Heartland for Children Blog
We're excited to be partnering together with Polk County Sheriff's Office and many other providers in our community to "break the silos" to best serve our incarcerated individuals as they heal, recovery and re-enter successfully in our community!
Step right up and run for child abuse prevention at Loop the Lake Carnival Run! This 5K is hosted by Florida Southern College's Kappa Delta's to benefit Prevent Child Abuse America and Heartland for Children. Whether you run, skip or walk, this is going to be a fun evening for the entire family.
Foster families open their heart + home to love on our children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect. Let's show them love and appreciation this Valentine's Day!
Meet the Hargrove Family! Five years ago, Levi and Maria began their foster care journey and they have fostered 10 children and are known as champions for teens. Levi is a High School Economics Teacher, Football and Wrestling Coach for Polk County Public Schools.
Congratulations to Maria Gutierrez, one of our Transition Age Youth Mentors, for last week, hitting her 1-Year Work Anniversary! Maria herself is a former foster youth and now uses her experiences to help encourage and mentor youth.
As we all prepare for Hurricane Idalia, we have been gathering resources and information to help our families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.
As the back-to-school season approaches, families in our community are looking for fun ways to celebrate and prepare for the upcoming academic year. To help with this, we've put together a list of upcoming back-to-school bashes that are perfect for families with children of all ages. From fun games and activities to educational resources and giveaways, these bashes offer something for everyone. Check out our list and get ready to make some great memories with your family before the 2023-2024 School Year starts!
Justin & Jon started their foster care journey only wanting to foster one child at a time. Shortly after taking their first placement, they learned that there was a non-verbal autistic child who needed a home and they rose to the challenge, purchased bunk beds, and took the child in their home.
Since becoming a foster caregiver, Rosemund Baptiste has been passionate about keeping siblings together and has fostered several sets of siblings and helped them to transition back home with family. To this day, she remains in contact with each child that has left her home and she offers support to the birth family.
Throughout National Adoption Month we've highlighted some of our incredible adoptive families! The Emery Family has adopted 4 siblings at different times that have had their own medical challenges. Jerry and Belinda were there every step of the way for their children through every circumstance.
Yesterday, the Polk County Courthouse was full of families, friends, kids and our adoption teams to celebrate our families who finalized their adoptions! We love getting to celebrate these beautiful milestones for our children and families!
Congratulations to the Boarman, Romero and White families!
Our community is beginning to pick up the pieces from Hurricane Ian. If you need help, here are some resources for YOU.
Free Health Services in August throughout Polk County!
There are countless benefits to fostering or adopting a teen but here are just 8.
Join us in congratulating our 15 newly certified child welfare professionals! These graduates just completed our 12-week Pre-Service Training to join the ranks of child welfare to protect and strengthen children and families in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties!
After years of struggling with the effects of trauma and cycles of addiction, Jennifer experienced having her children removed from her care. This moment was frightening and she shares, "I felt as if I was the worst mom ever and I gave up on life." Since no one in Jennifer's family was willing to take her kids in, they had no other option but to go into foster care and ended up in foster caregivers Darlene and Neil Rogers' home. The Rogers are amazing at co-parenting and providing support to the parents of the children in their care and become some of Jennifer's biggest supporters saying, "I believe in you and I know you can do it!"
"What inspires me to be a Foster Caregiver is that there are children, close to home that need a loving home to feel safe. I’m a teacher and I see the need everyday in my classroom. My husband and I want to make a difference in this world and no better way than to show them they are loved and cared for even when they feel like they have no one they will always have us and our families.
A BIG thank you to our long-standing Rudolph Champions Polk County HOG (Harley Owners Group) for helping us kick-off our Rudolph in July by rounding up over $500 worth of toys and making a generous financial donation for our children and teens in foster care! This fantastic group is already working on rounding up more toys to drop off in December!
The 2022-2023 School Year is right around the corner! Here is a list of Back-to-School Bashes in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.
Joseph and Rachel Lowe have been licensed for less than a year and within their first week of fostering they received their first placement of twin toddlers. From the very beginning they made contact with the children’s birth family to set up communication and visitation. They treat the boys as if they are their own and they take them with them on all of their family vacations.
Natalie started her fostering journey back in March 2021. She shares, "My reason for fostering goes back to being raised by a single, wheelchair bound warrior of a mother. She could have given me up, but she raised me from that chair very well. I grew up with her fostering relationships on my behalf to make sure all of my needs were met."
In 2019, the Buzzella Family started their foster care journey and they have been instrumental in strengthening the bonds of a separated sibling group.
It's Reunification Month, we're celebrating the efforts of our child welfare professionals, foster families and community members that help support the reunification of families.
Meet Elivanesa Calderon who was licensed just 4 months ago and received her very first placement two days after being licensed. She jumped right in like a pro and researched daycares, took the siblings to get the necessary immunizations to start daycare and immediately reached out to the birth parents to set up visitation. She put together a last minute birthday party for one of the children whose birthday was week after being placed with her. Elivanesa has such a big heart for children and she advocates for their needs every day.
We have exciting news! Heartland for Children has launched our Let’s Talk About It Podcast where we provide education and resources for family matters in Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties!
Meet Jaime and Paul Stewart! In 2016, they began their foster journey by becoming a medical foster home. This awesome family advocate for their children, co-parented, taken the children to all of their medical appointments and have also adopted 3 of their kids!
Meet the Maxey Family! Four years ago, Emily and Keith started their foster care journey. This family has welcomed teens in their family and the teens LOVE them as their parents! This amazing couple ensures that the kids get all that they need so they can be successful now and later in life!
