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Volume 10, No.10

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We have new additions to our library !

(VHS) No Such Thing As a Bad Kid:

Key Principles and Techniques for Working with Troubled Children and Youth,

by Charles Appelstein, MSW.

This three tape series is based on the theory that the best way to deal with problem behavior is to prevent it!

One-Line Raps for Girls and Chaps:

By Charlie Appelstein, MSW & The No Bad Kid Band (CD)

One line raps are quick behavioral prompts. Just as stage prompts cue actors in to lines they have forgotten, one line raps inspire kids to behave in ways they have lost sight of ...or never knew were possible! This innovative approach combines rhyme, rhythm, and melody to promote the practice of desired behaviors and ultimately real change.

To request these, or any titles the AFFM library has, please call 1-800-833-9786 or 827-2331.

Also, if you need internet access, the AFFM library has 2 computers with internet access available! Feel free to stop in and put them to use!

As has been reported by the media, AFFM has been dealt a difficult blow. Katherine Ratliff, former administrative assistant, has allegedly embezzled approximately $60,000 from AFFM. This has depleted the budget.

Detective Tom Adams of the Old Town Police Department continues to do amazing work during this investigation. He is to be commended for his tireless efforts and the long hours he has dedicated to this.

Needless to say, this has been a difficult time for AFFM, both professionally and personally. We appreciate all the cards and calls of support. It is important that you know that background checks on this employee were done, but are only as good as the information provided to us by the employee.

Several individuals have inquired as to how they can help. It is uncomfortable to ask, but what is needed the most at this time are financial donations. The board of directors of AFFM has suggested that if everyone on our mailing list were able to donate$10.00, half of our loss would be redeemed. We realize that this may be a bit of a challenge for some, please know that this is only a suggestion.

During the coming months, several benefits for AFFM are anticipated. AFFM is so appreciative of everyone’s generosity, and sincerely touched with the gestures.

Evelyn Niles of Old Town is one of the busy people organizing a benefit event. There will be a dinner/show at the Knights of Columbus hall in Old Town on Saturday, Nov. 17th. Evey has requested that anyone interested in assisting in her efforts contact her directly at 478-1472. Thank you, Evey.

Get out your dancing shoes! Hannah Tapley, an adoptive and foster parent from Bangor has also come forward to coordinate a family dance, to be held on Saturday, Nov. 17th, at Jeff’s Catering in Brewer from 7-9 pm. Tickets are $10.00 for a family, and are available at the door. The evening will consist of music by DJ Mike Simmons, dancing, food, and prizes. It sure sounds like fun!
We are also looking forward to the raffle of a beautiful quilt, made and donated by Debbie Irish, a foster and adoptive parent from Sherman.

Please call the office for more information on any of these events, or if you would like to develop a benefit program, at 1-800-833-9786 or 827-2331.

We would also like to acknowledge Ken Bustard of the Rock Church in Bangor for the Spaghetti Supper/silent auction which was held Nov. 3rd. A good time was had by all, and the everyone’s efforts are appreciated.

We will continue to keep you posted on conditions but again, thank you all for all you are doing for AFFM, all the while continuing to do so much for Maine’s children.

AFFM is blessed to be facing this challenge surrounded by so many good people, and we look forward to life getting back to “normal”.

Rest In Peace….

The families of Bangor have suffered a huge loss.
On Oct. 4th, we lost Danny Clifford.
Danny was the director of the Bangor West Side Little League program, and was instrumental in the Senior League World Series. Danny was kind enough to extend free tickets for all of our AFFM families to the 2007Senior League World Series.
Danny was a special mentor for the Little League boys. No matter what team or position they played, Danny knew them all by name, and was proud of them. He was a huge asset to the community, and his loss will be felt for years to come.
An education fund has been set up for Danny’s beloved granddaughter, Madison. Memorial donations may be made to:

The Madison Martin Education Fund
c/o Merrill Bank
Attn. Darlene Lamphere
201 Main Street
Bangor, ME 04401

Meet Robbie…….

