OUR MISSION:
As a visible expression of God's loving
community and consistent with the example
of Jesus Christ, Caritas Family Solutions
provides direct services to persons of all
backgrounds with social and emotional
needs across the continuum of life.
January 2014
Foster Parent NEWS
A NEW NAME EMBODIES OUR MISSION
The New Year welcomed a new name for
Christian Social Services of Illinois.
CSS officially became Caritas Family
Solutions on January 1, 2014.
Our agency is in the very early stages of a
new journey as an independent non-profit
organization after almost 65 years of
operating as an agency of the Catholic
Church. To establish a clearer path for this
journey, we have chosen a new name that
speaks to our virtues, aspirations and the
work we do every day: Caritas Family
Solutions. Caritas (KAR-ee-tahs) is the
Latin word for “charity” or “love of
neighbor.”
Inside this issue:
New Name
1
Water Temperature
2
Rules Reminder
2
Upcoming Trainings
3
Save The Date!
3
Christmas Party
4
We all know well the expanding needs of
those we serve in the 42 southernmost
counties of Illinois. Child abuse in our
communities continues to grow and the
fragile state of mind of many of our
neighbors is reflected in local headlines
daily. Our services are needed more than
ever before.
To meet these growing community needs
and to identify important new initiatives, our
Board of Directors urged us to consider
how we can better reach those we serve,
build support among our stakeholders,
intensify our relationships with our service
CARITAS FAMILY SOLUTIONS
partners, tell our story to more people, and
make a greater impact in the community.
Caritas Family Solutions will continue to
guide families, individuals, parents and
caregivers, helping the vulnerable and
creating a loving stable environment for
thousands in our region. We are helping
people live healthy lives, meeting the social
and emotional needs of persons of all
backgrounds.
We are proud of our spirited, dedicated,
professional staff and counselors who serve
others as Jesus did with respect and dignity
at every stage of life. When you meet and
experience the warmth of a Caritas staff
person, their caring spirit will be the same,
familiar feeling you already know.
We are very grateful for your support. Tell
someone about Caritas Family Solutions!
Page 2
Caritas Family Solutions Foster Parent NEWS January 2014
WAT E R T E M P E R AT U R E S A F E T Y
Now that winter has arrived we need to think about the
water temperature. When we are cold we tend to want to
keep the water hotter which can lead to serious burns or
scalding for children. What does not feel hot to us may,
in fact, be scalding to a child.
According to 402 Rules and Procedures 402 .8(c)
General Requirements for the Foster Home, foster family
homes that accept children under age 10 or children who
are developmentally disabled are required to regulate the
maximum hot water temperature to 115 degrees
Fahrenheit. The Department of Public Health already
requires this maximum temperature control when new
homes are constructed. In homes, such as apartments
and other multiple family dwellings it might not be
possible to regulate the temperature. If there is not a
way to regulate the temperature then it is even more
important to follow the safety procedures in order to
protect a child from scalding.
Hot water can cause scalding, second and third degree
burns in which the skin blisters and swells. Skin does
not return to normal but forms scar tissue upon healing.
Such burns may lead to permanent disability. Second
and third degree hot water burns can occur at the
following rates at the following temperatures.
110 degrees F
13 minutes
120 degrees F
10 minutes
127 degrees F
1 minute
RULES REMINDER
Please remember standard 402.8 (h) when
storing and disposing of any medications.
Licensing Standard 402.8 (h) Prescription and Nonprescription Medication: “The licensing representative
shall verify that prescription and non-prescription
drugs, including needles, are stored in a place that is
not readily accessible to children under twelve years of
age, when not being dispensed or immediately accessible due to medical necessity.” This may be a container,
cabinet, section of a room, or entire room, which is
locked or otherwise inaccessible to children. “The licensing representative shall advise foster parents to
take precautions with used needles or any medical
waste to ensure that children under twelve years of age
do not have access to these materials during disposal.” An asthma inhaler is one example of medication
that must be immediately accessible due to medical
necessity.
130 degrees F
30 seconds
140 degrees F
6 seconds
Here are a few reminders regarding hot water:

Remember that water runs hottest closest to the
water heater.