Meet Ms. Barbara Wade! Take a moment a read her story and what inspired her to become a foster parent.
About 7 years ago, the Pierson Family began their fostering journey to give back to the community and help kids in need! They are actively advocating for their kids, positively impacting the system of care, mentoring and continuing to support the children and their families after they've been reunified!
With May being Foster Care Awareness Month, we’re bringing families in our community together to help us raise awareness for foster care all month! We’re partnering with Family First and their programs, All Pro Dad and iMOM to participate in a 5K for Foster Kids, and we want to invite your family to participate!
There’s a desperate need for teen foster families. Unfortunately, many people feel like teens in foster care are a “bigger challenge” than younger kids. Due to many stereotypes and assumptions, people are more willing to take in younger kids, which leads to heartbreaking stories of teens who have no place to go, who get stuck in the system. Learn about what they want you to know.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and everyone has a part to making great childhoods happen. Learn about how you can support happy + healthy childhoods happen.
Swimming weather is here and we have water safety tips and swimming lesson resources for you!
It’s that time of year where families are looking for fun + exciting activities and camps for summer break! Check out our Guide for Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties.
During the month of March, National Social Work Professionals Month is celebrated to recognize the contributions of social work professionals in our communities! In a time where so many people are struggling, the time is right for social work to help bridge the gaps to strengthen individuals and families. Thank you to all of our Social Work Professionals who continue to show up every day to solve social issues and improve individual lives!
Run for FSC Kappa Delta's 15th Annual Loop the Lake 5K Glow Run to benefit child abuse prevention efforts through Heartland for Children and Prevent Child Abuse America! Register Now!
It's Foster Family Appreciation Week! In Florida, the second week in February is dedicated to celebrating our state’s foster families who provide safe and loving homes for children + teens who have experienced abuse and neglect. Foster families are changing the lives of our most vulnerable children and making a difference in their communities! THANK YOU to all of our foster families for all you do for children & families!
Thank you to our Highlands County Community for sharing support for local children in foster care.
We're asking our local child welfare professionals to share what inspires them to do the work they do. Read about Bill's Why.
We're excited to share stories like this one from Monica Stevens, one of our medical foster caregivers, on how the generous donations from Rudolph Champions made an impact in the lives of the foster children in their care through Rudolph Round-Up!
This year, Giselle made it official and adopted 16-year old Lili! Giselle explains what inspired her to consider adoption. Read their story here.
We invite you to join Heartland for Children in our 17th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Holiday Toy Drive. With your help, our goal is to help make incredible holiday memories for over 1,500 local children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
This weekend, LoBo Ranch, one of our community partners, rounded-up volunteers to serve 23 kiddos and their 12 caregivers through their Ranch Recharge Program.
Did you know that in September 13th-17th is #ChildWelfareWorkerAppreciation Week! We recognize our Child Welfare Professionals' ability to positively influence a life's trajectory through the heart, the head, and the hands. Here are some stories and quotes from some of our local #ChildWelfareHeroes!
So you've been considering fostering? Here are 4 Steps to Become a Foster Parent!
Most parents in Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties agree that they want to prepare their children to be successful in school. Get connected to resources to kick-off a successful 2021-2022 school year.
The Prestridge Family has started their foster care journey about 8 years ago and they have fostered about 100 children! Read their story here.
Can you believe we are just 4 months away from kicking off Heartland for Children's 17th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Holiday Toy Drive?! With your help, our goal is to help make incredible holiday memories for over 1,500 local children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
During Reunification Month, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of our community and social workers to help struggling families overcome the variety of challenges they face. Thanks to the support of her case manager, family and her own determination, Reba is an amazing mom who was reunified with her two daughters in October 2020. Take a moment and listen to Reba's inspiring story.
There is no doubt that we live in a community that cares! This past Saturday, our community partner,
LoBo Ranch, hosted a Ranch Recharge for foster families!
It's June and we're celebrating #ReunificationMonth and Amber is one of our local parents who is a true success story! With the help of relationships and local providers, Amber has overcome many challenges including addiction and tragic loss. This month Amber was reunified with her children and shares her story to encourage other families that with love and support they can also overcome! Take a moment to listen to her story.
Rachel and Sean have been major supporters of uniting sibling groups and co-parenting with the biological families of their kids. Read more about their story.
Highlight a social worker for their work in strengthening and preserving families.
Help us raise awareness for foster care all month! We’re partnering with All Pro Dad, iMOM and families across our community through the 1K for 1Kid campaign! Whether it’s biking, running, swimming, or walking, you can help us in our mission to find homes for children by participating in a 1K activity of your choice between May 21-31.
April is nationally recognized as Child Abuse Prevention Month. The Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign uses a simple child’s toy to remind us that we all play an important role in children’s lives. During April, local agencies and child advocates will be raising awareness about the importance of taking an active role in promoting healthy child development, positive parenting practices and community action so that child abuse and neglect never occur. Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties will be proudly displaying pinwheels to serve as a reminder that we all have a responsibility to ensure children grow up healthy and safe in our communities. To find out more about how you can get involved, please visit www.heartlandforchildren.org or www.preventchildabusefl.org.
Kimberly Hernandez decided that she wanted to do something for children in our community who are less fortunate and contacted Heartland for Children about donating Easter baskets. She shared that she was originally going to put together 40 baskets but when she heard that there were over 1,500 kids in foster care she decided to do more and was able to connect with her friends and put together 110 Easter baskets for our kids in foster care.
