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FOSTERING | VERMONT

October 15, 2020



 

 





 



 

 



 







 
 
 

 

“Every season is one of becoming, but not always one of blooming. Be gracious with your ever-evolving self.” — B. Oakman

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.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

Thousands of teenagers age out of foster care without a permanent family every year. Find out what you can do to help. #NationalAdoptionMonth #YouthVoice

https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/adoption/nam/youth/
 

 CAN YOU HELP?

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:
_________________________________________

 





Can you be there for them?

There are times when siblings enter foster care. For any number of reasons, families may not be equipped to care for them; and so, we  need caregivers who can not only become foster parents to one, but sometimes, we are asking you to consider taking in siblings so that children will not be further traumatized by being separated.

Might you be someone who could provide this kind of care?  If so, we would love to hear from you - or, from someone you know who you might consider caring for siblings.

Someone within your district service area will be in touch and will help you through the process of registering to become a care provider to a child or youth in need. Thank you!

Here's how to reach us! 

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. 

Contact the Vermont Department for Children and Families, Family Services Division to find out more about caring for a child or youth in your community.  https://dcf.vermont.gov/foster.  Thank you.   

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 email:  mary.collins@vermont.gov.  Thank you!

 VFAFA board members:

Steve May, President
Kara Haynes, Vice President
Lisz Graves, Secretary
Linda Couture, Treasurer (Returning)

VFAFA holds its Board of Directors meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of each month.  Members are welcome and encouraged to join these board meetings. Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 10th, from 7pm-9pm.

 During the Covid-19 restriction time VFAFA is meeting via online or phone. You can join the ZOOM meeting here:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85822727984?pwd=dncwMGFHQ2U3Zmp6alYxTXBTdTF3dz09

Meeting ID: 858 2272 7984
Password: 288400
One tap mobile
‪+16468769923,,85822727984#,,,,0#,,288400# 

Dial by your location:  +1 646 876 9923 

Meeting ID: 858 2272 7984
Password: 288400


In addition to the above information, you can always find a link on the VFAFA Facebook page.

NEWS YOU CAN USE

helpful news and information

Youth Justice Practicum 2020
Centering Youth in Practice
 

Enrollment is now open for the 2020 Youth Justice Practicum (YJP). The inaugural YJP is designed to deepen practice and strengthen your skills working with Vermont youth who are involved with the youth justice system.
 
Participants will embark on a 6-week virtual educational experience to expand knowledge, develop lenses and practice the following:

Restorative Justice (10/20 & 10/23 1-3 PM)
Motivational Interviewing (10/27 & 10/29 1-3 PM)
Positive Youth Development (11/4 & 11/6 1-3 PM)
Harm Reduction (11/10 & 11/12 1-3 PM)
Transitioning to Adulthood (11/17 & 11/19 1-3 PM)
Deepening Practice (11/24 1-3 PM)
 
In order to earn the practicum certificate, participants must complete all 11 sessions. Sessions meet for 2 hours, twice a week. There is a maximum of 25 participants in the practicum.
 
Can’t make the commitment? The following sessions are also larger learning opportunities open to a wider audience.  We are inviting foster and kin families to join us for the following three workshops. Please contact Tabitha Moore to register:

Harm Reduction
Positive Youth Development
Transitioning to Adulthood
 
To register, please contact Tabitha Moore at
Tabitha.Pohl-Moore@uvm.edu or by phone at (802) 774-8657.

Save the Date: October 20-21, 2020 1-4 PM ET
upEnding the Child Welfare System: The Road to Abolition
 
As a nation we forcibly separate children from their families on a routine basis. Racism has both motivated policies that separate children from their parents and it has been institutionalized in the systems that carry out these policies and other harmful practices that police and surveille Black, Native, and Latinx families and communities.
 
Join us on October 20-21, 2020 1-4PM ET for the inaugural convening of the newly launched upEND Movement, where we will bring together organizers, activists, scholars, and community leaders to have robust conversations and strategize innovative ways to create a society in which the forcible separation of children from their families is no longer an acceptable solution for families in need.
 
