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FOSTERING | VERMONT

June 26, 2020
 








 



 

 



 







 
 
 

 

“Like a sculptor, if necessary, carve a friend out of stone. Realize that your inner sight is blind and try to see a treasure in everyone.”  ― Rumi Jalalu'l-Din

Look for Fostering Vermont each week and be sure to send your news, events and other items of importance and interest to: mary.collins@vermont.gov  THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: TUESDAY, NOON.


NEWS YOU CAN USE

helpful news and information


 
IN PERSON PARENT CHILD CONTACT GUIDANCE
& OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL
Department for Children and Families
Family Services Division
280 State Drive
HC 1 North Bldg B
Waterbury, VT 05671-1030
 
June 15, 2020
 
Dear Vermont Caregiver,
 
As we move into June, the Governor’s Executive Order has continued to be revised.  Family Services has also made some adjustments our guidelines for in-person parent child contact and we have issued new guidance for those of you planning out of state vacations. 
 
The attached document incorporates current recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Vermont Department of Health (VDH) and contains links to those documents.  Parents, Family Services Workers, and our Family Time Support Staff will be receiving this same guidance.   We truly hope that it will provide you with the information you need to enhance everyone’s safety while supporting family time.
 
Effective June 8th, Vermonters may travel outside of Vermont to counties across New England and New York that have a similar active COVID-19 caseload to Vermont and return without quarantining if they do so in a personal vehicle.
 
The State of Vermont has determined that any county with less than 400 active cases of COVID-19 per one million residents meets these criteria. The Agency will publish an updated map and list each Monday by 5 p.m. at accd.vermont.gov identifying quarantine and non-quarantine counties throughout New England and New York.  Vermonters must remember to follow any travel restrictions and quarantine requirements for the states they plan to visit.  Upon return to Vermont from a quarantine area, travelers may complete either:
  • a 14-day quarantine; or
  • a 7-day quarantine followed by a negative test
Our goal here is to support normalcy for children, while also balancing the expectations and possibly court orders for parent child contact.  Caregivers wishing to travel out of state, with a child in their care, need to discuss their plan with the Family Services Worker.  If the proposed travel plans will have an impact on Family Time, a Shared Parenting Meeting should be scheduled to determine if the parents are open to virtual Family Time while the child is away and potentially for a quarantine period when they return.  If the team is unable to decide upon a mutually agreed upon plan, a respite plan will need to be established.
 
These guidance updates have already been provided to your Family Services worker and our Child and Family Support team.  We will continue to provide guidance updates as we make our way through the COVID-19 pandemic.  All previously issued guidance can be found on our website at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/COVID19
 
With Appreciation and Gratitude,
 
Barb Joyal
DCF Family Services Division,  System of Care Unit Director
 
IN PERSON VISITATION GUIDANCE
 
JOIN US! IN SOLIDARITY!
 

Dear young leader,

These are confusing and complicated times for everyone with COVID-19, the resulting economic crisis, and the recent protests and uprisings in reaction to the murders of Breonna Taylor, Nina Pop, Tony McDade, and George Floyd and ongoing racism in the United States. While all of this has caused a tremendous shift and uncertainty for our nation as a whole, these crises uniquely and disproportionately impact communities of color, their families, and their communities across the country.

As our communities heal and repair from these recent events, National Crittenton and National Young Women’s Initiative (National YWI) wanted to offer a space that centers the leadership, voices, experiences and advocacy of cis and trans girls, young women, and gender-expansive people of color.

As a result, In Solidarity Conversations will be occurring in regions across the country from June through August 2020. During these conversations cis and trans girls, young women, and gender-expansive people of color will be leading the conversation in community to share their experiences, needs and solutions during these unprecedented times. We hope you can join this conversation - your perspective and recommendations for change are important to ensure healing and justice in your community, state and across the country.

If you are interested in participating in an In Solidarity Conversation <register here.>

In Solidarity Conversation - NEW ENGLAND (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI and VT)

Tuesday June 30, 2020

4:00-5:30 PM

Space is limited. *Participants will receive a $30 electronic gift card.

For more information about the In Solidarity conversation happening in your region contact: Jeannette@NationalCrittenton.org

 In solidarity.

_______________________________

In recognition of the times we are in and to provide staff with time for self and family care, National Crittenton will be moving to a 4-daywork week till June 30th. We will continue to assess this as more information is available - Thank you for your patience. 

Jeannette Pai-Espinosa 

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

President, National Crittenton

jeannette@NationalCrittenton.org 

office 503-297-2217      cell 503-816-1528

921 SW Washington Street, #312   

Portland, Oregon 97205

 @J-PaiEspinosa

@natlcrittenton

NationalCrittenton.org

 

Deeper Dive into Adoption: Training Discussions

You have completed all the required training. Your adoption or legal guardianship has been finalized – maybe a long time ago. But still . . . you have questions, frustration, confusion, sadness or anger. This journey has been both more rewarding and more challenging than you could have ever imagined. Join us for one, two or three of these free one-hour long video conference calls to take a deeper dive into some of the issues that many adoptive (or legal guardianship) parents wonder about.
 
Summer 2020 Dates 
 
Our Extended Families
Thursday
July 16th
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Adoption impacts the WHOLE family! Often our own parents and siblings have reactions to our decision to adopt that are confusing or even painful. They may not always understand or support the ways we choose to parent our adopted children. In this discussion we will explore some of these challenges and look into some ways to help our families better understand adoption.
 
Adoption and School
Thursday
August 13th
7:00pm – 8:00pm
Children or youth who joined their families through adoption can have some unique challenges in the school setting. Certain activities – bring a baby picture to school or make a family tree or celebrating Mother’s or Father’s Day or even celebrating their birthdays – can illicit strong emotions. Explore ways to support your child and advocate with the school around these unique challenges.

TO REGISTER, CONTACT: EMMA.BAIRD@UVM.EDU 

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
As we continue to shelter in place and remain safe from exposure to Covid-19, here are some helpful tips you and your family can use to make the experience less stressful.  As always, contact your District Office, should you need support during this critical time. Here is a link to our District Offices: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts
Please contact your district office at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts for information on resources and services available in your district.
 
Vermont RPC+
TIPS for Tuning In
Trauma-Informed Parenting Skills
for foster, adoptive & kin caregivers
(and those supporting them)
 
 
 
 
Hope and Healing through Resilience
 
 
These are tough times - even without the extra layer of developmental trauma that so many of our children and youth have experienced. Covid-19 has challenged the best of us. As things in Vermont start to open up our children and youth may continue to struggle. This e-blast will talk about resilience, hope and healing.
 
 
 
 
Click on the image BELOW to be taken to Harvard Center on the Developing Child website. It has a number of videos, infographics and information regarding about how Covid-19 is a source of unexpected stress and adversity for children and families - explore the website at your own pace.
 
 
 
 
Although this 3 minute long video was created for therapists and teachers, about developing a "trauma-informed resilience-focused mindset," it certainly applies to all caregivers:
 
 
 
 
Make a Coping Skills Toolbox!
 
 
 
Click on image to see the various boxes more clearly
 
 
 
 
Tips for Building Resilience in Our Children
 
 
 
Creating a Family (an organization dedicated to strengthening and inspiring  adoptive, foster and kinship families and the professionals who support them) has a helpful article entitled: "Tips for Building Resilience in Our Children." Click on the image above to be directed to the article.
 
 
 
 
Update on RPC+ Classes during Covid-19
 
 
Covid-19 Stay Home Stay Safe orders happened just as spring RPC+ classes were getting started around the state! Middlebury (CSAC) and Hartford (HCRS) decided to wait until folks can meet in person to restart their classes; while Barre (WCMH) and Burlington (Howard Center) switched mid-stream to start teaching their classes virtually.

Newport (NEKHS), St. Albans (NCSS), Brattleboro (HCRS), and Springfield (HCRS) hadn't started their classes prior to the stay home order, so they will be starting their classes later this summer or in the fall.

Rutland (RMH) decided to begin their spring class remotely a couple of weeks ago, while Burlington (NFI) is looking to do the same thing very soon.

Morrisville (LCMH), St. Johnsbury (NEKHS), Randolph (Clara Martin) and Bennington (UCS) all hope to have in-person classes this fall.
 
