12-5-11

Check out the new website for the Calhoun Interagency Training Coalition @
www.citc.fecfamily.com

Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Trauma:  A Workshop for Resource Parents

Download Flyer...

Training Schedule:

Cost: Free

Training Credit: Foster parents will earn 2 hours of training credit for each session attended.

To Register: Call Rachel Sykes at 269-345-5776
rsyke@lssm.org

Location:
1803 Whites Road, Ste. 5
Kalamazoo, MI 48009

Monday Evenings 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

5-9-11

Every issue includes insightful, important information for adoptive and foster families, or for those who are considering adoption and foster care. Learn what's going on through the Calendar of Events and other regular features.

MARE Newsletter for Families

5-9-11

Michigan State University Extension

The program also has a Kinship Care Cabinet that supports and strengthens the programming offered by MSU Extension. We would like to invite representatives from the organizations who work with this family unit to be a part of this leadership committee. I’m attaching a “job description” so you can review. If you have questions on the commitment or hours involved, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Our next meeting is Wednesday, April 20 from 12 to 1 at Greater Kalamazoo United Way, 709 S. Westnedge. We have been meeting over the noon hour on a bi-monthly basis although the frequency depends on the amount of “stuff” that needs to be decided.
Kinship Care Cabinet
Job Description/Responsibilities
The purpose of the Committee is to work in partnership with the Michigan State University Extension Kinship Care Program to provide support and program direction ensure that:

All kinship families in Kalamazoo County will have the support they need to raise responsible, independent, healthy adults.  Support includes enhancing resources, relationships, teamwork, and networking to bridge information and service gaps.

Committee members will be comprised of individuals from social service organizations, community volunteers, and individuals from kinship care families. Members will be asked to attend regular meetings (scheduling to be determined by the committee). All members will assist in raising awareness of the families who are raising relative children and communicate the existence of the program and its value to the community, government officials, and other community and state decision makers. Members will support the program in the following ways (note this list is not all inclusive and may be asked to help in other areas, again as determined by the program direction and available identified options.

Fund Development: 
Members will be asked to develop a plan to ensure financial sustainability for the program.

Marketing and Public Relations:    
Assist in development of program outreach efforts including brochure, workshop flyers, community presentations, staffing displays at community events. Develop a marketing plan for the program.

Educational Workshops:     
Work with kinship staff to develop programming for kinship families; facilitate workshops.

Grant Writing:                     
Identify, write and submit grants through the Michigan State University Extension process.

Program Support
Provide input on the needs of the kinship families so that programming will support the adults and children.

Committee Recruitment:
Identify and help recruit volunteers to serve on the Kinship Committee.

Meeting Times:
Meet bi-monthly with subcommittees meeting on an as needed basis. Usually held at Greater Kalamazoo United Way over the noon hour.
April 4, 2011

5-9-11

LOVE & FORGIVENESS WORKSHOP
For Relatives Raising Relative Children
Based on the campaign sponsored by the Fetzer Institute
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
6:30-8:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church
321 W. South Street, Kalamazoo
(park in back of church and enter through rear door)

Free childcare provided

To register or for more information call Joyce Stout, 384-8054 or email: stoutjo@anr.msu.edu
Presented by Barry Burnside, Gryphon Place

Do you have a challenge forgiving the parents of the children you are raising?
Do you have a challenge forgiving friends, relatives, neighbors for their judgment of your decision to raise your relative children?
Do you find yourself focusing on the negative rather than the positive because you are unable to forgive?
Seventy percent of past participants indicate they would be more likely to:
Forgive themselves for mistakes
Forgive others who are close to them
Consider offering forgiveness as a response to a difficult situation
Talk with friends about forgiveness or being more forgiving
Choose to forgive someone rather than being angry at them

5-9-11

Author Jaiya John and Dr. Marcella Wilson will be guest presenters for the 2011 Michigan Teen Conference - Take Charge of Your Journey!
June 21-22, 2011
Ferris State University in Big Rapids MI

Founder of Soul Water Rising, Jaiya John is a professional speaker, poet, author, and youth mentor and advocate. His passionate, poetic presentations offer inspiration to transform heart and mind. He will provide the keynote address on June 21 as the conference begins.

On June 22, Dr. Marcella Wilson, President/CEO of Matrix Human Services, will present “Silent No More,” a powerful presentation that speaks to youth regarding the issues of racism, intolerance and bullying. 