Robbie (DOB:  01/92) is a highly engaging boy with many interests.  He likes to play sports and video games and has a   passion for history.  Robbie is a loving boy who tries very hard to please adults.  Robbie is looking for highly-skilled, patient  parents that would like to open their hearts and give him a permanent home.

During his time in care, Robbie had been placed with his brothers.  However, due to the sibling dynamics, it was determined that Robbie would be the most successful if he were placed separate from them.  It is important to Robbie, however, that he is able to maintain connections with his siblings.

Robbie currently attends school in a specialized setting and, for the most part, is academically on track.  He strives to do his best and, as a result, has consistently received high marks.  It is likely that, given his success, Robbie may be able to transition to public school in the near future.  Robbie is extremely competitive and sets high standards for himself.  He may still get     frustrated when struggling with new material in school or when he may not be the best at something.  However, he has made significant progress and continues to do well overall.

Robbie is interested and motivated to become a permanent member of a loving family.   Those interested in learning more about Robbie should contact James Pelletier at The Maine Department of Health & Human Services, 35 Anthony Avenue,   Augusta, ME  04333 or call (207) 624-8088.  Adoption subsidy may be available for the most appropriate family.

To view more profiles of other children waiting for a permanent home, please visit www.afamilyforme.org

Citizens Financial Group, Inc. Providence, RI
CMP Technology Manhasset, NY
Timberland Stratham, NH
JPMorgan Chase New York, NY
Avon Products, Inc. New York, NY
American Century Investments Kansas City, MO
Fannie Mae Washington, DC
South Mountain Company West Tisbury, MA
The McGraw-Hill Companies New York, NY
Abbott Laboratories Abbott Park, IL

Do you work for an employer with an exceptional adoption policy? Would you like to recognize your employers efforts to support adoption?

Feel free to email any stories you wish to see in Family Ties to Barbara@affm.net

Thanks to all employers who encourage and support adoption!

To the world, you may be one person, but to one person, you may be the world!

It is with happy hearts that Michael and Elesia Moore announce the adoption of their two-year-old son, Gage Richard.
The adoption was finalized
We would like to acknowledge Lorraine, Gage’s first mother, who will always be loved, valued and respected by our family.

Mary F. Brown, Weldon E. Brown Jr. and their daughter, Samantha L. Brown

Are overjoyed to announce the adoption of

Casaundra J. Brown

On July 10th, 2007.

Ann. M Courtney and Marilyn A. Kirby

Are pleased and honored to announce the adoption of their children
Michelle Lee (10)

And
Ryan Michael (7)

On Oct. 17th, 2007

If your family has celebrated an adoption that you would like to see announced, please email the information to Barbara@affm.net  

New Reports
The Children's Defense Fund has released a new report on America's Cradle to Prison Pipeline, an urgent national crisis at the intersection of poverty and race that puts Black boys at a one in three lifetime risk of going to jail, and Latino boys at a one in six lifetime risk of the same fate. Tens of thousands of children and teens are sucked into the Pipeline each year. The report, America's Cradle to Prison Pipeline charges the adults of this nation with failing our children and creating the conditions for the Prison Pipeline to exist. The report documents the convergence and accumulation of multiple social and economic risks and a national ethos that too frequently chooses incarceration over healthy child and youth development. The report offers a 9-point agenda for families, communities and policy makers at the local, state and national level to begin to dismantle the Pipeline. The full report, along with related resources and fact sheets, is available online at: www.childrensdefense.org/site/PageServer?pagename=c2pp_report2007

