Click on the calendar at right to see upcoming events. 

Check out all the great information we've been posting on our coalition Facebook page this past month!

•  When a child in care enters their home, the children in the house are in for changes too . . . big changes! Preparing the kids in your home for fostering
• You are never, ever too old to want and deserve a family. Beautiful! Gratitude | Why I Adopted a 20 Year Old
• Written by a Connecticut foster parent as an explanation of why she fosters. Sure to deeply touch your heart.... A Chosen Loss by Jen Hartley
• Such an important topic - how much of our children's stories are ours to share? How much of the birth family's story? What are your thoughts? Adoption Blogging: When It's Not Your Story To Tell 
• "Don't tell us to quit. Don't tell us that we are in over our heads. Don't tell us that you would "send that kid packing." Don't ever try to discourage us. We get down. We get angry. We may need to vent. We may slip into a dark place for a few days and we may even appear fragile during that time.
  But don't be fooled.
  We can bear this load.
  We are strong.
  We help change lives.
  This is our calling and quitting isn't an option."
  You Should Just Stop Fostering
   

  

Each month one of our member agencies feature a "star" whose service to children in foster care deserves special recognition.

 
Stars receive a small gift from the community collaborative and a certificate of appreciation from the nominating agency.  This month, we share a family from our partners at DCF, Danbury area office. 

Going above and beyond expectations comes to mind when speaking of Nancy and John Schreiner, who have been fostering teens for the past four years. The couple brings real life experience to foster care, raising a blended family of five now adult children. Fostering adolescents was a natural path for this couple, being pulled by their desire and skill in guiding youth to adulthood. When visiting the Schreiner home, one will find a relaxed, family-focused climate; bustling with teens, family pets, and real conversation. Nancy and John Schreiner are very active in the lives of the children in their care and are creative in instituting practices to assist them. Nancy, the welcoming, "Momma-Bear" is resourceful and a strong advocate for children. John's direct and honest style of communicating - with some guaranteed sarcastic humor - allows for ease in connecting and engaging teens.  

Nancy and John Schreiner are skilled at parenting with their non-reactive, matter-of-fact style of communication. They are a loving family with a special ability to take things as they come and not get easily frazzled. Their adult children just shake their heads and smile, acknowledging their parents' courage and charge to be foster parents. The Schreiners provide children with the space and the opportunity to make mistakes with the goal of "teachable moments."  This parenting style seemingly works with our teen population, who not only need to experience typical adolescent milestones, but additionally may struggle with the issues of loss, attachment, and difficulty in maintaining healthy relationships.

The Schreiners demonstrate their commitment to children in their care, by availing themselves to support services both in and out of the home, and being active players in a child's planning team. Working with a therapeutic, in-home service for four months when a young lady left their care - in hopes of her being able to return - is just one example of how this family stands out. The Schreiners have overcome some challenging obstacles - testing their own skills, emotions, and limits in parenting. Nancy and John have pushed themselves, and at times gone out of their comfort zone, to both learn when to push with a youth and when to pull back. They support connections with biological family members by initiating conversation with the children, engaging birth parents when deemed appropriate - even inviting birth parents to join their table for a holiday meal. Recognizing that our teen population often require assistance in navigating relationships and securing life-long connections, the Schreiners encourage youth to feel comfortable and supported in the home, while guiding them towards future independence. They are a very special home with many strengths and just plain, old love for the kids that pass through their doors.  

 

Yvette Newton
Social Worker 
FASU Unit, Danbury
Department of Children and Families