Summer 2012 Abandoned Teen Finds His Family For 10 years, Tony and his two half-siblings were moved from foster home to foster home. Efforts to reconnect with his parents failed. Eventually, a biological father took one sibling back, and the other ran away to family out-of-state. Tony felt truly abandoned. Tony was in danger of being sent to a group home, so the Department of Social Services (DSS) referred him to the Family Finding program at EMQ FamiliesFirst in hopes of finding him a permanent home with a family. The Family Finding team and DSS began an intensive search. Soon, they were able to identify a great-aunt of Tony’s who was part of a family cluster living just 30 minutes from him. Aunt Maria knew exactly who Tony was when the Family Finding team first contacted her. The family had been under the mistaken impression that he had been adopted years before. She helped identify other aunts, uncles, cousins, grandparents, nieces and nephews, all of whom lived nearby. Phone calls with Tony started the connection process. Once it was established that a relationship with this branch of Tony’s family would be a safe, positive situation, a visit was arranged. Upon arrival, the 15-year-old was enveloped by aunts, cousins and uncles. One cousin said, “We wanted him to feel and know that he was a part of our family.” “Tony’s connection with his family was instant,” said Adriana Gonzales, Tony’s Family Finding specialist. “Everyone felt the love and warmth. It was as if he had always known them.” His Aunt Joana expressed a desire to give Tony a home— his first permanent home in more than a decade. continued on page 6 What’s going on in your region… Foster Care & Adoption Bay Area Capital Central Valley Inland Empire Los Angeles (Hollygrove) Donors offer ‘wings’ for a foster child’s life p. 3 Choose from two golf tourneys to help kids p. 4 Yolo Crisis Nursery gets $20K grant p. 5 Camps engage and provide mentors for kids p. 6 New program will help former foster youth p. 6 Service reaches kids in hardest circumstances p. 7 Leadership From Darrell Evora, MFT, President & CEO Children’s Services in Danger On May 14, Governor Jerry Brown released his budget for fiscal year 2012-2013. It places California’s budget shortfall at $15.7 billion, nearly $7 billion more than the $9.2 billion deficit forecasted in January 2012. Due to this, the Governor is proposing significant cutbacks at all levels of state responsibility and revenue generating solutions. Headquarters 251 Llewellyn Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 379-3790 Fund Development Bay Area (408) 364-4044 Capital Region (530) 747-3122 Central Valley (559) 246-8223 Inland Empire (909) 266-2708 Los Angeles/Hollygrove (323) 769-7142 Last year, funding for community safety programs including law enforcement, child protection, public health and probation services was realigned from the state to the counties as a way to support local control and encourage greater efficiency. Funding for mental health services is similarly planned to be realigned this July. Human Resources Our major concern lies with ensuring appropriate access to EPSDT Medi-Cal (Early and Periodic, Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment) services for children. EPSDT is a federal mandate to increase access to mental health services and is an entitlement for eligible children. This federal entitlement recognizes the importance of providing mental health services for children who are at high risk of serious emotional disabilities as the result of poverty and involvement in the child welfare system. Regional Offices: Children need your help! As the state budget evolves over the coming weeks, we will be reaching out to you with calls to action as appropriate. When alerted, we hope you will contact your legislator(s) to help us protect valuable services that are desperately needed by children, youth and families in crisis in your community. Note, as the newsletter goes to press: we have just updated this article because the budget situation is shifting almost daily. To keep getting the latest news and action alerts, please take a minute to visit www.emqff.org and sign up to receive emails. Thanks in advance! Meet: Roger Barney, Board Member Roger Barney knew he and his wife, Jeannette, had to do something. After their daughter Kim had died of suicide by prescription drugs, they were filled with grief…and anger. They wanted to turn that into legal action against the