Texas Foster Family Association

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The Mission of TFFA: Motivating, Educating and Supporting Foster/Adoptive Families in Texas
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JoinusfortheTexasFosterFamilyAssociation2014TrainingConference/Dallas,Texas
September26-28,2014
F.
O.
C.
U.
S.
July/August 2014
The voice for ALL Texas Foster/Adoptive/Kinship Parents
Texas Foster Family Association
The
www.tffa.org
TFFA’s Conference - September 26-28, 2014
You can get 20.5 Hours / 2.05 CEU of Training Credit
•Resumes................................. Pages 6-7
•Intensive/Keynote................. Page 8
•At A Glance............................ Page 9
•Sessions.................................Pages 10-12

Roy Block - Executive Director at 210-394-7933 Irene Clements - TFFA President) at 512-775-9781
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September26-28,2014

Teenagers in foster care need to know what rights they
have.
Writing for teenagers in foster care about those
rights is, to say the least, challenging. The writer must
be thoroughly familiar with the law, be succinct, and be
deeply in touch with the gamut of emotional aspects
of the lives of their audience. The successful writer
cannot be judgmental or patronizing and must be
keenly aware that teenagers are in constant motion--
alternating between feeling vulnerable and invincible,
inconsequential and essential. The perspective needs to
be honest and real-life. It is no easy task to convey adult
information and wisdom. It requires the writer to get
into the teenage mind artfully, and offer just the right
combination of substance and style.
This article briefly identifies and reviews some
of the recent legal materials written specifically for
teenagers in foster care.
1. Legal rights of teens in & out-of-home care (January,
2011). Youth Law Center. http://www.ylc.org/wp/
wp-content/uploads/teenmanual2011.pdf
2. A teen’s legal guide to foster care in Oregon
(2013). Youth, Rights & Justice. http://www.
youthrightsjustice.org/media/2183/Teen%20
Guide%202013.pdf
3. Legal rights of teens in foster care. (n.d.)
The Children’s Aid Society. http://www.
childrensaidsociety.org/files/upload-docs/19-
Foster_Care.pdf
4. Handbook for youth in foster care. (2010). New
York State Office of Children and Family Services
http://www.youthinprogress.org/documents/
Youth_in_Care_Handbook_english.pdf
5. Knowing your rights: A handbook for kids in
foster care. (2011). Children’s Law Center of
Minnesota. http://www.clcmn.org/wp-content/
uploads/2009/07/CLC-Knowing-Your-Rights.
CLCMN_.2012pdf
6. Handbook for youth in foster care. (2012).
Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/num_memos/
DSP/2012/2012-12attach.pdf
7. Your rights, your life: A resource for youth in
foster care. (2011). Washington State Department
of Social and Health Services Children’s
Administration, The Mockingbird Society. http://
independence.wa.gov/pdf/YourRightsbooklet.pdf
These, and other similar hand-books, introduce
teenage readers to their rights and responsibilities,
as well as mentioning such things as the structure
of each department, the fair hearing/grievance
procedure, skills for daily living, and a list of helpful
resources. In addition, there is discussion about legal
terms, confidentiality, housing or independent living,
employment, education, finances, and health care
options. The length, style, and content of each of these
manuals are affected by how it is intended to be used,
and by the audiences it targets.
The Audience

Of the nearly 400,000 children in foster care
on September 30, 2012, 20 % were between the ages
of 10 and 14; 20 % were between the ages of 15 and
17, and 4 % were 18 or older. However, during all of
fiscal year 2012, a total of 23, 439 youth turned 18,
19, or 20, and aged out of foster care (see http://www.
acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/afcarsreport20.pdf).
The challenges of aging out of foster care are well-
documented. Too often, those who exit foster care do
Writing for Teenagers in Foster
Care About Their Legal Rights
By Daniel Pollack & Katie Elias

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September26-28,2014
so without the family and social networks that so many
young people rely on, and are expected to make it on
their own. Whether foster youth are just curious or are
usually in the process of aging out of foster care, it is
clear that good information about their own legal rights
is critical to their well-being.
The Manuals

The manuals reviewed here range in length
from a simple two-page pamphlet (#3), to an 82-page,
detailed handbook on various facets of foster youths’
lives (#4). Some seem geared toward younger audiences
(#5, #6), some are more technical, focusing on the
procedural details of the courts (#1, #2), while others
strike a balance between readability and honesty about
the difficult situations in which foster teens may find
themselves (#4, #7).
All address foster youths’ basic rights and needs:
a contact caseworker, safety, medical care, school
attendance, etc. Some include rights regarding quality
of life--to be treated with dignity and respect, to be
given fair rules, to be involved in major decisions about
their own lives, etc.
All provide helpful contacts and a space for
other important numbers. Washington State’s booklet,
among others, has a deeper level of inter-activity. It
is located on a website dedicated to independence for
youth in foster care (independence.wa.gov). The web
site is an engaging tool that has videos, resource tabs,
and easily accessible contacts where visitors can direct
questions.
Most of the manuals take a stance of
encouraging self-advocacy, but also lay out the
responsibilities of other professionals: social workers,
lawyers, courts, foster families, among others. A
manual’s tone may relate to how well these contacts and
networks actually function on behalf of foster youth.
For instance, New York’s handbook is divided into
clear sections with titles like “Everyday Life,” “Big
Questions,” and “Legal Issues”; it uses boxes to set off
useful information, and it includes helpful quotes from
other foster youth about their experiences of the system
and of using the manual itself.
Next Steps
It would be helpful to hear from youth who have
used these documents to see what worked for them.
The Casey Young Adult Survey (2008) makes several
recommendations for information emancipated youth
might need upon exiting foster care. Some of the
greatest needs identified were related, but not exclusive
to legal rights within the foster system, including
creating a written transition plan; compiling a file of
important personal documents and phone numbers;
information about addiction and substance abuse;
obtaining a high-school diploma or GED; and,
advocating for mental health services.
In general, those resources that acknowledge
each youth as a whole person seem to be most
accessible and useful, in part because they
communicate that someone really cares about
that youth’s legal rights.
Daniel Pollack is professor at Yeshiva University’s
School of Social Work in New York City. He can be
contacted at dpollack@yu.edu, (212) 960-0836.
Kate Elias is a social worker and editor in
Seattle and currently works at a youth
and community development nonprofit
agency.
Reference Notes
1. Hook, J., & Courtney, M. (2011).
Employment outcomes of former foster youth as young
adults: The importance of human, personal, and social
capital. Children and Youth Services Review, 32(10),
1855–1865.
2. http://www.casey.org/ Resources/Publications/
CaseyYoungAdultSurveyThreeYears.htm

