Family Continuity

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              September 2011   

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Greetings from the CEO,

  

It will come as no surprise to anyone to hear that cynicism is pretty popular today. It is an undercurrent in our newscasts, comedy shows, our responses to politics, the economy, and social issues. Cynicism is based in the belief that programs and services don't work, that people can't be trusted, and that they are driven by hidden motives. Certainly, there is ample evidence that some of these things are true. But it is also true that people do not always take advantage of others, and that when they are given help and support, they thrive.
 

September's Newsletter highlights some families and individuals where help and support made a positive difference and helped families get back on their feet. It also looks at the kinds of support that families require when they are caring for children with behavioral health needs, in their own words, from their perspective. Seeing what people can do with a little help is a pretty good antidote for cynicism.

 

Sincerely,

 Skip Signature
Earl "Skip" Stuck 

FamilyCornerThe Family Corner  

 

Children's Services From The Family Perspective

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Well intentioned human service professionals and state officials often think they know what families need. They can cite statistics, research studies, and anecdotes that can bolster or block the case for any initiative. They sometimes plan based on their experiences, but too often, they fail to check with the most obvious and insightful source...the families themselves. PPAL, the Parent Professional Advocacy League is a respected voice for families with children with emotional, behavioral and mental health needs. They provide training, advocacy, and most importantly a place for families to express their concerns and opnions, receiving advice and direction in return. 

  

Recently, we asked Mary Lambert, PPAL Senior Family Support Specialist, and Family Continuity Board Member the following questions: 

  • Based on the hundreds of calls that PPAL receives, what, in their words, do families need from the "system" to support the health and well-being of their families?  
  • What gets in the way?
  • What messages do state, local, and human service leaders most need to hear from families?

In two installments (one in our September and one in our October Newsletter) we will follow the feedback and observations of hundreds of families.

 

From Mary Lambert...

"It is an honor to be asked to do this segment of the "Family Corner." In my position with PPAL, the Parent/Professional Advocacy League, as the Lead Family Support Specialist, as a parent and now as a Board Member of Family Continuity, I do speak with hundreds of people each month...parents, grandparents, foster parents, siblings as well as a wide variety of professionals. Keeping in mind the quesitons that you have proposed to me, I would like to answer each one in relation to the two major themes that I find I am asked most about." 
 

Click below to read Part One:
 
Parents' concerns/questions about the Education system: What are we hearing?

 

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ProgramHighlightProgram Highlight  

 

Stories from the Family Support Fund

 

Question: When is a  handout more than a handout?
Answer: When it is targeted to provide a springboard to help people improve their own lives. Support

 

A little more than three years ago, Family Continuity created this "springboard", an initiative called the Family Support Fund. It was created to provide emergency assistance to our client families for a wide variety of needs that come up in real life, but for which there is no family, state, or other support. However, the assistance is only provided on the recommendation of the family's worker and tied to support of an important goal and the effort that families make to achieve it. Since its inception, the Fund has provided support to many families in Massachusetts in critical areas of need.

 

Bonnie's request, forwarded by her Family Continuity family partner (this month's Real Story) is just one example...below are some other places where the Fund was the critical spark to change a life:

  • Fees to process and license a "rescue dog" to provide companionship to a home-bound elderly woman
  • The cost of child care for a month, while a young mother completed her CNA certification
  • Ferry tickets to enable a child to receive corrective dental surgery and support
  • Repair of a wheelchair for a client struggling with spina bifida and depression
  • Replacement of clothing and personal belongings lost in a house fire
  • Emergency auto repairs, to enable a father to start a new job
  • Utilities and moving expenses to move a family away from the threat of serious domestic violence

Add to these, help to obtain a driver's license, computer training, heating oil assistance, special recreational opportunities for young children, day camp registrations, and other opportunities to improve one's life, and we have seen the impact that the Family Support Fund can have.

                 ____________________________________________
 

The Family Support Fund Needs Your Help! The Family Support Fund is funded entirely by

donations. Board members, a few staff, and vendors contribute money that we set aside and designate for the Fund. At its height, the fund had nearly $12,000. Here is the "good news, bad news." The good news is that staff have increased their requests for its use and, like the example above, we have some very compelling stories of folks who've received help they could not have otherwise gotten. The bad news is that we are draining it far faster than it is being replenished. We encourage you to join the others who have given and designate a fully tax-deductible gift to the Family Support Fund!

 

To make a donation, please print and complete the Donation Form, make your check payable toDonate Now Family Continuity and mail to:
 

Family Continuity
60 Perseverance Way, 2nd Floor                                           

Hyannis, MA 02601

ATTN: Fund Development Office

or call 866.219.3320 for additional information.

RealStoryReal Stories

  

Sometimes a little help at the right time can go a long way. This is especially true when a family has worked hard, and has made great progress, as this "Family Support Fund" request from Bonnie's Family Partner demonstrates...

 

Bonnie and Bryan's Story

 

Bonnie is a divorced mother of four (and a great advocate for her kids), who recently lost her job for a few months. She receives $125/month for child support for all of her children, as well as food stamps. She shares a home with her brother and his wife and kids. When her son Bryan, aged 9 came to us he was shy, extremely anxious and would wet himself during the day and would not play with other kids his age. In the five months he's been with wraparound (the CBHI family partners and care coordination program), he has progressed significantly, rarely has "accidents", listens better and follows directions, helps out at home, interacts with his peers, uses words to express frustration and fear, and participates in his care planning meetings.

  

Read More of Bonnie & Bryan's Story Here...  

StaffNews Staff Recognition Awards 
 
 

Award Ribbon

Our employees are our greatest asset and are what makes
Family Continuity such a dynamic and relevant social service agency! 

Special recognition this month goes out to: Dr. Stephen Ikeda,
Family Continuity's Medical Director, for 15 years of exemplary service

and to Ellie Fratangelo for 25 years of
stellar administrative support and coordination.

 

 
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Family Continuity's Mission Statement:
Supporting family success in every community by empowering people, enhancing their strengths, and creating solutions through partnerships to achieve hope, positive change and meaningful lives.

 

Agency Values: Family, Community, Advocacy, Leadership, and Change
 

Treatment Philosophy, founded on the belief that positive change is always possible: 

 

*  The most effective treatment provides a continuity of care, acknowledging that connected, relevant supportive services to clients/client families promote recovery, stability, self advocacy and permanency in the midst of changing needs. 

 

*  Therapeutic change occurs in the context of a dynamic treatment partnership between clients and helpers that is founded on choice, respect, honesty, and a shared responsibility for and participation in the development of solutions.

 

*  Effective treatment is empowering and strength-based, recognizing that all clients possess resources for change and that change is possible when these resources are utilized.

 

*  Creating meaningful lives starts with identifying goals and connecting that to individualized, flexible and creative treatment planning that incorporates a client's family/community relationships, culture, and context.