doctors and clinic that had last prescribed pills for Kim, whose chart specifically noted her prescription drug addiction. But Roger and Jeannette had always chosen a different lifestyle, as he says, “to do as much good in the community as we could, helping those who were in greater need than us.” They decided to turn their family’s tragedy into action that might help educate teens about drug abuse and addiction—including prescription medications. So began the pursuit to find a way to help even one child and family avoid similar pain. Thanks to the Barneys, who worked initially with their local Saratoga High School and then connected with EMQ FamiliesFirst, schools and families throughout Santa continued on next page 2 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2012 . www.emqff.org Job postings and applications at www.emqff.org/employment Foster Care and Adoption Services (877) 488-5437 (toll-free) Bay Area 251 Llewellyn Ave. Campbell, CA 95008 (408) 379-3790 Capital 2100 Fifth St. Davis, CA 95618 (530) 753-0220 Central Valley 5168 N. Blythe Ave., Suite 101 Fresno, CA 93722 (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 Communications Director Kristine Austin (408) 364-4029 Newsletter Editor Lee Ann Kolker (408) 364-4043 Graphic Designer Gayle Marquez, Marquez+Hubka Design www.m-hdesign.net For complete locations and services information, go to www.emqff.org. To view our list of recent donors, please go to www.emqff.org/help. Possibilities is published three times a year for the supporters of EMQ FamiliesFirst. Confidentiality of EMQ FamiliesFirst children and families has been preserved through the use of models and by changing identifying details. To update your mailing information, please call or email Judi Umbreit at (408) 364-4048 or judith.umbreit@emqff.org. Foster Care & Adoption EMQ FamiliesFirst Board of Directors Chair of the Board R. Donald McNeil, Esq. Vice Chair/Chair-Elect Peter W. Brown, CPA Secretary John F. Hopkins, Esq. Treasurer Suanne Ramar President & CEO EMQ FamiliesFirst Darrell Evora, MFT Robert A. Archer Jo Ariko Roger A. Barney Maribeth Benham Donna Butcher Neal Dempsey Geoff Edelstein Charles E. Erickson Charles David Fite Heather Jones Scott Kolbrenner William D. Kron David Lerner Lance Lew Michael S. McAndrews You Can Change a Foster Kid’s Life Many expenses that seem necessary to our own families have to be left as “extras” for foster kids and their families. While the child welfare system provides for basics, it simply cannot resource foster families as much as is often needed. That’s why our foster kids depend on your generosity. The Wings for Foster Youth program of EMQ FamiliesFirst supplies children and families with those “extras” that focus on social well-being, mental health needs and educational support, such as medical, dental, or vision expenses; hair cuts; after school activities; summer camp; special outings; clothing; and graduation expenses. In addition, there are two programs which make all the difference in whether a foster teen is supported into adulthood and becomes successful in life: •Family Finding, a program that connects foster youth to safe and caring family members •Emancipation Support Fund, which provides scholarships to youth transitioning out of foster care to assist them with expenses related to academic or vocational school training, housing, transportation and basic living expenses On behalf of the foster kids and families we serve, here’s a big “thank you” for the dedicated and ongoing support from the Sleep Train Foster Kids program and the Donations for the Wings for Foster Youth program Enterprise Holdings create a brighter future for a foster child or teen in your Foundation. community. Learn more at www.emqff.org/newsletter. Richard W. Osen Barry Z. Posner, Ph.D. Donald B. Russell Jason Silletti Bradley G. Slocum Geoffrey Thomas Jana L. Turner Kimila W. Ulrich Denise Vonhof Meet: Roger Barney continued from page 2 Clara County now have access to addiction prevention education and counseling. After Kim’s death, Roger also began serving on the agency’s board. Jeannette and friend Lynne Seay initiated the VIP League (Volunteers Inspiring People) annual luncheon which raised hundreds of thousands for EMQ FamiliesFirst’s addiction prevention services. When Jeannette’s long illness ended her life, Roger felt this terrible second loss but remained determined to help others. He continued in partnership with EMQ FamiliesFirst, supporting subsequent fundraising events, chairing the agency’s board through two mergers and, currently, chairing the Bay Area Region’s board of governors. Now remarried, he and wife, Dottie, are as strong as ever in their support of prevention education and keeping kids out of crisis. ♥ EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2012 . www.emqff.org 3 Bay Area Region Great Silicon Valley Caper – A Big Win for Kids Bring Your ‘A Game’ To Help a Child 6th Annual Beshoff MotorCars Mercedes-Benz Golf Tournament The clues have been solved, the prizes won, and now, the proceeds of the Great Silicon Valley Caper are making a positive impact in the lives of abused and neglected children in Santa Clara County. Thanks to each and every sleuth who attended and to the Los Gatos businesses that hosted clue sites. Supporting Sponsors: • El Camino Hospital • Roger and Dottie Barney • The Archer Family Foundation Participating Sponsors: • Heffernan Insurance Brokers • Littler Mendelson Foundation, Inc. • UBS Financial • Melita Group • Beacon Pointe Advisors • Barbara and Mark Beck • Alain Pinel Realtors • The Alarm Company Media Sponsors: • San Jose Mercury News • K-BAY/Mix 106.5 • 95120/Los Gatos Magazines • Fox 2 TV36 • Neal and Jan Dempsey • John and Valerie Hopkins • Declaration Services, Inc. • Gretchen Bell • Mary Curtis • Lark Ave. Classic Car Wash • Maggetti Construction • Robson Homes • Travel Advisors of Los Gatos • Colleen Wilcox • Silicon Valley Community Newspapers • Sound By Design • KCAT 15 Host Ray Beshoff (second from right) and his golf team at last year’s tournament. Golf to help kids August 30 at the Silver Creek Valley Country Club. Ray and Liza Beshoff, who have been longtime supporters and advocates for children served by EMQ FamiliesFirst, will host the tournament. Over the years, the tournament has raised over $100,000. Sign up today at www.emqff.org/newsletter. Photo by John Ho 5th Annual C.H. Reynolds Charity Golf Tournament Board member David Lerner (back row, center) and his team at Caper. Find more fun photos at www.emqff.org/newsletter. Think Fall—and School Supplies Kids—especially those served by our programs—need lots of help in making their school day successful. You can play a big part by helping each child go back to school with the right tools. This summer, donate school supplies or consider organizing a backpack drive among friends, family or a group. Examples of what’s needed for elementary, middle and high school students include supplies like backpacks, rulers, binders, notebooks, calculators, pencils and pens. For a complete list, contact Darren at (408) 364-4058 or ddemonsi@emqff.org. A child will thank you every day of the school year! ♥ 4 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2012 . www.emqff.org Host Chuck Reynolds at last year’s tournament. Join us on July 19 at Coyote Creek Golf Club. Hosted by CEO Chuck Reynolds, the tournament features dinner, a live auction and raffle prizes, all to help kids served by EMQ FamiliesFirst. To sign up or become a sponsor, contact Sandy Reynolds, (408) 436-9280. ♥ Capital Region Photo by Tia Gemmell Super Sleuths Support Kids Limousines rolled through Sacramento this spring as nearly 200 super sleuths solved clues at the 5th annual Capital City Caper. Their support raised nearly $85,000 for children in the Capital Region. “If you’re looking for a totally different charity event, this is it. I have seen many different types of events, but this was Board Member Don Russell and wife Linda (at left) with their “Guys and Dolls” team. To see more event photos and a my first Caper. I would have to complete list of sponsors and donors, visit www.emqff.org/ say, this is the most fun I’ve had newsletter. for a good cause!” said Gordon Richardson, Capital Region executive director, EMQ FamiliesFirst. Big thanks go to our supporting sponsor, U.S. Bank, as well as to these major sponsors: Union Bank of California, Wells Fargo Bank, Donald & Linda Russell, RETS Associates, VSP Vision Care, and Dr. Michael Uro. ♥ Your Gift Gives Kids A Super Summer The “little” things like field trips, picnics, swimming lessons and a week at camp help abused and neglected kids regain a sense of regular life and hope and add to the healing process. Summer is underway and you can help provide a healthy, positive summer program for a child between the ages of 7-17. To donate, visit www.emqff.org/ newsletter. ♥ Yocha Dehe Helps Kids Like Katie