AWFC Networks with Food Bank to Include
All Foster Families
A World For Children is delighted to announce that we have
worked out an agreement with the Capital Area Food Bank for us to set up a distribution
center so ALL foster families can participate in the food bank.
Under the old plan only group homes with 10 or more
children could participate. Under the new arrangement all homes who want to participate
may do so. In a recent meeting between AWFC staff and Capital Area Food Bank staff, a new
procedure for utilizing those services was developed. In an attempt to serve a larger
number of foster families, the Capital Area Food Bank set up an account with A World For
Children who will be responsible for distribution of food bank goods at a central
location.
In order for our families to participate, a building,
meeting the food bank specifications, will have to be constructed. In a cooperative effort
between AWFC and some foster families, a plan to make this a reality has been developed.
Derrell Moore has volunteered his property to house the new building. In addition,
Derrell, Mike Southerland, Dave Wilkins, and Tom Moore have agreed to assume
responsibility for the project. AWFC will supply the building materials and they will
build the facility. Also they have agreed to coordinate and manage the distribution
process. WOW - these men really deserve a pat on the back - what an undertaking!
In order to keep this endeavor manageable, a process is
being set up by the volunteers and AWFC administration. The building is targeted to be
finished the first of December so that families can enjoy the services over the holidays.
A food bank orientation meeting is scheduled for December 1 at AWFC beginning at 6:30
(Foster families get training hours). It is required that at least one member of any
family wishing to participate attend the orientation meeting to learn the process and
procedure.
We are so excited that the money saved by foster families
on food cost can be used to meet other needs of foster children. AWFC is committed to
supporting foster children as well as foster families in assisting with improving their
quality of life. This is one of the finest services AWFC can offer foster parents. It is a
direct service to children, that will have a real economic impact for foster parents.
AWFC Says "Goodbye" to Angel
AWFC must say goodbye to our very special child, Angel who
has moved her residence to a beautiful mansion in Heaven. Angel fulfilled the role of
resident angel for A World For Children for several years. Through her battle with
Newman-Pic disease, she has been an inspiration to all of us who knew her through her
display of courage, determination, and a strong will.
Although our hearts were broken in having to let Angel go,
we were comforted in knowing that this child who never said a word nor walked a step on
Earth, is now running the streets of gold. Her laughter and excitement in being free from
the constraints of wheelchairs and beds delights the legion of angels that were dispatched
to take her home.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Arylene and Art Dahl,
Angel’s parents. They were blessed with Angel for 5 years. Their devotion to Angel
was evident always. During the past few months, the Dahls walked the long path of
suffering hand-in- hand with Angel. Angel’s last years on earth were the very best
they could possibly have been because of Arylene and Art’s loving care. May God bless
this couple for their never ending dedication to Angel as well as the other special
children in their home.
AWFC Partnering with Schools
AWFC promotes a strong partnership with each of the
schools that serve children in our care. In making preparation for the beginning of the
1998-99 school year, AWFC provided each family $25.00 per child in care to help with the
beginning expenses for school supplies.
In addition, Sharon D. Willis, AWFC Administrator, made a
presentation on "Advocating for Foster Children with School Personnel" at a
recent CCOP meeting. This meeting was open to AWFC staff and foster parents as well as
other agencies. This training will be presented again on November 7 in a cooperative
effort with Therapeutic Family Life. If any AWFC foster families are interested in
attending, contact Sharon Willis.
AWFC Training Options
As AWFC is growing, we are increasing our training
options for our families. We have recently added the following support/ training groups:
Round Rock - 1st Thursday of the month
Killeen (evening) - 1st Tuesday of the month
Dallas/Ft Worth -3rd Monday of the month
These are in addition to the support/training groups that
we have been providing:
East Texas - third Monday of the Month
Killeen (morning) - last Tuesday of the month
Mullin -3rd Monday of the month
Lockhart - 4th Thursday of every other month
In addition to these support/training groups, the
following training is available at the Round Rock office:
Medication training - 2nd Tuesday of the month
New Family Orientation - 2nd Tuesday of the month
PMAB (refresher) - 3rd Tuesday every other month
PMAB (initial) -3rd Saturday every other month
Respite Training - 2nd Monday of the month
Foster Parent Initiative - 2nd and 3rd Saturday every
other month.
