Families Uniting Families

F.U.F Swims into the Holidays! (continued)

After the feast, the families were able to explore the aquarium. For many of the families and foster children, it was their first experience there. The children enjoyed spending the day with the foster families, making new friendships with other foster youth, and seeing and learning about the many sea creatures. It was a great day! This event would not have been possible without the generous donations of the family members of our Executive Director, James Schrage!

Families Uniting Families also had the opportunity to participate again this year in the International Longshore Warehouse Union (ILW) Local 13 Annual Christmas Party on December 19, 2006. The children received gifts, visited with Santa, had their face painted, and enjoyed the tasty treats. Thanks again to Lisa Tonson and the ILWU.

From the Desk of the Executive Director... James M. Schrage, MSW (continued)

Currently, we have 13 certified families and 31 children under our care. Our staff has grown from one, to three, to five full-time and two part-time staff with two second year MSW interns and 2 bachelors' level interns on the way. Without the fabulous commitment and work of our resource (foster) families, staff, board, and interns I could not boast. Likewise, with the tremendous outpouring of support -- both emotional and financial -- from our friends, families, and those in the community, we could never have accomplished the quality work that we are earning at reputation for. So, please allow me to take a moment to express my sincere thanks to each of you for your willingness to believe in what we do. We are all so thankful to you for the opportunities that you have given to us, and in turn, we are working diligently to help redirect some awful situations. I cannot list all of the great things that we have done. However, I have chosen to focus on four items that, in unison, paint a picture.

First, in December of 2006, Families Uniting Families was approved for full membership by the Board of Directors of the Association of Community Human Service Agencies (ACHSA). ACHSA is an important advocacy group that assists its member agencies in managing the waters and providing a unified voice for providers who work with children in and out-of-home care in LA County. Second, in only our first fully funded year under the No Child Left Behind Act, our Title I Tutoring program and our site plan was noted as "outstanding". Now, we have our eyes on creating a multi-purpose education center not too far down the road. Third, we are half way through the academic year and have two second year MSW interns, Molly Rosenheck (California State University, Long Beach) and Dalia Sanchez (California State University, Los Angeles). Both ladies have been working with a number of children, families, and projects. And, fourth, in 2006, we were able to obtain donations of over $50,000 in cash that allowed us to provide academic stipends (courtesy of the Begin Today for Tomorrow Foundation), increase our children's involvement in extra-curricular actives, and for events for the kids and families, to name a few.

I am excited to share such good news with you. In future issues, I will include data on the effectiveness of our program too. It is an honor to serve as your Director and I look forward to your company as we continue to strengthen our roots and fully develop our capacity.

Steps to Becoming a Foster Parent (continued)

Reunification with the biological family is the ultimate goal for the children. However, when that is not possible, a permanent and stable plan for the children is developed, often with the resource family. Resource families are not paid - they receive a non-taxable monthly reimbursement for the care they provide. In addition, all resource families must go through a series of steps in order to become certified with the agency. Some of those steps include the following:
- 38 hours of initial training with PS-MAPP classes
- The home must meet state and agency requirements
- The families must be fingerprinted and complete a background clearance
- CPR and First Aid certification

Chivas and Clippers (continued)

The even was designed to bring some joy to children whom are living in out-of home-care, as well as to let them know that someone cares by providing mentor for them during the game. The children's response was awesome! They were excited, cheered the team, and interacted with other foster children and their mentors. It was great watching their faces light up as they enjoyed the experience.

On Wednesday, December 13th, 2006, Families Uniting Families was invited to attend a Clipper's basketball game at the Staples Center. FUF sends a special thanks to Mr. and Mrs. Donald T. Sterling, the owners of the Clippers, for their generosity. The majority of our families attended and the children had a blast! For many of them, it was their first time attending a professional basketball game at a large stadium, which made it even more special. The children enjoyed a complementary meal and T-Shirt. We are looking forward to exposing our children to more events such as these in the upcoming year, as they bring great joy and a bit of light to their difficult life circumstances.

FUF Social Worker Marilyn Mejia-Peña, MSW (continued)

She is currently working towards her personal and professional goal of obtaining her License in Clinical Social Work (LSCW). Throughout her education and career experience, Marilyn has worked in many areas of social work, including with the homeless mentally ill population in downtown Los Angeles, community education concerning women's health and safer sex, child welfare, helping seniors to maintain their independence, hospital social work, and with survivors of domestic violence.

Marilyn has a busy and challenging schedule as a Foster Care Social Worker. "My typical workday is anything but typical, as it varies from day to day. Sometimes, I might start by coming to the office and making phone calls to CSWs, foster parents, schools, birth parent, or other agencies that are involved with the child's case. Later, I might work on some paperwork, for example progress reports, weekly notes, special incident reports."

"The afternoons are saved for visiting with foster parents and the children. I meet with the families in their home to asses, support, and link them with the required services. In the midst of the typical day, there are other duties that are squeezed in, such as monitoring visits, transporting children to different service providers, taking a child shopping, locating services, attending training, fundraising, planning events, and preparing and conducting trainings. 'There is never enough time in the day' - a common phrase in a social worker's vocabulary, but somehow it all works out. Although this is a busy job, it is extremely rewarding and that is what I love the most about it."