IN YOUR DISTRICT
news from around the state
Send us news of what's happening in your community and district.
We'll post highlights here. Email to: mary.collins@vermont.gov
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Online LGBTQ+ 101 Training For Caregivers
This training provides 1.5 hours of ongoing education for participants and can be found at training.vermontcwtp.org. The purpose of LGBTQ+ 101: Caring for DCF Involved Youth is to provide Family Service Workers, partner agency staff and caregivers with a basic understanding of the experiences and needs of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/ Questioning (LGBTQ) youth who are involved with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
This training provides an overview of basic information that will help foster an understanding of how to support youth, including:
. Policies and practice requirements
. Developmental milestones and typical gender and sexual identity markers
. Affirmative language
. The statistical landscape of experiences and risks for LGBTQ identified youth
. Strategies for working with LGBTQ youth
. Opportunities for self-assessment and practice
Kinship, Foster, & Adoptive Caregivers will:
. Understand the typical stages of emotional, physical, cognitive, social and language development in children/youth.
. Understand and supports healthy sexual development in children/youth.
. Understand resources and tools available to address safety threats and utilizes preventative strategies to preserve safety, reduce threats, risks and promote well-being.
. Learn more about interacting with members of all groups (ethnic, racial, spiritual, sexual orientation, gender identity, political, social class, age, cultural beliefs and dietary differences etc.), and be able to respect differences, actively seek knowledge of cultural values and ethnicity, and apply this knowledge in caring for children in foster care and while being a member of a child welfare team.
To enroll in this course, please visit training.vermontcwtp.org to find the LGBTQ+ 101 training in the Kin, Foster and Adoptive Caregiver Section on the course offering page. For further assistance please contact Jennifer.Jorgenson@uvm.edu.
Caleb Kiernan
He/Him
Kinship, Foster & Adoptive Parent Training Coordinator
Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
208 Colchester Avenue, 004 Mann Hall
Burlington, Vermont 05405
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CA: Myths about Child Sex Trafficking:
January 2019 (Commentary)
Desert Review - January 03, 2019
January 2019 is Human Trafficking Awareness month, a time which is set aside to honor the many survivors of human trafficking, but also to reflect on the thousands of social workers, law enforcement officers and victim advocates around the country who work tirelessly to extricate children from the horrors of the commercial sex trade. Of all of the myths which exist about domestic child sex trafficking, one of the most damaging is the belief that leaving an exploiter is easy.
https://www.thedesertreview.com/opinion/editorials/myths-about-child-sex-trafficking-january/article_273e1562-0f8d-11e9-a8dd-43098d977ce6.html
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Mileage Reimbursement
The reimbursement rate for mileage for the State of Vermont has changed from .545 to .58. This means that the foster parent mileage reimbursement rate has also changed to .58 on January 1, 2019. For more information,
please contact the Resource Coordinator in your district.
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WHAT'S HAPPENING
news & events from around the state
Send us news of what's happening in your community and district.
We'll post highlights here. Email to: mary.collins@vermont.gov
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TRAINING, WORKSHOPS & SEMINARS
Save the Date!
VFAFA CONFERENCE
March 22nd-24th 2019
Hilton, Burlington, VT
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EVENTS AROUND THE STATE
Teen Book Swap & Café
Sat., Jan. 19, 1-3 p.m.
Ilsley Public Library, Middlebury, VT
Bored with your bookshelf? Bibliophiles trade old titles for new reads.
There will be treats! FREE!
Winter Wildlife Celebration ($)
Sat., Jan. 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Vermont Institute of Natural Sciences
Quechee, VT
802-359-5000
Animal enthusiasts explore exhibits and wintery trails with interactive guided tours and talks in the morning, followed by afternoon indoor and outdoor games, crafts and a campfire with treats. regular museum admission, $13.50-15.50;
FREE for children under 4.
Gospel Concert ($)
Sat., Jan. 19th, 6-8pm
First Congregational Church, Burlington, VT
The Newark Boys Chorus and the Montpelier Gospel Choir are among the musical acts to take the stage in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.
Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World
Wed., Jan. 23, 7-8:30 p.m.
Kellogg-Hubbard Library
Montpelier, VT
This 2017 documentary chronicles pioneering Native American musicians. Free.
Ask Us Who We Are - Documentary
Mon., Feb. 11th, 6:00pm
Aldrich Public Library
Barre, VT
A film by noted Vermont Filmmaker, Bess O'Brien, Ask Us Who We Are chronicles the lives and experiences of teens in foster care, their unique challenges,
and their hopes and dreams for the future. FREE!
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
helpful news and information
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Foster Parent College Website
This organization offers courses via internet on a wide array of topics that are beneficial to foster, kin, and adoptive families. Topics addressed include behavioral issues, educational needs, and how to help children and youth move forward in their relationships and work toward new goals.
Upon viewing these courses, which last approximately 40 minutes on average, and answering some questions about what you’ve seen, you will receive a certificate of completion. You can then give a copy of this certificate to your district Resource Coordinator in order to receive training credit.
If you are interested in learning via these courses, please talk with your District's Resource Coordinator. Even if you don’t have access to a computer at home, you may be able to view these courses at your local library or at a DCF office. You can view a comprehensive list of the courses available at www.fosterparentcollege
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Immunizations
Important Information regarding immunizations:
A reminder about a question that often comes up regarding vaccinations and immunizations for children in custody:
Policy 77, pg. 2
“Children and youth in DCF custody shall receive preventive medical examinations and screenings to ensure that medical and dental needs are identified and addressed. Routine medical examinations and required well-child checks will occur based on the age and needs of the child. Preventive medical care for children includes vaccination and immunization.”
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DILIGENT RECRUITMENT
building and sustaining relationships
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Follow this video link: (Love Listens - Parents Can Help Prevent Child Trafficking) to learn more about how children become vulnerable - perhaps without you even knowing it - and how you keep them safe. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.
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FRONT PORCH FORUM
a component of diligent recruitment
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New recruitment messages in support of critical needs in each district are launched on Front Porch Forum on a regular, continuous basis. If you know of a person or family that might be interested in foster care, please let your District office or the Central office know. Email: mary.collins@vermont.gov
Our most current message supports Emergency Placement. Here is an excerpt from that message:
We all react strongly to someone in distress; a person who appears to be homeless, vulnerable, defensive, or scared. They get or attention and our sympathy. Imagine if that were a child?
Sometimes it is.
There is a current need to find foster homes that are available on an emergency basis for children in our community. Emergency foster parents are willing to take a child into their home day or night, or often at a moment’s notice. The child’s stay may be short-term until a more permanent home can be found. Emergency foster parents may also decide to open their homes to a child for a longer caregiving experience.
Can you be that positive role model? Contact your local Family Services District Office and ask to speak to the Resource Coordinator. To find the person in your district visit:
http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us;districts
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS
thank you for your generosity and support!
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The support we receive from community partners throughout Vermont makes possible many of the experiences foster children and their families enjoy - from trips to state parks and science museums, to Back-to-School supplies and sponsorships of events; your generosity provides enriching experiences for children and families. Each week we acknowledge some of these generous partners throughout the state. This week we would like to thank:
Mascoma Savings Bank
King Arthur Flour
Thank you for your continued support of our Foster Families and Children.
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Copyright © 2019
Vermont Department of Children and Families, Family Services Division
All rights reserved.
Our mailing address is:
280 State Street HC1N Building B Waterbury, VT 05671
(802) 241.0896
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