Policy Updates
On Thursday, September 27, President Bush signed into law the College Cost Reduction and Access Act (Public Law 110-84), the bill that includes the Fostering Adoption to Further Student Achievement Act amendment, making it possible for teens in foster care to be adopted without losing access to college financial aid. Under this new law, youth who are adopted after their 13th birthday will not have to include their parents' income in the calculations for determining their need for financial aid.
Children's Rights, the National Foster Parent Association and the University of Maryland School of Social Work are holding a Congressional briefing on Wednesday, October 3, and releasing a new report, Hitting the M.A.R.C.: Establishing Foster Care Minimum Adequate Rates for Children. This is the first-ever nationwide, state-by-state calculation of the real cost of supporting children in foster care. The report reveals widespread deficiencies in reimbursement rates across the nation—and major disparities among the states—and proposes a new standard rate for each state to use in fulfilling the federal requirement to provide foster parents with payments to cover the basic needs of children in foster care, including food, shelter, clothing and school supplies. The briefing will be held from 3-4 pm in room B-318, Rayburn House Office Building. Please RSVP to Anita Estling at aestling@childrensrights.org.

Other News and Resources
The Children's Bureau has again selected the Adoption Exchange Association (AEA) to lead AdoptUsKids, a national initiative to partner with States and Tribes to recruit foster and adoptive families for children in foster care. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, there are more than 500,000 children in foster care in the United States. Approximately 114,000 of those children will not be able to return to their parents and are waiting for families to adopt them. In 2002, the Children's Bureau made its award to AEA and The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids was launched. Partnering with AEA on the Collaboration is The Adoption Exchange, Inc. (Denver, CO), Northwest Adoption Exchange (Seattle, WA), Child Welfare League of America (Arlington, VA), University of Texas at Austin, and Holt International (Portland, OR).
The Child Welfare League of America has released information about its 2007 Adoption and Foster Care Training Conference, to be held December 10-12 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Details about the conference are available online at: www.cwla.org/conferences/ShowConference.asp?CONF=ADOPTION&YEAR=2007
--
Alicia Groh
Executive Director
Voice for Adoption
202-210-8118
www.voice-for-adoption.org

It’s hard to believe, but we are getting ready for the Holiday Gift Giving Program again!
Last year, AFFM and the “Spirit of Giving” Committee were able to assist 250 children living with a kinship family!

Again this year, this program is open to KINSHIP families only. We ask that families who would like make a request call the AFFM office at 1-800-833-9786, or 827-2331.

Please have the following information available when calling: Children’s names and ages, Clothing size (pants and shirts) special considerations ( ie: favorite characters, hobbies, taste in music, etc) and a few suggestions for gifts.

Please keep gift values around $20.00 each. AFFM and the Spirit of Giving Committee would love to be able to provide every child with everything they would like, but that is not a reality. Requests will be handled on a first come, first served basis.

November 25th
Bangor

1-4 pm
Ramada Inn

357 Odlin Road

December 2nd
Portland

11-1pm
Greater Portland
YMCA
Pizza will be provided

Please call the AFFM office at 1-800-833-9786 or 827-2331 to RSVP for either party.

Don’t forget your swimsuits!!!!

November Events

Augusta ;

Group Meeting - Wednesday, November 21st at 6:30 pm, Conference Room 3, Maine General Hospital.    

Bangor

Group Meeting – Tuesday, November 7th  at 6:30 pm, Families And Children Together office, 304 Hancock Street.  Please call in advance for childcare.

Group Meeting – Tuesday, November 21st at 6:30 pm, Families And Children Together office, 304 Hancock Street.  Please call in advance for childcare.

Dover-Foxcroft

 Group Meeting – Monday, November 26th at 6:30 pm, Penquis CAP, 50 North Street.  Call in advance for childcare.

Kittery

Group Meeting – Monday, November 5th from 6:00 – 7:30 pm, Woodland Commons Community Room, Ledgewood Drive.  A light meal will be provided.  Registration is required, please contact Marsha Kennedy at 439-8310.

Lewiston 

Group Meeting – Wednesday, November 7th  at 6:30 pm, at the D'Youville Pavilion, 102 Campus Avenue, across from the hospital.  Enter in the doors under the awning and go to the conference room.

Lincoln

Group Meeting – Tuesday, November 13th from 9:00 - 10:30 am, at Health Access Network, 51 Main Street.  Please call Tracey Cousineau for more details at 794-6700.  Childcare and transportation vouchers available.

