Monday, November 30, 2009

Foster Families Needed

Many of our high needs children are going to out-of-county group homes or just not getting the services they require. These young people (through no fault of their own) have been abused, neglected and/or traumatized. They need therapeutic help, understanding, and commitment in order to heal - grow - survive.

The most qualified people are probably seeking this kind of work as we speak, but don’t know where to look. Those best suited for our specialty parent therapist positions have experience with children above and beyond parenting their biological children. At least one adult in the home needs to be a full time parent. The $2400 per month, per child, compensation is mostly tax free. Family Care Network provides quality training and support. Would you please forward this request to everyone you know via email, face book, website, blog, twitter, or through your other local groups and ask them to forward it too? We must get these kids into caring homes before the need becomes more critical, and placement more difficult.

I am prepared to speak where ever I am invited. I sure would appreciate it if everyone would join me in this effort to connect these kids with the homes they so desperately need.

Many thanks,

Janaan Miles

Foster Family Development Specialist
Family Care Network Inc.
Main Line: 805-781-3535 x1521
Direct Line: 805-706-0521
FAX line: 805-201-3535

Thank you for sharing our passion.

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Over 400 local foster and high-needs children in need of holiday gifts

SAN LUIS OBISPO, November 3, 2009—The Family Care Network will hold its annual Sponsor a Child for Christmas gift gathering effort, partnering with the Central Coast community to provide specifically requested gifts for the over 400 foster and high-needs children, youth and families the organization will serve this December in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. The help of the Central Coast community is especially needed this year, as many previous partners of the agency are now unable to participate in this year’s effort as a result of the current economy.

For many children in foster care and families struggling to make ends meet, the holidays are a time of uncertainty and hopelessness. During this time, the Family Care Network mobilizes the community to support these often over looked populations by enlisting the community in the fulfillment of Wish List cards. Wish List cards include the specific gift requests from every child, youth and family served by the Family Care Network, and are distributed to community members in order for the gifts to be purchased and the Christmas wishes granted. While the current economic climate is posing a financial challenge to many of our generous community members, individuals are becoming more creative and are choosing to partner with their friends, family and co-workers in order to fulfill gift requests.

Gift wishes include anything from a fishing pole for a foster child, toddler clothes for a teen mom or gift cards for families in need. Interested? To Sponsor a Child for Christmas, please call the Family Care Network at (805) 781-3535 in order to select a Wish List card. Once you have purchased the items on your selected Wish List card, please deliver all of your unwrapped presents to one of the Family Care Network’s offices by December 4th at 4:30pm. Office locations include 3765 S. Higuera St. in San Luis Obispo, 1660 S. Broadway in Santa Maria and 351 S. Hitchcock Way, Suite B110 in Santa Barbara.

For more information on how you can participate in Sponsor a Child for Christmas or on other ways you can help support local foster and high-needs children and families throughout the year, please contact the Family Care Network at (805) 781-3535 or visit our website at FCNI.org.