1. family and parenting
2. children

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Fall 2014
Displaced, Isolated
David Reconnects to
Build a New Life
David was wearing khaki pants, clean white tennis shoes, and a freshly pressed white
t-shirt neatly tucked into his pants when he and Samantha first met. He spoke softly
and politely, looked at the floor and called her “ma’am.”
At 14 years old, David lived in a therapeutic juvenile probation facility, already having
spent many of his young days behind bars. Before that, he was moved from foster home
to foster home after being separated from his birth mother.
David is one of a growing number of young people needing assistance from the Family
Search and Engagement (FSE) program of EMQ FamiliesFirst. After years of trauma,
grief and loss, many former foster youth end up involved in the juvenile justice system.
They find themselves even more displaced, disconnected and hopeless.
Samantha, who is the clinical program manager for FSE, asked where he saw himself in
the next five years. David put his face in his hands and reflected on the choices he had
made and the ones ahead. He took a deep breath and said, “Well, my brother is locked up.
If I can’t find anyone who cares about me on the outside, at least I know that on the inside I
have family. But, man…I don’t know. I can’t even imagine being around in five years, ma’am.”
David’s probation officer had contacted Samantha and FSE because David was due to be
released from protective custody. He’d served his time and been a model resident. But
if David could find nowhere to live, he’d be sent back to juvenile hall—and a cell—for
many months to wait for an opening at a group home. The wait list was long.
At that time his parents were not an option, so Samantha located the foster mother
who David had lived with the longest. She’s now living out of state but sent photos
and videos of David “being a kid,” and a card on his birthday. She helped reconstruct
for him a childhood that he’d nearly forgotten.
Later on, David’s mother came forward, having her own story of damage and
suffering that resulted in their separation. She began participating in family therapy
and visiting him for the first time since he was placed in out-of-home care. The last
time Samantha saw David, he spoke more about life “on the outside,” imagining for
the first time a future that didn’t end in incarceration.
FSE services that reconnect kids like David are only available through private donations
and grants. Visit www.emqff.org/newsletter to see how you can help.
What’s going on in your region…
Bay Area
Foster Care &
Adoption Services
Capital
Region
Central
Valley
Inland
Empire
Los Angeles
(Hollygrove)
Join us for the Silicon
Valley Community
Awards Luncheon
p. 4
Help a foster
child receive their
first bike!
p. 5
Three new or
expanded programs
are a ‘win’ for kids
p. 5
Holiday help eases
family poverty at a
crucial time
p. 6
Program goes
to remote,
underserved areas
p. 6
See photos of
revitalized lobby and
recent events
p. 7
EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2014 . www.emqff.org 1
Leadership
From Darrell Evora, MCP, MBA, President & CEO
Farewell to Senator Steinberg
and Dr. Peña
I want to pay tribute to two friends and leaders, both mental health
champions, who are about to step out of their current roles where
they have made tremendous strides for California’s children and
families. Darrell Steinberg, Speaker Pro Tem in the California Senate,
will end his term; and Dr. Nancy Peña, Mental Health Director for
Santa Clara County, is retiring.
Senator Steinberg drove systems change (not an easy task in
Sacramento politics) that will live on for decades and positively
impact families and children living in the margins of society. His philosophical
view has been to focus on a few issues that are important yet largely overlooked
by his colleagues. He championed and built consensus to pass Proposition 63, the
Mental Health Services Act; SB 946, which requires health insurance plans to cover
autism services; coverage for Medi-Cal eligible children with autism; and initiatives
to strengthen early childhood education.
Dr. Peña, another visionary leader, has committed her life’s work to serving the
most vulnerable in our community. She consistently has been a great partner to
all service providers in the county. Not only smart and creative, Dr. Peña’s greatest
attribute is that she is not focused on doing it her way but doing it the best way.
Her vision for a children’s continuum of crisis care in Santa Clara County will set a
model of excellence statewide.
It is with professional admiration—and heartfelt thanks on behalf of children and
families—that I acknowledge and celebrate Senator Steinberg and Dr. Peña. ♥
Meet: Brad Slocum, Board Member
Brad Slocum has fond childhood memories of winter trips to the
mountains. Now, he and Laetitia, his wife, share the tradition by
taking their three sons, ages 6, 8 and 10, on ski trips. Brad also wants
to pass something on to children who are less fortunate, and he’s
found the opportunity to do so through Hollygrove, the Los Angeles
division of EMQ FamiliesFirst.
