"Hope is important because it can make the present moment less difficult to bear. If we believe that tomorrow will be better, we can bear a hardship today."-Thich Nhat Hanh
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
April 4, 2020
Dear Vermont Foster Caregiver,
First, let me thank you for all your efforts to support Vermont children and families during this unprecedented series of events. Your continued compassionate caring will be what helps to create safety and reassurance for the young people in your care. We could not meet the needs of these children without you!
The Family Services Division Management Team has been developing guidance related to the Coronavirus as we face this challenge together as local, national and international communities. It is of the utmost importance to ensure the health and well-being of staff, community partners, families and children as we continue to provide services and support to youth and families in the State of Vermont.
This memo addresses issues that have been raised from all over the state. We hope that it will provide you with some answers.
For up to date information about the Coronavirus and strategies for staying healthy, please visit the Vermont Health Department’s website at: healthvermont.gov/covid19.
Additionally, DCF has stood up a COVID-19 information page on our website. Links to other DCF Division information can be found at this link: https://dcf.vermont.gov/COVID-19
Financial Relief
We are pleased to share that we have secured funding to support a $10.00/day/ per child temporary increase to your foster parent reimbursement. This temporary increase will be applied to be standard foster care rates and to caregivers who are receiving an enhanced rate through a CRF. We are working with our Business Office to include these additional funds starting March 1, 2020. Future communications will provide information about how long we anticipate the increase will be in effect. As you know, things are changing rapidly.
Parent Child Contact:
We understand that sustaining face to face parent child contact is presenting concerns for many of you. This matter was heard by the Vermont Supreme Court. Several members of the foster parent community offered testimony. Currently, the division is still being required to support in person parent child contact.
The 3.19.2020 Family Services Division guidance for Parent Child Contact is directing our work at this time. The number one priority of that guidance was to establish Family Time plans.
When a child has been removed from a parent’s care and placed in DCF custody; parent child contact is ordered by the court. DCF, as the custodian, has a responsibility to ensure that this contact occurs. At the same time, during the COVID-19 pandemic, DCF has a responsibility to ensure that contact occur in a manner that is safe and appropriate, in alignment with the latest guidance from the Department of Health, and in compliance with the expectations of the court.
To accomplish this goal, a small workgroup made up of the following individuals or their designees: Chief Administrative Judge, Defender General, State’s Attorney, FSD AAG Director, FSD Director of Operations, Parent Attorney, Child Attorney and GAL has been meeting by phone regularly to discuss parent-child contact.
Support staff (such as case aides and CFS providers) in the offices, systematically facilitated phone calls with all parents and foster parents (or staff caretakers) of children/youth in DCF custody to develop safe, appropriate parent-child contact. This may mean remote/virtual contact in most situations.
For those families that were amenable to virtual/remote parent child contact, a family time plan was developed to include the details of how contact would occur and what the amount of contact would be.
These plans will be in effect for the period in which Vermont is in a state of emergency. Currently that is for the time period of 3/19/20 until 4/15/20.
In cases of disagreement with virtual/remote contact:
If the parent disagreed with shifting to virtual/remote contact, facilitators were directed to ask two screening questions (see below) of all individuals directly involved in the parent-child contact (parent, caregiver, child).
1. Have you been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19?
2. Have you felt unwell with respiratory symptoms in the last few days? Cough, high temperature, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing?
If any party answered “yes” to either of the screening questions, virtual/remote contact was instituted. and the FSW was required to request of the State’s Attorney that an emergency motion to suspend in-person parent-child contact be filed.
Additionally, if any household members identify as “high-risk for serious health issues” were they to contract COVID-19, and the parent disagrees with remote contact, Dr. James Metz will be consulted to verify this individual is in the high-risk category. If the individual is verified as in the high-risk category, this statement by Dr. Metz will be included in the emergency motion to the court regarding the disagreement. DCF will immediately implement remote contact until the matter can be reviewed by the court.
The Division is aware that many caregivers are continuing to support face to face parent child contact. Please be sure to communicate with parents prior to each scheduled parent child contact to revisit the screening questions to ensure safety. If someone answers yes to a screening question, the visit should not occur face to face. Please be sure that you communicate these details to your Family Services Worker.
The links below will take you to a tip sheet and guidance for caregivers supporting virtual visits:
Monthly Face-to-Face Contacts with Family Service Worker:
At this time, monthly face to face contact for each child in custody is suspended for the duration of the Vermont State of Emergency Declaration (currently April 15, 2020). Family Services Workers are still required to coordinate contact through video conferencing. If you do not have the capacity to participate in a video conference, please communicate this to your Family Services Worker. This is a very NEW shift that we have been required to implement. Calls from staff may come through to you from different phone numbers as they will be working remotely. Please answer unknown numbers and check your voicemail frequently.