Registration information and a detailed agenda to follow. In the meantime, be sure to follow us on Twitter @upENDmovement for all the latest!
 

It’s a Rainbow World: Parenting LGBTQ+ Children/Youth

Parenting an LGBTQ+ child/youth takes some special skills and understanding. Making sure foster families’ homes are open and welcoming is important for any child/youth no matter their orientation!  Join the upcoming series, “It’s a Rainbow World: Parenting LGBTQ+ Children/Youth”  Hear directly from parents and youth about their journey and what supports have been helpful. This FREE virtual training series is also open to the extended families of foster homes as sometimes it isn’t just the parents but the extended family that create the safety and responsiveness that children/youth need.

Learn and practice approaches for making our homes and community environments affirming and supportive for children and youth.

About this Event

This interactive virtual workshop is open to all who have formed, or may form their family through adoption, guardianship, or foster care and their extended support system.

This is a 3-part training scheduled for:

  • 10/22 from 7pm - 8:30 pm
  • 10/24 from 9am - 10:30 am
  • 10/26 from 7 pm - 8:30 pm

Participants will increase their fluency with LGBTQ+ inclusive concepts, terminology, and practices; and identify specific opportunities for, and challenges to, inclusivity and the unique issues for children who join their families through adoption, guardianship, kinship, or are in foster care.

Together we will learn and practice approaches for making our homes and community environments affirming and supportive for children and youth of all genders and sexual identities.

For more information contact Catherine Harris at: Catherine.Harris@vermont.gov

 
Vermont CWTP Fall 2020 Course Offerings
 
Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership: Fall 2020 Available Courses  
 
These courses are for kin, foster, and adoptive families and those who work with them
Fall Courses:
Join us virtually via Zoom (video conferencing) for any of these courses!
Click on the title below for more information about a specific class or keep scrolling to review all available classes! Fall 2020 Virtual Courses:
"Deeper Dive Into Adoption" (Virtual)
Shared Connections and Communication in Adoption: Fall 2020
3 Part-Saturday Morning Series - Adoption Family Panel
Saturday November 7th, 14th, and 21st 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM
 
(1) Talking about Adoption with Children and Youth
(2) The Tough Stuff: Talking About More Difficult Things
(3) Connections with Birth Families: How Youth Feel About It
Click here to register!
                
Kinship Connections Series: Fall 2020 (Virtual)
#5 - Helping Children and Youth Honor Their Stories (with Catherine Harris)
Thursday 10/22 9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Click here to register!
      
BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR...
                                               Kinship Care: Beyond the Basics 
 
Shared Connections in and Communication in Adoption - Online Version
This will be an online version of the Shared Connections course featuring video clips from a panel of Vermont youth and their adoptive parents, discussing issues important to them.
 
Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership Website
 
Copyright © 2020 VT Child Welfare Training Partnership, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.

Our mailing address is:
VT Child Welfare Training Partnership
208 Colchester Ave
Burlington, VT 05405-1757
Add us to your address book
 
“RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In”
Trauma Informed Parenting Skills: Fall 2020
Statewide Virtual Class For Kin or Relative Caregivers (FREE)
 
RPC+ TIPS for Tuning In:
is 10-week long workshop that educates kin or relative caregivers (foster care or adoption) about the impact of early childhood trauma and loss on development, attachment, emotions and behaviors. The workshop will provide a safe space for parents and guardians to access compassionate training, learn concrete strategies to manage daily and ongoing challenges, enhance relationships with their children and build a network of support and connections with fellow kinship/relative caregivers.

Virtual RPC+ Kinship Caregiver Class
Starting on the following date and running for 10 weeks

 
October 15th    Thursdays @ 9:00am – 10:30am
 All classes meet virtually on Zoom

 
If you are interested in this class, contact: 
Amy.Bielawski-Branch@uvm.edu
(802) 578-0426

 

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.

