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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MAY IS NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH
Celebrate with us throughout the state as we acknowledge all of you who provide foster, kinship, near kin and respite care for children and youth throughout Vermont. We will update events as they are confirmed.
ST. ALBANS DISTRICT
"Instant Family" Movie Screening
April 27th
At District Office, St. Albans
Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner
Friday, May 17th, 6pm
Northside Baptist Church, St. Albans
with Live Music by McKew Devitt
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MORRISVILLE DISTRICT
Foster Parent Appreciation Celebration
Friday, May 10th, 5:30-8:30pm
VFW - Hyde Park
Join us for a great evening of food, fun, games, music, dancing & networking!
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BENNINGTON DISTRICT
Foster Parent Appreciation Celebration
Sunday, May 19th, 2-4pm
Bennington Lanes
Northside Drive, Bennington
Bowling and Food Provided
RSVP: wendy.nolan@vermont.gov (by 5/14)
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BURLINGTON DISTRICT
Annual Foster Parent Picnic
Saturday, June 1st
12:00-2:00 pm
Outside DCF Offices
426 Industrial Avenue, Williston
Join us for food, fun and games. Special guests will include 802 Reptiles, The Big Blue Trunk and VT car seat technicians running a free car seat inspection station.
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AS EVENTS ARE REPORTED TO US, WE WILL ADD THEM HERE. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR DISTRICT OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO FIND OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING IN YOUR DISTRICT.
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May is National Foster Care Month
We take this time each year to thank foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, child welfare professionals, and other members of our community who help children in foster care find safe families who will care for them and help them prepare for adulthood; and, if necessary, provide permanent adoptive homes.
During National Foster Care Month, we are asked to renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for the hundreds of thousands of children and youth in foster care nationwide, and the 1300 children in Vermont. We celebrate all those who make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Thank you!
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SPRING EVENTS
a selection of upcoming events of interest for
vermont foster and kincare families
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TRAINING
FOSTER PARENT APPRECIATION DAY
Voices for Vermont's Children is working with the CHAMPS campaign on behalf of Foster Parent Appreciation Day. This is an opportunity to pause and celebrate foster parents for all that they do.
Would you like to join them?
CHAMPS is building a bank of stories about amazing foster parents and families in honor of National Foster Family Appreciation Day. Specifically, they want to identify and highlight (1) foster families and (2) youth with experience in foster care who are willing to share their personal experience with foster parenting. For example, from foster parents, we’d like a few sentences about why you are proud to be a foster parent or what inspired you to get involved. From youth, CHAMPS would like to hear how foster parents played a positive role in your life, or give an example of how a foster parent helped out in a memorable or special way.
What is National Foster Family Appreciation Day?
May is National Foster Care Month, a time to recognize the many people who support the well-being of children in care. Each year, Congress enacts a Congressional resolution designating May as National Foster Care Month. This same Congressional resolution also establishes National Foster Family Appreciation Day on May 31 and provides an opportunity to publicly thank the many amazing foster families around the country who help children in foster care heal and thrive.
➢ For the second year in a row, the CHAMPS campaign is leading a communications effort to mobilize organizations nationally to participate in Appreciation Day activities. A focus of this communications effort is to leverage social media to express thanks to foster parents.
➢ CHAMPS is developing a social media toolkit to assist interested organizations in getting involved.
How will foster family stories be used?
These stories will serve as an important foundation to the communications activities being planned in conjunction with National Foster Family Appreciation Day by providing real examples of the vital importance of foster parenting in the lives of children and youth.
CHAMPS will share selected foster family stories, photos and videos via their Facebook page and Twitter account. They will also share written stories and photos as handouts with policymakers. These stories will be posted to the CHAMPS website in a special section dedicated to National Foster Family Appreciation Day. A social media toolkit is being prepared for National Foster Family Appreciation Day and it will provide sample tweets and posts that link to the stories.
Note: Depending on how much media attention is paid to “Appreciation Day,” there may be opportunities for families and youth to speak about your experience with reporters. Please acknowledge whether you would be willing to have your name on a list for possible media contact. CHAMPS can assist with media engagement.
For more information about the event, talk with Amy Brady. She can be reached at: AmyB@Voicesforvtkids.org .
Here is a link to the form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfzci_rBNB8ubFEOEqen63iQ5BCoLom8HXsTOOucHHqnvKrhg/viewform
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Two Free Webinars for Professionals:
Gender-Inclusive Puberty Education
Gender Spectrum has released a landmark publication outlining the first-ever comprehensive Principles for Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education (PHE) and you can learn more about this valuable resource in two upcoming free webinars that we are offering in partnership with GLSEN and the American School Health Association. Both webinars are open to all professionals who work with youth or families!
Principles of Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education:
A Free Webinar for School Health Professionals
from Gender Spectrum and The American School Health Association
Wednesday, May 8th
12 - 1pm PT 3 - 4pm ET
Register Now!