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September26-28,2014
TFFA Board of Directors
* Indicates Voting Member
Executive Director - Roy Block
*President - Rhonda Loth
*1st VP - Jennifer Studdard
*2nd VP - Kellie Pittman
*Treasurer - Dwight Steiner
*Secretary - Sharon Medford
*Parliamentarian - Charlie Walker
Regional Foster Parent Representatives
*Region 1: Connie Scarborough
*Region 2: Becky Sanford
*Region 3: Daphne Hunter
*Region 4: Maud Wright
*Region 5: Mike Williams
*Region 6: Steve Gundling
*Region 7: Dorothy Place
*Region 8: Melissa Leopold
*Region 9: VACANT
*Region 10: Nancy Placencia
*Region 11: Patricia Arroyo
Committee Chair
*Communication - Kent Farr
*Conference - Melissa Leopold
*Editor - Carolyn Walker
*Education/Training - Marlene Steiner
*Finance - Mike Williams
*Membership - Dorothy Place
*Public Policy/Legislative - Irene Clements
*Recruitment/Retention - Terri Jaggers
*Scholarship - Jennifer Studdard
Agency Representatives
Arrow - Donald Shuffield
Bair Foundation - Rose Ahern
Buckner - Sherri Tucker
DePelchin - DeJuana Jernigan
Grace Manor - Noel Wilkins
LSSS-FIT - Alissa Muir
CPS Staff
State Office - Terri Parsons
Program Admin Rep - Debra Pohlman
State Division Administrator - Jackie Hubbard
Region 1 - Sheryl Russell
Region 2 - VACANT
Region 3 - FAD, Barbara Wells
Region 3 - Natalie Witherspoon
Region 4 - Kristi Stephens
Region 5 - Miriam Stephenson
Region 6 - Tonya Clay
Region 6 - Glenda Martin
Region 7 - Ann Ruten
Region 8 - Linda Edwards
Region 9 - VACANT
Region 10 - Diana Lopez
Region 11 - Conny Garza
RCCL - Hector Beltran
To get more contact information visit our website - tffa.org
Texas
Foster Family Association
THE Voice For All Texas Foster, Adoptive, and
Kinship Families
2013 CONFERENCE
• Resumes .................................. 6-7
• Intensive/Keynote .................. 8
• Conference At A Glance......... 9
• Sessions/Trainers.................... 10-12
• Forms Online.......................... 13
• Hotel Information................... 13
FEATURES
• Right of Teens ........................ 2-3
• Board of Directors ................. 4
• Website Articles ..................... 14-15
• Foster Parent Poem................ 16
• Fill My Cup ............................ 17
• Tech Tip .................................. 18-19
ADVERTISEMENT
• DFPS ....................................... 4
• Foster Care Clinic ................. 5
RECENT ARTICLES ON THE TFFA.ORG WEBSITE
• Tantrums
• Juvenile Arthritis
• Survival Guides for Theme Parks
• Are You Recharging Yourself?
• Give Your Child a History
• Co-sleeping
• MEMO from DFPS for Youth
• Preventing Sex Trafficking
• Signs your child is mature enough for a cellphone
F.O.C.U.S.
Our Thanks to this Partner!
TFFA is partially funded by the
Department of Family & Protective Services.

Page#5
September26-28,2014
Thank
you,
foster
parents
On behalf of the Foster Care Clinic at Children’s
Medical Center, we want to thank our Texas foster
parents for nurturing, encouraging and nourishing
the spirits of our children in foster care!
Helping Children Heal
Children’s is dedicated to serving children in foster
care and meeting their special health and medical
needs.
The Foster Care Clinic at Children’s provides
comprehensive health care services to children
who are in the custody of Child Protective Services
(CPS) and living in kinship, foster, adoptive or group
homes.
Services include medical homes, mental health
support and pre-adoption assessments, in addition
to psychosocial support, education and advocacy in
coordination with CPS.
To find out more and schedule an appointment, visit childrens.com
Children’s Medical Center Dallas
ARCH Center
1935 Medical District Drive
Dallas, Texas 75235
214-456-6500
Children’s Medical Center at Legacy
7601 Preston Road
Plano, Texas 75024
469-303-4300
ARCH130417_Foster Care Ad-TFFA_v7.indd 1 4/22/13 9:47 AM

