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!

Thank You

FSFAPA believes there's strength in numbers so it's always good to see our foster and adoptive parents come out in support of our mission and vision. If you were in Tallahassee this past week for Advocacy Day, thank you. Your support is very much appreciated. 

And a special thanks goes to Peter Pazer, Lillie Blackshear and Dee Wilson for a wonderful job in coordinating our participation in Children's Week. We are already looking forward to 2012's Chiildren's Week. 

Below you will find a link for our Advocacy Day slideshow and the handout given to representatives.  

Advocacy Day Slideshow

Talking Points Handout 

Special Webcast from DCF
Thursday, April 21, 2011
11 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (EST)
Presenters: DCF Secretary David Wilkins and Family Safety Director Dr. Jamie Self 

DCF Secretary David Wilkins and Family Safety Director Dr. Jamie Self will host a webinar for foster families on April 21. Visit qpiflorida.com at 11 a.m. to view the webcast live from the homepage. No preregistration is required.  

Normalcy, Babysitting and Respite
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
3 p.m. (EST)
Facilitator: Carole Shauffer

More details to come.  

Youth Survey for Teens in Your Home

Connected by 25 is a community initiative that engages youth, public/private partners and policymakers to improve outcomes for foster youth. The initiative has developed a survey for teens to gain insight from their perspective. Please have the teens in your home go to www.flsurvey.org to complete the survey.

USDA Supports Foster Youth

The Obama administration recently announced that all children placed into the foster care system will be eligible to receive free meals in U.S. Department of Agriculture child nutrition programs.

New Website 

Visit us at our new website address at www.floridafapa.org. Feedback is always welcome.

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.

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.

• April 11: Monthly Conference Call, 8:30 p.m.
• April 23: Santa Rosa South County Foster Adoptive Parent Association Open House, 11 a.m.
• May 19-21: Explore Adoption Training, Daytona Beach, FL (800.96.ADOPT)
• June 16-18: FSFAPA 12th Annual Education Conference, Orlando, FL  
• October: FSFAPA Quarterly Meeting, Tampa

• Adoption Forum (http://forums.adoption.com/florida-foster-adoption/)
• Dental Guide (http://www.fsfapa.org/PDC_ResourceGuide.pdf)
• Florida's Center for the Advancement of Child Welfare (www.centerforchildwelfare.org)
• Foster Allegation Support Team -- F.A.S.T. (http://www.floridafapa.org/fast.html); 800.327.8119; fast4help@yahoo.com 
• Foster Family-Based Treatment Association (www.ffta.org)
• FSFAPA Facebook (Search for FLFPA) 
• Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (http://www.grandsplace.org/gp4/fl.html)
• IEP Advocate (theiepadvocate.com)
• National Foster Parent Association (www.nfpaonline.org)  
• Quality Parenting Initiative (www.qpiflorida.com)