Welcome to the 2018 November issue of Foster Family News, a monthly newsletter for current and potential Fairfax County foster parents.
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It’s hard to believe that the first quarter of the school year is already behind us!
For most school-age children, the honeymoon period is over. The books have lost that “new book” smell; the fresh markers and pens, once organized neatly in their desks, are now missing caps and running out of ink; that teacher they thought was their “favorite” is now actually making them do real work (the horror!); or that new best friend from homeroom—the one they met on the first day and thought would be their BFF forever—is currently not speaking to them, and has moved on to a new group of friends.
School can be tough--for every child! I can’t imagine what it must be like for a child in the foster care system, who has to deal with all of the everyday stresses of school, on top of the trauma of family loss, adjustment to a new home, and the feeling of being “different” from all of their peers. Add to that a learning disability, anxiety, or other mental health challenge so common among our kids, and can anyone blame them for having trouble focusing in class, following teacher instructions, or forming healthy relationships with their peers?
Here’s how foster parents can help:
Be an advocate. One of the things my grandfather taught me at a young age was “if you never ask, the answer is always no.” I’ve found in Fairfax County, there are lots and lots of supports available in school--if you ask! If your child is struggling academically, ask to have them tested for an IEP. If your child is struggling socially, ask about in-school counseling, social skills groups, or mentoring programs. And do it early on. The longer you wait, the further behind they’ll fall, and this could impact them for years to come as they struggle just to catch up to grade level.
Over-communicate. Contact the school right from the start, and maintain regular contact with their teachers and administration throughout the year. Is it visit day? Did they have a particularly emotional therapy session the night before? Is court coming up and they have extra visits with lawyers and caseworkers that might cause them to be anxious? Let their teachers know so they can be extra diligent about keeping an eye on them or maybe even have a school counselor check in during the day.
Don’t be surprised. Our kids may withdraw, or they may fight—or a whole variety of things in between—but they will exhibit trauma in one way or another, and school is probably the last place they want to be most days. Set realistic expectations; try to be as flexible as possible; and be prepared for calls from the principal, lots of teacher meetings, and extra academic help at home. While we may not always see the rewards in the near term, our dedication, consistency, and lots and lots of grace will help ground them for the future–no matter where they ultimately end up.
Here’s to a great quarter two and beyond!
Bethany Shively
President
Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption Association (FCFCAA)
Here’s good news for older youth in foster care: Virginia has extended the cutoff ages for the two funding streams that help support these youth in their independence.
Independent Living, which previously covered youth from age 14 until they turn 21, will now support youth until age 23. It covers many high school expenses, including year books, senior rings, college prep classes, and sports fees. It also helps youth with everyday expenses if they move into a dorm or their first apartment.
The Education and Training Voucher, for youth age 16 until they turn 26 (up from age 23), helps youth with educational expenses - from vocational training certificates to 2- or 4-year college degrees. These funds, which can be used for tuition or things like bus fare and computers, max out at $5,000.
Though there are caveats - the state hasn’t issued the final guidance so all the qualifying requirements aren’t known, and undocumented youth won’t be eligible for these additional funds - Fairfax County has been told to start distributing the funds immediately.
It’s welcome news for both older youth in foster care and the programs that aid them.
“This means we can financially support kids a little longer,” said Maggie Moreland, a supervisor in Foster Care & Adoption. “Under the previous provision, when a youth aged out of the system at 21, they hadn’t completed college. Now we might be able to step in and help them. We want kids to finish the education or training they’ve started. It’s hard enough for kids with all the supports to finish school by age 23. It’s even harder for youth with trauma and fewer supports. The fact that we can give extra support is awesome! I hope we can see kids through to the end now.”
It was the Youth Advisory Council’s idea to merge life skills and soccer. The three-pronged plan? Learn, lunch, and then leave the “OGs,” Fairfax County Foster Care & Adoption staff, panting on the soccer field on a Saturday morning in late September during a Life Skills Kickoff Event.
Phase one went well. A panel made up of FC&A staff shared knowledge about local independent living resources available to help older youth in foster care transition into adulthood. Panelists and youth had a lively discussion centered around daily living skills, job training, apartment living, finding mentors, and building a life after foster care.
Many of the youth started out a little shy, but they perked up during the question and answer session. And when it came time for soccer, the morning jitters turned into a no-holds barred scrum on the Hollin Hall Senior Center field.
The youth (Beetles) scored first, and phrases like “lopsided victory” and “beat these old people” started flying, especially when less than three minutes into the game, an OG wailed, “The kids aren’t even sweating!”