In March, we celebrate that fact that every day, some 682,000 social workers across the nation act as advocates, champions and leaders who make our society a better place to live. Social Service Professionals are essential to community well-being. They are employed to effect positive change with individuals, families, groups and entire communities.
It's Foster Family Appreciation Week! We have an amazing network of 250 foster families in Polk, Hardee, and Highlands counties and we are excited to highlight how they make a difference in the lives of our children & families every day!
Hey Parents & Caregivers!
We are excited to announce that we have launched our monthly Parent's Corner Newsletter. Once a month, subscribers will receive an email packed with helpful resources, safety info and parenting tips to strengthen you and your family.
SUBSCRIBE HERE and check out January's Parent's Corner.
What started as 3 families that were interested in becoming foster caregivers from Lakeland's Harvest Church has now developed into a ministry that meets the immediate needs of children being removed from their homes for abuse and neglect on a weekly basis. We love to see our community partners, like ECHO (Everyday Christians Helping Orphans) Ministries Florida, being highlighted for the amazing service they provide to our children and families! Thank you, ECHO for being a part of our community that cares!
Despite all of this year's challenges we saw our community rise up to meet the needs of our most vulnerable children and families. Let's take a trip down memory lane and remember all of the amazing things that happened this year!
Happy New Year to you and your family!
Meet the Stanton Family! Check out their story on how our community has made a difference in their family through the Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive!
In honor of #NationalAdoptionMonth we wanted to highlight the Barnes family. This past year, Tatrina opened her heart & home to Dylan and adopted him right before his 18th birthday!
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work
IN THIS EDITION:
- Jill Gellibert at CHS
- Amanda Followell, Niki Putsolka, Lisette Colon, Angela Findley at OHU
- Sherry Bickel, Lakesha Brathwaite, Emily Kue, Michelle O'Connor at Devereux
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proclaimed November as #NationalAdoptionMonth! During the 2019-2020 fiscal year, 4,548 children in Florida found forever families! In the state of Florida, approximately 700 children are without an identified adoptive family, including teenagers, sibling groups, and children with medical needs. Learn how you can become a teen or sibling group's forever home by calling 863-519-8900 x 223 or visit heartlandforchildren.org/gallery.
Rudolph Champions are needed to help make holiday memories for over 1,500 local children who have experienced abuse and/or neglect.
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Roger Vazquez, Monaya Crossen & Trina Stevenson at OHU
- Shane Bishop at CHS
- Minoo Khordehpaz, Michelle O'Conoor, Alfreda White, Maria Cartegena, Julie Bartle, Mariel Sepulveda, Roshonda Lofton, Mykira Johnson, Kathryn Marini, Lisa Pyles, Amensha Willix, Katelyn Davis, Karla Diaz, Shedlie Desraines, Candice Hailey, Rachelle Louis, Adrianna Williams-Rice, Tangela Coleman, Rodina Lynch, & Valderria Mitchell at Devereux
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Amnesha Willix at Devereux
- Michelle Ramirez, Chance O'Conner, Mayelin Quintero, Vira Thomas, Krystal Garza, Roger Vasquez, Angela Findley, Emily Virts, Lora King, Akeva Southall, & Shannon Simmons at OHU
- Carlos Nieves at CHS
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Chance O'Conner, Mayelin Quintero, Vira Thomas, Krystal Garza, Roger Vasquez, Angela Findley,Emily Virts, Lora King, Akeva Southall, & Shannon Simmons at OHU
- Amensha Willix at Devereux
- Carlos Nieves at CHS
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Leticia Gilchrist, Krystal Garza, Becka Kampman,Tammy Cleveland, Shantel Lyons, Becky Distler, and Drake Sherwood at OHU
- Danielle Williams, Laura Civetta, Renee Cummings and Sherry Bickel at Devereux
- Fabiola Thelemaque, Michael Harris, at CHS
Did you know we're on a few of the major social media sites? When you "Like", "Friend", and/or "Follow" us and our posts, you're actively helping us spread the word about our great need for Quality Foster Caregivers in Polk, Highlands, and Hardee Counties. Please find us on Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram most importantly. See you there!!
For event information and pre-registration, visit: http://www.summerpalooza.org
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Lora King, Danielle Meinke at OHU
- Alfreda White, Katelyn Davis, Rachelle Louis, Shedlie Desravines at Devereux
- Christina Ware at CHS
READ MORE...
Heartland for Children celebrates #ReunificationMonth every June & Daniel is one of our parents who is a true success story. Now, he comes in & talks to prospective Foster Caregivers & new case managers in training. He tells his story to inspire & encourage not only bio parents eager to reunify with their kids, but also to Caregivers, urging them to not be afraid to work in unison with the bio parents & co-parent. VIDEO - https://vimeo.com/343733189
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Austin Morgan, Nena Cizewski-Baird, Pam Brack, Gail Werley, Dorcas Statham-Walker, Kimberly Helmick, Brittany Pinkney, Tammy Cleveland, Pamela Brack, and Natasha Hardin at OHU
- Tyrica Morris, Stephanie Balmaceda, Shedlie Desravines, and Walner Pierrissaint at Devereux
- Anna Easley at CHS
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
- Nicole Luebke at CHS
- Stephanie Balmaceda at Devereux
- Mamie Lumpkin at NTF
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
-India Spence at Devereux
- Austin Morgan, Austin Morgan, Chenoa Baldwin, & Ed Ramey at One Hope United
-Todd Raines at Children's Home Society
- NTF Family Advocate, Shanique Outley
READ MORE...
Heartland for Children believes that all parents want to be good parents.
