JUNE 2018
A monthly resource for family caregivers, and foster and adoptive families in Washington state
Kinship: All in the Family
“I’m grateful to have unconditional love for my grandparents. Full of joy to still have the opportunity to have my sister and two brothers with me. My grandparents gave us a second chance to have a wonderful life. Now we are a family of six. To show my grandparents my appreciation I’m going to finish school, go to college to become a English teacher. God bless my new family.” ~ Margaritta Alvarez, 11, Yakima
Margaritta’s words are taken from her become licensed as foster placements. They entry in the Voices of Children Contest, have some of the same supports from the designed to give a voice to young people system as foster parents do, but financial grateful for finding a safe and nurturing support is more limited. home with relatives when they leave The state’s Children’s Administration data their birth homes for reasons of abuse shows that approximately 9,000 children and/or neglect. are living in out-of-home care, and about Whether they are in informal Kinship is defined by dictionary.com as 46 percent of those, approximately 4,000, or formal kinship care, data are still in state custody while living with 1. the state or fact of being of kin; family shows that children thrive in relatives. relationship. kinship care. Whether they are in informal or formal 2. relationship by nature, qualities, etc.; kinship care, data shows that children affinity. thrive in kinship care. In the world of child welfare, kinship care, “It’s really a stability issue,’ said Penny often called relative care, plays a huge role Michel, the Kinship 101 trainer with the in providing a safe haven for children who Alliance For Child Welfare Excellence. have to leave their birth homes. “They are coming into homes where they Caregiver Connection is published by: For every child placed in foster or kinship know the people they will be living with.” care through the child welfare system, it This month, the Caregiver Connection is estimated that 10 more are living with focuses on kinship care as the number of in partnership with the Washington State relatives in what is called the “informal” Department of Social and Health Services, children living with relatives continues system, without child welfare involvement. Children’s Administration to grow. Children living with relatives who remain We begin with Justin Medrano, who in the custody of the state are said to be was asked by the state Kinship Advisory part of the “formal” child welfare system. Council to tell his story about being cared Those kinship caregivers – both relatives for by his uncle. and suitable others with established relationships with the child, often do not
1 Inside this issue Kinship: All in the Family . . . 1 My Kinship Story ...... 2 My Kinship Story Alliance: In-Person and Web-Based Training ...... 4 By Justin Medrano Justin Medrano New Kinship Training Available .5 The day my life changed happened in 2012. Kinship Navigators are There to Provide Support ...... 5 My mother did not having access to comfortable to be around. They found her medication, and she had gone a a family member of mine of which I Meeting the Needs of few months without it, leaving only live with today, my great uncle Robert. Kinship Caregivers ...... 6 a schizophrenic, bipolar mother to For the past six years, he has been my Searching for Relatives – take care of her child without any role model, and I am proud of him and Family Bonds Matter ...... 7 control. Eventually, the situation thankful for all he has done; especially Voices of Children Contest became serious to the point where him being my secretary :) Honors Relative Caregivers . . .8 my mom could not pay bills, or even I am also lucky in that I have only acknowledge the fact that she had to WSU's Alexis Arumbul, had one placement. My experience take care of a home. Eviction came and an Education Success Story . . .9 has been nice, for my family is calm, we moved to Washington in hopes of very well educated and loves me more June Is Natonal Pride Month . 10 help from our family on my mom's side. than expected because my grandpa was As it turned out, there was no hope of Pediatrician Warns Against everyone's favorite family member. New help. We could not reach out. We went Using Melatonin Without a world, honestly. When moving here, from motel to motel trying to survive Doctor’s Advice ...... 11 I became someone else, and different on 7-11 food until money ran out and from where I came from. Not even my Apple Care: Equipment And we had to find a shelter. Supplies Covered By Medicaid . 12 old friends understood it; they laughed It was hard because I was too young, when they saw me wearing khakis. Just for Kids: Make it a “RAK” and a male, and so not allowed in Interestingly enough, I laughed at them Summer ...... 14 most shelters. Sneaking in was not a for sagging their pants at age 20. Pushing Consultation Team Members . .15 problem for me. Soon I began to see through the years in kinship care has Caregiver Training from my mother not really trying to get been a blast from monthly to yearly. back on her feet. I gave up on her, and the Alliance ...... 16 As part of his story, Justin was asked: decided it would be best to go on my “What do you believe are the strengths Meet Our Recruitment own, and come back for her when I Partners Who Support You . . .20 and challenges of kinship care in Children’s figured it out how to get us up. I went Administration?” to a women’s shelter that allowed kids looking for food; but I was a boy From my experience, I find the without my mother and I looked a lot connections. Yes, we all have family, older than the age I was, from good but can we connect with them? Even genes of course. I lied as long as I could, non-family members can be like friends, so that I could get a meal, and then I can connect about any emotion or When I was curious about felt guilty. I gave myself up and told hardships we are or have faced. When them what was going on, and what I was curious about what kinship care what kinship care really was had happened they decided to send me really was about, I saw that you guys about, I saw that you guys back to Las Vegas to my dad, but the were not only trying to get kids help, police got involved and the move did but also to help them with resources as were not only trying to get not happen. well. Social workers are giving resources kids help, but also to help for child abuse, or neglect, or other such I was going through a lack of sleep as services. They also refer services for them with resources as well. for two weeks, so I do not remember drugs, or to get through legal problems anything from there after that, that people face. except that I was in a car with great social workers who were funny and Continues on next page
2 My Kinship Story continued
I feel the challenges lie in the area of an option. For example, parents where My thoughts are that I feel some choices. Many times there are issues that dad does drugs, mom does drugs, both decisions made are kind of sad to watch, come up, and all placement options are are abusive, yet only one will pass all the and I can also see that it is hard for those extremely risky, yet someone passes the legal stuff, so the kid goes with mom, that have to initiate the choice, or take legal stuff, allowing for the option to be even though it is not a good choice. part in it.
