Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Thanks

Thank you to Phyllis Mondello for helping with the recruitment table at Endicott Park last weekend! Thanks also to Mary Ward from Central Office for running the event in my absence.
And yet more thanks to Carson Garvin and her friend Jayccee for helping with the booth as well.
This event was out most successful to date!!

Kudos

The Lynn office thanks Linda Gogain...

I wanted to take the opportunity and thank you for lending us a home for two months. With the help of Linda, Yesenia was able to graduate from high school and move on to college. This would not have taken place without your assistance. I really appreciate all your and Linda's help.

Respectfully Submitted,

Maria Alvarado

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Storyland Tickets



We have a VERY limited number of FREE Storyland tickets. So if you are planning a trip let us know. We may be only able to give one pass per family, but that alone will save you $23.00.

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Discounts for summer activities





Water Country passes will be available again this year. This year’s admission is going up to $33.00. The pass price is $24.00. Tickets may be purchased from Carla. Cash only please. These passes will be available all summer. Passes are valid until the end of summer 2008. (Children under 48 inches are $20.00 at the door)

Six Flags passes will be available this year. The regular admission is $49.99. The pass price is $25.00. (down $5 from last year!!) Tickets may be purchased from Carla. Cash only please. These passes will be available all summer. *** also available for purchase are season passes which are $64.99 (savings of $5 from buying at park). We also have meal passes. These cost $9.50 and are a savings of $3.50. There are several choices for meals. This is great if you want to let kids go off on their own, but don't want to give them money and make sure they eat instead of playing games etc.

Canobie Lake passes will be available this year. The regular admission is $28.00. The pass price is $23.00. Tickets may be purchased from Carla. Cash only please. These passes will be available all summer. (Children under 48 inches are $19 at the gate, children under 3 are free) Parking is free.

We now also have York's Wild Kingdom. The regualr admission is $14.25 for children and $18.25 for adults. The pass price is only $10. These tickets can be used from Memorial Day to Labor Day. (children under 4 years old are $4.00 and sold at the gate) Parking is free.

Thank you!

Thank you to Jeff Holloran from the Salem Rotary who brought help and went through all our car seats. 90% of them were "expired".

Thank you to Steven Schaffer from our Area Board and Children's Friend and Family for donating some car seats that are newer and safer (these were the 10% we salvaged!).

The Cape Ann Office will be recieving some funding for new car seats very soon!

Today I am picking up 150 placement bags from St. Mary's School in Beverly! Thank you to all the students who collected and organized all the needed items for children entering foster care!

Tuesday, June 12, 2007

High Five for Foster Families

Lisa Fernandes sends a high five to Leanne and Frank Ciaramatarro. Lisa called Leanne to pick up her foster child in Gloucester and she got a flat tire and was going to call AAA. Frank insisted on changing the tire himself so Lisa could be on her way. Great job Leanne and Frank!

Speaking of car trouble! Carla King send a high five to Sue and Frank Genovese. Carla's car broke down on a cold rainy night in Gloucester and Sue and Frank came to the rescue! Thank you Sue and Frank!

Phyllis Mondello answered a call to help in the office. Phyllis came in and cleaned out the donations room. This was one of several times she has done this for us! Thanks Phyllis!

Juli Lederhaus saw another recent posting about the need to clean that room out again, this time going through all the car seats. Juli put us in touch with the Salem Rotary who is sending volunteers to do the work! Then Elane Gilmore has offered to come in and organize the the rest! Thanks Juli and Elane! (and Salem Rotary!)

Discount for Party Place

I found this new place! So cute! I asked the owner to give a discount to foster families and she readily agreed!!!

A GIRL'S PLACE, Party cafe and spa.

Tea Parties…Spa Parties…Dress up Parties

A fun new place to celebrate your birthday!

You will feel like a princess in our dressing room, filled with dresses, shoes and accessories. You will love the pampering in our “spa”, with mini mani’s, pedi’s and facials, while wearing our spa attire. You and your friends will also enjoy a tea luncheon in the friendship cafĂ©. With options like chocolate fountains, goody bags, invitations and cakes, we will customize your party, especially for you!

We also have SUMMER CAMPS…a Culinary Camp and a Spa week. Call for more information-Space is filling quickly.

We will be opening in late June. Call now, for more information or to book your party. You can check us out on the web, at www.a-girls-place.com.

You’re invited…
To our Grand Opening, on Saturday, June 30th, from 11:00-2:00.
We will have refreshments and special savings on parties booked that day.

We are located at 100 Cummings Center, Suite 131-Q in
Beverly, Massachusetts. 978.922.2799


I would like to extend special offers to the
Foster Families who generously give their love and support.

Save 10% off any party package and receive a special gift for the birthday girl.