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September26-28,2014
Position Desired: 1st Vice President
Date Resume Received: July 7, 2014
Name: Jennifer Studdard
Address: 9211 FM 711 /Center 75935
E-mail: jstuddard72@gmail.com
Phone: 936-275-3547
Age Range of Children You Care(d) For: All
Are You Currently Licensed As A Texas Foster
Parent? No
If you are no longer fostering, was your home
closed in GOOD standing? Yes
Why Do You Want This Position?: “I currently
was elected to the position of 1st Vice President
last year when I was elected by my peers to be 2nd
Vice President on the TFFA Board and I have fully
enjoyed every moment of it. I would like to continue
my role as 1st Vice President of the TFFA Board and
serve the Foster/Adoptive Parents of Texas; my work
has just begun. I enjoy every moment with all the
parents that I have met and with all the TFFA Board
of Directors.”
What Qualification Do You Have to Hold This
Position? “My husband and I started fostering in
2001 and adopted all five children that came into
our home in 2003. In 2004 we decided to close our
home (in good standing) since we were not able to
take more children to foster. I served as Regional
Representative from Region 5 in February 2002
until October 2005. In October 2005 I was asked
to serve as the Scholarship Chair and serve in that
position to date. I was elected to 2nd Vice President
in 2011 and served until 2013. Because of a vacancy
I was (per the bylaws) moved to the position of 1st
Vice President last year. I am a hard worker and
a dedicated person. I love people, I love what I do
and I love what TFFA stands for and I would like to
continue to serve as 1st VP for the families of Texas
on the TFFA Board of Directors.”
What are your Volunteer Experiences? TFFA
Region 5 Representative 2002-2005;
TFFA Scholarship Chair 2005-present;
2nd Vice President 2011-2013;
1st Vice President 2013-present;
Region 5 Council Vice
President 2008-present;
Girl Scout leader 1978-2012;
Boy Scout leader 2007-2009;
PTO President 2009-2013.
What Awards &
Recognitions Have You
Received? Foster Family
of the Year - TFFA; Presidential Award
Position Desired: Parliamentarian
Name: Charlie Walker
Address: 3115 CR 3306/ Jacksonville 75766
E-mail: cwalker@itsallGods.com
Phone: 903-586-7103
Parent? No
If you are no longer fostering, was your home
closed in GOOD standing? Yes
Why You Want This Position?: “I want to
continue working with the TFFA Board of Directors
as together we work to make the Texas foster care
system the best it can be.”
What Qualifications Do You Have to Hold
This Position?
“I have held this position for several years.”
What Are Your Volunteer Experiences?
“I am the safety officer for my local volunteer fire
department. I have been in a leadership position with
TFFA for several years. I have been a leader in my
church as an Elder for 17 years. I was the President
of our local foster parent association (when we were
fostering). I am a self-employed business owner.”
What Awards & Recognitions Have You
Received? “I have received several through TFFA
for appreciation of my efforts.”
Resumes....Received by the July 10th deadline
This year we elect 1st Vice President, Parliamentarian,
and EVEN numbered Foster Parent Representatives
ElectionswillbeheldonSaturday,September27,2014.AllmembersareencouragedtoVOTE!

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September26-28,2014
Position Desired: Region 2 Foster Parent
Representative
Date Resume Received: June 20, 2014
Name: Becky Sanford
Address: 120 S. Valley Drive/Electra 76360
E-mail: beckysanford@aol.com
Phone: 940-781-9081
Age Range of Children You Care(d) For: Infants,
Small Children, Youth
Parent? Yes
Why You Want This Position?: “I want to take
the concerns and comments of Region 2 Foster/
Adoptive Parents to this state level; I want to make
a difference in the lives of foster children, and to
promote change at the legislative level for foster/
adoptive families and the children in our care. I want
to be a voice for foster children and foster/adoptive
families.”
This Position?
• Foster Parent for 38 years
• Current Region 2 Foster Parent Representative
• Past Foster/Adoptive Parent Advisory Council
Representative
• Certified PRIDE trainer
• I am a ‘stay-at-home/on-the-go’ mom!
• Past Board member of Wichita County Child Welfare
Board
• Past Board member of Archer County Child Welfare
Board
“I have held all officer positions in Wichita County Area
Foster Parent Association.”
Position Desired: Region 4 Foster
Parent Representative
Name: Maud Wright
Address: 12796 Ridgeview Street /Tyler
75709
E-mail: maudpwright@aol.com
Phone: (903) 539-4124
Parent? Yes
Why You Want This Position?: “I want to work
with the foster families in my region to help them
develop their skills so they can help the children in
their care.”
This Position?
“I have served in this position for many years and
would like to continue to serve.”
“I was a public school teacher and enjoy working
with children of all ages.”
Received?
What Other Information About Yourself Do
You Want to Share? “I retired from the school
system in 1992. I work with my regional foster parent
association and participate in the regional events for
our families.”
Position Desired: Region 6 Foster
Parent Representative
Name: Steve Gundling
Address: 5211 Shady Oaks /Friendswood
77546
E-mail: sgundling@sbcglobal.net
Phone: 281-682-5414
Parent? Yes
Why You Want This Position?: “I want to be
able to improve the fostering experience of the
foster families in the Houston area. Also, I want to
help encourage establishment of local foster parent
associations.”
This Position?
“My wife, Kathy, and I have fostered in Texas
since 1977. We have cared for all ages and levels
of children. I feel that I can relate to most any
experiences and problems a family could encounter.”
“I have assisted in our church youth group,
volunteered in Cub Scout and PTA leadership, and I
have been a YMCA soccer and basketball coach.”
Received?
What Other Information About Yourself Do
You Want to Share? “We have adopted five of our
foster children.”

