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Annual Report 2012-2013

2012-2013 CAFAP Events

A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD PRESIDENT

2012-2013 marks the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents eighteenth year of service to Connecticut’s foster, adoptive and relative caregiver families. As a foster and adoptive parent myself, I know firsthand how important our organization is to the parents we serve. Fulfilling the organization’s mission of training, supporting and advocating for foster, adoptive and relative caregiver families, leads us in both our daily work and our evolving goals as we aspire to continually improve our impact. Our organization and by extension, our families, relies on the charitable support of our community partners, donors and volunteers to meet our goals. The board would like to thank you for your generosity, time and powerful belief in the work that we do. The staff at CAFAP works tirelessly while exhibiting a keen understanding of the challenges our families face throughout the year. On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, I offer our sincere gratitude for the dedication of our staff for they are what make the organization great. We know that each new year brings change in the foster and adoptive care community’s needs, policies and landscape. CAFAP welcomes this change and is energized to adapt while continuing its long history of providing outstanding service to Connecticut’s families. Sincerely,

Amy Kennedy President

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

What a fantastic year CAFAP had! It was also a fun year! We enjoyed training and

providing support to the 3,000 families that we serve from our 14 Area Liaisons,

our 50 Buddies and our post-licensing staff and consultants. In October, we

conducted a training for youth and teens on knowing their rights and how “the

system” works. In February we had a sold-out conference devoted to early child-

hood mental health. In March, we wowed 100 teen age girls with a prom dress

give-away with make-up, hair, henna treatments and professional photographers.

The girls also enjoyed a candid talk with a motivational speaker on how to have

healthy relationships. We capped the end of the fiscal year with a month of dozens

of events in honor of Foster Care Awareness, including our 18th annual conference

and Foster Parent award ceremony at the Mystic Marriot Hotel. We are now well

into our current fiscal year and busier than ever. We encourage you to stay in touch

with us share your ideas with us as we continue to advocate, support and train

families throughout Connecticut. And if you know of someone exploring the idea

of foster, adoption or caring for relative children, refer them to 1-888-KID-HERO!

Thank you for your support!!

Sincerely,

Margaret Doherty Executive Director

CAFAP Board of Directors

Amy Kennedy President

Barbara J. Ruhe Esq. Treasure

Cathy Gentile-Doyle

Secretary

Glynis Cassis Director

Garrett Gizowski

Director

Gerri Kogut Director

The Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents, Inc. board of directors

would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the talented and dedicated staff.

Employees

Margaret Doherty

Executive Director

Diane Orlando Program Director - Support and Advocacy

Vanessa Williamson

Program Director - Intake, Outreach and Training

Jennifer Bellamy | Torrington Area Liaison

Sheree Breeden | Bridgeport Area Liaison

Debbie Candelora | Meriden Area Liaison

Margaret Carter | New Haven Area Liaison

Doris Cerasani | Executive Administrative Assistant

Emily Clarke | Norwich Area Liaison

Virginia Conland-Murdoch | Recruitment Customer Support Assistant

Jinnel D’Hereaux | Training Program Assistant

Schelita Fleming | Norwalk/Stamford Area Liaison

Meliza Fuentes | Hartford Area Liaison

Johnette Gonzalez | Manchester Area Liaison

Carolyn Goodridge | Outreach Social Worker

Angie Hinkle | Middletown Area Liaison

Lucinda McPherson | Willimantic Area Liaison

Kareemah Muhammad | Outreach Coordinator

Sandy Paholski | New Britain Area Liaison

Dora Poma | Danbury Area Liaison

Hector Ramos | Recruitment Customer Support Assistant

Jennifer Rivera | Statewide Retention Specialist

Wendy Sander | Peer Network & Careline Coordinator

Melissa Schaffrick | Office Manager

Christine Surel | Milford Area Liaison

Jacqueline Vidal | Waterbury Area Liaison

our programs

training

Post Licensing Training

CAFAP offers training and skil ls bui lding programs taught by a wide variety of experts to help foster , adoptive and relative caregivers be fully prepared to raise children being monitored by the Department of Children and Famil ies (DCF). During a Mutual Assessment Process, foster parents and their social worker wil l identify essential training areas. Each licensed foster or pre-adoptive parent must then complete six modules per year after l icensing A module is any training approved by your DCF Support Social Worker to enhance one’s abil ity to care for the needs of foster/adoptive chi ldren.

