Caring For Myself

This program is collaboration between UW-Waisman Center and Catholic Charities. The objective is to provide an educational health program that helps African American primary caregivers of children with developmental disabilities improve the health and well-being of themselves and their families.

For More Information Contact:

Marian Slaughter

30 South Franklin Street

Madison, WI  53703

(608) 256-2358

E-mail: mslaughter@ccmadison.org

… to Gabby at the Alexander Foster Home in Evansville, WI for completing bike camp and learning to ride a two-wheeler. What a great accomplishment. Have fun riding!

WELCOME!

…to Gregg and Susan Hancock who joined the Eau Claire Cluster!  The Hancocks live in Eau Claire with three adorable Pomeranians!  Their children are all grown and out of the home.  Susan works at Nortech in Augusta and Gregg is currently doing road construction. He plans to stay home full-time with their future foster child/ren.  They have experience working in New Mexico at a hospital training school for the cognitively disabled.  We look forward to finding a great match for their home!

August 27 – 29

September 10 – 11

October 1 – 2

November 19 – 21

December 3- 4

A variety of different rooms are available for these trips, which can be found at

http://kalaharifamilynights.com/room-types/ Make reservations online or by calling 877-525-2427. Be sure to say you are with the “Don White Block” to get the special rates.

NEW!

As many of you know, the new Codes for licensed foster homes are a hot topic right now.  The 2010 updated version of HFS 56 (now DCF 56) is not in print yet, however it can be accessed through the states website http://www.legis.state.wi.us/rsb/code/dcf/dcf056.pdf.

In order to help our treatment foster parents stay in “good licensing shape” Family Works will be taking you for a “monthly jog”.  Not the kind that requires sneakers!  This jog will aim to refresh your mind about licensing codes you have already learned, as well as introduce some changes or adaptations that are essential to keeping your homes in compliance and most importantly keeping our children and families safe.

56.03 Definitions

(31) “Physical punishment”

Means inflicting any kind of physical pain or discomfort on a child by means that include but are not limited to hitting, slapping, spanking, kicking, biting or washing out a child’s mouth with soap.

56.09 Care of foster children

(5) DISCIPLINE

(a) Disciplinary action by a foster parent or any other person serving as a substitute caretaker in the absence of the foster parent shall be aimed at encouraging the foster child to understand what is appropriate social behavior.

(b) The type of discipline imposed shall be appropriate to the child’s age and understanding.

(c) Physical punishment of foster children is prohibited.

(d) A licensee may not subject any foster child to verbal abuse, profanity, derogatory remarks about the child or his or her family or to threats to expel the child from the home.

(e) A licensee may not permit another adult or child, other than a responsible care provider, to discipline a foster child.

During a pre-placement visit, both children and foster parents are scared, unsure and excited all at the same time. Don’t expect a lot of verbal communication at first. Stick to simple questions and make sure you offer the child opportunities to ask you questions and learn more about your family and home.

Keeping busy through fun interactions and activities is a good way to start things off. Make eye contact and reassuring gestures, such as smiling at them. Lay out a plan for the visit so the child knows what they can expect, alleviating some of their worries and uncertainty. Don’t over-plan! It is important for them to see how your family functions during “down time”.

For example:

This afternoon, we will take a drive around the community so you can see where we live. We’ll have spaghetti for dinner around 6:00 pm, and afterward can spend some time around the house and watch a movie before bedtime, which is 10:00 pm. After breakfast tomorrow we will pack up and spend a couple of hours at the Rec. Center swimming or playing basketball before driving you back to the group home by 3:00pm. Does that sound alright to you?

Just because you want a pre-placement to work out, don’t overlook important issues that may pose a risk to the success of the placement. Get as much information as you can about the child’s special needs, biological/medical/family history, as well as previous and current placements. Ask about the causes for moves and disruptions. Does the case history seem to be too sugar-coated? Being realistic about the challenges that this child may present, will prepare you for delivering the best care and parenting.

Know your own history and any unresolved issues in your own past that may affect your relationship with this child. How will your strengths or needs affect your ability to parent this child? Will you need some additional training? Are you prepared to honor this child’s birth heritage? Is the referring county seeking a pre-adoptive placement? If so, is this something you are willing to consider? If you still have uncertainties, ask about the possibility for a second pre-placement visit.

