"If you carry joy in your heart, you can heal any moment."
– Carlos Santana
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Look for Fostering Vermont every other week. Send your news, events, and other items of importance and interest to: mary.collins@vermont.gov DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION: TUESDAY, NOON.
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January is National Mentor Month!
January is National Mentor Month. Having a Mentor Program in Vermont is cause to celebrate. We now have fillable forms for your ease to complete and the Mentor training is now online for easy access to immediate training when you are ready. We have expanded the eligibility requirements to include experienced foster and kin caregivers that have recently closed their foster care licenses in good standing. This is a way for families to remain involved even when fostering may not be right for them at this time. We welcome experienced families to become trained mentors to support families who are new to fostering. Please consider this opportunity to mentor a fellow foster or kin caregiver.
If you have any questions, please contact your local Resource Coordinator or me at Joan.Rock@vermont.gov.
Thank you!
Joan Rock
Foster/Kin care Manager
280 State Drive HC1 North
Waterbury, VT 05671-1030
Joan.Rock@vermont.gov
802-760-0594
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Human Trafficking Awareness
Mention “human trafficking” in the same sentence with “Vermont,” and the reaction may be one of surprise and disbelief. Although Vermont may seem insulated from such a horrendous and insidious crime, even in the Green Mountain State human trafficking is hidden in plain sight. As with most public health issues, awareness is key to the prevention of human trafficking.
In 2007, the U.S. Senate designated January 11th as National Day of Human Trafficking Awareness. Human Trafficking is the act of compelling a person by force, fraud, or coercion to provide labor or a commercial sex act. Coercion can be subtle, and traffickers use manipulation and threats of physical, psychological, or emotional harm. Traffickers target those who are most vulnerable to exploitation: for example, children, runaways, the mentally or physically disabled, or those suffering from poverty, substance abuse disorder, neglect, or abuse. Victims are lured, manipulated, and controlled by the trafficker via false promises concerning relationships, employment, lifestyle, or drug availability. They are treated as commodities.
The Vermont Human Trafficking Task Force was formed in 2013 to forge a collaboration to pursue prosecution of perpetrators and to protect, rehabilitate, and empower survivors of human trafficking through comprehensive social, medical, and legal services. Led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Vermont and the Vermont Attorney General’s Office, the Vermont Human Trafficking Task Force comprises dozens of stakeholders and embraces a mission “to prevent trafficking of persons within the State of Vermont by implementing a multidisciplinary response to human trafficking.”
RESOURCES:
The Vermont Human Trafficking Resource Guide provides contacts, tips, tools, and referrals for professionals who may encounter a suspected trafficking situation; and the Labor Trafficking Fact Sheet provides essentials about a crime that can be easily overlooked or confused with other labor violations.
HOW TO GET HELP?
If you suspect an instance of human trafficking and would like to speak with a trained specialist who can help assess the situation and provide information and referrals, call 2-1-1, or the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888, or Text: BeFree.
If you or someone you know suspects that a child is being exploited or trafficked, please make a report to the Vermont Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-649-5285). Help and resources are available that can be offered to protect children in Vermont.
Anyone interested in obtaining training or for more general inquiries about the Task Force and its work can contact the United States Attorney’s Office through their Civil Rights Specialist at Emily.Collins2@usdoj.gov. |
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As we continue to work to safely navigate Covid-19, please rely upon your District Office should you need support during this critical time. Here is a link to each of our District Offices: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts
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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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Here is the link to the CWTP training catalog:
Vermont Kin, Foster and Adoptive Families
Training Catalog January 2021
We will send you a new catalog link once a month.
Next month’s will include links to flyers for individual classes
and will connect to our online catalog.
Please reach out if you have questions!
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Corona-silence!
Surviving During a Time of Seemingly Endless Uncertainty & Chaos
With Kimberly Quinn, Ph.D.
Tuesday, January 26th, 2021, 6-7:30 PM via Zoom
When the world closed back in March, most of us assumed this would be a sprint and ran out of the gate at full speed . . . Then, the sprint turned into a marathon. We are now finding ourselves adjusting to this "new normal" by becoming comfortable with the uncomfortable the best we can. We are experiencing Rona-fatigue and our minds are tired, not always knowing what to do or in which direction to turn. Now it is time for us to re-group and consciously create the boundaries and structure we need to move forward, as well as to shift into a positive stress mindset.
For more information about Parent Education Workshops, contact: jstanton@lamoillefamilycenter.org
Register in advance for this Zoom presentation.
A link with an invitation will be sent to your email the day of the presentation. |
| Lamoille Family Center | (802) 888-5229 | www.lamoillefamilycenter.org |
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| Class Topics |
Preparing for the Transition
Connecting with state and local resources
Lifelong Issues in Adoption or Guardianship
What’s DIFFERENT & What’s the SAME??