From the Voices of Children contest by Amaris, 19, Olympia
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Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 1 CaregiverEastern Washington Training from the Alliance • WhetherJan Hinkle You’re a Licensed509-836-5499 or [email protected] Kinship (Manager ) Explore• Renee Siers our wide variety of caregiver509-363 training-3399 options [email protected] to increase understanding and strengthen skills. These• Caregiver,Patty Orona upcoming in-person here’s classroom a Training509-834 sessions-8535 provideto Help [email protected] You information on relevant topics for the caregiver Penny Michel, Trainer community• Ryan Krueger at convenient locations509 across-660-0350 the state. [email protected] Get training by taking Kinship 101, either in-person or on the web • Sherry Colomb 509-322-2552 [email protected] Kinship 101, a training offered to all show that nearly 50 percent of children • Getting more social services. caregivers by the Alliance for Child in out-of-home care are living with a Trainings offered in Region 1: Eastern Washington• Information about resources/ Your WelfareChild Welfare Training Team Excellence, is available in a for Region 2relative. Many more children are living caregiving. classroom setting or online, says Penny with relatives or other close family King County and North to Whatcom County and Island CountyLEARN MORE You can learn about kinship care through Michel, an Alliance trainer. Here’s a friends informally, without the ongoing June• a 2.5 hour in-service class designed for descriptionYolonda ofMarzest the course: 206-923supervision-4955 of the [email protected]’s foster care (Manager) Caregivers Report to the Court (Coaching Session) Talking with Childrenlicensed About and Race unlicensed caregivers caring • Joan Sager 360-594system.-6744 [email protected] for children currently or previously •“The CaregiverCara Mbaye financial, Teaming legal, for and Visitation emotional 206(Coaching- 923-4914 Session) [email protected] Verbal De-Escalation Often kinship caregivers do not access involved in the dependency system. • issuesEl-Freda Stephenson of raising a relative’s child206 -923-4922 [email protected] Youth Missing From Care the benefits which are Infantavailable Safety to them. and CareCaregiver Core Training (CCT) is not can be challenging. Services and This class will address the issues that a prerequisite. However, this course supportCultural whenDiversity raising for Foster a relative’s Parents and Caregivers:kinship caregivers struggle Compassionate with most: Parentingis supplemental to CCT for kinship Your childBeingChild Welfare Training Team can Culturally be a lifesaver." Responsive to Our for Region 3Children and caregivers, and can be a field experience • Financial needs. Emotion Coaching Pierce County & South to Clark County plus the Olympic Peninsula & CoastYouth of Color during CCT. Kinship caregiving in all of its forms is • • Legal challenges. How You Can Become an Effective Educational becomingCaringArthur Fernandez for increasingly Children Who common. Have Recent Experienced206-276 -4549 Trauma: [email protected] (ManagerYou also) can learn the information • Navigation of publicAdvocate service systems. for Your Child (The Family Guide to • WashingtonA Penny Michel Workshop state for childResource welfare Parents data…360 from-725 the-6788 National [email protected] through a 90-minute webinar. Working with Schools) • ChildStephanie Rodrigues Traumatic Stress Network 206-321-1721 [email protected] • Robert Judd 360-344-3003 [email protected] Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care • Gracia Hahn 253-983-6362 [email protected] African American Hair and Skin Care So You Have a New Placement, Now What? Your Registration Help Desk Registration is required. • Registration Help 866-577-1915 [email protected] July You can register at www.alliancecatalog.org/ Apologies for the inconvenience! Children’s Administration and the Alliance have just node/18562/course-signup finalized the initial training plan for the fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). We will now begin scheduling courses across the state for July and beyond. Need help registering? As trainings are scheduled you will see more and more offerings on the monthly flyers. Call 1-866-577-1915 or email Please check our website (allianceforchildwelfare.org) for ongoing updates!” [email protected]
Please include your name, phone number or email, and the course title in your request for assistance.
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New Kinship Training Available for Social Workers
The Alliance also is offering a new training for social workers “We are encouraging workers to connect with kinship whose caseload increasingly includes children in state custody caregivers right up front,” Michel said. “We want it infused living with relatives. The training is called “Supporting Kinship into the conversation what resources are available and how to Placements.” connect.” The training is “designed to increase understanding and A key factor when young people come to live with relatives can empathy” by social workers toward kinship caregivers, who be the family dynamics at play, a factor not present with foster often face different challenges than foster parents, Michel said. parents. The training helps social workers learn what resources and Such issues as visitation, boundaries and appropriate behaviors supports are available for the caregivers, as well. are discussed, since families do not have the specific trainings Social workers are also reminded to be upfront about the need on those subjects that foster parents take before becoming for a home study for relatives with children in state custody and licensed. It is often the case that kinship caregivers are asked that background checks are required for anyone in the home on very short notice to take care of a child when they were not over age 16, Michel said. expecting to do so. That can feel very intrusive, kinship caregiver Barbara Johnson Foster parents also are called on short notice, but have planned said at a recent meeting of the statewide Kinship Advisory and trained for the experience of caring for children who have Committee. experienced trauma.
Kinship Navigators and Liaisons are there to Provide Support A network of Kinship Navigators across the state primarily However, connecting with kinship caregivers has been a work to help relative caregivers who do not have children in challenge because “we don’t know who they (the kinship state custody. caregivers) are,” said Kim Fordham, program director for Fostering Washington. Its navigators cover Eastern They talk regularly to kinship caregivers about help that is Washington. “We’re trying to build relationship” with state available. About 14 full-time or part-time navigators help staff members to try to make those connections, she said. relative caregivers, and another eight more full or part- time navigators are available to help tribal members. You “We support any relative caregiver (in the system) just like any can learn which navigators work in your part of the state other (licensed) caregiver,” said Shala Crow, program director at dshs.wa.gov/sites/default/files/ALTSA/hcs/documents/kinship/ for Fostering Together, which covers western Washington. WAStateKinshipNavigatorsContactList.pdf But, as with Fostering Washington, “we don’t get their contact information,” she said. There are legal confidentiality issues Support is also available through a network of liaisons. that prohibit the sharing of that information. Through contracts with the state, Fostering Together and Fostering Washington hire liaisons. While they work primarily The organization reaches out in any way it can, Crow said. to support foster parents, liaisons also support kinship caregivers “The ones we know about we support like any other caregiver.” who have children in state custody.
Among the new resources from Fostering Together is a kinship support group being started in Pierce County. For more information on the group, contact Shala at [email protected]; 360-220-3785. On Facebook, Fostering Together has started a Kinship Fostering Together page to help kinship caregivers.
5 Meeting the Needs of Kinship Caregivers
Because so many more children than in the past are living with relatives when they come out of their birth homes, Children’s Administration is working to identify needs and barriers to supporting Caregivers can kinship caregivers. access a number of Barriers and needs were discussed for more than two hours at a recent online resources. meeting of the statewide Kinship Advisory Committee, which includes For a comprehensive list of kinship members with both public and private roles in the kinship world. support services click on www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/kinship- One of the overriding issues they discussed is getting solid care-support-services information to relative caregivers who have never had contact with the child welfare system. Two brochures are especially helpful, as well: “Kinship Care: Relative and “Relatives aren’t prepared,” said Erika Thompson, who works with Suitable Other Placement” Fostering Together and runs a clothing bank called “Wishing Well” for all caregivers in Pierce County. She talks to relative caregivers Kinship Care: Relative and Suitable constantly who come into Wishing Well. “Far too many of our Other Placement: Brochure caregivers struggle for far too long.” “Understanding the Dependency Especially at the beginning, “there is just so much stuff coming Court Process for Caregivers” at them,” said Toni Sebastian, director of program and policy for aregivers can access a number of Children’s Administration. online resources. Communicating with caregivers in as many ways as possible is key, committee members agreed. For a comprehensive list of kinship support services click on Among the ideas suggested was having one person in each of the California regions be a point of contact for relative caregivers or having www.dshs.wa.gov/altsa/kinship- social workers whose sole job is working with kinship caregivers. care-support-services