 
 
 
 
 
The RPC+ Trauma-Informed Parenting Skills e-blast is sent out on a periodic basis to all RPC+ graduates, Family Services Resource Coordinators & District Directors, Vermont Designated Agency Children's Directors, Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership staff, all RPC+ Instructors, and interested caregivers & professionals.

Since 2014 over 400 Vermont caregivers have completed the course!!
 
   
 
Stay Connected!
 
 

If you use Facebook ~
Consider joining one (or both) of these Facebook Groups.
 
 
Vermont Trauma Lens
 
 
Open to ANYONE
Vermont RPC+
 
 
For RPC+ Graduates ONLY
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This newsletter is written by Amy Bielawski-Branch.  I am the Training Specialist from the Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership who oversees the Vermont RPC+ program through the Vermont Placement Stability Project. If you ever have questions or concerns about this newsletter OR about the RPC+ workshop - please feel free to email me by clicking the email "button" below.
 

 
 
email
 
 
 
 
Copyright © 2020 Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you are enrolled in an RPC+ class or have expressed interested in RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In.

Our mailing address is:
Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
004 Mann Hall - UVM
208 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405

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V.F.A.F.A. NEWS

helpful news and information from our VFAFA partners 

VFAFA NEWS 
Here you will find notices of upcoming meetings, events, and news of special interest from our VFAFA partners.  If you would like to suggest a topic or share news from your Parent Group, please send an email:  mary.collins@vermont.gov with details.  Thank you!




The next VFAFA meeting is scheduled for: Tuesday, July 14th from 7-9pm via ZOOM. The link can be found on the VFAFA Facebook page.


VFAFA ELECTION RESULTS COMING SOON!

YOUTH VOICE

helpful news and information in support of youth in foster care

Vermont's Youth Development Program

 

MOVIE CLUB!       The Youth Development Program’s virtual Youth Advisory Board (YAB) in engaging in challenging and important discussions regarding racial injustice, Black Lives Matter, social media, protests, and systemic racism. We have been exploring and processing the best ways to support each other throughout current events and the pandemic.  

Additionally, YDP is hosting a Movie Club (similar to a Book Club). Each week youth throughout the state of Vermont vote on a new movie to watch and then to discuss in the following YAB meeting. The YDP Movie Club has been a great way to stay connected with others and make friends while social distancing. This week we are watching Babel (Tragedy strikes a married couple on vacation in the Moroccan desert, touching off an interlocking story involving four different families. Starring Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett).

Virtual YAB meetings are every Thursday from 2-3 pm. All youth currently (or previously) involved in the child welfare system are welcome to join YAB meetings to pick the next movie, make friends with like-minded peers, and support each other and our community.

Contact Kayla @ kaltobelli@wcysb.org for more information on how you can join the Movie Club and YDP's virtual YAB.

-----------------------

Kayla Altobelli

Youth Engagement Coordinator
Youth Development Program
Washington County Youth Service Bureau
P.O. Box 627, 38 Elm St.
Montpelier, VT 05601

(802) 229-9151

VIRTUAL EVENTS
virtual events of interest

for vermont foster and kincare families

PLEASE CONFIRM THAT EVENTS OF INTEREST POSTED ON THIS CALENDAR ARE HAPPENING.   CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS MAY OCCUR WITHOUT NOTICE. 
 
Summer Activities 2020

"Yes, you can still enjoy your summer!
Here are some fun ideas to explore!"
 

These helpful tips come from https://fpr.vermont.gov/recreation/outdoor-recreation-and-covid-19

Find out Where to Safely Recreate: Many outdoor recreation facilities are operating, but at a limited capacity. Call ahead or check websites for more information before you head out. You can find information on local spots on http://www.Trailfinder.infohttps://vtfishandwildlife.com/ or the landowner or recreation organization’s specific website. Be sure to check trail organization websites for detailed information on the use of their trail networks and additional requirements to ensure a safe experience for all users.

Respect Trail Closures: Some trails may be closed. Please consult www.Trailfinder.info prior to starting your hike.

