Open me to get all the latest training, updates, and news at Circles of Care!
|
|
|
|
Bringing Children and Families Together
The Circular
December 2019, Issue 14
|
"Every project has potential. If you allow yourself to see it and give it the respect it deserves, others may just follow suit."
Moira Rose
|
|
More than Just Foster Care
|
|
In January of this year, there were more than 30,000 children in foster care or waiting for adoption in Texas. This number is huge and many individuals and families may want to help, but do not know how. Foster care itself is daunting and may not be the best fit for every family. There are more ways to help than becoming the primary caregiver for a child in need that still make a direct impact on their lives and support the health of the foster care system.
Volunteer babysitting: all families, and foster families in particular, have to juggle work, school, and family commitments. Sometimes, it feels like there just aren't enough hours in the day. A babysitter can help provide supervision after school while the foster parents are still at work or allow for a short break on an occasional evening.
Respite care: fostering children can be tough. Foster parents can sometimes feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained. A respite care provider looks after the foster children for a few days to give the parents a break and help them stay at the top of their game.
Supporting foster parents supports foster children and the community as a whole, and there are ways for everyone to help. If you have wondered what you can do to help, now is the time!
|
|
Emergency situations can happen to anyone at any time, so it is important to always be prepared. Foster families are required by the state to have plans of action in case of an emergency and to practice those plans regularly. Plans must be in place in case of a fire, severe weather, transportation emergencies, and other potential disasters and emergencies. Plans must be practiced at least annually by discussing them, making sure all family members understand them, and running drills.
Foster homes are also required to have certain emergency supplies on hand or in the home including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and an emergency kit.
Emergency preparedness including drills, fire extinguishers, smoke detectors, and emergency supplies. Smoke detectors must be placed in open areas outside of sleeping rooms and on each floor of a multi-floor home. A fire extinguisher must be present in the kitchen and on each level of a multi-floor home. Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers must be maintained according to the manufacturer's instructions; fire extinguishers must be inspected annually and replaced after each use.
The emergency kit in a foster home should be easily accessible in the event that it is needed. The kit should include essentials such as bandages, antibacterial wipes, a flashlight, batteries, a radio, and a supply of prescription medications if necessary. The kit may contain other items such as bottled water, nonperishable food, or blankets.
These are necessary in a foster home, but they are helpful to all families. Being prepared, being diligent, and having the essentials at your fingertips can keep your family safe in an emergency.
Standards: 749.2907; 749.2908; 749.2909
|
|
De-escalation is a series of behaviors of techniques used during a potentially dangerous or threatening situation in an attempt to prevent a person from causing harm to others or to themselves. When dealing with a threatening situation, it is best to use a calm voice and language, be aware of your body language, and redirect the situation to diffuse it. Without specialized training, physical force should never be used as a first response; this could result in someone getting hurt.
Some signs that a person may become threatening include:
- A raised voice
- Pacing
- Excessive sweating
- Fidgeting
- Shaking
- Erratic movements
- An aggressive posture
- Verbal abuse
Reasoning with an irate person is not possible. Therefore, the first and only objective of de-escalation is to reduce the level of anger. De-escalation works to build a genuine rapport with the agitated person and thereby calm them down. When attempting to diffuse a situation, it is important to do the following: remain calm and self-assured even if you do not feel that way; do not react defensively even if comments, insults, or curses are directed toward you or others; be aware of available resources for backup and support.
Trust your instincts! If you feel that de-escalation is not working, STOP. If a situation feels unsafe, LEAVE OR CALL FOR HELP. Maintaining safety, including your own, is the priority.
De-escalation Don'ts - Remember T.A.C.O.S.
- Don't THREATEN
- Don't ARGUE
- Don't CHALLENGE
- Don't ORDER
- Don't SHAME
|
|
|
|
The Olivera family was licensed with our Rio Grande Valley office in September of 2018. Mr. and Mrs. Olivera intended to adopt, and seven months after they were licensed, their paths crossed with Eddie and Edyn. The boys had bounced from home to home for years before finally settling in with the Oliveras. A short six months after they were placed, they were legally adopted into their forever home where they will never again worry that they may soon have to leave. We are so grateful to have been able to watch this family grow, and we wish them a lifetime of happiness. We cannot wait to see what the New Year holds for this young family.
This is just one of several adoptions we had the privilege of taking part in this quarter, and we are so thankful to be a part of creating happy, healthy families.
|
|
The holiday season is celebrated with family, generosity, and togetherness. As we close out one year and strive toward another, we are reminded of the importance of the people around us and try in earnest to let them know how much we care. To celebrate and give thanks, we are holding our annual holiday parties for our foster families and especially the children who deserve a happy and memorable holiday. Our families are the backbone of Circles of Care and they give of themselves and their homes not just during the holidays but each and every day. Without those families willing to sacrifice, to work hard, and to love wholeheartedly, we and so many children would go without. And so we celebrate the season with them, celebrate their dedication and commitment to lifting those most vulnerable and their entire communities.
