The website link below provides some great details about how the Federal adoption tax credit works. It is a tiered system based on income and the year the adoption was finalized. Click on the link below for more details.
Author: tnichols1998
New Training Opportunity!
The topic of the seminar is “Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Foster Care”. The talk will be given by Scott Hanauer, MA – the Clinical Director of Community Youth Services in Olympia.
These seminars are open to Social Workers, Foster and Kinship caregivers, CASA workers and the general public.
If you wish to come to one of the talks, please indicate which location you wish to attend. The Port Townsend talk will be on Thursday, November 3rd and the Shelton talk will be on Friday, November 4th.
Thanks-
Bill Todd
Social & Health Program Consultant
Resource Family Training Institute
201 W. 1st St. Suite 2, Port Angeles, WA 98362
Phone: 360-565-2296
ghost train flyers
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN KFCA’S 4th ANNUAL
GHOST TRAIN
@ JACKSON PARK, PORT ORCHARD ON 29 OCTOBER, 2011
The Ghost Train 2010 was a well-attended and successful event, and we are very excited to get started planning for Halloween 2011. KFCA would like to invite you and your organization to be a partner in this fun family Halloween experience. Please consider this event to be an opportunity for you to have a venue in which to share information about your organization with families in the area who bring their kids to ride the train; trick or treat at your booth; have a good time while at the same time supporting foster children in Kitsap County. Typically there are nearly 1000 train ride tickets sold. We hope to grow the event this year. This is an excellent way to demonstrate your support of Kitsap children to the local community.
It is anticipated the event will open at 2pm so the younger children can experience the train ride, trick or treat at your booth and enjoy the fun but not be out in the dark and cold. The tentative end time is 8pm.
Please submit your intent to participate no later than 1 October, so we have a lot of time to make sure we have space for everyone.
KFCA appreciates your dedication to the community and your willingness to partner with us on behalf of Kitsap County foster youth.
Thank you,
Phyllis Bishop, President & Events Coordinator
Kitsap Foster Care Association
360.275-5725
Barbara Holbrook, MSW LICSW
Kitsap foster Care Association Events Coordinator
www.kitsapfostercare.org
360.649.0414
KFCA Ghost_Train_-_prelim_guidelines.doc
Seafair tickets!
SEAFAIR IS HERE!! We have a limited number of tickets available for foster parents for this weekend’s Seafair events! Please let us know if you are interested! You can email vicepres
Back to School Registration
| Back to School Event Registration 2011-2012
Each child must be pre-registered. Registration Deadline: Wednesday August 10th Open to all children in foster care, in-home dependencies, and Relative caregivers from or placed in Kitsap County, Preschool thru 12th grade. This Event is to help the families with some of the school supplies needed, this is NOT expected to be everything your child needs for school. Event: August 17th, 2011th Location: Evergreen Park, Bremerton Time: 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM Registration Deadline: Wednesday August 10th No Exceptions! Do not mail. Return this form to Luanne Vail, DSHS Office, in Bremerton. If your child’s social worker is not from the Bremerton Office, please email liaison or call to register 360-990-9995 or 360-475-3516 Caregiver:________________________________ Phone:_________________________ Child:_____________________ Grade going in to 2011-12:_________________ Social Worker: |
18 June, 2011 22:54
Did you know? You can get printable cards for people to carry to help in an emergency!
The printable cards are on the FASlink website at http://www.faslink.org/katoc.htm#Justice
Scroll down to Medical Information Card.
The printable card for Canada is at:
http://www.faslink.org/FAS%20Police%20Card%20Canada.pdf
I have Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder which causes
brain injury. If I need assistance, or if you need my
cooperation, you should contact the person listed on
the back of this card. Because of this birth injury, I do
not fully understand abstract concepts like legal
rights. I could be persuaded to admit to acts that I did
not actually commit. I am unable to knowingly waive
any of my legal rights. Because of my disability, I do
not wish to talk with law enforcement officials except
in the presence of and after consulting with an
attorney. I do not consent to any search of my person
or property.
Bruce
Bruce Ritchie
2448 Hamilton Road
Bright’s Grove, ON
Canada
N0N 1C0
URL: www.acbr.com
URL: www.faslink.org
Cellular: 519-331-6408
Phone: 519-869-8026
E-Mail: brightsgrove
Twitter: http://twitter.com/Bruce_Ritchie
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/bruce.ritchie01
Dead-Line for 7th & 8th Graders!
The deadline for scholarships is fast approaching! Foster children in the 7th & 8th grade have until June 30th to sign up for the College Bound Scholarship. 7th and 8th graders who sign a pledge by June 30 of their 8th grade year are eligible for the scholarship.
The College Bound Scholarship provides hope and incentive for foster children and their families who otherwise might not consider college as an option because of its cost. The amount of the scholarship will be based on tuition rates at Washington public colleges and universities and will cover the amount of tuition and fees (plus $500 for books) not covered by other state financial aid awards.