It is this foundational belief that fuels our work in establishing a Positive Culture Framework within the Communities that we serve. Part of this framework is a Prevention Portfolio highlighting the great child abuse prevention work already being done in our community, as well as some opportunities for new approaches and methods that can positively impact parenting practices and keep children safe. One such opportunity is a Positive Community Norms campaign.
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
-Michelle O’Connor, Berlendah Gadson, Sara Collins, Stephanie Balmaceda, Shuntia Hamilton, & Brioni Williams at Devereux
-Gwen Hinkle at One Hope United
-Elizabeth Parrish & Jennifer Dankowski at Children's Home Society
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
Michelle O’Connor and Walner Pierrissaint with Devereux.
Danielle Meinke, Jose Calderon, Julieanne Myers, Eureka Thompson, and Barbara Hester with One Hope United.
READ MORE...
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
Joanne Flinn, Lakezia Perry, Evelyn Padro, Sheila Rossy-Arroyo, Lee Wiggins, Candace Brown, Sharday Hampton, Arline Herrera, Audrey Daniels, Tameka Alston-Temple, Stephanie Curtis, Sara Collins, Kion Pope, Sarah Moffitt, Tyrica Morris and India Spence
READ MORE...
There is an urgent need for Case Managers within our system of care (Polk, Highlands, Hardee). Follow the links below to apply directly with one of our three case management organizations!
CHILDREN'S HOME SOCIETY
https://www.chsfl.org/careers/
Heartland for Children will be holding a Rummage Sale here at our main building in Bartow next Friday. The items for sale are donated by Heartland & CMO staff and the proceeds will all go to the @UnitedWay See you there!
Heartland for Children believes that all parents want to be good parents. It is this foundational belief that fuels our work in establishing a Positive Culture Framework within the communities that we serve.
Positive parenting norms exist in our community and we believe they are worth growing. Working with the Center for Health and Safety Culture at Montana State University, we were able to show just how strong parenting norms are in the communities we serve by administering a well-established self- report survey protocol to parents within our tri-county area.
Heartland for Children and our local school boards in each county have a strong partnership when it comes to serving children in the foster care system. We work collaboratively to make sure students’ needs in the school setting and community are met. Every public school in Hardee, Highlands and Polk Counties has designated a DCF/Heartland School Liaison to be a single point of contact for people within our system of care. They help to streamline communications and problem solve when needed.
Benefits of Adopting Florida's Children
Adoption provides unique opportunities to change children's lives and enrich the life of the adoptive parent or family that welcomes them in. Adopting one of Florida's children from foster care offers many special benefits
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
Jesse Ottesen of Gulf Coast
Becky Distler of OHU
Theron Tucker of One Hope United
Albert Sullivan of Neighbor to Family
Shada Tobie of Children’s Home Society
Berlendah Gadson of Devereux
Karla Diaz of Devereux
READ MORE...
by: Bill Nunnally
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
Christina Ware of Children’s Home Society
Kim Newton of One Hope United
Bonita Freeman of One Hope United
Lakezia Perry of Gulf Coast
Montel Collins of Devereux
READ MORE...
by: Bill Nunnally
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
Danni Taylor
Stephanie Curtis
Walner Pierrissaint
Julie Bartle
Ineisha Porter
Michia Bellamy
Cindy Bowker
Florian Kollment
Karina Escalera
Devonta Gilmore
Eureka Thompkins
READ MORE...
by: Bill Nunnally
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case management organizations for their outstanding work.
IN THIS EDITION:
-Karina Escalera of Devereux
-Danielle Meinke of One Hope United
-Ana Cruz of Neighbor to Family
-Cris Allphin of Gulf Coast
-more...
CLICK TO READ FULL ARTICLE...
The Publix Manager Bike Build & Publix Charities selected Heartland for Children as one of the recipients of dozens of brand new bikes to give to children in our foster care system. Thank you, Publix! See video...
April is the month with the highest suicide and suicide attempt rate out of the entire year. Read on from an annonymous Heartland employee's blog about their hindsight and experience in the matter, and how to tell if someone is at high risk of taking their life.
"Cuts don't heal wounds." That was my recovery mantra, the phrase I coined for myself. I wrote it everywhere. It was on my mirror, my notebooks, random sheets of paper, sticky notes, my wall... everywhere I might look during a moment of struggle. Cuts don't heal wounds. A reminder that the superficial infliction on my skin, over and over again, would never heal the wounds of trauma that sat much deeper than my blade could reach. While my cuts expressed on my body what my words failed to relay, it did nothing towards my healing and recovery. Instead I dug deeper into a place of pain and despair, which at the time, felt inescapable. Today, almost fifteen years post suicide attempt, without a single cut since, I still so vividly remember.
by: Bill Nunnally
Case manager's corner is Chief Quality & Performance Officer, Bill Nunnally's forum in which
to recognize various employees from case managment organizations for thier outstanding work.
- Dellana Reeves with Neighbor to Family.
- Brandon Harkins with One Hope United
- Jennifer Dankowski with Children’s Home Society
CLICK TO READ MORE...
When my partner and I began our adoption journey two years ago, we were terrified of fostering. We were scared of getting too attached and of having to give a child back. They're valid fears, especially if you've struggled to start your own family or don't yet have kids. However, 18 months later, we not only have a daughter who is ours and fully adopted, we've fostered four babies. You might be surprised to learn that fostering was just as big a blessing to our family as adoption. There are things no one tells you about being a foster parent, but I'm more than happy to.
