“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.” – Dr. Seuss
Look for Fostering Vermont twice each month and be sure to send your news, events and other items of importance and interest to:mary.collins@vermont.gov Or, call her at (802) 241-0896. THE DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF NEW ARTICLES AND EVENTS: TUESDAY, NOON.
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
The Bennington foster care closet, headed by Anne Kilburn-Simonds received a donation of 64 "dot dot smile" dresses for our kids in the Bennington district. Angela Milligan the owner of a local Dot Dot Smile franchise with the help of her clients was able donate the 64 dresses just in time for back to school. Thank you to all the people who worked with me to help make this happen. If you would like to receive a dress please contact Wendy Nolan at the local DCF office at 802-442-8138 or reach out to Anne Kilburn-Simonds to gain access to the foster care closet.
Thank you,
Valarie Coulter Vermont Foster/Adoptive Parent Association Secretary
CAREGIVER'S ORIENTATION
You are invited to an in-person or online Orientation on being a caregiver with Family Services. Whether you are interested in providing traditional foster care, or you are a kin caregiver, come learn about what it means to work in this system.
In this session you will:
Learn about the values and goals of Family Services
Learn about next steps after expressing interest
What to expect before and after a child is placed with you
Learn about additional supports for DCF caregivers
Get access to training to support you in providing exceptional care!
Complete the first step of required training!
Orientation will be held: Wednesday, September 4, 2019 12:00 ~ 1:00pm
36 Eastern Ave, St. Johnsbury VT. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To sign up for this session or participate online,
contact your local Resource Coordinator by August 16, 2019.
ARE YOU OUR NEW RESOURCE COORDINATOR?
The busy office of Barre is recruiting for a 2nd Resource Coordinator. The successful applicant will join a team of dedicated professionals who value respectful healthy professional relationships and communication. In Barre, we embrace everyone’s professional development and are committed to a culture of safety. You will become a team of three, joining a Resource Coordinator and a Foster Parent Recruitment & Retention person. Barre has an active local foster parent association with many dedicated and seasoned foster parents. We are also recruiting many new, enthusiastic foster parents.
If you are interested and committed to the wellbeing and permanency of children, you can apply on https://careers.vermont.gov/. The position is posted until August 19th.
If you have additional questions, please feel free to reach out to:
Deb Caruso, District Director DCF/Family Services . 255 North Main Street Suite 7 . Barre, VT 05641 Deb.Caruso@vermont.gov (802)479-4260 . (802) 476-1660
Thank you.
The Job Req. #2331
NEWS YOU CAN USE
helpful news and information
THE THERRIEN FAMILY Making A Change in the Lives of Foster and Adoptive Children
By Mary L. Collins
To hear him tell it, Josh Therrien’s early life was a battlefield. Born to addicted parents, Josh lived a nightmare. His two siblings also endured years of neglect and exposure to anything but a normal, nurturing upbringing.
And then, in steps Josh’s aunt and uncle. As kin, they provided the loving and stable environment Josh had been denied his entire childhood. It made ALL the difference.
“My Aunt and Uncle, who often cared for us, came to take us for the summer. They ended up taking care of me for the remainder of my childhood. They poured hope and love into my life. I was a little boy destined to be a part of the 50% that don’t graduate high school and the 54% that use street drugs, due to my childhood.”
Instead, Josh’s story became one of success, reconciliation, and hope. And that’s the story that underscores his and wife Emily’s work at Make-A-Change Inc., the non-profit they co-founded to provide enrichment for children in foster care.
How did Make-A-Change start?
“Make Sure You Are Always Fueled by Your Why, Rather Than Earthly Possessions.”- Josh Therrien, Cofounder, with his wife, Emily, of Make-A-Change.org
Jump forward to Josh, a 22 year-old college student, three months away from his and Emily's wedding. It is then that Josh finds himself at a moral crossroads. Two young children are in need of immediate foster care. Josh and Emily, being the closest relatives to these youngsters, step in and say “yes” to foster parenting.
Today, five years later, those two children along with a younger sibling; and with the birth of Josh and Emily’s youngest child, are a family. The eldest three Therrien children were adopted in 2018, the same year Emily gave birth to their youngest child. While Emily looks back at that time as somewhat chaotic and confusing for a barely 19-year-old bride; she affirms, “Almost everyone advised against us becoming foster parents so young and so close to our wedding, but,” she says, “Josh and I don’t regret the decision at all. We have an amazing family. We are so blessed.”