In addition to the general sessions, a dozen+ outstanding workshops are scheduled:
• Eating: It’s More Than Opening a Can 
• Alternative Education and Post-Secondary Attainment 
• Employability: Hire Me!
• Rental Housing: What You Need to Know about Renting Property
• Family, What Is It Good For? Absolutely Everything! 
• Impact of MYOI on Foster Youth 
• Social Media for Teens/Young Adults 
• Navigating Funding Sources for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care 
• Teens and the Law
• "Dollar $ense": 10 Steps to a Good Money Life
• Spirituality and You
• Organize Your Life: Time Management and Organizational Skills
• From Foster Care to College Campus: The Seita Scholarship Experience

Find the full conference brochure attached.
New this year:Special Teen Conference sponsor opportunities:
Keynote/Conference Bag/T-Shirt/Workshop/Activity/Prize/Youth - also attached.
Sponsorship Form

Rose Homa
Member Services & Operations Manager
Michigan Federation for Children and Families 
320 N. Washington Square, Suite 100, Lansing MI 48933. 
Ph. (517) 485-8552 • Fax (517) 485.6680 • rose@michfed.org

5-9-11

Western Michigan University is hosting the following events in May 2011 for Foster Care Month.

1. FREE PUBLIC TALK. Cherish L. Thomas, foster care alumna and graduate student at the University of Michigan, talks about KNOWING THE DIFFERENCES: CULTIVATING ACHIEVEMENT FOR FOSTER CARE YOUTH IN COLLEGE. Ms. Thomas will present an insider view about how the experience of foster care affects one's perception of the world and how young people from foster care experience college differently than other students. FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 NOON to 1:30pm at the WMU FETZER CENTER (Free Parking in Lot 72-F, directly in front of the Fetzer Center Building. NO REGISTRATION REQUIRED.

2. FREE WORKSHOP for foster youth ages 16-21 years old. Cherish L. Thomas, foster care alumna and graduate student at the University of Michigan presents FINDING MYSELF IN ME: FROM FOSTER CARE TO COLLEGE SCHOLAR. Discover yourself and who you want to be in this interactive workshop. This workshop is offered twice on two different days. FRIDAY MAY 6, 2011 4:30-8:00 PM and SATURDAY MAY 7, 2011 1:00-4:00 PM. Go to http://guest.cvent.com/d/0dqy2g/4W to register and for more details. SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER EARLY.

3. FREE FOSTER TEEN CONFERENCE FOR FOSTER YO UTH AND ADULT CAREGIVERS/MENTORS/CASEWORKERS. COLLEGE IS POSSIBLE: CONNECTING TO YOUR DREAMS is a one-day conference for foster youth between the ages of 14 and 21, and their foster parents or caregivers.  Teens and foster parents will start and end the day together, but will enjoy separate sessions at the conference.  This conference aims to inspire young people living in foster care to plan for college in their futures. Foster parents will learn ways to encourage and support foster youth to stay focused on educational goals. All session presenters are former foster youth who are now enrolled in college. Foster Youth in college will speak about their experiences transitioning from foster care to college, and what it takes to become a successful in life after foster care  Lunch is included. This event may qualify for training credit for foster parents and foster care staff. SATURDAY MAY 21, 2011 9:45 AM - 4:00 PM. Go to http://guest.cvent.com/d/0dqy2g/4W to register and for more details. SPACE IS LIMITED. REGISTER EARLY.

Questions. Call the Seita Scholars Program at 269-387-8362

Download the Spring Edition of "Fostering Footnotes" (quarterly publication for foster parents - includes numerous training opportunities)

Toward Successful Adoption:  Your Child, Your Family, Your Community

This training is designed for those who have adopted or who are thinking of adopting a child from the child welfare system. Three important areas will be covered:

 Helping families cope with the stress of transitioning children from foster care to adoption

Understanding the unique needs of children who have been traumatized

Helpful strategies for finding and using post adoption resources

Training sessions run Friday evening through Saturday on the following dates in 2011 (locations to be determined):

April 8/9 – Lansing
May 13/14 – Grand Rapids
June 10/11 – Lansing
June 24/25 – Detroit area
July 15/16 – Traverse City
August 19/20 – Marquette
September 16/17 – Alpena
September 30/October 1 – Flint
October 14/15 – Grand Rapids
October 21/22 – Saginaw
November 4/5 – Detroit area
November 18/19 – Detroit area
This program is funded by the State of Michigan.

If anyone has any questions contact Magdalen Thomas @ 517-355-9600 or by e-mail neelynn@msu.edu