Of course, these celebrations would not be possible without the support of our neighbors. It is a team effort to protect and raise a vulnerable child, and we are grateful to live in such giving communities and among such thoughtful friends. Organizations, families, and individuals donate, volunteer, collect, and campaign to benefit our agency and the families and children we serve. To all those who have given this season and this year, we thank you:
Jeanette Ahlenius who partnered with Calvary Baptist Church of McAllen and the
Kiwanis Club of McAllen to make quarterly donations including diapers, car seats,
cribs, high chairs, school supplies, and gifts. Mrs. Ahlenius reaches out regularly
to ask how she can directly impact the lives or our foster families, and we are so
her for all of her support!
|
|
The Stoehr Family
The Carrillo Family
The Redelsheimer Family
The Newburn Family
The Hercules Family
The Huynh Family
The Plaster Family
The Southside Animal Hospital
United Portable Building
Houston Angels
Community Partners
DLR Group
Neera Rajut Truong
Jo-An Cox
Sandra Joseph
|
|
The Wiggans Family
The Tinoco Family
The Hoelscher Family
The Wareham Family
The Coufal Family
The Black Daisy
The Wilson Family
The Methodist Southlake Hospital
Re/max Professionals
Redi Heart
Sole Loved
Denise Sherman
Devon Archie
Amber Knowles, Fostering Families
|
|
Thank you to everyone who supported us this year. We wish you all the happiest of holidays with your friends, families, and loved ones, and we will see you all in the new year!
|
|
Events
Corpus Christi:
TBA - Winter Growth Conference
2/22 - Barefoot Mardi Gras
Houston:
1/19 - MLK Food Truck Festival
2/1 - Allstate Hot Chocolate Run
3/7 - Black Heritage Festival
Central, TX:
2/22 - A Future A Hope Conference
Rio Grande Valley:
1/25 - 25th Fiesta Fun Fair
5/3 - CPS Informational Meeting
2/20 - Fiesta Edinburg
3/2 - CPS Informational Meeting
3/28 - Texas Onion Fest
Laredo:
1st Saturday Farmer's Market
TBA - Washington's Birthday Celebration
TBA - Kite Festival
TBA - Laredo Fair and Exposition
|
All Circles of Care offices will be closed on Friday December 20 through Wednesday January 1 in observance of end-of-the-year holidays and the new year.
All offices will also be closed on Monday January 20 in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
|
|
Training
Corpus Christi:
1/16 - CPR & First Aid
1/18 - Pre-Service Training
1/21 - Behavior Management*
1/28 - PAPH
2/5 - Child Development*
2/8 - Pre-Service Trainng
2/11 - CPR & First Aid
2/17 - PAPH
3/5 - Childhood Traumatic Grief
3/7 - Pre-Service Training
3/14 - CPR & First AId
3/23 - PAPH
Houston:
1/6 - Orientation
1/8 - Cultural Competency
1/16 - Documentation
1/20 - PAPH
2/3 - Orientation
2/11 - Medication Administration
2/18 - PAPH
3/9 - Orientation
3/11 - PAPH
3/23 - Medication Administration
Central, TX:
1/11 - PAPH
1/18 - Pre-Service Training
1/22 - Medication Administration
1/27 - Communicable Disease/Infant Safety
2/4 - TBRI
2/8 - PAPH
2/12 - Medication Administration
2/17 - Communicable Disease/Infant Safety
3/9 - Communicable Disease/Infant Safety
3/11 - Medication Administration
3/24 - TBRI
3/31 - PAPH
Rio Grande Valley:
1/2 - Medication Administration
1/11 - CPF & First Aid
1/14 - Human Trafficking
1/16 - CPR & First Aid
1/28 - Human Trafficking
Dallas:
1/13 - Standards and Policies*
1/14 - TBRI*
2/10 - Standards and Policies*
3/18 - Standards and Policies*
Laredo:
1/18 - PAPH
2/5 - Psychotropic Medications/Medication Administration
2/20 - Abuse and Neglect
3/12 - Standards and Policy
TBA - Trauma Informed Care/Normalcy
Online Orientations:
1/29 - Informational Webinar*
2/12 - Informational Webinar*
3/21 - Informational Webinar*
Babysitting is available for most training sessions. Contact your local office for more information.
*Indicates that a training is available online. -
|
|
STAR services are designed for youth and families with youth aged 17 or under (up to 18 if they are still in school) in the home who are undergoing family problems such as truancy and school problems, a recent loss or death, divorce, behavioral issues, drug and alcohol abuse, and more. Families and youth are seen by trained, certified Specialists who give them the tools to overcome their obstacles and help to prevent future problems. STAR services are offered to the community free of charge in Nueces, Jim Wells, and Kleberg counties.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
