You an d Foster San can he ta l foster p kids! See pa ge 5. Fall 2014 Displaced, Isolated David Reconnects to Build a New Life David was wearing khaki pants, clean white tennis shoes, and a freshly pressed white t-shirt neatly tucked into his pants when he and Samantha first met. He spoke softly and politely, looked at the floor and called her “ma’am.” At 14 years old, David lived in a therapeutic juvenile probation facility, already having spent many of his young days behind bars. Before that, he was moved from foster home to foster home after being separated from his birth mother. David is one of a growing number of young people needing assistance from the Family Search and Engagement (FSE) program of EMQ FamiliesFirst. After years of trauma, grief and loss, many former foster youth end up involved in the juvenile justice system. They find themselves even more displaced, disconnected and hopeless. Samantha, who is the clinical program manager for FSE, asked where he saw himself in the next five years. David put his face in his hands and reflected on the choices he had made and the ones ahead. He took a deep breath and said, “Well, my brother is locked up. If I can’t find anyone who cares about me on the outside, at least I know that on the inside I have family. But, man…I don’t know. I can’t even imagine being around in five years, ma’am.” David’s probation officer had contacted Samantha and FSE because David was due to be released from protective custody. He’d served his time and been a model resident. But if David could find nowhere to live, he’d be sent back to juvenile hall—and a cell—for many months to wait for an opening at a group home. The wait list was long. At that time his parents were not an option, so Samantha located the foster mother who David had lived with the longest. She’s now living out of state but sent photos and videos of David “being a kid,” and a card on his birthday. She helped reconstruct for him a childhood that he’d nearly forgotten. Later on, David’s mother came forward, having her own story of damage and suffering that resulted in their separation. She began participating in family therapy and visiting him for the first time since he was placed in out-of-home care. The last time Samantha saw David, he spoke more about life “on the outside,” imagining for the first time a future that didn’t end in incarceration. FSE services that reconnect kids like David are only available through private donations and grants. Visit www.emqff.org/newsletter to see how you can help. What’s going on in your region… Bay Area Foster Care & Adoption Services Capital Region Central Valley Inland Empire Los Angeles (Hollygrove) Join us for the Silicon Valley Community Awards Luncheon p. 4 Help a foster child receive their first bike! p. 5 Three new or expanded programs are a ‘win’ for kids p. 5 Holiday help eases family poverty at a crucial time p. 6 Program goes to remote, underserved areas p. 6 See photos of revitalized lobby and recent events p. 7 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2014 . www.emqff.org 1 Leadership From Darrell Evora, MCP, MBA, President & CEO Farewell to Senator Steinberg and Dr. Peña I want to pay tribute to two friends and leaders, both mental health champions, who are about to step out of their current roles where they have made tremendous strides for California’s children and families. Darrell Steinberg, Speaker Pro Tem in the California Senate, will end his term; and Dr. Nancy Peña, Mental Health Director for Santa Clara County, is retiring. Senator Steinberg drove systems change (not an easy task in Sacramento politics) that will live on for decades and positively impact families and children living in the margins of society. His philosophical view has been to focus on a few issues that are important yet largely overlooked by his colleagues. He championed and built consensus to pass Proposition 63, the Mental Health Services Act; SB 946, which requires health insurance plans to cover autism services; coverage for Medi-Cal eligible children with autism; and initiatives to strengthen early childhood education. Dr. Peña, another visionary leader, has committed her life’s work to serving the most vulnerable in our community. She consistently has been a great partner to all service providers in the county. Not only smart and creative, Dr. Peña’s greatest attribute is that she is not focused on doing it her way but doing it the best way. Her vision for a children’s continuum of crisis care in Santa Clara County will set a model of excellence statewide. It is with professional admiration—and heartfelt thanks on behalf of children and families—that I acknowledge and celebrate Senator Steinberg and Dr. Peña. ♥ Meet: Brad Slocum, Board