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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IMAGES FROM THE VFAFA CONFERENCE
There was no shortage of laughter, tears, or dancing at the 2019 VFAFA Conference held this past weekend in Burlington. Parents, children, staff, and special guests convened to share information, experiences, and best practices. Highlights of the conference included a powerful opening Institute with Michael Trout whose research points to trauma that can be experienced months, years and, yes, even lifetimes later by vulnerable children and adults. For more information, visit: theknowledgecenter@chadduck.com
Workshops were particularly informative and afforded participants the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences with leading experts and each other.
Saturday launched with Sara Forward who spoke about parenting a child amid adversity. exploring the back and forth of caregiving and compassionate responses within families with new scientific evidence of co-regulation and caregiving brain responses and hope for families working with children who have lived through trauma and adversity.
Sunday's powerful close featured Dr. Aron Steward, Clinical Director of Woodside Juvenile Rehabilitation Center.
Many thanks to all who sponsored, organized, presented and attended.
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MENTOR TRAINING
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We are excited to provide you with the updated materials for the Foster Kin Mentor Program. Notice the new look and the updated information.
We will continue to accept Mentor and Mentee referrals from the Resource Coordinators. In addition, Foster or Kin Caregivers can now apply to be a Mentor by filling out an application and sending it to: Foster/Kin Care Manager, Joan Rock. Mentees can self-refer through a similar process and send the forms to: Joan.Rock@vermont.gov. If you would like to contact Joan by phone, the number is 802-760-0594.
The Child Welfare Training Partnership (CWTP) will continue to offer training for Mentors. Those of you have expressed an interest in becoming a Mentor may have received a listing of dates from Sharon O’Neill recently. We realize that it is difficult to attend a regional training so we are working with CWTP to provide an online Mentor training that will be available soon. To provide on-going support to Mentors, we will be offering quarterly GoTo Meetings beginning in March of 2019 and a gathering of Mentors once per year. More information about the meetings will be provided in a future COW and in Fostering Vermont, our E-News letter to Foster and Kin Caregivers.
Here are the links to documents for the Mentor Program:
1-Mentor Program Description
2-Mentor Eligibility Criteria
3-Mentor Self Referral
4-Mentor District Referral
5-Mentee Description
6-District Referral For Foster Parent Mentor
7-Caregiver Mentor Application |
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RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In
A Trauma-Intensive Workshop
A Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
Advanced Trauma Training for Foster, Kin and Adoptive Parents
Part of Vermont’s Placement Stability Project
UPCOMING...
Springfield - SDO - 4/4
St. Albans - ADO - 4/10
Morrisville - VDO - 4/23
Randolph - HDO - Early April
Rutland - RDO - Late Spring
Brattleboro - LDO - Late Spring
Newport - NDO - Late Spring
St. Johnsbury - JDO - Fall 2019
Child care is available in some locations
RPC+ will provide a safe space for caregivers to access compassionate training, learn concrete strategies, enhance relationships with their children and build a network of support and connections with fellow caregivers. Children will have the opportunity to spend time with their peers in a supportive and enriching environment designed to increase emotional regulation and a sense of competency.
RPC+ Components:
RPC+ Caregiver Workshop – A 10 week long (2.5 hour/class) workshop for foster, kin and adoptive parents of children who have experienced trauma.
RPC+ for Kids – Concurrent Children’s Groups will be run by the local mental health agency (when available). The groups will incorporate neuro biological (“patterned, repetitive rhythmic somatosensory”) activities such as drumming, therapeutic art/music, yoga, dance and/or mediation to increase competency and improve self-regulation.
For more information, contact:
Amy Bielawski-Branch, MS, LCMHC
Kinship, Foster and Adoptive Parent Training Coordinator
RPC+ Coordinator
Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership
http://www.vermontcwtp.org
https://www.facebook.com/groups/VTTraumaLens/
004 Mann Hall - University of Vermont
208 Colchester Avenue
Burlington, VT 05405
amy.bielawski-branch@uvm.edu
1-802-578-0426
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The Youth Development Program invites you to get involved with our 29th annual “Turning Dreams into Plans” youth conference! We are thrilled to be hosting this wonderful event again and we hope you can join!
Click here to register for FREE!!
When: Thursday, April 18th
Where: U32 High School, East Montpelier, VT
Who should attend?
The Turning Dreams into Plans youth conference is for young Vermonters, ages 14-23, who have experience in the foster care system. Any young person who is or has been connected to YDP is welcome to attend! And of course we invite any adult supporters, friends, or family to accompany the youth in their lives to this event.