Brad first visited Hollygrove 18 years ago when, as cofounder of
Granite Investment Partners, he presented to the board about
endowment investment portfolios. It was an early morning meeting and he was
invited beforehand to have breakfast with the Hollygrove kids.
Headquarters
251 Llewellyn Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 379-3790
Fund Development
Bay Area (408) 364-4044
Capital Region (916) 388-6400
Central Valley (559) 246-8223
Inland Empire (909) 266-2708
Los Angeles/Hollygrove (323) 769-7142
Human Resources
Job postings and applications at
www.emqff.org/employment
Foster Care and Adoption Services
(877) 488-5437 (toll-free)
Regional Offices:
Bay Area
251 Llewellyn Ave.
Campbell, CA 95008
(408) 379-3790
Capital
9343 Tech Center Drive, 2nd Floor
Sacramento, CA 95826
(916) 388-6400
Central Valley
1630 E. Shaw Ave., Suite 150
Fresno, CA 93710
(559) 248-8550
Inland Empire
572 N. Arrowhead Ave., Suite 200
San Bernardino, CA 92401
(909) 266-2700
Los Angeles/Hollygrove
815 N. El Centro Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
(323) 463-2119
VP of Fund Development
Lisa Alegria (323) 769-7102
Newsletter Editor
Lee Ann Kolker (408) 364-4043
Graphic Designer
Gayle Marquez, Marquez+Hubka Design
“One boy approached me and wanted to show me a paper mache mask he had been
making of himself with a written story about his life underneath,” Brad said. “I was
so taken by the child’s story about his tragic life. He was a fantastic little kid yet had
come from such a troubled background.”
For more locations and information on all of our
services, go to www.emqff.org. If you have donated
within the past year, please look yourself up on the
website at www.emqff.org/help.
By the end of his investment presentation that day Brad offered to get involved. Soon
he was serving on the Hollygrove board. He realized that helping kids at an early age
can prevent later homelessness, addiction or crime. “Kids at Hollygrove don’t look
any different from my kids or any other kids,” Brad said. “They just need a break.”
Confidentiality of EMQ FamiliesFirst children
and families has been preserved through the use of
models and by changing identifying details.
Now Brad serves the agency-wide board as well as chairing the Los Angeles Region
board of governors. He has enjoyed raising community awareness and approaching
2 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org
continued on next page
Possibilities is published two times a year for the
supporters of EMQ FamiliesFirst.
To update your mailing information, please call
or email Judi Umbreit at (408) 364-4048 or
judith.umbreit@emqff.org.
Tell a Friend
EMQ FamiliesFirst
Board of Directors
Chair of the Board
Peter W. Brown, CPA
Vice Chair/Chair-Elect
Michael S. McAndrews
Secretary
John F. Hopkins, Esq.
Treasurer
Suanne Ramar
President & CEO
EMQ FamiliesFirst
Darrell Evora, MCP, MBA
Robert A. Archer
Jo Ariko
Roger A. Barney
Donna Butcher
Neal Dempsey
Geoff Edelstein
Charles E. Erickson
Heather Jones
Scott Kolbrenner
William D. Kron
R. Donald McNeil, Esq.
Bradley G. Slocum
John J. Tallarida
Geoffrey R.M. Thomas
Jana L. Turner
Kimila W. Ulrich
Denise Vonhof
When hope
is hard to
find…
…your gift
lets a child know
someone in their
community cares.
Your donation this holiday season will
help a child heal from complex trauma,
such as abuse or severe neglect, witnessing violence at home or in
the community, separation from family members and lack of adequate food or housing.
For families struggling to turn their lives around, the holidays create increased anxiety
and despair. Your gift not only helps bring holiday joy, it provides emergency resources
and basics like shelter, food and clothing.
4 Easy Ways to Donate
Choose how you want to donate. You can designate your gift to go to your local
community or give a general gift that will be used statewide, wherever the need is
greatest: $40 will buy a holiday gift and $200 will provide gifts and food for a family
of four.
• Make a secure online donation at www.emqff.org.
• Provide much-needed gift cards in $25 increments to stores such as Target, Toys R
Us, Walmart, local grocers, gas stations and public transit. For more information,
call your regional representative (below).