Blessed too is Vermont’s Family Services Division of the Department for Children and Families who recently benefitted from Josh and Emily’s generosity. Specifically, the Therrien’s came to the rescue of our Springfield District Office and MaryJo Trask. The Recruitment and Retention Specialist wanted to create a day of fun for Vermont’s children in foster care. So, she reached out to Make-A-Change Inc. The result: the gift of 200 day passes for Vermont’s kids to visit Story Land in Glen, NH.
According to MJ, “ We have such an immense amount of gratitude for people like Josh and Emily who care so much and who are actively giving back in a way that makes the world a better place for all, especially kids in foster care.”
Emily sums it up this way, “Both Josh and I want to help children form good memories. Children in foster care often have memories that make them sad, frightened, or confused. Through Make-A-Change Inc. we felt we could provide positive experiences for them. We wanted them to be able to just be kids.”
She explained that, as much as they would want to, she and her husband know they cannot foster every child. Make-a-Change Inc. allows them to continue to expand their generosity to hundreds of children throughout New England and the country by creating opportunities for them and their families. Through fundraisers and in-kind donations, like the Vermont Foster and Adoptive Family Day at Story Land, the couple provide enrichment to children across the northeast.
Emily closes our conversation with this tribute to her husband, “Josh is super sensitive about kids. He’s the perfect person to be with and I don’t think either of us could imagine a day without any of our children in it.”
To see the happy faces of the children and their families enjoying the magic of Story Land was priceless. From trying out all the rides, to enjoying the end-of-day ice cream social; foster care wasn’t the focus. All were experiencing the joy of childhood, as it should be – because of the kindness and generosity of someone who’s been there and who has always been fueled by his “why” and not by earthly possessions.
For more about Josh and Emily Therrien’s story and their non-profit, visit: www.makeachangeinc.org .
Many thanks to the Therrien family, Story Land, MJ Trask of the Springfield, VT District Office, all our foster and adoptive families, and to our anonymous donor who provided funding for the end-of-day ice cream social during our visit to Story Land.
School can be stressful for any child between homework, tests and making friends, but for foster children it can be particularly difficult. Along with facing the typical challenges of the school year, your foster daughter must do so while coping with her past and possibly worrying about her future. This additional burden can shift her focus away from her education and lead to struggles throughout the school year. As a foster parent, there are several things you can do to help your foster child achieve academic success.
Connecting with the School
Forming a good working relationship with your foster daughter’s teachers, school counselors and administrators will go a long way in helping your foster child achieve academic success. Let the staff know they can always contact you with any updates, concerns or questions about your foster daughter. For this line of contact to be as effective as possible, it needs to flow both ways. Informing the school staff when your foster daughter has been dealing with issues at home can aid them in being ready to help her through it at school. You should let the school know about upcoming visitations your foster daughter has with her biological parents so the teachers and counselors are aware that she may be distracted or anxious at school.
Helping with School Work
The need for academic support doesn’t end when your foster daughter leaves school for the day. To help your foster child achieve academic success, the support needs to continue at home. Along with offering to help with homework and studying, look for other outlets to continue teaching her in her downtime. Brenda Morton, an associate professor of education at George Fox University, reported that 64 percent of foster children with an average age of 17.5 were reading at or under an 8th grade level. To help her catch up with her classmates, read books with her at night and let her read parts out loud. Doing so not only helps her develop her reading ability, but it also develops her confidence in public speaking situations.
Work with your foster daughter and her teachers to set realistic academic goals for her to achieve throughout the school year. Encourage her along the way, and celebrate every achievement to keep her motivated.
Participating in School Activities
Forming friendships may not be on your foster child’s mind as she works her way through everything life has thrown at her. However new friendships with classmates will give her a fun reason to want to go to school and may help her feel like every other child. One of the best ways to do this is to get your foster daughter involved in extracurricular activities, such as school sports, clubs, and art-centric programs. These programs will not only help her make new friends but also help her develop new skills and possibly discover a new passion.
Participating in school activities isn’t limited to just your foster daughter’s involvement. Dr. John DeGarmo, director of the Foster Care Institute, reports that, “children who have parents who volunteer generally have better grades, score higher on tests and have better social skills and behavior.” Your involvement with the school doesn’t need to take up all of your free time; it can be for as long as you are able. Your continual presence at school events shows your foster daughter that you’re around to support her and can help keep her motivated throughout the school year.
Dr. DeGarmo reports that, “55 percent of children in foster care will drop out of school and not graduate with a high school diploma.” Foster children deal with the added stress and anxiety caused by their past and must cope with those issues while also facing a full course load at school. Sharing this burden with your foster daughter is the first step to helping her overcome this statistic. Being actively involved in her academic life can help your foster child achieve academic success and motivate her to not only graduate high school, but also college. Showing your interest in her school work, offering a helping hand and encouraging involvement may not seem like the most impactful gestures to you, but to her, they might make all the difference.