What’s the day like?
We’re excited to offer a day full of fun, interactive, and informational activities that will help attendees develop skills and make connections in many areas of their lives. We’re excited to offer engaging workshops, powerful presentations, and an overall great day to learn about resources, meet new people, connect with old friends, and celebrate the amazing youth in our state.
Registration is free and includes lunch and a free t-shirt! Register now!
Want to nominate someone for Youth of the Year? Click Here to make your nomination.
Want to present a workshop at the conference? We are accepting workshop proposals until March 1st. Youth and young adult presenters are strongly encouraged! Click Here to submit a workshop idea.
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Michelle Maseroni at mmaseroni@wcysb.org or 802-558-2473.
See you there!
Michelle Maseroni
Statewide Administration Team
Youth Engagement Coordinator
Cell: (802) 558-2473
Office: (802) 229-9151
vtyouthdevelopmentprogram.org
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Parenting in a Transracial/Transcultural World
The world can look different when you become a transracial/transcultural family - learn about what you may encounter and take time to reflect on the journey of transracial/transcultural parenting.
Have you adopted or fostered a child of a different race or ethnicity?
Are you contemplating doing so?
Are you kin or fictive kin raising a transracial/transcultural child?
If you answered yes to one or more of the questions above, please join us for Parenting in a Transracial/Transcultural World, Saturday, April 27th from 9:30 am – 3:30 pm, in Brattleboro.
Adoptive, guardianship, kinship, and foster families will develop an understanding of the unique challenges that accompany being a transracial/transcultural family and they will expand their resources for negotiating the world of transracial/transcultural parenting.
While this workshop stands alone we do recommend that you also attend Taking the Long View: Thriving as a Transracial/Transcultural Family scheduled for May 18th
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SPRING EVENTS
a selection of upcoming events of interest for vermont foster and kincare families
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EVENTS
Vaping and Marijuana
Presented by FDC Prevention Works and ASAP of VT
Lake Morey Resort
1 Clubhouse Rd, Fairlee, VT 05045
Thu, Apr 4, 2019 @ 8:00 AM
Vermont Scholastic Chess Championships ($)
Berlin Elementary School
Paine Turnpike, Berlin, VT
Sat., April 6, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Ph: 802-223-1948
E: mike@vtchess.info
Checkmate! Players of all abilities sit down for strategy games focusing on fun and sportsmanship. Grades K-12, in nine divisions. Register between 8:30-9:30 a.m.; games begin at 10 a.m.
Price: $12 per player; free to spectate; preregistration encouraged.
www.vtchess.info
Cardboard City ($)
Montshire Museum of Science, Norwich, VT
Sat., April 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
802-649-2200
Architects of all ages and abilities design and build a free-standing structure of cardboard and tape to join other buildings, parks, bridges, boats and busses.
Regular museum admission, $13-16; free for members and children under 2.
Animal Buddies: Night at the Museum ($)
Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium
St. Johnsbury, VT
Fri., April 12 and Sat., April 13, 9-10 a.m.
802-748-2372
Friday, preschoolers take their stuffed friends to the Museum for a "hibernation" night. The next morning, little tykes enjoy a light breakfast and learn how Vermont's woodland animals wake up after a long winter's sleep. Ages 6 and under with caregivers. $10; preregister.
Big Rig Day Free!
Swanton Village Municipal Bldg., 120 First St., Swanton, VT
Sat., April 13, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.
802-868-5077
Families get up-close and personal with cool trucks, tractors and busses,
then enjoy games and activities.
The Maple-Mud Show with the Swing Peepers ($)
Artis Tree/Purple Crayon
2095 S. Pomfret Rd., South Pomfret, VT
Sat., April 13, 10 a.m.
802-457-3500
Vermont-made, earth-friendly interactive music and storytelling gets kiddos
— and their grownups — moving and grooving. suggested donation $10 per family.
A Trio of Children's Authors (FREE!)
Northshire Bookstore
4869 Main St., Manchester Center, VT
Sat., April 13, 3-4:30 p.m.
802-362-2200
Three Vermont children's authors — Jo Knowles, William Alexander and Linda Urban
share their work, from picture books through young adult literature. Ages 3-14.
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
helpful news and information
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(Excerpt)
Joseph Hagan & Sally Borden:
The Forgotten Lessons From 2014
Reprinted from VT Digger
Editor’s note: This commentary is by Joseph F. Hagan Jr., MD, who is a clinical professor in pediatrics at the Robert Larner College of Medicine at the University of Vermont, and Sally Borden, who is executive director of KidSafe Collaborative. They are members of the Vermont Citizen’s Advisory Board.