Only 6 to 8 percent of relative caregivers become licensed foster parents, Two brochures are especially helpful, although the supports, especially financial, can help with caregiving. But as well: “Kinship Care: Relative and many relatives are not told about the supports available if they become foster parents. And even when they know, many caregivers don’t want the Suitable Other Placement” government involved in their lives. Kinship Care: Relative and Suitable Understanding the Dependency Court Process for Caregivers Other Placement: Brochure The Caregiver Connection is adding a monthly feature, “Kinship “Understanding the Dependency Corner,” which will continue to provide information to kinship Court Process for Caregivers” caregivers and will feature other stories related to kinship caregivers. Here is a “60 Minutes” story with another perspective on grandparents raising grandchildren. www.cbsnews.com/news/opioid-epidemic-leaving-grandparents-to-raise- grandchildren/
6 Searching for Relatives – Family Bonds Matter
Both state and federal laws require Administration’s data system, FamLink. While the unit is dedicated to the task, Children’s Administration to look first This report identifies children who are in everyone in Children’s Administration for relatives to care for children who their first placement but are not currently is responsible for relative searches and must leave their birth homes due to residing with a relative. The second working with families. It is a continual abuse or neglect. way the unit receives referrals is directly process. Relatives appear at various through the social worker. These cases points in the case. Kinship care policy The driving force behind the laws is are referred because the child: requires that if a child has been in care keeping family bonds strong. more than one year and does not have • is in need of a permanent placement, “We want children to stay connected permanency established or identified, to their families and siblings whenever • has recently had paternity established California is expected to do another possible,” says Debbie Gomi, who directs and a search on the paternal family relative search. a unit of social workers and clerical staff must be completed, Sometimes relatives are not located, or searching for relatives. “We want them • has had a previous search but the don’t come forward until well into the to live with people they already know outcome was unsuccessful in securing case. While the child remains in foster and trust.” a viable relative placement, or care, foster parents are bonding with The unit started in the Children’s • has experienced an adoption the child over that extended period of Administration region north of Seattle disruption. time and may believe that no relative in 2010. It had four social workers and In 2017 there were 4219 children who is available. However, because the clerical staff and now, has more than were referred through the InfoFamlink relative search unit has kept searching, a doubled in size. The work is done out of removal report and there were 424 social relative might be found who may be an the Mount Vernon office. More staff will worker referrals made, Gomi said. appropriate placement for the child. be added after July 1. The amount of effort that goes into “We want to help foster parents understand Gomi said their searches go out “three finding relatives is staggering. Almost what our process is,” Debbie said. “We degrees.” They look for aunts and uncles 120,000 relative-search letters were sent want them know they can always ask ‘has a of the child, who are the siblings of the in 2017. Another 10,000 calls were made relative been identified’ — so they will not biological parents, for grandparents and or emails sent seeking relatives. be disappointed at the end.” great grandparents and cousins as well. Staff have a 30-day deadline once children are removed from their legal The goal is always to find a home that will guardians, to identify and send out letters support “the best interest of the child.” to relatives who might help care for children. Typically, the unit is able to identify 20-40 relatives during that time. The unit uses a variety of search tools. Through the consultation team meetings Sometimes they find up to 200 relatives Databases from different parts of the with foster parents and Children’s as the search continues. They prioritize Department of Social and Health Administration leadership, the issue finding relatives for children who have Services, including support enforcement of relative searches has been given gone into foster care immediately after are used. Records from the State increased attention. removal. Department of Health are reviewed, and A new online training will be available The unit gets referrals for searches new toolslike Ancestry.com are also used; this fall to help foster parents and other through two methods. For children also obituaries have proven helpful in caregivers better understand the relative who have been removed in the last finding relatives. search process. 30 days from their parent’s care, the unit receives a report from the Children’s
7 Voices of Children Contest Honors Relative Caregivers
For the 15th year, Family Education and Support Services, based in Thurston County, has led a statewide contest called “Voices of Children Being Raised by Grandparents or Other Relatives.” Young people between the ages of 5-19 are invited to submit a drawing or words to show and describe living with their relatives. Two winners in three age groups are selected, and each receives $100 from Twin Start Credit Union. They and their families receive a free night at Great Wolf Lodge, and on July 24, winners will be honored at a ceremony hosted by First Lady Trudi Inslee at the Governor’s Mansion. You have seen two entries above in the Caregiver Connection (pages 2-3). Here are two of the winning entries. We will show the rest in the Caregiver Connection the next two months. The Ayzha, 11, Lake Tapps entries are displayed exactly as written.
“Living with a Grandparent is hard because you don't get to see your parents often. When you live with a grandparent you get to experience more on life skills. They help you with things just like parents do. They never leave your side and always make you happy when your sad. Grandparents are just like as if your living with your regular parents.
I still love my parents even tho thoughts happen in life that your parents might regret. Life as a kid is hard even tho you know your parents aren't here to guide you through life as you go and at least I have someone who reminds me of my mom and not have her forgotten. The main person who has been here for me my whole life is my Grandma Joanne. I appreciate and love her and she provides for us even if she don't have the money.”
Kemiya, 13, Kennewick
8 Less than 3 Percent of Foster Youth Graduate College
By Alexis Arumbul This statistic has been embedded in my brain from the day I started searching for scholarships that would help me pay for college. I remember scrolling through the list of scholarships that were available for foster youth when it popped up on the screen: my heart sank into my stomach and it felt like everything that I had been working towards my entire life was for nothing. Any possibility of a career I wanted in the future felt out of arms’ reach and I was just going to have to Alexis Arumbul settle for something more realistic.
WSU’s Alexis Arumbul Less than 3 percent of foster youth graduate college. An Education Success Story My entire life, I had always prided myself on being a good student. I never missed The journey onto a stage to receive a day of school, always turned in my assignments on time, always aced that test. a high school or college diploma can I was a straight-A student all through elementary and middle school. I can thank be a difficult one for all young people, my adopted mother for that. She adopted my younger sister and me when I was but especially for youth in foster and 2 years old. Before this, we were in foster care briefly but I was so young, that I don’t relative care. remember anything before this. My biological mom was 16 years old when she had me and was unable to provide for me. So, for almost my entire childhood, it was just When a diploma or degree is earned, me, my little sister, and my adopted mom. we should celebrate and be inspired by the stories of those who have When you’re a kid, you’re asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” successfully navigated traumatic, And I wanted to be so many things that my answer was different every time: A anxiety-driven childhoods to receive veterinarian, a ballerina, a teacher, an astronaut. My adopted mom would always those precious pieces of paper—and all say that if I wanted to be any of those things, I needed to do well in school and go they represent. to college. Although I will always be grateful for her encouragement, my placement with my adopted mom did not work out, and, at age 15, my sister and I were This month and next, Alexis separated and I re-entered foster care. Arumbul, 23, will tell her story of overcoming all the odds to graduate High school was tough, but not in the way that your average high schooler would from Washington State University. interpret it. When I say that high school was tough, I am talking about how I went to four different high schools in three years. I had to un-enroll and re-enroll. Alexis spent a number of years in the Un-enroll and re-enroll. I did this five times. I spent six days in one high school child welfare system, mostly in the before I was placed in a foster home across the state. Despite the instability I faced, Yakima area. This May, she earned a I constantly fought to keep up in school and maintain the 4.0 GPA that I had held degree in political science, which she with pride my entire life. plans to put to work helping shape and make public policy—“giving a Senior year approached with the promise of stability. I would be able to stay at one voice to the voiceless”—so the path high school for the entire school year. This made me feel like I was safe and able to will be smoother for young people like engage in a genuine high school experience. I was so excited. I joined the drama her to reach their educational and club, went to sports games, attended school functions and even got comfortable career goals. with the idea of making friends. As with most individual success stories, But because I was behind in the courses I needed to graduate, I had to play catch-up just one caring adult can made a huge the entire year. We had an hour lunch break, and every day I would do extra online difference. Alexis gives credit to two courses in the computer lab to ensure that I would graduate on time. I gave myself adults, without whom her journey 15 minutes for lunch before my next class. Having no time to eat was very stressful, might have taken a different direction. and I also had to manage my school work, attend rehearsals for drama club and work Here is the first part of her story. Continues on next page