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September26-28,2014
Intensive Speaker: Russell Rogers
Session: The Power of saying ‘YES’
Every decision we make in life has impact. Some are small and temporary.
Others are huge and eternal. When we say “YES” to a foster child, only God
knows the extent of the impact we can have on changing the world!
This session invites you to ‘Join the adventure’ and realize the Power of
saying “YES”!
________________________________________
Keynote Speaker: Dominic Carter
When Dominic Carter tells his remarkable heart-wrenching
life story on overcoming child abuse, it
will leave you feeling empowered to overcome any obstacle. Independent
reviews of his speech around the country have ranged from “Powerful and
Inspiring,” to “encouraging,” “rousing,” and “Dominic was engaging and
found the way to interact with his audience even though he is talking about
something as painful as child abuse,” and his experience in Foster Care.
Dominic grew up poor, in the notorious Housing Projects of New
York City, with no father, and a mother who was diagnosed with “Chronic
Paranoid schizophrenia.” Yet, Dominic went from a childhood of sexual and
physical abuse to a meaningful career in television attending social events at
the White House and interviewing the late Nelson Mandela. Dominic Carter
has had tremendous highs and lows. His own demons almost destroyed him.
In the end, Journalist Dominic Carter recounts how he survived to become
the successful journalist that he is today.
Dominic Carter’s book, “No Momma’s Boy,” is a true account of someone
who has been keeping life long secrets of abuse at the hands of his mother.
With a mother who once tried to strangle him as a toddler and tried to commit suicide several times, his gut
wrenching story will leave you motivated and inspired.
Many can associate with Dominic Carter’s story in some part, which can make a lot of difference for
anyone who seems to be giving up on life. Whether you are going through a difficult situation or have been
going through it for a long time now, you can overcome the resentment, guilt and hopelessness. As a survivor
of child abuse and foster care, his motivational story can help you to start living positively. Anything is possible
when you are determined to excel. Reading Carter’s book or listening to his story can certainly unlock the
hidden potential in you or the child you care for with a similar background!
Session: Recovering from the shame, the guilt, and the embarrassment. I have been running my
entire life, I am finally free: Abused Children are often incapable of expressing their emotion, and suppressed
feelings are real. TV Journalist Dominic Carter puts a “human face,” on the problem, as a child victim
himself. The learner will be able to better understand the complexities of a child forced to cope with Sexual
Abuse, Child Abuse, Foster Care, and having a parent suffering from severe Mental Illness. They will have
a better understanding of why it is often times, so difficult to communicate/reach victims of Child Abuse.
Dominic Carter had been handed a virtual round-trip ticket to the victim train, yet Dominic refused to get on
board. Session attendees will leave feeling good about themselves, and more importantly, feeling good about
their professional work with children.

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September26-28,2014
2014 TFFA Annual Conference - At A Glance
Friday, September 26, 2014
Intensive ....................................................................8:00 AM - 5:00 PM: Russell Rogers [8 Hours/ .8 CEU]
Mini-Intensive .....................................................................................6:30 PM - 9:30 PM [ 3 Hours/ .3 CEU]
• John DeGarmo, PhD - Keeping Foster Kids Safe Online
• Mike Foster - Ethics & Professionalism
• Kellie Pittman [TX #190 - CERTIFIED Trainer] - CPR/ First Aid
Saturday, September 27, 2014
Opening Session ................................................................................8:00 AM - 10:00 AM [1 Hours/ .1 CEU]
Keynote Speaker : •Dominic Carter
Business Meeting : 9:00-10:00 AM
Session 1 ..........................................................................................10:15 AM - 12:15 PM [ 2 Hours/ .2 CEU]
• Danielle Doolittle /Terri/ Dad :
• Gloria Fobbs : Self Care
Lunch ..........................................................................................................................12:00 NOON - 2:00 PM
Includes Awards Presentation/ One meal ticket accompanies each registration [additional tickets can be
purchased at the Registration table]
Session 2 ..........................................................................................2:15 PM - 3:45 PM [1.5 Hours/ .15 CEU]
• Gloria Fobbs : Stress Management
• Dr. Shilba Trivedi : Reactive Attachment Disorder
• Wayne Hux & Kimberly Clayton : CAPE Training - Part 1

Session 3 ........................................................................................ 4:00 PM - 5:30 PM [ 1.5 Hours/ .15 CEU]
• Kelly Broadaway : Traumatic Informed Behavioral Interventions
• Sarah Moore : In’s and Out’s of Pee and Poop
• Dr. Shilba Trivedi : Autism
• Wayne Hux & Kimberly Clayton : CAPE Training - Part 2
Sunday, September 29, 2014
Session 4 ........................................................................................8:00 AM - 9:30 AM [ 1.5 Hours/ .15 CEU]
• Gary Bluff : Redesign
• Dr. Partap & Dr. Santa Sosa : Toxic Stress in Young Children
Session 5 ......................................................................................9:45 AM - 11:15 AM [ 1.5 Hours. .15 CEU]
• Natasha Owoseni : Integrating Foster Children
ALS- Associates of Liberal Studies, BBA, Bachelor in Business Management
• Ealom : Parents Working Together to Reunify
• Rob Rodriguez :
• Kellie Pittman : CPR/First Aid
Closing ..............................................................................................................................11:30 AM - 1:00 PM