TAKE $25.00 OFF ANY SUMMER CAMP

Masshealth

Mass Health Coverage for DSS Youth Leaving Care Between Ages 18-20

We are pleased to announce that, effective June 1, youth leaving DSS care/custody between the ages of 18 and 20 will be automatically eligible to receive Mass Health coverage under a new program until age 21.

As of June 2007 DSS has begun to send the names and addresses of our discharging youth to MassHealth (Office of Medicaid) for enrollment. Once enrolled, youth will receive a new MassHealth card, with a new MassHealth recipient identification number (RID). The cards will be sent directly to these youth at the open “Home” or “Mailing” address listed in the address window of Family Net. Therefore, it is imperative that the most current address for the youth be entered in the address window at the time of the closing. Otherwise, the new Mass Health card will not reach the youth.

If you learn of a new address for the youth after the case is closed, you may still enter it into Family Net. If no address remains open for the youth, the card will be sent to the area office where the case was closed. Please ensure that these cards reach the youth.

Be aware that if a youth is closed prior to his/her 18th birthday he/she WILL NOT BE IDENTIFIED AS ELIGIBLE for this continued MassHealth program.

In the coming months, eligibility for this benefit will also be extended to youth who previously discharged between ages 18 and 20 and are not yet age 21.

Should you have any questions regarding this benefit, you can contact Maureen Messeder at (617)748-2231.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

Youth Excellance Awards






WOW ! I was so in awe of all the young adults at tonight's event at Jordan's Furniture.


From our office I saw several teens who graduated from High School. I saw Diane a Zac Smith with Justin. I saw Irene Olson with Krystle. And I was there and most proud of Laura Holt. I am sooooo proud of Laura, I would not be more proud if she were my own! Laura has taken all the negatives in her life and turned them into positives. She graduated High School, College and she wants to go back for her Master's degree. Laura was recently married as well!

Foster Parent Appreciation

Here are some pics from our event on May 16th.







Judge Padden, Sue Todd (area board) and Jerry Curley all addressed the foster parents to let you know how much we all appreciate you!

PETER PAN!!

Hey all. Andy Diskes (Neverland Theatre) is putting on their next production, PETER PAN.... and our own Tony Bellarose (well, he is not ours anymore) is CAPTAIN HOOK!
Some of us saw him in Willy Wonka.... and I tell you... Tony's performance is NOT TO BE MISSED!


JULY:
Friday, 20 at 3pm & 7pm
Saturday, 21 at 10:30am & 4pm
Sunday, 22 at 2pm & 6pm

Hamilton-Wenham Community House
284 Bay Rd (Rte 1A), Hamilton, MA

Air-Conditioned!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW and SELLING FAST!

Tickets: $13

For Tickets:
1. Visit http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=vdc4zacab.0.iphaw7bab.fns7u9bab.1707&ts=S0254&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.neverlandtheatre.com%2F
2. Call 978 948-7925
3. E-mail info@neverlandtheatre.com

Tickets may be purchased in advance with a major credit card

Thursday, June 7, 2007

Peabody Park Program

Peabody- the parks and Recreation Deparment is accepting registration
for the summer playground program.

Peabody children ages 6-12 can register for one of three parks:
Forest Street Park, Carroll Savage Park, and Jubilee Park.
The program runs weekly from June 25-August 17. Each week the program offers
a field trip, sports, games and crafts, and make new friends.

Field trips include: Kimball Farm, Singing Beach,
Pump it up! the porgram runs from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. daily.

The cost is $80 per week for a single child and $50 for every other child in the family.

A discounted rate is offered for families on the free or reduced luch program at school.
To register, call (978) 536-7130 or visit 50 Farm Avenue, Peabody, Ma 01960.

Emergency release forms and a copy of the child birth certificate are required.

Camp for kids affected by Cancer

My name is Katie Van Dorpe. I am President of the Nancy Bostley Memorial Fund/NANcamp, established in 1991 in memory of my sister. NANcamp was established to provide children affected by cancer an opportunity to have two fun-filled weeks at the Marblehead/Swampscott YMCA Children's Island Day Program or the YMCA Small Fry Camp at no cost to the families. Since 1991, we have been delighted to have sponsored over 300 camperships for children from 23 North Shore communities.We would like to invite you to view our web site, nancamp.org, which provides information on our programs for children affected by cancer. If you are aware of any child who might benefit from NANcamp, I would very much appreciate it if you would contact me. If you wish, I could send you informational brochures and copies of a wonderful article written about NANcamp.Thank you for taking the time to view our material and thank you for any referrals.Katie Van DorpePresidentNancy Bostley Memorial Fund/NANcampOne Leslie CoveMarblehead, MA 01945