Also AWFC will have specialized training for 8 hours one
Saturday a quarter. Recently AWFC hosted Saturday trainings on: ADHD, Enuresis &
Encopresis, and Computer Training. All three of these trainings were fantastic. The ADHD
and Enuresis &Encopresis are on video and are available for those families that missed
these trainings.
We are planning some really exciting training activities
for 1999, so watch the upcoming training bulletins and calendars.
We recognize how hard it is to meet the training
requirements - we are trying to help - in October AWFC offered 48 hours of training and in
November we will be offering an additional 48 hours. November's training calendar is
enclosed in this newsletter. Remember, the end of the year is approaching - please get
your training hours completed!
"Helping Hands"
The Holiday Season is quickly approaching. Last year AWFC
children were richly blessed with the generous donation of various groups in the
community. During the 1998 year, AWFC has been blessed to serve more and more children. We
are hopeful that if God touches your spirit to share with "God's special
children", you will contact Sharon Willis at AWFC, 218-4400.
AWFC Plans a "Busy" Fall
A World For Children began the Fall season with a boost to
"back to school" activities through school supplies money and training (see AWFC
and Schools). A World For Children recognizes and encourages strong partnerships with
schools. Education is a key component to breaking the "abuse and neglect cycle"
and AWFC actively advocates for foster children with school personnel.
As the Fall season marks the nearing of the end of the
year, AWFC widens its array of training opportunities. A "training committee"
developed a calendar to include many topics for the remainder of the year (see AWFC
Training Options). The input from foster parents on training topics and needs was
very helpful and was integrated into the training schedule. Note the additional
training opportunities listed in the calendar. The 1999 training calendar will be
available in January. Truly effective training is vital to foster families and staff in
the pursuit of excellence in foster care.
The community has been extremely receptive to the mission
of AWFC. Many friends of AWFC have inquired about ways to assist with helping the
children.
The hostesses of the Promise land (a local church) have
launched several fundraisers to offer scholarships for the special needs of children in
care. Anyone interested in volunteer activities should join the AWFC "Helping
Hands" program (see Helping Hands).
The AWFC administrative staff is planning a strategic
planning meeting to be held in early November.
Developing agency goals and objectives is imperative to
insure quality care during a strong growth period (see AWFC Strategic Planning).
The beginning of the Fall season has been marked with
tremendous growth for AWFC. This growth has been evidenced by new families, staff, and
children-in-care. The additional foster parents (Foster Parents Enhance AWFC's Services)
add to the wide array of potential family choices for placement. As the number of children
to be served increases, AWFC remains committed to adding sufficient, qualified staff to
meet the needs of both families and children (see AWFC Welcomes New Staff).
A change in Capital Area Food Bank services will possibly
impact this important resource for AWFC group homes (see AWFC Networks with Food Bank to
Include All Foster Families).
Truly A World For Children is BUSY during the Fall season!
AWFC Strategic Planning
The Administrative Team has been really working to
"strategically plan" for the future of AWFC. Areas that the administrative team
has been focusing include:
Partnering with the Capital Area Food Bank (see related
story)
Partnering with Lena Pope in Project PACE this is a
managed care pilot program that the State has implemented in the 10 counties around Fort
Worth.
Becoming a Medicaid provider to open future possibilities
for outpatient treatment.
Exploring the options of a new location for AWFC because
of the growth!
Exploring networking possibilities with other
organizations.
Increasing the number o counties contracting for
juvenile probation services.
Enlarge the geographical area for the foster care program
.
Reviewing and upgrading staff benefits. Exploring
additional shelter facilities.
Foster Parents Enhance AWFC's Services
As the number of children needing AWFC service has
increased, so has the number of families that have answered the call to serve these
children. AWFC is delighted to welcome the following families to our "world":
Kathryn and Jeff Adams, Copperas Cove
Mark and Yvonne Booher, Reisel
Phyllis Brown, Round Rock
James and Vickie Cross, Pflugerville
Reggie and Priscilla Flores, Harker Heights
Connie and Herm Gilmore, Palestine
Matthew Hicks, Mullin
Dorothy and Gordon Hood, La Grange
James and Donna Jones, Cedar Creek
Doug and Tammy Kegarise, Gladewater
Evelyn Poole, Temple
Glenda Thomas, Bedford
Welcome to A World For Children!
AWFC Spotlights
PAUL WILLIS, President
Dr. Paul Willis, AWFC President and founder,
has spent his career helping children. Paul founded AWFC in April, 1997 with a
desire to really make a difference in the life of a child. His dream has become a reality
and with the help of a tremendous staff, two child-placement services have flourished
-emergency/assessment services and foster care services!