Member Brad Slocum has fond childhood memories of winter trips to the mountains. Now, he and Laetitia, his wife, share the tradition by taking their three sons, ages 6, 8 and 10, on ski trips. Brad also wants to pass something on to children who are less fortunate, and he’s found the opportunity to do so through Hollygrove, the Los Angeles division of EMQ FamiliesFirst. Brad first visited Hollygrove 18 years ago when, as cofounder of Granite Investment Partners, he presented to the board about endowment investment portfolios. It was an early morning meeting and he was invited beforehand to have breakfast with the Hollygrove kids. Headquarters 251 Llewellyn Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 379-3790 Fund Development Bay Area (408) 364-4044 Capital Region (916) 388-6400 Central Valley (559) 246-8223 Inland Empire (909) 266-2708 Los Angeles/Hollygrove (323) 769-7142 Human Resources Job postings and applications at www.emqff.org/employment Foster Care and Adoption Services (877) 488-5437 (toll-free) Regional Offices: Bay Area 251 Llewellyn Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 379-3790 Capital 9343 Tech Center Drive, 2nd Floor Sacramento, CA 95826 (916) 388-6400 Central Valley 1630 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 150 Fresno, CA 93710 (559) 248-8550 Inland Empire 572 N. Arrowhead Ave., Suite 200 San Bernardino, CA 92401 (909) 266-2700 Los Angeles/Hollygrove 815 N. El Centro Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90038 (323) 463-2119 VP of Fund Development Lisa Alegria (323) 769-7102 Newsletter Editor Lee Ann Kolker (408) 364-4043 Graphic Designer Gayle Marquez, Marquez+Hubka Design “One boy approached me and wanted to show me a paper mache mask he had been making of himself with a written story about his life underneath,” Brad said. “I was so taken by the child’s story about his tragic life. He was a fantastic little kid yet had come from such a troubled background.” For more locations and information on all of our services, go to www.emqff.org. If you have donated within the past year, please look yourself up on the website at www.emqff.org/help. By the end of his investment presentation that day Brad offered to get involved. Soon he was serving on the Hollygrove board. He realized that helping kids at an early age can prevent later homelessness, addiction or crime. “Kids at Hollygrove don’t look any different from my kids or any other kids,” Brad said. “They just need a break.” Confidentiality of EMQ FamiliesFirst children and families has been preserved through the use of models and by changing identifying details. Now Brad serves the agency-wide board as well as chairing the Los Angeles Region board of governors. He has enjoyed raising community awareness and approaching 2 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org continued on next page Possibilities is published two times a year for the supporters of EMQ FamiliesFirst. To update your mailing information, please call or email Judi Umbreit at (408) 364-4048 or [email protected]. Tell a Friend EMQ FamiliesFirst Board of Directors Chair of the Board Peter W. Brown, CPA Vice Chair/Chair-Elect Michael S. McAndrews Secretary John F. Hopkins, Esq. Treasurer Suanne Ramar President & CEO EMQ FamiliesFirst Darrell Evora, MCP, MBA Robert A. Archer Jo Ariko Roger A. Barney Donna Butcher Neal Dempsey Geoff Edelstein Charles E. Erickson Heather Jones Scott Kolbrenner William D. Kron R. Donald McNeil, Esq. Bradley G. Slocum John J. Tallarida Geoffrey R.M. Thomas Jana L. Turner Kimila W. Ulrich Denise Vonhof When hope is hard to find… …your gift lets a child know someone in their community cares. Your donation this holiday season will help a child heal from complex trauma, such as abuse or severe neglect, witnessing violence at home or in the community, separation from family members and lack of adequate food or housing. For families struggling to turn their lives around, the holidays create increased anxiety and despair. Your gift not only helps bring holiday joy, it provides emergency resources and basics like shelter, food and clothing. 