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April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Tell a child you love him or her today. Reach out to a parent who is struggling. Break the cycle of abuse.
Learn the symptoms of abuse:
1. Neglect: Signs of malnutrition; poor hygiene; unattended physical or medical problems
2. Physical Abuse: Unexplained bruises, burns or welts; child appears frightened of a parent or caregiver
3. Sexual Abuse: Pain, bleeding, redness or swelling in anal or genital area; age-inappropriate sexual play with toys, self or others; age-inappropriate knowledge of sex
4. Emotional Abuse: Extremes in behavior, ranging from overly aggressive to overly passive; delayed physical, emotional or intellectual development
In addition to the Florida Abuse Hotline at 800.962.2873, you can make reports to the ChildHelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 800.4.A.CHILD.
Find tip sheets for parents and caregivers here: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/tipsheets.cfm
Learn about The Five Protective Factors here: http://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/factors.cfm
Association presidents and agency officials, this one is for you: Click here to view 30 ways to help strengthen families during National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Are you going to Tallahassee?
We'd love to see you there for the next FSFAPA Quarterly Meeting on April 5. We're hosting the meeting on the Capitol grounds during Advocacy Day. Department of Children and Families Secretary David Wilkins will be the guest speaker so be sure to join us at 12:30 p.m. The day's schedule is listed below:
Tuesday, April 5:
8 a.m. -- 10 a.m.: IHOP Breakfast (no cost for attendees)
9 a.m. - noon.: Visits with designated legislators (see more information below)
10:30 a.m. - noon: Teens Only Town Hall Meeting (see www.childrensweek.org for more information)
Noon - 1:30 p.m.: Lunch
12:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.: General Membership Meeting (on the grounds of The Capitol)
Meeting Location:
The Capitol
400 W. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL
FSFAPA requests that ALL foster/adoptive parents help us in visiting legislators in their offices on Tuesday, April 5. We will provide you with talking points to give the legislators from your area. Please stop by the FSFAPA table first to sign in and receive a sticker and fact sheet, and a FSFAPA board member will direct you to your designated senator or representative. Contact Peter Pazer, Advocacy Chair, at rcky45@aol.com for more information.
Talking points sheet:
FSFAPA Children's Week 2011
Pancake Breakfast Flyer:
IHOP Pancake Breakfast
Schedule from the Florida Coalition for Children:
FCC Advocacy Day Calendar
Monthly Conference Call, April 11
Please join us for our monthly conference call on Monday, April 11, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. The date was changed to accommodate our travel to Tallahassee for Children's Week.
Guest Speaker -- Heather Howlett, Operations and Management Consultant II, Circuit 18, DCF
Topic -- Child Abuse Prevention and The Five Protective Factors
Here's how to access the conference call:
Dial 1.888.808.6959
Punch in the PIN 9229094# when prompted
You're in!
New Website
Visit us at our new website address at www.floridafapa.org. Feedback is always welcome.
Staying Informed of the Legislative Process
United Way of Florida President Ted Granger provides a weekly update and recap of budget discussions, pending legislation and other important information to keep you updated throughout the 2011 Florida Legislative Session. To view the latest update from Granger, click here.
Training Opportunities Sexual Abuse and the Foster Child -- What Do I Do Now?
Monday, April 4, 2011
6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. (EST)
Presenters: Kelly Plouffe, LMFT
You must pre-register for this event at https://www311.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000362188/Registration.aspx?pageName=8vvh4hrdxj6vt3ff. A broad overview of child sexual abuse including a developmental breakdown to understand normal vs. abnormal sexual behaviors. A focus will be on the caretaker's role in parenting a child that has been sexually abused or demonstrates sexual behaviors. Preserving and Nurturing Cultural Connections in Our Children
Thursday, April 7, 2011
7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. (EST)
Presenters: Carol Campbell Edwards, MSW, LCSW
You must pre-register for this event at https://www311.livemeeting.com/lrs/8000362188/Registration.aspx?pageName=8vvh4hrdxj6vt3ff. This session will explore the cultural connections that are important in forming a healthy identity in children. We will explore issues that may be challenging for families with diverse ethnic, racial and cultural backgrounds such as hair and skin care, religion, extracurricular activities in diverse environments, multiracial and multicultural friendships, and dealing with other's comments and insensitivity. Parents will be provided with insight that promotes relationships built on trust and respect for differences that make it safe for these sensitive issues to be explored. Other videos posted to QPI's site: - Techniques for a More Effective Transition
- Foster Parent Relationships
- Navigating the Dependency System
- Trauma Informed Care for Foster and Adoptive Parents
- Parenting Teens: The Challenges and the Road to Success
- Foster Parent Relicensing: What to Expect
- Bridging the Gap - The Birth Parent-Foster Parent Relationship Part 2
- Bridging the Gap - The Birth Parent-Foster Parent Relationship Part 1
- Issues of Love and Loss in Foster Care
- Finding and Treating Lice Informational Session
- Parenting the Child with Attachment Issues
- A Collaborative Approach to Responding to Traumatized Children
- Supporting Children and Families During Transitions
- Working with LGBTQ Youth to Ensure Their Safety, Permanency and Well-being
- Normalcy
- Rethinking Foster Care for Young Children: Insights from Attachment Theory and Research
- Returning the Child Focus to Child Welfare
- Working with Young Children and Pediatric Care
Former Child of Rage Is Now Pediatric Nurse/Speaker Beth Thomas was once labeled as a "Child of Rage" by HBO but is now a pediatric nurse and speaker on child issues. Thomas will provide a training session, More Than A Thread of Hope, April 8 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Calvary Church, 2401 West Cypress Creek Road, Fort Lauderdale. Email mkamin@childnet.us for more information or to register. Santa Rosa Association Open House The Santa Rosa South County Foster Adoptive Parent Association will celebrate its new location with an Open House at 11 a.m. on April 23 at 2282 Hwy. 87 (John Duncan Plaza) in Navarre. Contact admin.srscfapa@mediacombb.net for more information. 2011 Statewide Youth Summit This summit is presented by the Florida Coalition Against Domestic Violence and will take place April 30 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Hilton Bonnet Creek in Orlando. Registration fee is $45 per person. A poster contest is being held until April 22 for youth around the state to submit artwork that will be showcased at the event. Twelve finalists will have their artwork made into a 2012 Healthy and Peaceful Relationships Calendar. The Statewide Youth Advisory Board will choose the finalists the day prior to the event. Please see the poster contest details and entry form for more information. Visit www.fcadv.org or contact Carrie Speiser at speiser_carrie@fcadv.org for more information. Need Post-Adoption Services? A list of CBC contacts for post-adoption services in your area can be viewed here. Interested in Joining the FSFAPA Board? The Nomination Form is attached here. The Vice President, Executive Vice President, Secretary and all Regional Vice President positions are up for nominations. Please view the form for criteria and deadlines. Contact Curtis Byrd, Nomination Chair, at curtis@nowfapa.org for more information. Save the Date FSFAPA will host its 15th Annual Education Conference June 16-18, 2011 at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort in Orlando. Click on the Annual Conference tab at www.floridafapa.org to download a registration form.
Send Us Your News FSFAPA would like to share your news with the state. Send any news and/or photos of events happening in your area to fsfapanewsletter@gmail.com. | 