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September26-28,2014
Trainers /Session Descriptions
Intensive: •Russell Rogers .......................................................................................................... [8 Hours/.8 CEU]
Dallas Baptist University degree - MLA in Pastoral Counseling; Executive Director of “Casey’s Heart”;
Senior Pastor of Trinity Life Baptist Church in Garland, TX; Vice Chairman of the State of Texas Advisory Committee
Promoting the Adoption of Minority Children
Mini-Intensives : .......................................................................................................................[3 Hours/ .3 CEU]
•Dr. John DeGarmo : Keeping Foster Kids Safe Online This session focuses on the many dangers
currently associated with foster children and online technology. Social networking is also a main focus of this session.
During the presentation, foster parents will be informed of the dangers associated with online technology, as well as be
equipped with strategies designed to better protect the foster child. Participants will study the many dangers of online
technology. These dangers include sexting; child pornography; child grooming; child trafficking; internet predators;
cyber bullying; tracking through internet; online hoaxes; online recruitment into harmful organizations; access to
inappropriate material; addictive behaviors; social networking; inappropriate and unsupervised contact/communication
with birth parents and biological family members. Participants will be equipped with strategies designed to better
aid foster children as they face these dangers and horrors. These strategies include establishing rules/policies/
expectations; examining and using protective software; learning how to block inappropriate material/content;
learning how to block contact from undesired and inappropriate outsiders; protecting personal information and
contact information; learning the importance of “netiquette”; how to screen harmful sites; understanding the legal
implications of online use; and how to disclose information/express oneself in a safe and appropriate manner.
•Mike Foster : Ethics & Professionalism
•Kellie Pittman : CPR/First Aid [TX License #190 - CERTIFIED Trainer]
This CPR and First Aid training offers the most up to date guidelines for adults, children, and infants that are
for use by lay persons. This course is accepted by DFPS for foster/adoptive parents, by private agencies, is accepted
for licensed day care workers. Certificates of course completion are $30.00. Certification cards with workbook to
take home are $35.00 Cards/certificates will be mailed to those paying by check. Those paying cash will receive their
certification on site.
Opening Session : Keynote Speaker: •Dominic Carter ...........................................[1 Hour/.1 CEU] see page #8
Session 1:...................................................................................................................................... [2 Hours/.2 CEU]
•Danielle Doolittle, Terri and Jerry : Danielle grew up in Houston, knowing she was adopted. Although
she felt fulfilled as she danced for the Houston Ballet and played sports, there were nagging unanswered questions that
prevented Danielle from being truly happy. At age 20, she decided to find answers and she set out to find her birth parents.
Since it was a closed adoption, she was prepared to spend months or even years searching for them. However, God in his
infinite wisdom had other plans and reunited her with her birth family in only 4 days. Danielle was not only united with
her birth parents, Terri Torres and Jerry Mantooth, but also her five new sisters. Danielle will take you through her journey
of growing up adopted with the trials and tribulations of finding balance between an adopted and a birth family. Her birth
parents, Terri and Jerry will join her to share their story of giving up their daughter for adoption. They will share heart
wrenching emotions of what they went through as very young kids going through a very adult situation.
Foster parents, adoptive parents and case workers are encouraged to come listen and ask questions as these three people
take you through their ups, downs, struggles, triumphs and the many joys which made their reunion a success.
Thirteen years from the day they found each other, they continue to learn and grow together as a blended family.
•Gloria Fobbs : Self Care: Preventing Compassion Fatigue & Secondary Traumatic Stress
It’s easy to lose track of your own needs when caring for children who have experienced trauma. But not taking
care of yourself not only sets a bad example for your child(ren), it also sets you up for compassion fatigue. When the stress
of parenting affects our mental and physical health and impairs our ability to parent effectively, we are suffering from
compassion fatigue.
Learning how to take care of yourself is one of the most important skills you can develop as a caregiver. By

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September26-28,2014

modeling how we take care of ourselves, we can help our child(ren) learn how to take good care of themselves. The Goals
and Objectives of this training will help you:
1. Identify the warning signs of compassion fatigue,
2. Be able to describe secondary traumatic stress and its symptoms,
3. Be able to identify the consequences of not taking care of oneself,
4. Understand the importance of committing to the practice of self-care, and
5. Develop a self care plan.
Session 2 :......................................................................................................................................... [1.5 Hours/ .15 CEU]
•Gloria Fobbs : Stress Management
Stress is your mind and body’s response or reaction to a real or imagined threat, event, or change. The threat, event or
change are commonly referred to as stressors. Stressors can be internal (thoughts, beliefs, attitudes, or external loss, tragedy,
or change). Foster Parents, due to their unique role of being the primary caregiver for traumatized children, have more
stressors than your usual family. This type of stress is called Secondary Traumatic Stress, or STS.
After completion of this training, attendees will be able to:
1. Define Stress and Secondary Traumatic Stress
2. Describe ways in which Secondary Traumatic Stress affects foster parents and their families
3. Describe the symptoms of Secondary Traumatic Stress
4. Identify ways to reduce and manage stress
•Dr. Shilba Trivedi : Reactive Attachment Disorder
De mystifying “RAD” involves taking a close look at the symptoms/behaviors, prevalence of this disorder in order
to distinguishing it from other conditions as well as treatment implications and prognosis of the child.
•Wayne Hux & Kimberly Clayton, BS Ed. : CAPE Training (Part 1)
CAPE Training explores topics such as:
1. Culture of Foster Care
2. Adolescent Development
3. Appreciative Inquiry
4. Live Skills Partners
5. Community Resources
This workshop will also tell about BCFS HHS and the programs to assists youth in care. This workshop is just
hitting the highlights of CAPE. The CAPE curriculum is a 20 hour curriculum that is free to all who would like to take it.
BCFS has several Transition Centers across Texas. The presenters will give all who attend information about the Centers in
their area.
Session 3 : ........................................................................................................................................[1.5 Hours .15 CEU]
•Kelly Broadway : Trauma Informed Behavioral Intervention: Do you have children and/or foster children
who don’t seem to respond to typical rewards and consequences. During this session we will discuss the effect that
trauma and neglect have on development and brain growth. This presentation covers stressors, coping skills, and success
strategies. Kelly Broadaway has been a licensed therapist for 20 years. She is an adoptive mother and was a therapeutic
foster mother for 7 years.
•Sarah Moore, RN, PNP, PNP-BC, CPNP-AC, NNP : The In’s and Out’s of Pee and Poop : Expectations of
normal patterns and troubleshooting issues from toddler to school age children.
Fostering children of various ages can be a challenge and when foster parents have taken on a toddler to school age
child with urinary/stooling challenges the stress level significantly increases. The focus of this lecture is to break down the
developmental tasks that are necessary in potty training, to provide age related expectations, to review common barriers
to potty training, to discuss red flag warnings that require escalation in evaluation, and a review list of various community
resources for families struggling with potty training issues.
•Dr. Shilba Trivedi : Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)-The Uniqueness of ASD
Each individual with ASD is very unique. Learn to identify the “red” flags and understand the severity levels that
can help in individualized evaluation and treatment.
Continued...

