Tuesday, June 26, 2012

New Resource for Foster Care Agencies



Breaking the Ice Between Birth and Foster Parents
Gone are the days when child protection systems "saved" children by whisking them away from struggling families. Today, much more is known about the protective qualities of family relationships, and working to keep birth families involved in caring for their children while in foster care is an essential role for child welfare systems. While team decision-making and other elements are critical in this process, a new publication describes how icebreaker meetings between birth and foster parents can be especially critical in supporting children who have entered out-of-home care or changed placements.
Building working relationships between birth parents, foster parents, and caseworkers can be extremely important for foster children, and using Icebreaker meetings can be an effective mechanism for doing that. However, to be successful, an agency seeking to introduce Icebreakers must understand how the practice works. This publication is designed to:
  • Give agencies an overview of Icebreaker meetings;
  • Describe a work group process for planning and implementing Icebreaker meetings;
  • Identify common barriers and roadblocks to successful implementation of Icebreaker meetings;
  • Identify implementation steps that are often overlooked or missed;
  • Share successes and examples of agencies using Icebreaker meetings;
  • Share samples of Icebreaker documents and materials developed by agencies from across the country; and
  • Provide a self-assessment tool to guide your planning and implementation.
For more information visit http://www.aecf.org/OurWork/ChildWelfarePermanence/IcebreakerMeetings.aspx


Monday, June 25, 2012

Seeking a Forever Family for Job

Below is a message from Paul Pennington of Hope for Orphans.  www.hopefororphans.org


If there were ever a child given a name that resonates with his life so far, it is this one. Job was born in Haiti in 2001. Shortly after the earthquake, Job was dropped off at Mission of Hope, a Haitian orphanage. Our friends at Hope for Haiti and Sparrow’s Home Adoptions, in working with Mission of Hope, learned about Job and brought him to America.


Job has a rare skin condition called XP. Basically this means he is allergic to the sun. When exposed to the sun Job develops lesions on his skin and internally.  When he was dropped off at the orphanage, one of his eyes was hanging from its orbit, but American surgeons on the USS Comfort removed his eye and stabilized him.
Job has limited vision in his left eye and as a result of his life experience is developmentally delayed. Because of the condition of his face before the earthquake, he used to hide in the corner and was a slave for washing dishes in the river, which greatly inflamed his XP after being abandoned as a younger child. But when love came into his life, a transformation began.
Job came to America and lived with an American family in Texas to get medical treatment and has made great progress over the last 2 years. But Job’s greatest need, other than Jesus, is for a family of his own. So far no one has stepped forward. We believe that the Lord has a family for Job -- one that will see thru his tortured skin and missing eye. A mom and dad that will both see and appreciate the heart of a little boy from hard places, made in the image of the most high God. A little boy who was abandoned and left at a door, but not separated from the love of God. A little boy with a silly laugh and growing vocabulary.
Would you consider printing Job’s picture and asking your family to pray for him and his need for a family? As you pray for Job, remember that we should count it joy to love and pray for those who suffer......... as we worship the One who suffered and died for us.
If you or someone you know might like to learn more about adopting Job, please call 830-798-5446 or email rachael@sparrowshomeadoptions.org.

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Summer Movie Nights at Sunnyridge

 
 
 
Summer Movie Nights 
Next Friday, June 29, 2012, 6:00pm-8:30pm
 
Elf
Adoptive families with children 5 and older:
Come out to Sunny Ridge next Friday evening, June 29th from 6pm-8:30pm to view the move "Elf" ...join us for fun and an insightful adoption-themed discussion about the movie. 

Upcoming Dates:

Friday, July 13, 2012
Audience: Adopted teens ages 13 and older; Bring a friend and meet other adoptees while watching a movie!
Movie: “Juno”

Friday, August 3, 2012
Audience: Adoptive parents only; A powerful and thought-provoking movie sure to spark discussion on multiple adoption-related issues.
Movie: “Adopted

Movie Night Price: $10 per person
Eventbrite - Summer Movie Nights: Friday, June 29, 2012
For more information on programs and activities,
call Pam Shepard, LCSW at (630) 754-4522 

Friday, June 15, 2012

Human Trafficking Forum


Please join us for special guest speaker, Elyse Dalberg from the Salvation Army STOP-IT Program.




