tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25738109927943079952024-03-18T01:05:05.094-05:00Children's Aid SocietyUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger92125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-1082224769650217152017-06-09T11:28:00.000-05:002017-06-12T13:48:24.560-05:00What is a Permanency Pact?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Written by</b>: <i>Ebone Kimber, Independent Living Program Director</i></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbJn2OFYD54/WTrGZw6lvrI/AAAAAAAACiQ/QPcM1hemhJEJONwKf4YPB_MiOqrX0errACLcB/s1600/EBONE%2BWATKINS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bbJn2OFYD54/WTrGZw6lvrI/AAAAAAAACiQ/QPcM1hemhJEJONwKf4YPB_MiOqrX0errACLcB/s320/EBONE%2BWATKINS.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
I worked at a residential facility for 2 ½ years engaging with young people in the foster care system, who felt forgotten by family and had little to no plans for the future. I often reflected on my own life, remembering
how difficult it was for me as a teenager to navigate life, even with both my
parents present; I couldn’t fathom how difficult it must be for the young
people I provided services to. They
would tell me, “no one cares about me, why should I care about myself.” I spent countless hours convincing young
people that they mattered and were important. But, they need someone consistent
in their lives telling them these things. That’s when I found something called
“The Permanency Pact”. It’s a free tool created by <a href="http://www.fosterclub.com/" target="_blank">Foster Club</a> to encourage life-long connections
between a foster youth and a supportive adult.
It’s a sense of hope for a young person who may not have strong
connections. In Alabama, permanent connections for older foster youth are
becoming a major focus of the state. These
youth are in residential facilities, often moving around every 3-6 months, sometimes labeled as “problem children.” They
aren’t problem children. They are in a situation that no youth should have to
face without a caring adult to help them. Mentoring programs are limited and
many adults are often unaware of the challenges older youth in foster care
experience. I realized that education was key, so I began to present The
Permanency Pact as an option to these youth, stressing to them the importance
of making permanent connections.<br />
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With a Permanency Pact, the youth identifies all of the
adults in their life that could possibly be their life-long connection. It’s important that the youth choose their
permanent connection and it WILL NOT WORK if the individual is chosen for them.
Once chosen, the adult and youth should read through the thorough packet. A facilitator should be present, which could
be the DHR worker, a therapist, or caseworker.
The adult chosen should look through the detailed list of suggested
supports. Once the adult chooses their level
of commitment, the youth should review it to determine if they have additional
needs to discuss. Youth are encouraged
to choose more than one supportive adult and complete a pact with each one. Once the details have been determined, each
party should receive a completed copy of the Permanency Pact and certificate.</div>
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I am practicing what I preach and am currently completing a
Permanency Pact with a youth I met two years ago when I was her camp counselor. She and I have continued that relationship and
she confides in me when she needs a friendly ear. I was willing to make the commitment to be a supportive adult in her life for the rest of her life. While I cannot provide her a permanent home,
I feel the next best thing I can do is support her through life’s crazy
transitions. I am honored to be her
supportive adult. <o:p></o:p></div>
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How amazing would it be if every adult in Alabama made this
commitment to a youth in foster care? No matter
where the youth ends up, it would be great for them to know they have someone
to call. Sometimes they need somewhere to do laundry, somewhere to go for
Thanksgiving, someone to ask questions about car insurance, or someone to call
when they feel their case is going all wrong.
These are some examples of what these youth may need and this is what
the Permanency Pact provides, assurance that someone will be there. Permanency Pacts are not widely known in
Alabama at this time, but there are efforts to spread the word and I’m doing my
part to share the message. </div>
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<b>Click here to download the <a href="https://www.fosterclub.com/sites/default/files/PermPact_0.pdf" target="_blank">Permanency Pact</a> created by Foster Club.</b></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-2857792907636221702017-02-21T07:00:00.000-06:002017-02-21T07:00:17.617-06:00Happy 105th Birthday! <span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-align: center;">In honor of our 105th year, we're sharing some important milestones from our history.</span><br />
<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></b><br />
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<b style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
Did You Know?</span></b><br />
<ul><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LMNjLoFCx0/WKX6_DJtd2I/AAAAAAAACbE/KBQek-l7vXgqB5IssrM0Uq1ZzZmtXKaBACLcB/s1600/Serving%2BAlabama%2Bsince%2B1912_Logos.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0LMNjLoFCx0/WKX6_DJtd2I/AAAAAAAACbE/KBQek-l7vXgqB5IssrM0Uq1ZzZmtXKaBACLcB/s320/Serving%2BAlabama%2Bsince%2B1912_Logos.png" width="320" /></a>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CAS was formed in 1912 by a group of prominent citizens in Birmingham to care for dependent and neglected children in Birmingham and Jefferson County.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The incorporation papers were signed on February 21, 1913.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CAS helped care for children in need before the existence of the Alabama Department of Human Resources.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In 1917, CAS organized as the "Alabama Children's Aid Society" to serve as a state-wide organization.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In 1924, the Children's Aid Society became part of the Community Chest Fund, what is now United Way of Central Alabama.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">One of our former Executive Directors, Will Gaines Holmes, also celebrated her 105th birthday this year.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Immediate past Executive Director, Joyce Greathouse, shares her birthday, February 21, with Children's Aid Society.</span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Thank you for being a part of our 105-year history!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Gratefully accepting birthday gifts!</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/weblink.aspx?name=childrensaid&id=10" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RkO8uf1l7_k/WKX9HpMUnsI/AAAAAAAACbQ/bIEMt6lj7gwlMyqUWpDDoDZU_QSNbTgfACLcB/s1600/Donate.png" /></a></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0px;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-85683301750695825432016-12-08T13:44:00.000-06:002016-12-09T09:59:58.322-06:00Considering the Future For Youth in Foster Care<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">What’s the Point of Adopting a 17-year-old Kid?</span></b><br />
It might be easy to think, “They only have another year and then they’re
out.” </span><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But it's not that simple. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><b>Article by: Jessica Good</b>, </span><i style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Cited from Adoption.com</i><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkJuWQc60kc/WEm2xQzE8sI/AAAAAAAACVo/ghsZU4qBZroi6r9Z1guFmRf2p8_CzoRkQCLcB/s1600/Whats-the-Point-of-Adopting-a-17-year-old-Kid-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KkJuWQc60kc/WEm2xQzE8sI/AAAAAAAACVo/ghsZU4qBZroi6r9Z1guFmRf2p8_CzoRkQCLcB/s400/Whats-the-Point-of-Adopting-a-17-year-old-Kid-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A quick story about young-adult me: When I was in
college, I got a scholarship and grants to cover most of my tuition. I worked
the night shift at a grocery store to pay for insurance, transportation, and my
phone, and I took my classes during the day. At one point, I got into a car
that cost much, much more to maintain than I had anticipated. I was at a loss—I
needed a car to get to campus, I was working as much as I could while still
leaving time for class, and I didn’t have enough money to keep my car running.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Insert mom and dad. They helped me trade the car for
something more reliable, and paid the difference. They stepped in so that I
could have the transportation and the time I needed to attend class. I thanked
them endlessly, stayed in school, and graduated on time. The end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s not a terribly noteworthy story, and it comes from a
person who has always had the security of a family backing me up. But, in
researching for this article, I considered what the outcome might have been had
I found myself in that situation, at 18, with no parents to help me. Honestly,
something as ordinary as a high-maintenance car that I couldn’t afford could
have meant dropping out of school and losing my scholarship.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But that’s the thing<b>...</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My parents helped me apply for that scholarship in the first place. They helped me study for my SATs, helped me decide on a school, and helped me apply for jobs. I lived at home to save on housing costs. I grew up knowing security and protection. When it comes down to it, it is impossible for me to imagine what my life might have been like at 18 without the influence of my parents, because they helped me, quite literally, all the time. I knew that if I failed, they would help me recover and move on. I just knew it. And I still know it. So how could I ever fully understand living without that?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s an impossible hypothetical for someone who has not lived with an utter lack of support.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In 2012 in the United States, 23,439 children in foster care “aged out” before finding a forever family.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That’s 64 kids a day who turned 18—a rite of passage that should be relished and celebrated—and found themselves alone. No support. No family to fall back on. No one to help with the bills or to bail them out of a bad situation like so many parents have done for so many young adults throughout time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think it might be easy, when considering adoption, to think “Oh, they’re 17 . . . they only have another year and then they’re out” and turn attention to a child with more time left in the system. It might seem to make better sense.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">But whether or not it makes sense doesn’t much matter to the thousands of kids who face the world with no family, no support system, no security net.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Less than 3% of those “aged out” kids failed by the system will earn a degree, but 75% will deal with post-traumatic stress disorder.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">More than two thirds of the young women will be pregnant by their 21st birthday.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Half of them still won’t have jobs six full years after being emancipated.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The most unsettling statistic of all: 20% will find themselves homeless. 20%. That means that the emancipated teens of 2012 will result in over 4,600 homeless young adults.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That is staggering. Truly.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Imagine what help with college applications and SAT prep would mean to one of the teenagers in care. Imagine what it would mean for a parent to step in and say “I think you need help and we’re going to find it together.” Just think of what could happen if someone sat down with them and helped fill out job applications and practiced for interviews.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The difference a dedicated parent can make in the life of a child is no less significant if that child is 17 days old or 17 years old. And to a child who has endured the trauma of being permanently removed from the care of his or her biological family, who was placed into state care with the expectation that they would be given a more secure, safer situation, the need for that protection is all the more urgent.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Adopting a 17-year-old isn’t about giving them the childhood they never had crammed into one year; it’s about giving them a family to turn to for the rest of their life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And we never, ever outgrow the need for a family.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: "helvetica neue", arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://adoption.com/whats-the-point-of-adopting-a-17-year-old-kid"><span style="color: purple;">Click here</span></a><span class="apple-converted-space"> </span>to read the full article from Jessica Good at adoption.com. </b></div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-80600917302228834232016-10-21T15:45:00.000-05:002016-12-06T15:55:39.804-06:00Hungry and Hoarding<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-954W6y-Cr9s/WAk_kAOgOGI/AAAAAAAACUQ/eENU5C4E7-QXdhy32IIkw84uX892ArepgCLcB/s1600/tumblr_n8psyhBAg61slhhf0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-954W6y-Cr9s/WAk_kAOgOGI/AAAAAAAACUQ/eENU5C4E7-QXdhy32IIkw84uX892ArepgCLcB/s320/tumblr_n8psyhBAg61slhhf0o1_1280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Surprisingly
food “issues” are one of the most common and easily solvable challenges that we
see, as APAC Counselors working with adopted children. To understand how to treat hoarding behavior
it is important to first understand the primary cause behind it. Children that
have experienced early neglect will often fixate on food because their brain is
constantly reminding them of when they were hungry. They could have just eaten
a large, delicious, well balanced meal and 10 minutes later you could “catch”
this same child stealing/hoarding/eating more food when they could not possibly
be hungry. Please know that it is not a result of a conscious decision to
hoard/steal/hide/the food, nor are they choosing to disobey/defy you - <i>this is purely the survival portion of their
brain dictating their actions</i>. In fact, when they are in this mindset,
there is little to no engagement from the frontal cortex which is the
executive/decision making portion of the brain. This is purely a survival
tactic. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">The solution</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">:</span> Access,
access, access. The last thing we want to do is limit food, which further
perpetuates feelings of shame, fear, and insecurity which drives the resulting
maladaptive behaviors such as stealing and hoarding to ever increasing levels.<br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">What</span></span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>we recommend</b>: </span>Provide two “YES” baskets
of food. One that sits on the dining room table/kitchen counter, the other
placed in their bedroom along with a bottle of water. These baskets should be
filled with healthy, appropriate snacks: apples, oranges, bananas, trail mix,
dried bananas, dried apples, peanuts, etc. The child/children are able to
access this food <b><i>at any time</i></b>. They do not have to ask permission to have some,
nor are they ever told “no” that they cannot have a snack. If mom/dad is
literally five seconds from serving dinner and that child grabs a baggy of
peanuts, parents need to be ok with that. No comments, no correction, no
sighing….no reaction. For this behavior to dissipate, the message has to be
clearly communicated to the child that they will always have access to food. This
may require quite a bit of deep breathing from the parent in the beginning, but
remind yourself each time you see them taking food from the basket that they
are in fact healing their brain and also that everything they are eating is
healthy….so no harm done. <br /><br /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: large;">What you may
see: </span></span></b><span style="line-height: 107%;">The first day the child may eat every scrap of food in those
baskets. The second day the child may eat every scrap of food in those baskets.