Page#12
September26-28,2014
•Wayne Hux & Kimberly Clayton, BS Ed : CAPE Training - Part 2
Session 4: ...................................................................................................................... ...........[1.5 Hours/ .15 CEU]
•Gary Bluff : Redesign Dr. Buff is the President and Chief Operating Officer of Our Community Our
Kids, a division of ACH Child and Family Services in Ft., Worth, Texas. Our Community Our Kids is the Single Source
Continuum Contractor (SSCC) for the Texas Department of Family and Preventive Services Region 3. Dr. Buff is a licensed
psychologist who has worked in children’s mental health and child welfare in the states of New Mexico, Hawaii and Texas
for over 35 years.
Foster Care Redesign is the initiative of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS) to start
a new way of providing foster care service that relies on a Single Source Continuum Contractor (SSCC). TDFPS awarded
the first metropolitan Foster Care Redesign SSCC for region 3 in December, 2013. Attendees will learn the basic elements
of the foster Care Redesign initiative, including the goal, design and outcomes expected. Dr. Buff will present the Our
Communities Our kids model for operating as the SSCC for region 3. There will be ample time for questions from attendees.
•Dr. Partap & Dr. Santa Sosa : Toxic Stress in Young Children
Session 5 ....................................................................................................9:45 AM - 11:15 AM [ 2 Hours/ .2 CEU]
•Natasha Owoseni : Bridging the Gap...Effective Communication in Your Foster Home
The purpose of this training is to identify communication gaps and provide tips on how communication among families can
be effective and encouraging. Many times, the transitions within foster care can potentially cause families and children to
lose sight of what is important... the overall enhancing of the family unit. Effective communication is key and sharing the
bond of family within the transition is possible, no matter the challenges many families face.
•De Shaun Ealom, M. Ed : Parents Working Together to Re Unify
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services partners with parents previously involved with Child
Protective Services. These parents have been reunified with their children and are now involved with the department in the
spirit of true partnership. This workshop will include information on communication, child visitation, expectation and the
reunification/transition process. The attendees to this session will:
1) Effectively communicate with birth parents
2) Provide valuable feedback to birth parent after parent child visitation
3) Approach the birth parent and ask their expectation of the foster parent the chid child is living with and,
4) Participate in the reunification/transition process with understanding of their value.
•Rob Rodriguez : Founder/Director Family for Life Fatherhood: Changing the Game!
Single, Foster/Adoptive Father and Founder of Family 4 Life, Rob R. Rodriguez and two of his 2 sons, Aaron
Rodriguez and John Wistl deliver an interactive presentation about the joys and challenges of fatherhood. He will
concentrate on ways to stay connected to your children in a fast paced world. He will provide practical real world
applications that can help strengthen a father’s bond to his children. Workshop is good for all fathers and those interested in
supporting fatherhood. Presentation includes a short Q&A session with his sons.
•Kellie Pittman : CPR/First Aid (see page #11)

Closing ...................................................................................................[11:30 AM - 1:00 PM] [.5 Hours/ .5 CEU]
•Dance Revolution [http://www.dance-revolution.com]
•Assistant Commissioner, Lisa Black
Continued....

Page#13
September26-28,2014
TFFA 2014 Conference Hotel
Date: September 26-28, 2014 [Friday/Saturday/Sunday]
Location: Omni Park West Hotel / Dallas, Texas
Phone: (972) 869-4300
To Join TFFA (and get the discounted registration fee) visit our website...tffa.org
CONFERENCE Registration Fee: Member - $149 / Non-Member - $174
Omni Park West Hotel is a Luxury Hotel With Texas Warmth
The elegant Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West puts you close to the best attractions of dynamic Dallas, Texas.
Located near the vibrant Las Colinas Business District, and only 10 minutes from the Dallas/Fort Worth
International Airport, this 12- story luxury hotel invites you to experience elegance with neoclassical distinction.
With exquisite European-style appointments, the Omni Dallas Hotel at Park West is framed by a luminous lake and
a lush green park.
TFFA 2014 Conference
Date: September 26-28, 2014 [Friday/Saturday/Sunday]
Location: Omni Park West Hotel
[1590 LBJ Freeway /Dallas, TX 75234
Hotel Phone Number: (972) 869-4300 [be sure to tell them you are reserving
with the TFFA Conference to get the Conference Rate]
Visit our website for these FORMS...
• To Advertise in the Conference Program
• To Be a TFFA Conference Sponsor
• To Register for the Conference - Online or On-site ONLY
• Vendor/Exhibitor Form
• The TFFA Board of Directors
• And much, much more

Page#14
September26-28,2014
Recent Articles from our Website
5 Perfectly Understandable Reasons For Tantrums
Toddlers. They’re sticky. They drip. They mess up our stuff. And they throw temper
tantrums for no particular reason. Actually, that last one isn’t true. A lot of their tantrums
make perfect sense. Why? Here are five reasons: 1] Infants get to do pretty much whatever
they want, whenever they want. The same cannot be said...[To read the entire article, visit
our website: http://www.tffa.org/2014/07/22/5-perfectly-understandable-reasons-for-
tantrums/]
____________________________________________
Juvenile Arthritis is One of the Most Common Chronic Illnesses Affecting
Children
Arthritis is a disease that mostly affects older people, right? Not necessarily. Juvenile
arthritis is one of the most common chronic illnesses affecting children. In fact, nearly
300,000 youngsters nationwide have been diagnosed with the disease. The most common
symptoms include joint pain, inflammation (swelling), tenderness and...[To read the entire
article, visit our website: http://www.tffa.org/2014/07/17/juvenile-arthritis-is-one-of-the-
most-common-chronic-illnesses-affecting-children/]
____________________________________________
Survival Guides for Theme Parks
You may know all about strategy in terms of business dealings, football plays, or getting
dinner for ten on the table. But visiting a theme park with your children? This requires
another level of brain power. Rule 1: Have a plan. Check out our strategies for getting
the most out of your trip and creating memories that go well beyond the thrill of a roller
coaster.
1. Pick your top three rides/attractions in advance. Before leaving home...[To read the
entire article, visit our website: http://www.tffa.org/2014/07/16/survival-guides-for-
theme-parks/]
____________________________________________
Are You Recharging Yourself?
Special needs children are likely to be high maintenance children. Whether a disability
is developmentally, neurologically or medically based, these children require significant
time, attention, planning and support. They are sensitive on many fronts. Their emotions,
behaviors, likes and dislikes are often [To read the entire article, visit our website: http://
www.tffa.org/2014/07/11/are-you-recharging-yoursel ]

