working on setting up a ‘Clothing Closet’ for kids in out of home care. We have a location identified and are working with our community partners to create a nice, clean, hip storefront for caregivers to bring kids in all of Yakima Country to ‘shop’. Tentative Grand Opening is April 2014! Ellensburg Area Support: Contact Angie Wilson, new liaison/recruiter, for 2nd Monday of each month Sept—May from 5—7:30 p.m.; Mercer Creek Church; 1407 N. B St.; Ellensburg. Contact Angie at (509) 933-1161; [email protected] . There is no cost to attend dinner and childcare are free. Please RSVP so they will know how much food to prepare. Any horse lovers out there? Please contact Angie if you have a foster child in your home that would like to attend a week long overnight horse camp this summer. We have, two scholarships available for children age 9-18 to attend Caribou Creek Corral!!! Also this spring there will be a baton twirling group starting up and practicing this summer to participate in the Ellensburg Junior Rodeo. If you have any children interested in joining us please contact me. There will be no cost for the lessons. You will need a weighted baton and a uniform for the parade. To join in to help with recruitment and support of foster and relative caregiver families, contact Monica Jenkins (509) 454-6915 or Dru Powers (509) 928-6697 for information on meetings and opportunities! Walla Walla Support Jennifer Christensen is the new Liaison Recruiter for Walla Walla. Reach Jennifer at [email protected] or 509629-1262. *Watch for information on the new support group coming to Walla Walla! Page 6 From Around the Region! Do You Care?! Do You Care is hosting an event on 4/23 at the Knitting Factory. In an effort to showcase Child Abuse Prevention month we are encouraging folks to attend this free event 6pm-8pm to hear live music, stories from foster youth, and from others who are champions for the foster community. This event was created to promote awareness to the growing gaps within the foster care system. Within our community, many chilWenatchee Office had their second annual sledding party in January at Scout-A-Vista, a Boy Scout camp. There were 57 in attendance including foster families, staff, and lots of children. Special thanks to Kevin Slack for taking the lead on this again this year! dren of various ethnic backgrounds face difficulties due to increased placement changes and a higher population within the system. Though there is not a simple solution to this problem, we believe that the first step towards success is awareness. It is our desire to recruit individuals from our community that are willing to help out in any way, whether it is by volunteering or simply passing the word on to family and friends. We’d love to see you all there, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact Shannon Boniface at 363-4621 or [email protected]. Wenatchee Event coming soon—there will be a Yard Sale at New Song Community Church on June 20 and 21. There is storage space to store any items families would like to donate to the sale. Contact Jen Thomason for more information 509-665-5341. Spokane Office FP/Caregiver Picnic—will be held sometime in July at Audubon Park. Watch for more information! Region 1 North Mini Conference—will be held again this Fall. Watch for more information! The Caregiver Mini-Conference in Region 1 South was held on March 22nd and over 75 caregivers attended! They were provided a day of training breakout sessions, offered toys & bikes from FPAWS, and had a great time networking with fellow caregivers. Way to go! The Yakima office has had their first Fosterware Party that was quite a success. There are two more planned for April and May. These are held in a foster parents home and are patterned after a Tupperware Wenatchee Party. The foster parent invites friends to come to Our Foster Parent Dinner "A Night in Paradise" will their home to get information on becoming a foster be May 22 at 5:30 at the Community Center. Prizes, parent and many of the other ways that they can supawards, entertainment and good food! Childcare will port foster parents and the children in care. Contact Monica Jenkins, 