The third day they child may eat every scrap of food in those baskets. But I
assure you, if this intervention is done correctly you will quite quickly see
that food is no longer an issue for your kiddo. Once the signal to the brain is
sufficiently received, this behavior can (and usually does) disappear for good.
However, in order for this to work there are two critical elements to remember:</span></span></div>
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<li><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">The baskets have to remain full at all times</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">. Make
Costco your new best friend. You need to always have a stash of backup in your
home so that you can keep it filled. The minute you allow the basket to be
empty the effect is severely diminished.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;"><b style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="line-height: 107%;">It has to always be a YES</span></b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 107%; text-indent: -0.25in;">. You cannot
say no, at any time, for any reason. It can never be punitive, or taken away or
discouraged. When this strategy is first implemented into your home it is
important to have a short conversation with the child regarding the new policy
in your home. “Hey sweet girl, dad and I have been talking and we decided
something new! You may have anything you want from these two baskets at any
time and you don’t even have to ask permission! Even if you wake up in the
night and you are hungry you may have anything you want from your baskets.”
Etc.…</span></span></li>
</ol>
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0-dB1zvwDk/WApzABdxgDI/AAAAAAAACU0/Dk53Fx-dS_Q9xauwIxh4SeVw68bRke5hgCLcB/s1600/love%2Bme%2Bfeed%2Bme.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-v0-dB1zvwDk/WApzABdxgDI/AAAAAAAACU0/Dk53Fx-dS_Q9xauwIxh4SeVw68bRke5hgCLcB/s200/love%2Bme%2Bfeed%2Bme.jpg" width="140" /></a>Also, here
is a wonderful book, “Love me, Feed me” by Rowell Katja, MD, that is available
in the <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apaclibrary" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -24px;">APAC Resource Library for free</a><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -24px;">! Or find it on </span><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Love-Me-Feed.../dp/0615691315" style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -24px;">Amazon</a><span style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -24px;">.</span><br />
<div style="text-indent: -24px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: inherit;">As always,
the APAC Counseling staff is here for you! We are more than happy to help out
by answering questions and are a great resource as you navigate the
complexities of raising a child from a hard place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="font-family: inherit; text-indent: -0.25in;"><br />-Sonia Martin, MSW, LGSW</i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: inherit;">APAC Family Counselor</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText" style="text-align: left;">
<a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/B6eY_ZDpk5ddQiAgpHbZGBz6UKTeMXk9Kix94nc78IupHFz38xJtJVlyf9W6RRfX3vCrEfDm5NB2vQ03ZWX0z56ydNxzTSWCTqM0wWJbdGzka8mYYbuDZkZUUKshyWkXxbX9SoPUCelEI9Sjdq8" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: right;"><img border="0" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" height="64" style="border: 0px;" width="320" /></a></div>
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</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WP97K7G_nu8/WAk_F6tCpjI/AAAAAAAACUM/fnQ8PXwUfCMQZwfSluaNwzg_vjABJw7xwCLcB/s1600/FullSizeRender%2BSonia%2BMartin%2B10.2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WP97K7G_nu8/WAk_F6tCpjI/AAAAAAAACUM/fnQ8PXwUfCMQZwfSluaNwzg_vjABJw7xwCLcB/s200/FullSizeRender%2BSonia%2BMartin%2B10.2016.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<i style="text-indent: -24px;">Sonia Martin is our APAC Family Counselor in Montgomery. She is also a seasoned adoptive mom, with seven boys! If you would like to get connected to our free APAC Counseling service, call 866.803.2722.</i></div>
<br />
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<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2Fi1019.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Faf319%2Flaralheis%2FCustom%2520Designs%2FPremades%2F7034bb85.png&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/proxy/B6eY_ZDpk5ddQiAgpHbZGBz6UKTeMXk9Kix94nc78IupHFz38xJtJVlyf9W6RRfX3vCrEfDm5NB2vQ03ZWX0z56ydNxzTSWCTqM0wWJbdGzka8mYYbuDZkZUUKshyWkXxbX9SoPUCelEI9Sjdq8" -->Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-13937769746617390802016-10-13T17:34:00.000-05:002016-10-19T14:32:13.180-05:00Parenting Outside of the Box <span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ve heard many people say the life they have now is not at
all what they thought it would be when they were younger, you know, the time
when they used to dream big dreams. When my husband, Jeremy, and I married 13
years ago, we were ready to take on the world, we envisioned many things for
our lives, one being that we both desired to grow our family through adopting
older children.</span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMCJiR5ilHk/V9myNftAymI/AAAAAAAACOA/LSAWYkKSb-EDIkmXkq6k5sMWPKOINhxPQCPcB/s1600/page%2B1%2Bphoto.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xMCJiR5ilHk/V9myNftAymI/AAAAAAAACOA/LSAWYkKSb-EDIkmXkq6k5sMWPKOINhxPQCPcB/s320/page%2B1%2Bphoto.png" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h2>
<em><span style="color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">~The Sauder Family~</span></em></h2>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Life rolled along with careers and unexpected fertility
issues. We endured the loss of a baby through miscarriage and learned what it
meant to grieve something you never had the opportunity to fully know. God
heard my cries in the night for children and often I begged him for twins.
