Greetings,

The mission of the Mockingbird Society is to build a world class foster care system. One of the ways we endeavor to do this is by involving youth and young adults who have experienced foster care to use their voice and leadership to improve the system.

Every summer we hold the annual Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit. We wanted to invite youth from around the state of Washington to apply to attend this free Summit to bring their voice and perspective to the Summit.

The Leadership Summit with be June 25th to 27th 2012 on Bainbridge Island. Applications to the Leadership Summit are due on April 20th. As an extra incentive to get applications in early we will be giving away $10 gift cards to the first 5 applicants.

The Leadership Summit is a skill-building opportunity for current and former foster youth and their allies. All travel expenses and participation costs will be paid for applicants accepted to the Leadership Summit.

Potential applicants would be foster youth age 14 or older or former foster youth age 24 or younger.

Participants at the Leadership Summit will learn how to use their voice effectively to get their needs met in and out of the system. Participants will meet with other current and former foster youth, identify issues important to them, and express their ideas to state policy makers.

Additionally, participants will attend Transitions. This innovative, experiential eight hour training is the latest Mockingbird Society developed curriculum for youth who have experienced foster care. Participants will learn tools to help successfully navigate life’s major transitions including, but not limited to, transitioning out of foster care.

Applications for the Leadership Summit are due by 5 pm on April 20th, 2012. A link to the on-line application can be found on the Mockingbird Society website at: www.mockingbirdsociety.org

For additional information, questions, concerns or application requests, please call 503-929-6659 or email selona

Attached you will find more information about the 2012 Foster Youth and Alumni Leadership Summit and the materials and information that needs to be collected before completing the on line application.

The direct link to the application:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2012summitapplication

Or you can go to the Leadership Summit page at:

http://www.mockingbirdsociety.org/the-mockingbird-network/leadership-summit/

I am also available to help young people complete their applications.

At Pierce County Alliance, my host agency in Tacoma, we also have a Mockingbird Chapter Meeting on the second Tuesday of each month from 3-5:30 pm. Please let me know if you have any young people age 14-24 that might like to attend out Chapter Meeting.

Thank you for your time and please feel free to forward this on to any 14-24 year old that may be interested.

Selona Willett |Resource Specialist Tacoma/Olympia

| 503.929.6659 Mobile

Tacoma – Pierce County Alliance

510 Tacoma Ave S, Tacoma, WA 98402

Olympia- Community Youth Services

711 State Ave NE, Olympia, WA 98506

The Mockingbird Society – Building a world-class foster care system

2100 24th Avenue S, Suite 240 | Seattle, WA 98144

206.323.5437 office | 206.323.1003 fax | mockingbirdsociety.org

Cascadia Communique Upcoming offerings: April, 2012 Adoption/Foster Care Consultation Group Facilitated by Deborah Gray, MSW, MPA Friday, April 13th, 10:00-1:00 Kirkland, WA 3 CEs This open and on-going group led by Deborah Gray is limited to 12 people so register today. More Information Assessment in Early Childhood Mental Health and Development Taught by Kristie Baber, MSW, LICSW Friday, April 20th, 9:00-4:30, Shoreline Center 6 CEs $150.00 This clinical workshop teaches assessment skills, tools and diagnostics to practicing clinicians, caseworkers and early intervention providers engaging with young children. More Information Attaching: from Childhood through Teen Years–latest evidenced-based knowledge along with the professional supports for today’s families Taught by Deborah Gray, MSW, MPA Friday, May 4th, 9:00-4:30 UW-Tacoma 6 CEs $150.00 Here are a few of the questions this workshop will answer: What is attachment and why is attachment such an issue in foster care and adoption What is the impact of moving children? What techniques work best when moving children with prenatal exposure? How do we assess for qualities that are the best fit for today’s children coming into foster and adoptive homes? What is the best attachment therapy when working with children and teens with prenatal exposure? More Information Northwest Collaborative Adoption Foster Care Conference: Childhood through Adolescence May 18th & 19th Community Center at Mercer View-Mercer Island, WA Topics covered: The Explosive Child Children and Meds Teens and Adoption Homeland Visit stories Birth family reunification stories and panel Open Adoption Ask an expert panel Sponsored by: Cascadia Training, Northwest Adoption Exchange, Adoption Mosaic, University of Washington Center for Adoption Medicine & Nurturing Attachments More Information For more information on all of our workshops call: 206.441.6892 or visit us online: www.cascadia-training.org

Forward email This email was sent to fali300@dshs.wa.gov by cascadia | Update Profile/Email Address | Instant removal with SafeUnsubscribe™ | Privacy Policy. Northwest Resource Associates/Cascadia Training | 600 Stewart Street Suite 1313 | Seattle | WA | 98101

