October 12, 2011
FSFAPA
Parent News

F.A.S.T. -- you've heard us mention it. You know we have a F.A.S.T. coordinator -- Coleen LaCosta. You know we have a F.A.S.T. hotline -- 800.327.8119. You know we have a F.A.S.T. email address -- fast@floridafapa.org. But just what is it and who is it for?

 

F.A.S.T. is FSFAPA's Foster Allegation Support Team and it's for all foster, adoptive and relative caregivers in the state of Florida. 

 

Did you know that in 2009, there were approximately 50,000 allegations against foster parents nationally? The number of substantiations of abuse in foster care totaled 2,052. 

 

So F.A.S.T. is here to provide support to the foster parent when an allegation has been or might be brought against him or her. Our role is not to judge a foster parent's innocence or guilt in a situation but we believe it is important to keep foster parents informed of the procedures and the process through which an allegation will take them.

 

FSFAPA hosts several F.A.S.T. trainings throughout the year and we gladly accept requests to host a training in your area.

 

Our next F.A.S.T. training is Saturday, October 15 from 10 a.m. to noon in Navarre. An allegation is something that many think will never happen to us but FSFAPA is just a phone call or email away if you need F.A.S.T. help.

  

New Facebook Page

FSFAPA has a new Facebook page. LIKE us at Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association. This "official" page will have more information and events for everyone to access. You can also visit the page from our website at www.floridafapa.org.

Calendar of Events

We now have a calendar on the website to post events for FSFAPA's board members, parents and supporters. You can access it from our home page at www.floridafapa.org (go to bottom of page and click on Calendar), from our Events/News page or here.

Foster Parent Survey

Thank you to all who submitted responses to our Foster/Adoptive Parent Survey. We hope to share the results with our membership soon.

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. Our topic for this quarterly meeting will be advocacy and how we can better advocate for our parents throughout 2012. Note: Don't forget to bring your ballot to the membership meeting.

 

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

 

Speakers for the membership meeting will be: 

Ann Bernard, Director, Families First Network 

Kathy Guy, DCF Contract Manager, Circuit 1 

Kimberly Hernandez, Past President, FSFAPA

Tracy Henningsen, Florida Coalition for Children 

 

Hotel Information (for those staying overnight):

Hampton Inn & Suites Navarre

7710 Navarre Parkway

Navarre, FL 32566 

850.939.4848

 

Several nearby dining establishments will be offering 10 percent off the price of your meal by showing your room key. 

 

The information sheet is now available at www.floridafapa.org. Click on the text that says "Quarterly Meeting" and you will have a pdf of the hotel information, dining options and proposed meeting schedule.

 

Questions/comments? Contact info@floridafapa.org. 

Monthly Conference Call

Please join us for our monthly conference call on Monday, November 7, 2011 at 8:30 p.m. 

 

Speaker: Diane Leffingwell, The Adoption Exchange

Topic: Adoption (in recognition of National Adoption Awareness Month)

 

Here's how to access the conference call:  

Dial 1.888.808.6959

Punch in the PIN 9229094# when prompted. 

 

You're in!

FSFAPA Meeting

Please join us for the next informational meeting:

 

Monday, November 14 from 7-9 p.m. 

Florida Coalition for Children Conference 

Regency Ballroom 5

Hyatt Regency Tampa

211 North Tampa St.

Tampa, FL 

 

Look forward to seeing you there!

2012 FSFAPA Conference 

Join us at the beach as FSFAPA celebrates 25 years of existence! 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.

Have some news to share? Send it to fsfapanewsletter@gmail.com.

Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association

P.O. Box 821442 / Pembroke Pines, Florida 33082

www.floridafapa.org

866.913.0977 / info@floridafapa.org / @FloridaFAPA

 

Foster Allegation Support Team (F.A.S.T.)

800.327.8119 / fast@floridafapa.org

In This Issue
Facebook Page
Calendar
Quarterly Meeting
Monthly Conference Call
FSFAPA Meeting
2012 FSFAPA Conference
Around the Web
Useful Links
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)

Thank You to our Conference Sponsors

DCF Secretary Wilkins

CHS

CBC

Magellan

Eckerd Family

C25