Happy New Year
Welcome to 2022!
Message from Julie Barnes, Executive Director

Happy New Year 2022! 
 
I would like to wish you all a wonderful start to the new year and hope it is filled with health and happiness!
 
With each new year comes change for Summit County Children Services (SCCS), and this year will be no exception. Since 2013, I have led SCCS as the Executive Director and love the work we do here at the agency. This past October, I announced my plan to retire in the spring of 2022 with nearly 32 years of service. This has been a difficult decision for me as I care greatly about the well-being of the children we serve as well as the dedicated employees and caregivers who work tirelessly to protect children. The time is right for me to move on to the next chapter of life and I know I will leave the agency in the hands of strong leadership.
 
With over 800 children in agency custody, there is a lot of work to be done. We continue to be mission focused to achieve safety, permanency and well-being for all children served in partnership with families and the community. We believe every child has a right to a safe and stable family. 

Last year, a new five-year Strategic Plan was developed and approved by the SCCS Board of Trustees. Valuable feedback and responses were solicited and received from staff, clients and many community stakeholders to create this plan. The plan is the agency’s roadmap to help us navigate the next five years. The Core Values of our Strategic Plan include Quality Programs and Services, Quality Workforce, Quality Relationships and Quality Infrastructure. This plan is ambitious, yet attainable over the next five years as it will act as our compass moving forward. 

As we look forward to a new year, I also want to acknowledge your partnership and continued support and commitment to keeping children in this community safe and nurtured. Thank you for all you do for the children of Summit County! 

Wishing all the best to you and your family as we move into 2022!
Youth Employment Opportunities to Work
The Youth Employment Opportunities to Work (YEOW) through Goodwill. Goodwill partners with area agencies to provide youth, either living in foster care or who are at-risk due to family or academic problems, opportunities to participate in self-sufficiency and employment programs to better ensure success in life. https://goodwillakron.org/mission-services/

As we plan upcoming events, likely virtual, we will make primary caretakers aware so they can share with youth and caretakers. Meanwhile, did you know?

  1. If you have a youth age 16 or older placed in your home in need of a state I.D., Independent Living can purchase it for them.
  2. If you have placement of a youth age 14 or older placed in your home in need of a graphing calculator, Independent Living can purchase it for them.
  3. If teens placed in your home need dress clothes for a job interview, work uniforms, steel toed boots, skid proof shoes, or trade/vocational school supplies such as cosmetology kits, INDEPENDENT LIVING CAN PURCHASE IT FOR THEM.

Just reach out to the assigned IL caseworker for assistance.
Tax time is upon us! Those who are eligible request a child's Social Security number for tax filing purposes are foster parents and kinship/non-blood relatives. If there is a need for you to receive a child's Social Security number, please make this request with either the child's caseworker or your Foster Home Coordinator. The child must have been placed in your care/home for more than six months in 2021.

NOTE: You are encouraged to seek tax advice from a tax professional.
Join us for this virtual open house style event
for interested foster parents.

Current SCCS foster parents can receive a $50 Target gift card by bringing a guest who's interested in learning more about foster care to this special Virtual Open House Event!
 
  • SCCS foster parent(s) and their guest(s) must register and participate in the Virtual Open House in order to receive the $50 Target gift card.

  • Your guest must be 18 years or older and cannot be currently residing in your home. NOTE: This guest cannot be the same guest brought to any of the virtual Open House events held in 2021.

  • You will only receive one gift card regardless of the number of guests you have participate. 

  • You and your guest must attend the Virtual Open House Event via Zoom Meeting on February 15, 2022 and remain connected for the entire presentation. Gift cards will be mailed.

  • Gift cards are limited to the first 30 SCCS foster parents who register.

When:
Tuesday, February 15, 6 - 7 p.m.

Where:
via Zoom Meeting
(advance registration is required; Zoom instructions will be sent)

How to Register:
Online (link below) or call (330) 379-1990

Deadline to register is February 11 or until full.
Foster Parent Trainings
February | March | April 2022 Schedule
In-classroom trainings continue. Linked below is SCCS' February through April 2022 on-going training schedule as well as NEORTC's February through April virtual training schedule. Please register through E-Track.

Online training hours continue to be available through the Foster Parent College. Please check with your coordinator about the number of hours you should take online. Contact Vickie Webb or Julie Hayden to register for a Foster Parent College account if you don't already have one. 
 
The Ohio Child Welfare Training Program (OCWTP) is also offering additional online trainings. You can see more details on their website.

