The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI), a nonpartisan, nonprofit created by Congress, started the Foster Youth Internship (FYI) Program in 2003 to raise awareness on Capitol Hill about the needs and unique perspectives of young adults in the United States aging out of foster care.

Each year, Congressional Members partner with CCAI to "match" an eligible intern to a six-week internship in their Washington D.C. office. Interns are given a real-world experience in a Congressional office, complete with professional training and an educational retreat coordinated by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute.

The Foster Youth Internship is a full-time work experience in a Congressional office, taking place over six weeks from June 1-July 15, 2006.

Interns are paid a small stipend that will cover daily expenses. The CCAI FYI program pays major expenses such as housing and transportation to Washington, D.C. Interns must be able to live in Washington, D.C. for the full duration of the program.

This program is generously supported by the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Applicants for the program must either be in the U.S. foster care system at the time of their 18th birthday or have been adopted from the U.S. foster care system after their 14th birthday and they must have completed at least two years of college in a four-year degree program. It is also important that applicants have good writing and research skills, plus an interest in the legislative process.

This is a positive opportunity and resume builder for anyone, and students in every degree plan are encouraged to apply.

The typical substantive duties of a Congressional Foster Youth Intern Include:

• Work directly with legislative correspondents and legislative assistants to research issues and compose correspondence

• Attend committee hearings, sit in on meetings, attend press conferences, and take notes

• Work on small legislative projects

• Constituent services

• Attend and serve at Congressional briefings and meetings, including events organized by CCAI for the members of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption

The typical administrative duties of a Congressional Foster Youth Intern:

• Open, sort, and deliver incoming mail

• Answer phones, greet constituents, run errands, deliver priority letters, and acquire Congressional signatures

• Copying, filing, faxing, and data entry

Applicants must submit an application form, resume, two-page essay explaining why they are interested in the internship, a three-page essay discussing their views on adoption and foster care, their own experiences, and changes that would be made, and also two letters of recommendation, preferably from a professor and an employer. For more information or specific application requirements, visit www.ccainstitute.org.

Other Rockland News

The Rockland DHHS has moved into a new building. The new address will be 91 Camden Street, Suite 103, Rockland, ME 04841-2421. The phone number is 596-4200 or 800-432-7802 if you have trouble finding it.

Special Speaker!

On Thursday, April 6th, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM, there will be a special Networking Meeting dedicated to kinship at Verrillo's in Portland. This is the evening before the AFFM Conference, Passionate for Permanency, A Family for Every Child. This is a prelude to the Conference. All kinship providers are urged to attend. Deborah Langosch, Ph.D., LCSW will facilitate the meeting and provide an opportunity for individual discussion prior to concluding the meeting.

Dr. Langosch is the director of the Kinship Care Program and Chairperson of the Brooklyn Grandparents' Coalition at the Jewish Board of Family and Children's Services in New York City. She also co-chairs the New York City Kincare Task Force with the Brookdale Center on Aging. Dr. Langosch has been working with grandparent caregivers and their relative children for the past fifteen years in mental health settings and community service agencies. She has been responsible for the program development, fund raising, direct service, and supervision. Dr. Langosch has given numerous national and local presentations on issues that kinship care families face. In addition, she recently completed her doctoral work at New York University School of Social Work. The topic for her dissertation was "Grandmother's Raising Grandchildren Due to the Death of their Parent." She has an extensive background in the field of loss, trauma, and bereavement, and is also in private practice in Brooklyn, NY.

This night is intended for all kinship providers and those interested in kinship care. If you are interested in attending, please call AFFM at 1-800-833-9786 by March 31 to register.

S.A.F.E.

The Statewide Association of Fostering Enterprises (SAFE) is now accepting applications for new memberships. This is a low cost food program to help foster parents save money. The income guidelines have now been expanded to accommodate more families, so if you were denied before, it may be worthwhile to apply again. Foster and adoptive reimbursements are not included as part of the income of families applying for a membership. For more information about the program or how to apply, call Vickie Decker at 445-2017.