Tuesday, June 5, 2007

College money for children in care through C&P

Foster Child Grant Program
Foster Child Grant Program provides grant monies for youth attending public and private post-secondary school full time in a degree granting program. Eligible youth were in the custody of DSS via a Care and Protection Petition and left care at age 18 without returning home or being adopted. Youth must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form and a Statement of Eligibility to qualify.
Foster Child Tuition Waiver

The Foster Child Tuition Waiver Program provides free undergraduate tuition to foster children at any one of Massachusetts' 29 state and community colleges and universities. Approved by the Board of Higher Education in June of 2000, this initiative provides state college undergraduate or certificate tuition waivers for current and former foster children and youth under a DSS sponsored Guardianship. Youth must be between the ages of 17 and 24, have not returned home, and were in foster care as a result of a Care and Protection petition. To apply, please send a copy of your birth certificate with a letter requesting the waiver that includes your name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address, and signature to The Foster Child Tuition Waiver Program at DSS 24 Farnsworth Street, Boston, MA 02210.

Tick removal

With Summer here, I thought this might help.

The best way to remove a tick.
This also works in those places where it's sometimes
difficult to get to with tweezers: between toes, in the middle of a
head full of dark hair, etc. (works on pets too).
Apply a glob of liquid soap to a cotton ball. Cover the tick with the
soap-soaked cotton ball and let it stay on the repulsive insect for a few seconds (20-30), after which the tick will come out on it's own and be stuck to the cotton ball when you lift it away.
This technique has worked every time I've tried it (and that has
been frequently). Unless someone is allergic to soap, I can't see that this would be damaging in any way.
"It works!" Please pass on; everyone can use this helpful hint.

Saturday, June 2, 2007

Foster Parent in the Salem News.

This is a home from the Haverhill Office, but a nice story all the same!
The Mcloons took MAPP with the Salem Office so some of you may know them.

Ipswich foster family recognized for outstanding service
By Sean BourbeauStaff writer

IPSWICH - The McLoons want to let their foster children know they have support when they need it. David McLoon explains a simple gesture like buying a bureau can let the child know "you're here to stay."
"I'm happy to provide a safe place for the kids," David McLoon said.
David and his wife, Lisa, were recently among 37 foster parents recognized as "all stars" by the Department of Social Services and Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children.
All foster parents deserve to be recognized, said Betsy Antrim, the DSS social worker who nominated the McLoons. But she said she was especially touched by the couple's willingness to go above and beyond what's expected.
"They've gone the extra mile as far as traveling to communities to maintain visits and to do whatever they can to support that connection with the birth family," Antrim said. "There's a genuineness about them."
The couple said they fell into foster parenting by accident. Their first foster children were friends with their son Ian, 15, and daughter Erin, 13. As time went on, they spent more and more time at their house. In October 2004, the McLoons began what's known as a kinship placement, functioning as the children's guardians until they were reunited with their father.
After this experience, DSS asked if they would consider becoming foster parents. The McLoons agreed and took the required course. They have since taken six children into their home.
The McLoons view their role as foster parents as a natural extension of their personal and professional lives.
"We have a lot of kids around our house anyway," David McLoon said.
"On a normal day, there are 10 teenagers in the house," Lisa McLoon said. "They're fun because they really are kids but they're understanding the adult world."
Lisa McLoon is a registered nurse, and David McLoon is a lawyer. They both believe it's important to give back to the community.
David McLoon mostly represents low-income clients in cases of personal bankruptcy and child services. He splits his work schedule between his private practice and the Franciscan Hospital for Children. He's an active contributor to Neighborhood Legal Services in Lynn.
The couple hope their commitment to the community has positively influenced all of their children. Their son was chosen by his teachers to be in a mentorship program at his high school. Their foster daughter was recently elected by her peers to help pick the new principal.
A lot of the demands and stresses of being a teenager can be magnified as a foster child. The McLoons acknowledge this reality and want to provide a supportive, yet noninvasive, environment for their foster children.
"I try to leave the door open so they can always come in," said Lisa McLoon, adding, "sometimes I'll pull them in."
If anything is bothering her children, Lisa McLoon said, she'll take them down to the ocean with a bag of candy, sit down, talk and eat. The McLoons want their children to grow up feeling safe and comfortable, but Lisa McLoon extends this invitation to anyone who comes into her home.
"I want them to feel comfortable being able to come in and not (worry) about taking off their shoes," Lisa McLoon said.

Friday, June 1, 2007

Items for foster families

Sue Genovese and I picked up some items yesterday for you to have.
We currently have toddler beds with mattresses, and those window guards that you put in the window. I can usually get anything you need, so just ask. But these are items I have on hand at the moment.
I also have a carriage, a humidifier, twin headboard and full size headboard.