9 Less than 3 Percent continued June Is Natonal Pride Month on my senior project. I was so worried A number of events are being held around the state this month in support of about the graduation deadline and how the LGBTQ+ population, including the many who are youth in care. I was going to afford college that Below is a list of those events. At the bottom of the newsletter, you will find a I couldn’t enjoy the blissful thought list of LGBTQ+ support centers throughout the state. of graduating soon. But I persevered, because less than 3 percent of foster youth June 9 Volunteer Park Pride Festival Noon – 7 p.m. at Volunteer Park graduate college. June 9 10 Capitol City Pride Olympia This statistic motivated me through all Spokane Pride Par. Noon to 10 p.m. at Riverfront Park Lilac the times when I felt like my efforts were June 9 and Rainbow Festival Meadows in vain. I wasn’t going to let anything stop me from graduating high school and June 22 Trans Pride Seattle 5– 9 p.m., Seattle Central College Plaza going to college. I was exhausted from June 23 PrideFest Capitol Hill Noon – 8 p.m. at Cal Anderson Park, Seattle trying to manage all of these obstacles, but I wasn’t going to let my past get in June 23 Seattle Dyke March 5-7 p.m., Seattle Central College Plaza the way. I was going to make sure the June 23 Wenatchee Pride Festival Begins at 11 a.m. at Pybus Public Market choices I made in the present produced the outcomes I needed for a better future. June 24 PrideFest Seattle Center Noon – 8 p.m., Seattle Center July 13- Tacoma Pride 2018 Tacoma The time came to apply to colleges. I 14 can confidently say that I would not be July 14 Saturday in the Park Pride Esther Short Park, Vancouver where I am today had it not been for my Independent Living Skills agent, July 15 Bellingham Pride 2018 Noon – 4 p.m. at Depot Market Square Taylor Ghettman. She set the foundation Tacoma Pride’s July 15 Tacoma for my transition from high school to Interfaith Celebration college by helping me apply to colleges, July 20 Pride Shabbat Tacoma, WA helping with the cost of applications, and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at Evergreen Rotary Park, July 21 Kitsap Pride helping me apply for scholarships like Bremerton the Education Training Voucher Program July 29 Emerald City Black Pride 1 p.m. – 6 p.m., Jimi Hendrix Park, Seattle and the Passport Scholarship Program. If it wasn’t for Taylor, I would’ve had to figure out all the confusing steps on my Pride Events at State Agencies own. I was awarded all the scholarships I applied for and accepted into every Department of Corrections (multiple locations) college I applied to. I chose to attend the June 13, Chehalis Field Office – PRIDE event college of my dreams, Washington State June 17, Auburn Field Office – LGBTI presentation University. June 20 or 27 (TBD), CI HQ – PRIDE event I felt like everything had fallen into June 21, 12:30-3:30 p.m., Monroe Correctional Complex Twin Rivers Unit Visiting place, and I felt safe and excited for what Room – Unity Pride event with presentations; Q&A was in store after I graduated high school. Labor and Industries (7273 Linderson Way SW, Tumwater) I turned 18 in February, which meant June 6, 11:30a.m.-1:30 p.m., auditorium – Pride Potluck with L&I’s Pride Alliance that I would be aging out of the foster Employee Resource Group care system and would no longer be a June 20, 1-2 p.m., auditorium – Viewing of the TED Talk, “We Are All Hiding ward of the state. This was the biggest Something,” and panel discussion, hosted by L&I’s Pride Alliance relief I had experienced since entering the system, knowing that I would have Retirement Services (6835 Capitol Blvd SE, Tumwater) the independence to make my own June 5, noon-1 p.m., boardroom – Lunch with guest speaker John Weisman, DOH Secretary of Health and RAIN executive sponsor. choices and have control over my life. June 26, noon-1 p.m., boardroom — Marianne Ozmun-Wells will provide a Next month: Alexis’ college life lunch-and-learn session on LGBTQ+ issues in the workplace for the Department of and her desire to give back through Retirement Systems. her work
10 Pediatrician Warns against Giving Children and Youth Melatonin without a Doctor’s Advice
In a March review, Dr. Lily Koblenz, occurs, the pineal gland becomes active, melatonin nightly in childhood. The medical consultant for Region 3 South, releasing melatonin into the blood supplement also has known potential warns against using the popular over- stream. Melatonin levels stay elevated in side-effects. the-counter supplement melatonin on a the blood for about 12 hours, all through “The most commonly reported short- regular basis to help children sleep unless the night. The levels drop again in the term side-effects of melatonin are it has been recommended by a medical morning and stay low throughout the daytime drowsiness, bed-wetting, professional. day. headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhea and While adequate amounts of sleep are Sunlight and artificial, indoor light can nightmares. crucial to good physical, mental and be bright enough to prevent the release As mentioned previously, we do not yet emotional health, using melatonin, a of melatonin. According to Johns know what the long-term side effects of naturally occurring hormone that helps Hopkins sleep expert, Luis F Buenaver regular use of Melatonin are.” control sleep-wake cycles, poses many PhD, ‘Your body produces melatonin unknowns for children, Dr. Koblenz says. naturally. It doesn’t make you sleep, but Other concerns have been raised by She explains melatonin and its role in as melatonin levels rise in the evening it scientists and medical professionals sleep more fully in the review, writing: puts you in a state of quiet wakefulness about appropriate dosage amounts, that helps promote sleep.’” potential allergy to the medication, drug “Melatonin is a hormone made in an interactions, such long-term effects as area of the brain called the pineal gland. Dr. Koblenz notes, “In children, interference with hormones that regulate Release of the hormone into the blood melatonin has been frequently used for puberty and masking a sleep problem stream is regulated by another part of the sleep disorders associated with autism, that may be medical in nature. brain called the hypothalamus. An area ADHD, persistent insomnia, blindness in the hypothalamus senses the amount and delayed sleep phase syndrome.” Until more data is gathered, it is of light and sends signals to the pineal important that caregivers consult their While it may sound like the answer gland about when to release melatonin. doctor before using melatonin as a to many sleep problems, she cautions During the day, the pineal gland does remedy to sleep problems. that no studies have been completed not release melatonin. When darkness regarding the long-term effects of taking
Try changing routines to improve sleep
Dr. Koblenz says many sleep problems in children can be greatly improved by • Use the bed for sleeping but not as a changing daytime and sleep routines and habits. place to do homework, study, read or watch TV. Last year neuroscientist Matthew Walker, Ph.D., of UC Berkeley, published the book, “Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams,” in which he summarizes • For children and teens who have decades of research on sleep … Dr. Walker gives some general tips to help adults and difficulty falling asleep or staying adolescents to improve their sleep: asleep at night pediatricians generally recommend improving sleep routines • Go to bed and wake up at the same • An hour before bedtime, dim the and habits: time every day, even on the weekend lights and turn off all screens. Have the room very dark for sleeping. • Avoid daytime naps (especially in the • Keep the bedroom cool – about 65 late afternoon) for older children and degrees is optimal. (Wear socks if your • Avoid caffeine after 1 p.m. Don’t limit afternoon nap times for toddlers. feet are cold.) drink alcohol prior to bedtime. Continues on 13
11 Some Medical Equipment and Supplies are Covered by Medicaid Caregivers of children covered by Medicaid, which include all children in foster care and many children in relative care, have certain supplies and equipment that will be paid for by Medicaid and some that will not. Listed below are covered and non-covered items.
COVERED MEDICAID BENEFITS NOT COVERED BY MEDICAID BENEFITS Ambulatory aids (canes, crutches, walkers) Bath/shower chair – transfer bench for tub or toilet Antiseptics and germicides Bathtub/toilet wall rails Bandages, dressings and tapes Bed pans, urinals Bilirubin light or light pad (for jaundice) Bedding items Communication devices/speech generating devices* Blood pressure cuff Continuous glucose monitoring (age 18 and younger)** Clothing protectors, surgical masks Diabetes testing and supplies Clothing and accessories DME repairs Commode chair Enteral formula, oral example PediaSure (age 20 and younger)** Compression stockings Positioning cushion/pillow/wedge* Diaper wipes Hospital beds* Eating and feeding utensils Mattresses for hospital beds* Heat and cold applications Orthopedic braces, belts and supportive devices Home improvements and modifications to the home Orthopedic footwear/shoes Life vests (cardiac) Ostomy supplies Medication dispensers Patient lifts/traction /transfer boards/fracture frames Over-the-bed tables/trays Positioning car seat Personal comfort items Positioning devices Personal care items that do not meet DME definition Power-operated vehicles* Sharps containers Protective helmet* Shoe lifts less than one inch, arch supports, non-orthopedic shoes Replacement batteries for covered equipment Sitz bath chair or other Sitz type bath or equipment Replacement batteries for wheelchairs TENS Unit Safety equipment (belt, harness or vest) Therapeutic light box Sling or seat, patient lift Therapeutic swimming pools Syringes and needles Thermometers Urological (incontinence) supplies: diapers, pull-ups, gloves, Toothbrushes/ periodontal devices pads, catheter supplies Transport chairs Vehicle-positioning seat* Work covered by warranties Wheelchair repairs* Wheelchair*
*Requires prior authorization (PA) Continues next page **Requires exception to rule (ETR) for requests outside age limitation
12 Covered by Medicaid Continued
All items must be: • Use the “find a provider” tool: ProviderSearch. CoordinatedCareHealth.com • Deemed medically necessary as defined in WAC 182-500- 0005 through 182-500-0120. • Next, select type of provider by clicking “Ancillary.”