Fire Prevention and Survival Skills

Did you know that 80% of fires are preventable? This Prevention and Survival presentation is a fact-and statistic-based program designed to enlighten, encourage, and equip individuals to be safe from the ravages of fire. The session is lecture based, supplemented by PowerPoint presentation, videos, overheads, handouts and includes interaction with the audience. This workshop is presented by Bill Leighton, a Fire and Life Safety Education Coordinator from the Maine Fire Training and Education Program. He is a retired Fire Lieutenant from the Bangor Fire Department (27 years), with twenty years as a line firefighter/fire officer, seven years as a Public Education Officer/Juvenile Fire Setter Coordinator, and five years as a Public Information Officer - Bangor Fire Department. This free training will be held February 7, from 6-9 PM at the Trade Winds Motor Inn in Rockland. For more information or registration, contact Jeanine Brown at 626-5285 or email jeanine.brown@maine.gov.

Foundations: Working with
Children Exhibiting Sexual Behavior Problems - Introductory Module

In this two-day program, presented by Becky Harvey and Ruth Landeen, caregivers will explore values and beliefs regarding fostering a child with sexual behavior problems; learn vocabulary and terms related to sexual abuse and behavior, identify normal sexual development and red flags; understand experiences that can lead to sexual behavior problems and their effects on children and adolescents; clarify roles and responsibilities on the treatment team; learn ways to live safely with children with sexual behavior problems; learn interventions regarding behavior problems; and identify the characteristics of ideal foster parents for children with sexual behavior problems. This training will be held on two Wednesdays, February 15 and 22 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM both days. It is necessary to attend both days in order to receive credit. The free workshops will be held at Trade Winds Motor Inn in Rockland. For more information and registration, contact the Staff Education and training unit at 287-9355 or email DHHS.setu@maine.gov.

Juvenile Fire Setters Awareness

The number of fires set by children is growing. The United States Fire Administration reports that between 25-40% of all fires are set by children. Most experts agree that the best way to understand a child's firesetting is by looking at the context and motivation for the behavior. Learn about the myths and the realities of juvenile firesetting and intervention strategies that can be used by parents. This workshop is presented by Bill Leighton, a Fire & Life Safety Education Coordinator from the Maine Fire Training & Education Program. Bill is a retired Fire Lieutenant from Bangor Fire Department (27 years), with twenty years as a line firefighter/fire officer, seven years as Public Education Officer/Juvenile Fire Setter Coordinator, and five years as Public Information Officer - Bangor Fire Department. This free workshop will be Tuesday, February 21, from 6-9 PM at the University of Maine at Machias. For more information or registration, contact Jeanine Brown at 626-5285 or email jeanine.brown@maine.gov

Simple Strategies for Mini-Miracles

Foster parents don't expect or demand huge miracles... they look for the small successes that may lead to miracles. This workshop will offer a kaleidoscope of tried and true strategies for handling some of the stress points of foster parenting. Participants will leave with specific new tools to handle homework struggles, self-esteem, bonding, and other common hotspots of foster parenting. Participants are asked to come with one idea to write down and share with the group. Gail Underwood Parker, presenter, has raised nine children as a single, working parent and is familiar with the challenges of making children feel special with limited time and money. From no cost-no time tricks, to creating one-of-a-kind books and games, to supporting special needs children within a family, to building bonds, Ms. Parker offers a wide range of possibilities. These strategies not only make a child feel special, but address some of the most challenging behaviors and times that parents face. A down-to-earth teacher and parent, her strategies are popular both with children and the adults raising them. This free workshop will be Saturday, March 4, from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at the Caribou Inn and Convention Center in Caribou. For more information and registration call Jeanine Brown at 626-5285 or email jeanine.brown@maine.gov.