AUTUMN EVENTS
a selection of upcoming events of interest
for vermont foster and kincare families
PLEASE CONFIRM THAT EVENTS OF INTEREST POSTED ON THIS CALENDAR ARE HAPPENING. CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS CAN OCCUR WITHOUT NOTICE.
EVENTS
Vermont Girl's Choir Auditions Through Sept. 2 Various Locations Around the State Young vocalists vie for spots in a professional singing ensemble and education program. Free; preregister Email:vermontgirlschoir@gmail.com
A 24-acre maze of maize lures labyrinth lovers. If possible, arrive before 1 p.m. to solve the puzzle without clues. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; open until 4:30 p.m. on weekends. Through October 14. Closed in the rain. $10-15; free for children under 5.
Heroic Corn Maze Aug. 10-25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.,
Mon., Sept. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Mon., Oct. 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Continues through Oct. 20 Fort Ticonderoga 30 Fort Ti Road, Ticonderoga
Get lost! Families navigate their way through a life-size puzzle in the shape of this historic fort while searching for history clues among the stalks. New this year is a maze for little ones ages 4 and under. Regular museum admission, $12-24; free for children under 5. Fall weekends through October 20. regular museum admission, $12-24; free for children under 5.
Saturdays, 10-11:30 a.m. Continues through Sept. 7 The Clemmons Family Farm 2158 Greenbush Rd., Charlotte
Master Teaching Artist Michael Dyke immerses youngsters in musical stories and merriment, on this historic African-American-owned farm. Ages 8-11. $10; preregister.
Cotton-candy fun and carny curiosities collide at the state's largest fair, complete with midway rides, daily parades and live entertainment. Midway opens at 11 a.m. $5-12; free for children under 5; 25% off advance discount tickets available at Price Chopper Stores; ride bracelets $35; additional tickets required for grandstand concerts.
DILIGENT RECRUITMENT
building and sustaining relationships
It's that time of year again - Back To School! Here are some helpful tips that might make the transition easier for the whole family!
FRONT PORCH FORUM
a component of Diligent Recruitment
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 or the Central office know.
Here is an excerpt from one of these messages: ___________________________________
Remember when you were…oh, about thirteen years old?
It was a confusing time wasn’t it? Growing up is like a ride on a bumpy road – even under the best circumstances, you hit a few potholes every now and then.
Now imagine that you’re a teenage girl in foster care and you can’t return home because it’s not a safe place. For Amari, it’s all she can do just to ride that road to maturity.
There is an ongoing need for foster homes for girls just like Amari. A place where she can be supported, nurtured and understood. It’s where she has good role models who are patient and kind and who want her to succeed – without caving to every single thing a young teen might demand from a parent or caregiver. And she will. She’s thirteen!
Can you see yourself fostering a teenage girl like Amari? Can you provide the stability and support she needs? Can you advocate for her success? Can you help her maintain important connections?
If you can see yourself fostering a teen like Amari, we’d love to hear from you!
________________________________________ KEEP LOCAL KIDS LOCAL
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
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Thank you for your generous support!
FACE PAINTING FUN AT STORY LAND!
(Photos used by permission.)
Friday, August 16th was an amazing day for Vermont Foster families and our DCF/FSD staff and their families! Over 150 of us found our way up to the New Hampshire woods for a day of fun and play at Story Land. Thanks to MaryJo Trask, of the Springfield District, for securing tickets for everyone and to an anonymous donor, who, along with MJ, paid for our ice cream social.
Special thanks to Josh and Emily Therrien of the Make-A-Change Foundation. It was because of Josh and Emily that MJ was able to secure tickets to Story Land for all. We had a marvelous time and can't thank each of you enough - Story Land, Make-A-Change, MJ, our anonymous donor, and to each of the families who joined us for the day - thank you for your generosity.
FYI: We have been invited back by the Make-A-Change Foundation for 2020. Mark your calendars!
(All photos are of staff and their grandchildren.)
The support we receive from community partners throughout Vermont makes possible many of the experiences foster children and their families enjoy - from shared advertising and holiday gatherings across every district, to sponsorships of events; the generosity of our community partners provides enriching experiences for children and their foster families throughout Vermont. Each month we acknowledge some of these generous partners.
We would like to thank THE VERMONT STANDARD newspaper in Woodstock, Vermont, for their support of our summer campaign. Find out more about this fine publication at: www.thevermontstandard.com
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