REMINDER TO FOSTER PARENTS: Please remember to bring your agency badge with you when you come to the agency. To enter the campus, swipe your badge at the reader panel to the left in front of the gate. To enter the Education Building, swipe your badge in front of the reader panel to the right of the doors. Campus visitors are restricted to those who are scheduled for training or business on campus.

The NEORTC is following all CDC-recommended safety guidelines and protocols (linked below). Please carefully review all guidelines prior to coming to the NEORTC.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to recognize the importance of families and communities working together to help prevent child abuse and neglect.

Summit County Children Services invites everyone to 'join the movement' and WEAR BLUE on Wednesday, April 13 and show your support to help STOP child abuse.
You're Simply the Best!
May is National Foster Care Month, a time for us to recognize and honor YOU ... our foster parents ... for the selfless love, care and support you provide to the children of this community. SCCS is planning a series of recognition activities throughout the month of May, so stay tuned!
Annual Foster Parent Recognition Dinner
This agency is looking forward to hosting this event in person! Save this date ... Friday, May 13, 6-9 p.m. at St. George Fellowship Center. Plan to join us for an evening of dinner, recognition and entertainment. Detailed information will be sent soon.
Foster Parent Directory
SCCS is looking to prepare a directory that includes photos of all active foster families. Photos may also be used for other events held in May to honor foster parents. Foster parents can send in photos to Lisa Stockwell at Lisa.stockwell@summitkids.org or mailed (or dropped off at the agency) to her attention. Please email photos as high resolution JPEG files. Deadline to submit photos is Friday, April 1st. If you don’t want to have your photo on any materials for foster care month, please let us know by calling or emailing Lisa Stockwell at (330) 379-2020 or Lisa.stockwell@summitkids.org. 
1000 Hours Outside
In the sea of activities available to children and families the simple act of stepping outside to play can easily get lost. Who has time for playing in the yard when there are dances to be rehearsed, homework to be finished, music notes to be played, and soccer drills to run? Yet surprisingly, research shows that the cheap and simple act of playing outside offers the most developmental and health benefits for our children.

Our journey at 1000 Hours Outside is to provide insight into a different way to do family life, where nature time is often chosen before other activities. Through highlighting the litany of benefits that accompany breathing in outdoor air we hope to encourage and motivate your family to make nature time a priority.
2022 Adoption Calendars
For the new year, be sure to request your copy of the 2022 Adoption Calendar! It features 12 amazing children who are available to be adopted. CLICK HERE to have a copy mailed to you. Be sure to include your mailing address.
Who Should You Contact?
Foster Parent Association
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foster Parent Association is essentially on pause with regard to events and fundraisers. Anyone interested in joining the Facebook group can email us for the Zoom link at info@summitcountyfpa.com.
Meet Some Incredible Kids!
Each is looking for a permanent family
Click on the photo to read more.
James
Born July 2012
Bently & Calob
Born December 2012 & June 2010
Do You Enjoy Being a Foster Parent?
Then, we invite you to share your experiences with others!

We are looking for foster parents who are interested in helping with the agency's recruitment efforts by telling their personal story about becoming a foster parent. Why did you decide to do it? What was it like going through the process? What motivates you to continue? Each of your stories is unique and special and will resonate with others who are thinking about foster care.

Those who are interested can contact Sandy DeLuca in the
Community Relations Department at (330) 379-1994 or by email
at sandy.deluca@summitkids.org. We'd love to have you be
a part of the recruitment team!
FCA Information Meetings held via Zoom

Information Meetings are now held twice each month via Zoom Meeting
for those who are interested in learning more about foster care and adoption with SCCS. Staff will review the process, requirements and share
information about the types of children who enter agency custody.
The Sign Says It All!
This sign lets people know they can truly make a difference in children's lives by becoming a foster parent.
Is there any reason why you
can't help us share this message
with the community?
Email us your address and
we'll place a sign in your yard!
SCCS has new licensed foster homes! Welcome to ...
Isaiah & Brandy Tucker
Leandre & Brittany Wiley
Amanda Hensal & Bradley Moll
Gabriel & Sarah Gott
Timothy & Mandy Crone
Robert Dale & Rebecca Serafini-Dale
Clothing Resources
Below are two area churches that have recently opened Clothing Closets for families. For more information, please contact the church.
Their new Clothing Closet serves to meet the immediate supplemental need of foster families. Occasionally toys, strollers and other items will also be available.

Grace Church Norton Campus
3970 Cleveland Massillon Road
Norton
Contact: (330) 414-0206
FB: @gracechurchfostercarecloset
The Clothing Crusade has a new permanent home at Hope Community Church! Clothing, bedding and home accessories available.

Hope Community Church
3033 Middleton Road
Hudson
Church: (330) 655-5170
FB: @clothingcrusade