Almost a decade of infertility guided us back gently to our original desire-
adopt older children. I would learn later how God used our sorrow in the
infertility, waiting and uncertainty to soften our hearts towards children we could
adopt who would know more than a thing or two about grieving loss. He would
show us how we could use all of these things to better know our family and
identify what we were prepared to offer children who came from hurt places. We
would need this perspective in order to become loss and attachment
experts…meaning as you go through your own pain you realize you can build on
your strengths, ask for help with your needs and have the compassion to open
your eyes to someone else’s pain.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We discovered we could work together in partnership through
the wonderful services of APAC and were drawn to the children available for
adoption. Learning all we could from the GPS (adoption preparation classes)
offered, we were excited, nervous, overwhelmed, terrified. We took things to
heart, every good and bad story and all the what-ifs, truly ensuring we got to
know the children waiting for us. The ponderings were endless as we assessed
the impact this would mean for our family… What would our child/children be
like? We knew we could provide the crucial necessities like help them build
self-esteem and assure their health and safety…But could we also effectively
communicate God’s love to them? Could we be patient, offer a listening ear and
not be defensive as the child grieved his/her past?<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I remember the night we found the boys’ profile on the
computer. It was a gentle whisper in our hearts that led us to inquire about
them. Armed with all the information we had learned and leaning on the prayers
of friends and family, we felt assured we were making the best informed
decision for our family. And deep in our hearts, we just knew this was “it.” We
were thankful beyond words to be matched to twin fraternal boys, 7 years old,
full of life. As we all adjusted to being a family of four, there were many
times I marveled at how we had been perfectly matched to our children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Becoming instant parents to 7 year olds has its unique set
of challenges and more days than not I ask for their forgiveness when I screw
up in parenting and we grow, learn, try to communicate effectively and work at
this thing called life together. Parenting also opened my eyes to see when you
talk of managing behaviors that definitely includes starting with your own.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Following the adoption of our boys, a few years later we
attempted fertility treatments. Since God is in the business of doing more that
we imagine, I gave birth this past October to our second set of fraternal
twins. I believe the sweetest part of this is that both of my big boys prayed
unceasingly for more siblings. One boy prayed for sisters, another prayed for
brothers. So God gave them a boy and a girl.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">My oldest children are my heroes. They have taught me how to
both embrace, remember and honor the past and still enjoy the present and
future. That you can love and belong to many people, and that connections to
those we have loved never die and they never should.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And so to those who think big dreams are only for the young,
I would say that it is less about age and more about follow through. That life
isn’t what you expect but cherish the ride. That somebody somewhere needs your
story. For when God places a desire deep in your soul, He intends for it to be
nurtured, sought out and explored. And maybe when you embrace your own story,
you can open your heart to others who do not yet have a voice and are just
waiting to be heard.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
<em></em></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><em>- Tonya Sauder, Adoptive Parent</em></span><br />
<em></em><br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DA9OqXsBTc/V_-t98swzkI/AAAAAAAACT8/IJMMEXELJ5s2V8IxPcFdjDhARb2a3dunACPcB/s1600/tonya100.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8DA9OqXsBTc/V_-t98swzkI/AAAAAAAACT8/IJMMEXELJ5s2V8IxPcFdjDhARb2a3dunACPcB/s1600/tonya100.png" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tonya is the parent moderator for our </span><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac/apac-adoption-network-facebook-group/apac-facebook-group.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">APAC Adoptive Parent Facebook group</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">! If you are an adoptive parent living in Alabama, and
would like to join in the conversation, receive encouragement and gain support
from other adoptive parents, join our group! For more information on how to get
connected, email Tonya at </span><a href="mailto:tsauder@childrensaid.org"><span style="font-family: inherit;">tsauder@childrensaid.org</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> or visit our site, </span><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac/apac-adoption-network-facebook-group/apac-facebook-group.html"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.childrensaid.org/apac</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "calibri";"><em><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></span></span></span></em></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">If you or someone you know is interested in adoption,
contact our APAC Adoption Support Team, 1-866-4-AL-KIDS or visit our website,
</span><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac"><span style="font-family: inherit;">www.childrensaid.org/apac</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-33418260983987556332016-10-07T17:27:00.004-05:002016-10-07T17:27:32.809-05:00Nine Hundred and Forty Saturdays<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrTWh7rm6oU/V_gfvP1oQfI/AAAAAAAACTc/bcUYbU8OTjAnt2-2-11D7cZk91MVp-8sACLcB/s1600/940%2Bsaturdays.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jrTWh7rm6oU/V_gfvP1oQfI/AAAAAAAACTc/bcUYbU8OTjAnt2-2-11D7cZk91MVp-8sACLcB/s320/940%2Bsaturdays.png" width="320" /></a></div>
For families with busy schedules including work, school and extra-curricular activities, time together is often hard to come by. Parents finding quality time to spend with their children can be quite a challenge. Although it is difficult to make time to spend with our children, it is critical to do so! Children long to spend meaningful time with their parents. There is a famous quote by Dr. Anthony P. Witham that we all know rings true, “children spell love…T-I-M-E.” Simply put, children equate time spent with them as being loved. I read an article recently which stated there are only 940 Saturdays between a child’s birth and his/her departure for college or the work force. While 940 sounds like plenty, the article went on to say that if the child is 5 years old, 260 Saturdays are already gone! Time can slip by quickly and we need to realize it is not unlimited. We need to make the most of what we have. Below are a few things to keep in mind as we do life with our precious children:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1y0vPpIid8/V_ggSu3XZMI/AAAAAAAACTg/9U0WNof7a_8REVJ6pvRGbhTMYYq-UE98QCLcB/s1600/family%2Bholding%2Bup%2Bboy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A1y0vPpIid8/V_ggSu3XZMI/AAAAAAAACTg/9U0WNof7a_8REVJ6pvRGbhTMYYq-UE98QCLcB/s320/family%2Bholding%2Bup%2Bboy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<b>Don’t mistake care taking tasks as quality time.</b> Sometimes we can be so busy doing things for our kids cooking, cleaning, laundry-that we stop doing things with our kids. Find one-on-one time with each of your children, even if it is only a few minutes each day. Making that connection is essential and can be an important investment in the relationship. If you find yourself buried in laundry, involve your child in helping you complete the chore as you engage with them about their interests and their day.<br />
<br />
<b>Avoid distractions.</b> Spending time together quickly loses its value if the parent is distracted. Avoiding distractions can be difficult with phone calls and texts vying for our attention. Remember, we are teaching our children how to be in a relationship. What message are we sending our children about their value if they are always losing out to a cell phone? Some families have implemented device-free times so that family members can focus on each other without distractions.<br />
<br />
<b>Be intentional</b>—teach lessons along the way. Look for little moments throughout the day to teach lessons and instill values in your child. In everyday situations, make sure they understand what really matters to you. It is often in small moments that big lessons can be taught. Who better to teach them than you?<br />
<br />
<b>Make it fun</b>—be in the moment. Let’s face it—sometimes as adults, we take things too seriously. It is important that we enjoy the moment and simply be present with our children. Look at the world with childlike wonder. It’s fun to play games, create, and pretend along with our children. A little silliness can go a long way! As the parent, we set the emotional tone in the household. Children most definitely take their cues from us.<br />
<br />
As a parent, finding time to spend with your children will be difficult. Yet we are compelled to make it happen when we realize that spending time with our child communicates that we love them and that they matter to us. This is vital to raising happy, healthy children. Isn’t that what it’s all about?<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
- Robbie Shockey, M.S.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
APAC Family Support Worker</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<img src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0px currentColor; text-align: left;" /><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -13.457pt;"><span style="font-family: candara;"><em><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">If you or someone you know is interested in adoption, contact our APAC Adoption Support Team, </span></em></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-indent: -13.457pt;"><span style="font-family: candara;"><em><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1-866-4-AL-KIDS or visit our </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">website</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, </span></em></span></span><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac" style="font-family: candara; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -13.457pt;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><em>www.childrensaid.org/apac</em></span></a><span style="font-family: candara; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -13.457pt;"><em>. </em></span></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-79146357680973846882015-11-23T14:59:00.000-06:002016-10-19T14:08:46.688-05:00Fostering New Beginnings<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEmsZFiAp-8/VlN8N02WcdI/AAAAAAAABy4/TCg8LIenNEc/s1600/fostering%2Bnew%2Bbeginnings.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HEmsZFiAp-8/VlN8N02WcdI/AAAAAAAABy4/TCg8LIenNEc/s200/fostering%2Bnew%2Bbeginnings.png" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt;">According to the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), over half of the children adopted from foster care were adopted by their foster parents. Many of these families are inspired to continue fostering other children after the adoption is finalized. Preparing for and adjusting to having new foster children enter the home is no small task for adoptive parents. There are numerous considerations parents need to have when deciding to foster after adoption. However, unfortunately there is no “cookie-cutter” recipe for success as every child and family dynamic is different. So how do parents actually pull it off? We decided to do some informal research by asking parents and professionals what they see as the keys to their success:</span><br />
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;"><br /></span>
<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">ü</span><span style="width: 6.25pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Ensure that your current family system is settled.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> Foster children need parents who can listen, connect, and be responsive in order to meet all of their needs. If you feel stretched thin or always “on your heels,” then the fostering process will not be as successful. This falls on you to know when your family is emotionally and behaviorally stable before adding more factors that can contribute to dysregulation. It is not only permissible but important that adoptive families are stabilized and attached prior to fostering again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 22.2055pt; mso-level-font-family: Wingdings; mso-level-indent: 13.4578pt; mso-level-number-format: bullet; mso-level-size: 10.0pt; mso-level-text: ü; mso-pagination: none; text-indent: -13.4578pt;">
