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SPRING 2017 Northwest Regional Caregiver

NEWSLETTER

I t is that time of year again when

we start to think about

nominations for Foster Family,

Kinship Family and Child

Intervention Worker of the Year.

Last year the Alberta Foster Parent

Association made changes to the

awards given. Aboriginal Family and

Aboriginal Worker of the Year

awards were removed and Kinship

Family of the Year was added. The

AFPA Board decided that they did

not want separate awards given to

aboriginal families and workers but

to include them in all three of the

categories, as this was the feedback

they received.

Kinship Family of the Year was

added to recognize the commitment

Kinship families demonstrate to the

children in care. Nominations can be

given by June 1, 2017 to a worker or

foster parent who attends the

Northwest Council. A selection

committee will be formed at the

Annual General Northwest Council

Meeting in Peace River on June 14,

2017. Winners will be chosen in each

category from the nominations

received. After June 14, further

nominations will NOT be

considered. Foster parents are

encouraged to attend the Council

meetings, even if you have never

attended before! Our next Northwest

Council meeting is April 12 by video

conference for all sites at 1pm for

foster parents; staff joins at 1:30. The

Annual General meeting will be held

on June 14, 2017 at 11:00 am in

Peace River.

Contact your support worker or

myself to receive a copy of the

nomination forms.

If you have any questions, please

do not hesitate to call or text myself

at 780-835-1441 or email

phil.andreak@gmail.com. I would

love to hear from you!

Andrea Kolodychuk

President of the NW Council for

Children in Foster Care

New category added to Alberta

Foster Parent Association awards

Northwest Region

Training Schedule 2017 — CORE Training

Grande Prairie Child & Family Services Office: 214 Place South, 10130-99 Ave, Grande Prairie, Rm 404

Apr 6, 6-9 pm F1: Making the Cultural Connection

Apr 8, 9 am-12 pm F2: The Aboriginal Exper- ience; Severed Connections

Apr 8, 1-4 pm F3: Creating Connections

May 3, 6-9 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

May 9, 6-9 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

May 18, 6-9 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

High Level/La Crete Child & Family Services Offices: 9814-101 Street, High Level, AB Pine Centre, 10002-96 Avenue, La Crete, AB *All classes are from 5:30 pm—8:30 pm and will be held at the High Level office

Apr 4, E7: Suicide Awareness

Apr 18, E8: Sexual Abuse

May 2, F2: The Aboriginal Experience

May 16, G1: Keeping Family Connections

May 30, G2: Our Role in Reducing Risk

Jun 13, H1: Communication Skills

Jun 27, H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

High Prairie Child & Family Services Office: 5226-53 Avenue, High Prairie, AB

Apr 22, 9 am-12 pm E7: Suicide Awareness

Apr 22, 1-4 pm G1: Keeping Family Connections

May 20, 9 am-12 pm G2: Our Role in Reducing Risks

May 20, 1-4 pm H1: Communication

Continued on next page...

Children’s Services

Core training sessions There are several Core training sessions taking place

over the next three months in the northwest region,

including ‘caregiver’s choice’ sessions at the end of the

season. Check out the training schedule to the right to

identify the sessions you need and contact your case-

worker if you have a preference for ‘make-up’ days.

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...Continued from first page

Peace River/Fairview Child & Family Services Office: 9715-100 Street, Peace River 10209-109 Street, Fairview Note: Courses will be held in the community that has the most registrants—please contact Lindsey to confirm locations: 780-835-7191 Mar 27, 6-9 pm F3: Creating Connections

Apr 3, 6-9 pm G1: Keeping Family Connections

Apr 10, 6-9 pm G2: Our Role in Reducing Risks

Apr 19, 6-9 pm H1: Communication

Apr 24, 6-9 pm H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

Apr 29, 9-12 pm and 1-4 pm Make up day. Modules determined based on need

Slave Lake Child & Family Services Office: 108, 101-3rd Street SW, Slave Lake

Apr 1, 9 am-12 pm D5: Monitor, Evaluate and Report

Apr 1, 1-4 pm H2: Managing the Realities of the Fostering Experience

May 6, 9 am-12 pm E8: Sexual Abuse

May 6, 1-4 pm D3: The Parenting Tool Kit

2017 Orientation to

Caregivers Training

Grande Prairie, 10130-99 Avenue

214 Place South, Third Floor

May 15-17, 2017

October 20-22, 2017

Northwest Council

2017 meeting dates

Apr 12/17: 1-3 pm video conference

June 14/17: 1-3 pm face to face AGM

in Peace River

Fairview: area office, Grande Prairie:

room 309, High Level: area office, High

Prairie: area office, Peace River: small

boardroom, Slave Lake: main boardroom

Questions about the Council can be directed to

Andrea Kolodychuk by phone or text at 780-835-1441

or by email to: phil.andreak@gmail.com

A ngel Flight Alberta was started in the spring of 2006 with a vision to fill a

need for rural Albertans who must travel long distances for medical ser-

vices. Our objective is to transport ambulatory patients whose medical and or

financial situation makes it difficult or impossible for them to travel by conven-

tional means.