The county worker or the child may suggest that the child stay on and become a permanent placement. Be prepared to say “No” if you are not ready to make this commitment or circumstances have indicated that this would not be a good long-term match for your family. Asserting your opinion on the appropriateness of placements is key with regard to the health of your family structure and those foster children you decide to parent.

If a problem should arise during the pre-placement visit, your FW social worker, previous caregivers and other key team members can be your greatest resource at this early stage. Don’t be afraid to request contact information if this was not previously provided.

Remember relationship building is done over time. The problems a foster child is experiencing have likely taken years to develop, therefore things will not change for them overnight. A willingness to work with several support systems and service providers is a necessity with any treatment foster placement. But most of all, you must be prepared to take risks while opening your heart to a child.

Adapted from Adoption Resources of WI, Inc Partners Newsletter- Spring 2005

]]> http://www.family-works.com/wordpress/?feed=rss2&p=522 0 http://www.family-works.com/wordpress/?p=520 http://www.family-works.com/wordpress/?p=520#comments Fri, 16 Jul 2010 14:20:22 +0000 mistyw http://www.family-works.com/wordpress/?p=520 Marshfield Clinic Rice Lake Dental Center, in partnership with Family Health Center of Marshfield,
opened for patient care earlier this month. The center is at 1501 W. Stout St. When fully staffed on
July 12, five dentists and three hygienists will see patients.
Marshfield Clinic Rice Lake Dental Center will see
all patients, regardless of ability to pay or insurance status.
The center will be open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
To schedule an appointment call 715-236-8900.

JUNIOR FICTION TITLES

Gruel and Unusual Punishment  -Arter, Jim

The Discovery of Dragons – Base, Graeme

The Chocolate Touch – Catling, Patrick

Artemis Fowl  -Colfer, Eoin

Gregor the Overlander – Collins, Suzanne

James and the Giant Peach  -Dahl, Roald

Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key  -Gantos, Jack

My Side of the Mountain  -George, Jean Craighead

Dr. Franklin’s Island – Halam, Ann

Stormbreaker – Horowitz, Anthony

Touching Spirit Bear  -Mikaelsen, Ben

Midnight for Charlie Bone – Nimmo, Jenny

Silverwing – Oppel, Kenneth

Hatchet – Pauslen, Gary

A Long Way From Chicago  -Peck, Richard

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone  -Rowling, J.K.

Holes  -Sachar, Louis

Time Warp Trio Series – Scieszka, Jon

Cirque du Freak Series  -Shan, Darren

A Dog Called Kitty – Wallace, Bill

CONGRATULATIONS!

…to Carolann and Dylan who were adopted by Keri Anderson (formerly Malinowski). The big event took place on June 14th. We are so happy for all of them to be completing their long journey.

…to Social Worker Mary Stone and her husband Caleb on the birth of their daughter. Fionnuala Catherine Anne was born on July 2nd at 6:07 a.m., weighing 5 lbs 14 oz and 18 inches long. The whole Stone family is doing well.

…to Connie Koebke on the birth of her third grandchild. Jennifer and Ben Halvorson had another daughter on June 19th. She weighed 7 lbs 9 oz and was 20 1/4 inches long. Her name is Leah Jean.

WELCOME!

…to Gary and Sandy Kalan, new foster parents with Family Works in Mauston. They have been fostering for almost 20 years and have three grown children. Gary and Sandy were already caring for two children at their time of their licensure. Gary is a veteran and retired police officer; Sandy devotes herself full time to caring for foster children. Welcome aboard!

… to Rick Fredrickson in Westby who has joined the Kickapoo Cluster. He also is licensed to provide adult family care. Rick likes fishing, camping, and volunteering as a wrestling coach for his 10 year old son. He also had a child in placement at the time of his licensure. He is eager to meet and collaborate with other FW families.

…to Doug and Jenn Titera in the Ladysmith area who joined the northern cluster. Doug and Jenn have three biological and two adopted children and come to us with several years of  experience in treatment foster care. Doug does road construction and Jenn is a stay-at-home mom and has a teaching degree. The Titeras are a very busy, child-focused family with a lot to offer.