The Back to School Basics 2011-2012 webinar and PowerPoint are now available at:
http://destinationgraduation.ning.com/video/back-to-school-basics

This presentation provides both secondary and postsecondary professionals with tips and resources for
supporting the education of youth in care and alumni.

A special thanks to all of you who attended the live webinar and to the presenters.

Please note that the Governors’ Scholarship is now available!

Visit Treehouse’s Educational Advocacy Program to learn more about the wonderful work that they do to

support youth in care with their education.

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.

http://www.nacac.org/taxcredit/taxcredit.html

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

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 supports caregivers.doc

KFCA Ghost_Train_-_prelim_guidelines.doc

KFCA Ghos Train tparticipantinformationsheet.docx

Invitation to participate Ghost Train.docx

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

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

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!

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

http://www.FosterJustice.com

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

www.FosterJustice.com

House Ways and Means Committee:

Representative	Room	Phone	E-mail
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

1. 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.

2. States that the adoptive parent and child would continue to qualify for all other adoption support services, including medical care.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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

http://www.FosterJustice.com

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

KFCAnews_may-june[bh].pdf