We are a charitable organization that provides free air transportation for peo-

ple needing medical services at hospitals and centralized medical care facilities in

Edmonton and Calgary. We use a network of vol-

unteer pilots, aircraft owners and ground support to

fly as needed, and as often as our capacity allows.

We're here to help you! Visit http://

www.angelflight.ab.ca/ for more information.

Angel Flight: Why We Are

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Did you know? Non-prescription medications are funded through your monthly child maintenance compensation payment.

Green garlic is still technically garlic and contains all the amazing health benefits found in a mature bulb. Garlic is

notable for its immune-boosting qualities: allicin, the sulfur compound found in garlic, responsible for its pungent smell and taste, is a natural antibiotic and can help the body block infections.

OF THE SEASON

Metis and Non-Status Indian

Bursary Program

A lberta Human Services is now accepting applications for the Métis and

Non-Status Indian Bursary Program. This program assists eligible Mé-

tis and Non-Status Indian students who wish to pursue a post-

secondary education in the field of social services. The closing date for applica-

tions is Wednesday, May 31, 2017.

Detailed information and application

forms (for new and renewing applicants)

can be found online at

www.humanservices.alberta.ca/

metisbursary.

For additional information or clarifica-

tion of this program, please forward ques-

tions to: HS.MetisBursary@gov.ab.ca.

Respite providers needed We are updating our list of respite providers in

an effort to support child care needs for foster

care providers. If you want to add your name to

this list, please contact your foster care

caseworker. A reminder overloaded homes

cannot provide respite.

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T his is a camp about healing:

Mother Nature,

grandmothers, mothers,

daughters, and granddaughters.

It takes place at the Alexander First

Nation in Alberta on May 12-14, 2017.

Participants are to provide their own

cultural protocol for elders and

facilitators. Roles and responsibilities

will be taught in traditional ceremonies.

One-on-one and/or group healing

sessions will be offered. Elders and

facilitators will also offer one-on-one

counselling. A cultural feast will be held

on the last day at noon.

Registration fee is $200 for the three

days. Campsites are available or

individuals may utilize local hotels and

motels in the area. Please bring your

own reusable dishes to help protect

Mother Nature.

For more information and

registration, contact Terry Newborn at

780-939-4868 or 780-860-7626 or email

ericnewborn45@gmail.com. You may

also contact Jeannette Newborn at 780-

231-0375 or leave a message at the

band office at 780-939-5887.

Absolutely no alcohol or drugs on site.

Culture Camp for Indigenous/Non-Indigenous Women

Caregiver Curriculum on FASD

H ere is a link to an amazing resource with respect to understanding /

navigating caregiving for a child who has been impacted or suspected

to be impacted by FASD. It’s called the Caregiver Curriculum on

FASD. It’s a great way for caregivers and social workers to build on our skill

sets when working with children who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol.

It’s very user friendly.

“The purpose of this curriculum is to provide a venue for caregivers includ-

ing foster parents, families, kinship care, youth and child care workers, child

welfare services, and others trying to understand and cope with many of the life

challenges faced by children with FASD.”

http://www.fasdchildwelfare.ca/learning/caregivers

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Y ou are invited to attend an in-

formative evening at St. Joseph

High School. This open house-

style event takes place on April 27,

2017 from 5:00—8:00 pm at St Joseph

High School in Grande Prairie. The

evening will consist of scheduled

breakout session opportunities as well

as informal information booths with

Service Providers.

Breakout Sessions are offered in

each of the session times noted below:

5:00pm Open House Begins

5:15-5:45 pm: Breakout Session 1

6:00-6:30 pm: Breakout Session 2

6:45-7:15 pm: Breakout Session 3

7:15-8:00 pm: Individual Meeting Op-

portunities with Breakout Presenters

Please join Disability Services to

explore resources, supports and ser-

vices that may assist you and your

family to fulfill your vision for the fu-

ture. This half hour will provide a brief

overview of the Family Supports for

Children with Disabilities and Persons

with Developmental Disabilities Pro-

grams. Topics include eligibility, tran-

sition and service planning, plus coor-

dination of services within the com-

munity.

Alberta Supports presentation will

include an introduction of the provin-

cial program of Alberta Supports. The

presentation will provide information

as to how to access these supports

throughout the province and in the

local area.

Community Addiction and Mental

Health will provide information on the

range of services available for those

who are concerned about their own or

someone else’s substance use, gam-

bling and/or mental health. The pre-

senters will identify how to access

these services in our community.