Foster Care Critical Support and Retention Program: Received notification of the expansion of program services throughout Region 3. Services had been available since about March 2010 (Region 6) for caregivers (licensed foster parents, relative/kinship and suitable adult placements) with children or youth with challenging behaviors that could lead to placement disruptions. Recent notice aligns services with Regional configuration. Most CPAs (especially those that also provide BRS services) incorporate similar supports or interventions and clarification how program services benefit CPA homes and CPA foster parents is being gathered to be distributed to CPA Network members. Foster Care Critical Support and Retention Program services can be accessed:

Most of Region 3: Heidi Williams, MA, LMHC HeidiW, (360) 878-8248 at Catholic Community Services of Western Washington

Pierce County: Kris Baglio, MSW, kbaglio 253-272-0942 at Multicultural Child and Family And Hope Center: E mail

Kitsap County: Bill Kettering bkring at Compassionate Ministries, (360) 373-9710.

Annual Foster and Alumni Leadership Summit – The Mockingbird Society invite youth from around WA State to apply to attend the Leadership Summit, June 25th to 27th 2012 on Bainbridge Island to bring their voice and perspective. Applications to the Leadership Summit are due on April 20th (additional information included on 2nd and 3rd attachments).

The Leadership Summit is a skill-building opportunity for current and former foster youth and their allies. Foster youth who are interested in sustaining local foster youth and alumni chapters can elevate their voice and unique perspective to create change in their lives and the lives of others who have or who will experience foster care. All travel expenses and participation costs will be paid for applicants accepted to the Leadership Summit. This is a GREAT opportunity for current and former youth in foster care.

We Are Family Day: In partnership with the Seattle Mariners, the fourth Annual We Are Family Day will be held at Safeco Field on Sunday, May 6 as part of Foster Care month. This has been a popular event, with thousands of foster, kinship and adoptive families attending in past years, along with others who work in child welfare.

Tickets will be offered at discounted prices through the link below. Free T-shirts will be given to all who attend.

A pre-game ceremony will be held at Ellis Pavilion at Safeco from 10-11, during which raffle prizes will be awarded, including a chance for some families to go out onto the field for pictures. The game begins at 1:10.

http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ticketing/special_group.jsp?group=wearefamily

Kids Count in Washington: Provides statistical data bout services and outcomes for Washington children and families. Access to regular updates is available at the end of the e-mail.

Dear

Children with challenging behaviors?

Caregivers stressed and need support? There are resources to help.

The Foster Care Critical Support and Retention Program delivers in-home counseling and support to foster parents/unlicensed caregivers caring for children exhibiting challenging behavioral issues as well as children with safety and supervision issues surrounding sexual behavior problems and or physical aggression. The goal of the program is to maintain the placements for these children and to retain the foster parents as placement resources. Families can be referred to the program through the child’s assigned social worker, their DLR licensor, a foster parent liaison or they can refer themselves. Families will be considered appropriate for the program if the goal is to maintain a challenging child in their care and if they are willing and able to make use of this intervention.

Providers are:

Most of Region 3 : contact Heidi Williams, MA, LMHC at Catholic Community Services of Western Washington. Email HeidiW Phone: (360) 878-8248

Pierce County : contact Kris Baglio, MSW at Multicultural Child and Family And Hope Center: E mail kbaglio Phone 253-272-0942

Kitsap County: contact Bill Kettering at Compassionate Ministries. E mail : bkring phone (360) 373-9710

Hi Everyone,

If you are receiving this e-mail it means you have somehow been involved in sending a kid to Royal Family Kids Camp (Bremerton) sometime in the last few years.

Just a reminder, Royal Family is a camp for kids 7-11 years old, either currently in the foster care system, or recently back with family, or adopted.

We are fortunate to have 2 camps here in Kitsap County. The Bremerton camp is sponsored by Peninsula Bible Fellowship, and camp is in Port Orchard. Camp this year is June 25-29th (pray that the rain stops 🙂 The Poulsbo camp is sponsored by Gateway Fellowship in Poulsbo, and camp is in Indianola. Their camp is July 9-13.

Our goal is to reach all the kids in the area with the needs and concerns that foster children have. It is also nice if the kids can return to the same camp they have previously attended, it ads to the “family” environment.

I am taking applications for the Bremerton camp. If you need information on the Poulsbo camp let me know, and I will give you their contact information.

Please let me know if you would like an application for the Bremerton camp.

Thank You,
Cathy Mass
Camper Placement RFKC Bremerton
(360) 710-8963
25841 Tytler Rd.
Poulsbo, WA 98370

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Please see the attached 2012 Caregiver Monthly Mileage form that has been updated. The form now has a signature line for Supervisors, a box for case ID, provider number, and Caregiver work address.