4 Easy Ways to Donate Choose how you want to donate. You can designate your gift to go to your local community or give a general gift that will be used statewide, wherever the need is greatest: $40 will buy a holiday gift and $200 will provide gifts and food for a family of four. • Make a secure online donation at www.emqff.org. • Provide much-needed gift cards in $25 increments to stores such as Target, Toys R Us, Walmart, local grocers, gas stations and public transit. For more information, call your regional representative (below). • Use the enclosed envelope and mail your donation. • Sponsor a holiday drive through your business—call your representative today. Help spread hope, throughout California and close to home. Your donation makes the difference. Every gift, every dollar directly helps a child in crisis. ♥ C O N TA C T Y O U R R E G I O N A L R E P R E S E N TAT I V E Bay Area Darren DeMonsi (408) 364-4058 or Antoinette Harris (925) 325-3336 Capital Region Hillary Gaines (916) 388-6400 Central Valley Laura Mock (559) 246-8223 Hollygrove/ Los Angeles Cathy Kort (323) 769-7142 Ð Inland Empire Kesha Vann (909) 266-2708 What follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Giving Tuesday—a national day to kick off the holiday giving season. This year when you make your gift to children served by EMQ FamiliesFirst, please also give a minute of your time to help spread the word about kids in crisis. You are our best ambassador for helping raise awareness and support for children’s mental health. If you’re on social media, use the hashtag #give2kids. Thanks for your support! Meet: Brad Slocum continued from page 2 foundations and endowments for grants. He helped start the board of governors and continues to recruit people who want to give back and who bring new ideas and energy to help children in crisis. ♥ EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org 3 Bay Area Region Silicon Valley Community Awards Luncheon Join Us to Honor Leaders Who Help Kids “Every Child Is a Rising Star” at the Silicon Valley Community Awards Luncheon where we’ll honor community leaders who have helped change the lives of children in crisis. Join us January 30, 2015, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at the San Jose Fairmont. Proceeds benefit children and their families in our Bay Area programs. Honorees include William J. Del Biaggio, Jr., Heritage Bank of Commerce; Cheryl Bailey, Bella Vista League (left); and Hon. Jim Beall, California State Senator (right). “The Golden Gate Guardian”—retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin Briggs—is our guest speaker. For tickets and information, visit www.svrisingstarawards.org. For sponsorship information, please contact Diane Wesson, Director of Development, by email at [email protected] or by phone at (408) 364-4051. ♥ to Ray and Liza Beshoff for hosting the Beshoff MotorCars 8th Annual Golf Championship. This year was another huge success and their support has been invaluable to our kids in crisis and their families. Safety Net Expands for Youth Over the Age of 18 Dedicated Volunteers Run Popular Stores, and Help Kids In Contra Costa County as many as 300 foster youth each year reach the age of 18, usually without the safety net of a mentor or family connections. Among many hard choices, the youth seek permanent housing, career and employment assistance and connections with appropriate adults who can support them. EMQ FamiliesFirst is enormously grateful to receive the support and proceeds of three volunteer-operated stores in the Bay Area Region. Due to the hard work and dedication of 250 volunteers and hundreds of supporting and parttime volunteers, children throughout the state can receive the help they need to recover from traumatic pasts. Find out more at www.emqff.org/newsletter. ♥ For over a year now, we have successfully expanded our Transitional Housing Placement program from 6 to 28 youth (16-20 years old) by offering the Transitional Housing + Foster Care program. This means that emancipating youth who decide to remain in foster care can live in safe apartments and receive support that helps them transition to independent living. They are assisted by reliable support staff on skills such as how to pay bills, cook inexpensive, healthy meals or learn self-regulation techniques when interacting with a coworker or roommate. Youth must attend school and/or work at least 40 hours per month, follow regulations, develop personal growth goals, and prepare to exit the program with realistic plans for housing and employment. Contra Costa County staff rave about the success of our growth and look forward to placing additional youth. Here are the kind of donations that you can provide to help youth in the program: gift cards (Target, Wal-Mart, Safeway, Lucky/SaveMart, Grocery Outlet, Century/CineMark theaters), towels, pots and pans, dishes, silverware and plastic hangers. ♥ For details, contact Antoinette Harris (925) 325-3336. 