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| Monthly Newsletter Volume 7, Issue 12 |
December 2013
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Greetings!,
2013 has certainly flown by! And what a busy year it has been here at Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara. Some highlights:
- We successfully completed our transition to a treatment Foster Family Agency and rejoiced that the long process with the mass of accompanying paperwork was done.
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 Betsy Nickels joined us in January, providing primary support to families in southern Santa Barbara County and Stacy Peterson returned from maternity leave in May to take on a new role at Angels as Lead Social Worker, focusing on intake and pre-certification training. - We have so far welcomed 8 new families to Angels this year (hoping for a few more before the end of the year!).
- We embraced 21 new little Angels, who joined 26 sweet ones already benefiting from an Angels home.
- We said goodbye to 14 Angels, who either reunified with a parent or transitioned to a permanent placement with a relative or non-Angels adoptive home.
- And, we celebrated 18 adoptions by Angels' families, the highest number in one year ever in our history, bringing the total number of adoptions by Angels' families to 67!
We are full of wonder about what 2014 may bring and will with your support and assistance continue to promote the well being of the youngest members of our community through loving and consistent care.
May the spirit of the holidays embrace you and yours.
Sincerely,
Jennifer L. Mills, MSW, LCSW
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Angels Announcements
Congratulations to our Holiday Art Contest Winners!
Sisters Eva & Maddie designed Angels' colorful 2013 holiday card - watch for it in your mailbox soon!
Our 2013 runner ups were Ryder and Aliyah. Thank you to our wonderful Angels artists for their beautiful art work!
 Newly certified families: congratulations to Matthew & Patricia of South Santa Barbara County.
New Placements: Thank you to Netie and Charu of South Santa Barbara County for taking placement of an infant girl, Matthew & Patricia of South Santa Barbara County for taking placement of an infant girl, and to Mark and Holly of South Santa Barbara County for taking placement of an infant boy in recent weeks.
Adoptions: None to report this month...but a record 18 Angels adoptions were completed this year! Congratulations to all of our Angels adoptive parents! 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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Foster Parent Holiday Events
CWS Christmas Party
Sunday, December 8, 1-3:30pm
Discovery Museum, 705 S. McClelland Street, Santa Maria
Caretakers and their families, plus friends interested in foster parenting are invited to the annual CWS holiday party. Explore the museum while enjoying tacos, quesadillas, cookies and other treats. Arts and crafts, fun games and prizes, and holiday photos! No need to RSVP. Information: Anne Rodriguez, 805.696.8959, a.rodriguez@sbcsocialserv.org.
 CWS Training and Mixer December 9, 10-Noon
Reality Church, 10 E. Yanonali Ave., Floor 1, Santa Barbara
December 11, 10-Noon
Santa Maria Public Library, Shepard Hall, 421 S. McClelland St.
Foster parents, caretakers and social workers are invited to learn how to reduce stress and bring more joy into the season. Social mixer to follow. Free life books and $20 gift certificates while supplies last. Training hours count toward foster parent education. Information: Anne Rodriguez, 805.696.8959, a.rodriguez@sbcsocialserv.org.
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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. Information: Lion Lydia Magdaleno (805-264-1838) or Lion Sheri Hughes (805-934-1246).
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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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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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Last Words...
"The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."
-- Robert Louis Stevenson
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