Throughout Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties we are fortunate to have local businesses / organizations and faith communities that believe in engaging in activities to support and strengthen children and families. Through connecting with Heartland for Children’s business and faith-based initiatives, some ways they are able to assist are: raising awareness about the importance of promoting healthy child development, child abuse and neglect prevention awareness, recruitment and support of quality foster homes and the need for forever homes for children waiting to be adopted.
The availability of quality foster and adoptive homes is an ever present challenge within child welfare. Historically, homes for teens and large sibling groups are even more difficult to recruit. There is an added challenge, currently, in that the number of new foster homes being licensed is outpaced by the numbers of children being removed from their homes. Removals are at a ten year high within Polk, Highlands and Hardee counties. Heartland for Children is committed to innovation in the approaches used to recruit and retain quality foster parents.
Case Manager's Corner by: Bill Nunnally
Thank you to all of these awesome representatives from their agencies and to everyone who’s out there every day doing amazing work.
- One Hope United
- Kelly Valk: Clinical Engagement Specialist at Neighbor to Family
- LaShandra Thomas West: Family Care Manager at Neighbor to Family
- Lauren Wolf: Family Care Manager at Neighbor to Family
- Kathy Sangster- Senior Case Manager, Gulf Coast Unit 35.
- Katherine Galvis, Certified Case Manager, Devereux
- Kristina Goderich, Children’s Home Society
- Vereuch Simmons, Children’s Home Society
CLICK LINK TO READ DETAILS ABOUT EACH
Heartland for Children coordinates the Annual Rudolph Round-Up Holiday Toy Drive to benefit local children who have experienced abuse and neglect and are receiving services through the foster care system. Last year 1,410 children and teens were able to be served through generous donations from our local community. Our goal for the 2016 12th Annual Rudolph Round-Up Holiday Toy Drive is to help to ensure that at least 1400 local children who have experienced abuse and neglect have holiday gifts and joyful celebrations. Our greatest need each year is for child wish list and toy drive donors for children ages birth to two and teens, ages 13 to 17. It is through the continued and valued support of individuals, groups, organizations, faith communities and businesses - Rudolph Champions - that the children’s holiday wishes come true!
We hope you'll enjoy these fabulous guides to free and affordable family fun in central Florida! From the Gulf Coast to the Atlantic Coast and everywhere in between, families of all sizes and budgets will be able to make the summer of 2016 a memorable one without breaking the bank!
This is why my family chose to become a foster, and eventually adoptive family in Polk County, Florida. As a foster and adoptive brother, I have been allowed the opportunity to help shelter ten different children within our home over the past eight years. During this time I have been able to develop patience and empathy for those who have experienced great trauma. Since I was an only child for the first six years of my life, these experiences led me to share my space, toys, time, and even my family. With every child that was taken in, I felt it was my responsibility to make sure they didn't leave without knowing that there was someone who cared. I have helped prepare numerous meals, organize clothes, provide safety and fun at the park, entertainment at home and in the car, reading of books, bedtime prayers, and much more. Although some of my foster brothers and sisters stayed for only a short time, I believe that each day counts.
“Mom, are you coming?!” my youngest daughter wailed, “Come on! We’re ready to FREE it!” In order to understand what is taking place, let me rewind to about eight weeks ago.
It was a normal Sunday afternoon and the family was outside working in the yard like we do twice a month. As we were weeding the flower beds, our cat, Rasputin, appeared from around the corner, carrying something that was moving in his mouth. My daughters, knowing that the little creature was facing an untimely death, started to scream at Rasputin. Rasputin immediately dropped the creature from his mouth and ran the opposite direction. My youngest daughter had made it to the wiggling animal first and exclaimed “Oh Mama, it’s a baby bird!” As I approached, I could tell that the bird appeared to be in very bad shape. “Mama, you have to help the little guy!” Looking first at the little shivering mess of feathers, then at the two pleading faces before me, I caught myself saying ”Go get a towel and a box. We’ll take it to the ER vet down the road.”
On Friday, April 29th, 2016, Heartland Prodigy had our first annual Showcase. Over 60 of our kids, from both of our sites in Eloise and Florence Villa, were present along with their families. We are known for our diversity, serving Hispanic, African American, Caucasian, and Asian families; so it was a beautiful night celebrating one of our favorite traits, Unity in Diversity! As a community, we celebrated our children’s creative accomplishments in Mixed Media, Ceramics, Acting, Dancing, and Keyboards.
Now that April Child Abuse Prevention Month has come to a close, we wanted to first and foremost thank our entire community for their support of the Pinwheels for Prevention® Campaign here locally. Hundreds of individuals wore their pinwheel lapel pins, displayed the blue and silver pinwheel, distributed parent resource guides, displayed signage and bulletin boards, and shared the message about the importance of child abuse prevention. Many of our community leaders, Mayors, and Commissioners proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month as well.
Heartland for Children would like to thank the following individuals for their outstanding service to children and families in Circuit 10 this quarter.
Graneshia Glover has been employed with Children’s Home Society for over 4 years. In that time, she has proven to be one of the most sincere and dedicated case managers in the entire system of care. Even with all the incredibly complicated and multi-faceted tasks that a case manager faces each day, Graneshia has managed to shine – even while often carrying a caseload twice the size of many of her peers!! She recently completed her nursing degree. Even though she could step away from case management at this time to pursue nursing, she has decided to stay here...