Health Care Appointments for Children in Foster Care:
It is more important than ever that caregivers receive a placement checklist and medical treatment authorization form for children new to care. Your FSW should be providing this document to you. These documents should articulate critical health information about the child and should identify the Primary Care Provider (PCP) for the child placed in your home. If a child is appears ill, or you have concerns, call the office of the PCP with any questions, and you will be guided whether to have the child come to the office, go to the ED, or to monitor the child from home.
Most routine appointments for children are being rescheduled. Some health providers including mental health care providers can hold appointments virtually. Please check with your provider to see what their availability may be.
Court
On 3.16.2020 the Declaration of Judicial Emergency and Changes to Court Procedure guidance was issued. Hearings that involve the Family Services Division and potentially caregivers that will continue include temporary care hearings and hearings on motions to suspend parent child contact.
Some of you are waiting for an adoption finalization date from the probate court. We have been successful finalizing adoptions through the mail and remotely. Our partners at Lund will be able to help support you, if this situation applies to you.
If you have received recent communication about a hearing, you will want to contact the court or visit the judiciary website below to determine the status of the hearing.
Enter the docket number of the case, it should be referenced on earlier court paperwork you have received, and it should look something like this: #123-12-19 Cnjv / Juvenile / Juvenile Hearing
COVID-19 Supports for Former Foster Youth
As colleges and universities move toward closure of their campuses, the DCF-Family Services Division and our contracted transition and aftercare program, the Youth Development Program, aims to ensure that former foster youth that are currently living on campus and impacted by these changes have access to necessary housing, food, health care, and emotional support services at this time. We know that many college-attending former foster youth rely on campus housing, may not have other options, and risk homelessness and other challenges.
If you know of a former foster youth that is in college and living on campus, please encourage them to reach out to their local Youth Development Coordinator. Contact information for local case managers and the statewide Youth Development Program (YDP) can be found here: www.vtyouthdevelopmentprogram.org.
Youth can also access assistance by emailing YDP@wcysb.org. YDP can assist youth with accessing funding to support independent housing costs, funds to live with an approved caring adult, and/or navigation of community housing resources and other services. YDP can also help youth to contact their colleges and advocate to either remain on campus during this time, or to identify other potential options through their institutions.
Caregiver Training Opportunities
Family Services and The Child Welfare Training Partnership are pleased to announce that we can support on-going caregiver training during the COVID epidemic. The Partnership will be reaching out via email announcing the launch of their new resource- Homebound Heroes Weekly. Embedded elsewhere in this newsletter will be a link to the online training platform.
Childcare
The Governor has designated Foster Parents as Essential Persons. As an essential person, foster parents will have access to childcare for their foster children who are aged birth through 8th grade. The link below contains the guidance that was provided to childcare providers. It contains information that some of you may find helpful.
Respite Care
Some of you have questions about respite. We are close to being able to issue our guidance related to respite. Before we can share additional details, the Vermont Department of Health needs to ensure that our plan is in alignment with best practice to minimize risk to the community. As you know, we have been directed by the Governor to “Stay Home, Stay Safe”.
Education and COVID
On March 27, 2020 Governor Phil Scott ordered schools to stay closed for the remainder of the academic year. School districts have until April 13th to come up with a plan for distance learning. We understand that MANY of the children in your care have special educational needs.
We are also aware of a few situations where youth are not engaging in the online school activities provided by schools. Please make your Family Services Worker aware if this situation applies to your family. We want to know if you have a “tech related” barrier (i.e. the family only has one laptop or device, or your internet connection can’t support the volume of activity). Schools do have an obligation to ensure their methods can be accessed by all students, including those with special needs and barriers to the internet. We have reached out to the Agency of Education for guidance related to what caregivers can expect from schools related to specialized instruction, attendance expectation and other accommodations. In the meantime, we know that you are doing the best you can. Right now, the best and most important thing children need is your compassionate care and your reassurance. Thank you for giving them that!
How to Talk to Children about COVID-19:
Below are resources to help you talk with kids about COVID-19; It is important to help children and youth understand that this is serious, while not causing them to be afraid.
On behalf of the Family Services Division, I want to express profound appreciation for your commitment to Vermont Children and Families. Foster Parenting can be challenging even on a good day. Please remember that you are not alone. Our staff are working remotely but they are available. Our Centralized Intake and Emergency Services Team are available 24/7 at 1(800)649-5285.
