Tuesday, February 23, 2010  

Coalition News
 
Coalition Community Resource Guide Now Available
This guide provides a wealth of information on community and service resources available to assist foster and adoptive families and case management professionals in providing the best possible care to the children in our community. Every family needs a helping hand and this resource guide provides valuable information to connect the foster/adoptive community with those who are there to help.
 
Birthday Buddy Program Helps Youth in Foster Care
Do you need help providing birthday presents for your children in foster care?  Apply for a Birthday Buddy today!  Donors within the community are matched with your child(ren) who then typically receive several birthday presents from their Buddy.  Applications from foster children with April, May or June birthdays are now being accepted.  For questions, please contact Debbie Schoemehl, the Birthday Buddy Coordinator, at 314.223.5723 or Shelley Thomas-Benke at 800.FOSTER.3 x29.
  
Coalition Events
 
Foster / Adoptive Parent Meet & Greet
03.23.10 / 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Would you like to meet other foster / adoptive parents?  Learn from their experiences?  Make new friends?  Attendees will learn more about the new and improved Parent-to-Parent Network (a temporary relief system for families caring for foster and adopted children).  They will also discover how to receive advance notification of special opportunities, including free sporting event tickets, movie passes, etc.  Childcare provided.  Parents must be registered to attend.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
 
Older Youth Support Group
03.23.10 / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Topic:  This is Me - Identifying and understanding personal and cultural  identity issues.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
 
Parent Support Group
03.23.10 / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Topic:  Unique opportunities to make a difference in the life of a child.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
  
KidStore News
 
314.773.KIDS
Tyler Place Presbyterian Church
2109 S. Spring Street, 2nd Floor,  63110
Hours of Operation: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, and every Saturday (except Holidays) from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
The KidStore is a resale shop open exclusively to children in foster care.  Visit www.foster-adopt.org/kidstore for more information.
 
March:
All sweaters and coats are buy one get one free.
 
KidStore & Parents Classifieds
The KidStore Classifieds is a section that allows foster parents to see what we have to offer at our KidStore.  The Parents Trade Classifieds allow parents to exchange items amongst themselves.
  
Advocacy Corner
 
Denise Kelley, Director of Family Advocacy, is available to search for latest research, community resources, or case-specific policy.  Requests can be e-mailed or discussed by calling 800.367.8373 (314.367.8373) x25.
 
Hot Topic of the Month
Topic:  Immediate diligent search to locate, contact, and place with a grandparent (Memo CD09-82)
To comply with State and Federal law, the Childrens Division released Memorandum CD09-82 outlining the requirements to search for relatives when it is determined that protective custody for a child is necessary. A summary of the memo follows:
 
RSMo 210.305, House Bill 154: This bill gives grandparents first consideration for placement before other relative options and requires an immediate diligent search to locate, contact, and place with a grandparent once a decision has been made to take protective custody of a child. Notification can occur prior to custody, but notification and placement must occur no later than three (3) hours after custody.
Click to View Full Article  (Don't forget to rate article!)
  
Community News
 
OFA Scholarship Available
Applications are being accepted for the 2010-2011 academic year through March 31, 2010.  These scholarships are awarded based on a combination of merit and need, and funding levels are determined based on cost of attendance and other resources.
Click for More Information
  
Community Events
 
Beyond Consequences, Live!
03.13.10 / 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Edward Jones, 12555 Manchester Rd, 63131
Cost:  FREE
Join Heather T. Forbes, LCSW, author of Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control Volume 1 & 2, for an entire day of training and information about raising children who have experienced abuse, neglect, loss, grief, and other trauma.
  
Other Trainings
 
Treating and Understanding ADHD
02.25.10 / 7:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.60)
Not Approved for Training Hours
Dr. Schulman, a psychiatrist and developmental pediatrician, will present information on understanding and treating ADHD.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
Managing the Pressures & Loss of Parenting a Child with a Disability
03.01.10 / 7:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
Neuwoehner School Cafeteria, 12112 Clayton Rd
Not Approved for Training Hours
Learn three step-by-step techniques for managing the pressures of parenting a child with a disability.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
Orientation to Special Education & the IEP Process
03.02.10 / 7:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.61)
Not Approved for Training Hours
This orientation is designed to provide an overview of special education services and how they are provided through SSD.  Learn more about how to develop an effective individualized education program (IEP), educational rights, community resources/support and take a tour of the Family and Community Resource Center.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
Supporting Your Child with Emotional Disabilities
03.03.10 / 6:30 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.60)
Not Approved for Training Hours
Learn how cognitive behavior therapy works and how to support and communicate with your child's therapist. Learn to decrease anxiety at home and school; educate family members; and communicate with the school when negative behaviors are escalating.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
The Art of Effective Advocacy 
03.03.10 / 6:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.61)
Not Approved for Training Hours
Learn the importance of keeping and organizing records, what information needs to be in your child's file, how to communicate more effectively with your child's school district and the importance of working collaboratively.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd. For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
Positive Behavior Interventions 
03.03.10 / 6:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.61)
Not Approved for Training Hours 
Participants will learn the importance of a Functional Behavioral Assessment, how to reinforce positive behavior and how to develop a Positive Behavior Support Plan.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd. For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
  
Training Extravaganza
 
Coalition Training Extravaganza
Save the following dates:  
May 1, 2010  /  August 7, 2010  /  October 16, 2010
Training Extravaganzas are all-day trainings that allow foster/adoptive/relative caregivers to receive 7.5 in-service training hours in one day, and you can bring the kids, too.  Please check with your licensing worker if planning on attending.
  

 
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