Prior to entering social services, "Dr. Paul" spent his career as
an educator, school counselor, principal, curriculum director and school superintendent.
With a doctorate of philosophy degree from Texas A & M, his extensive education
background has been a real assest in advocating for abused and neglected children with
school personnel. In addition, Paul's extensive administrative and financial experience
provided a solid foundation for AWFC. Through his leadership, AWFC has experienced a solid
financial base and the phenomenal growth has been managed to ensure continued quality
services.
Paul's bright smile, Tabasco tie, and warm
personality sets the tone for A World For Children. His open door policy invites families
and staff to stop in for coffee anytime. An intense conversation on making gumbo or other
Tabasco related recipes can be overheard from his office. Paul is truly a gentleman and a
scholar!
AWFC Welcomes New Staff
A World For Children is gro-o-o-o-oowing! We are so
excited about the new staff who are joining AWFC family. A new position, Intake
Coordinator, has been added to AWFC. Mary Allison has assumed that role and is doing a
tremendous job. In the short time that Mary has been with AWFC, she has diligently worked
to add a significant number of children to AWFC's foster care program. Certainly we feel
we have staff and foster families that really provide quality care for our children and we
want those services made available to as many hurting children as possible.
To serve these additional children, AWFC welcomes new
direct care case managers: Sherrill Crow, Ronnie Williams, Katheryn Chaney, Marchal
Stewart, Cari Harris, and Samantha Pagan. .
We also give a great big AWFC welcome to Patti Barker who
is assuming the overwhelming role of Case Management Aide and oversees all the children's
records.
Mary Wehmeyer will be assuming the position of Foster Home
Coordinator and will be maintaining the foster family files and working with the
verification process with new families.
SHELTER STAFF UPDATE
Meredith Lancaster
Toni Schulte
Steve Perez
SO LONG, BUT NOT GOODBYE!
Linda Mc (McCasland) has been the kind, sympathetic voice
that has been greeting you on the phone. She graciously has helped us over the past few
months and we have been truly "spoiled" and "blessed" by Linda. She is
about to launch another program to help children - she is opening a day care beginning
December 1. Unfortunately she will soon be leaving - but her hand prints will forever be
on A World For Children - we are better for having known Linda!
May God bless and richly reward her new endeavor.
CONGRATULATIONS - A NEW BABY
Haden Shea Baker is the newest member of the AWFC family.
He was born to staff therapist, Melissa Baker. Mom and son are doing great! Dad too!!!!
Holiday Activities
As the sugar plums dance, the colorful lights begin
blinking, and the cinnamon and pine smell fills the air, we know the holiday season is
quickly approaching.
AWFC has already contacted Santa and he is due to make a
stop on December 5 at the Round Rock Skating Rink to visit with the AWFC family. For the
families in East Texas, he will stop by on December 12 for a hug and kiss for all the AWFC
children.
Be sure and mark your calendar early - the fun is flowing,
the food is great, and the fellowship is undoubtably the best!
AWFC Shelter Prospers
The AWFC Emergency Assessment Center has really prospered.
According to Sheila Falco, Shelter Program Director, "The shelter has remained at
near capacity (24 children) the entire month. We are so grateful that the CPS workers are
confident in our team to serve their children."
Hats are off to the AWFC Shelter staff who give so much
energy and heart to the children they serve. Every day is a new challenge and new
experience and the staff is so versatile and talented that they meet each situation with a
smile and creative solution. A big thank you is in order for Sheila, Stephanye and the
entire staff!
Special Thanks to:
Helen Spooner and the Girls Scout troop who so thoughtfully created Halloween treats for the
children at the AWFC Emergency Shelter. The kids loved them!
Round Rock United Way and IBM for their generous donation of a laptop computer - what a
blessing!
Williamson County Auxillary Medical Alliance for graciously donating
linens to the AWFC shelt
AWFC Emergency Shelter Wish List
Christmas Helpers
Christmas stockings
Stocking Stuffers
Santa's Helper - gifts
Christmas decorations
Holiday treats
Punching bag
Baseball equipment (bats, balls, gloves)
Heavy duty pots and pans
Comforters - twin beds
School supplies
Fitted and flat twin sheets
Towels
Wash Cloths
White socks - boys and girls
Bikes (all ages)
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