Placing infants and toddlers in loving, stable and committed foster homes throughout Santa Barbara County

May 2015 Newsletter

We are sure you have heard it. "It's not easy." "It's not for the faint of heart." "The hardest thing we've ever done." Parenting is one of the most amazing, challenging and rewarding experiences one may know. Add to that, the unknowns and the uncertainty that comes hand in hand with fostering a child and you might wonder, how does this even work? Or, why even open yourself to it all?

At Angels, we have seen how our foster parents step forward and answer those questions with "But who then if not us?" Angels' parents recognize that by being the responsible and nurturing adults in a child's life, they set forth a ripple of love and security that each child will carry with them throughout their life. Angels' parents focus on what the child needs now, on how to best to foster the child's development and emotional well-being.

And through the fostering journey, we see Angels' parents realize again and again the importance of savoring the little moments of accomplishment, peace and love. From a baby snuggling in loving arms, truly relaxing for the first time or a smile beaming on the face of child who previously was scared to show any emotion to a child taking his first steps after months of hesitancy or a baby looking about the room, searching and finding that trusted special someone, face lighting up.

As May is National Foster Care month, we want to take this moment to thank all foster parents and extended family members who open their hearts and homes to little ones in need. Their example reminds us what life is really about -- the small, often quiet moments that take our breath away.

In gratitude,

Jennifer Mills, LCSW

Operations Director

National Foster Care Month is May

PREMIERE SCREENING OF POWERFUL FILM ABOUT
FOSTER CARE COMING TO SANTA MARIA

Very little is ever discussed about the realities of foster care and the child's voice is rarely heard in the discussion. The filmmakers at ReMoved Films are changing that and have produced two short films that feature a dramatic and touching account of a 9-year-old girl's experience as a foster child. ReMoved and ReMoved Part 2: Remember My Story will be screened on May 21 at 10 am at the Regal Cinemas in Santa Maria as one way for our community to learn more during National Foster Care Month in May. Space is limited but all are welcome to RSVP.

Angels Foster Care and Regal Cinemas are pleased to partner with the filmmakers to bring this provocative film screening to Santa Maria. Foster Care Awareness Month is an important time for local communities to learn more about the foster care system in their area, realize how many children and families foster care impacts, and to learn about the realities versus the myths of this important, and often misunderstood, part of our social service safety net. Foster care isn't wonderful, but it's important and it can be the only way a child's life can be changed for the better. Adults and families who want to help children can learn more about foster care and if this way of serving kids is right for them.

"We made ReMoved with the desire that it would be used to serve in bringing awareness, encourage, and be useful in foster parent training, and raising up foster parents," writes the film's writer/producer, Christine Matanick. Angels Foster Care is doing just that by making the screening of these films available to the public or anyone interested in learning about how they can take action and help the lives of local young people. Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services (SBCWS) reports that there are about 500 children in the foster care system, and of those, 200 are under the age of five. SBCWS currently has less than 70 public foster care homes. They are often unable to accommodate children of all ages because there simply aren't enough stable, quality foster family homes in Santa Barbara County for those who need them. Foster Care Awareness might help change that. To see these films visit our website and register or email kelly@angelssb.org.

-Kelly White O'Neill

Development Associate

Heaven-sent gratitude to the supporters of our 4th annual Al Fresco Afternoon on the Riviera!

225 guests enjoyed the Biltmore's lush gardens for our European-inspired luncheon, marketplace, fashion show and Angels presentation on May 1st. The event broke all of our fundraising records by netting more than $75,000 for the Angels Foster Care program! Special thanks to our stellar event committee co-chairs Stephanie Smillie, Marsha Kotlyar and Shannon Neels; as well as our amazing fundraising committee members Monica Babich, Caryl Bowman, Diane Brown, Karen Chin, Kathleen Cooper, Jennifer Hecht, Sara Donen, Christina Lensander, Holly Murphy, Jamie Muse, Susannah Rake, Leanne Schlinger, Megan Simon, Lizzie Tobias, Michele White, Annie Williams and Katie Wisner. What a sensational job they did in planning our event!

I would also like to thank our generous sponsors: Montecito Bank and Trust, The Paskin Group, Santa Ynez Vacation Rentals, Becker Studios, OSI Hardware, Little One Foundation, UGG Australia, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices, Coast 2 Coast Collection, Saks Fifth Avenue, Four Seasons Biltmore Resort, Kathleen Cooper Fine Papers, Pretty Fetes, Fanciful Designs and Kelsey Crews Photography (who took the photo above).

- Meichelle Arntz

Executive Director

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Newly Certified Families - welcome to Jim and Meghan of North Santa Barbara County and Robb and Julie of mid Santa Barbara County.