All foster children, as well as Washington state low-income students in 7th and 8th grade who sign a pledge by June 30 of their 8th grade year are eligible. Students promise to graduate from high school, demonstrate good citizenship, and seek admission to a college or university. Family income will be re-checked and college admission confirmed after the student graduates from high school. Students aging out of the foster care system will automatically meet the financial qualifications.
Apply online: www.hecb.wa.gov/collegebound or request a paper application by calling: 1-888-535-0747
Our goal is to ensure all foster children are signed up for the College Bound Scholarship. Thank you!
URGENT: SB 5935 Seeks to remove adoption subsidies
Fellow adoptive and foster parents,
This bill needs urgent and immediate attention. The bill signed by Governor Gregoire on May 10th goes to the House Ways and Means Committee TOMORROW May 17th.
Bill 5935 states that an adoptive parent who adopts a child from the foster care system after providing foster care services to that child, does not qualify for the adoption support subsidy if the adoptive parent received the basic foster care rate for the child while the child was in care and did not spend in excess of the hours one would normally spend meeting the needs of a typically developing child.
Please scroll down for more information regarding this bill as well as information on tomorrow’s Committee meeting. You will also find information oncontacting your legislator.
Thank you,
Your KFCA board
contact us at board
Foster Care Justice Alliance
Defending the Rights of the Child
Legislative Update
May 15, 2011
URGENT:
Senate Bill 5935 Seeks to remove adoption subsidies for level 1 special needs children
If you thought the legislative session was over, guess again.SB 5935 was taken up by the Senate in the Special Session. It seeks to remove the adoption subsidy payment for special needs children adopted from foster care if while in foster care, the foster parent “did not spend in excess of the hours one would normally spend meeting the needs of a typically developing child”.
This is problematic just on the face of it. Parenting for all children is 24 x 7. Time alone is not a true indicator of the costs, risks, or challenges involved in adopting a child with special needs.
Nearly every child in foster care has special needs. Many have needs that are not apparent at the time of adoption. Children enter foster care because of suspected abuse or neglect. At higher percentage than the general population they suffer from mental health issues that are genetic, including ADD/ADHD, bipolar disorder, and autism. The trauma of removal, some multiple times, living their lives in limbo for years not knowing if anyone wants them or loves them leaves additional permanent scars.
Adoption subsidies for special needs pay for counseling and treatment for Reactive Attachment Disorder, Oppositional Defiance Disorder, sensory integration therapy, and a wide range of mental health issues, in addition to the assistance needed for children with physical challenges.
The problem with 5935 is it places adoptive parents on the defensive, attempting to “prove” something about the time they spent, when the real question is the child’s own needs and the costs of treatment. Without this support many children simply will not get adopted, which will not save the state money; it will cost the state money.
5935 is just wrong-headed. It implies that children who suffer from mental health issues do not have needs special enough for us to help.
Foster Care Justice Alliance has proposed an alternative cost-saving measure of adopting an insurance model to pool the risk of treating adopted children, paying premiums out of the adoption subsidy. This could offer greater coverage at a lower cost, because it would leverage the state’s purchasing power, and pay out based on true expenses.
We support the formation of a work group with all the stakeholders to address this issue during the interim. We oppose the passage of 5935 as currently drafted as harmful to adoption of special needs children.
Your help is urgently needed. Please write or call the members of the House Ways and Means Committee. This bill is scheduled to be heard in committee this Tuesday, May 17, at 8 AM in the House Committee on Ways and Means, J.A. Cherberg Building, Senate Hearing Room 1.
Please call or write today. We also need as many people as possible to testify. If you can come to the hearing but don’t want to testify, you can simply sign in as opposed to the legislation.
UPDATE: HB 1774 and SB 5656 signed by Governor Gregoire
In other news, HB 1774, to allow child placement with the adoptive families of siblings, and SB 5656, to create a State Indian Child Welfare Act, were signed into law by Governor Gregoire last Tuesday, May 10. Thank you to everyone that called or wrote in.
Thank you for your support of foster children.