Page#15
September26-28,2014
7 Ways to Give Your Child a History
When a child is adopted from foster care at an older age, he needs to understand his story
up to placement and the significance of his joining a new family forever. Here are hands-on
activities you can use to start this conversation....[To read the entire article, visit our website:
http://www.tffa.org/2014/07/01/7-ways-to-give-your-child-a-history/]
____________________________________________
Co-sleeping deaths in Texas are on record-setting pace
Hundreds of babies die in their sleep in Texas each year—suddenly, unexpectedly, and
often without a clear explanation. In the first ten months of this fiscal year, Child Protective
Services (CPS) has investigated 164 cases involving kids who died while sharing a bed or
other sleep...[To read the entire article, visit our website: http://www.tffa.org/2014/07/01/
co-sleeping-deaths-in-texas-are-on-record-setting-pace/]
____________________________________________
MEMO From DFPS: For the Teen Youth in Care
Federal legislation requires the resident state to develop and implement a data collection
system to:
• Track independent living services provided by the state in which the youth resides; and •
collect data on outcome measures that may be used to assess our performance in operating...
[ To read the entire article, visit our website: http://www.tffa.org/2014/06/27/memo-for-
the-teen-youth-in-care/]
____________________________________________
Way & Means: Preventing Sex Trafficking & Strengthening Families
Protecting Youth as Risk of Sex Trafficking
• Requires state child welfare agencies to identify, document, and determine appropriate
services for children in foster care or who are otherwise...[To read the entire article, visit our
website: http://www.tffa.org/2014/06/27/11190/]
____________________________________________
5 Signs Your Child is Mature Enough for a Cellphone
1. You can view you child’s social media profiles. This means they have nothing to hide from
you, so they don’t block you from checking on their Facebook or Instagram accounts. 2.
Your child is responsible and rarely loses their belongings. A child who appreciates and
recognizes the value of their belongings is mature enough to be given a phone.
3. If your child...[To read the entire article, visit our website: http://www.tffa.
org/2014/06/11/5-signs-your-child-is-mature-enough-for-a-cellphone/]

Page#16
September26-28,2014
A poem composed by Brandy, age 15,
for her foster parent
Sometimes I know the words to say
Give thanks for all you've done
But then they fly up and away
As quickly as they come.
How could I possibly thank you enough?
The one who makes me feel whole
The one to whom I should owe my life
The forming of a brand new soul.
The one who's there at nights
The one who helps me when I'm crying
The one who's continuously an expert
At picking up when I was lying.
The one who sees me off to school
And spent the days alone
Yet magically produced a smile
As soon as I came home.
The one who always makes sacrifices
To always put us first
Who lets me test my broken wings
In spite of how its hurts.
What way is there to thank you?
For your heart, your sweat, your tears
For the ten thousand things you've done
For oh-so many years.
For changing with me as I changed
For accepting all my flaws
For not loving cause you had to
But loving just because.
Thank you for the gifts you give
For everything you do
But thank you most of all
For making my dreams come true!!
The Texas Foster Family Association is a
501(c)3 nonprofit organization.
We rely on the donation of generous
people like you in order to advocate for
children and families throughout the state
of Texas. We appreciate your generosity.
If you would like to make a one time
donation or a donation of any amount on
a regular basis, you can do that securely
through our Pay-Pal donation button.
That can be found on our website at
http://www.tffa.org/donate.
If you have questions, contact our
Executive Director, Roy Block at
royblocktsfpi@aol.com or
director@tffa.org or call him at
(210) 394-7033
_________________________
It’s EASY and SECURE to join TFFA.
Go to: http://www.tffa.org/
membership/sign-up NOW!
You can join as a Single
Membership for just $15 a year
or as a Family for just $25 a
year.

Page#17
September26-28,2014
F
i
l
l
M
y
C
u
p,
L
o
r
d
The concept of praying for our leaders is not unique to democratic nations, and it did not begin
with the United States’ National Day of Prayer. The Bible contains many commands to pray for
our leaders-national and local, secular and religious.
Paul wrote in 1 Timothy 2: 1-4, “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession
and thanksgiving be made for all people-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live
peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” God told the
Israelites in exile to pray for Babylon: “Seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I
have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper”
(Jeremiah 29:7). Romans 13:1 says, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for
there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have
been established by God.” Paul requested prayer “for all the Lord’s people” and for himself
that he would speak the gospel boldly ( Ephesians 2: 18-20).
Prayer is important. And it seems the Bible makes special mention of praying for those in
positions of authority. Such authorities include government officials (international, national,
and local) and pastors, church elders, school boards, school principals, employers, your local
Foster Parent Association leaders, your CPA leaders, and the like.
We do not pray for our leaders simply because we are commanded to. Praying for them
makes practical sense. Our leaders can affect the conditions we live in and have an impact
on our families, our churches, our workplaces, our cities, and our countries. When those in
authority are obeying the will of God, it is easier to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness
and holiness” (1 Timothy 2:2). When evil men are in authority, our prayers for them are just as
needed, as illustrated by William Tyndale’s last words as he was being burned at the stake:
“Lord, open the King of England’s eyes.”
Also, we do not pray for our leaders merely for our own benefit. Leadership can be a tiring
task. James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers,
because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” Leaders carry a degree of
responsibility to their followers. They are often the targets of criticism and the go-to people in
a crisis. If they are leading well, they are living their lives in service. We pray for them because
we recognize the greatness of their task and because we are grateful for their willingness to
lead.
So how should we pray for our leaders? First, if we are uncertain that they know Jesus, we
should pray for their salvation. But whether or not our leaders are Christians, we should pray
that God will guide them as they guide us. We should pray that they be wise and discerning
and surrounded by helpful advisors. We know that God has placed our leaders in authority
over us (Romans 13:1), and we can ask Him to use them as He will. We should also pray
for their protection. When praying for pastors or ministry leaders or the TFFA Board of
Directors, we can pray for them to have strength in the midst of spiritual warfare and to remain
encouraged in the Lord. We can pray for their families, who often feel scrutinized and bear an
extra load.
Briefly stated, we should mention our leaders before God in prayer and ask Him to have His
way in their hearts, to support those around them, and to use their leadership to benefit their
followers.
How and why should we pray for our leaders?

