14th Annual Shoulder to Shoulder Conference

14th Annual Shoulder to Shoulder Conference:

"Standing Together for Families"

November 14, 2012

Red Lion Hotel in Jantzen Beach, Portland

Adoptive and foster parents, kinship caregivers, advocates, caseworkers, social workers, lawyers, judicial officers, citizen review board members (CRB), mental health professionals, medical professionals and anyone who is working with adoptive and foster children are all invited to attend. Scholarships are available!

Conference information is available online at www.stsconference.com

Foster and Adoptive Family Summer Picnic: July 28th, 11:00am-2:00pm

Striking Out Meth Volcano’s game tickets!

Free lunch and dessert

Free Hair cuts

Face painting

Salem Keizer Free Lunch program will be available to sign kids up.

THE AMAZING RACE! (tennis shoe’s recommended)

Saturday July 28th

11:00-2pm

(Lunch served from 12-1)

@ Oregon State Fairgrounds

Enter through the Yellow Gate off of Silverton Rd



Clothing Closet

Do you like name brands like: American Eagle, Hollister, Aeropostale, Volcom, Old Navy, Gap, DC, Etnies, Nike, and more?? We are in dire need of some worker bee's in the clothing closet. If you have some kids that need some Community Service hours, or independent life skills training, this would be a great opportunity to get the closet cleaned and their hours done (with your supervision). Plus some free clothes in the process, a WIN - WIN situation!!

If you have tween to teen girls and/or boys and they like clothes, and shoes, bring them down. They can help change out their closet by helping organize ours. All they would need to do is toss the old ripped, stained or ugly stuff, and hang the new, nice stuff.

If you have questions, please call Kim at 503.559.7615.
Thanks for your help :)
Kim

Direct Deposit Payment issues

I want to take this chance to first of all say thanks to all of our excellent foster and adoptive parents. The difference you make in the lives of our children is greatly appreciated. I know there are some great rewards to providing the care that you do, although I'm sure most days it might be difficult to remember what those are. I also know you face great challenges. When those challenges come because of personnel transitions, miscommunication with DHS or Statewide system changes those challenges can feel even greater. We truly strive to be a helpful partner with you while you care for these precious lives in your homes and I'd encourage you to connect with your certifier, caseworker or adoption worker if you ever have question or concern.
Those things being true, I wanted to make you aware of new information we received about monthly payments. Many of you know that not all things have transitioned smoothly since the conversion to our new child welfare information system, ORKIDS. Some of you that had been receiving your monthly payment by way of direct deposit have received a paper check . Originally we were told that you didn't have to do anything to correct that error and that it should change back to direct deposit in the next couple of months. Yesterday we learned that is not true. If you were receiving your monthly payment by way of direct deposit prior to the ORKIDS conversion (September 2011) and are now receiving a paper check you need to re-submit the Direct Deposit form to have that changed back. You can find the form on the website under Caregiver Resources/Forms. There are clear instructions about how to complete this form and who to send the information to when it's complete. I'm sorry for the inconvenience.
If you have always received a paper check and would like to have it directly deposited into your bank account you can also, complete the attached form. This form, and others that might be helpful to you as a provider, can be found on our website marionfosteroradopt.com, under the forms tab.



Billy Cordero
Foster Home Recruiter
(503) 378-4722
(503) 409-1450 cell
4600 25th Ave NE Ste 110
Salem Or 97301
billy.cordero@state.or.us
http://www.marionfosteroradopt.com/

New Club for youth in Foster Care
for more information call: (503) 551-9656



Foster Care, Adoption and Respite Information Session

Do you or someone you know have questions about foster care, adoption or respite care. We are having an informational meeting about foster care, adoption and respite on November 17th at 6pm at the Ike Box (299 Cottage St, Salem Or 97301) Come meet some Foster/Adoptive parents, DHS staff and other folks from the community as we discuss the steps to begin caring for kids through foster care or adoption. Strong, stable and caring foster parents are needed in your neighborhood to keep kids safe, give hope to a child in need, and strengthen your community. You can make a difference.

Thank you to the Salem Moms Club!

For donating back packs and school supplies to kids in foster care!

Psychotropic Medication Flow Chart.

Just wanted to send a reminder about the required consent and documentation needed for all children in foster care who are prescribed psychotropic medications. I've attached the flow chart. Please ask your certifier or the child's caseworker for the Consent Form if you need one. If you have any questions about this process or your responsibility as a foster parent, please connect with your certifier. (I know the flow chart may be hard to read, please get the full sized flow chart from your certifier