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| Monthly Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 11 |
November 2013
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Greetings!
In gratitude, I offer a few reflections on what we here at Angels are thankful for this holiday season:
F Families: For now families and forever families, who open their arms and homes to children in need of safety, love and care.
O Opportunity: Given to Angels this year by our supporters, donors and community as we grow and continue our program's mission.
S Sacrifice: Made again and again by families as they put the needs of their Angels child first, lovingly sheltering each child from uncertainty.
T Teamwork: The many dedicated individuals from our Angels' families
and staff to attorneys and Child Welfare workers to therapists, pediatricians and more working together for the benefit of children.
E Encouraging words: Offered generously to children, parents and foster parents as they travel a path of unknowns, heartaches and celebrations.
R Random Acts of Kindness: Showered on Angels children and families, from needed baby supplies or a prepared meal to a gentle word of concern or hug of support.
And so much more.....
We wish you and yours a truly wonderful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Mills, MSW, LCSW
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Angels Announcements
Newly certified families: Danny & Sarah of South Santa Barbara County.
New Placements: Thank you to Netie and Charu of South Santa Barbara County for taking placement of a toddler boy, and to Danny and Sarah of South Santa Barbara County for taking placement of an infant girl.
Adoptions: Congratulations to Adam and Jennifer of South Santa Barbara County for their adoption of Caylee!
Angels Stipends: Please note that monthly checks are processed on the 15th of each month and typically take 7-10 days to arrive in the mail. If you haven't received your child's check by the 25th of the month, or have any questions about payments, please contact your social worker.
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 FOSTER PARENT PRE-CERTIFICATION TRAINING
NEXT SERIES:
Tuesday, January 7, 5:30-9pm
Thursday, January 9, 5:30-9pm
Tuesday, January 21, 5:30-9pm
Thursday, January 23, 5:30-9pm
Tuesday, January 28, 5:30-9pm
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.
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"Let's Get Me Home!" Starter Kit
Benefit Project Presentation Event
a Service Project of the Orcutt Lions Club
Wednesday, December 4, 6:30pm (dinner at 7pm)
Orcutt Lions Den, 126 S. Broadway, Old Town Orcutt
Please join Angels at this annual event sponsored by the Orcutt Lions Club, with assistance from the Santa Maria Valley Lions. It includes a chicken BBQ dinner, guest speakers from Angels and presentation of starter kit donations. We very grateful for the longtime support of the Lions! Come celebrate with us! Dinner is $10 per person. RSVP by November 20th to Lion Lydia Magdaleno (805-264-1838) or Lion Sheri Hughes (805-934-1246).
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Thank you Capture Collective!
Capture Collective recently inspired members of Reality Church in Santa Barbara to donate thousands of dollars of stocked diaper bags, diapers, wipes, bottles, formula, diaper cream, hygiene kits, stuffed animals, clothing, blankets, toys, teething supplies, gift cards, personal notes and more! We are very grateful for this wonderful donation and the generosity of their members.
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 Support Angels!
MAC'S FISH & CHIPS
Now through Christmas, stop by Mac's Fish & Chips for a "Holiday Pie" - a baked savory pie containing layers of turkey, gravy, stuffing, buttered carrots and peas, mashed potatoes and parsnips and a side of cranberry sauce...basically a Thanksgiving meal but in pie format. $7.50 each with $5 going to Angels for every pie sold! They are open Mon-Thu from 11-8, Fri & Sat 11-9, Sun 11-8. 503 State Street in Santa Barbara.
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2013 Angels Holiday Gatherings
Downtown Santa Barbara Holiday Parade
Friday, December 6, 5:30pm-8:00pm (parade starts at 6:30pm)
1300 Block of State Street in front of the Arlington Theatre 
Orcutt Holiday Parade
Saturday, December 14th,11:00-1:30pm
(parade starts at noon)
200 block of E. Clarke Avenue near the Angels office.
Bring your family, folding chairs and blankets, and meet us at along the parade route for camaraderie and great views of the holiday parade! We will save a limited number of curbside spots for  those who arrive early. Otherwise, stake out your own spot along the route and join us at the adjacent Angels hospitality tent for holiday treats, hot drinks, a special holiday gift for your child, and fun activities for the kids. Together, let's spread some holiday cheer. Please RSVP to your social worker to let us know you plan to attend and hope to see you there!
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Social Worker Corner: Disaster Preparedness
If as disaster strikes, are you ready? Of course, no one is ever ready to face the devastation that comes from a natural disaster. However, there are simple things you can do to maximize safety and survival skills for you and your family if you are caught in a disaster. Homes that have followed the steps toward preparedness and planning will be better able to protect lives and property.
Here are a few simple steps you can take:
- Create a disaster kit that you can "grab and go" in the event of emergency. Things to include in a basic kit include:
- First aid kit
- Flashlight and batteries
- Whistle to signal for help
- Dust masks to help filter contaminated air
- Wipes for personal sanitation
- Phone chargers
- Battery powered or hand crank radio
- A list of emergency point-of-contact phone numbers
- Copies of ID Cards, Health Insurance, and Home Insurance in a
sealed plastic bag.
- Maintain a back up supply of water to last a minimum of 72 hours. This is approximately one gallon of water per person per day. Be sure to include formula for infants.
- Maintain at least a three day supply of non perishable food (and a can opener).
- Communicate and review plans as a family. Review safety procedures in your home for fires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Discuss plans to re-unite if you are not together when a disaster strikes. How will you contact one another? Where will you go if you can not reach one another?
Also, remember, all certified foster homes are REQUIRED to have a written disaster and emergency plan posted in their home. In addition, we want to ensure that all of our Angels families are more thoroughly briefed on Disaster Preparedness. Currently certified families can expect to receive a Disaster Preparedness review packet from their social worker. This packet will include guidelines from state licensing and reminders on policy specific to Angels.
Check out these websites for more helpful tips and to educate yourself on disaster preparedness.
http://www.redcross.org/prepare
http://www.ready.gov/
http://www.voadsbc.org/prepare
-- Stacy
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Angels Contacts
(805) 884-0012 Social Worker Betsy Nickels, MA, EdM (805) 884-0012
Outreach Coordinator
Newsletter Editor
Ellen Dameron ellen@angelssb.com (805) 884-0012
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