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FROM THE DIRECTOR'S DESK
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An update from KHCAS Executive Director Jennifer Wilson
I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their warm welcome as I transition into the role of Executive Director, and into the community. There are always challenges with a change in leadership and your patience and support has been greatly appreciated.
I would like to share with you some of the news from KHCAS, as well as recent developments in our field, including:
The agency has been very busy over the past few months. The hard work and commitment of all employees and partners is highlighted throughout this newsletter. Thank you for all that you do for children and families in our community. If I haven't yet spoken to/met you, and you'd like to get acquainted, please contact Executive Assistant, Rachelle Foster.
Jennifer Wilson
Executive Director
Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Aid Society
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KEEPING CHILDREN AND WOMEN SAFE
| | In March, more than 20 KHCAS staff members participated in training to better understand the intersection of woman abuse and child safety, as well as best practices for keeping children and women safe. This was the second time the training has been offered, with almost 50 people having taken advantage of the course so far.
In collaboration with the John Howard Society (JHS), Community Counselling & Resource Centre (CCRC) and the YWCA, KHCAS continues to provide a differential response model for clients who are experiencing intimate partner violence.
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LEGAL CUSTODY FOR CHILDREN IN CARE STUDIED
| In an effort to better support children in the care of KHCAS, in 2010 we began placing interested children (Crown Wards) in the legal custody of their long-term foster parents. Last year, KHCAS and Charterfield Consulting launched a 5 year longitudinal study to better understand whether these children are more likely to have positive life outcomes if they have a caregiver who is their legal guardian.
After just one year of the study, we've found differences in several permanency indicators: employment, self-esteem and sense of identity, self-care, social relationships and resilience of children/youth. For more on the study, click here.
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SUCCESSFUL POSITIVE PARENTING PROGRAM
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KHCAS staff completed their second 10-week 'Triple P' P ositive Parenting Program in March of 2012 at the Otonabee Valley Public School in Peterborough. Triple P is a parenting and family support strategy that aims to enhance the knowledge, skills and confidence of parents, by helping to address children's behavioural, emotional and developmental problems.
Six people took part in the course, gaining useful skills and knowledge towards raising their children. The Family Preservation Program looks forward to another round of Triple P course to come in the summer or fall at the KHCAS office.
Thank you to Otonabee Valley Public School for the space.
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| KHCAS STAFF IN PROFILE: MICHAELA BROOKS |
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Gnaagdiwenmaanaanig Ndi-Binoojiinminaanig
"Let's Take Care of Our Children"
Michaela Brooks started with the Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Aid Society (KHCAS) just over a year ago in the role of First Nations Care Recruiter, recruiting First Nations caregivers for First Nations children. The project is part of an innovative collaboration between Hiawatha First Nation, Curve Lake Nation and KHCAS.
When Michaela is not busy recruiting caregivers, she manages Waa Zah Zaa ("bright shimmering light"), offering programs in self-care and media arts, mainly in communities near James Bay and Hudson Bay. Waa Zah Zaa specializes in suicide prevention, anti-bullying; self esteem development, and healthy lifestyle programming. Michaela is also the proud mother of two incredible sons and a wife to her encouraging husband.
Michaela's bright smile, boundless enthusiasm, and caring manner towards everyone light up a room. Her passion for her work shows in everything she does. She is constantly coming up with creative new ideas in accomplishing her work. And from promotional campaigns to community events and beyond, her efforts are proving successful. Looking for a fresh idea? Talk to Michaela.
Contributed by Marion Duiguid
KHCAS Resource Supervisor
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FAMILY PRESERVATION PROGRAM IN THE NEWS
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"Without confidence and a knowledge of proper parenting skills, family life can get tricky," begins Sarah Frank's article on KHCAS' innovative Family Preservation Program. Using a behavioural therapy model, trained staff work closely with families to help them learn skills ranging from child management and infant care to hygiene and interaction. Click to read the full article on MyKawartha.com.
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WOULD YOU LIKE TO SERVE ON OUR BOARD?
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|  The Kawartha-Haliburton Children's Aid Society has a few openings for volunteer board members. We are especially looking for new members with previous board experience and/or backgrounds in law, human resources, children's service, business, communications, and finance. For more details, see our website. Expressions of interest accompanied by a resume are welcome to Rachelle Foster by Friday, May 4th.
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JENNIFER WILSON: First 60 days 
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| (continued from E.D.'s Corner)
Since I arrived in February, I have had the opportunity to meet with staff, members of the management team, union membership and executive and the Board to set priorities and promote organizational strength going forward. I have also enjoyed the chance to meet with many community representatives, MCYS staff, and internal committees. It's been busy! I look forward to meeting with other community partners, the Foster Parent Association and all staff teams soon. If I haven't yet spoken to/met you, and you'd like to get acquainted, please contact Executive Assistant, Rachelle Foster.
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CAS AMALGAMATIONS
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The child welfare sector has continued to transform as recommendations and initiatives from the Commission to Promote Sustainable Child Welfare move forward. Thirteen Ontario Children's Aid Societies have amalgamated over the past 12 months as per the early recommendations of the Commission, including our colleagues at the Highland Shores Children's Aid Society (formerly the Children's Aid Societies of Northumberland and Hastings) who formally amalgamated on April 1, 2012.
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ADVOCATING FOR YOUTH
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| The Ontario Child's Advocate office released a report entitled "25 is the New 21." In this report, the Advocate calls for the province to provide Extended Care and Maintenance services to former youth in care until the age of 25. The KHCAS Board expressed their support for the agency to advocate, where possible, in support of this idea.
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NEWSLETTER PUBLICATION SCHEDULE
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Wondering when the next newsletter will be out, or want to know the deadline is for submitting your great story ideas?
The e-News is a quarterly publication, with each issue covering the previous fiscal quarter. For example, the Spring issue will cover April 1-June 30th. Anticipated publication date would be by the last week of June, and likewise for future issues.
We welcome your story ideas.
KHCAS Newsletter Committee
Diren Narendra, Tania Nanni, Erin Hentig, Miriam Stucky Lyall
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If you have any feedback on our newsletter, or would like to suggest things you'd like to have covered in the newsletter, please email us; we're all ears. |
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