With the emergence of gender diversity as a topic that schools are navigating in new and varied ways, school health professionals are often on the frontlines of these efforts. One area in particular--puberty and health education--is especially seen as a place where gender diversity is showing up as never before. In this hour, you can learn how health education can reflect the gender diversity of your students and get valuable information about gender for all students. Based on the newly released principles from Gender Spectrum, the webinar will address the rationale for gender-inclusive instruction and give you concrete ways you can help students of all genders feel safe, seen and supported in your school community. ASHA members can receive free continuing education (CE) credits, and CE credits are available for purchase by non-members.
Principles of Gender-Inclusive Puberty and Health Education:
A Free Webinar for Educators
from Gender Spectrum and GLSEN
Tuesday, May 14th
12-1pm PT 3-4pm ET
Register Now!
With the emergence of gender diversity as a topic that schools are navigating in new and varied ways, one area in particular--puberty and health education--is seen as a place where the need for a sharper gender lens is especially critical. Unfortunately, GLSEN’s 2017 school climate report found that only 6.7% of LGBTQ students reported receiving LGBTQ-inclusive sex education and, overall, transgender students were more likely than all other students to have negative experiences at school. Gender Spectrum’s first-ever comprehensive principles for gender-inclusive puberty and health education (PHE) has valuable information for all individuals providing this crucial content, or helping schools think about how to do so. Join Gender Spectrum and GLSEN for this free webinar with more information on this landmark resource, research to support your own advocacy, and some tips for applying it in your own context!
We are also hosting a webinar for parents, caregivers and family members to discuss how they can use our puberty education resources with their children and families. If there are families you know who would be interested, you can pass on the information from our website here.
Nature-based Homeschool at MALT - ages 9-12 ($)
Nature-based day program for homeschooling and unschooling families.
Middlebury Area Land Trust (MALT)
Wednesday, May 1st
9am - 1pm
Aurora Learning Center
238 Peterson Terrace, Middlebury, VT
MALT will lead programs in Means Woods and Chipman Hill, using the Aurora Learning Center as our base for drop off, pick up, and inclement weather days. You will begin with a morning welcome circle, some nature-based games, and a focus on relevant/interesting seasonal themes. Monthly topics include exploring what animals are doing to get ready for winter, fire building, orienteering with maps and compass, exploring food webs, wildlife tracking, and shelter building. Sprinkled in between, there will certainly be mud painting, fairy homes, and story telling, camp fires, and nature art.https://www.eventbrite.com/e/april-nature-based-homeschool-at-malt-ages-9-12-tickets-54174297783
Mister G presents a Multi-Cultural Family Concert! ($)
Sat., May 4th
11am - 12pm
Hilltop Montessori School
99 Stafford Farm Hill, Brattleboro, VT |
Mister G comes to Vermont! We invite children and parents to a morning of lively entertainment and fun as Mister G rocks out at Hilltop! Ben Gundersheimer (Mister G) is a Latin GRAMMY Award winning artist, author, activist and educator. Hailed as “a bilingual rock star” by the Washington Post, he was originally dubbed MISTER G by his young students while pursuing a Masters in Early Childhood Education. His spirited bilingual performances aim to dissolve borders and foster cross cultural connections. https://www.hilltopmontessori.org/
Game of Logging - Level 1 ($)
Sat., May 4th, 7:00am - 3:30pm
North Woods Stewardship Center
154 Leadership Dr, East Charleston, Vermont
Level 1 only. Expert instructors from Northeast Woodland Training will teach the fundamentals of safe chainsaw use, precision tree felling, and equipment care. Take the guesswork out of sawing- your safety matters! For more information and to register contact forestry@northwoodscenter.org. Pre-registration required; space is limited, so sign up early.
Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood Live!: King for a Day ($)
Thurs, May 16th, 5:00pm
Flynn Center For the Performing Arts
153Main Street, Burlington, VT
The grr-ific musical for little tigers and grown-ups alike is back! The hugely popular Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!, based on the #1 PBS KIDS TV series, has delighted live audiences on stages across the country. Now, in its fourth year of touring, your favorite characters are hopping back on board Trolley and coming to your town with Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE!: King for a Day, Daniel and all of his friends invite you for a brand-new adventure in Neighborhood of Make-Believe where Daniel learns just what it takes to be King. The beloved characters come alive on stage to captivate you with new songs to sing along to, magical moments, and surprise guests along the way! It’s an event filled with tigertastic fun, teaching the valuable lessons of kindness, helping others, and being a friend. Recommended for ages 3+.
https://allevents.in/vermont/daniel-tigers-neighborhood-live-king-for-a-day/20001643112886
Free Dental Clinic for Children 0 to 10
Wed May 08 2019
8:40am to 2:30pm
Vermont Department of Health - WRJ
118 Prospect St, Ste 300
White River Junction, Vermont
Meet with a dental hygenist to have a dental screening, fluoride varnish and learn about oral health education.