Warmly, Barbara A. Joyal Barb Joyal
System of Care Unit Director
DCF/ Family Services
Welcome Home!
News from the Child Welfare Training Partnership
Welcome to the Homebound Heroes Weekly! We at the Child Welfare Training Partnership at UVM are excited to bring you together online for updates on trainings, virtual learning opportunities, tips of the trade, and ways to stay bright and keep growing your practice from home. We are all in this together now so we'll be sharing things that are relevant to those of you caring for someone in your homes through kinship care, fostering, or adoption and those of you keeping someone safe through work at Family Services. Scroll down for this week's resources and watch your inbox for more in the weeks to come.
Homebound Heroes Weekly
For child welfare partners and parents making the difference for Vermont kids...from home.
The Child Welfare Training Partnership at UVM is excited to bring you together online for updates on trainings, virtual learning opportunities, tips of the trade, and ways to stay bright and keep growing your practice from home. We are all in this together now so we'll be sharing things that are relevant to those of you caring for someone in your homes through kinship care, fostering, or adoption and those of you keeping someone safe through work at Family Services. Scroll down for this week's resources and watch your inbox for more in the weeks to come.
Live. Learn. Repeat.
While you're at our portal don't be afraid to explore courses you took at the beginning of your child welfare journey. Whether it's been six months or six years, going back to revisit core topics will likely amaze you. Now that you've got some lived experience, early courses make more sense and relate to your practice with kids in a whole new way.
How to Help Your High School Senior
Cope With Having Their Year Cut Short - Dr. Elizabeth Yuko
Think back to your senior year of high school. Once spring rolled around, you were basically home-free and could finally experience the joy of “senioritis”: getting to go to school and see your friends while enjoying lower academic expectations. Plus there were so many major events to look forward to like senior prom, graduation and any other traditions your school may have had. But now, thanks to the coronavirus outbreak, many high school (and college) seniors are coming to terms with having to miss all of that.
Sure, there are classes on Zoom and group FaceTime chats, but of course it’s not the same. And if you’re the parent of a high school senior, this can be hard to watch. You’ve seen your kid work so hard for so long, only to have the celebrations of making it through high school taken away. Though you may feel helpless, there are ways to make this situation a little easier. Lifehacker spoke with mental health and education experts to find out how parents can help their high school seniors cope with having their year cut short.
Acknowledge and validate their grief
Whether or not you realize it, your high school senior may be grieving the loss of the end of their final year of high school, as well as all the milestones that come along with it. The first thing parents should do is being aware and sensitive of their child’s loss.
Don’t project
It’s not only your kid who has worked hard in school the past 13 years—you have too. And because of that, you may be grieving too. Marni Pasch, a trained school counselor turned academic coach, cautions parents to be mindful of whether they are projecting their own emotions onto their child. “It is important to assess whether the parent’s emotions are shared by the child,” she says. “Parents should take time to acknowledge their own disappointment as well.”
Ask them what they need
As much as you’d like to jump into your caregiver/protector role, check with your child first and ask them what they need right. If they just want to be left alone to play video games, don’t try to push it. “Don’t force conversation, but let your teen know you’re ready to listen when they want to talk,” Raab says. “Don’t give too much advice just yet—we really don’t know enough to give long-term advice at this point.”
Find other ways to visit colleges
On top of everything else, high school seniors who are opting to attend college now have to decide where to enroll. Some universities are pushing enrollment back to June 1st because of the coronavirus outbreak. Not every college is doing this, so definitely check with your kid’s choice to see what their policy is.
There’s also the issue of college visits. Though some people may have been ahead of the game and started college visits their junior or even sophomore year, not everyone is in the same boat. So what are you supposed to do if you haven’t yet taking a college tour and need to send in your acceptance?
“Many colleges and universities are moving towards some sort of virtual options for students,” Jamie Pack, a college planning consultant at Advantage College Planning. “A lot already have virtual tours available— YouVisit and Campus Reel are good resources for this. Others are readying some sort of virtual admitted student event for prospective students. Pack also suggests doing a drive-thru car tour of a campus if it happens to be close to where you live.
And keep in mind that universities’ admissions staff are still working (though probably from home at this point). Feel free to reach out to them with any questions you have and they’ll do their best to help out.
Get creative
There are some creative ways to try to make the next few months a little more bearable. But check with your kid first before doing anything like this. They may still need their space, and if they’re not into your ideas, it may only make things worse. For example, you could hold a mini graduation in your home or backyard and use Zoom or FaceTime so your friends and relatives could attend virtually.
