Foster Parent Appreciation Dinner

The Area Board and the social workers have worked hard on making this a great night for you, 

we hope every last one of you will come! 

Please make sure to RSVP!

 

We promise a night of great food, great company and great door prizes! 

 

Judge Patten will be there, as well as members of our Area Board to thank you for all you do!

 

May 21st at the Gloucester House in Gloucester

Last call for rally on May 5th

We have a comfy small bus leaving at about 9am on Monday to the statehouse.  MSPCC paid for the bus and i would love to fit a couple more people.  If you have any interest in joining us, please let me know.  The folks going so far want to "get in and get out"  so at the end, we will grab our boxed lunch and go.  Folks need to get back to work etc.  

 

This is really important to all of you and I hope those that can come, will!  

Carla   

Foster parents really need your support. 

I will be going in with some foster parents from the Salem Office.

The three issues listed below (in #4) are soooo important!

Please consider joining us!  RSVP to me to that there will be enough food and transportation if needed.

---

 

Here are the details of the day:

 

1)       Foster families will arrive at the statehouse at 10am.  We will coordinate busses from several different places around the state, but we need you to RSVP first, let us know you are coming, and tell me if youneed transportation.

2)       Morning snacks will be made available upon arrival.

3)       There will be a brief speaking program at 10:30am.

4)       At 11:30 we will break into smaller groups (by region) to meet with legislators.  I will set up meetings with foster parents and their legislators to meet as a group.  During the meetings you can talk more about your personal experience (if you want to!) and tell the legislators about supports you would like from the State. Specifically we are asking to pass the three bills we identified in the beginning of the session: an increase in foster parent rates, tuition and fee waivers for youth who are adopted from care/age out of care or in legalized guardianship placement, and a commission to examine issues around parenting grandparents. 

5)       After the regional meetings we will have box lunches available, so people can eat at the Statehouse or hop on a bus to head home!  Everyone should be done by 1PM.

 

So, we ARE advocating for a bill which would increase the daily rate.  Advocacy from the foster families is CRITICAL right now.

May 5th rally at Statehouse

I heard that there is a possibility of the daily rate going to $25!! Although it's not a huge amount, and far less than you worth, it is huge in comparison to what you are paid now. Our foster parent liason, Nancy Lyons asked me to remind you about the rally and how important it is.
Thanks!

"Turf Tots playdates" at Strike One

2 hours for only $7 per family. No sign ups required...just walk in. Infants through 5 yrs.
For more information please contact Strike One at 978-739-4700.

Free Tennis Camp

I have been asked if I know anyone who would be interested in a tennis scholarship for camp. Please start thinking of children. I may have 5 slots, I may get 10. Will need to wait to see how many paying campers they have and they will give me (us/DSS) 10% in scholarship campers!!!!

Any tennis players out there (clients or foster kids-or kids in the foster family)?

I am waiting for more specifics but it will cover not only tennis but nature hikes, ropes course, crafts, water games, soccer, adventure games, frisbee, basketball etc. Lunch is provided. It's about being successful as an individual. Encourage physical growth.

The cost would be no more than $50, the rest is subsidized, but if that is a hardship we can talk about it.

This will take place at the Manchester Athletic Club. (NO TRANSPORTATION)

Blue Sky Adventure Camp. M-F 9-4

Free Hospital Bed

Another foster family has a hospital bed, twin size that they would like to offer for free.
Let me know if this interests you.

NSMC Family Resource Center Events

Drugs and Alcohol - Facts Parents Need to Know

Monday, April 7, 2008 7:00-9:00 p.m

Salem Hospital 81 Highland Ave, Salem MA
Davenport Conference Room 102

To view the flier for this event, click the link below:
http://nsmc.partners.org/cmsLibrary/documents/FRC_SAlectureFlyer1.pdf

Family Safety Event

If you are thinking about or starting to leave your children home
alone for short or long periods of time, this free program is for you.

Tuesday, April 22, 2008 from 5 to 8 p.m.
Wellspring Cape Ann Families, 28 Emerson Ave. in Gloucester

Please RSVP to 978-281-7856 by April 20th to reserve your spot. Let us know the number of adults and children so we can plan for dinner and childcare.

MassHealth Dentists

I found this link that you can type in a clients address and it will provide you with the closest 100 dentists to the clients home who accept MassHealth. Thought it might be helpful!!

Shortcut to:
https://masshealth-dental.net/memberservices/FindProvider.aspx

Beverly - Touch a Truck

Join us for trucks, trucks, trucks!

Get up close and personal with some of our favorite "big rigs"! If you're a truck lover young or old, know a truck lover or just want to have a great afternoon, come out and interact with a wide variety of trucks, construction vehicles, public safety vehicles and more! The Beverly Masons will be there, offering their CHIP (Child Identification) program, free of charge. Whatever you do... don't forget the camera! Co-Sponsored by the Beverly DPW & Cummings Center

DATE & TIME: Sun. May 18 10:00AM - 1:00PM
LOCATION: Cummings Center
COST: FREE!