4 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org The Happy Dragon Thrift Shop has been a favorite in the Los Gatos community since 1958. Since its humble beginnings as a yard sale to support the young girls of the Ming Quong home (one of our legacy agencies), the Happy Dragon has raised over $5 million. Located in Los Gatos, the Butter Paddle Gift Shop, founded in 1967, first resided in Saratoga before relocating in 2008. The boutique gift shop is known for its tasteful home accessories and distinctive gifts. The Unicorn Thrift Shop has operated in the Almaden Valley for over 20 years. It has become a destination of choice for in-the-know bargain shoppers of the South Bay. Foster Care & Adoption You and Foster Santa Help Kids Bikes Bring the Joys of Childhood You may remember the childhood joy of riding a bike—a bit of freedom, adventure with friends, unlimited fun and exercise, and the confidence gained from riding to school, team practice or a job. For kids in our foster care and community-based programs, you can provide the opportunity to build the same kind of memories which help heal the traumas they have experienced. This holiday season, ensure that each child experiences the joy of a holiday party or a new bicycle. Your donation eases the burden for parents and caregivers who wonder how they can bring the holidays to their families when it is already a challenge to meet basic needs. You and Foster Santa can help! Become a part of the almost 40-year legacy of the Foster Santa program of EMQ FamiliesFirst and help create lasting memories for children in your community. Foster Santa is funded entirely by private donations. Your donation supports: • New bikes, helmets and locks for over 200 children and teens in Northern California • Holiday celebrations for our Foster Care and Adoptions kids and community-based programs in Sacramento, Alameda, Fresno, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Solano and Stanislaus counties • Shelter, food, clothing and emergency resources for struggling families When you donate to Foster Santa, you not only give children and families a little holiday magic, you give them help and hope for the future. Help us do whatever it takes to keep kids happy and healthy this holiday season. ♥ To donate, visit www.emqff.org/newsletter or contact Hillary Gaines at (916) 388-6400. Capital Region Sacramento, Solano and Placer Programs Grow Regional Programs Take Exciting Leaps Program growth is wonderful to see because it means we can meet more community need and help children in crisis and their families. EMQ FamiliesFirst in the Capital Region has recently experienced three ‘wins’ we want to share with you. First, our Sacramento Flexible Integrated Treatment (FIT) program was expanded this year to accommodate services for Katie A. children. FIT is an outpatient mental health program, and Katie A. covers children in foster care (or imminent risk of placement) so that they receive specified mental health care. Second, as part of a collaborative proposal, we are in a new three-year contract to continue as a provider in the Solano Partnership for Early Access for Kids program (PEAK). Provided in Spanish and English to children from birth to age 5, services identify and help at-risk families prevent problems from spiraling out of control and becoming serious emotional disorders that surface years later. Finally, we submitted the winning proposal in a very competitive bidding process to become Placer County’s new provider of children’s outpatient and Wraparound services. Wrapraound provides services for a child and family at home, school and in the community. ♥ EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org 5 Central Region Help Arrives at a Crucial Time Here’s how one family found the extra support to provide for their children at a time of crisis and need. It also points to the importance of community partnerships in our Central Valley communities. As the holiday season approached last year, Lucy tried not to lose hope. She and her husband are loving, caring parents who were doing all they could to keep the family healthy and intact, but it was a large family with a lot of needs. Their oldest daughter, Catalina, had significant mental health issues. When she was at home with the three younger siblings, Catalina was dangerous and abusive, which caused the younger kids to develop behavior issues of their own. Catalina was placed outside the home for a time, but when she returned, the others became unstable again. In the meantime, on top of all the other stress upon the family, Lucy felt the pressures of the approaching holiday. There was little enough for their everyday needs. That’s when we learned that a local agency, Family Options, had an opening for one of our families to be sponsored for the holidays. Through Family Options’ gracious support, Lucy’s family was able to celebrate and receive gifts. When local agencies, businesses and people like you reach out during the difficult holiday season, it makes all the difference. See page 3 for details on how you can provide holiday meals, gifts or basic necessities to a family