|
 |
|
Each year in the month of May, the nation celebrates and recognizes the tens of thousands of amazing families who open their hearts and homes to children in the Foster Care system to provide a safe and nurturing environment for children to heal and thrive. According to Foster Club, on any given day "there are over 400,000 children in foster care ... that translates to a child entering care every two minutes in the
United States." Nationally the number of children entering foster care is increasing; similarly the state of Florida averages over 1,200 children removed from their homes each month. This means the demand for loving families is increasing daily.
Currently in Brevard County, we have 120 licensed foster families who can serve 280 children. These families are among Brevard's most caring and compassionate citizens who are making a difference by investing in the lives of our children each and every day. Foster parenting is a calling that can reap great reward and personal satisfaction in knowing a child's life has been positively impacted
|
|
|
|
May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month
|
 Brevard Family Partnership extends our sincere appreciation to the foster parents, relative caregivers and group care providers who have opened their hearts and homes to children in foster care. Thank you for your dedication and commitment to help Brevard's most vulnerable children in their time of need.
You have made a lasting difference in the lives of thousands children, fostering hope through foster care.
"To the world, you may only be one person, but to one person, you may be the world."
|
|
|
|
|
How to Become a Foster Parent
|
 Being a foster parent is a very rewarding experience. You will be caring for children who have been abused or neglected and serving as a role model for the biological families who are working to be reunified with their children.
Important steps to become a foster parent:
* Attend an orientation
* Complete 30 hours of foster parent training
* Participate in child abuse and criminal background check
* Participate in an in-depth home inspection and home study
Interested in learning more? Get answers to all of
your questions from professionals in the field like, foster parents, adoptive parents, licensing and adoption experts by attending a foster parent question & answer session.
Foster Parent Q&A Session
Tuesday, May 24, 2016
6:00 - 7:30 p.m.
BFP South Care Center - 1591 Robert J Conlan Dr, Ste. 128, Palm Bay, FL
Reserve your seat by calling 321-752-4650 ext. 3034.
|
|
|
|
|
Would You Consider Fostering a Teen?
|
 There is an ongoing need for more people to become foster parents for teenagers in foster care. Your support, guidance and care can have a lifelong impact.
Would you consider fostering a teen? For additional information, please contact our Foster Parent Recruiter, Jason Simmons at 321-752-4650 Ext. 3034 or Jason.simmons@brevardfp.org.
|
|
|
|
|
Child Abuse Prevention Task Force Recognition Banquet
|
 The
20th Annual Child Abuse Prevention Task Force Recognition Banquet was held on Thursday, April 28 at the Crowne Plaza Melbourne Oceanfront. The event recognizes and honors local individuals, businesses and organizations that have made significant contributions in the support of child abuse prevention efforts. 
Congratulations to the 2016 Recipients:
Brevard County Community Award
Daniel Miller, Bayside High School Head Basketball Coach and
Founder of Bears Care Community Outreach
Governmental/Criminal Justice Award
Dana Packard, Community Services Division Manager, Palm Bay PD
Governmental/Criminal Justice Award
Stephanie Norton, Juvenile Probation Officer, Department of Juvenile Justice
Caregiver Award
Jamie and William Russell, Foster Parents and Founder of #BeThatFamily
Faith-Based Award
Missionary Baptist Church of Cocoa
Social Services Volunteer Award
Michael Bloom, GAL
Social Services Group/Team
Healthy Families of Brevard
Social Services Individual
Rayna Houvouras, Program Director of the Supervised Visitation, Anger Management, and Parenting Services at Coastal Behavioral Therapy, Inc.
CAP Leader Award
Heather Howlett, Community Services Manager, Brevard C.A.R.E.S.
|
|
|
|
Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day
|
 The Board of County Commissioners has declared May 9, 2016 "Child Welfare Professionals Recognition Day" in honor of the dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to defend Brevard's children. Child welfare professionals are responsible for ensuring that our children live free from maltreatment, enjoy long-term, secure relationships within strong families and communities, are physically and emotionally healthy, and that families nurture, protect, and meet the needs of their children. Thank you for your dedication to improving the lives of children and for your lasting contributions.
|
|
|
|
Space is limited...Register Now
|
 The National Center for Innovation and Excellence
will be hosting the 2016 National Wraparound Conference in Melbourne Beach, Florida on
June 7-9, 2016! System of Care professionals and Wraparound experts and pioneers from across the U.S. and Canada will come together for a conference that will empower individuals and partnerships and provide an inclusive and dynamic forum to foster peer networks, share information, and build skills while facilitating interactive dialogue and discussion around the Wraparound Communities of Practice. Learn more about the National Wraparound Conference online here.
|
|
|
|
Thank you to the local Air Force Key Spouses Group for their generous donation of "sweet cases" to Brevard Family Partnership.
These generous donors participated in Together We Rise's sweet case program, which helps provide suitcases to children in foster care. Many children going from home to home have nothing but a trash bag to carry their belongings. We appreciate your support!
Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 1129 for donating 25 backpacks filled with school supplies for children in foster care. We appreciate your generosity and thoughtfulness!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