Following the violent deaths in 2014 of two small children who had been in state custody with the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Gov. Peter Shumlin convened a special Vermont Citizen’s Advisory Board charged to investigate these tragedies. As co-chairs of this board, we led a multidisciplinary group of invited experts to review the circumstances of how each child came into custody, what services they were provided, what considerations led to their discharge from state custody, and what follow-up support was provided for their care.... (reed more. Follow the link below)
FOR THE COMPLETE STORY, FOLLOW THIS LINK: https://vtdigger.org/2019/03/25/joseph-hagan-sally-borden-forgotten-lessons-2014/
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APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
Children's Advocacy Centers around the State are supporting the message against child abuse during April which is Child Abuse Prevention month. During the month, each CAC will be posting pictures of community members posing with signs which contain the with the following hashtag #VTStandsAgainstChildAbuse, along with one specific to their region.
Children’s Advocacy Centers are child-focused programs in which representatives from many disciplines, including law enforcement, child protection, prosecution, mental health, medical and victim advocacy, and child advocacy, work together to conduct interviews and make team decisions about investigation, treatment, management and prosecution of child abuse cases. Generally a CAC is a neutral area and is designed specifically to create a feeling of safety and security for the children involved. Join Vermont's CAC's in sharing this important message.
Join Vermont's CAC's in sharing this important message. Here's one example:
#VTStandsAgainstChildAbuse
#OrangeCountyCAC
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How States Compare in the
2018 Best High Schools Rankings
Robert Morse
| State rank* |
State |
Number of eligible high schools** |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number) |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number) |
Total number of gold and silver medals |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals |
| 1 |
State: MA |
Number of eligible high schools**: 354 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 5.6%
20 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 20.1%
71 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 91 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 25.7% |
| 2 |
State: CA |
Number of eligible high schools**: 2,062 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 4.1%
85 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 21.3%
439 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 524 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 25.4% |
| 3 |
State: MD |
Number of eligible high schools**: 199 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 5%
10 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 19.1%
38 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 48 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 24.1% |
| 4 |
State: FL |
Number of eligible high schools**: 732 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 4.9%
36 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 18.4%
135 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 171 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 23.4% |
| 5 |
State: ME |
Number of eligible high schools**: 72 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 4.2%
3 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 18.1%
13 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 16 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 22.2% |
| 6 |
State: VT |
Number of eligible high schools**: 59 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 1.7%
1 School |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 18.6%
11 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 12 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 20.3% |
| 7 (tie) |
State: CT |
Number of eligible high schools**: 214 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 7%
15 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 12.1%
26 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 41 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 19.2% |
| 7 (tie) |
State: KS |
Number of eligible high schools**: 99 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 0%
0 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 19.2%
19 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 19 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 19.2% |
| 9 |
State: NH |
Number of eligible high schools**: 91 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 1.1%
1 School |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 17.6%
16 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 17 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 18.7% |
| 10 |
State: DE |
Number of eligible high schools**: 38 |
Gold medal schools (percent and total number): 5.3%
2 Schools |
Silver medal schools (percent and total number): 13.2%
5 Schools |
Total number of gold and silver medals: 7 |
Percent of schools with gold and silver medals: 18.4% |
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DILIGENT RECRUITMENT
building and sustaining relationships
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INSPIRED TO CARE
The Foster Parent Journey
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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, like yourself, that might be interested in foster care, please let your District office or the Central office know.
Email: mary.collins@vermont.gov
Here is an excerpt from one of these messages:
INFANTS
The most important time in a child’s development is from birth to age five. Every aspect of caring for a baby makes a difference in their development and well-being.
Imagine for a moment that the parents of a baby in your community are not providing a safe and loving environment. Maybe their relationship is unstable. Maybe there are drugs in the home. All of this leads to a baby that may be at risk of harm.
When the Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families is called, we assess the baby’s safety. We may have to find a family to provide safe, temporary care of the baby, most often with the hope of eventual reunification with the parents.
Could you see yourself fostering an infant? Could you provide the nurturing care she needs? Could you do all this knowing that she will likely return home?
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
KEEP LOCAL KIDS LOCAL.
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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 holiday gatherings across every district, to sponsorships of events; your generosity provides enriching experiences for children and families. Each month we acknowledge some of these generous partners.
We would like to thank... Christian at Edgar May Health & Recreation Center in Springfield for donating 50 free family day passes to our families to allow them free entrance to the Health and Recreation Center!
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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 Vermont 05671
Tel: (802) 241.0896
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