• Use the enclosed envelope and mail your donation.
• Sponsor a holiday drive through your business—call your representative today.
Help spread hope, throughout California and close to home. Your donation makes the
difference. Every gift, every dollar directly helps a child in crisis. ♥
C O N TA C T Y O U R R E G I O N A L R E P R E S E N TAT I V E
Bay Area
Darren DeMonsi
(408) 364-4058 or
Antoinette Harris
(925) 325-3336
Capital Region
Hillary Gaines
(916) 388-6400
Central Valley
Laura Mock
(559) 246-8223
Hollygrove/
Los Angeles
Cathy Kort
(323) 769-7142
Ð
Inland Empire
Kesha Vann
(909) 266-2708
What follows Black Friday and Cyber Monday? Giving
Tuesday—a national day to kick off the holiday giving
season.
This year when you make your gift to children served by EMQ
FamiliesFirst, please also give a minute of your time to help spread
the word about kids in crisis. You are our best ambassador for helping
raise awareness and support for children’s mental health. If you’re on
social media, use the hashtag #give2kids. Thanks for your support!
Meet: Brad Slocum continued from page 2
foundations and endowments for grants. He helped start the board of governors
and continues to recruit people who want to give back and who bring new ideas
and energy to help children in crisis. ♥
EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org 3
Bay Area Region
Silicon Valley Community Awards Luncheon
Join Us to Honor Leaders Who Help Kids
“Every Child Is a Rising Star” at the Silicon Valley Community
Awards Luncheon where we’ll honor community leaders who have
helped change the lives of children in crisis. Join us January 30, 2015,
from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., at the San Jose Fairmont. Proceeds
benefit children and their families in our Bay Area programs.
Honorees include William J. Del Biaggio, Jr., Heritage Bank of
Commerce; Cheryl Bailey, Bella Vista League (left); and Hon.
Jim Beall, California State Senator (right). “The Golden Gate
Guardian”—retired California Highway Patrol Sergeant Kevin
Briggs—is our guest speaker.
For tickets and information, visit www.svrisingstarawards.org.
For sponsorship information, please contact Diane Wesson,
Director of Development, by email at diane.wesson@emqff.org
or by phone at (408) 364-4051. ♥
to Ray and Liza
Beshoff for hosting
the Beshoff
MotorCars 8th
Annual Golf
Championship.
This year was
another huge
success and their
support has been
invaluable to our
kids in crisis and
their families.
Safety Net Expands for Youth
Over the Age of 18
Dedicated Volunteers Run Popular
Stores, and Help Kids
In Contra Costa County as many as 300 foster youth each
year reach the age of 18, usually without the safety net of a
mentor or family connections. Among many hard choices,
the youth seek permanent housing, career and employment
assistance and connections with appropriate adults who can
support them.
EMQ FamiliesFirst is enormously grateful to receive the
support and proceeds of three volunteer-operated stores in
the Bay Area Region. Due to the hard work and dedication
of 250 volunteers and hundreds of supporting and parttime volunteers, children throughout the state can receive
the help they need to recover from traumatic pasts. Find out
more at www.emqff.org/newsletter. ♥
For over a year now, we have successfully expanded our
Transitional Housing Placement program from 6 to 28
youth (16-20 years old) by offering the Transitional Housing
+ Foster Care program. This means that emancipating
youth who decide to remain in foster care can live in safe
apartments and receive support that helps them transition
to independent living.
They are assisted by reliable support staff on skills such as
how to pay bills, cook inexpensive, healthy meals or learn
self-regulation techniques when interacting with a coworker or roommate. Youth must attend school and/or work
at least 40 hours per month, follow regulations, develop
personal growth goals, and prepare to exit the program with
realistic plans for housing and employment. Contra Costa
County staff rave about the success of our growth and look
forward to placing additional youth.
Here are the kind of donations that you can provide to help
youth in the program: gift cards (Target, Wal-Mart, Safeway,
Lucky/SaveMart, Grocery Outlet, Century/CineMark
theaters), towels, pots and pans, dishes, silverware and
plastic hangers. ♥
 For details, contact Antoinette Harris (925) 325-3336.