• Prescribed by a physician, advanced registered nurse • Next, select “Durable Medical Equipment & Supplies practitioner (ARNP) or physician assistant certified (PAC) Items related to medications and the delivery of medications can within the scope of his or her licensure. be received at a pharmacy. Equipment is received from a DME • Provided and used within accepted medical or physical vendor. medicine community standards of practice. Items covered by the Pharmacy Program: See the list • Coded with a HCPCS code. The best way to get this is from of over-the-counter items in the Preferred Drug List at a DME provider. CoordinatedCareHealth.com. Examples: Asthma spacers, peak flow, masks, antifungals, eye drops, lice treatment, pain and Some items: fever relievers, vitamins, calcium, insect repellent, condoms, • Are covered for only some age groups. antihistamines, oral electrolytes, dry mouth solution, gauze pads
• Have quantity and time-frame limits. (If requesting beyond and dressings. the covered quantity or time-frame, prior authorization is This list is not complete. It provides examples of what is and isn’t required.) typically covered by Medicaid. To see a full list, visit the HCA Billing Guides: All covered benefits have limitations and restrictions that may apply (such as quantity and age-related restrictions). Items with • Durable medical equipment (DME): www.hca.wa.gov/assets/ an * require prior authorization. billers-and-providers/dme-wheelchair-bi-20170101.pdf • Non-durable medical equipment and Non-complex • An easy way to get durable medical equipment and supplies, which are known as “DME,” is to use a mail-order service Rehabilitation Technology (CRT) wheelchairs: https://www. from a contracted vendor. hca.wa.gov/assets/billers-and-providers/nondurable-mse- bi-20170401.pdf
To learn more about DME vendors, visit: • Prosthetic and orthotic: www.hca.wa.gov/assets/billers-and-providers/prosthetic-and- • CoordinatedCareHealth.com/members/medicaid/resources/ dme or orthotic-devices-bi-20170101.pdf
Sleep continued from page 11
• Eat dinner at least 2 hours before bedtime. • Allow natural light to enter the child’s room in the morning. • Stop ALL screen activities at least one hour before bedtime (cell phone, tablet, computer, TV). • “In addition, if children are to sleep well at night they need to have adequate physical activity during the day. Make sure • Remove all electronics and screens from the bedroom to that children are getting a chance to use their muscles and prevent use during the night. their incredible energy to play actively every day. Access • Have a quieting, predictable bedtime routine: bath, stories, to fresh air and outdoor activity is helpful in assuring better lullabies, snuggling. sleep at night.”
• Have regular nightly bed and morning awakening times.
• Children should sleep in their own beds.
• Keep the room quiet, dark, and do not overheat it.
• Avoid caffeine, nicotine, and alcohol.
13 Make it a “RAK” Summer
The kids in our care have had less than of kindness. Studies are even finding their share of kindness. Not only have that focusing on kindness cuts down on many of them experienced neglect, bullying. Here’s a link to the article: but also various forms of abuse. They www.teachthought.com/pedagogy/8- have been left vulnerable and faced the reasons-for-teaching-kindness-in-schools/ terror of the unknown as they enter foster homes and other care facilities. Why not make your kids’ absolutely free and all of them will Like plants need water, children need summer a RAK – Random Acts raise your children’s awareness – and kindness to flourish, develop trust and of Kindness – summer? endorphin supply. create a sense of belonging. A couple months ago, I promised to If you have time, you could even sit After we begin to stabilize their lives share some RAK ideas from “Coffee Cups down with your kids and create your and provide the basics, one of the best and Crayons,” a blog written by Megan own summer kindness calendar! The things we can do for our children in care Sheakoski. She actually has created a act of brainstorming about kindness – is to help teach them the importance summer kindness activity calendar. Each what it is, things they could do and ways of kindness and caring, not only by day has an idea for a random act. they can give of themselves could be a demonstrating it by our actions, but by creative and fun beginning to summer. actively teaching and practicing it. Megan’s summer calendar includes acts as simple as opening the door One of the beauties of practicing an act I recently read a wonderful article for someone else or doing a sibling’s of kindness each day is that it helps form listing eight “whys” on the importance usual chore. The calendar also helps a habit and keeps it at the forefront of of teaching kindness in school settings. develop the idea that a whole array everyone’s mind. It delves into the numerous social and of kindnesses exist. Included are such Here is the link to the Coffee Cups emotional benefits. Acts of kindness acts of kindness to animals as feeding and Crayons’ summer kindness produce surprising physical benefits birds or walking a neighbor’s dog, as calendar: www.coffeecupsandcrayons. for the recipient and giver, as well! All well as acts of ecological kindness such com/summer-kindness-calendars- those good little endorphins and other as reusing drawing paper. Many of the kids/#comment-277100 hormones are released by sharing acts ideas on Megan’s summer calendar are
Photo by rawpixel on Unsplash 14 Bring Your Issues to Consultation Team Members Since 2007, statewide meetings have If you, as a foster parent, have questions Anyone interested in filling the brought together top-level managers or concerns you would to have discussed vacancies in Region 1 South, which of Children’s Administration and at the meeting, contact a team member is the southern portion of Eastern foster parents who are members of the from the list at the back of the issue. Washington, should contact: Children’s Administration Foster Parent The committee discusses issues of Meri Waterhouse Consultation Team, informally known statewide concern to foster parents. [email protected] as the 1624 team – a number that reflect The regional members also help set dates 360-902-8035. the legislative bill number that created for regional consultation meetings so the committee. Foster parents serving local issues can be discussed. on the team were selected at the end of 2017 by their peers in each region.