Minimize Risk to Others: Go out only if you’re healthy, have not been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, and/or have not recently traveled from a location with a CDC-issued travel advisory.

Do Not Engage in Contact Sports: For example, outdoor basketball courts may be open to shoot hoops, but signage should be posted prohibiting contact games. Do not share sports equipment with people outside of your household.

Engage in Low-Risk Activities: Now is not the time to try something extreme and end up in the hospital, taxing our health care system. In addition, Search and Rescue personnel must don all PPE and sanitize all rescue equipment, which is time-consuming and, given their need for close proximity and contact with rescue subjects, it is also dangerous for them.

Practice Good Hygiene: Wash hands often with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. If those aren’t available, use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol. Avoid surfaces that are touched often, such as doorknobs, handrails, and playground equipment.

Try Not to Touch Anything: The coronavirus can survive on objects for several days, and that applies to commonly touched outdoors surfaces like railings, fences, signs and trash cans. Public restrooms that are still open (many are currently closed), may only be as clean as the last person who used them. Use the bathroom before you go out, and always make a habit of washing your hands when you return home.

Wear a Cloth Mask or Face Covering: Any time you know others may be present, you should have your mask on, even while running or biking. Keeping it at the ready is ok if you can quickly and safely pull it up over your nose and mouth, doing this well before you come within six feet of others. Although disinfecting your hands after touching the mask is advised, wearing a face covering is intended to protect others.

Observe CDC’s Recommended Social Distancing of Six Feet from Other People (and then some!) When you’re exerting yourself, your breath and associated droplets can travel farther than six feet: stay out of other people’s “contrails” and give each other as much space as possible (wearing a cloth mask is a best practice at least when approaching and passing people).

Practice six feet of spacing and know what it looks like. Keep it as you walk, bike, or hike. It may be hard to estimate six feet in your mind, but a few common objects might help. An average bicycle is just a little less than six feet long. Most kayaks are 10 feet long, so if you imagine yourself kayaking around a park, you have about five feet to the front of your boat. Many standard fishing rods are at least six feet long.

Please Leash Your Dog! They are members of your household and need to keep their social distance as well (most standard leashes are 6 feet in length).

Know Proper Trailhead and Trail Use Etiquette:

! Know where and when to go: it’s best if we don’t all go to the most popular trailheads at the most popular times of day. Early morning or evening tends to be less crowded. Dispersal is key! You can plan your trip on www.trailfinder.info. If you arrive at a parking lot and it is full, find another trail.

! Slow down, step back, and let people know when you’re approaching: Awareness and consideration are key. Everyone should yield to everyone right now and making some noise as you approach is recommended. A friendly “Hello!” followed by a pause to figure out your next move is the best tactic. If you find yourself coming up behind a slower walker, and there’s not six feet to pass safely, slow down instead. If somebody is getting too close to you, step back to allow enough space.

! Step off the trail when needed: If the trail isn’t wide enough to allow for six feet in passing, step off the trail at a 90-degree angle, being careful not to tread on plants if at all possible. Once you’re six feet off, wait for the approaching group to clear the area before retracing your footsteps. If you’re a mountain biker, lay your bike down by the side of the trail first. By whatever means you may be moving on the trail, don’t cut a new trail parallel to the existing track.

! Keep single file (even on wide trails): Keep your group single file (this may mean you have to hike more slowly than you want to): do not spread out all over the trail. When you let someone pass, step off to the side and stay put — don’t walk or ride alongside the path. The same goes for when you encounter ice or mud in the trail — stay on the trail and go right through it!

! Don’t stand across the trail to chat: it is great to see friends and acquaintances (who’s that behind the awesome plaid cloth mask?) but stopping on either side of the trail to chat just creates a breath “gauntlet” that others must either pass through or go off-trail to avoid.
Embrace an arrive, play, and leave mentality: Do not gather in groups before or after activities.  

! Hiking with Children: If you are hiking with children, set expectations before getting out of the car. Remind them not to run up to people or dogs, and to cough and sneeze into their elbows while turned away from people. Children older than 2 years in age can and should be encouraged to use cloth masks or face coverings. Remind your kids often of the new rules; they will need lots of kind and consistent reminders of what this new behavior needs to look like — be sure that you are modeling it!