YOUTH VOICE

helpful news and information in support of youth in foster care

Vermont's Youth Development Program
 
The Youth Development Program’s virtual Youth Advisory Board (YAB) is in the process of working on multiple projects including providing suitcases to youth in care and creating an Alumni Network. We are actively  recruiting passionate youth who want to make a difference within the child welfare system to help out with both of these important projects! 

Big things are happening at YDP!!! We are excited to announce two new fall interns! The YDP alumni youth interns will lead two YAB (Youth Advisory Board) Ideas: 1. Alumni Network and 2. Higher Education .
 

The Alumni Network will focus on creating the feeling of “someone on my side” for youth in foster care and the Higher Education Project will focus on providing financial assistance for youth in foster care who would like to attend higher education following high school. Both youth interns are actively recruiting additional youth to help with both projects. If you know anyone interested in getting involved, please contact Kayla @kaltobelli@wcysb.org

 

The YAB has been postponed while our new youth interns work on transforming some of our youth engagement opportunities. Stay tuned for future YAB, Alumni Network and Higher Education updates!! "

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

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. 
 
FALL ACTIVITIES 2020
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL VERMONT STATE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES 
 
City Hall Park Opening Weekend Free, Burlington 
Fri., Oct. 16, 1 p.m. and Sat., Oct. 17, 1 p.m.
Community members fête the newly revived public space with two days of tours, movies and live music by local acts such as Red Hot Juba and the Jesse Taylor Band. See burlingtoncityarts.org for the detailed schedule.
 
Fire Up About Youth Advocacy Free Online, Burlington 
Sat., Oct. 17, 1-4:30 p.m.
Burlington middle and high school students hear from national speaker and advocate Lincoln Mondy, who talks about a film he made to raise awareness of tobacco issues and provoke thought on activism, public health and the worth of the Black body. 802-652-0997

Free Dinner To Go Free Sat., Oct. 17, 4-6 p.m.
Barbecue chicken, mashed potatoes, carrots, broccoli and dinner rolls are available for takeaway. Limited delivery is available for those unable to pick up. Register by October 13. 802-457-9818

Harvest at the Farm Saturdays, Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Continues through Oct. 18
Billings Farm & Museum ,
Rt 12 & Old River Rd, Woodstock
Brilliant foliage serves as a backdrop to autumnal activities such as visiting farm animals, walking the Ottauquechee River Trail and learning about 19th-century harvest activities on the historic farm. 802-457-2355
 
Road Trip Scavenger Hunt sponsored by Henry Sheldon Museum
October 18, 2020 through October 18, 2020 1 Park St. Middlebury VT
Enjoy a Road Trip Scavenger Hunt -- drive through Addison County following clues to 10 landmarks along the route. For all ages, young and young at heart. Choose from two routes: ROUTE #1: East Middlebury to Vergennes or ROUTE #2: Orwell to Middlebury. The $10 fee includes both routes. All the stops have easy access. At each site, take your picture with the landmark. Then tag the Sheldon on Instagram or Facebook, @henrysheldonmuseum. Also tag @vermontcuratorsgroup to enter the 2020 Vision passport program. A few days prior to Oct. 18, you will receive an email with your route and clues. 
 
Virtual Story Time with the Manchester Community Library
Tue Oct 20th 10:30am - 11:30am
Online Event Location:  Facebook Live 

Join the Manchester Community Library every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 a.m. via Facebook Live and enjoy stories, songs, and activities.
 

Virtual Scavenger Hunt - Manchester, VT
Fri Oct 23rd 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Online Event Location:  Register Here! 
Attention Teens! Need something to do on a Friday night? Join us via Zoom for a virtual scavenger hunt, where only the fastest prevail! Registration required. For ages 12-18.
 

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

Thank you for your generous support!


Thank you to our many community partners.  We appreciate every Vermont community and individual for all the ways you support every child and youth in foster care throughout Vermont. Soon, the holiday season will be here. Can you support children in foster care with a gift or donation?  Our Recruitment & Retention Specialist and Resource Coordinator can communicate childrens' needs to you.  Thank you.

 Contact your District Office Recruitment & Retention Specialist and Resource Coordinator. Here is a link to our district offices: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts
 
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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