I began looking around, and saw something amazing. A group of people, all completely different, had found a place where they could be themselves, build relationships with other parents, let their children learn valuable social behaviors, and know that they aren’t doing this alone. A mom in pajamas just happy to be there, a dad whose wife passed away before their child was a year old, a grandpa wanting to spend some time with his grandchild, a stay-at-home mom, a stay-at-home dad, along with many other parents and caregivers, all had found a place to belong, sharing the one thing they had in common, caring for that child.
I left class that day in tears. Tears of joy. Joyful because I had seen families strengthened to take on the rest of their week.
Heartland for Children was pleased to host three film screenings of the much anticipated documentary, Paper Tigers, here in Lakeland, Sebring, and Winter Haven in November 2015. HFC partnered with Prevent Child Abuse Florida to bring this film to our community. Paper Tigers intimately examines the inspiring promise of Trauma Informed Communities – a movement that is showing great promise in healing individuals struggling with the dark legacy of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
We'd like to recognize the following Case Managers this quarter:
- Barbara Hester | One Hope United
- Sylvia Matteo | Children's Home Society
- Mary Thomas | GCJFCS
- Cemico Green | Neighbor to Family
Waypoints Financial has been a wonderful partner in our community, opening their hearts to helping children in need through Heartland for Children’s Rudolph Round-Up Toy Drive.
For several years, the staff at Waypoints Financial has committed to being Rudolph Champions, purchasing specific wishes for teens and hosting a toy drive to specifically benefit children and teens who are receiving services through the local foster care system.
Through their partnership with Heartland for Children’s faith-based initiative, Grace Bible Church, under the leadership of lead Pastor Dustin Woods, has been instrumental in impacting the lives of children and families throughout Circuit 10 – Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties.
For the second year, Grace Bible Church committed to being Rudolph Round-Up Champions and through the generosity of the church and its members, hosted a toy drive to specifically benefit teens who are receiving services through the local foster care system. The toys and items donated through the Church-sponsored toy drive exceeded expectations and helped to meet the holiday wishes of our teens in care.
Did you know that our biggest adoption month each year is National Adoption Month (November)?
On November 18th, 2015 (National Adoption Day) alone, we had six children (all girls) finalize their adoptions! We had one additional adoption at the end of November, making a total of seven total children and teens adopted during the month of November.
In 2015, 32 children and teens throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties were either matched with a family, or finalized their adoption with a family they were matched with!
Thanks to the generosity of all the donors who chose to be Rudolph Champions in 2015, contributing financially, purchasing items from children’s wish lists and/or sponsoring one of over 60 toy drives in our community, we were able to not only meet our goal, but exceed it!
Case Manager’s Corner for the 1st Quarter includes:
- HFC Case Management Goes “Green”
- Supervisors Setting the Bar
- Frontline Heroes
- Psych Meds Shout Out
- Special Mentions
October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Heartland for Children will be bringing you information and resources throughout the month of October on how you can help prevent domestic violence or get help if you are in an abusive relationship. However, if you or someone you know needs help right now, there are many resources available locally to help you today.
Watch the 2015 ABC Action News Taking Action Against Domestic Violence Prime Time Special here.
Black widow, Spider Girl and the man of the day, Thor. We wanted his day to be special. After all, you only get adopted once, and it's a super big deal. So, we let them put on their costumes because superhero costumes, rather than fancy clothes, represent our children and their personalities. All three of them share characteristics that every superhero has, from their extraordinary powers and abilities to courage, being energetic and bravery.
Meet Rachael Bowen, Heartland for Children's new Recruitment Specialist. We are happy to welcome Racheal to our team!
Rachael is a former HFC foster parent and brings an exciting and dynamic work/life history to her new position.
On June 26th, the first QPI Mini Conference was held in Lakeland, FL at Polk State College. Attendees, including case managers, protective investigators, Guardian Ad Litems, foster parents, children's legal services and many more were invited to learn about the Quality Parenting Initiative and the "re-branding" of the foster care system at these two mini-sessions. Each conference culminated in an awards ceremony. Below are each session's award winners!
We can't believe that the 2015-2016 school year is already just around the corner! Here are some local resources and important information to help get your back to school planning go off without a hitch.
“I could never foster a teenager”. I’ve heard it time and time again during my twenty two years working in child welfare. Why are people so afraid of teen agers? We were ALL teenagers at one point…is that why you don’t think you can do it, because you’re afraid of a child like yourself? (insert funny photo?) I have met some of THE most amazing teens during my career. These kids are earning athletic and academic scholarships to college, they excel in their high school sports and community clubs…but they couldn’t do this without a caring foster parent by their side to support them every step of the way.
Today our family celebrates my daughter officially becoming a teenager! She turns the ripe ole age of 13 today. In fact, that teenager is already acting like a teen, sleeping in after a late night sleepover with good friends, talking about who is “dating” whom, downloading music and the newest “approved” apps for her phone. There are multiple birthday celebrations planned for her and so many things to be happy about.
The one thing she is most excited about, however, is finally getting to ride “shotgun” in the car.
While some of you are busy planning your best and most epic April Fool’s Day pranks today, we wanted to take a minute to remind you that today is also the first day of the Pinwheels for Prevention Campaign celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Heartland for Children is a proud supporter of this national campaign and will be promoting it throughout the month. Please display your pinwheels, share our posts and participate in our events taking place throughout Polk, Hardee and Highlands County. We want everyone to know how they can be a part of the solution.
After researching, reading, and researching some more, I was amazed to find that many fathers have benefitted from learning to use infant massage with their babies. By implementing the techniques taught in an Infant Massage Instructional Class, these fathers had created a one-on-one bonding experience with their child(ren). This study highlights that the stress level of the fathers who participated was greatly reduced after implementing an infant massage routine.