4 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org
The Happy Dragon Thrift
Shop has been a favorite in
the Los Gatos community
since 1958. Since its humble
beginnings as a yard sale to
support the young girls of
the Ming Quong home (one
of our legacy agencies), the
Happy Dragon has raised over
$5 million.
Located in Los Gatos, the
Butter Paddle Gift Shop,
founded in 1967, first resided
in Saratoga before relocating
in 2008. The boutique gift
shop is known for its tasteful
home accessories and
distinctive gifts.
The Unicorn Thrift Shop has
operated in the Almaden
Valley for over 20 years. It
has become a destination
of choice for in-the-know
bargain shoppers of the
South Bay.
Foster Care & Adoption
You and Foster Santa Help Kids
Bikes Bring the Joys of Childhood
You may remember the childhood joy of riding a bike—a bit of freedom, adventure with friends,
unlimited fun and exercise, and the confidence gained from riding to school, team practice or a
job. For kids in our foster care and community-based programs, you can provide the opportunity
to build the same kind of memories which help heal the traumas they have experienced.
This holiday season, ensure that each child experiences the joy of a holiday party or a new bicycle.
Your donation eases the burden for parents and caregivers who wonder how they can bring the
holidays to their families when it is already a challenge to meet basic needs.
You and Foster Santa can help!
Become a part of the almost 40-year legacy of the Foster Santa program of EMQ FamiliesFirst
and help create lasting memories for children in your community. Foster Santa is funded entirely
by private donations. Your donation supports:
• New bikes, helmets and locks for over 200 children and teens in Northern California
• Holiday celebrations for our Foster Care and Adoptions kids and community-based programs in
Sacramento, Alameda, Fresno, San Joaquin, Santa Clara, Solano and Stanislaus counties
• Shelter, food, clothing and emergency resources for struggling families
When you donate to Foster Santa, you not only give children and families a little holiday magic,
you give them help and hope for the future. Help us do whatever it takes to keep kids happy and healthy this holiday season. ♥
 To donate, visit www.emqff.org/newsletter or contact Hillary Gaines at (916) 388-6400.
Capital Region
Sacramento, Solano and Placer Programs Grow
Regional Programs Take
Exciting Leaps
Program growth is wonderful to see because it means we
can meet more community need and help children in crisis
and their families. EMQ FamiliesFirst in the Capital Region
has recently experienced three ‘wins’ we want to share with
you.
First, our Sacramento Flexible Integrated Treatment (FIT)
program was expanded this year to accommodate services
for Katie A. children. FIT is an outpatient mental health
program, and Katie A. covers children in foster care (or
imminent risk of placement) so that they receive specified
mental health care.
Second, as part of a collaborative proposal, we are in a new
three-year contract to continue as a provider in the Solano
Partnership for Early Access for Kids program (PEAK).
Provided in Spanish and English to children from birth to
age 5, services identify and help at-risk families prevent
problems from spiraling out of control and becoming
serious emotional disorders that surface years later.
Finally, we submitted the winning proposal in a very
competitive bidding process to become Placer County’s
new provider of children’s outpatient and Wraparound
services. Wrapraound provides services for a child and
family at home, school and in the community. ♥
EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org 5
Central Region
Help Arrives at a Crucial Time
Here’s how one family found the extra support to provide for
their children at a time of crisis and need. It also points to
the importance of community partnerships in our Central
Valley communities.
As the holiday season approached last year, Lucy tried not to
lose hope. She and her husband are loving, caring parents
who were doing all they could to keep the family healthy and
intact, but it was a large family with a lot of needs. Their
oldest daughter, Catalina, had significant mental health
issues.
When she was at home with the three younger siblings,
Catalina was dangerous and abusive, which caused the
younger kids to develop behavior issues of their own.
Catalina was placed outside the home for a time, but when
she returned, the others became unstable again.
In the meantime, on top of all the other stress upon the
family, Lucy felt the pressures of the approaching holiday.
There was little enough for their everyday needs. That’s
when we learned that a local agency, Family Options, had
an opening for one of our families to be sponsored for the
holidays. Through Family Options’ gracious support, Lucy’s
family was able to celebrate and receive gifts.
When local agencies, businesses and people like you reach out
during the difficult holiday season, it makes all the difference.