Talking about Adoption
Working with the rest of the family (birth, extended, siblings)
Claiming the newest member of your family
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If you need assistance with online enrollment – email ebaird@uvm.edu
Effective
January 2021 – June 2021 |
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Fostering to Forever In-Person
(NOW Virtual)
REQUIRED Training for Pre-Adoptive,
CCO & Guardianship Caregivers in Vermont
This class is for caregivers adopting from foster care. It is REQUIRED prior to submission of your adoption assistance agreement. It is typically taught as an in-person class, however due to Covid-19 restrictions it will be taught as a two-part virtual (Zoom) class to prepare caregivers for adopting from foster care.
You must take BOTH classes in order to receive your certificate of completion!
February 2021
Saturday February 13th
9:00am – 10:30am
&
Saturday February 20th
9:00am – 11:00am
Email Emma.Baird@uvm.edu
to register for this class
~ OR ~
April 2021
Tuesday April 13th
7:00pm – 8:30pm
&
Tuesday April 20th
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Email Emma.Baird@uvm.edu
to register for this class
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If you prefer to take the class online – see the next page
Fostering to Forever
(Foster to Adopt)
Online Instructions
Go to this website: training.vermontcwtp.org
Register for an account (or login if you already have one)
Enroll in “FOSTERING TO FOREVER”
Enter enrollment key: F2forever
For video tutorial about enrolling in online course, click link below:
https://youtu.be/WNPGhU9VW_Y
Families Forever
(CCO to Adoption/Guardianship)
Online Instructions:
Go to this website: training.vermontcwtp.org
Register for an account (or login if you already have one)
Enroll in “FAMILIES FOREVER”
Enter enrollment key: FFcwtp
For video tutorial about enrolling in online course, click link below:
https://youtu.be/WNPGhU9VW_Y
If you have questions about any of these classes, please contact Emma Baird at emma.baird@uvm.edu
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VFAFA NEWS
helpful news and information for our VFAFA partners
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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)
JOIN US FOR OUR FEBRUARY MEETING!
Below is a reference to the next VFAFA meeting in January. This is a great opportunity to hear the information that our leadership is sharing with Foster/Kin caregivers. Please mark your calendars and make an effort to attend. It is also an opportunity to meet the new Executive Board for VFAFA.
VFAFA Meeting
Tuesday, February 9, 2020 7 pm
Agenda
All Resource Coordinators and Recruitment and Retention Specialists are invited to attend this very informative meeting.
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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 Vermont Foster and Adoptive Families Facebook page.
We would like to expand our membership outreach. VFAFA maintains a virtual community on-line through Facebook as a means to support community members. To become a member of the Facebook page, go to Vermont Foster and Adoptive Families and click join.
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VIRTUAL AND LIVE EVENTS
events of interest for vermont foster and kincare families
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PLEASE CONFIRM THAT EVENTS OF INTEREST POSTED ON THIS CALENDAR ARE HAPPENING. CHANGES AND CANCELLATIONS MAY OCCUR WITHOUT NOTICE.
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EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
PLEASE FOLLOW ALL VERMONT STATE SOCIAL DISTANCING GUIDELINES AND BE SURE TO CHECK IN ADVANCE TO CONFIRM THAT EVENTS OF INTEREST ARE STILL HAPPENING.
A panel of mentees share their insights with mentoring practitioners on ways in which they can support and elevate young voices.
Moretown Elementary & Fayston Elementary Virtual Online
Kindness Puppet Presentation
January 21 @ 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Online Kindness Virtual Puppet Presentations
9:15-9:50 a.m. Online Kindness Virtual Puppet Presentation for Grade K
10:50-11:25 a.m. Online Kindness Virtual Puppet Presentation for Grades 3-4
1:10-1:45 p.m. Online Kindness Virtual Puppet Presentation for Grades 1-2
Snowlights
Fri., Jan. 22, 5-8 p.m. and Sat., Jan. 23, 5-8 p.m.
Highland Center for the Arts
2875 Hardwick St., Greensboro
The grounds at Highland Center for the Arts are awash with color as folks traverse terrain decorated with twinkling light displays. 802-533-9075
In a two-part online lesson, children and families use repurposed and recycled materials to create small-scale shelters. For ages 8 through 12. 802-257-0124
'Measurement Rules'
Mondays, Fridays-Sundays, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. & 1:30-4 p.m.
Continues through May 9
How many chickens do you weigh? How tall are you in apples or inches or pennies? Curious kiddos explore the answers to these and other questions in this interactive exhibit. 802-864-1848
Judi Byron plucks Celtic, folk and kids' songs on her "little harp." 802-244-7036
Those who advise young people participate in three days of online workshops and discussions focused on the theme of "Rising to the Moment."
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Thank you for your generous support!
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We appreciate every Vermont community and individual for all the ways you support children and youth in foster care throughout Vermont. If you would like to learn more about ways that you or your organization can support a child in foster care, our Recruitment & Retention Specialists and Resource Coordinators would love to work with you! Here's how: Contact your District Office Recruitment & Retention Specialist and Resource Coordinator at: https://dcf.vermont.gov/fsd/contact-us/districts
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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.
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Copyright © 2021
Vermont Department For Children and Families, Family Services Division
All rights reserved.
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Our mailing address is:
280 State Street HC1N Building B Waterbury Vermont 05671
Tel: (802) 241.0896
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