<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">ü</span><span style="width: 6.25pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Open and constant communication between the adults is vital.</span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt;"> The adults need to be in constant communication so that confusion and mixed messages are minimal. This begins with the parents being on the same page as you set the tone for the household emotional climate. There also needs to be open and honest communication between you and the social worker throughout the fostering process. The social worker will oftentimes know very little going in; however, the sharing of what is known can help you more adequately prepare for and adjust to the changes ahead. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="direction: ltr; font-family: "wingdings"; font-size: 10pt; unicode-bidi: embed;">ü</span><span style="width: 6.25pt;"> </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: bold;">Open and constant communication within the family. </span><span lang="en-US" style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt;">One parent explained that they sit down with their children individually ahead of time to talk about how they feel about bringing a child into their home. They also facilitate a weekly “talk around the table” where every person can say what he/she wants to say in a safe environment. She commented, “If the kids don’t feel comfortable, then the whole family isn’t comfortable.” She feels these family discussions are vital to their success as a foster family.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="text-indent: -13.457pt;"><span style="font-family: "candara";"><em><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">If you or someone you know is interested in adoption, contact our APAC Adoption Support Team, </span></em></span></span><span style="text-indent: -13.457pt;"><span style="font-family: "candara";"><em><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">1-866-4-AL-KIDS or visit our </span><span style="font-size: 14px;">website</span><span style="font-size: 10.5pt;">, </span></em></span></span><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac" style="font-family: candara; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -13.457pt;"><span style="color: #5588aa;"><em>www.childrensaid.org/apac</em></span></a><span style="font-family: "candara"; font-size: 10.5pt; text-indent: -13.457pt;"><em>. </em></span></div>
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care of yourself doesn’t mean you don’t care about your children, it means you
do! APAC is hosting an exciting event in the Birmingham area for adoptive
parents. This fun and relaxing weekend will be a great opportunity for parents
to get away and enjoy time together while learning about topics related specifically
to adoptive parenting.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Better
Together," our FREE retreat for will help adoptive parent’s explore the deep
value of family and community, while connecting together. Join us the evening
of Friday, September 25 beginning at 6:00 pm and all day Saturday, September 26
until 5:00 pm, at <a href="https://www.google.com/maps/dir//The+Church+at+Brook+Hills,+3145+Brook+Highland+Pkwy,+Birmingham,+AL+35242,+United+States/@33.4281344,-86.6692931,17z/data=!4m12!1m3!3m2!1s0x88891642c5c41d31:0x3e7a233d37a51cb0!2sThe+Church+at+Brook+Hills!4m7!1m0!1m5!1m1!1s0x88891642c5c41d31:0x3e7a233d37a51cb0!2m2!1d-86.6692931!2d33.4281344" target="_blank">The Church at Brook Hills</a> (Student Center) in Birmingham. (<a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac-events" target="_blank">Register here</a>.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">We
are very excited about our speakers and the sessions that have been lined
up for this weekend! The workshops will cover the following topics:</span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>How do I take
care of me without hurting attachment? Taking care of yourself doesn’t mean you
don’t care about your children, it means you do. </em></span></div>
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<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Hungry for
time as a family? Learn how to get the whole family involved in the cooking
process.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Find out what
it means to Keep Calm and change the future for your children!</em></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>One of the
most essential aspects of any relationship is listening. Find out how to explore
a deeper way of listening that can reduce defensiveness, promote honesty, and
lead to effortless solutions.</em></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Permed hair,
kinky curls or straight locks? Experience hands on training how you can have
your African-American child “rockin” their best hair in the healthiest way.</em></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>It’s often
said that the best camera is the one you have with you! Learn all about how to
get the best images from your smartphone!</em></span></div>
</li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[endif]--><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><em>Why is
creating a safe place for your child so important and how can it benefit your
relationship with them? Come learn all about connecting with your child by
creating felt safety.<o:p></o:p></em></span></div>
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</ul>
<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Find
out more information about the sessions and register for this free event on our
website <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac-events">www.childrensaid.org/apac-events</a></span><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">. For questions,
connect with our event coordinator, Robbie Shockey, rshockey@childrensaid.org
or call 256-539-5828.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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</span><span><em>Please note that child care will not be provided at this
event. It is our hope that this will be a time of rest and rejuvenation
for parents</em>!<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">We
l</span>ook forward to seeing you there!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/childrensaid?fref=nf" target="_blank">#bettertogether</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Century Gothic",sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">#AdoptiveParentRetreat</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac-events"><img alt="www.childrensaid.org/apac-events" border="0" height="115" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-okD2lHMafgg/VfsrZoa04bI/AAAAAAAABgU/Bjl0N6o-xJw/s400/better%2Btogether%2Bbanner%2Bjpg.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-76036069641053611522015-04-08T17:14:00.000-05:002015-04-08T17:39:15.329-05:00Bringing Home Bradley: One Adoptive Mom's StoryAny parent can tell you, having a new child come into your life changes <i>everything</i>. For the Jenks family their story is no different, other than the way Bradley came into their lives. Instead of waiting nine months to deliver, they waited four years to adopt! They expected the best and the worst, and still could not have anticipated the amount of love and joy that would transpire with bringing a child into their family through adoption.<br />
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Anna Jenks, along with her husband, chose to obtain training and preparation classes and to have their adoption homestudy written through <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;">APAC</span></a>, a program of <span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/" target="_blank">Children’s Aid Society</a>. </span>She is now sharing her journey with others so they can see what an amazing process it has been and to bring awareness to the 250+ children that are currently in the custody of the Department of Human Resources and are still in need of a forever family.<br />
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A segment of their story, <i><span style="font-size: large;">"<a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/bradley/bradleys-story.html" target="_blank">If It Weren't For Bradley</a>"</span></i> was featured on our website as part of our Family Stories series. More recently, Mrs. Jenks shared her story for the cover article of our <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/news_events/newsletters.html" target="_blank">APAC Newsletter</a>. Here's how their family journey began:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rb-xk9vkgE/VR78uHFi7mI/AAAAAAAABWc/UW8LDBKL5RM/s1600/QUAD%2BBradley's%2Bfamily%2Bwith%2BINFO.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Rb-xk9vkgE/VR78uHFi7mI/AAAAAAAABWc/UW8LDBKL5RM/s1600/QUAD%2BBradley%27s%2Bfamily%2Bwith%2BINFO.jpg" height="400" width="398" /></a></div>
<i>We waited years for Bradley, four years to be exact. We got discouraged and
plans changed over time but we were answering a call and knew it would work out
eventually. Our daughter, Julie, was four years old when we started our
adoption journey. She was all for it and prayed daily for the arrival of “her
baby brother” even though I had always pictured a little girl. We had
considered going the international route but after years of the ups and downs
we decided that we needed to look back into state adoption.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac" target="_blank">APAC </a>helped us during the transition
and having them on our side was so special. The ten-week classes were helpful and I liked how it was set up each week. The paperwork was made so much more
manageable because it was on the same topic as what we discussed in class.
After we finished the home study process and were approved we were put onto the
wait list to be matched.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We waited and waited but we still had not heard anything. I actually started
a new job because it was taking so long. And then it happened. We got the call
from DHR about a child, our child. Our Bradley.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>We didn’t know what to think when we went to meet Bradley for the first
time. Julie saw him first. She was eight years old now and as soon as she saw
him she turned to me and said, “Mom, he is exactly how I pictured him! That is
exactly how I knew he would look!” He didn’t look anything like the second
daughter I had imagined but her statement immediately brought tears to my eyes,
it still does.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>Adjusting was hard for all of us but everyone was determined for Bradley to
be part of our family. Trust came slowly with each passing day but eventually
it was like he had always been with us. He always had been a part of us.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i></i><i>It has been three years since Bradley became a part of our family. But he has
always been a part of our family because God placed him in our heart long
before we knew him. Much in the same way as you love the child as soon
you know you are pregnant, we have loved Bradley since we first started our
process. We feel very family- complete.</i> </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>When Bradley first came to us and he didn't understand we were keeping him,
I made a story up about just him and me. I would tell it to him every night. It
helped Bradley fantasize what it was going to be like for him today, tomorrow,
and forever. Even though the story made me out to be a silly mamma and involves
boogers (don't ask), it helped me too. Reciting even in a silly way that I was
going to be there forever was very comforting.</i><i> </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>I recommend to everyone to make up a "Happily Ever After" story
to rehearse to your new Forever Child, and I would be glad to help. Write me:
annaejenks@gmail.com.</i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: right;">
<i><i>- Anna Jenks, </i><i>Adoptive Mother</i></i></div>
</blockquote>
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_________________________________________</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about the adoption process</i></span> <i style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">please call:</i></span></div>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> <b>1-866-4-AL-KIDS</b>.</span></i></div>
</blockquote>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i style="color: #351c75; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;">You can also see photos and videos of some of the “waiting children” at our partner’s website:</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><a href="http://www.heartgalleryalabama.com/"><span style="color: #351c75;">www.heartgalleryalabama.com</span></a><span style="color: #351c75;">.</span></span></i></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-16908023121367466772015-03-30T06:00:00.000-05:002015-03-30T06:00:10.129-05:00One Social Worker's Path<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">To end our series highlighting social workers, <b>Rita Friga</b>, a social worker at Children's Aid Society, shares her path to becoming the social worker she is today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When I decided to become a social worker, I thought I knew where my focus would be. I had no idea that fate would step in and alter it. After my first job in my field of specialty of Employee Assistance (EAP), my course changed and I became an advocate for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. As it happens, it was exactly where I was meant to be. </span></div>