like Lucy’s. ♥ In particular, 11-year-old Mia had trouble. She had behavior and mood issues, difficulty with social interactions and an extra need for attention in their large family. Her mom got Mia into our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, which provides intensive mental health services. Mia was willing to work on her issues but her ACT team knew it would take some time and work with Mia and the whole family. Inland Empire Underserved Children with Complex Needs in Remote Areas Team Goes the Extra Mile(s) The clinical team drives an hour and a half, eventually navigating several dirt roads, to access a family isolated and alone, even more so because they can’t leave 14-year-old Kayla unsupervised. In these unincorporated areas or desert communities of the Inland Empire, few services are available for families even though they make up more than half the region’s population. Kayla has complex needs but has had little treatment since her initial diagnosis at age 5. She has multiple psychological and behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, biopolar disorder and ADHD. The next step may be out-of-home placement, but her parents are doing whatever they can to keep her at home. And finally they have help. The clinician and behavior technicians of EMQ FamiliesFirst started seeing Kayla 4-5 hours per week and have increased that to 12-16 hours (plus travel time). They work with her behavior and help her parents learn behavior strategies and techniques. Kayla’s isolation has taken a dramatic turn with these frequent social interactions and new adult friends. Another goal is to get Kayla connected with a social peer group. Recently, the team had her create a list of activities she is interested in. It’s a big list. Cheerleading class is at the top because she has seen her sister participate. Even though the team would have hoped to start working with Kayla earlier, the changes she has experienced already are positive. You can help kids like Kayla by donating toward the extras that are not covered (by insurance or Medi-Cal), such as a social skills class, purchase of an iPad or communications software. ♥ Learn more at www.emqff.org/newsletter. 6 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org Los Angeles Region Chair of the EMQ FamiliesFirst board, Peter Brown, and his wife, Conchi, hosted their Semi-Annual End of Summer Backyard Bash in September. Shown left to right: Conchi and Peter; Lisa Alegria, VP of Fund Development; and Nancy and Norm Swanton, Circle of Angels members. Shown left to right: last year’s Norma Jean Gala host board included emcee Busy Philipps, George Lopez, Debby Ryan and Diane Ladd. Norma Jean Gala Save-the-Date Wednesday, March 18, 2015 6:00-9:30 p.m. The Taglyan Complex, Hollywood Thank you to the Hollygrove board of governors, Circle of Angels donors, and all who contributed to the success of this year’s Camp Hollygrove. With your help, more than 300 children were able to enjoy a camp experience designed to help them overcome emotional and behavioral challenges in a safe and supportive setting. Here’s a peak at our newly renovated lobby, which the kids and families truly enjoy. The project was made possible by grants from The Ahmanson Foundation, Michael J. Connell Foundation, and Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Volunteers from UCLA also assisted with campus improvements including painting murals and re-painting the basketball court. Hollygrove’s fundraising gala will delight guests with a cocktail hors d’oeuvres reception, children’s art exhibit, entertainment, and a live and silent auction. Sponsorships and pre-registrations welcome at www.normajeangala.org. The Circle of Angels membership drive was launched at the Hollygrove Board of Governors meeting in October by this year’s chair, Lisa Hutchins. To join or renew, visit www.hollygrove.org/angels or call Catherine Kort at (323) 769-7142. EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.hollygrove.org 7 HOLLYGROVE TO BE FEATURED Hollygrove will be featured on the new season of “Home Made Simple,” returning Saturday, November1, at 9 a.m. on OWN. For details, visit www.emqff.org/ newsletter. INSIDE (left to right) Amy Devers; Stewart Grace, Hugo Chacon, and Mary Brougher of Hollygrove; Soleil Moon Frye (host); and Kenneth Wingard - Success: Reconnecting to Build a New Life - CEO Letter: Tribute to Two Mental Health Champions - Holidays: Try Our Secure Online Giving Site! Printed on recycled paper Thank you for helping kids in crisis Mailing Corrections: To make a name/address correction or if you receive multiple copies, please contact Judi Umbreit at (408) 364-4048 or [email protected]. 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