Thanks to the Yocha Dehe Community Fund for a $20,000 grant for the Yolo Crisis Nursery. At the Nursery, children and infants under age five can find a safe, caring place when their families are facing crisis or hardship. Katie was one such child, only two-years-old when her mother, Louise, unexpectedly needed surgery. Katie has Down Syndrome, and there was no family nearby. Among the few close friends in their rural area, no one felt capable of caring for this special needs child. Fortunately, Louise learned about the Yolo Crisis Nursery and set up services just in time for what turned out to be an emergency surgery. “I trotted beside the gurney as it rolled to the operating room, answering last minute questions from Louise and getting her signature on legal documents so that we could care for Katie,” said Heather Vazquez, family services coordinator. “Louise was upset because Katie had no diapers, toys or clothes with her and she is a picky eater. I kept repeating that we could take care of everything and she should just focus on having a successful surgery and getting better.” Heather had brought snacks and toys to keep Katie occupied while they drove to the nursery so the initial separation went smoothly. Katie had never been apart from her mom and became bewildered and uneasy once at the nursery. But Yocha Dehe Wintun Nation Tribal Council member James Kinter (left) and chairman Marshall Mckay (right) with Marsha Lewis-Akyeem, EMQ FamiliesFirst. Heather had promised Louise, “If Katie needs to be held in someone’s arms all night, that’s what we will do.” It’s generous contributions by individuals and organizations —like Yocha Dehe—that support staff with resources to do whatever it takes to help a child feel calm and safe. Katie stayed at the nursery four days, and while she needed extra comforting at night, she also adapted and thrived with the consistent nursery schedule and attention. “What could have been a traumatizing experience,” Heather said, “we hope will be a happy memory for Katie.” ♥ EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2012 . www.emqff.org 5 Central Region Abandoned Teen Finds His Family continued from page 1 When School Is Out, Camp Is In Camp Keeps Kids Active, Involved When kids are out of school, it’s a great time to offer camps with an environment of safe, engaging activities. During spring break, the Central Region held a threeday camp for all the kids in our programs. Not only is camp a hit with our children and teens, it lets staff role model and interact with the kids. Each day included games, sports and crafts at a different setting like the park, Fresno State University or the final family day hosted at the Boys & Girls Club. Special thanks go to Fresno Whole Foods Market for once again donating snacks in their ongoing support of kids in our programs. ♥ “When I saw him, I saw a boy who needed to be loved. I felt a connection with him and wanted to help,” she said. Joana started the process of being approved for relative placement including weekend visits and a longer 10-day stay during Tony’s spring break from school. Now DSS and a family court judge have granted approval for Tony to get his permanent family. Once final arrangements are worked out, Tony can go home. Tony’s journey is your success, too, because Family Finding is supported by donors like you. Be a part of a child’s journey home, visit www.emqff.org/newsletter.org. ♥ Inland Empire Region New Program for Former Foster and Probation Youth Teens Get Life Skills and Support It’s a big program name to remember—Interagency Youth Resiliency Team (IYRT)—but the work it’s promising to do will be even bigger. The IYRT is an innovative program starting in July to mentor current and former foster youth and probation youth ages 13-21 years old. IYRT will focus on helping these teens and young adults establish life skills and a network of support in areas such as housing, physical and emotional health, education, employment, and healthy, lasting relationships. This is the first program besides Transitional Age Youth (TAY) to serve older foster youth under the benefits of a newly enacted law that extends support through age 21, and the first offered for those who are not Medi-Cal eligible. IYRT also gives essential support to foster parents with training on attachment, grief and loss, trauma and how to advocate for their child. There are benefits to professionals, too, since the training offers well-established