Remember: If you can’t maintain social distance, just don’t go at all!

Access State Lands: Currently, state lands (State Parks, Forests, Fish & Wildlife Access Areas, and Wildlife Management Areas) remain open and accessible to the public for outdoor recreation, although most facilities like restrooms are currently closed and not being staffed or sanitized. Some roads and trails are gated this time of year and closed to all but foot traffic.  The Long Trail System on state lands is currently closed.  Visit Green Mountain Club for more information and updates.  Other trail closures may be necessary in the future.  Please check www.Trailfinder.info often for updates.

Explore More Recreation Opportunities: You can keep up to date on fishing and hunting opportunities through the Vermont Fish and Wildlife website or Facebook page, and you can purchase hunting or fishing licenses online. You can also join the Vermont State Parks Venture Vermont Outdoor Challenge, which provides additional ideas for outdoor activities and is a great way for kids to learn about their environment.

Primitive Camping: Shelters, remote campgrounds and privies on state lands are currently closed through June. Primitive (self-contained) camping is allowed, but guidelines must be followed: https://fpr.vermont.gov/primitive-camping

Keep Up-to-Date on Vermont State Parks: Although currently open for general visitation, it is not yet appropriate or safe to open State Parks for staffed operations.  But we are working with VDH information and guidance and striving to be fully operational later this spring or early summer. Some modifications to programs and services may be expected to ensure the safety and health of park visitors and staff. Check the website https://vtstateparks.blogspot.com/2020/03/vermont-state-parks-covid-19-updates.html for regular updates as this is likely to continue to change.

 

FRONT PORCH FORUM

reaching out to communities statewide

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, like yourself, who might be interested in foster care, please let your District office know and please subscribe to your community's Front Porch Forum. 

Email: mary.collins@vermont.gov


Please note: Front Porch Forum messages are not stories of specific children but composite stories of children who may have been in our care. We use stories to illustrate the experiences of children and youth and to help find appropriate foster care for all. Do YOU have a story to share with us about your experience as a Foster parent? If so, email: mary.collins@vermont.gov

Here is  one of these messages:
_________________________________________

 
Sisters Forever!

    Sasha and Folamee know everything you would ever want to know about the movie “Frozen”. Between them, these two exceptionally close sisters probably watched it about sixteen times, and they can sing every word to every song! But they also know what it’s like to live in a family with parents who struggle to find their footing in a new and different country from their birth and whose first language isn’t English. As refugees, the family has dealt with a lot of change, a lot of trauma, and while the two girls have little memory of their time outside of the United States, they feel their parents’ pain, too.

Might you be the right foster care home for these sisters, or children like them?  Could you provide the unconditional care and support they need? Can you work toward hopeful reunification with the girl’s birth parents? If so, we’d love to hear from you!  It will be challenging, but it will also be one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll ever make.
 
To learn more, go to http://fostercare.vt.gov.  If you want us to contact you, complete the form at http://dcf.vermont.gov/foster-care-inquiry.

You can also call your local Family Services District Office and ask to speak to the Resource Coordinator. http://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts.

Are you healthy?  Are you in a low-risk category for Covid19? If so, there may be a child or youth waiting who would benefit from your care.

Please visit us on the web at http//dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts

KEEP LOCAL KIDS LOCAL. 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Thank you for your generous support!

Our sincere thank you to the Vine Sanctuary in Springfield? 

They donated 100 packets of seeds for our Foster/Kinship Goodie Bags in May! 

Here's where you'll find more about this awesome organization!

  http://vine.bravebirds.org/about-us/

For all newsletter inquiries, please contact:
Mary.Collins@vermont.gov 

Are you a foster care provider who would be willing to speak with the press?  If so, we would LOVE to hear from you. From time-to-time, the Commissioner's Office receives requests for interviews. Perhaps your story may be one we could share? For more information, contact: 
Luciana.DiRuocco@vermont.gov.
Copyright © 2020
Vermont Department For Children and Families, Family Services Division
All rights reserved.
___________
Our mailing address is:
280 State Street HC1N Building B Waterbury Vermont 05671
Tel: (802) 241.0896
___________
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