This is a free event for children 0 to 10 years old. If you are a WIC participant, counts as nutrition activity!
Call: 802-295-8820 to schedule an appointment.
LGBTQ+ Training for Youth Serving Providers
Thu May 09 2019
7:30am to 11:00am
Burlington Police Department
Community Room, 1 North Avenue, Burlington, Vermont
Support LGBTQ Youth! Join an interactive training with Outright Vermont, sponsored by the CCOA! Open to any youth-serving organizations and providers, participants will learn about the lived experiences of LGBTQ youth in Vermont, as well as innovative practices for meeting their needs. This training will be fun, fast-paced, and designed with you in mind.
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NEWS YOU CAN USE
helpful news and information
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WAYS TO PARTICIPATE
IN FOSTER CARE AWARENESS MONTH
Caroline Bailey
May is National Foster Care Awareness month in the United States. In the US, there are close to 400,000 children in the system at any given time. Over 100,000 of these children are in need of adoptive families. In Vermont, there are 1300 children in care.
While there are thousands of foster families, like you, who provide care to children, there is always a need for more families to meet the state's needs of children and youth in care.
How can you tell the story? Here are a few suggestions:
1) Consider sharing the needs of foster children on your Facebook, Twitter, personal blogs, and other social media outlets. Change your profile picture to one that symbolizes foster care. DO not, however, post photos of children in foster care. Your message will be clear without it and the privacy of children will be ensured.
2) Contact your local child welfare agencies and ask how you can help. Often, agencies are looking for community members to get involved with providing for the needs of children in the system. In Vermont, there are 12 state agencies. You can find the list online at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/adoption-foster
3) If you are a member of a church, community group, or organization, consider collecting items for children, youth, and families. And, ask them about providing information in their bulletins or announcements regarding foster care and how they can get involved.
4) Business owners can help to promote foster care awareness by hosting events that raise funds for our foster parent organization, VFAFA, that provides for the needs of foster children. Through efforts by local businesses, customers will become aware of foster care, and businesses will have an opportunity to positively impact the community they live in and serve.
5) If you work in education, dedicate a lesson to learning about foster care, child abuse, neglect, and other issues involved in the child welfare system. Consider having a guest speaker who is child welfare professional or a foster parent. Students can learn a lot from hearing from people involved in the system.
6) If you have the ability, offer space for foster parent support groups and other events that provide connection and training for foster families and child welfare professionals.
Foster care impacts communities. The kids in the system attend local schools and churches. Being a foster parent offers an opportunity for mission-work in your own backyard. Even if you are unable to be a foster parent, there are many ways that you can spread awareness. Although May is officially the dedicated month for promoting Foster Care Awareness, the need is always there. Through your efforts, you can make a difference in the life of a child.
Visit: https://adoption.com/top-ten-ways-to-celebrate-foster-care-awareness-month
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DILIGENT RECRUITMENT
building and sustaining relationships
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INSPIRED TO CARE
The Foster Parent Journey
Celebrating Foster, Kin & Adoptive Parents and Respite Care Providers
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In honor of National Foster Care Month, we are featuring foster mom, Rosa Espinoza, and her love and passion for foster children. At 60, Rosa is a single foster mom to currently five children.
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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. (All names and stories are fictitious.)
Email: mary.collins@vermont.gov
Here is an excerpt from one of these messages:
Elementary School Age Siblings
Jess and Cora
Four-year-old Cora counts on big sister, Jess, more than anyone else in her world. Jess, has been more like a parent to Cora since she can remember. Yet, Jess, herself, is only seven years old. That’s a lot for two little girls to handle.
They don’t even know how to be little girls. Normal worries of childhood are amplified by past trauma. And so, it’s important that they are matched with foster parents who can help them enjoy childhood, keep them together and ease their worry about separation and sense of responsibility for each other.
Foster care is challenging, but it will also be one of the most meaningful decisions you’ll ever make. And your support and care will mean the world to sisters like Jess and Cora.
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
May is National Foster Care Month. Thank you to all of you who foster, provide kinship and respite care to Vermont's children. And thank you to everyone who supports all our foster, kin and respite care providers.
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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... HOPE GROWS FARM in Hyde Park, VT:
www.hopegrowsfarm.org
Hope Grows Farm is a faith-based organization located in Hyde Park, VT. Owned and operated by Carolyn & Ray Chauvin, they offer equine-assisted therapy; riding lessons, summer camps, and Hope It Grows Gardens. Hope Grows Farm is focused on equine and farm-based programs that teach practical life skills by building compassionate and respectful relationships in a welcoming and educational atmosphere. All are welcome!
 
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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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