509-454-6915 or Jenbe provided. Look for a save the date email and [email protected] for more information. vites to come out soon! Page 7 www.fosteringtogether.org Fostering Together, a program of Olive Crest, partners with Children’s Administration on the recruitment and retention of foster homes as well as managing the FIRST and Critical Support Program. You may contact any of the Fostering Together staff directly. Region 1 Staff Dru Powers Amber Sherman Derek Cutlip Kim McNaughton Dena Drury Wendy White Region 1 South Coordinator; Foster Support Specialist/FIRST Rep for Region 1 Region 1 North Coordinator and Spokane & Lincoln Liaison Region 1 North Community Involvement (509) 928-6697 [email protected] (509) 499-2456 [email protected] (509) 290-0406 [email protected] (509) 675-0341 [email protected] Southeast Liaison (Whitman, Garfield, Asotin, Adams & Grant) Wenatchee Area Liaison (Douglas and Chelan) (509) 288-2639 [email protected] (425) 422-6557 [email protected] Yakima Liaison (509) 928-6697 [email protected] Benton & Franklin Liaison (509) 928-6697 [email protected] Northeast Liaison (Stevens, Pend Oreille, Ferry & Okanogan) Statewide Staff Critical Care Critical Care Referral Line Anne Snook WA Program Director Marilyn Hatfield Kathleen Haugland R&R Program Director Web Communication & Administration (855) 395-7990 (425) 462-1612 x 1323 (425) 876-7528 (253) 347-2580 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Mattresses 4 Kids The Mattresses 4 Kids donation program has started in the Spokane area. Mattress Discounters has a contract with Olive Crest to supply each month, a limited number of new twin, full & queen mattress sets to at-risk youth. Mattresses are delivered usually the 3rd week of every month and will need to be picked up from the Spokane Olive Crest office on the day they arrive. If you have a youth in need of a bed, please contact Derek Cutlip, Community Involvement Representative with Fostering Together at: [email protected]. He will supply you with a request form to complete. Derek will coordinate all contacts with those requesting mattress sets and let you know the status of your request. For Tri-Cities contact Susan Kellie at [email protected] to place an order. We would like to extend a huge thank you to Mattress Discounters for their generosity and support for at-risk youth in our community. Page 8 From the Doc Spring is Springing! Submitted by Dr. Don Ashley In my yard, the flower bulbs long since poked their green leaf-tips up through the earth. It is time to shift our thinking from winter into spring. Better weather is neat! Although the weather is neat, it requires precautions we can safely ignore during the winter. Speaking of worse, tanning beds may damage the skin worse than the sun. Are “regular” cigarettes or e -cigarettes worse? I suspect we will find both are unhealthy. Enjoy the spring! Wishing you gentle breezes and pleasant days Really, really pale people need ten minutes of sun a day. The darkest skinned people require twenty minutes of sun per day. Most of us are in-between and need somewhere between ten and twenty minutes daily of morning or afternoon sun. If we are out longer than that or out when the sun is overhead, we need to be covered or we need a sunscreen. Sunscreen prevents wrinkles that happen on uncovered skin. Since sunscreens and repellants need refreshing at different times, separate insect repellant and separate sunscreen is usually the easiest in the long run. Mosquitoes still carry some really nasty viruses. From the first darkening of dusk and clear through the night until the day is bright, when outdoors we need to keep our skin covered with long pants and long sleeve shirts. The alternative is to use an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved insect repellant when outdoors at those times. Spring awakens us to transitions. Marijuana is not a healthy transition. More than seventy percent of Washington State high-school seniors just do not use marijuana. Recreational marijuana is illegal before twenty-one years old. http:// learnaboutmarijuanawa.org/ parentpreventionbooklet2013.pdf can help you communicate your concern without