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The lazy days of summer are winding down slowly but surely. Most of our children will start school next week so this week is a good time to ease the kids into getting up and going to bed earlier. The first week of school is going to be hectic anyway but this might help with the transition.
Here's to wishing all of our parents and children a safe and rewarding school year.
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Monthly Conference Call
Please join us for our monthly conference call on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. Barbara Barrie, a relative caregiver, will be speaking about Kinship Affairs in recognition of Grandparents Day on September 11.
Here's how to access the conference call:
Dial 1.888.808.6959
Punch in the PIN 9229094# when prompted.
You're in!
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FSFAPA Meetings
FSFAPA board members are now hosting a series of informational meetings for foster and adoptive parents to share current news and upcoming events. Our first two meetings were held in Mobile, Alabama at the National Foster Parent Association conference and Denver, Colorado at the North American Council on Adoptable Children conference.
Please join us for the next two being held:
Thursday, September 8 at 1:45 p.m.
Pathway to Independence Summit
JW Marriott Orlando
4040 Central Florida Parkway
Orlando, FL 32837
Wilkins (DCF Secretary Wilkins' wife) will be the guest speaker
Monday, November 14 at 7 p.m.
Florida Coalition for Children Conference
Hyatt Regency Tampa
Two Tampa City Center
Tampa, FL 33602
Look forward to seeing you there!
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Dependency Court
One of the great things about having FSFAPA informational meetings is finding out what's going on in other parents' areas. During our meeting in Denver, Kathleen Tailor, adoptive parent and Senior Attorney for the Office of Court Improvement, joined us and encouraged us to get involved in the dependency court hearings.
The Office of Court Improvement has offered to help cover the expenses of foster or adoptive parents attending the model court portion of the Pathway to Independence Summit in Orlando. They need representation from the following circuits: 7th, 8th, 10th, 12th and 19th circuits. Contact FSFAPA President Kimberly Hernandez at kimh@hcfpa.org if you are interested in attending the summit to learn more about dependency court. Visit www.myflorida.com if you are unsure what circuit you reside in.
In addition, Kathleen has provided FSFAPA with several PDF and video links that detail how dependency court works. The court guides are available for children, youth, biological parents and foster parents. Here are a few links:
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Quarterly Meeting (4th Q)
FSFAPA's last Quarterly Meeting of the year will be held Saturday, October 15, 2011 in Navarre, FL. All foster and adoptive parents, as well as supporters, are encouraged to attend.
Meeting Location:
Navarre Conference Center
8700 Navarre Parkway
Navarre, FL 32566
Meeting Schedule (Oct. 15):
10 a.m. -- noon: President's Council Meeting
10 a.m. -- noon: F.A.S.T. Training
Noon -- 1:30 p.m.: Lunch on your own
1:30 -- 3:30 p.m.: General Membership Meeting
5 p.m.: Nominations Committee Meeting
7 -- 9 p.m.: Board Meeting
Hotel Information:
Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre
7710 Navarre Parkway
Navarre, FL 32566
850.939.4848
Room rates are $79 per night for standard rooms and $99 per night for suites. These rates are available until September 23, 2011. Register through this link.
Several nearby dining establishments will be offering 10 percent off the price of your meal by showing your room key.
Questions/comments? Contact info@floridafapa.org.
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Footsteps for Foster Care
The Foster & Adoptive Parents Association of Palm Beach County will host a 5K Walk and Fun Day on Saturday, September 10 at Okeeheelee Park in West Palm Beach. This event will support more than 1,500 foster children throughout Palm Beach County and will help bridge the gap between foster parents and child welfare agencies.
There is a misconception that foster parents are paid, they are not. They are volunteers on duty 24/7 and receive a stipend that goes directly to care for the child which averages to about 55 cents an hour.
Visit www.footstepsforfostercare.org to donate and make a difference in the lives of many. Money raised will help develop programs to support foster, adoptive and relative families.
You can also mail your tax-deductible gift to FAPA, 4100 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409. Visit www.fapapbc.org for more information.
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Working with the Best
FSFAPA's very own advisor, Gay Frizzell of DCF's Family and Community Services, was presented with the Heart of Gold award for her many years of leadership, commitment and extraordinary heart in her work with foster and adoptive families.
Congratulations Gay ... we are proud of your accomplishments.
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2012 FSFAPA Conference
Join us at the beach! FSFAPA's 16th Annual Education Conference will be held June 22-24, 2012 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach.
FSFAPA is currently looking for parents who would like to serve on the child care committee for the conference. We need foster and adoptive parents that are interested in providing care for 0-4 and 5-12 age groups, as well as special needs care. Please contact Trudy Petkovich at petkovij@me.com if you'd like to serve on the child care committee.
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Have some news to share? Send it to fsfapanewsletter@gmail.com.
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Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association
P.O. Box 821442 / Pembroke Pines, Florida 33082
866.913.0977 / info@floridafapa.org / @FloridaFAPA
Foster Allegation Support Team (F.A.S.T.)
800.327.8119 / fast@floridafapa.org
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Resources
iFoster.org: Provides savings of $4,500 per year to foster families through a free discount membership at retail and grocery stores.
AARP.org: The AARP Grandparent Information Center lists support groups for grandparents raising grandchildren. (Source: Kinship Connections)
Grandparenting.org: The Foundation for Grandparenting promotes all aspects of raising grandparents' consciousness to better themselves, their families, community and nation. (Source: Kinship Connections)
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Thank You to our Conference Sponsors
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