<br />Through a series of changes and luck, I find myself advocating for children in the child welfare system who are victims of abuse. I also often become an advocate for the parents, who have a high probability of being abuse victims themselves. <br /><br />Working with trauma victims has been happening for a long time. However, studies showing the impact of trauma on child development are relatively new, along with skilled instruction in helping victims heal from trauma. This is the basis of Trauma Informed Care, a practice embraced by Children’s Aid Society. <br /><br />To be successful advocates, the best chance of helping our victims is to provide trauma informed services. This is relatively new approach and is in high demand. <br /><br />Often we head to school, thinking we know where we want to focus. As I did, many social workers end up following a different course through choice or accident. I encourage new social workers to take a look at the area of Trauma Informed Care. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /><b>What I’ve learned about childhood trauma’s impact on society is astounding! To learn more about it, review the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) at <a href="http://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/">http://acestoohigh.com/got-your-ace-score/</a>. You can even get your own ACE score. </b></span><img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0px;" /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-24837517445161521782015-03-24T07:30:00.000-05:002015-03-24T07:30:02.740-05:00An Intern's Perspective<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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In honor of Social Worker’s Month, Children’s Aid Society is posting articles written from the perspectives of social workers at different points in their career. Meet Caleigh Alevy, a social work student at the University of Alabama. Caleigh is an intern with the Project Independence Program at Children’s Aid Society. Read what she is learning about social work while serving clients at CAS.<br />
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My education, both on campus and online, has been helpful in preparing me for my internship. <i>Social Work Practice with Individuals and Families</i> has especially helped me in working with my clients in Project Independence. My top two priorities when counseling my clients have been to meet my clients “where they are at” and to “help them help themselves”. <br />
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My internship is teaching me dynamics that can only be learned with face-to-face training and experience. The time that my supervisor takes to review what is expected of me, what needs improvement, and what has been achieved is providing me with the desired education for a social work career. Receiving an A in my classes is one achievement, but working one-on-one with my clients and my supervisor is teaching me how to be the best social worker that I can be. While I still have a lot to learn, I am being given tools for optimal growth in serving clients and society, as well as working with colleagues and supervisors. <br />
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The most surprising thing I’ve learned from working in Project Independence is how cyclical the (teen pregnancy and homelessness) epidemic is. Most clients report being brought up primarily by a grandparent. Our clients come to us pregnant or as young moms that are now homeless because their parent or grandparent can no longer support them. These young moms want an opportunity to improve their lives and their children’s lives. Many times their role models during childhood did not set a good example or stable environment which plays a role in their resistance to change. This makes the work that we do more challenging. Our clients need strong, patient mentors who believe in them and encourage them to make strides toward successful, independent lifestyles. Project Independence prioritizes education and job training for the young moms. Attending a parenting class is also a requirement. The hope is that after 18 months, the client will be able to support herself and her child and move forward confidently in life. Their life experience makes it a challenge to help them overcome negative habits over the course of the 18 month program. Our goal is to help our clients know that with hard work, they CAN succeed in their efforts. <br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-215464416760188872015-03-20T09:00:00.000-05:002015-03-20T10:12:07.331-05:00Happy Retirement, Diane!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On Friday, March 20, 2015, we say Happy Retirement to one
of our most beloved social workers at Children’s Aid Society (CAS). Diane Daffron is
our current Chief Operations Officer whose service at Children’s Aid began in
1981. In her thirty-four years with us, she has exemplified what it means to
have the heart of a social worker. Our staff has many kind words to share about
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"Diane has been the heart and soul of Children's Aid Society. Her passion and dedication will be missed by the staff, the clients, and the community in which she was so involved. Diane always treats everyone with respect, whether they are clients or staff. She always encourages, supports and guides her staff."<br />
<b><i>Audrey Derevenko, LCSW<br />Adoption Support Program Coordinator</i></b><br />
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"What I admire most about Diane is her ability to make staff feel so important and loved. She values staff, their families, and children and has been so supportive of our personal lives, as well as professional. She would do anything for us and always shows us just how much she cares about us. She has taught me what is truly important in life and I am forever grateful."<br />
<i><b>Karla Lawrence, LPC<br />Director of Clinical Operations </b></i><br />
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"Although I am not a Social Worker, Diane has told me many times that I have the heart of one. She always encourages me by being in the trenches with me and not just telling me “what to do.” Her best advice has been to “never ask staff to do anything I won’t do myself. “ This is what live by daily when working with my team members. Diane is CAS…and she sincerely cares for “all” clients and staff. The history and stories she tells about her experience motivates you do go beyond the call of duty when doing your job. As my eyes well up with tears… I will miss her always saying good morning…her always asking how I am doing and how my family is doing…her smile…her advice…I will miss DIANE!!!!!"<br />
<i><b>Nikki Oakes Freeman <br />Independent Living Program Coordinator </b></i><br />
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"I’ll miss her objectivity. I can take ANY scenario to Diane, whether it is client or agency related, and she can always provide insight. And, she does it in a very empowering way. Rather than telling me what to do, she helps me to frame these scenarios within the context of social work ethics and best client practices. I, therefore, come out of each meeting having both a solution to my issue and better skills to make future decisions. Many people can solve others’ problems for them but, it takes a dedicated and patient person to teach someone to make comprehensive and fair decisions. She is also an endless source of knowledge about referrals for clients and staff, for everything from utility assistance to housing to counseling to grant partnerships. At any point, I can ask her about a proposed program or intervention, and she can tell me if CAS has done it and when, and if not, who in the community has done it and when. My coworkers and I often joke about wishing we could just “download” her wealth of knowledge to a computer, as she has so much to ever impart to any one other person!"<br />
<i><b>Catherine Alexander, LGSW<br />Director of Agency Initiatives/PQI </b></i><br />
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"I would describe Diane’s work at CAS and with clients as “all in.” Simply put she puts in 100%, from accompanying me and the Project Independence clients on road trips, to making midnight runs to the apartments to defuse problematic situations. She often works with our foster youth at camps and will take on cleaning up, mopping and other janitorial duties, and even has slept in the lodges when she couldn’t make it home. She truly has the mindset of “I wouldn’t ask you to do anything that I wouldn’t do” and that’s what I will miss the most about her, along with her caring spirit of course."<br />
<i><b>Erika J. Williams, LGSW <br />Program Coordinator </b></i><br />
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"Diane is a consummate social worker and wears many hats but remains loyal to her roots of service and caring."<br />
<i><b>Kathy Hummel, MSW, LCSW, PIP <br />APAC Regional Coordinator </b></i><br />
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"Watching Diane’s energy and enthusiasm all day and into the night with the children at Camp APAC never ceases to inspire and amaze me. She is always smiling and supportive of all, whether at breakfast early in the day or at the evening activities! She made a difference in the lives of many children and all of our staff."<br />
<i><b>Debra Hawk Finley, LCSW, PIP <br />APAC Program Director</b></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;">"</span>I can always count on Diane to have my back. She has been my biggest supporter and advocate. She treats everyone with fairness and respect. Not only does that make her a great co-worker, but also a great social worker. She is also a person of great faith, and I will really miss our Monday morning sermon reviews. Best wishes in your retirement Diane, and God bless!"<br />
<b><i>Denise Cone<br />Vice-President of Human Resources</i></b></div>
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Our CEO sums it up when she says "Diane has the heart, mind, and soul of a social worker. She exemplifies what a good social worker says, does, and is. The social work profession is fortunate to have her as a member, just as Children’s Aid Society has been fortunate to have Diane as a long-time devoted staff member."<br />
<b><i>Gayle Watts, LCSW<br />Chief Operating Officer</i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Best Wishes, Diane......you will be missed!!!</span></i></b></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-30408914907280845252015-03-17T11:17:00.003-05:002015-03-17T11:28:00.522-05:00Honoring Social Worker's Month - March 2015<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">As an employee of social service organization, </span>I would like to say thank you to <span style="font-family: inherit;">the social workers and counselors that represent Children's Aid Society around the state. Thank you for the countless hours of hard work and dedication to the clients and families that you serve each and every day. I hear stories from colleagues who are out there daily in the trenches. It is hard work that may feel like it goes unseen, but you give our clients a voice. You are advocating for them and helping them see that they can succeed. You are giving them the resources to make life changes, and from small seeds grow mighty trees. You are planting the seeds of strong and stable families in Alabama. </span><u style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for what you do each and every day serving children and families across the state!</u></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">In honor of Social Worker’s Month, Children’s Aid Society will post articles written from the perspectives of social workers at different points in their career. We hope you enjoy learning more about the differences they are making in our community.</span></div>
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<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0px;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-84391892757045133192014-12-04T17:40:00.000-06:002014-12-04T17:50:36.182-06:00 3,571 Days Waiting for a Family<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Growing up in
foster care can be difficult, especially for those with siblings. Ellen, Nathan
and Brooks spent 9 years, 9 months, and 10 days in Alabama’s foster care system
before they found their forever family. Ellen loves taking pictures with her
new family and sharing about their adoption story. She recently wrote about their
special journey which was published in our <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/file_download/ba7e6521-51d6-4433-b735-e7aa3c1dc5eb" target="_blank">APAC Summer Newsletter</a>.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpKA2WdiiVE/VIDt1cJQtTI/AAAAAAAABLI/I-EojaVQn4U/s1600/photo%2Bbox%2Bkids%2Bbest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mpKA2WdiiVE/VIDt1cJQtTI/AAAAAAAABLI/I-EojaVQn4U/s1600/photo%2Bbox%2Bkids%2Bbest.jpg" height="400" width="395" /></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">By the time twins
Ellen and Nathan were 12 years old, the three children had been in ten
different homes. They knew if they saw their social worker’s car in the driveway
it meant they were moving, again. They never had the chance to say goodbye to
friends, neighbors, favorite teachers or coaches. At times, Ellen even feared
ending up in a life of drugs just like her birth mother, since they didn’t have
a stable home or support system.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">However,
that was not the outcome for Ellen and her siblings! A family in Alabama had
chosen to adopt them! Donna and David had been approved to adopt by the State
of Alabama Department of Human Resources. They were prepared for this moment through
<a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac/adoption/7_steps_to_adoption.html#item3825027">adoption classes</a> and a home study process with <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/apac/">APAC</a>, an adoption program of Children’s Aid
Society. Donna said during their visits with the kids they just “fell in love.”
On December 4, 2012 Ellen, Nathan, and Brooks heard the wonderful words, “You
are officially adopted.” They decorated the car windows that said “Just
Adopted” and people honked as they passed by on their way to and from court.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uhK5fXEgoA/VIDrrDSo-rI/AAAAAAAABK8/Ym4zAOSeNKI/s1600/car%2Bdeco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_uhK5fXEgoA/VIDrrDSo-rI/AAAAAAAABK8/Ym4zAOSeNKI/s1600/car%2Bdeco.jpg" height="148" width="200" /></span></a><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">"At
the courthouse…everybody was so nervous. Then it was over so quickly. When we
got back to our home a bunch of people were inside our house. They all cheered
when we came in. We had a big sign on our front door and balloons. A lot of
people even gave us gifts! It was our first Christmas with a mom and a dad!”