Teambuilding III: The Role of Foster Parents in Meeting the Educational Needs Of Children with Special Needs Teambuilding Workshops I and II

Held over the previous two years, were designed to give foster/adoptive parents and other child advocates basic knowledge and access to resources necessary to successfully advocate for special education services for children in their care. The role and responsibilities of the educational surrogate parent were reviewed as well as ways to be an effective member of the PET. Regulations and the Guide to Special Education were used as tools in small group work with case studies. At the end of each day, trainers were available to respond to individual questions regarding specific family situations. The purpose of the 2006 workshops is to build on the foundation described above. The workshop will be presented by Margaret Degon, Maine Parent Federation, Cliff McHatten, Department of Education, Sarah Meerse, Pine Tree Legal Association, and Kathy Son, Center for Community Inclusion at Umaine Orono. The design will enable the group to capture what the current concerns and/or questions are of the group in obtaining special education services and to conduct a problem-solving session. An attorney will discuss ‘due process' when foster/adoptive parents have explored all other options. Participants will be encouraged to engage in self-reflection to see how their style of interaction moves the process forward or hinders resolution. This free workshop will be held Wednesday, March 8, from 9:00 AM-3:00 PM at the University of Maine at Machias. For more information and registration call Jeanine Brown at 626-5285 or email jeanine.brown@maine.gov.

Behavior Management Strategies for Foster and Adoptive Parents

Parenting can—at times—seem like a never-ending challenge. As you well know, choosing the right behavior management approach can be a hit or miss experience. This training, presented by Doreen Allen, is designed to provide practical skills to address some of the challenging behaviors by children in your care. Participants will learn positive behavior management techniques such as natural and logical consequences, time out, and choices. Additionally, participants will learn how a parent's own behaviors and attitudes impact the behavior of the child. Finally, participants will gain a better understanding of Department of Health and Human Services rules for child behavior management. This free workshop will be held Thursday, March 9, from 9:00 AM-4:00 PM at DHHS in Portland. For more information and registration, contact the Staff Education and training unit at 287-9355 or email DHHS.setu@maine.gov.

Win a Weeklong Vacation at Tamarack!

The Wilhelm Reich Museum is owned and operated by The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust. This Trust was established by world renowned scientist, Wilhelm Reich, in his Last Will and Testament. The Trust maintains the property at Orgonon under the name and style of the Wilhelm Reich Museum. On this land is his cabin, Tamarack. Mr. Reich's Will also stated that Tamarack be used as a "summer home for children."

The Trust has chosen a way to fulfill this final wish by making Tamarack available for adoptive, foster, and kinship families for eight weeks in the summer! This opportunity is available to those that might not have another means of this type of vacation.

Mary Higgins, trustee, works with AFFM on this opportunity annually.

The cabin is located on the grounds of Orgonon, formerly the home, laboratory, and research center of Wilhelm Reich. Orgonon is located just off of the Dodge Pond Road in Rangeley. Tamarack is about 75 yards away from Dodge Pond. Because the pond is a natural nesting place for loons, power boats, jet skis, and recreational vehicles (i.e. four wheelers) are all strictly prohibited. Rowboats and canoes are permitted. At the foot of the path leading to the pond is a floating platform, a great spot for shore fishing, sunbathing, and jumping in the water. The water is deep and the area is quite rocky. Children will require careful supervision and non-swimmers will require life jackets.

Tamarack is a large, charming, 3 bedroom, 1 bath cabin with a comfortable interior. Tamarack has a complete kitchen with a full size refrigerator and gas stove, and a beautiful living room with a stone fireplace. The camp does not have a phone or television. Families need to provide their own food and bedding.

The Tamarack vacation opportunity is designed for the families who otherwise might not be able to afford a vacation, so there are certain eligibility requirements that apply. To be eligible, you must not own or have access to a summer camp, time-share, or RV. Also, if you have been a Tamarack winner in 2004 or 2005, we ask that you not apply. The drawing will be held March 24th and winners will be notified by phone or email by March 28th.

Many families dearly want to utilize Tamarack. It is necessary that any winners who cannot attend please notify AFFM at least one week in advance. It is important to have time to find an alternate family and give them time to prepare for their vacation, so this beautiful cabin can be enjoyed throughout the heart of the summer.