But the OGs, drenched in sweat and gasping for air, managed to pull off the win, beating the Beetles 3-2.
Lunch, baked Peruvian chicken, rice, black beans, and tortilla chips from Pollo Royale in Alexandria, was a hit, too. It disappeared quickly, with a group of teenagers inhaling it as only teenagers can.
What’s that saying about the best laid plans? Two out of three ain’t bad.
Each newsletter will include this section to help answer questions, spotlight the people who support foster families, highlight the donors and sponsors who generously give to foster care programs and activities and friendly reminders for foster families to sign-up for trainings.
Question: How do we register youth for free classes at rec centers?
Answer: The Fairfax County Park Authority offers a variety of activities, classes, programing, and recreation centers for county residents. Fairfax County youth in foster care often meet the criteria for scholarships or reduced fees for Park Authority classes. Find out more about qualification criteria and steps to apply for fee waivers and scholarships.
In addition, Fairfax County Park Authority offers Rec-PAC Summer programs, and therapeutic recreational camp programs are available through Neighborhood Community Services.
Check out other frequently asked questions and answers from past issues.
5 Things You Should Know About Amanda Macaulay, Resource and Support Supervisor in the Training and Home Studies Unit
1. I have always seen myself in a “helping” profession. I initially started college with a major in nursing. Things were going well until I hit Anatomy and Physiology. That was a difficult class for me and a turning point during my second year of college. One day during a break between classes, I wandered into the Social Work Department of my school (UMBC). The dean at the time was the only person there, and he graciously welcomed me into his office. He took the time to talk with me about the profession and helped me to develop a plan. He gave me recommendations for two social work classes to start with, which I signed up for the following semester. After taking those to classes, I was hooked! I took extra summer classes to ensure I had enough credits to graduate on time. I graduated in 2001 with my BSW and went immediately into the social work field as a child welfare worker in a private agency in Maryland. I applied and was accepted into the advanced standing program at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. I continued to work full time in child welfare while going to graduate school at night. I received my MSW in 2004 and my specialization is in working with children and families.
2. I always saw myself working in a “helping” profession. Much of my teen years were spent babysitting and working in daycare centers. I have always loved working with children and families. I was attracted to social work because of the variety of specialties that there are within the field (i.e., child welfare, adult services, mental health, substance abuse, etc.). My first internship and then my first full-time social work job were both in child welfare. It was a natural fit for me and now, 17 years later, I can’t imagine doing anything else.
3. I will have been with Fairfax County 8 years in February 2019. I started in adoption and recently moved to resource and support. I have been in my new role for 5 weeks.
4. Having spent the majority of my time with Fairfax County in the adoption unit, I would say the most rewarding part of my job has been helping 30+ children/youth to achieve permanency through adoption. Many of those adoptions were for older youth who would have otherwise aged out of foster care without a permanent family. Now that I have transitioned to my new role as a resource and support supervisor, I am excited about the opportunities we have as a program to help our families become ready to receive children into their homes and to support those families with ongoing training.
5. I enjoy spending time with my 12-year-old daughter and my two playful kitties. I also enjoy spending time with friends and visiting my extended family in Maryland. My father and I recently started working on a stained-glass project together, which will hopefully develop into a new hobby for us to enjoy. I love shopping, trying new restaurants, and going to the movies. But most weekends, you can find me curled up on the sofa binge watching Netflix in my sweats.
Our partners and donors are the true power behind communities of care for Fairfax County Foster Care and Adoption. With them we can provide amazing support services, community events and after care resources.
This issue highlights Becky Owens at Long & Foster Real Estate.
Becky has been a part of Holiday Spirit for more than 20 years. She works with Long & Foster Real Estate in Springfield. Every year, Becky solicits donations from the real estate agency’s contractors and vendors to support Fairfax County’s Foster Care & Adoption Holiday Spirit program. In the spirit of the season, the donors have been very generous so Becky can purchase generic gifts and have enough to help with children that come to FC&A at the last minute.
It’s a labor of love. “At our office, we’re more than just a team of professional real estate agents. We’re a true part of the community—your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues,” Becky said. “We shop, dine, and play at the neighborhood attractions. We volunteer with area nonprofits. We send our kids to the local schools and enjoy all that our community has to offer.”
Contact Information
703-451-9400
7202 Old Keene Mill Road, Springfield, VA 22150
Check out highlights of other donors and sponsors from past issues.
The following trainings are for Fairfax County foster parents only.
Inservice (For certified Fairfax County foster parents. Registration required.)
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Submit your suggestions to Kendra Lee.
Check out past issues of Foster Family News.