says Ellen.</span></i></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">They used to
worry about never having a family to go to for the holidays or having someone
to comfort them when they were sick. Now after two years, Ellen has five
sisters, one brother, three brother-in-laws, two nieces, three nephews and tons
of cousins, aunts, and uncles they can celebrate with during the holidays! They
love knowing they will always have a family to be there for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Now they want to
help the other 255 children who are waiting in Alabama’s foster care system to
find their forever family too. If you or someone you know is interested in
adopting “<u><span style="color: #2e74b5; mso-themecolor: accent1; mso-themeshade: 191;"><a href="http://www.heartgalleryalabama.com/" target="_blank">Alabama’s Waiting Children</a></span></u>” please call 1-866-4-AL-KIDS.</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/AmyDummierPhotographyandFrames" style="font-family: 'Avenir 45 Book';" target="_blank"><span style="color: #666666;">Photos via Amy Dummier Photography and Frames</span></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX3XRXkI6sc/UqnogZ7PnXI/AAAAAAAAA54/S0dLGaQnLZU/s1600/APAC+Social+Media+Webinar+Square+Button+150+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zX3XRXkI6sc/UqnogZ7PnXI/AAAAAAAAA54/S0dLGaQnLZU/s200/APAC+Social+Media+Webinar+Square+Button+150+copy.jpg" width="200" /></a>Many parents often feel overwhelmed as they try to navigate social media such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat and more. In this training, we'll review where kids are spending most of their social media time (spoiler: it's not Facebook.) We will share with parents how they can stay informed and involved with their kids in healthy ways. We'll outline methods of helping your children make smart decisions and remain safe online. Finally, we will take a closer look at cyberbullying and interactivity.<br />
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<b>Training Objectives: </b><br />
<ul>
<li>Be introduced to the world of social media, exploring where children are spending most of their time online. </li>
<li>Learn healthy ways for parents to stay informed and involved. </li>
<li>Explore methods of helping children make smart decisions to remain safe. </li>
<li>Learn the basics of cyberbullying and interactivity.<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> </b></span></span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday, December 17</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 12:<span style="font-size: large;">0</span>0 pm - 1:00 pm (CST) </b></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>optional Q&A: 1-1:15pm</i></span><b> </b></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/196493450" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Click Here to Register Online</b></span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 CEU available for the following:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Adoptive Parents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Foster Parents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social Workers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Counselors</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>CAS is an approved CE Provider
NBCC #6459 ABSWE #0039. </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nonSW-JQN4Y/UqnpBrlHI4I/AAAAAAAAA6A/NJ9O3w_Yh5s/s1600/464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nonSW-JQN4Y/UqnpBrlHI4I/AAAAAAAAA6A/NJ9O3w_Yh5s/s200/464.jpg" width="100" /></a><i><b>Jamie Golden </b>joined the team at CAS in November 2006. She currently serves as the agency Director of Marketing. A degree from Emory University in 1998 gave her something invaluable: an introduction to the Internet and electronic mail. She graduated and took her Napster account and worked for the Department of Human Resources recruiting foster and adoptive families. In 2000, she dug into LiveJournal and a start-up nonprofit, The Storehouse, where she planned events and ministered to students. In 2004, MySpace and serving as a student minister at Westwood Baptist were dominating Jamie's time. Jamie now splits her social media affection among many: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and her blog, <a href="http://www.jamiesrabbits.com/" target="_blank">Jamie's Rabbits</a>. She also has a real life too. She promises.
</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-50408476472618260222013-12-10T08:43:00.003-06:002013-12-10T08:44:03.440-06:00Birth Parent and Adult Adoptee Support Event<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGcnTAACYKQ/UqcnpDMQhQI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/DuiLUWcLFDM/s1600/Adoption+Support+Holiday+Party+2013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lGcnTAACYKQ/UqcnpDMQhQI/AAAAAAAAA5Y/DuiLUWcLFDM/s640/Adoption+Support+Holiday+Party+2013.jpg" width="418" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Contact Audrey Derevenko at <a href="mailto:adereven@childrensaid.org">adereven@childrensaid.org</a> or 205-943-5343 for more information.</i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-79644384351156550402013-12-03T10:08:00.000-06:002013-12-03T10:08:01.135-06:00Giving Tuesday: Consider Children's Aid<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdlDkk3zhBI/Up4BKqjt34I/AAAAAAAAA44/RTDXV49MhJ0/s1600/GivingTuesday-is-December-3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RdlDkk3zhBI/Up4BKqjt34I/AAAAAAAAA44/RTDXV49MhJ0/s320/GivingTuesday-is-December-3+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Today is #GivingTuesday, a national day of giving to help jumpstart the annual holiday season. With #GivingTuesday, we'll harness the power of social media to celebrate the great American spirit of contribution.<br />
<br />
Please <strong>consider for a moment the families living in Alabama</strong>
who lack the resources to provide for their children's basic needs.
Children who lack these essentials struggle in school, and eventually
can make a series of poor choices for their lives.<br />
<br />
These choices can have far-reaching consequences - not only on the
children themselves, but on the strength of our families and communities
as a whole.<br />
<br />
Here is your <strong>opportunity to contribute to a better life for these children, and to invest in the future of Alabama.</strong>
Your investment will not only help children and families in need right
now, but will also help prevent these problems from occurring in the
future.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/support_us/donate_now.html" target="_blank">Make your gift now</a> and make the difference for a child - forever.</b><br />
<br />
<i>Children's Aid a 501(c)(3) organization. </i><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-68104904834253997162013-11-14T11:07:00.000-06:002013-11-14T11:07:29.761-06:00Runaway Prevention: Letter to the Editor<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="146" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1jHK9MDe_iw/UoUDAQLuiTI/AAAAAAAAA3o/XSF4WT0U6_M/s400/November+Runaway+Prevention.JPG" width="400" /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
November is National Runaway Prevention Month, which aims to
raise awareness in our local communities about runaway and homeless youth and
seek solutions to prevent this growing issue. For years, three local agencies
including Family Connection, Children’s Aid Society, and JCCEO have specialized
in serving these young people and have worked collectively, along with other
partner agencies throughout AL, to meet the needs of youth that run away from
their homes and often become homeless.</div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Youth run away for a variety of reasons. They either run
towards a person or situation that draws them, or run away from a person or
situation that seems hopeless. Rarely do we see youth in our programs that have
run away or become homeless as a result of thrill-seeking. Running away is most
often a means of escape, which can lead to a multitude of other unwanted and
unanticipated challenges that vulnerable young people are not prepared to face.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Once a young person leaves home, they have few legal means
by which they can earn enough money to meet basic needs, due to their age. Many
find that exchanging sex for food, clothing, and shelter is their only chance
of survival. Many drop out of school. Living without supervision, nurturance,
and support, these youth are at the highest risk of being exploited by adults
and in turn, victimizing others. We now know that these youth are prime human
trafficking victims. Aside from victimization, these young people face
school-failure, long-term homelessness, delinquent activities, drug dependency,
pregnancy, and sometimes death.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Please join us in our efforts to prevent youth from seeking
risky solutions to their feelings of hopelessness. Through our professional
experience and through years of research, we know that youth who feel connected
in school, to their families, to their friends, to communities of faith, and to
other healthy adult role models are less likely to solve their problems by
running away. Each of us has a vital role to play in the lives of young people
we come into contact with on a regular basis. The value of appropriate adult
care and connection cannot be underestimated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>Gayle Watts, LCSW</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i>CAS Executive Director </i></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-61953734379871270882013-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:002013-11-01T06:00:12.660-05:00National Adoption Month Activities<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRdmn8MdNqY/UnKr0sn0wgI/AAAAAAAAA2o/qqwZr8p4ewY/s1600/header_201211062.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRdmn8MdNqY/UnKr0sn0wgI/AAAAAAAAA2o/qqwZr8p4ewY/s400/header_201211062.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
We are hosting FREE mini-conference events across Alabama in November in recognition of National Adoption Month. Each event includes training hours for parents and professionals.<br />
<br />
<u><b>Montgomery</b></u><b> </b><br />
<b>Thursday, November 7</b><br />
8:30am - 2:00pm<i> </i><br />
<a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=oaesugdab&oeidk=a07e8ckmo05251dc517" target="_blank"><i>Click for more information and to register online. </i></a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Mobile</b></u><b> </b><br />
<b>Friday, November 8</b><br />
8:30am - 4:30pm<i> </i><br />
<a href="http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=oaesugdab&oeidk=a07e82vxlkh16d5c36b&oseq=" target="_blank"><i>Click for more information and to register online. </i> </a><br />
<br />
<u><b>Birmingham</b></u><b> </b><br />
<b>Saturday, November 16</b><br />
8:30am - 12:00pm<i> </i><br />
<a href="http://myemail.constantcontact.com/You-re-invited-to-APAC-s-National-Adoption-Month-Mini-Conference.html?soid=1102955745294&aid=Ag3zBrjOqIw" target="_blank"><i>Click for more information and to register online. </i></a><br />
<br />
<br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0px none;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-70109550037515551792013-10-30T14:02:00.000-05:002013-10-31T14:22:39.888-05:00Helping Foster Youth Realize Their Dreams<object height="360" width="480"><param name="movie" value="//www.youtube.com/v/pwbY17SyFmU?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0"></param>
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<embed src="//www.youtube.com/v/pwbY17SyFmU?version=3&hl=en_US&rel=0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="360" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Foster youth have dreams. It's our job at CAS to help them realize those dreams.<br />
<br />
With the support of DHR, CAS launched a service in 2010 for older
youth who are in foster care and close to leaving the care of the public
child welfare system. In our field of service, we refer to this as
“aging out” of the system. We acknowledge that most young people who
have grown up in the best of situations are not prepared to launch
independent and successful lives at age 19, and many young adults are a
part of their families’ households well into their 20’s.<br />
<br />
CAS provides a variety of services for Independent Living (IL) youth and the professionals who serve them. <a href="http://www.childrensaid.org/ilp/" target="_blank">Click here to learn more about our IL program. </a><br />
<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-90074993118226238132013-10-25T06:00:00.000-05:002013-10-25T06:00:03.859-05:00Halloween Safety Tips<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PGsi-lzWbpc/UmWF-QK5DOI/AAAAAAAAA1o/at2gcw2voCU/s400/halloween-lantern-and-lights.jpg" width="400" /></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px;">Halloween is an exciting time of year for kids, and to help ensure they have a safe holiday, here are some tips from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). </span><br />
<div class="body" style="border: 0px; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 17px; margin: 20px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div aria-labelledby="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ArticleDetail_ArticleBody_label" class="ms-rtestate-field" id="ctl00_PlaceHolderMain_ArticleDetail_ArticleBody__ControlWrapper_RichHtmlField" style="border: 0px; display: inline; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #01589b; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ALL DRESSED UP:</strong></span></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="disc">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Plan costumes that are bright and reflective. Make sure that shoes fit well and that costumes are short enough to prevent tripping, entanglement or contact with flame.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Consider adding reflective tape or striping to costumes and trick-or-treat bags for greater visibility.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Because masks can limit or block eyesight, consider non-toxic makeup and decorative hats as safer alternatives. Hats should fit properly to prevent them from sliding over eyes.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">When shopping for costumes, wigs and accessories look for and purchase those with a label clearly indicating they are flame resistant.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If a sword, cane, or stick is a part of your child's costume, make sure it is not sharp or too long. A child may be easily hurt by these accessories if he stumbles or trips.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Obtain flashlights with fresh batteries for all children and their escorts.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Do not use decorative contact lenses without an eye examination and a prescription from an eye care professional. While the packaging on decorative lenses </span><span lang="EN" style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">will often make claims </span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">such as “one size fits all,” or “no need to see an eye specialist,” obtaining decorative contact lenses without a prescription is both dangerous and illegal. This can cause pain, inflammation, and serious eye disorders and infections, which may lead to permanent vision loss.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Teach children how to call 9-1-1 (or their local emergency number) if they have an emergency or become lost.