Please share with providers. http://asd.dshs.wa.gov/forms/wordforms/adobe/07_090.pdf

If you use another form it will be returned to you.

The annual WE ARE FAMILY EVENT at the Mariner’s will be held May 6th at 1pm. Kitsap Foster Care Association has purchased tickets again this year which are free to licensed foster families and relative care givers. If you would like tickets contact Luanne Vail at 360-876-5207. Do not email or call her work phone.

KFCA has rented 2 busses to take people to the game. This year, because of rising costs, there will be a $10 fee per family to ride the bus. The bus will be at the Mullinex park and ride.

Hope to see you there and GO MARINERS!

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Online Training

Now Available!

Helping Foster Youth Apply for Federal and State College Aid

Training Objectives:

· Provide basic information on support services available to foster youth

· Connect caregivers (and youth) to community resources, including Designated College Support Staff

· Review the process for completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

o Provides information on the College Cost Reduction Act; and

o Q&A tipsheets for FAFSA questions specifically related to foster youth

· Provide information on foster youth specific college aid including: Governors’ Scholarship, Chafee Education and Training Voucher program, Passport for Foster Youth Promise Scholarship, Foster Care to 21 and Medicaid to 21

This training is for caregivers with adolescent youth in their homes (especially those in grades 11 & 12).

Click on the following link to take this training –

http://www.dshs.wa.gov/video/ca/federalaid/player.html

Check out this flier for important info on one of our best fundraisers of the year: Tee It Up for Kids!

GolfTournamentKITSAP2012.doc

THIS IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Please remember as a foster parent you must have permission from social worker to start or change meds.

Tip of the Day: Psychotropic Medications—Depression
Children and adolescents in state custody have experienced abuse and/or neglect by definition in that they often have chaotic caretak-ing histories with disrupted attachments and multiple placements. Additionally, they may be genetically predisposed to mental illness and have been exposed in utero to substances of abuse. Not surprisingly, children in foster care are at higher risk for developing emo-tional and behavioral disturbances and mental illness, utilize mental health services at higher rates, and are more likely to receive psy-chotropic medications than youth from comparable backgrounds.
Psychotropic medications are drugs that affect the mind, perception, behavior and mood. Common types of psychotropic drugs that are prescribed by physicians include:
Antidepressants – Anxiolytics or anti-anxiety agents – Antipsychotics – Mood stabilizers
Other substances can be considered psychotropic drugs as well, including alcohol, marijuana and street drugs. Medications used for ADHD are also considered psychotropic drugs.
Depression is commonly treated with antidepressant medications. Antidepressants work to balance some of the natural chemicals in our brains. These chemicals are called neurotransmitters, and they affect our mood and emotional responses. Antidepressants work on neurotransmitters such as serotonin, norepinephrine, and dopamine. The most popular types of antidepressants are called selec-tive serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These include:
Fluoxetine (Prozac); Citalopram (Celexa); Sertraline (Zoloft); Paroxetine (Paxil); Escitalopram (Lexapro)
Other types of antidepressants are serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs). SNRIs are similar to SSRIs and include:
Venlafaxine (Effexor) and Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
Another antidepressant that is commonly used is bupropion (Wellbutrin). Bupropion, which works on the neurotransmitter dopamine, is unique in that it does not fit into any specific drug type.
Antidepressants may cause mild side effects that usually do not last long. Any unusual reactions or side effects should be reported to a doctor immediately. The most common side effects associated with SSRIs and SNRIs include:
Headache – This usually goes away within a few days; Nausea – This usually goes away within a few days; Sleeplessness or drowsiness – which may happen during the first few weeks but then goes away. Sometimes the medication dose needs to be reduced or the time of day it is taken needs to be adjusted to help lessen these side effects; Agitation (feeling jittery).
In 2005, the FDA decided to adopt a “black box” warning label—the most serious type of warning—on all antidepressant medications. The warning says there is an increased risk of suicidal thinking or attempts in children and adolescents taking antidepressants. In 2007, the FDA proposed that makers of all antidepressant medications extend the warning to include young adults up through age 24.
The warning also says that patients of all ages taking antidepressants should be watched closely, especially during the first few weeks of treatment. A theory as to why there is an increase in suicidality is that before taking antidepressants, the patient is too depressed to do anything at all; an antidepressant clarifies the thinking such that the depressed patent may actually be able to make a plan to end his or her life. That is why all children in foster care who are depressed should be co-managed with a therapist and a prescribing physi-cian on a regular basis.
Michelle Terry, MD
Ask Dr. Terry
March 8, 2012
All Kids are Our Kids
Michelle Terry, MD
Medical Consultant, Region 5, DSHS
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