(805) 884-0012

(805) 884-0177 - fax

CEO

Meichelle Arntz

(805) 884-0012   

meichelle@angelssb.com 

 

Director Of Operations

Jennifer Mills, LCSW

(805) 264-4470

jennifer@angelssb.com 

 

Lead Social Worker

Stacy Peterson, LCSW

(805) 884-0012 stacy@angelssb.com 

 

Social Worker

Betsy Nickels, MA, EdM

(805) 884-0012 betsy@angelssb.com 

 

Office Administrator

Grant Writer

Ellen Dameron

(805) 884-0012

ellen@angelssb.com 

 

 

 

This time of year tends to be a time of reflection for many of us.  We note the changes of the past year and chart an hopeful course for the next one.  And while as adults we may either inch or leap forward towards our goals, sometimes we forget how infants and toddlers are taking tremendous strides each and every day.

 

Changes seem to happen overnight. The smiling six month old becomes the tottering one year old, who in turn becomes the extra curious and increasingly social, two year old. Research demonstrates that children have certain developmental tasks to accomplish as they grow.  And while we remember our child's big milestones, it is the daily moments of learning that make it all possible.

 

We know infants are hard-wired to seek new information and learn from their environment.  However, their life experiences during this process shape much of how and what they learn.  Children raised in stressful and unpredictable environments aren't able to focus on meeting their developmental milestones.  All of their attention and energy goes towards surviving, rather than thriving.

 

We are so thankful for the wonderful Angels' families who daily provide that sturdy foundation, predictable and stable care-giving and loving responsiveness that our children need for their present and their future.  The small daily successes and steps do matter!

 

"Love and trust, in the space between what's said and what's heard in our life, can make all the difference in the world. "  

                                           ~Fred Rogers

 

Respectfully, 

Jennifer L. Mills, MSW, LCSW

 

Angels Foster Parent Pre-Certification Training

 

Next series:

Tuesday, March 4, 5:30-9pm

Thursday, March 6, 5:30-9pm

Tuesday, March 18, 5:30-9pm

Thursday, March 20, 5:30-9pm

Tuesday, March 25, 5:30-9pm

 

If you are interested in joining our next series of classes, please contact Intake Social Worker Stacy Peterson at stacy@angelssb.com.

 

Newly Certified Families - Tara & Jeff of South Santa Barbara County.

 

New Placements: Melissa & Matt of North Santa Barbara County (infant boy), Annika & Jeff of North Santa Barbara County (infant girl), and Tara & Jeff of South Santa Barbara County (infant girl).

 

Recent Adoptions - None to report this month.

Congratulations and thank you to our amazing foster families!

Katie & Avery of

South Santa Barbara County

Angels is very appreciative of the many months you have worked as foster parents, and the love and support you have given your Angels child! 

 

It's definitely that time of year when illness is "going around" and lots of families are suffering with sick babies, children, and/or adults. Here are a few tips from the Mayo Clinic on caring for babies with colds:

 

A common cold is a viral infection of your baby's nose and throat. Nasal congestion and a runny nose are the primary signs of common cold in babies.

 

Babies are especially susceptible to the common cold, in part because they're often around other older children who don't always wash their hands. Also, they have yet to develop immunity to many common infections. Within the first year of life, most babies have up to seven colds.

 

Treatment for the common cold in babies involves easing their symptoms, such as by providing plenty of fluids and keeping the air moist. Very young infants (1-2 months) should see a doctor at the first sign of the common cold because they're at greater risk of croup and pneumonia. Babies 3 months and older should see a doctor if they have a fever over 100.4, signs of an ear infection, eye discharge, difficulty breathing and/or persistent cough, or any other symptoms that are of concern.

Most of the time, you can treat an older baby's cold at home. Consider these suggestions:

• Offer plenty of fluids.Liquids are important to avoid dehydration. Encourage your baby to take in his or her normal amount of fluids. Extra fluids aren't necessary. 
• Thin the mucus.Your baby's doctor may recommend saline nose drops to loosen thick nasal mucus. Look for these over-the-counter drops in your local pharmacy.
• Suction your baby's nose.Keep your baby's nasal passages clear with a rubber-bulb syringe. Squeeze the bulb syringe to expel the air. Then insert the tip of the bulb about 1/4 to 1/2 inch (0.64 to 1.27 centimeters) into your baby's nostril, pointing toward the back and side of the nose. Release the bulb, holding it in place while it suctions the mucus from your baby's nose. Remove the syringe from your baby's nostril, and empty the contents onto a tissue by squeezing the bulb rapidly while holding the tip down. Repeat as often as needed for each nostril. Clean the bulb syringe with soap and water.
• Moisten the air. Running a humidifier in your baby's room can help improve runny nose and nasal congestion symptoms. Aim the mist away from your baby's crib to keep the bedding from becoming damp. To prevent mold growth, change the water daily and follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning the unit. It might also help to sit with your baby in a steamy bathroom for a few minutes before bedtime.

-www.MayoClinic.org

 

Remember your paperwork! Each time you take your Angels child to the doctor, please take the:

• Authorization form the CWS worker completed for you at the time of placement
• Child's MediCal card and CenCal card (if you have already received)
• Child's immunization record
• CWS Health Contact sheet for the physician to complete about the visit. (It is a triplicate form)

After each medical and dental appointment, please hold onto the completed Health Contact sheet and give it to your Angels Social Worker at her next visit. She will make copies and send to the CWS worker and to Linda Flaharty, RN with CWS.  Your social worker will also make sure a copy is in the Angels' file. 

 

*If you need to take your child to a hospital Emergency Room for any reason, please let your Angels Social Worker or the Angels On-Call Worker know of the visit as soon as possible.

 

-Betsy Nickels, Social Worker