See page 3 for details on how you can provide holiday meals,
gifts or basic necessities to a family like Lucy’s. ♥
In particular, 11-year-old Mia had trouble. She had behavior
and mood issues, difficulty with social interactions and
an extra need for attention in their large family. Her mom
got Mia into our Assertive Community Treatment (ACT)
program, which provides intensive mental health services.
Mia was willing to work on her issues but her ACT team
knew it would take some time and work with Mia and the
whole family.
Inland Empire
Underserved Children with Complex Needs in Remote Areas
Team Goes the Extra Mile(s)
The clinical team drives an hour and a half, eventually navigating several dirt roads, to access a family isolated and alone, even
more so because they can’t leave 14-year-old Kayla unsupervised. In these unincorporated areas or desert communities of the
Inland Empire, few services are available for families even though they make up more than half the region’s population.
Kayla has complex needs but has had little treatment since her initial diagnosis at age 5. She has multiple psychological and
behavioral disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, biopolar disorder and ADHD. The next step may be out-of-home
placement, but her parents are doing whatever they can to keep her at home. And finally they have help.
The clinician and behavior technicians of EMQ FamiliesFirst started seeing Kayla 4-5 hours per week and have increased that to
12-16 hours (plus travel time). They work with her behavior and help her parents
learn behavior strategies and techniques.
Kayla’s isolation has taken a dramatic turn with these frequent social interactions
and new adult friends. Another goal is to get Kayla connected with a social peer
group. Recently, the team had her create a list of activities she is interested in. It’s a
big list. Cheerleading class is at the top because she has seen her sister participate.
Even though the team would have hoped to start working with Kayla earlier, the
changes she has experienced already are positive. You can help kids like Kayla by
donating toward the extras that are not covered (by insurance or Medi-Cal), such
as a social skills class, purchase of an iPad or communications software. ♥
Learn more at www.emqff.org/newsletter.
6 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.emqff.org
Los Angeles Region
Chair of the EMQ FamiliesFirst board, Peter Brown, and his wife,
Conchi, hosted their Semi-Annual End of Summer Backyard Bash
in September. Shown left to right: Conchi and Peter; Lisa Alegria,
VP of Fund Development; and Nancy and Norm Swanton, Circle of
Angels members.
Shown left to right: last year’s Norma Jean Gala host board included emcee
Busy Philipps, George Lopez, Debby Ryan and Diane Ladd.
Norma Jean Gala
Save-the-Date
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
6:00-9:30 p.m.
The Taglyan Complex, Hollywood
Thank you to the Hollygrove board of governors, Circle of Angels
donors, and all who contributed to the success of this year’s Camp
Hollygrove. With your help, more than 300 children were able to enjoy
a camp experience designed to help them overcome emotional and
behavioral challenges in a safe and supportive setting.
Here’s a peak at our newly renovated lobby, which the kids and
families truly enjoy. The project was made possible by grants from
The Ahmanson Foundation, Michael J. Connell Foundation, and
Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky. Volunteers from UCLA also assisted with
campus improvements including painting murals and re-painting
the basketball court.
Hollygrove’s fundraising gala will delight guests with
a cocktail hors d’oeuvres reception, children’s art exhibit,
entertainment, and a live and silent auction.
Sponsorships and pre-registrations welcome
at www.normajeangala.org.
The Circle of Angels membership drive was launched
at the Hollygrove Board of Governors meeting in
October by this year’s chair, Lisa Hutchins.
To join or renew, visit www.hollygrove.org/angels
or call Catherine Kort at (323) 769-7142.
EMQ FamiliesFirst . Fall 2014 . www.hollygrove.org 7
HOLLYGROVE TO BE FEATURED
Hollygrove will
be featured on
the new season
of “Home
Made Simple,”
returning Saturday,
November1, at 9
a.m. on OWN.
For details, visit
www.emqff.org/
newsletter.
INSIDE
(left to right) Amy Devers; Stewart Grace, Hugo
Chacon, and Mary Brougher of Hollygrove; Soleil
Moon Frye (host); and Kenneth Wingard
- Success: Reconnecting to Build a New Life
- CEO Letter: Tribute to Two Mental Health Champions
- Holidays: Try Our Secure Online Giving Site!
Printed on recycled paper
Thank you for
helping kids in crisis
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receive multiple copies, please contact
Judi Umbreit at (408) 364-4048 or
judith.umbreit@emqff.org.
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