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| Monthly Newsletter Volume 5, Issue 4 | April 2011 |
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Greetings!
 Some of you may know that I love to cook. I love to feed people and spend time eating and chatting. This is certainly due mainly to my upbringing surrounded by family, food, and the family members that I observed and followed around in my own kitchen. Meal times are a wonderful time to connect, talk and share while enjoying food. I don't remember what we ate, but I do remember the feeling of belonging. As my children became teenagers, I found that the food I made often drew in friends and brought my teenagers home on time for dinner, especially on enchilada night.
As I spend time with many of our wonderful Angels families and notice the traditions they are starting or continuing in their homes with their Angels babies, I am reminded that it is the simple things that bring a feeling of anchor, acceptance and love, that offer a firm foundation. I am so appreciative of our Angels families for the great sharing of their time, talents, love and care. You make a difference and all of us are changed for the better.
-Meichelle Arntz
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| Angels Announcements
New families: none this month.
New Adoptions: Congratulations to Bill & Sharon on their adoption of Malia and Amy & Dave on their adoption of Carley!
Angels Little Angels
Special thanks to all of our families who have submitted beautiful images of their families! The winner of our South County contest is Ruby, who enjoyed a festive day at the beach in this lovely photo. Our North County contest winner is Christine, who took time to smell some sweet peas in the cute shot below.
Volunteers needed
Angels is seeking volunteers to help at community events occuring throughout Santa Barbara County. If you would like to join our volunteer corps and be notified about upcoming opportunities, please contact Margot Clarke.
Angels in the Community
We're looking for opportunities throughout Santa Barbara County to speak about Angels Foster Care and the urgent need for foster families. If you know of a local club, group, church or synagogue that would be interested in a presentation about Angels, please contact Ellen.
Angels Blog: sign up to receive regular updates on our latest program information, happenings of note in the world of foster care and Angels' special events.
Facebook: Please become a friend of Angels today and receive frequent posts about our latest news.
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Angels Calendar
Mid-Morning Parenting Circle
During the winter and spring months, our monthly gatherings will be held in the Angels' offices for coffee, tea and discussion. In the summer months, we'll schedule our gatherings at local parks. We hope to see you and your Angels baby at a gathering soon!
Tuesday, April 26, 10-11am, Santa Barbara office
Victoria Court, Suite 207B
Wednesday, April 27, 10-11am, Orcutt office
210 E. Clark Ave, Suite D
Angels Foster Parent Training - next sessions
May 20, 5:30-9pm; May 21, 9-5pm, May 24, 5:30-9pm
July 15, 5:30-9pm; July 16, 9-5pm, July 20, 5:30-9pm
If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining the class, please have them call the Angels' office or give us their name and number and we would be happy to call them.
Lompoc Baby & Kid's Expo
Saturday, April 9, 9:30-4pm at the Grange Hall
Please stop by and say hello at the Angels booth!
Orcutt Lions Tri-Tip BBQ benefitting Angels Foster Care
Saturday, April 16, 5:30pm at the Orcutt Lions Den, 126 S. Broadway
Silent auction, door prizes and 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $10 for the BBQ which includes all the fixings. Contact Lydia Magdeleno at 264-1838.
Santa Maria Discovery Museum Kite Festival
Sunday, April 17, 11-4pm at Rotary Centennial Park
Please visit our booth at this annual event celebrating kites and the great outdoors!
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Angels Contacts 
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| Things You Should Know | |
From the Desk of Your Social Worker
The Annual Recertification Process
We are now well into 2011 and, looking ahead, we note that many families will have their foster care certification coming up for renewal over the next few months. For some families, this may be your first time recertifying and you are thinking: I hope I don't have to take that 600 question test again! Other families, while having recertified in the past, are wondering: Another home inspection? The good news is that you will not take the MMPI-2 again as part of your recertification. And many of the requirements for recertification are already part of your daily life and should not pose any surprises.