CA Foster Parent Consultation Team (1624) Foster Parent Regional Representatives 2018
Name E-mail Phone Victoria O’Banion, Reg. 1 North [email protected] 308-991-5663 Alla Mishin, Reg. 1 North [email protected] 509-847-4210 Reg. 1 South no. 1 rep., vacant Reg. 1 South no. 2 rep., vacant Lisa Page, Reg. 2 North [email protected] 206-351-2699 Ray Deck III, Reg. 2 North [email protected] 518-290-0729 Shanna Alvarez, Reg. 2 South [email protected] 206-852-5425 Aaron Edwards, Reg. 2 South [email protected] 206-229-6256 Teena Williams, Reg. 3 North [email protected] 253-905-8156 Krista Piger, Reg. 3 North [email protected] 253-548-6353 Amy Gardner, Reg. 3 South [email protected] 360-200-2102 Stephanie Vombaur, Reg. 3 South [email protected] 360-241-3534 Beth Canfield, FPAWS [email protected] 360-990-1011 (c) 360-377-1011 (h) Mike Canfield, FPAWS [email protected] 360-990-1255 (c) 360-377-1011 (h)
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Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 1 CaregiverEastern Washington Training from the Alliance • CaregiverJan Hinkle Training 509-836 from-5499 the [email protected] (Manager) Explore our wide variety of caregiver training options designed to increase understanding and strengthen skills. • ExploreRenee Siers our wide variety of caregiver509-363 training-3399 options [email protected] to increase understanding and strengthen skills. These upcoming in-person classroom sessions provide in-depth information on relevant topics for the caregiver • ThesePatty Orona upcoming in-person classroom509-834 sessions-8535 provide [email protected] information on relevant topics for the caregiver community• at convenient locations across the state. communityRyan Krueger at convenient locations509 -across660-0350 the state. [email protected] • Sherry Colomb 509-322-2552 [email protected]
Trainings offered in Region 1: Eastern Washington Your Child Welfare Training Team JUNEfor Region 2 TRAININGS IN REGION 1: EASTERN WASHINGTON JuneKing County and North to Whatcom County and Island County LEARN MORE • Yolonda African AmericanMarzest Hair and Skin206 Care-923-4955 [email protected]I-LABS: Early STEM (Manager Learning) • CaregiversJoan SagerCaregiving Report for Children to the Court with (CoachingPhysically360-594 -Aggressive 6744Session) [email protected] TalkingI-LABS: with Race Children Today: WhatAbout Kids Race Know as They Grow • Behavior Concerns (Formerly Physically Aggressive Youth) CaregiverCara Mbaye Teaming for Visitation 206(Coaching-923-4914 Session) [email protected] VerbalI-LABS: De-Escalation “Racing” Toward Equality: Why Talking • ElDLR/CPS-Freda Stephenson Investigations: An Overview206-923 -of4922 [email protected] Your Kids About Race is Good for Everyone Youth Missing From Care Infant Safety and Care the Investigation Process for Caregivers Infant Safety and Care Cultural Diversity for Foster Parents and Caregivers: Compassionate Parenting Knowledge and Skills to Help Children Heal Being Culturally Responsive to Our Children and Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 3 Emotion Coaching YouthIdentifying of Color and Supporting Commercially Pierce County & South to Clark County plus the Olympic Peninsula & CoastSo You Have a New Placement…Now What? Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) How You Can Become an Effective Educational • CaringArthur Fernandez for Children Who Have Experienced206-276-4549 Trauma: [email protected] (Manager) AdvocateVerbal De-Escalation for Your Child (The Family Guide to • A Penny Michel WorkshopI-LABS: Temperament for Resource inParents Early360 Childhoodfrom-725 the-6788 National [email protected] Working with Schools) • ChildStephanie Rodrigues Traumatic Stress Network 206-321-1721 [email protected]Why Children Lie I-LABS: Early Music Experience • Robert Judd 360-344-3003 [email protected] Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care Youth Missing from Care • Gracia Hahn 253-983-6362 [email protected] African American Hair and Skin Care So You Have a New Placement, Now What? Your Registration Help DeskJULY TRAININGS IN NEW REGION 1: EASTERN WASHINGTON, NORTH OF KITTITAS AND • Registration Help BENTON/FRANKLIN866-577-1915 COUNTIES [email protected] EAST OF COLUMBIA COUNTY July Emotion Coaching Kinship 101: Information for Relatives and Suitable Others ApologiesIntroduction for the inconvenience! to Adoption Children’sfrom Foster Administration Care and the Alliance have just finalized the initial training plan for the fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). We will now begin scheduling courses across the state for July and beyond. JULY TRAININGS IN NEW REGION 2: SOUTH/CENTRAL EASTERN WASHINGTON As trainings are scheduled you will see more and more offerings on the monthly flyers. Please checkCaregiving our website for Children (allianceforchildwelfare.org) with Sexually Aggressive for ongoing updates!”Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care Behavior Concerns (Formerly Sexually Aggressive Youth) Introduction to Positive Discipline Emotion Coaching So You Have a New Placement…Now What?
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Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 1 CaregiverEastern Washington Training from the Alliance • CaregiverJan Hinkle Training from the Alliance509-836 continued-5499 [email protected] (Manager) Explore• Renee Siers our wide variety of caregiver509-363 training-3399 options [email protected] to increase understanding and strengthen skills. These• Patty Orona upcoming in-person classroom509-834 sessions-8535 provide [email protected] information on relevant topics for the caregiver community at convenient locations across the state. • Ryan Krueger JUNE TRAININGS 509 IN -REGION660-0350 2: I-5 [email protected] NORTH OF SEATTLE TO WHATCOM COUNTY • Sherry Colomb 509-322-2552 [email protected] Behavior Management Tools for Kinship 101: Information for Relatives
Foster Parents and Caregivers and Suitable Others Trainings offered in Region 1: Eastern Washington Your CaregivingChild Welfare Training Team for Children with Physicallyfor Region 2 Knowledge and Skills to Help Children Heal King County and North to Whatcom County and Island CountyAggressive LEARNBehavior MORE Concerns (Formerly June Minimizing the Risks of Allegations • Yolonda PhysicallyMarzest Aggressive Youth) 206-923-4955 [email protected] (Manager) • Caregivers Report to the Court (Coaching Session) TalkingPaper Trail: with Documentation Children About Training Race for Caregivers Joan SagerCultural Diversity for Foster Parents360-594 and- 6744 [email protected]
• CaregiverCara MbayeCaregivers: Teaming Being for Culturally Visitation Responsive 206(Coaching-923 -4914 Session) [email protected] VerbalPartners De-Escalation Make Better Decisions: Caregivers • ElTo-Freda Stephenson Our Children and Youth of 206Color-923-4922 [email protected] Social Workers Working Together Youth Missing From Care Infant Safety and Care I-LABS: Why the First 2,000 Days Resilience Trumps Adverse Childhood Cultural Diversity for Foster Parents and Caregivers: Compassionate Parenting Matter: A Look Inside The Brain Experiences (ACES) Being Culturally Responsive to Our Children and Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 3 Emotion Coaching Pierce County & South to Clark County plus the Olympic Peninsula & CoastYouthI-LABS: of Color Development of Attachment So You Have a New Placement…Now What? How You Can Become an Effective Educational • CaringArthur FernandezI-LABS: for Children Development Who ofHave Literacy Experienced206-276-4549 Trauma: [email protected]Why Children (LieManager) Advocate for Your Child (The Family Guide to • A Penny Michel Workshop for Resource Parents360 from-725 the-6788 National [email protected] Infant Safety and Care WorkingYouth Missing with Schools)from Care for Caregivers • ChildStephanie Rodrigues Traumatic Stress Network 206-321-1721 [email protected] • Robert Judd Introduction to Adoption from 360 Foster-344 Care-3003 [email protected] Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care • Gracia Hahn 253-983-6362 [email protected] African American Hair and Skin Care So You Have a New Placement, Now What? Your Registration Help DeskJULY TRAININGS IN NEW REGION 3: I-5 CORRIDOR SNOHOMISH COUNTY TO WHATCOM COUNTY + ISLANDS • Registration HCaregiving for Childrenelp with Physically866-577 -1915 [email protected]Kinship 101: Information for Relatives July Aggressive Behavior Concerns (Formerly and Suitable Others Physically Aggressive Youth) Apologies for the inconvenience! Children’s Administration and the AlliancePaper haveTrail: just Documentation Training for Caregivers finalizedEmotion the initial Coaching training plan for the fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). We will now begin scheduling courses across the state for July and beyond. As trainings are scheduled you will see moreJULY andTRAININGS more offerings IN NEW onREGION the monthly 4: KING flyers. COUNTY Please check our website (allianceforchildwelfare.org) for ongoing updates!” Caregiving for Children with Sexually Aggressive Emotion Coaching Behavior Concerns (Formerly Sexually Aggressive Youth) Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Kinship 101: Information for Relatives Trauma: A Workshop for Resource Parents From and Suitable Others the National Child Traumatic Stress Network Paper Trail: Documentation Training for Caregivers