If your high school senior does want to do something to mark the occasion of their graduation ask them how they’d prefer to do that.
Dr. Elizabeth Yuko is a bioethicist and adjunct professor of ethics at Fordham University. She has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Rolling Stone, CNN & Playboy.
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
In these tough times, you may find it helpful to have someone you can trust to talk to. Someone that has walked in your shoes. Someone who will be there for you when you need a reassuring voice.
A mentor oftentimes, also became a friend. They walk the same path with the same desire to support and care for children and youth in foster care as you do. They have the experience and wisdom that could be of help to a new foster parent.
Are you ready to share your knowledge with others? Could you benefit from having a mentor?
When foster parents feel listened to and supported, they are more confident and likely to stay with the work. By mentoring new foster parents, you’re helping to ensure the stability & success of the children placed in their homes.
If you have been a Foster parent for at least two years and have taken RPC+ or other advanced training, consider becoming a Mentor.
We invite you to take the Mentor Training online course. It's short and will provide you with some basic information about becoming a Mentor. Once you have taken the training, you will receive a phone call to match you with a Mentee.
For more information and to answer any questions you might have, please contact Foster/Kin Care Manager, Joan Rock, at 802-760-0594 or email her atJoan.Rock@vermont.gov.
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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 meeting will be held, Tuesday, April 14th, at 7:00pm. To participate via Skype:
YOUTH VOICE
helpful news and information in support of youth in foster care
Vermont's Youth Development Program
With regional YAB meetings being postponed, YDP will be hosting a weekly state-wide virtual zoom meeting with youth. TheVirtual Youth Advisory Board (YAB) meets every Thursday from 2-3pm
We will discuss the best ways to support youth throughout the state and in our community during this difficult time. The meeting will be an outlet for you to address and propose solutions for the immediate problems facing youth and families in light of the Covid-19 outbreak. Contact kaltobelli@wcysb.org for the zoom link and more info.
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
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Please read this important memo in regards to housing security for former foster youth in colleges that are shutting down due to COVID-19. If you are working with a youth in college, please reach out to them to make sure their housing is secure. Also, you may need to anticipate former foster youth who you aren't currently connected to reaching out to you for assistance. In many cases, students can advocate to stay on campus at closing colleges, but this may need to be advocated for. Thank you in advance for working to advocate for and with these youth, in collaboration with your local colleges.
To:
Former Foster Youth in Vermont
Youth Development Coordinators
DCF Family Services Division Staff
DCF-FSD Stakeholders
From:
Amanda Churchill, Adolescent Policy & Practice Specialist, DCF-FSD
Jennifer Boardman, Director, Youth Development Program
Date:
March 16, 2020
Subject:
COVID-19 and Supports for Former Foster Youth
As colleges and universities move toward closure of their campuses, the DCF-Family Services Division and our contracted transition and aftercare program, the Youth Development Program, aims to ensure that former foster youth that are currently living on campus and impacted by these changes have access to necessary housing, food, health care, and emotional support services at this time. We know that for many college-attending former foster youth rely on campus housing, may not have other options, and risk homelessness and other challenges.
If you are a former foster youth that is in college and living on campus, or if you are aware of a former foster youth in this circumstances, please reach out to your local Youth Development Coordinator. Contact information for local case managers and the statewide Youth Development Program (YDP) can be found here: www.vtyouthdevelopmentprogram.org. Youth can also access assistance by emailing YDP@wcysb.org.
YDP can assist youth with accessing funding to support independent housing costs, funds to live with an approved caring adult, and/or navigation of community housing resources and other services. YDP can also help youth to contact their colleges and advocate to either remain on campus during this time, or to identify other potential options through their institutions.
Thank you for your attention and assistance with this very important and urgent need for Vermont youth.
Sincerely,
Amanda Churchill, LICSW
Adolescent Policy & Practice Specialist
DCF Family Services
(802) 585-0554 Amanda.Churchill@vermont.gov Jennifer Boardman, LMSW
Director, Youth Development Program
(510) 277-5465 JBoardman@wcysb.org ________________________________________________________________
FIND OUT ABOUT "FOSTER CLUB" A HELPFUL RESOURCE FOR YOUTH/YOUNG ADULTS CURRENTLY OR FORMERLY IN FOSTER CARE:
FosterClub’s mission is to lead the efforts of young people in and from foster care to become connected, educated, inspired and represented so they can realize their personal potential and contribute to a better life for their peers.
We believe that young people in and from foster care deserve to be:
• Connected to a peer support network and to people in the community who care.