Gary Malkasian
FCJA President
House Ways and Means Committee:
Representative Room Phone Hunter, Ross (D) Chair MOD C 105 (360) 786-7936 ross.hunter Darneille, Jeannie (D) Vice Chair LEG 436B (360) 786-7974 j.darneille Hasegawa, Bob (D) Vice Chair MOD B 201 (360) 786-7862 bob.hasegawa Alexander, Gary (R) * LEG 426B (360) 786-7990 gary.alexander Bailey, Barbara (R) ** LEG 122A (360) 786-7914 barbara.bailey Dammeier, Bruce (R) ** MOD D 205 (360) 786-7948 bruce.dammeier Orcutt, Ed (R) ** LEG 122F (360) 786-7812 ed.orcutt Carlyle, Reuven (D) MOD E 104 (360) 786-7814 reuven.carlyle Chandler, Bruce (R) LEG 427B (360) 786-7960 bruce.chandler Cody, Eileen (D) MOD F 101 (360) 786-7978 eileen.cody Dickerson, Mary Lou (D) LEG 429A (360) 786-7860 marylou.dickerson Haigh, Kathy (D) MOD F 108 (360) 786-7966 kathy.haigh Haler, Larry (R) LEG 122D (360) 786-7986 larry.haler Hinkle, Bill (R) MOD G 104 (360) 786-7808 bill.hinkle Hudgins, Zack (D) LEG 438A (360) 786-7956 zack.hudgins Hunt, Sam (D) LEG 438B (360) 786-7992 sam.hunt Kagi, Ruth (D) MOD F 102 (360) 786-7910 ruth.kagi Kenney, Phyllis Gutierrez (D) MOD F 110 (360) 786-7818 phyllis.kenney Ormsby, Timm (D) LEG 122G (360) 786-7946 timm.ormsby Parker, Kevin (R) MOD G 110 (360) 786-7922 kevin.parker Pettigrew, Eric (D) LEG 434B (360) 786-7838 eric.pettigrew Ross, Charles (R) LEG 426A (360) 786-7856 charles.ross Schmick, Joe (R) MOD A 103 (360) 786-7844 joe.schmick Seaquist, Larry (D) LEG 132C (360) 786-7802 larry.seaquist Springer, Larry (D) LEG 132E (360) 786-7822 larry.springer Sullivan, Pat (D) LEG 339A (360) 786-7858 pat.sullivan Wilcox, J.T. (R) MOD G 106 (360) 786-7912 jt.wilcox District 23
Sen. Phil Rockefeller
360-786-7644
phil.rockefeller
Rep. Sherry Appleton
360-786-7934
sherry.appleton
Rep. Christine Rolfes
360-786-7842
christine.rolfes
District 26
Sen. Derek Kilmer
360-786-7650
derek.kilmer
Rep. Jan Angel
360-786-7964
jan.angel
Rep. Larry Seaquist
360-786-7802
larry.seaquist
District 35
Sen. Tim Sheldon
360-786-7668
tim.sheldon
Rep. Kathy Haigh
360-786-7966
Kathy.haigh
Rep Fred Finn
360-786-7902
fred.finn
SB 5935 Bill Details:
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=5935&year=2011
- States that an adoptive parent who adopts a child from the foster care system after providing foster care services to that child, does not qualify for the adoption support subsidy if the adoptive parent received the basic foster care rate for the child while the child was in care and did not spend in excess of the hours one would normally spend meeting the needs of a typically developing child.
- States that the adoptive parent and child would continue to qualify for all other adoption support services, including medical care.
- Does not prohibit the adoptive parent from seeking payments or assistance after the finalization of the adoption of a child who was not considered hard to place at the time of adoption.
- Applies to relatives or other unpaid caregivers who adopt a child who was in the dependency system, who would have received the basic foster care rate for the child if the parent would have been receiving payment.
- Begins applying the new policy for adoption support agreements entered on or after July 1, 2011.
Don’t know who your representatives are? Click here: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder
All e-mail addresses: http://apps.leg.wa.gov/memberemail
Toll Free Legislative Hotline: 1-800-562-6000
Foster Care Justice Alliance, P.O. Box 233, Woodinville, WA 98072-0233
Join Us in Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/202325
Foster Care Justice Alliance is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Tax deductible donations can be made online, by mail, or in person at any Bank of America branch (WA State): http://www.fosterjustice.com/donate/donate.htm. Ask your employer about matching gifts.
To subscribe or unsubscribe to these updates: http://www.fosterjustice.com/about/contact.htm
May/June Newsletter Has Arrived!
Tee It Up for Kids!
WHERE: HORSESHOE LAKE GOLF COURSE, PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON
1250 SW Clubhouse Ct., Port Orchard, WA 98376
WHEN: SATURDAY, JULY 9, 2011 Arrive 7:30 am for tee assignments
FORMAT: 4-PERSON SCRAMBLE: Rules will be provided on the day of the event.
START TIME: Tee-off at 8:00 a.m. SHARP! If your team is late you will forfeit your tee time.
COST: Only $75.00 PER PERSON (this includes green fee, golf cart, t-shirt and barbecue).
The proceeds raised by this tournament will turn dreams into reality for foster children in Kitsap County.
PRIZES: Valued up to $20,000! We will also award trophies for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes.
DIRECTIONS TO HORSESHOE LAKE GOLF COURSE:
From East or West bound hwy 16, Take the Purdy exit and drive until reaching Bridgeway Market.
Turn west onto the Bridge at the traffic signal, which is hwy 302.
Follow Hwy 302 to 94th Ave. This is clearly marked as leading to the Sidney Airport and Horseshoe Lake.
Turn right onto 94th Ave. which becomes Sidney Rd.
Follow Sidney to Clubhouse Rd.
Turn left onto Clubhouse.
For more information call Barbara Bofinger (360) 475-3612
REGISTRATION: SPACE IS LIMITED – Registration Deadline June 24,, 2011
Send checks and registration form to:
Barbara Bofinger
DSHS
3423 6th St.
MS: W18-3
Bremerton, WA 98312
Tim Nichols
Kitsap Foster Care Association Blog 