accidentally making the situation worse. Page 9 Page 9 Great Links to Check Out! www.fosteringtogether.org<http://www.fosteringtogether.org> is an excellent source of information and has links to many resources and articles of interest to foster/adoptive parents. Fostering Together has the recruitment & retention contract with the State to provide ongoing support to current foster families and relative caregivers. Becoming a FP https://www.facebook.com/groups/becomingafosterparentfosteringtogethe r/ http://dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/be_FosterIntro.asp -The State website for foster parenting has more information about foster care licensing requirements, resources and training. www.fireflyew.com<http://www.fireflyew.com> - This is the website for the Foster Parent Association of Eastern Washington. Facebook has several social media options to stay connected to the foster parent community. * Fostering Together Region 1 North & South https://www.facebook.com/groups/352989921454242/ * Foster Parent Association of Eastern Washington https://www.facebook.com/fpaspokane * Clothing Perk - https://www.facebook.com/pages/ClothingPerk/197861026914227 * Teen Closet - https://www.facebook.com/pages/TeenCloset/58490091364 The Younger Years- Foster & Adoptive Parenting Support Group – This is a private Facebook Group for Licensed Foster Homes. To request to be in this group, e-mail the Younger Years Support Group Facilitators, Melike at [email protected] or Meaghan at [email protected] Statewide Deaf Foster https://www.facebook.com/groups/DeafFosterChildrenNetwork/ Teen Reach https://www.facebook.com/groups/FosteringTogetherTeenReach/ FT Adoption https://www.facebook.com/groups/FosteringTogetherAdoptionSupport/ Regional News The Region 1 HB 1624 Regional Consultation meetings are held in Spokane for Region 1 North and in Yakima for Region 1 South with phone participation in Richland and Ellensburg. For a full set of minutes please contact David Needham at (509) 363-3559 or email to [email protected] Or (509) 363-3523 for Region 1 North or to Maria Tovar in Region 1 South at [email protected] or (509) 225.6539. Foster Caring Information Check out the Foster Parent Assoc. site for all caregivers in Region 1. www.fpas.org Sponsored by Foster Parent Association of Eastern WA and Children’s Administration. This newsletter is for all foster parents/ caregivers in Region 1 To submit articles for future issues, or to sign up for email alerts contact: Foster Caring; c/o Laurie Palmquist 1313 N. Atlantic, Ste. 2000 Spokane, WA 99201 Or email [email protected] or call (509) 363-3523. Toll Free: 1-800-558-3040 Fax: (509) 363-4617 Submission deadline for the Fall/Winter issue is Sept. 26, 2014 Page 10 Who to Call? A quick reference for caregivers Region 1 North and South Main Office Phone Numbers Clarkston DCFS Office - North; (509) 751-4686 Colfax DCFS Office - North; 1-800-557-9671 Colville DCFS Office - North; 1-800-544-0543 Ellensburg DCFS Office - South; (509) 925-0440 Goldendale DCFS Office - South; 1-888-606-9639 Moses Lake DCFS Office - North; 1-800-749-5965 Statewide After Hours Intake Line 1-800-562-5624 Division of Licensed Resources Region 1 North Regional Office—1-800-557-9671 or (509) 363-3550 Region 1 South Regional Office—1 (866) 4515160 or (509) 737-2800 Newport DCFS Office - North; 1-800-473-6022 Foster Parent & Caregiver Support Line Omak DCFS Office - North; 1-800-869-4018 4:30 PM—8 AM Monday—Friday Richland DCFS Office - South; (509) 585-3000 24 hours a day on weekends and state holidays 1-800-301-1868 Spokane DCFS Office - North; 1-800-557-9671 Sunnyside DCFS Office - South; 1-800-544-8215 Toppenish DCFS Office - South; (800) 526-8713 Walla Walla DCFS Office - South; (509) 524-4900 Wenatchee DCFS Office - North; 1-800-243-8881 White Salmon DCFS Office - South; 1-888-606-9639 Yakima DCFS Office - South; (509) 225-6500 Yakima Reg. Hub; 1 (888) 443-6796 Fostering Together Liaisons Call your placement desk with the following: Homefinders/Placement contact information: Spokane HOME FINDERS: (509) 363-3471; 3633351; 363-3598; 363-3372; 363-3434; or email to [email protected] or to supervisor Joey Charlton at [email protected]. —a great source for support: Spokane—Amber Sherman (509) 499-2456 Northeast—Kimberly McNaughton (509) 675-0341 Southeast - Dena Drury 509-288-2639 Wenatchee—Wendy White (425) 422-6557 Yakima—Dru Powers at (509) 928-6697 Tri-Cities—Dru Powers at (509) 928-6697 Ellensburg—Angie Wilson at (509) 933-1161 Walla Walla—Jennifer Christensen at (509) 629-1263 This program is accessed by direct referral from a foster parent or can be referred through a social worker. Calls to the number above will receive consultation and if appropriate then referred to Dru Powers for Region 1 at (509) 928-6697. status updates about openings new placements placement changes non-emergent needs and questions Clarkston—Carol Mogliolo (509)751-4665 Colfax—Shelly Elkins (509) 397-5043 Colville—Lenny Benson (509) 685-5665 Moses Lake—Michael Wentworth (509)764-5778 Newport—Kathy Bennett (509) 447-6237 or Rory Axel (509) 447-6221 Omak—Krisana Shrable (509) 846-2081 Wenatchee— Teresa Ryan (509) 665-5338 White Salmon—Gail Froehlich (509) 773-7477 Yakima—Kathlyn (K.T.) Treat (509) 225-6586 Richland—Rhonda Johnson (509) 585.3092 Walla Walla—Glenda Sanchez (509) 524-4925 Ellensburg—Lynn Ostenberg (509) 925-0448 Goldendale—Gail Froehlich (509) 773-7477 Sunnyside—Maria Frausto (509) 836-5755 Toppenish—Tonya Newell-Tierney (509) 865-1450 Page 11 Calendar of Events for Region 1 Region 1 North FP Advisory Board Meetings in Spokane for 2014: Foster parents are welcome & encouraged to attend; please check in with reception first. Tuesday, April 15; 1—2:30 Regional HB 1624 Meetings— all caregivers welcome! Tuesday, June 17; 1—3 p.m.; Children’s Administration in Spokane; contact your reps for more information; Kerry Bryant at (509) 262-0728 or Melissa McDougall at (509) 422-9701 Spokane/Lincoln County Caregiver Appreciation Dinner—mark your calendar for Saturday, April 26th; 5:30 p.m.; the theme this year is Masquerade! See the enclosed invitation! Annual FP Caregiver Carousel Party at Riverfront Park! Saturday, May 3rd from 9:00—10:30 a.m. See enclosed for more information. Do You Care Event— Wed., April 23—see page 7 for more information Day in May Watch your Calendars for more information on A Day in May. Fostering Together is partnering with local businesses to offer discounts to foster families. Whether you live in Spokane or will be travelling there during May, look for more information to come. Mark your calendars for the Kick-Off event, May 5th, 2014. Tomato Street Restaurant will once again be offering free children’s meals for foster families when the adults purchase their entrée. This will be for both lunch and supper. For up to date information, you can go to http://fosteringtogether.org/a-day-in-may-2014/ Wenatchee Appreciation Dinner—A Night in Paradise will be May 22 at 5:30 at the Community Center. Watch for more information! Pacific NW Caregivers Conference is May 16-18 at Great Wolf Lodge – see www.fpaws.org for more details. Region 1 South Regional HB 1624 Meetings— Monday, June 16; 10—12; in Yakima, or by phone in the Richland, Toppenish or Ellensburg DCFS Offices to participate by conference call; contact your representatives for more information; Angie Wilson at (253) 223-9507 or Jessica Hanna at (509) 899-3329 —all foster parents & caregivers are welcome Richland Caregiver Appreciation Spaghetti feed is scheduled for Friday May 2 at Bethel Church (600 Shockley Road, Richland)5:30 – 8:00. Yakima/Kittitas County Kinship Caregiver Day of Pampering is going to happen Tuesday May 6 8:30 – 3:00, 50 unlicensed caregivers will be provided a day of pampering to include a light breakfast, a movie, lunch at the Olive Garden, massages and Bingo –sponsored by the Kindred Spirits Collaboration. Invites will go out in midApril. Spring Faire at the Cascade Gardens in Yakima on Mother’s Day from 11—4 Voices for Children Foundation will be selling flowers to support kids in out of home care in Yakima County Ellensburg will have a Caregiver Appreciation BBQ in June – details to be mailed out. Yakima, Walla Walla, Toppenish and Goldendale/White Salmon are also planning Appreciation activities to occur in May and June. Page 12
© Copyright 2024