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Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 1 CaregiverEastern Washington Training from the Alliance • CaregiverJan Hinkle Training from the Alliance509-836 continued-5499 [email protected] (Manager) Explore• Renee Siers our wide variety of caregiver509-363 training-3399 options [email protected] to increase understanding and strengthen skills. These• Patty Orona upcoming in-person classroom509-834 sessions-8535 provide [email protected] information on relevant topics for the caregiver community at convenient locations across the state. • Ryan KruegerJUNE TRAININGS IN REGION 3:509 OLYMPIC-660-0350 PENINSULA [email protected] I-5 CORRIDOR SOUTH OF SEATTLE, (INCLUDING TACOMA) • Sherry Colomb 509-322-2552 [email protected] Caregiving for Children with Physically I-LABS: “Racing” Toward Equality: Why Talking
Aggressive Behavior Concerns (Formerly to Your Kids About Race is Good for Everyone TrainingsPhysically Aggressive offered Youth) in Region 1: Eastern Washington Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 2 I-LABS: Temperament in Early Childhood King County and North to Whatcom County and Island CountyCaregiving LEARNfor Children MORE with Sexual Behavior June I-LABS: Understanding Emotion • Yolonda ConcernsMarzest (formerly Sexually Aggressive206-923 -Youth)4955 [email protected] (Manager) • Caregivers Report to the Court (Coaching Session) TalkingIntroduction with Childrento Adoption About from Race Foster Care Joan SagerCultural Diversity for Foster Parents360-594 and- 6744 [email protected]
• CaregiverCara MbayeCaregivers: Teaming Being for Culturally Visitation Responsive 206(Coaching-923 -4914 Session) [email protected] VerbalKinship De-Escalation 101: Information for Relatives • ElTo-Freda Stephenson Our Children and Youth of 206Color-923-4922 [email protected] Suitable Others Youth Missing From Care Infant Safety and Care Enhancing Resiliency and Safety for Lesbian, Gay, Paper Trail: Documentation Training for Caregivers Cultural Diversity for Foster Parents and Caregivers: Compassionate Parenting Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning (LGBTQ) Youth Being Culturally Responsive to Our Children and So You Have a New Placement…Now What? Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 3 Emotion Coaching YouthHealthy of Color Engagement With Children of Trauma Pierce County & South to Clark County plus the Olympic Peninsula & CoastTalking With Children About Race How You Can Become an Effective Educational • CaringArthur FernandezI-LABS: for Children Early Music Who Experience Have Experienced206-276-4549 Trauma: [email protected] (Manager) AdvocateVerbal De-Escalation for Your Child (The Family Guide to • A Penny Michel Workshop for Resource Parents360 from-725 the-6788 National [email protected] Working with Schools) • ChildStephanie Rodrigues Traumatic Stress Network 206-321-1721 [email protected] • Robert Judd 360-344-3003 [email protected] Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act Introduction to Adoption fromJULY Foster TRAININGS Care IN NEW REGION 5: PIERCE AND KITSAP COUNTY • Gracia Hahn 253-983-6362 [email protected] African American Hair and Skin Care So KinshipYou Have 101 a New Placement, Now What? So You Have a New Placement…Now What? (Webinar) Your Registration Help Desk • Registration HIntroduction toelp Adoption from 866Foster-577 Care-1915 [email protected]Youth Missing from Care for Caregivers July
ApologiesJULY for TRAININGS the inconvenience! IN NEW REGION Children’s 6: I-5 Administration CORRIDOR SOUTH and theOF PIERCEAlliance COUNTY have just TO CLARK COUNTY + OLYMPIA PENINSULA finalized the initial training plan for the fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). We willInfant now beginSafety scheduling and Care for courses Caregivers across the state for July and beyond.Paper Trail: Documentation Training for Caregivers As trainingsKinship are 101 scheduled you will see more and more offerings on theSo monthly You Have flyers. a New Placement…Now What? (Webinar) Please check our website (allianceforchildwelfare.org) for ongoing updates!”
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Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 1 CaregiverEastern WashingtonYour Child Welfare Training Training Team for from Region 1 the Alliance • EasternJan Hinkle Washington 509-836-5499 [email protected] (Manager) Explore• our wide variety of caregiver training options designed to increase understanding and strengthen skills. MichaelRenee Siers Tyers . . . . . 425-268-9375509-363 [email protected] [email protected] Join us on Social Media for These upcoming in-person classroom sessions provide in-depth information on relevant topics for the caregiver • (CaregiverPatty Orona Education and Training509 Administrator)-834-8535 [email protected] inspiration, tips, trainings, the community• Ryan Krueger at convenient locations509 across-660-0350 the state. [email protected] Renee Siers ...... 509-363-3399 [email protected] latest events and to be part of • Sherry Colomb 509-322-2552 [email protected] a caregiver community Patty Orona ...... 509-834-8535 [email protected] Ryan Krueger . . . . . 509-660-0350 [email protected] Trainings offered in Region 1: Eastern Washington Your SherryChild Welfare Training Team Colomb . . . . . 509-322-2552for Region 2 [email protected] JuneKing County and North to Whatcom County and Island County LEARN MORE • YourYolonda Child WelfareMarzest Training Team206 for-923 Region-4955 2 [email protected] (Manager) Caregivers Report to the Court (Coaching Session) Talking with Children About Race • KingJoan Sager County and North to Whatcom360-594 County-6744 and [email protected] County • YolondaCaregiverCara Mbaye Marzest Teaming . . for . . Visitation 206-923-4955 206(Coaching-923 [email protected] Session) [email protected] (Manager) Verbal De-Escalation • El-Freda Stephenson 206-923-4922 [email protected] JoanYouth Sager Missing . . From. . . Care. 360-594-6744 [email protected] Infant Safety and Care Cara Mbaye ...... 206-923-4914 [email protected] Cultural Diversity for Foster Parents and Caregivers: Compassionate Parenting El-FredaBeing Culturally Stephenson Responsive . . 206-923-4922 to Our Children [email protected] and Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 3 Emotion Coaching Pierce County & South to Clark County plus the Olympic Peninsula & CoastYouth of Color Your Child Welfare Training Team for Region 3 How You Can Become an Effective Educational • CaringArthur Fernandez for Children Who Have Experienced206-276-4549 Trauma: [email protected] (Manager) Advocate for Your Child (The Family Guide to • A Penny Michel Workshop for Resource Parents360 from-725 the-6788 National [email protected] Pierce County & South to Clark County plus the Olympic PeninsulaWorking & with Coast Schools) • ArthurChildStephanie Rodrigues Traumatic Fernandez Stress . . Network . 206-276-4549206-321 [email protected] (Manager)[email protected] • Robert Judd 360-344-3003 [email protected] Introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act PennyIntroduction Michel to. .Adoption . . . 360-725-6788 from Foster Care [email protected] • Gracia Hahn 253-983-6362 [email protected] African American Hair and Skin Care StephanieSo You Have Rodrigues a New Placement,. . . 206-321-1721 Now What? [email protected] Your Registration Help DeskRobert Judd ...... 360-344-3003 [email protected] • GraciaRegistration H Hahn . .elp . . . 253-983-6362866-577 [email protected] [email protected] July Your Registration Help Desk ApologiesRegistration for the Help inconvenience! . . . . 866-577-1915 Children’s Administration [email protected] and the Alliance have just finalized the initial training plan for the fiscal year (July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2018). We will now begin scheduling courses across the state for July and beyond. As trainings are scheduled you will see more and more offerings on the monthly flyers. Please check our website (allianceforchildwelfare.org) for ongoing updates!”