CPR Training

A current CPR Certification is required for

foster parents accepting medically fragile

children. CAFAP and the American Red Cross

offer an Adult, Child and Infant CPR training

for all foster/adoptive parents and relative

caregivers. Classes are available statewide; fees

are reimbursed by CAFAP.

Conference Series

CAFAP offers four yearly conferences, ranging

from one-day symposiums to the two-day

Annual Conference. These events draw on

skilled, experienced child welfare experts and

offer unique opportunities for networking and

learning.

support

Area Liaisons

Liaison staff are positioned in DCF’s area offices to guide, teach and support families in their efforts to become self-advocates. CAFAP liaisons can provide insight, offer resource referrals, and coordinate community support groups.

Helpline

CAFAP’s toll-free, confidential peer support helpline operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Foster, adoptive and relative care-givers may ask questions or just talk with someone who under-stands the unique challenges they face. Individuals may reach the Helpline by calling 1.888.CAFAP80.

Buddy System

Experienced foster or adoptive parents, or Buddies, provide support for newly licensed parents. Buddies are paired with their families for a minimum of six months or until families are comfortable with their level of knowledge and experience.

advocacy and outreach

Open Adoption Advocacy

Licensed individuals considering open adoptions of children in DCF custody can obtain an attorney through CAFAP at no cost. The attorney will help explain the open adoption process and provide an agreement when appropriate.

Recruitment & Retention

The Kid Hero recruitment lines receive a number of inquiries each day requesting information on becoming a foster, adoptive or relative caregiver. In addition, our general recruitment and retention efforts include participation in many different community events.

Public Policy

CAFAP tracks bills and advocates for legislation and issues relevant to foster, adoptive and relative care- givers. The association works with a committee of stake holders each year to develop a legislative agenda as well as training families on how they can become involved in the legislative process. Please email us at legislative@cafap.com for more information.

Communication

Our website and quarterly newsletter contain infor-mation about programs, support groups, services, training schedules, community resources and conferences. It also contains useful information on DCF and legislative initiatives. All of our publications, including our newsletter, are published in English and Spanish.

Children's Hope Fund

Our fund helps foster and adoptive children to become more involved in their local community and better integrated within their peer social structure. Foster/adoptive parents, relative caregivers or children themselves can apply to purchase items like school class rings, prom suits or gowns, gymnastics lessons, sporting equipment or area camps. The item or service must be outside the DCF allowable expense payment system and the foster family or child must provide partial payment, which is individualized based on the request. Donations can be made on our website.

THE CAFAP INDEX

A SAMPLING

OF OUTCOMES

IN 2012-2013

175 Families were referred to

Open Adoption Attorneys.

1,286 Participants registered to attend-ed CAFAP conferences, including May’s Annual Conference held at

the Mystic Marriott & Spa.

96,006 Recipients received our quarterly

newsletter and the monthly spotlight by email. Both publications provided subscribers with information related to events, research, publications and

resources.

194 Post-licensing training classes were offered , including 4 new

modules and 981 participants were certified.

2,681 Inquiries were received by our

KIDHERO line, 2125 referrals were sent to the Department of Children

and Families for follow-up.

607 Buddy Assignments were given to foster, adoptive &

relative caregivers.

26,773 Calls and emails were received by

the CAFAP Area Liaisons. In addi-tion, liaisons made 603 home visits to

Caregivers.

563 Families participated in exit inter-

views during the fiscal year.

CONNECTICUT ASSOCIATION OF FOSTER AND ADOPTIVE PARENTS, INC. STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

JUNE 30, 2012

ASSETS Current Assets

Cash and equivalents $ 88, 638 Prepaid Expenses 21,212

Total Current Assets 109,850 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 19, 654 Security Deposit 5,000 Total Assets $ 134,504 LIABILITIES AND NET ASSETS Current Liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 25,497 Contract payable 9,166 Accrued payroll and compensated absences 157,440

Total Current Liabilities 192,103 NET ASSETS (Deficit) Unrestricted 69,978) Temporarily restricted 12,379 Total Net Assets (57,599) Total Liabilities and Net Assets $ 134,504

Benefactors A special thank you to the benefactors who make our work possible…

Atkinson, Betty Connerford, Carrie Flynn, Marilyn C.

