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| Monthly Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 7 |
July 2013
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Greetings!
 Summer memories. Driving home from two weeks of family fun has me reflecting on childhood summers. Some of the memories are vivid and specific - being dropped off at Girl Scout camp for the first time or the bicentennial July 4 celebration. However, most, especially the ones from when I was very young, are a collection of images and feelings. The sticky feeling of sunscreen on my skin, the roaring of the ocean waves, the warmth of the damp grass under my feet, the visual delight of lightening bugs dancing across the backyard, the frequent bursts of laughter, punctuating the many games played, the dancing eyes of special summer allowances (ice cream, staying up late, etc...), and the closeness felt in sharing these moments with my parents and sisters.
For our Angels children, many arriving into their Angels home at a very young age, there is often thought to what they will remember, what will they retain of their current life when they reunite with their family? I believe it is much more than we can imagine.
Research in early childhood development shows us that very young children internalize their early experiences and relationships in such a way to help shape their identity and create a template for future relationships. Much of this process is accomplished through the consistent care, love and nurturance showered on children. Another large part is played by sensory memories, which weave their experiences into the child's internal narrative of who they are and their importance in the world.
For our Angels children, this translates into feeling the warmth of a loving embrace while being read to, hearing the murmured words of caring and safety while being rocked to sleep, smelling the comforting presence of their Angels parent during a hug or feeling a deep love within the silly nicknames and stories sung to them. I believe these feelings of love, joy, safety and contentment are carried with each child, wherever they go for as long as they live.
May you delight in the memories you are making this summer!
- Jennifer Mills, LCSW
Program Director
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Angels Announcements
Newly certified families: none to report this month.
New Placements: Thank you to Jenna & Josh of South Santa Barbara County for recently accepting the placement of a baby boy.
Adoptions: We are proud to announce four new adoptions in the past month to South Santa Barbara County families. Congratulations to Mike & Allyson, big brother Sam, and big sister Peyton for their adoption of Giana and Celia. And we congratulate Jean & Jesse, big sister Ava and little sister Annalise for their adoption of Mason. Congratulations to Sean & Julie and big brothers Jake and Joey for their adoption of Keira. We are so very happy for your families!
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.
Social Media
Become a Facebook friend of Angels today and receive frequent posts about our latest news.
Twitter: follow us @AngelsFosterSB
Read the Angels Blog
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Angels Parent Education
ANGELS CONTINUING EDUCATION
Strategies for Parenting Young Children
Tips on coping with challenging behaviors and general parenting tips
Taught by: Erin Blumert, Masters in Behavior Analysis
Santa Barbara Office
Tuesday, August 20, 7:00 p.m.
Orcutt Office
Thursday, August 22, 7:00 p.m.
(We will meet together and watch the video from the Santa Barbara CE Session taught by Erin).
Please contact Stacy at stacy@angelssb.com for more information, or to RSVP
ANGELS FOSTER PARENT PRE-CERTIFICATION TRAINING
If you know of anyone who may be interested in joining our next series of training classes, please have them call the Angels' office or pass their name along to us.
Next Series of Open Training Dates:
September 10, 12, 17, 19 & 24 from 5:30-9pm.
Location to be announced
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Community Parent Education
BUILDING COMMUNITIES OF HOPE
Wednesday, July 31, 8:30-3:30pm
Santa Barbara City College West Campus - BC Forum
Join others for a day of inspiration and collaboration. Strengthen Santa Barbara County by building on-going relationships with others who serve at-risk families and youth. This day-long event offers speakers, roundtables and collaborations for public and private agencies, churches, government and individuals. Key note speaker: Kim S. Ricketts, M.Ed from the Casey Family Programs. Luncheon at 12:30pm will honor Santa Barbara social workers.
Free event - please RSVP through EventBrite where you can view an agenda and guest list. RSVP here. At the time of registration, you can also share the invitation with others who might be interested. Questions? Contact Wendy MacGregor, (805) 965-0581, x8746 or email macgregor@sbcc.edu.
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Social Worker Corner: Tips for Dealing with Tantrums
In these glorious summer months, families often get to enjoy more time together. While this can be a wonderful thing, more time together can also involve some challenges, such as behavior outbursts due to increased stimulation and interaction, especially with the unique family dynamics created by fostering. Exhaustion from schedules full of visits, travel and activities can also lead to meltdowns. While some tantrum behavior may be inevitable, here are some tips for preventing and dealing with tantrums, to help you cope and enjoy your family time this summer and beyond.
Tantrum Prevention Tactics
- Avoid situations in which tantrums are likely to erupt. Try to keep your daily routines as consistent as possible and give your child a five-minute warning before changing activities.
- Communicate with your toddler. Don't underestimate his ability to understand what you are saying. Tell him the plan for the day and stick to your routine to minimize surprises.
- Allow your child to take a toy or food item with her while you run errands. It may help her stay occupied.
- Make sure your child is well rested and fed before you go out so he doesn't blow up at the slightest provocation.
- Put away off-limit temptations (for example, don't leave candy bars lying on the kitchen counter close to dinnertime) so they don't lead to battles.
- Give your toddler a little bit of control. Let your child choose which book to bring in the car or whether she wants grilled cheese or PB&J for lunch. These little choices won't make much of a difference to you, but they'll make your child feel as though she has at least some control over her own life.
- Pick your battles. Sometimes you can give in a little, especially when it comes to small things. Would you rather let your child watch 15 extra minutes of television or listen to her scream for 30 minutes?
- Distract. A young child's attention is fleeting and easy to divert. When your child's face starts to crinkle and redden in that telltale way, open a book or offer to go on a walk to the park before it can escalate into a full-blown tantrum. Sometimes, humor is the best way to distract. Make a funny face, tell a joke, or start a pillow fight to get your child's mind off what's upsetting him.
- Teach your child other ways of dealing with frustration. Children who are old enough to talk can be reminded to use their words instead of screaming.
Read more, including tips on what to do once a tantrum starts, here:
Source: WebMD
-Betsy Nickels, Social Worker
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Angels Contacts 
(805) 264-4470
Lead Social Worker (805) 884-0012 Social Worker South County Betsy Nickels, MA, EdM (805) 884-0012
Recruiter
Outreach Coordinator
Newsletter Editor
Ellen Dameron ellen@angelssb.com (805) 884-0012
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The Last Word...
There is a garden in every childhood, an enchanted place where colors are brighter, the air softer, and the morning more fragrant than ever again.
~Elizabeth Lawrence
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