Page#18
September26-28,2014
Just How Dangerous Is It To Share Your Information
On Facebook?
By Mark O’Neill
I don’t think you need me to tell you by now about the risks of
revealing too much on Facebook. In light of the NSA revelations, people
are becoming more security-conscious
and being more careful about what
they say and reveal online. However, despite knowing the
pitfalls, some people still insist on telling the whole world via
Facebook what they did with their day.
From a security point of view, telling everyone you ate Sugar Puffs for breakfast, or
posting a photo of your belly button lint, isn’t going to get you into hot water. But the following
might.
____________________________________
I’ve been guilty of this one before until someone told me to make my
check-ins “friends only”. It’s perfectly normal to want to share your
intrepid adventures with your Facebook followers but if you highly
publicise the fact that no-one is at home, then an opportunistic burglar
might come around to your house and become the new owner your TV
and next-gen games console.
Solution: Keep your check-ins “friends only” or limit it to family
and trusted friends. Or even better, don’t do the check-in thing at all.
Do you really want Facebook to have a list of all the places you’ve
visited? In the “about” section, there are spaces for you to reveal all
kinds of personal information. It also invites an address and phone number to be entered.
This is where you really start to get into murky waters.
For a start, matching your name up to an address and phone number opens you up to all kinds
of spam –Facebook is selling your name & address to marketing firms. But more importantly,
revealing where you live enables weirdos, lunatics, and positively dangerous people to track you
down. If they don’t like something you said on Facebook, they would just have to check your
‘about’ section to get your address and phone number. Cue heavy breathing and hang-ups at 3.00
AM.
Solution: Don’t put your address and phone number on Facebook! If you MUST put something
down (say for business purposes), get a post box number, and instead of a landline phone, put
down a mobile or Skype phone number; one that you wouldn’t mind abandoning if people start
calling you up.
____________________________________
If you have been using Facebook for quite some time, then I am sure that you will have
witnessed this one: Proud parents showing off their kids by posting photo after photo after
photo…..
Obviously it is normal to be proud of your kids (“awww, look at Calvin! He has his brother

Page#19
September26-28,2014
Timmy in a headlock!”). But if the status updates are set to public, right away you are providing
new material for pedophiles to drool over. Combine that with the address in your “about”
section….well, you don’t need me to draw you a picture.
Solution: Seriously limit the number of photos of your kids on Facebook. If you must put them
on, set the status to “friends only”, and make sure you’re aware of how the site’s privacy settings
work.
____________________________________
Oh and please don’t do what some people have been doing which is deciding to set up your kid’s
Facebook account for the future, so they get the username they want. There’s plenty of time for
that. Besides, Facebook might not exist when your kid turns 13.
____________________________________
General Information Which Leads To Targeted Advertising
If there is one thing which Facebook is universally hated for, it’s advertising. Even though they
are a public company which needs to make money, people still object to ads which they say is
intrusive and “in your face”.
Let’s look at some of the ways that are dangerous to you if you say
the wrong thing on Facebook. They’re not “it will kill you” dangerous, but
instead dangerous in terms of your reputation, your finances, etc.
• You tell your followers that you are feeling down and possibly
depressed. Facebook sells your info to an insurance company, and when
you try to apply for life insurance, you are denied. On Facebook, you
get constant ads about making your peace with God, and making up
your will before you go. If you were hesitating about making the final
leap, ads like that might persuade you.
• You gripe that you have a bad back and you are on long term sick leave
from work. Suddenly you get ads about medicine, wellness spas, etc.
What’s worse is that your insurance premiums go up. Don’t believe
that something like this would happen? It was strongly suspected this
year that fitness tracker Fitbit was selling user information to insurance
companies, who were then seeing if any of the users were customers. If
so, they used the fitness information to adjust the premiums accordingly.
Fitbit strongly denies the charge but who knows if they are lying or not?
Now if Fitbit is suspected doing it, do you think Facebook would have
any qualms about trying the same if the price was right?
Now these are three things that instantly came to mind. I am confident
there are numerous others, and I am sure you can cite some in the
comments.
Solution: Be extremely careful what you talk about, and always keep that kind of conversation
“friends only”. Even better, get off Facebook altogether and discuss your hemorrhoids
elsewhere. So the moral of this story
kiddies is : be careful, be suspicious, and be paranoid. Because sometimes they really are out to
get you.

Page#20
September26-28,2014
Return Address
3115 CR 3306
Jacksonville, Texas 75766
www.tffa.org www.wintergrowth.org texasfosterfamilyassn@gmail.com
‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.’
The Texas Foster Family Association F.O.C.U.S. — The Voice For Texas Foster/Adoptive Families
Child abuse is a sickness that gnaws at the very fabric of our society and as with any
disease, prevention is far more effective than a cure.
The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) and its many community
partners (including TFFA) urges all Texans to make preventing child abuse a priority.
Together we can reduce child abuses terrible toll by listening to children, recognizing the
signs of child abuse and taking action. Do NOT assume someone else will do it!
Report suspected child abuse or neglect to the Abuse & Neglect
Hot line 1-800-252-5400 or online at
www.txabusehotline.org
Return Address: 3115 CR 3306 / Jacksonville, Texas 75766
NON PROFIT ORG.
US POSTAGE
PAID
PERMIT 88
75604

Texas Foster Family Association

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