Florida Foster Alumni

Assuring Foster Children Get Top Community-based Care

By Andrea Moore, FCAA Member and Executive Director,
Florida's Children First Inc.,

Opinion piece originally published in the Volushia County News-Journal Online Edition.
Full Story

Detective Corporal James Vachon Recognized By Foster Care Alumni

The Florida Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America Will Present Award Honoring Detective Work For Missing Two-Year Old Girl 

TAVARES, FL — The Florida Chapter of Foster Care Alumni of America announced today their decision to present the Chapter’s “Making a Difference Award” to Detective Corporal James Vachon of the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The award will be presented by Jerry Gitchel, secretary of FCAA of Florida on July 26, 2007 at 3:00 p.m. at the Sheriff’s Office at 360 W. Ruby Street, Tavares, Florida. 

Editors Note: Use the links below to view the full release and media coverage of the event.
Press Release
Orlando Sentinel
Lake County Daily Commercial
WFTV - Channel 9
CFLN - Channel 13

Too Many Birthdays in Foster Care

By Misty Stenslie, MSW
Deputy Director, Foster Care Alumni of America

Kids Are Waiting: Fix Foster Care Now is a national, nonpartisan campaign dedicated to ensuring that all children in foster care have the safe, permanent families they deserve by reforming the federal financing structure that governs our nation's foster care program

The report shown at right, Time for Reform: Too Many Birthdays in Foster Care was given to every member of the US House along with a birthday cake in honor of the 500,000+ youth in foster care who will celebrate their birthdays there this year.  Look for me and FCAA in the front cover, and for many of our FCAA members from around the country throughout.

Florida FCAA Members Advocate in Tallahassee

By Andrea Moore

Florida members of Foster Care Alumni of America were warmly received in Tallahassee on March 25-27 as foster care alumni visited Tallahassee to advocate on behalf of Florida's children. Florida Youth SHINE, an organization member of FCAA and members Vickie and Melanie went to Florida's Capitol together.

The group was sponsored by Florida's Children First and had the opportunity to speak with Department of Children and Families Secretary, Bob Butterworth, Jim Kallinger, who serves as Governor Crist's Chief Child Advocate, House Speaker Marco Rubio, and a number of key legislators from across the state.

They testified in front of three committees and used their stories to support legislation that came from their ideas. While In Tallahassee the youths participated in training on the legislative process, the role of the executive branch, identifying problems and proposing solutions, while they also worked on public speaking and other skills.

The young adults were so awesome DCF called and asked if they could pay to bring several Florida Youth Shine members back to train administrators in mid April. Their capital visit was, as they say, "way cool" and is having an impact.

Editors Note: The trip was covered in the following article by Associated Press Writer Brendan Farrington.

DCF Secretary Butterworth Asks Ex-Foster Children About How DCF Can Improve

Did you attend this event? Please add a comment to share your impressions.

Chapter Leadership Document Now Available

As we progress along the path to becoming an official FCAA Chapter, prospective officers need to know the requirements and responsibilities of their office. This Document outlines the leadership levels within FCAA, the required duties of elected chapter officers, suggested chapter leadership structures and suggested chapter officer position descriptions.

We invite all Florida FCAA members to use the link below to download and review this document.

Leadership in Foster Care Alumni of America Chapters

Florida Submits Charter Chapter Application

by Melaine Oyler

On March 18th the Florida members of FCAA submitted their official Charter Chapter application for review by the chapter committee and the Board of Directors. I want to thank everyone who offered their valuable imput into how Florida can "Connect Today and Transform Tomorrow".

I invited everyone to dowload our official application for review. Our application is under review and we expect to announce the results the first week in April.

Youth Visits Tallahassee to Educate Lawmakers

by Andrea Moore

Florida's Children First is sponsoring 2nd annual trip to Tallahassee for Youth Shine, our group for young adults who age out of foster care, to educate lawmakers and decision makers, on March 25-27.

We will be arriving on the 25th at Hampton Inn, Appalachee Parkway.  Meeting of group begins at 10 am and goes all day.  Lunch catered in room.  Adult supporters including legislative aides will be there to help youth develop talking points and hone stories for most impact.

Dinner will be a group event, but plans not yet firm.

Monday, we begin with visit to DCF offices to meet with folks who make decisions on child welfare programs.  (The Secretary will meet up with us later.)  There is also possibility will meet with Governor, or at least key staff on Monday.  Rest of day will be meeting with legislators.

Tuesday, early am,help set up childrens week festivities.  Then off to meet with legislators until return home.

Andrea Moore
Executive Director
Florida's Children First, Inc.
1801 N. University Dr.
Coral Springs, Fl 33071

T:954-796-0860
F:954-796-0862

mailto:fcf@floridaschildrenfirst.org

Florida Members Plan Charter Chapter Application

by Melaine Olyer

The Florida members of Foster Care Alumni of America met via conference call on March 9, 2007 to discuss their plan to become the FCAA charter chapter for Florida. For more information please download the Teleconference Minutes in Microsoft Word format.

Golf Tournament Planned

by Rob Bennerman

We are planning a Golf Tournament in Marion County, scheduled for May 11th. Please contact me for more information. We plan to use this event to announce our State-wide FAMILY initiative and let everyone know about FCAA of Florida.

Marion County GAL and Voices for Children Announce FAMILY Project

by Rob Bennerman
Independent Living Case Coordinator

The Guardian Ad Litem Program im Marion County is creating an Independent Living Advocacy Program to help teenagers successfully maneuver through their teen years in foster care into adulthood.  The key piece to our plan is Foster Alumni Mentoring Independent Living Youth (FAMILY).  We want former foster care participants and other advocates to help mentor current youth, laying the foundation for continued mentoring and a Foster Care Family.  We believe that if there is a source of knowledgeable "lifeguards" to provide guidance to teenagers throughout their years in foster care they will receive all the services available to them. 

Once we receive confirmation that Florida has become a charter chapter of the Foster Care Alumni of America, we will move toward becoming 5th Judicial Circuit council for FCAA of Florida. Our hope is that our Marion County FAMILY can be a pilot project for the entire state.  The goals and objectives are:

1. Ensure Teenagers have a voice in what happens to and for them in Foster Care
2. Ensure every Teenager 16-19 has a personal advocate/mentor.
3. Ensure all Teenagers are fully prepared for Independent Living by age 18.
4. Provide opportunities for Foster Care Teenagers, Alumni and Advocates/Mentors to have educational, instructional, and social activities.
5. Provide a surrogate family for teenagers in foster care.

For more information about our objectives and the purpose of this project, download our announcement.