Some of the Service Providers who

will be present with information

booths:

Office of the Public Guardian and

Trusteeship

Assured Income for the Severely

Handicapped

Accredited Supportive Living Ser-

vices

McMann Youth Family and Com-

munity Services

Signature Support Services

Goodwill Industries

Special Olympics

Inclusion Alberta

Inclusive Post-Secondary Educa-

tion GPRC

HIV North

R. Work Group and more

These agencies offer programs,

supports and resources in one or more

of the following areas: community liv-

ing supports, employment supports,

community access support and spe-

cialized community supports for indi-

viduals with developmental disabilities

and/or complex needs.

Light snacks provided by St. Joe’s

Foods Classes and Grande Prairie and

District Catholic Schools.

Refreshments provided by Grande

Prairie Public School District.

Sweets provided by the General

Learning Skills Program at Peace Wap-

iti Academy High School.

For More Information Contact

Pauline Ruel-Wyant at 780-532-3013

or email: register@nrlc.net (pre-

registration not required)

Transitioning: Life After High School

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Tell your friends! It’s easy to contribute to our

Kids-In-

Care!

Collect bottles

and cans at your

home or work-

place, label the

bag or box with

account #1838 and take to Plus 1 or 2

Bottle Depot. These funds go

exclusively to Grande Prairie’s Kids-in-

Care Christmas party.

Plus 1 Bottle Depot, 10502—96 Avenue, Grande Prairie

Plus 2 Bottle Depot, 7601 Resources Road, Grande Prairie

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Textbook deposit return The textbook deposit is made from the child-in-care’s fi-

nancial resource and is paid for at the beginning of the

school year. Schools generally return this deposit by way of

cheque to the child’s

caregiver at the end of

the school year. It is im-

portant that this deposit

money is returned to the

child’s financial resource.

Please remember to re-

mit the deposit to your

caseworker when it is

received so it may be

used again the following

school year.

Play Dough This recipe has been a favourite at our house

since I was a child!

1 cup flour

½ cup salt

1 cup water

1Tablespoon

vegetable oil

1 teaspoon cream

of tartar

Food colouring

Directions: In sauce pan add flour, salt and cream of tartar

and mix well. Add water, oil and food colouring and mix

again. Place on burner with medium heat.

Stir constantly until all the liquid is gone and mixture looks

lumpy. Remove from heat and let cool some then knead it

into a ball. Once it reaches room temperature you can store

in a container in the fridge for a long time.

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F.A.S.T.

representatives

wanted

T he Northwest Region is currently

recruiting caregivers who would

like to become members of the Foster

Allegations Support Team.

If you are interested in becoming a

F.A.S.T representative, please contact

the Alberta Foster Parent Association

at 780-429-9923 or 1-800-667-2372. Learn more about this valuable re-

source by visiting the Alberta Foster

Parent Association website at https://

www.afpaonline.com/programs/f-a-s-

t/

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Young Children and

Technology: Finding

the Right Balance

The Encyclopedia on Early Child-

hood Development has released a new

information sheet.

Children have access to technolo-

gies from a very young age. About

83% of children ages six months to six

years use screens every day to play,

learn or read. Often, they use digital

media, like e-books, tablets,

smartphones and their apps. Learn

more by visiting:

http://www.child-encyclopedia.com/

sites/default/files/docs/coups-oeil/

technology-in-early-childhood-

education-info.pdf?

utm_source=All&utm_campaign=Tec

hnology+in+early+childhood+educati

on&utm_medium=email&utm_source

=Keeping+in+Touch+-+Valentine%

27s+Issue&utm_campaign=January+

2017&utm_medium=email

Expenses for

Training It is important for caregivers to submit

their training expenses to the office,

including first aid, as soon as possible.

When submitting expenses for first aid,

please include a copy of the certificate

and the receipt, as well as child care

receipts, if applicable. Mileage may also

be claimed if there is significant travel

associated with the training. Contact

your caseworker if you have questions.

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Band consultation attendance

reminder

A reminder to foster and kinship parents that band

consultations occur every three months with the

band to which the child in your care belongs.

Caseworkers will provide advance notice of these

meetings and it is an expectation that caregivers attend

with the children, unless unforeseen circumstances

occur. It is a policy requirement that children attend

these consultations with their caregivers in order to

update the band regarding their well-being. This is also

an opportunity to seek out extended family for the

children for purposes of potential placements, family

ties, community contacts, and cultural connections.

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I t was spring fever at the Kids-in-Care Easter Party in High Prairie as caregivers, staff

and kids got together to celebrate. Joining in the festivities: Amy Bain, Bernadette

Cardinal, Heather Chiasson, Dawn-Simone Dow, Lorina Dubois, Terri Forseille,

Natasha Linteris, Tracy McPhail, Sarah Murphy, Karen Noskey, Lisa Pashko, Chelsea

Poirer, Barb Prevost, Colleen Strebchuk, Michelle Willier, and, of course, our kids in care

(not shown).

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