The Salvation Army's STOP-IT Program, Initiative Against Human Trafficking, has built vibrant collaborative relationships with government and non-governmental organizations all in an effort to identify victims, aid in their safe exit and connect them with needed services. Learn more and find out about practical ways you can get involved.


Wednesday, June 20th, 2012
7:45 p.m., Room B100 (under the Chapel)
Willow Creek Community Church
67 E. Algonquin Road, So. Barrington, IL






Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Both Hands: Serving Both Widows & Orphans

(Don't forget to mute the blog music at the bottom of the page before viewing the following video.)






Would your church youth group or college campus ministry be willing to spend ONE day to live out James 1:27...literally? 

Knowing that God is already at work in your church or campus ministry, Both Hands Foundation & Lifesong for Orphans invite you to roll up your sleeves (and maybe get your hands dirty!) by creatively serving the widow and the orphan at the same time!


Colorado Big Build--volunteers form Ellerslie Bible College 



Students + Widows = Orphan Care   





To find out how your youth group or college campus ministry can get involved, please contact Keith McAfee (keith@lifesongfororphans.org or 423.402.0248) or Rich Metcalfe (rich@lifesongfororphans.org or 309.747.4528).


For more information visit http://www.lifesongfororphans.org/.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Blog Discussion: The Fatherless Generation




Loving Shephard Ministries (LSM) has been hard at work developing their social media tools to better advocate for the orphan and connect with people, and wanted to share a conversation they're having on their blog. You can share your thoughts as you talk about a difficult issue close to our hearts: fatherlessness.

Men -  Are you open to God calling you to step out in faith and take on the challenge of fatherlessness?

Women - Would you consider praying diligently for the fatherless and forwarding this opportunity to your husband, son, father, or brother?

From now until Father's Day, LSM will be talking about the book Fatherless Generation by John Sowers and using that as a starting point for deeper conversation. But the conversation won't grow without your participation! They want to spread the word about LSM, about the importance of Dads and Godly families. By sharing their blog and commenting, you'll help them advocate in bigger ways. 

And here's the exciting part: For every comment you make on each of these four blog posts and for every friend you refer (make sure they mention your name), you'll be entered into a drawing for a free copy of Fatherless Generation. 

So join in the discussion and tell your friends about it! And together, let's learn about the effects of fatherlessness and what we, as the body of Christ, can do for these children!

For more information on Loving Shepherd Ministries visit http://www.loving-shepherd.org/

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

D.C.F.S. PRIDE Training Classes at Willow Creek

 
 
The Vulnerable Children's Ministry is pleased to announce that once again the D.C.F.C. "PRIDE" training classes will be held at Willow Creek Community Church/So. Barrington.  The training is one of the requirements to become a licensed foster family through the state of IL.  Please note that if you are interested in taking the training, you must first find a foster care agency that you plan to work with.  That agency can refer you to the class.  There are several preliminary steps that must be taken with the agency before being referred to the class, so don't wait!
 
Dates: Tuesday evenings from August 14th - October 9, 2012 (9 weeks) 
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Location: Willow Creek Community Church - 67 E. Algonquin Rd., So. Barrington, IL 60103
Trainer: Joyce Moffitt
 
We hope you will take advantage of this training right here in our own community.  Please feel free to pass along this information to those who may be interested.   If you need more information, please contact Joyce Moffitt at joycem@ysbiv.org

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Adoption Preservation Program

 
 
I wanted to let you know about a wonderful resource I just became aware of - Metropolitan Family Services, in the Chicagoland area.
 
For more than 154 years Metropolitan Family Services has been a voice for families. With compassionate counsel and services for families struggling to overcome incredible challenges, Metropolitan makes a difference in their lives and provides hope for their future. From early childhood programs to elder care services, every family member is encouraged to work together to realize their amazing strength.
 
MFS also has an "Adoption Preservation Program" which  provides intensive home, office and community-based interventions for families formed through adoption or guardianship. Specialized treatment for attachment and trauma issues, grief/loss resolution, educational and emotional issues is provided through counseling, psycho-educational and support groups. Families are linked to needed resources and after-hour support is available. The program is supported by DCFS.
 
If you are in need of post-adoption support, please call 312-986-4000 or visit their web site for more information at www. metrofamily.org.