Looking back, many teenage girls would admit to dancing in their mom’s high heeled shoes as young girls, wearing sheets as robes, and practicing to curtsey in front of the mirror. They were princesses, and one day they were going to marry Prince Charming and live happily ever after. There were Cinderellas, who were abused and neglected, holding out for their invitation to the royal ball. Then, there were Sleeping Beauties, born into royalty, but eventually life happened, putting their dreams on hold.
I am strong, intelligent, determined, focused, funny, sassy, and energetic. Well, at least that is how my family and friends describe me. I specifically asked them to describe how I was as a teen and young adult, as opposed to now, over 20 years later, and their answers were much the same. I can remember how I felt back then, and I believed all these things about myself (perhaps because I was lucky enough to have family and friends who wholeheartedly believed those things, too). I also knew I was loved and supported by my family and friends and that if I confided in them that I was in trouble, they would have done anything they could to help.
It is that time of year again. High school football teams are playing with an intense passion, hoping that their team can still make the playoffs, NFL teams have found their rhythm and are working their way through injuries, and people of all types have embraced a bold and bright pink as part of their normal wardrobe.
The cooler weather brings with it the occasion of dressing up in costume. Some people do this on Halloween, and others dress up to go to their local church’s fall festival. Wearing a costume can be quite exciting. If you are anything like me, once the costume begins to take shape, my personality becomes that of the character I am portraying. It only happens once a year, so I make it count.
Over the past eight years of working in the field of social work, specifically in adoptions through the state, I have learned a lot about the world's varying views about adoption. When I tell people that I’m an Adoption Specialist, they automatically think that I’m finding "forever homes" for infants whose parents made the decision to give them up for adoption. I have yet to meet a person who initially thought that I might have played a hand in many successful adoptions of teenagers, sibling groups, children with lifelong medical needs, etc. So I take every encounter with someone who is curious about my profession as an opportunity to educate about the type of adoptions I help to facilitate and continue to spread the word about the need for quality forever adoptive homes for our teens, sibling groups, etc., as well as the need for temporary foster parents for these very same children.
Ghandi expressed the essence of love when he made one of the most simplistic yet profound statements, “Love never claims, it ever gives” (Frank, 2001). This statement merely suggests: love that claims, isn’t really love at all. To claim something one asserts, declares, and alleges the item or person in question belongs to them for one reason or another. Many hold the belief that love is a choice, even among the cultures where arranged marriages still exists. In his book, The Four Loves, C. S. Lewis discusses some of the different loves described in Greek thought: familial or affectionate love (storge); friendship (philia); romantic love (eros); and spiritual love (agape) in the light of Christian commentary on ordinate loves.
We mentioned in our last blog that an estimated 90% of car seats are used incorrectly. Nationally, that statistic is around 75%, which means parents and caregivers in Florida need a little extra help when installing their car seats. There was a time in my life that I would have thought installing a car seat couldn’t be all that difficult, and I would have bet money that I knew how to install one. It wasn’t until my first experience with three, not just one, that I realized my worst nightmare had just come true.
In 2012, among children under the age of five in cars, an estimated 284 lives were SAVED by child restraints, also known as car seats. That is a lot of lives saved. Car crashes, however, are the leading cause of death for children ages 1-12. Our goal is to see the number of deaths decrease while the number of lives saved increases. Unfortunately, we also know that approximately 90% of child restraints are installed incorrectly, putting children at risk. In order for us to help increase the number of children traveling safely, we need your help.
After a suicide or suicide attempt there are many emotions that affect those that survive. There are the stages of grief we move through and it can come sometimes take quite a bit of time to move through a stage. I’ve heard comments full of regret such as “If only I’d known he was so sad” or “I wish I had known, I would’ve tried to help” and comments full of anger such as “That’s such a selfish act” or “How could he do that to the people who loved him”. Unless you understand the absolute despair that leads to the moment of an attempted or completed suicide, you will probably struggle with understanding the “why”.
As we continue our blog series for National Suicide Prevention Week, we felt it was so important to discuss the warning signs that may be present when someone is considering suicide, as well as explore the actions that can best help someone in crisis, as well as those reactions that are not helpful.
Suicide claims more lives than HIV and homicide combined...
This week is National Suicide Prevention Week, and, Wednesday, September 10, 2014 is recognized as World Suicide Prevention Day. To show our support of this important topic, we are embarking on a series of blogs that should help others to be more knowledgeable about the risk and protective factors for suicide, along with what warning signs can be indicative that someone might be considering suicide. We will also equip readers with the knowledge of what to do when facing warning signs and what actions may not be helpful. Lastly, we will address the difficult topic of surviving suicide.
Find out what free back-to-school events are going on around Polk, Hardee and Highlands counties in 2014!
My family was blessed with Shania six years ago. We loved her from the moment we saw her. She has three brothers, including a twin! Being the ONLY girl in a house full of boys is not easy. One of Shania’s best qualities is her incredibly strong spirit. Her no-fear attitude led her to not only enter her 5th grade speech competition, but come in 2nd place for the entire county! She is now in her middle school's law program. We are so proud of her and so blessed to call her out daughter.
Here is the beautiful speech she wrote specially about adoption, based on her personal experience of being adopted:
Swimming is one of the most popular summertime activities, and living in Florida, we are never at a shortage of bodies of water to swim in. Between pools, lakes, oceans and water parks, there are plenty of ways to cool off from the sweltering Florida heat. With the pool and beach season now upon us, it is important to be mindful of your family’s safety in and around water. (As my mom always reminded us...