models on how to understand, best support and advocate for youth in the TAY program. Staff training will cover environmental stressors, that is, the results of multiple placements, complicated histories of trauma, and exposure to domestic violence and gang activity. ♥ 6 EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2012 . www.emqff.org Los Angeles Region Kids Benefit from Full Service Partnership Hollygrove Achieves Highest Ranking Hollygrove achieved Los Angeles County’s highest success rate for Full Service Partnerships (FSP). Our most intensive program, it serves children up to age 15 and their families who are struggling with extremely challenging circumstances. Kids served through FSP might otherwise be hospitalized or enter the child welfare system and a potentially downward spiral. Instead we help keep them at home or with safe relatives and provide multiple services for them to recover from mental illness and function in healthy ways. “I may not have a degree,” said one parent with a child in the program, “but I am an expert on my child. People only see him at his worst. I get to see him at his best. My feedback is critical to his treatment.” FSP actively seeks out children who lack or are not receiving sufficient services. They may be at risk of expulsion from school, have been or are at risk of being removed from home, exhibit violent behaviors, abuse drugs or alcohol, or have been in the juvenile justice system. becomes uplifting. The mother is not only empowered but linked to other volunteers and the larger community. Hollygrove ranked as LA County’s leading provider of FSP services for the 2010-2011 fiscal year with the highest percentage of clients meeting their goals, which was accomplished in the briefest period of time (nine months). Kids served by FSP are from low income families which tend to be isolated and alone. In the case of a family in need of food assistance, our staff might take the mother to a local food bank. Once there, the two also volunteer together and help others. What began as a possibly degrading experience FSP not only partners staff, kids and families but also needs donors like you to provide some additional living expenses. Find out more at www.hollygrove.org/newsletter. ♥ We’ve got photos, video and more for you so that you can share in our star-studded anniversary event: Hooray for Hollygrove, Celebrating 100 Years in Hollywood, Presented by Juicy Couture. Emceed by renowned actor and producer Rob Reiner, the event hosted 300 friends and celebrities at the Hollywood Museum in April. With well over $150,000 raised, we far exceeded our goal through the generosity of sponsors, guests and a live auction led by Christie’s. After dinner, Tafari Gonzalez-Aird shared his story of transformation. Then we premiered a video produced by Roger.tv depicting young lives healed through Hollygrove programs. Special thanks to title sponsor Juicy Couture, event co-chairs Jana Turner and Kim Ulrich, event committee members, and event producer Heather Hope-Allison. Additional major sponsors include Stella Hall and James Fordyce, Houlihan Lokey, JAKKS Pacific, Paramount Pictures, RETS Associates, Back page photo, left to right: Kim Ulrich, Neil Patrick Harris, Jana Turner and David Burtka. (Photo by Lisa Rose) Photo by Lisa Rose Over $150K Raised for Kids! (from left) Neil Patrick Harris, David Burtka, with Darrell Evora (CEO, EMQ FamiliesFirst), Busy Philipps, Rob Reiner and Mary McCormack on the red carpet. Jason and Shawn Silletti/Goldman Sachs, True Partners, Kim and Fred Ulrich, and Western Asset Management. Here’s how you can keep the celebration going: view event photos, watch the video, or make a $100 donation in honor of Hollygrove’s 100th. Go to www.hollygrove.org/newsletter for links and details. ♥ EMQ FamiliesFirst . Summer 2012 . www.hollygrove.org 7 251 Llewellyn Avenue Campbell CA 95008-1940 Non Profit U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 2433 San Jose, CA ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED Mailing Corrections: To make a name/address correction or if you receive multiple copies, please contact Judi Umbreit at (408) 364-4048 or judith.umbreit@emqff.org. Thanks for making a child’s day brighter Printed on recycled paper INSIDE Find us on Twitter and Facebook - Success: abandoned boy goes home - CEO letter: CA budget news - Safe kids this summer: 5 regional programs/activities from 3 fabulous events! Photos, fun, glamour