Tennessee association hosts "Moving Forward: Building Something Great Together"

by Becky Rogers

“Moving Forward:  Building Something Great Together” was the theme for the Tennessee Foster Adoptive Care Association, Inc. annual statewide conference held on September 22-23, 2012 at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in conjunction with the Department of Children’s Services.

With 950 people in attendance, the conference began an opening session with a MTSU ROTC color guard presentation, national anthem led by Rachel Sullivan and prayer by Jack Coleman, TFACA Regional Director. A welcome was given by John Johnson, Director of Foster Care and Adoptions, who introduced our DCS Commissioner Kathryn O’Day. Commissioner O’Day spoke to TFACA about her five-point mission around partnership.

Broward FAPA receives H&R Block funds

by Tina Severance-Fonte

Broward County Foster and Adoptive Parent Association is pleased to have partnered with H&R Block during the 2012 tax season. A coupon was made available to "first-time" tax clients that allowed Broward FAPA to receive $25 for each new customer. After April 15, H&R Block presented Broward FAPA with $1,225.

2013 Pacific Northwest Caregiver's Conference

by Connie Kerbs

From January 20-22, 2013, caregivers from all over Washington State will be gathering to attend this important and quality caregiver training event.  Foster families, kinship families and adoptive families will have the opportunity to attend this two-night/three-day event at Great Wolf Lodge just south of Olympia, Washington.

The Keys to Successful Caregiving is our theme this year and we will be offering a well-rounded variety of state-approved trainings and panels given by some of the very best trainers, presenters, and community leaders in the field!  The goal of the conference is to “nurture” our caregivers with excellent trainings that will make a REAL difference to the vulnerable children they care for!  Before and after the daily training sessions and panels, Great Wolf Lodge offers world-class family fun with a water park and a great variety of other fun things for the family to enjoy together!

The third annual Night of a Thousand Dreams will be held in the evening of the National Martin Luther King Jr., Day of Service, January 21, 2013, also at the Great Wolf Lodge.  This special banquet dinner and fundraising auction event recognizes social workers, legislative officials, businesses/organizations and community members for their outstanding work and support of our state’s most needful children.  This ceremony will be held as part of the Caregiver’s Conference.

Kinship care: the challenges and opportunities

by Jan Wagner

I had the opportunity to chat with Cate Newbank, executive director of FACES of Virginia, as she was on her way to a briefing about kinship on Capitol Hill. We talked of kinship issues and the very wide gap in this country between licensed foster kinship families and informal or unlicensed kinship families, and she gave me a link to an organization called the National Committee of Grandparents for Children's Rights.

From the mailbag...

It's always great to get good news in the mail ... look what arrived this week!

Dear Scholarship Donor,
As a recipient of the National Foster Parent Association scholarship, I would like to express how very grateful I am to receive such an honor. I would like to thank you for your generosity which has allowed me to pursue a career in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. 

Receiving this Scholarship that has been added to my financial aid package for this academic school year, has not only given me the opportunity to pursue my dream in Fashion but also has given me the opportunity to attend college and be a part of the women's lacrosse team. 

Thank you again for your generous contribution to my college career that has made everything happen.

We love receiving feedback from our members and scholarship recipients!

Photo Credit: Creative Commons

Let's talk kinship!

NFPA is gathering information regarding kinship care and needs your help. 

If you have any information regarding the following questions, please contact Jan Wagner, NFPA's Kinship sub-committee chair, at wagnerjan(at)live.com. You can also leave a comment here and we'll get it to Jan. 

Don't forget to tell us your state!

1. Are relatives in your state encouraged to become licensed or are they told to seek guardianship or other less formal arrangements?
2. Are relative families supported in any way by the state such as with special guardianship/kinship subsidies, even if they are not licensed foster families?
3. Are there specific state policies and procedures for relative families? (send us a link!)
4. Are kinship families informed of free, accessible trainings and parenting support for children at risk?
5. Is there a Navigator program in place where families can obtain information on services, benefits, trainings and information sharing?
6. Are the unique needs of kinship families being recognized by the state?
7. How can NPFA reach out and support kinship families?