allianceforchildwelfare.org | Box 354900, Seattle, WA 98195-4900 | 4101 15th Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105-6299 19
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Meet Our Recruitment Partners Who Support You
Olive Crest’s Fostering Together program supports Eastern Washington University’s Fostering Washing- Olive Crest’s Fostering Together program supports Eastern Washington University’s Fostering Washing- the west side of the state (Regions 2 and 3) through ton program supports (Region 1) the east side of the the west side of the state (Regions 2 and 3) through ton program supports (Region 1) the east side of the foster care Liaisons. state through Resource Peer Mentors (RPMs), foster care Liaisons. state through Resource Peer Mentors (RPMs),
Children’s Administration (CA) works in partnership with We want to help you connect with other caregivers, obtain Children’s Administration (CA) works in partnership with We want to help you connect with other caregivers, obtain two separate agencies to provide foster parent recruitment additional training, and find answers to questions. Both two separate agencies to provide foster parent recruitment additional training, and find answers to questions. Both and retention / support services to prospective foster parents, Olive Crest and Eastern Washington University offer and retention / support services to prospective foster parents, Olive Crest and Eastern Washington University offer current foster parents and relative caregivers in all areas of information and referral services to foster parents and current foster parents and relative caregivers in all areas of information and referral services to foster parents and Washington. Our goals are to: relative caregivers. The regional liaisons or peer mentors Washington. Our goals are to: relative caregivers. The regional liaisons or peer mentors also help resolve issues foster parents may experience in • Increase the numbers of safe, quality foster families to also help resolve issues foster parents may experience in • Increase the numbers of safe, quality foster families to their local area. Contact the liaison or RPM listed for your meet the diverse needs of children and youth placed in their local area. Contact the liaison or RPM listed for your meet the diverse needs of children and youth placed in area with any questions you might have. out-of-home care in Washington State, and area with any questions you might have. out-of-home care in Washington State, and • Offer support to foster parents and relative caregivers • Offer support to foster parents and relative caregivers Prospective foster parents are welcome to license through Prospective foster parents are welcome to license through either CA’s Division of Licensed Resources (DLR), or any either CA’s Division of Licensed Resources (DLR), or any private child placing agency licensed in Washington. Our private child placing agency licensed in Washington. Our recruitment partners serve all families, regardless of where recruitment partners serve all families, regardless of where they choose to become licensed. Prospective foster parents are they choose to become licensed. Prospective foster parents are welcome to license through either CA’s Division of Licensed welcome to license through either CA’s Division of Licensed Resources (DLR), or any private child placing agency licensed Resources (DLR), or any private child placing agency licensed in Washington. Our recruitment partners serve all families, in Washington. Our recruitment partners serve all families, regardless of where they choose to become licensed. regardless of where they choose to become licensed. The Liaisons or RPMs provide information, help and The Liaisons or RPMs provide information, help and guidance for you from your first inquiry, through training, and guidance for you from your first inquiry, through training, and throughout the licensing process to become foster parents. throughout the licensing process to become foster parents. Liaisons and RPMs both answer questions and share helpful Liaisons and RPMs both answer questions and share helpful information during your foster care journey. They offer: information during your foster care journey. They offer: • Support at your first placement, • Support at your first placement, • Support groups , (some with training hours available and • Support groups , (some with training hours available and some provide a meal and / or child care) some provide a meal and / or child care) • Mentoring, • Mentoring, • Training, and • Training, and • On-line Facebook groups • On-line Facebook groups All supports are designed with our caregivers in mind. All supports are designed with our caregivers in mind.
15 20 Eastern Eastern Washington Washington University’s University Fostering Washington Fostering Washington Liaisons Region 1:
Position/ Area Covered Name E-mail Phone Last name First Name EWU Email Position Title City County Cellphone Director Kim Fordham [email protected] Chelan(208)-659-7401 & AllAnders Counties Shana [email protected] RPM Wenatchee (206)250-5068 Douglas Associate Director Mon Ra’ Muse [email protected] (509) 359-0791 AllBorrego Counties Carmina [email protected] RPM Sunnyside Yakima (509)830-2036 RecruitmentBurrer CoordinatorApril [email protected] RPM Spokane Spokane (509)216-5571 Ferry, Pend Oreille, Spokane, Amber Sherman [email protected] (509) 359-0874(509) 290- Cole Kimberlie [email protected] RPM Spokane Spokane Stevens Counties *6771 RecruitmentConner CoordinatorStacey [email protected] RPM Spokane Spokane (509) 288-0207 Benton, Franklin, Yakima Tyann Whitworth [email protected] (509) 731-2060 Kittitas,Crossley Klickitat,Cheryl Counties [email protected] RPM Zillah Yakima (509)985-7038 RecruitmentDaniels CoordinatorAmanda [email protected] RPM Pasco Franklin (509)521-0802 Asotin, Columbia, Garfield, Farnsworth Crystal [email protected] Stinson RPM [email protected] Kittitas(208) 699-8419(509)304-7000 Walla Walla, Whitman CountiesFlowers Meaghan [email protected] RPM Spokane Spokane, Lincoln (509)991-9692 RecruitmentFordham CoordinatorKim [email protected] Director Coeur d Alene NA 208-659-7401 Adams, Chelan, Grant, Hayley Stoebner [email protected] (509) 322-1191 Gilk Teri [email protected] RPM Goldendale Kittitas (360)942-9001 Douglas, Okanogan Hancock Windy [email protected] RPM Richland Benton (509)528-6392 FIRST Program Mngr. Dru Powers [email protected] (509) 928-6697 All Counties Ferry, Stevens, Harris Ruth [email protected] RPM Colville (509) 684-5449 Pend Oreille FosteringHolcomb Washington’sRick website www.ewu.edu/css/[email protected] RPM can Allhelp Regions you locate yourAll Regionslocal foster parent(509)468-9564 Resource Peer Mentor (RPM) from the county map on their website . Hosman Becky [email protected] RPM Yakima Yakima (208)507-2098 Click on: County where you live Fiscal Jones Ken [email protected] All regions All regions (509)359-6125 Specialist MacNeil Angela [email protected] RPM Ephrata Grant (509)750-8943 Olive Crest’s Fostering Together: Chelan and Morehead LaDeana [email protected] RPM East Wenatchee (509)670-7270 Douglas 1-866-958-KIDS (5437) Asst. Director/ Muse Mon Ra' [email protected] Spokane Spokane (509) 359-0791 RPC PositionNelson Kimberly [email protected] RPM E-mail Pullman WhitmanPhone (509)338-5898 ShalaPotter Crow Gail [email protected] Director Program(360) Asst. 220-3785 All Regions All [email protected] (509)359-6130 R1 N & S, Leeann Marshel Critical Support FIRST(855) Program 395-7990 All Regions and [email protected] Powers Druska (Dru) [email protected] Columbia and (509) 928-6697 and RPM Walla Walla Patrice-Vansligtenhorst@ Patrice Vansligtenhorst Program Coordinator (425) 462-1612 x 1308 Walla Walla olivecrest.org Redford Kim [email protected] RPM Moses Lake Adams, Grant (509)750-0232 Megan Harp FIRST Coordinator (425) 350-3839 [email protected] Chelan and Robinson Mary [email protected] RPM Cashmere (509) 393-3123 Douglas Fostering Together’s website fosteringtogether.org can help you locate your local foster parent liaison . Rogers Linda [email protected] RPM Spokane Spokane (509)389-7192 Click on: Region where you live Find Your Liaison
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