"SAFETY first!)
Forming relationships and attachments with others is inevitable even among the most shy and isolated individuals. So long as one lives and interacts with others, a form of attachment or relationship is established. There are different types of relationships that the average person can associate with: parent to child, foster parent to foster child, grandparent to grandchild, and sibling to sibling, spouse to spouse relationship along with extended family relationships. There are also the romantic, friendship, colleague, and the roommate relationships. The list can go on and on. A relationship, simply put, is being related to or interrelated with another individual on some level.
Many children in school know how many days are left in this school year, and if they don’t know, they can always ask their teacher. Soon, they will have a lot of time on their hands, so parents are given the monumental task of helping them find ways to pass the time. If you’re like me, you know it won’t be long before you hear those two words that every parent dreads – “I’m bored!” What if I told you there was something you could put in their hands to help with that? I’m not talking about the latest smart phone, tablet, or video game controller; this is even better than that. I am suggesting that you put a book in their hands, and if you plan it right, they can actually have fun reading it!
As summer quickly approaches, children will be needing summer activities and parents will be seeking energy outlets and learning experiences each day to prevent boredom and unnecessary chaos. Children thrive on structured activities and new experiences. My five-year-old grandson vividly remembers the treasure hunt we had last year. Ironically, he was grounded from his bicycle, so I planned an activity that excluded his bike but offered him an outlet for his energy. His energy, most of the time, is twice that of mine. We went for a walk instead. While walking, I asked him to locate specific items such as flags, flowers, colored leaves, and different types of insects.
Our journey first began long before September 2011; it began about 16 years ago with kinship care. We were contacted by the department and asked if we would consider taking in our nephews who were going to be removed from their home. My husband and I said yes. About two years later, there was a TPR hearing and the boys came up for adoption. Again, my husband and I said yes and adopted. After having previously being involved with the system through kinship care and adoption...and having two empty bedrooms (can’t have that!), we decided to take the leap and attend foster parent classes. We will soon celebrate our three-year anniversary as foster parents.
After nearly 10 years of being opposed to the idea of fostering, I finally decided to take the first step back in 2009 to learn more about the need and exactly what my commitment would be if I were to foster.
HEARTLAND FOR CHILDREN - [Foster Care Blog] -
Today, our foster parents are highly skilled volunteers that work in partnership with biological parents, case managers and other child welfare professionals to ensure that while the children are away from their parents, the parents still feel supported and connected to their children. The best car seat will be the one that fits your child, fits your vehicle and the one that you will use correctly every time. If a car seat is not installed correctly, your child's safety could be in danger. Every car seat has different installation instructions. Here are key items to keep in mind when installing a car seat.
For going on nine years, Heartland for Children has helped to provide holiday gifts for thousands of children and teens throughout Polk, Highlands and Hardee Counties in Central Florida. 1,360 children and teens received presents last year alone through generous donations from individuals, groups, and businesses.
Every business has a process for measuring their success. Car dealerships look at how many cars they sell. Schools know they succeed when their students get good grades and graduate. Police departments count tickets….oh, wait, no, that one is just a myth! All teasing aside, we know police departments, too, have many different data points to make sure our communities are safe, such as crime statistics, response times to emergencies, etc.
In the business of supporting families and helping them be successful, we, too, have a way to measure whether families are successful.
Parenting is often referred to as the hardest job anyone will ever have. You may also hear a parent say becoming a parent has been the best thing that has ever happened to them. So which one is it? Best job or hardest job?
This story is written from the perspective of a local adoptive family regarding their journey of their second adoption through public adoption. We thank this family wholeheartedly for sharing this beautiful story!
Take a moment and think back to what life was like when you were a teen. What do you think would have happened to you if you had no place to call home, nobody to help you fill out job applications, nobody to be there to plan a high school graduation party, help you get ready for prom, practice driving, etc.? Even as adults, many of you probably turned to your parents for something whether it was for advice, tips on how to do something, somewhere to go for the holidays, or a good home cooked meal.
You hear time and time again, "Adoption is forever." It is very true that adoption is forever. It is also very true that adoption can impact the lives of an entire family in a very powerful and positive way. In the midst of all the positives about adoption, the truth that adoption can be challenging and have “bumps in the road” years after the adoption finalized is very real.
Through your ministry you inspire and touch the lives of so many children and families. We are in need of leaders of faith based ministries throughout our local communities that will partner with Heartland for Children in implementing a faith-based initiative. This partnership will encompass both universal and targeted efforts to provide family and community supports that will build protective factors for the families within our communities.
We are fortunate to live in the tri-county area of Hardee, Highlands, and Polk Counties where local businesses are not only a part of the decorative landscape but their business practices demonstrates they believe in giving back to support and strengthen children and families.
By the time a student finishes high school one third will experience some type of abuse in their relationships. Who does this happen to? Dating Violence can happen anywhere and to anyone. The only thing that victims of abusive relationships have in common is that they have nothing in common. Dating violence happens regardless of socio-economic status, geographic area, age, race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or physical size. Even men can be victims of dating violence.
Lori Wasson was licensed on October 18, 2011 for one child, but when she was asked if she could take two in order to keep sisters together, she quickly agreed. She was later told that they had two brothers who were also in care and she welcomed the idea of having all four siblings placed with her.
When Cebien Alty’s wife, Joy-Lynn, brought up the subject of becoming foster parents, as her biological mother had been during her adolescent years, his quick reply was a resounding “NO!" He wanted to focus on having children of their own and was quite honestly worried about the "type" of children in the foster care system.