"And Some Rise Above IT………..
2007 AFFM Annual Training Conference

AFFM wishes to thank all the presenters, board members, donors, and attendees who participated in the AFFM annual training conference, which was held at the Bangor Motor Inn and Conference Center on April 27th/28th.

Thanks to everyone's help, it was a tremendous success!

Thanks to the following businesses who donated to the silent auction:

• Artful Heirlooms
• Barbara and Ed Ford
• Blue Heron Quilts
• Boothbay Railway Village
• Bradbury Barrel Co.
• Damn Yankee Balloon Rides
• DeLORME
• The Dirty Moose
• Heavenly Bean Bags
• The Morgan House Inn
• The Quaker Inn
• Simply Divine Brownies
• Sweet Light Photography

Again, a big thanks to everyone who made this conference such a powerful event. See you in ‘08!

The following is a book review from the Smoky Mtn. Sentinel

Recommended Reading: "The Women Who Raised Me: A Memoir" By Victoria Rowell
Reviewed by Cindy Elavsky

From the moment little Vicki Lynn Bevans Sawyer Collins Rowell came into this world on May 10, 1959, she was thrust into the foster-care system. Her mother, Dorothy, was schizophrenic with four other children she did not have the means - mentally and monetarily - with which to raise them.

Thus began Victoria Rowell's journey into life. Victoria is best known to millions of people for portraying Drucilla Winters on "The Young and the Restless" for 13 years, as well as an eight-year tenure with "Diagnosis Murder." But what many did not know was that she spent the first 18 years of her life in foster care.

In that time, Victoria became the independent, altruistic and beautiful woman that she is today. And she credits her upbringing to many women who came in and out of her life, the women who raised her. Among those, her primary foster mother, Agatha Wooten Armstead, instilled in Victoria core values and the maternal love and warmth that she was so desperate for.

Along the way, friends, sisters, mothers of friends, teachers and agents became lifelong mentors and companions. They encouraged her natural and abundant talent in the ballet, and later, in acting.

Victoria's lyric and descriptive voice is evident in this memoir, as she describes her home state of Maine with the same love and affection as her family and friends. In fact, Maine becomes a character itself, as the reader is introduced to little-known history about the northernmost region on America's East Coast.

Her story is one of survival, perseverance and the importance of family-whether you're born into it or are lucky enough that it finds you. Sometimes, it does indeed take a village to raise a child, and Victoria's life is glorious proof of that.

Victoria's book is available online, as well as at your local Barnes and Noble.

Rest in Peace

AFFM was saddened to learn of the deaths of two special people.

AFFM extends sincere condolences to the family and friends of Sgt. Jason Swiger, son of Valerie Swiger of S. Portland and husband of Alanna Swiger of Fayetteville SC. Jason died while serving his country for his third tour in Iraq. He will be sadly missed by his mother, his wife, his siblings, numerous relatives and friends. Alanna has requested that those who wish may make »donations in Jason's memory donate to Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine.

AFFM is also sad to share the loss of Patricia Fortune of Gardiner. Pat and her husband William are foster and adoptive parents. Pat was a strong and passionate advocate for the children in her care as well as for foster and adoptive parents. Pat served on several committees, representing the needs of foster and adoptive parents. She was active on the Adoption and Foster Care Advisory Board among many others. She will be sadly missed by her husband, children, and all who new and loved her.

Project RECESS

New Services for Surrogate Parents

Southern Maine Parent Awareness; Learning Disability Association of Maine and the Center for Community Inclusion, Disability Studies in collaboration with the Maine Department of Education- Special Education Team is working to better the training services and supports provided to surrogate parents of children with disabilities. With new regulations and educational reform on the horizon we need to plan on how we can best serve your needs as you continue the very important role that you play in the lives of Maine's most vulnerable students.

The goals of Project RECESS are:

• To provide the Maine Department of Education an assessment of the needs of surrogate parents in the state:
• To provide training to surrogate parents related to disability, community resources and special education as it pertains to their role in the IEP meetings under the new regulations:
• To provide one on one technical assistance in preparation for upcoming IEP meetings by phone, e-mail, or in person:
• To provide services to surrogate parents involved in this program which will also include student record review, pre-IEP planning meetings and in some circumstances staff attending IEP meetings to mentor and support:
• To provide pre/ post parent involvement surveys adapted to surrogate parents:
• To develop an updated, reader friendly surrogate parent handbook.
  

We value your feedback and would ask that you take a few moments of your valuable time to complete a survey. » Download the printable survey (MS Word Doc). If you have any questions, please contact Carol Costello, at Southern Maine Parent Awareness at 1-800-564-9696 x 204. Thank you!

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