New Placements: thank you to following families that accepted baby girls this month: Lisa and Larry of South Santa Barbara County, Meghan & Jim of North Santa Barbara County, and Sarah & Danny of South Santa Barbara County.

Recent Adoptions: Many congratulations to Dean and Lynn on recently finalizing their adoption of Charlee! Her three big brothers were certainly excited too!

Thank you to our amazing foster families for opening their homes to Angels children!

May is NATIONAL FOSTER CARE MONTH

Communities play an important role in supporting all children and youth, but especially children and youth in foster care. By becoming a foster parent, respite provider, engaging in volunteer work, or mentoring children who need an adult role model, individuals and families can make a lasting impact in a child's life. Here are six key skills for successful foster parents:

Know your home and your family. Successful foster parents spend two to three years thinking about and preparing for their new role.
Know how to communicate. You will be speaking with many people in your role as a foster parent including social workers, other foster parents, CASA workers, teachers, therapists, family and friends.
Know that working with the foster care system and children who have experienced trauma can be challenging. Be prepared to seek help and guidance from your social worker, who is there to support you and your family.
Know how to successfully manage difficult behaviors in young children such as sleep and feeding issues, social behaviors, etc. Children who have experienced loss can "act out" to express their grief.
Know how to manage a child's losses as well as your own. Be able to successfully support a child's grief and loss, and manage your own expectations for the outcome of your fostering experience.
Know how to work well with others. Be willing to join the team process and provide valuable input about your foster child's needs.

You are welcome to call the Angels Foster Care office at any time to discuss any questions you have about becoming a foster parent with no obligation. To read the full article about this topic from About Parenting, please click here.

If you have any words of inspiration or encouragement, please send them to us for inclusion in a future Angels newsletter!

FOSTER PARENTS OF THE MONTH

Alissa and Brian

from South Santa Barbara County

Angels is very appreciative of the time you have spent working as foster parents, and the love and support you have given your Angels child!

WHAT'S COMING UP

ReMoved and ReMoved Part 2:

Remember My Story

Film Screening and Panel Discussion

presented by Angels Foster Care

Thursday, May 21, 10 am

Regal Cinemas, Santa Maria

Tickets and free but space is limited

RSVP and reserve your ticket here

Other locally organized screenings of

ReMoved and ReMoved Part 2:

Remember My Story

Saturday, May 30th 7pm
Santa Barbara Community Church

1002 Cieneguitas, Santa Barbara

Sunday, May 31st, 7pm

Reality Carpinteria

5251 6th St, Carpinteria

Santa Barbara Resource Family Association Monthly Meeting

Friday, June 12, 5:30-8:30pm

Santa Barbara Community Church Fellowship Hall
1002 Cieneguitas Rd. in Santa Barbara

Meetings take place the second Friday of every month and provide support and fellowship for current and adoptive resource (foster) parents. Childcare and dinner are provided free of charge. For more information contact Jenna Hayden, president, at 805.423.6274 or jhay805@gmail.com.

Angels Foster Parent Pre-Certification Training

July dates to be announced soon

Note that pre-screening and certain paperwork are required before prospective foster parents may enroll in parent training classes. Please contact Social Worker Jennifer Mills at jennifer@angelssb.com as soon as you are ready to begin the process.

SAVE THE DATE!

Angels Family Summer BBQ

Saturday, July 18 at Tucker's Grove Park in Goleta.

HOW TO SUPPORT ANGELS

Contribute to our 2105 Endowment Campaign

Support Angels far into the future and provide financial stability to the agency as the fund grows and pays out profits annually to support Angels' work. Our goal this year is to bring in $50,000 to qualify us for matching funds. Make a personal contribution, have your business donate a portion of sales or host a small gathering to secure further contributions. Contact Executive Director Meichelle Arntz to get started!

Sign up for Amazon Smile to benefit Angels

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support Angels Foster Care every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate .5% of the purchase price to Angels. All you need to do is visit http://smile.amazon.com on your computer or mobile device and select Angels as your designee. Register now and your future Amazon purchases will benefit Angels!

BULLETIN BOARD

Angels Continuing Education Reminder

All currently certified Foster Parents have been issued new credits online for 2015! Please log in to your FosterParentCollege.com account to access your credits. 10 hours of online education must be completed annually for all Foster Parents certified through Angels.

Angels Library

We have many useful books on parenting in our South County office library. Please stop by to browse our resources or contact your social worker if you would like us to select a book for you on a specific topic.

Out & About in the Community

We're available to speak throughout Santa Barbara County about Angels Foster Care and the urgent need for foster homes. If you know of a local club, group, church or synagogue that would like an Angels presentation, please contact Ellen.