Baird, Ben & Jana Cooke, Rebecca Franco, Naomi

Barilla, Jim & Miranda Costello, Michele M. Fuentes, Meliza

Barno, Lorraine Cowdell, Karen Galliher, Joan

Bearingstar Insurance Crawford, Sue Gilbert, Carolyn

Bellamy, Jennifer Crispin, Juanita Gonzalez, Johnette

Boada, Ben & Bethany CT Lasting Images Goodridge, Carolyn

Bower, Michael H. CT Network Solutions, LLC Gray, Pat

Bowling, Linda A. Danbury Motorcycle Benefit Ride Hampton Inn | Robert Sequin

Broderick, Michael Davis, Julia Heneghan, Michael & Stephanie

Caban-Hernandez, Janier DeBear, Larrye & Carol Hernandez, Jodi

Caro, Cynthia Delgrego, Virginia Hillman, Brenda

Carriage Limousine Services

Dewhurst, Linda Hinkle, Angie

Carter, Margaret D'Hereaux, Jinnel Hosmer, Laura

Carter's Retail Doherty, Margaret Huntington Financial, Inc

CBS Bookkeeping, LLC Dolce, LLC Iannaccone, Elio

CCU School of Social Work

Donahue, Theodore & Patricia Inderbitzen, Robert J.

Cerasani, Doris Doud, Margaret Jefferson, Maria

Citizen's Bank Dow, Michelle Johnson, Lori

Clark, Craig & Shelley Eckert, Nancy Joki, Michele

Community Health Network

Edwards, David & Nancy Katharine L. W. & Winthrop M.

Crane, 3rd Charitable Foundation

Conland-Murdoch, Virginia

Elishea Bellydancer Kennedy, Clifford & Amy

Connecticut State Grange Fabrini, Malena Kondash, Kendra J.

CAFAP thanks the Department of Children and Families for the funding it receives.

Kozaczka, Sharon Revellese, William Stokes, Milton

Larson, Laura Rivera, Jennifer Surel, Christine

Legislative Management | LOB Rocky Hill Congregational Church Swol, Cynthia

Lespier, Bonnie Rodriguez, Angelica tauck World Discovery

Makeup by Yvie Rogers, Tina Taylor, Chrey

Maloney, Isabel Ruby Tuesdays The Face Factor

McCloskey, Bill & Wendy Ruhe 2012 | Barbara Ruhe Thompson, Qaya

Melanie Kreiger Conference Sander, Wendy Torrington Elks Lodge

Microsoft Fulfillment Center Savers Vickers, Donna

Moore, Melody Savers-TVI Inc. Vital, Jackie

Moser, David P. & Erin Schaffrick, Charles & Melissa Wannan, Grace

Mothersele, Jean Schoonmaker, Carol J. Wigglesworth, Darlene

Muhammad, Kareemah Schroth Syatems Consulting, Inc. Wilcox, Nancy L.

Murdoch, George Scirpo, Shawn Williamson, Vanessa

Muzynski, Shirley Sheehan, Joseph P. & Margot Ryan WINY 1350 AM | Osbrey Broadcasting Co.

New Britain Rock Cats Charitable Foundation Inc.

Sheer Bliss Young's Pringing

Orlando, Diane Siniscalchi, Agnes A. Zebarth, Jennifer

Over the Hill Gang | Eastern Chapter Smith Middle School

Perduta, Becky Smith, Louis C. & Candace Cain

Poma, Dora Smith, Rhonda

Rainey, Tara Stay, Laura

Ramos, Hector Stellato, Betsy Cyr

Real Wives of Windham County

Stepen, Mary Ellen

OUR MISSION

The mission of the Connecticut Association of Foster and Adoptive Parents is to strengthen foster, adoptive and relative caregiver families through support, training and advocacy with the aim of nurturing child safety, well being and stability in partnership with child welfare professionals and the entire community.

OUR VISION

CAFAP’s vision is that the citizens of Connecticut recognize that family life is a necessity for all children. The family creates the optimum environment for appropriate responses to a child’s developmental and specialized needs. We also envision that foster and adoptive families are of an adequate number, skill and cultural diversity to assure high quality care for all children who need out-of-home placement. This knowledge, skill and attitude will be transmitted through peer to peer empowerment. Lastly, CAFAP strives to help develop communities that are engaged in meeting the unique needs of foster and adoptive children and in supporting their resource families.

2189 Silas Deane Highway Suite 2

Rocky Hill, CT 06067

www.cafap.com