The Youth Outdoor Expedition (YOE), has provided adolescents 12-16 years old who have had social, emotional, behavioral, and/or mental health issues, a chance to discover the outdoors and create memories and friendships that hopefully, will last a lifetime through week-long camping trips. Approximately 140 kids have gone through the YOE experience since it was established in 2006.

Activities are chosen to build character, self-esteem and leadership while focusing on teamwork, problem solving, overcoming adversity and developing conflict resolution skills. Participants learn how to camp outdoors, rock climb, canoe, kayak, hike, fish, swim and develop other practical skills.

YOE is designed to provide campers with experiences that will challenge and reward them. The YOE team members want the kids to return home having accomplished something worthy of pride. It is hoped that campers will practice their newly learned skills by participating in related activities within their own local communities.

Here is what a few children within our foster care program have had to say about their own YOE experiences. These youth beamed while retelling their memories of their camp adventures.

“ The most memorable moment was jumping in the water during white water rafting” Doug, age 12

“ I never knew how to kayak, and I learned how to at YOE camp”, Andrew, age 12

“ I climbed the rock wall..I made it all the way to the top”, Ryan, age 16

“ I loved going fishing on the river and I learned to shoot a bow and arrow”, Brandon, age 16

“ I enjoyed kayaking with my brother”, Sean, age 16

These youth who attended YOE, can’t wait to go back again the following year. Please visit www.yoetrips.com for more information regarding the 2013 season and find out how to help a teen experience YOE.

Volume 6 Issue 1 • Spring 2013

Experience of a Lifetime: A Focused Perspective on YOE By Foster Care Coordinators

OUR MISSION:To empower and serve people in

need of specialized supports by

providing innovative services that

improve their ability to live fulfilling

lives in the community.

“ It is paradoxical that many

educators and parents still

differentiate between a time

for learning and a time for play

without seeing the vital connection

between them.”

— Leo F. Buscaglia

500 Office Center Drive, Suite 100Fort Washington, PA 19034

Phone: 215.540.2150 Fax: 215.540.2165

Nate, Age 6

Training & Announcements“The Gathering” Provider Training Group continues to meet and is growing in participants. All are welcome! Next meeting will be May 1st.

The annual training packet is available via e-mail for those who want it. The tests and signature sheets would be the only things you would need to print. Just let us know!

Training & AnnouncementsBook: Parenting the Hurt Child: Helping Adoptive Families Heal and Grow

by Gregory C. Keck, Regina Kupecky, and Jerry Bridges

How parents can help adopted or foster children who have suffered neglect or abuse. Examines parenting techniques that work and those that don’t work.

May is National Foster Care Month...You Can Change a Lifetime!Each May, National Foster Care Month provides an opportunity to shine a light on the experiences of the children and youth in the foster care system. The campaign raises awareness about the urgent needs of these young people and encourages citizens from every walk of life to get involved — as foster or adoptive parents, volunteers, mentors, employers or in other ways. With the help of dedicated people, many formerly abused or neglected children and teens will either reunite safely with their parents, be cared for by relatives or be adopted by loving families. Every year, many leave the foster care system without lifelong families — most at age 18. They need, and deserve, caring adults who love and support them. Can you provide a home to change a child’s life? You can help create permanent, lifelong connections for these children and youth. All children deserve a safe, happy life.

500 Office Center Drive, Suite 100, Fort Washington, PA 19034Phone: 215.540.2150, Fax: 215.540.2165

For those considering opening their home to foster children there are ten things to know about being a foster parent.

Being a Foster Parent Requires Adequate Time: Individuals who are interested in becoming foster parents should be sure that their schedules will allow them enough time to spend with their foster children. People who have long work hours and busy social calendars may not have enough time to care for a foster child.

Being a Foster Parent Requires Patience: It is important for foster parents to be patient with the foster child. Many foster children have some type of disability or have experienced past abuse which may make patience even more of a prerequisite.

Compassion is Key: Compassion is important because foster children have usually experienced a lot of turmoil in their lives. Many foster children are simply looking for someone to love and care for them in the proper manner.

Foster Care Payments are for the Child’s Room/Board and Care: The money that is paid is for the child’s room/board and everyday care. Most agencies require that the income level of the family is sufficient to cover the general everyday expenses.

Many Foster Children Suffer from Disabilities or Past Abuse: Many of the foster children placed with social services have been physically and/or emotionally abused. Foster parents must realize the children need extra kindness and caring in their new home.

Getting Acquainted Takes Time: Getting acquainted takes time and patience.

Be Sure to Be Available to the Foster Child: A foster parent should be readily available to tend to the child’s needs and always on hand to listen to them.

Many Foster Children Need a Boost in Self-Confidence: Self-confidence is a trait which many foster children lack. It is up to the foster parents to boost the self-confidence level of the child which in turn will help them to develop and get along nicely in their new foster home.

Many Foster Children Have Been to Prior Foster Homes or Social Service Homes: Foster parents should be aware that for many foster children, the new home is not the first foster home or social service facility which they have seen. Therefore, it may take longer for the foster child to relax in their new surroundings. This will take time, patience and caring on the part of the foster parents.

Foster Parents May Be Able to Adopt Their Foster Children: In most states, foster parents are able to adopt the foster children whom they care for in their home. This will all depend on the specific circumstances of the particular child.

Ten Things to Know About Being a Foster Parent

We continue to be in need of families interested in being foster parents and/or respite providers. If you know of anyone who may be interested in being a foster parent or respite provider, please let us know. We will contact them, answer their questions and provide them with more information.

The $500 referral bonus continues! The first $200 will be dispersed once the referred family’s file is complete and they provide one day of respite care or receive a long term placement. An additional $300 will be awarded once the referred family has a placement for three months.

Referral BONUS! Foster and Respite Providers Needed