• Educated about their rights, how the foster care system works, self-advocacy strategies, and how to locate resources to help them succeed.
• Inspired and empowered through the stories of people who have succeeded after foster care.
• Represented to have their voices heard by policy makers, the public, and others who influence the system that profoundly impacts their lives.
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT EVENTS OF INTEREST POSTED ON THIS CALENDAR ARE HAPPENING. CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS MAY OCCUR WITHOUT NOTICE.
VIRTUAL EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
Vermont Online Library: The Vermont Online Library (VOL) offers a wide array of electronic information databases on a variety of topics geared to a variety of age levels, for both generalists and specialists. These resources are available to you 24-hours-a-day from not only your participating local library, but your home, your office – or anywhere Internet access is available. (Contact your library for login & password information).
YOUTH MOVE CHAPTERS HAVE SHARED RESOURCES THEY FIND SUPPORTIVE TO ALL DURING THIS TIME OF SOCIAL DISTANCING AND SAFETY. HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS YOU CAN CHECK OUT. WE'LL UPDATE THE LIST WITH A FEW NEW CONNECTIONS EACH WEEK!
Members of Youth MOVE Chapters are contributing resources they have found to be supportive in this time of coronavirus and required social distancing. Here are a few of those finds!
Gaming: Kongregate Free online games ranging from casual if you just have a few minutes to longer-form games that you can come back to.
Art: Google Doodles We’ve all seen the Google Doodles that appear during special events or to honor specific people. This is the archive that you can get lost in.
Music: Song Maker A quick and fun way to let out some noise while on your computer. Song Maker lets you easily construct songs, play them back, and remix them.
Health: Yoga with Adriene Welcomes all levels, all bodies, all genders, all souls! Browse the library of free yoga videos to find a practice that suits your mood.
Nature: Animal Cams Check out these amazing feeds! From jellyfish to an African watering hole.
Reddit Reddit is the largest online forum dedicated to specific and unique interests and topics known as subreddits. There is a community for everyone from your favorite TV show to the ever soothing, oddly satisfying sub.
Zoom Free to use for meetings up to 40 minutes long with video, voice, and screen share options.
Play Settlers of Catan Online Catan Universe lets you use Catan Classic to play the board game virtually!
The website is in German, use Google Translate to translate it to English and voila!
NPR Up First A daily news podcast, 15 minutes or less.
Teen Vogue Seriously - check out Teen Vogue. They’re doing the best reporting on….
everything, from health to fashion to current events and the epidemic.
Ten Percent Happier Host Dan Harris tackles actionable and practical tips on how to deal with the anxiety and fear that comes with not only what is going on currently, but the lack of information around what the future holds.
Some Good News
John Krasinski of The Office fame has started a YouTube channel from his home, sharing little bits of positive news to lift spirits!
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.
Please note: Front Porch Forum messages are not the 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 an excerpt from one of these messages: _________________________________________
FOSTER CARE PROVIDERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE!
The Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division extends our sincere and deepest gratitude to all the people serving children, families, friends and communities on the front line. We especially want to acknowledge the role of foster care providers who have been identified as "essential persons" by Governor Scott during this demanding time. You have stepped up in ways that no one could have predicted would be asked of you. Thank you!
As of right now, we are able to report that there have been no children in foster care who have tested positive for COVID19.
With schools out and children at home, some already stressed families find themselves at a tipping point. Please do your part to support your vulnerable neighbors. Call them to check in. Offer to run an errand if you are already going out. If you are worried about child safety, as always, please call the Child Protection Hotline at 1(800) 649-5285.
The Family Services Division, and all of you who are part of our family of caregivers are working together to insure the safety of Vermont's children and youth. If you find yourself struggling in any way, please know that supports continue to be available. Please call your local district office if you have needs or questions.
THANK YOU TO EACH OF YOU WHO MUST WORK TO KEEP US SAFE, SHELTERED, STOCKED, AND SUPPORTED!
To the many individual workers, community groups, businesses, faith organizations, teachers, and others whose generosity toward our communities during this demanding time - especially to children and youth in foster care - has made a tremendous difference in their lives, thank you! We appreciate you!
There are over 1200 children and youth in foster care in Vermont. During this demanding time, we continue to seek and need care providers to support children and youth who have experienced separation, trauma and the uncertainty of their stability at home. Thank you to everyone who has continued to support children and youth in foster care. We appreciate you more than we can express! And, should you know of someone who might provide foster care, please contact your District Office. Here is a link to the district offices statewide: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts
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.