Portland

Group Meeting – Wednesday, November 14th at 6:00 pm, The Family Workshop, 215 Congress Street.  Please call Nancy in advance to reserve childcare.

Group Meeting – Wednesday, November 28th at 6:00 pm, The Family Workshop, 215 Congress Street.  Please call Nancy in advance to reserve childcare.

Presque Isle

Group Meeting – Wednesday, November 14th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Presque Isle Public Library, 39 Second Street.  A light meal and childcare is available.  For more information, please contact Ann Stephenson at 493-4159.

Waterboro  

Group Meeting - Wednesday, November 7th from 9:00 am - 11:00 am at the former Massabesic Jr. High School (next to the Adult Ed. Building.)  For more information, please contact Jackie Nolette at 651-7445 or 324-7445.

Support Groups Through Maine
Foster/Adoptive:

Androscoggin and Oxford County: Post Adoption. Christine Fournier or Ursula Hanson, 772-4110.

Bangor: Parent Support. Kristen Hirch - ME Adoptive Placement Services, 478-9141.

Biddeford: Foster/Adoptive Support. Meets from 9:00 to 11:00 am, the first Thursday of every month. For more information please contact Meredith Crain at 283-4314 or Susan Young at 284-4424; please call before you come.

Brunswick: Mid-Coast Adoptive Families. Robin , 737-8450.

Caribou: Adoption Support. Jan Pelletier, DHHS, 834-7730 or 1-800-432-7366.

Cumberland and York County: Post Adoption. Karen Repasky, 772-4110.

Farmington: Foster/Adoptive/Kin: 3rd Thursday of every month, Henderson Memorial Baptist Church,110 Academy Street. Alisa Everett 778-4673

Harmony: Foster/Adoptive Support. Steve or Sandi Ephrussi, 683-6942.

Houlton: Adoptive Support. 1st Wednesday of every month, 9:30-11:30am, 7 Cow Team Road, Sherman. Pot luck. Call Debbie Irish 365-7133.

Knox County: Foster/Adoption Support. Last Thursday of every month, 7-9pm. Fellowship Hall, Littlefield Memorial Baptist Church. Laurie Pierce, 594-2042

Lewiston: Tri-County Foster/Adoption. Meeting at Lewiston DHHS fourth Tuesday of month, 7:00-9:00 pm. Donna Warren, 336-2776.

Lewiston: Adoptive Parents of Challenging Children. Christine Fournier - Casey Family Services, Call Wednesdays, 772-4110.

Portland: Adoptive Parents of Challenging Children. Karen Repasky - Casey Family Services,
772-4110.

Portland: District 2 DHHS Office, 161 Marginal Way. 2nd and 4th Wed. 5:30-7:00. 2nd Wed./training component, 4th Wed. open discussion/support group. Pizza and childcare avail. on a limited basis. Call Susan Hughes 822-2191.

Presque Isle: Adoption Support. Lois Goodrich - CHCS, 532-5510.

Skowhegan: Family Issues. Katie, 1-800-437-9227.

Waterville: Waterville Region Support Group for Foster/Adoptive Parents Call Kathy Tisdale, 873-3525 for more information.

York County: Southern Maine Support for Foster/Adoptive Parents. Pam Thurlow, 490-0052 or Tish Dennis, 324-2522.

York County: Foster/Adoptive Support. Meets from 9:00 to 11:00 am, the first Thursday of every month. For more information please contact Meredith Crain at 283-4314 or Susan Young at 284-4424. Please call before you come.

Anyone interested in starting a support group, please call the AFFM office at 1-800-833-9786

~Dale Evans~1912-2001
~writer, singer, songwriter, adoptive parent, wife of Roy Rogers~

FAMILY TIES the Newsletter of Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine, Inc.

Published with support from : the Maine Dept. of Human Services

Please direct comments to:
Editor, Family Ties
Adoptive & Foster Families of Maine
294 Center Street, Unit 1
Old Town, ME 04468.

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