</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #01589b; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CARVING A NICHE:</strong></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Small children should never carve pumpkins. Children can draw a face with markers. Then parents can do the cutting.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="disc">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Consider using a flashlight or glow stick instead of a candle to light your pumpkin. If you do use a candle, a votive candle is safest.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Candlelit pumpkins should be placed on a sturdy table, away from curtains and other flammable objects, and should never be left unattended.</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #01589b; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HOME SAFE HOME:</strong></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="disc">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">To keep homes safe for visiting trick-or-treaters, parents should remove from the porch and front yard anything a child could trip over such as garden hoses, toys, bikes and lawn decorations.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Parents should check outdoor lights and replace burned-out bulbs.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wet leaves or snow should be swept from sidewalks and steps.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Restrain pets so they do not inadvertently jump on or bite a trick-or-treater.</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #01589b; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">ON THE TRICK-OR-TREAT TRAIL:</strong></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A parent or responsible adult should always accompany young children on their neighborhood rounds.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="disc">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If your older children are going alone, plan and review the route that is acceptable to you. Agree on a specific time when they should return home.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Only go to homes with a porch light on and never enter a home or car for a treat.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="disc">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Because pedestrian injuries are the most common injuries to children on Halloween, r</span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">emind Trick-or-Treaters.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Stay in a group and communicate where they will be going.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Remember reflective tape for costumes and trick-or-treat bags.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Carry a cellphone for quick communication.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Remain on well-lit streets and always use the sidewalk.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If no sidewalk is available, walk at the far edge of the roadway facing traffic.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Never cut across yards or use alleys.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Only cross the street as a group in established crosswalks (as recognized by local custom). Never cross between parked cars or out driveways.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t assume the right of way. Motorists may have trouble seeing Trick-or-Treaters. Just because one car stops, doesn't mean others will!</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Law enforcement authorities should be notified immediately of any suspicious or unlawful activity.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<strong style="border: 0px; color: #01589b; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </strong><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong style="border: 0px; color: #01589b; font-size: 14px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">HEALTHY HALLOWEEN:</strong></span></div>
<ul style="border: 0px; clear: both; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;" type="disc">
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A good meal prior to parties and trick-or-treating will discourage youngsters from filling up on Halloween treats.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Consider purchasing non-food treats for those who visit your home, such as coloring books or pens and pencils.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Wait until children are home to sort and check treats. Though tampering is rare, a responsible adult should closely examine all treats and throw away any spoiled, unwrapped or suspicious items.</span></li>
<li style="background-image: url(http://www.aap.org/_layouts/AAP/img/bg_list_bullet.png); background-position: 0% 6px; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat; border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 12px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Try to ration treats for the days following Halloween.</span></li>
</ul>
<div style="border: 0px; margin-bottom: 20px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> ©2013 American Academy of Pediatrics</span></div>
</div>
</div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-21417031060003636812013-10-22T06:00:00.000-05:002013-10-22T09:53:23.217-05:00Special Needs of Adopted Children in Schools<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LiQOgPpHdow/UmWNUPEPNUI/AAAAAAAAA14/lSTBDRG7orQ/s400/classroom.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;">Adopted and foster children may have special needs at school
based upon their unique life experiences of loss, abandonment, neglect, and
trauma. Their experiences may impact them in the following ways:</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grief and Loss</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Many of these issues arise when the child is 7 or 8 years old
and developmentally move from concrete to abstract thinking thus understanding
the meaning of their history: adoption and foster care, loss issues, feelings
of rejection, etc.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Educational Implications</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The child may spend so much time in class focusing on these
issues that they are not focused on learning. Frequently peers may be
inquisitive and ask questions that can be difficult to answer and bring up
difficult emotions. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Identity issues</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The child may feel concerned or self-conscious about looking
different than their adoptive or foster parents (often is accentuated when
a child enters school).</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Educational Implications</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Difficult questions from peers, wanting to "fit in,"
and not knowing how to answer questions, i.e. why they look different from
their parents, why didn't their "real" parents want them, etc.,
typically creates stress for the child. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Emotional Challenges</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Center for Adoption: Support and Education identifies six
common areas that cause distress for adopted
students.</span><br />
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Difference - my family is different from other families </span></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Reason for Adoption - Why was I adopted? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Missing Information - I don't know what my birth parents look
like, I don't even have a picture </span></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Identity - Who am I, Am I like my adoptive parents or
birth parents? </span></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Loyalty - I know things were bad with my birth family but I
still love my grandmother, I have questions about my birth family but am afraid to
ask</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Permanence- I will move again</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Educational Implications</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A child's emotional wellbeing impacts their ability to cope with
various stressors which impacts their ability to function and be successful in
the classroom.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Health problems, growth delays, sensory
integration difficulties, and developmental delays</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">These may be caused by early trauma, abuse and neglect, early
deprivation, interrupted attachments, prenatal substance exposure, and altered
brain development. They create various conditions that can impair a child's
ability to learn.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Educational Implications</span></i></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Studies show that many adopted children (especially children
adopted from foster care) are often about a year behind in academic
capabilities (Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute, 2006). Additionally, they
are more likely to have changed schools, been retained in a grade, attend lower
performing schools and be placed in special education. Often there are gaps
in their learning foundations due to their changing schools and missing new
material. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Corbel","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.5pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
</span><b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Social Issues</span></b></div>
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<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The adopted and foster child may not feel "safe" to
talk about or even reveal their history. Parents may choose not to disclose
adoption. Unless the classroom is an "adoption-friendly" atmosphere,
the child may experience discomfort and/or shame.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 8.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-line-height-alt: 8.25pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Educational Implications</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Children who have moved frequently often have attachment or loss
issues and may struggle with trusting others. They may have difficulty in their
interpersonal skills which will create difficulties in their peer
relationships. </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Behavior Problems</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">All of the above discussed issues can contribute to behavior
problems in school. If the child is not coping well, feels different,
struggling with academics, is feeling embarrassed, does not have a sense of
belonging and has had an unstable home life, etc. their ability to be able to
attend to and present their best effort is diminished. Children who
have experienced significant trauma in early life may have neurological and
hormonal differences that cause them to be in a state of elevated stress. When
they feel challenged or afraid, strong defensive actions can be triggered
easily. They often lack the capacity to control their emotions and behaviors.<br />
<br />
Additionally, parents who relinquish their parental rights may be more likely
to have a learning disability. The child may have experienced a harmful
prenatal environment which may have included exposure to drugs, alcohol or
tobacco, poor nutrition, and the lack of pre-natal care. Frequently, their
caregiver was abusive or neglectful which may have caused emotional &
neurological damage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">With all this being stated it is understandable that adopted and
foster children are going to be more likely to struggle both academically,
socially and behaviorally at school. They are more likely to have a learning
disability. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br />
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The Federal government has assured that children would have the
legal right to free and appropriate programs of special education and related
services. Two federal laws have mandated these services: The <a href="http://www.ncld.org/content/view/294"><span style="color: blue; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"> Americans with Disabilities Act</span></a> is a
federal law that protects persons with disabilities from discrimination in the
operations of public businesses and governments, and IDEIA - Individuals
with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004. The Individuals
with Disabilities Education Improvement Act 2004 (IDEIA) contains four parts:</span></div>
<ul style="margin-top: 0in;" type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #080500;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">it outlines
IDEIA's purpose and defines terms used within the document</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #080500;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">explains the
requirements for public school children from age three to age 21</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #080500;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">details
requirements for families with infants and toddlers, birth to age two</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #080500;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">discusses
resources and national initiatives to improve special education</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Additionally, IDEIA outlines procedural safeguards that must be
followed and sets forth appropriate discipline measures for students with
disabilities. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Every year, under the federal law known as IDEIA, millions of
children with disabilities receive special services designed to meet their
unique needs. These services can be very important in helping children and
youth with disabilities develop, learn, and succeed in school and other
settings. The importance of early intervention cannot be
minimalized. Early intervention assessment, evaluation and
programs can help children to bridge the gaps and have lifelong impacts.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IDEIA is the Federal law
requiring public schools to provide special education services. IDEIA lists 13
different disability categories under which 3 through 21-year-olds may be
eligible for services. For a child to be eligible for services, the disability
must affect the child's educational performance. Under IDEIA, a child may not
be identified as a "child with a disability" just because he or she
speaks a language other than English and does not speak or understand English
well. A child may not be identified as having a disability just because he or
she has not had enough instruction in math or reading. Learning disabilities
(LDs) affect the brain's ability to receive, process, store, respond to and
communicate information. LDs are actually a group of disorders, not a single
disorder. This does not include a learning problem that is primarily
the result of visual, hearing, or motor disabilities, of mental retardation, of
emotional disturbance, or of environmental, cultural, or economic disadvantage.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The disability categories listed in IDEIA are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A child ages 3-9 who is experiencing developmental delays in one
or more of the following areas:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* physical
