Foster Care Expo
FAM is pleased to be appearing at the 2009 Big Y Kids Fair featuring the Foster Care Expo.
Licensed foster and adoptive families should have received an invitation from their licensing agency granting them free admission to the fair and a number of other events to be held during 2009. This fair features lots of fun activities for children including carnival rides, bouncy castles, pony rides and a petting zoo. What a great way to spend a wintry day!
Families considering foster care will be treated to a number of booths where agency representatives will be available to discuss their programs. This is a unique opportunity for families considering foster care and/or adoption to walk from booth to booth and speak with almost every licensed child-placing agency in the state of CT.
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Art Contest Deadline Extended
FAM is extending the deadline for the FAMilies Festival Art Contest to February 28, 2009. Details and rules regarding the contest are available on the FAM website. The winner will receive a $100 gift certificate to the CT mall of their choice as well as a family pack of tickets to Quassy Amusement Park. Please visit our website for a complete list of rules and regulations as well as a more complete list of prizes. www.fosteradoptivemission.org |
What is a Safe Home?
Many of you have heard the term "safe home". Some of you have had kids placed in your homes who have resided in a "safe home" and some of you may have wondered exactly what is meant by the term. Waterbury Youth Service System, a FAM partner, operates Rainbow House, a temporary home for children and youth in foster care.
Kathie Shea, program manager for Rainbow House and FAM Executive Committee member states, "The Waterbury Youth Service "Rainbow House" Safe Home
opened in February, 2000 to help decrease the number of multiple
placements and to alleviate the shortage of foster homes in the
area. The Safe Home is designed to house up to 10 children between the
ages of 3 through 12 and sibling groups if one member falls between
these two ages. For that reason we have served children from the ages
of 3 days to 15 years. Originally we accepted children who were first time removals
only; however, now we have multiply-placed children as
well. Their length of stay cannot exceed 60 days. While at the Safe
Home the children have their medical, dental and psychological needs
assessed so that when they leave to their new placement they are
up-to-date."
Kathie and her staff provide round-the-clock care for the children at Rainbow House and strive to maintain an comfortable and comforting atmosphere. Children attend school and go out in the community where they do typical "kid" things like visiting a park or attending a movie.
Safe Homes are available across the state of Connecticut and provide a valuable service for the foster care system.
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Fosterware Parties
Have you ever wondered what you could do to help find homes for waiting kids? Consider hosting a Fosterware party. These parties are based on the Tupperware home party concept and are designed to provide information to partygoers about ways they can help.
FAM presenters come to your home and talk with groups of three or more of your friends and neighbors about our foster care and adoption programs.Our presenter makes a brief presentation and brings literature and goodies for all partygoers. Hosting families are given a small stipend to cover the cost of food and drinks.
Please help us find good homes for great kids!
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