To assist with this process, we have compiled a list of items to remind you about what is needed for the recertification process:
- Documentation that each foster parent has completed 12 hours of continuing education during the current certification period;
- Ensure that Angels has a copy of your current driver's license and car insurance card(s);
- Ensure that your First Aid and CPR certifications are up to date;
- Review specific Angels policies and procedures and sign acknowledgements of such;
- Ensure that necessary water safety certifications are current, when applicable;
- Provide updated financial information sheet;
- Documentation of two fire drills being completed during the current certification period; and
- Completion of a home inspection with your Angels Social Worker.
Your Angels Social Worker will be in touch with you individually as your recertification date approaches to review in more detail what will be needed. Your Angels Social Worker will collect all the documentation cited above prior to, or at the time of, your recertification home inspection, as well as the $75.00 State Fee for foster homes.
Thank you in advance to helping to make this process as timely and efficient as possible!
--Jennifer
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| Things You Should Know | |
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
You may be wondering what our government is doing to support abused and neglected childen. Please read the following proclamation from President Obama.
A Proclamation
Our Nation's children are our hope for the future, and caring for them is one of our greatest responsibilities. During National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we renew our commitment to preventing child abuse and neglect by promoting healthy families, protecting children, and supporting communities throughout our Nation.
Although a strong family unit is the best deterrent to child abuse, effectively intervening in the lives of children threatened by abuse is a shared responsibility. Strengthening the bonds within families requires community members and leaders to partner with parents. From schools to local social service agencies, we can work together to protect the well-being of our children by recognizing the signs of violence and creating safe, stable, and nurturing environments that safeguard the promise of their futures.
My Administration will continue to reinforce initiatives that enhance the efforts of child protective service agencies to prevent and treat child abuse. Last December, I was pleased to sign into law the CAPTA (Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment) Reauthorization Act of 2010, giving States and local authorities new tools to identify and address abuse and neglect. This Act will also bolster prevention efforts by addressing risk factors for mistreatment like substance abuse, mental illness, and domestic violence. We are also supporting programs that expand coordination of early childhood services in order to improve outcomes for young children.
As a Nation, we must continue our work to ensure all children have the ability to live free from abuse and neglect by advocating for the safety of all young people. For more information about what families and communities can do to overcome this devastating problem, concerned Americans can visit: www.ChildWelfare.gov/Preventing.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2011 as National Child Abuse Prevention Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with programs and activities that help prevent child abuse and provide for children's physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
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| Medical Minute | |
Advice from Dr. Charish Barry
 Charish Barry, MD, is a local pediatric hospitalist with Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and a pediatrician in private practice (www.petitepediatrics.com). She is also a member of the Angels Board of Directors and the local representative for the American Academy of Pediatrics Southern California Chapter. Follow her on Twitter (@petitepeds) to receive her tweets about pediatric health.
Important Update On the Use of Car Safety Seats
The AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics) has released new recommendations regarding the use of car safety seats.
Parents are advised to keep toddlers in rear-facing car seats until age 2, or until they reach the maximum height and weight for their seat. Children should transition from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing seat with a harness, until they reach the maximum weight or height for that seat. Then a booster will make sure the vehicle's lap-and-shoulder belt fit properly. The shoulder belt should lie across the middle of the chest and shoulder, not near the neck or face. The lap belt should fit low and snug on the hips and upper thighs, not across the belly. Most children will need a booster seat until they have reached 4 feet 9 inches tall and are between 8 and 12 years old. Additionally, children should ride in the rear of a vehicle until they are 13 years old.
Although the Federal Aviation Administration permits children under age 2 to ride on an adult's lap on an airplane, they are best protected by riding in an age- and size-appropriate restraint.
It's important that your child use the most appropriate child safety seat. Here is some information from the AAP that will be helpful to you as you ensure safe car riding for your child:
Car Safety Seats: Information for Families for 2011
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The Last Word
"Child abuse casts a shadow the length of a lifetime."
- Herbert Ward
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