development,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* cognitive
development,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* communication
development,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* social
or emotional development, or</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* adaptive
development </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">and who, because of the developmental delays is in need of
special education and related services.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The other recognized disabilities are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Autism</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Deaf-Blindness</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Emotional
Disturbance</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Hearing
Impairment (including deafness)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Mental
Retardation</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Multiple
Disabilities</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Orthopedic
impairment</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Other
Health Impairment</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Specific
Learning Disability</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Speech
or Language Impairment</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Traumatic
Brain Injury</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.25in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Visual
impairment (including blindness)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 49.7pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">An
additional federal law requires schools to provided services to students with a
disability. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a civil
rights statue. It prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The 504
states a child must have a medical diagnosis of disability, a physical or
mental medical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life
event. Then the evaluating team determines whether there is an impairment
(verified by the medical diagnosis) and if that impairment substantially limits
a major life function.</span><span style="color: #080500; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"> </span></div>
<ul type="disc">
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #080500; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Children may be evaluated by a
team at the school to see if they qualify for special education services</span></li>
<li class="MsoNormal" style="color: #080500; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Children may be provided specially designed instruction, at
no cost to parents, to meet the unique needs of a child with a disability,
including instruction conducted in the classroom, in the home, in
hospitals and institutions, and in other settings, including instruction
in physical education.</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">In Alabama, before a child is evaluated for special education
eligibility, general education strategies should be implemented by the BBSST
(Building-Based Student Support Team) for 8 weeks (pg. 15 Special Education in
Alabama Special Education). The two purposes of the evaluation are:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* to
see if the child has a disability, as defined by IDEIA,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* to
learn in more detail what his or her special needs are</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If a
child qualifies for Special Education services, the child will receive
specially designed instruction, at no cost to parents, that meet the unique
needs of the child with the disability, including instruction conducted in the
classroom, in the home, in hospitals and institutions, and in other settings,
and instruction in physical education.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Accommodations</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">may include tools and procedures that provide equal access to
instruction and assessments for students with disabilities. They are
designed to "level the playing field" for students with disabilities,</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Individualized
Education Plans (IEP)</span></b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> are the plans developed to assure that the child is
obtaining their educational goals. They include written statements about what
the child needs. The child's IEP describes any modifications to the child's
regular education classes. The IEP is written by a team of teachers, school
personnel, child (if deemed appropriate), the child's legal guardian &
acting parental guardian (if applicable). It is typically written for one
school year. If the child is over the age of 14 the plan will include a
transition goal.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b><span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">504
Plans</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">are written for students that have a record of a physical or
mental impairment (permanent or temporary) that substantially limits one or
more major life activity. In comparison to IDEIA (for IEP's), Section 504
provides less direction to schools about the required evaluation process, who
must be involved in the process, consent procedures, evaluation documentation,
and time lines (Pg. 90 of A Right Not a Favor - ADAP book). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> It is important as professional that we are aware of The Disability Act
and of IDEIA so we can advocate for children that are in need
of special services to assure their success at school. If it is believed
that
a violation has occurred there are specific channels to assure
compliance. It is important that concerns and issues are communicated as
they
occur. Below is listed the procedure for filing a complaint:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* State
Complaint: A written complaint that can be filed by any organization or
individual, when a school district within the state has violated requirements
regarding the delivery of S.E. services.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Due
Process Complaint: A written complaint filed by a parent or a school district
relating to the identification, evaluation, educational placement or provision
of a free, appropriate, public education to a student with a disability. Due
process complaints must be filed within two years of the matter in dispute.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 4.3pt 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="color: #080500; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">* Due
Process Hearing: A formal, quasi-legal procedure before an impartial hearing
officer or administrative law judge (or panel of judges) who is not an employee
of the state educational agency or school district. Both the parents and the
school district present arguments and evidence.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">References</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">IDEIA Special Education News Sunday, August 18. 2013
specialednews.com</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">National Center for Learning Disabilities</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Schoettle, M. (2003) A Manual for Teachers and Counselors SAFE
at School. Center for Adoption Support and Education. pp27-40</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Celebrate Adoptions INC. (1999) An Educators Guide to Adoption</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Families Adopting In Response (2001) pp69-111,118</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adoptive Families (2001)
http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/pdf/Adoption_School.pdf</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pickar, J. L. (1986) "Children's Understanding of
Parenthood." Ph.D. diss., University of Michigan,</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Evan B. Donaldson Adoption Institute (2006) Adoption in the
Schools: A Lot to Learn, Retrieved August 4, 2008
http://www.adoptioninstitute.org/publications/2006_09_Adoption_in_the_Schools_FullReport.pdf</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">North American Council on Adoptable Children (2002) Adoption in
the Schools, Retrieved August 1, 2008 from
http://www.nacac.org/parentgroups/schools.pdf</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Alabama Disabilities Advocacy Program (2004) The ABCs of IEPS
[brochure] University of Alabama, AL</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">National Institute of Mental Health (2008) Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder, Retrieved on August 7, 2008 from
(http://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/adhd/introduction.shtml</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="color: #625f50; font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 8.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ng, N., Wood, L. (2001) Adoption and the Schools. Families
Adopting In Response.</span></i></div>
<br />
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<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0;" />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-81717386327194846262013-10-21T09:47:00.001-05:002013-10-21T09:47:32.816-05:00Free Webinar: Bullying<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RzxHuET2d7w/Ul6rYAXfpRI/AAAAAAAAA1I/usq2fpRprKI/s200/APAC+Bullying+Webinar+Square+Button+150+copy.jpg" width="200" /></div>
<b>Bullying</b><br />
<br />
Bullying has been a problem for children for decades, but with the
growing popularity of social networking and instant connectivity,
bullying has taken on a whole new intensity. This training provides
information on the different types of bullying, characteristics of victims and bullies and what you can do as parents if your child is being
bullied or bullying others.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Tuesday, October 22<span style="font-size: large;"></span></b></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b> 12:<span style="font-size: large;">0</span>0 pm - 1:00 pm (CST) </b></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/295239130" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Click Here to Register Online</b></span></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">1 CEU available for the following:</span><br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Adoptive Parents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Foster Parents</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Social Workers</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Counselors</span></li>
</ul>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>CAS is an approved CE Provider
NBCC #6459 ABSWE #0039. </i></span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S22qFvTMSHs/UmU-Ji8pcjI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/cg6ba-S10xA/s1600/456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S22qFvTMSHs/UmU-Ji8pcjI/AAAAAAAAA1Y/cg6ba-S10xA/s200/456.jpg" width="80" /></a><i><b>Hannah Taylor, CRC</b>, is a Family Support Worker III with the
APAC program of Children’s Aid Society. Hannah received an undergraduate degree
in Psychology at Troy University and a Masters degree in Counseling at Auburn
University. Her experience includes working with DHR as a counselor and working
as Unit Director at Sequel TSI. She has been a foster parent since November
2010. Hannah lives in Tallassee with her husband and 3 children.</i></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">
</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-27250767421189015402013-09-30T16:28:00.000-05:002013-09-30T16:28:06.916-05:00Birth Parent & Adult Adoptee Support Group<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>"..<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif";">This group has been a blessing. This group is healing
others.</span>"</i>
<span style="font-size: small;">Birth Mother
</span></span></blockquote>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUo0c1x39aU/UknsQRkR4FI/AAAAAAAAA04/jpjXtXF2vrc/s1600/AS+Group+Flyer+October.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cUo0c1x39aU/UknsQRkR4FI/AAAAAAAAA04/jpjXtXF2vrc/s640/AS+Group+Flyer+October.jpg" width="489" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FqELbGkt2oE/UQrHlOkjkUI/AAAAAAAAAbs/lmw91nU9hhM/s1600/Adoption+Support+Adoptee+and+Birthparent+Support+Group.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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For more information<span style="font-size: small;"> about this group or other <span style="font-size: small;">related </span>questions, </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">please contact<span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span>Audrey R. Derevenko, LCSW at <a href="mailto:adereven@childrensaid.org">adereven@childrensaid.org</a> or
205-943-5343.
</div>
<img align="left" src="http://i1019.photobucket.com/albums/af319/laralheis/Custom%20Designs/Premades/7034bb85.png" style="border: 0px none;" />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2573810992794307995.post-31819921308239469302013-08-26T13:36:00.002-05:002013-08-26T14:02:40.234-05:00Adoption Orientation - Birmingham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We are having a free Adoption Orientation in the <i>Birmingham </i>area!<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Tu<span style="font-size: large;">esday, September 10</span></span></b><br />
6 - 8pm<br />
Children's Aid Society<br />
2141 14th Avenue South<br />
Birmingham, AL 35205<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?daddr=2141+14th+Avenue+South,Birmingham,AL+35205+us" target="_blank"><i>Driving Directions</i></a><br />
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This orientation is for those who would like to receive more information about adoption and also for those ready to begin the process. You are welcome to ask specific questions and take a look at pictures/biographies of some of the Alabama children who are available for adoption and currently awaiting forever families.<br />
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Currently, there are more than 260 children in foster care in Alabama who are awaiting a loving and caring adoptive home. Many have never felt the warmth and joy that comes from a forever family. Most have been placed in agency custody due to parental neglect or physical abuse.
The good news is that the lives of these children can be brightened forever by just one person -YOU!<br />
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<a href="https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07e81at03hb89b044c&oseq=&c=&ch=" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Click Here to Register<span style="font-size: large;">!</span></b></span></a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.heartgalleryalabama.com/children/index.php" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="78" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1UL27P-l8hk/UhujeuZoeUI/AAAAAAAAAwc/JD8X2hZvv0o/s400/main_r3_c2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Meet many of the children in Alabama foster care who are waiting to be adopted at Heart Gallery Alabama's <a href="http://www.heartgalleryalabama.com/children/index.php" target="_blank">website</a>.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nK7aYpEnCCI?rel=0" width="560"></iframe>
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<i>For more information, please contact Theresa Cook at tcook@childrensaid.org or 205-943-5331.
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