Always test the water with your elbow before
allowing a child to step into a shower or bath.

Always test the water with your elbow before putting
a baby into a sink.

Do not allow children at risk of scalding, under age10
and/or with developmental delays or physically
challenged to run their own bath water for
themselves or anyone else.

It is important to remind others who might be caring
for their children of these safety tips to protect the
children in the home.
At this time of the year it is also very important to watch
out for frozen lakes and ponds. Children are drawn to
frozen ponds for a host of reasons and they are easily
distracted by a puppy, animal, toy, etc. to run out onto
the pond or lake. Please share with your children that
water, although frozen, can be very dangerous. It may
look frozen but the ice might not be thick enough to hold
a child’s weight or multiple children’s weight. Please
warn children what can happen if the ice breaks and
about drowning prevention.
Please remember to also use medication logs when giving foster children
any medicines for any length of time. Your caseworker should provide
you with blank medication logs or you could use your own tracking system. The log should include the name of the medication, how much you
administered, and the date and time you administered it. Also, in the case
of any emergency involving any medication or poisons please remember
to call poison control at 1-800-222-1222 immediately. Don’t forget to notify your child’s caseworker as well and inform them of any situation concerning the care of a child.
Page 3
January 2014 Caritas Family Solutions Foster Parent NEWS
U P C O M I N G FO S T E R PA R E N T T R A I N I N G S
Educational Advocacy (6 credit hours)
Child Trauma (4 credit hours)
Belleville
Monday, 4/28/14 & 5/5/14, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Belleville
Saturday, 1/25/14, 9:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Or
Saturday, 3/22/14, 9:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Granite City
Thursday, 4/3/14 & Tuesday, 4/8/14, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Call the Registration Unit at 1-877-800-3393 to register.
Greenville
Monday, 3/10/14 & 3/17/14, 6:30 p.m.– 9:30 p.m.
Maryville
Saturday, 6/7/14, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Swansea
Saturday, 2/1/14, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Call the Registration Unit at 1-877-800-3393 to register for Educational
Advocacy.
Using Discipline to Protect, Nurture and Meet Developmental
Needs (9 hours)
Granite City
Thursday, 5/22/14, 5/29/14, & 6/5/14, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Specialized Training
If you are interested in the Specialized Training in order to take
placement of children with special needs (behavior and medical),
please contact Mary Savage at (618) 258-8778. A date is To Be
Determined for February 2014.
Adoption Certification (9 credit hours)
Alton
Saturday, 2/22/14, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. and
Saturday 3/1/14, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. OR Tuesdays, 4/8/14, 4/15/14, &
4/22/14, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Belleville
Tuesday, 3/18/14, 3/25/14, 4/1/14, 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Maryville
Saturday, 5/10/14, 9:00 a.m.– 12:00 p.m. & 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
and Saturday, 5/17/14, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact your Case Manager or Licensing Specialist to register for
Adoption Certification OR Contact the Registration Unit at 1-877-8003393 to register for the on-line Adoption Certification training.
Child Trauma (15 credit hours) NEW Training
Fairview Heights
Thursday, 2/6, 2/13, 2/20, 2/27, & 3/6/14, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Or
Thursday, 5/1/14, 5/8/14, 5/15/14, 5/22/14, 5/29/14, 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Call the Registration Unit at 1-877-800-3393 to register.
S AV E T H E D AT E !
Caritas Family Solutions 1st Inaugural Gala
Saturday, Feb. 8th, 2014
A black-tie-optional, Mardi Gras-inspired evening, featuring a Cocktail
Reception, Silent and Live Auctions, Dinner, Entertainment by Galaxy
and Dancing. Contact Sandy Haas, CSS Chief Development Officer, at
(618) 688-1168 or [email protected] for more information.
Belleville Foster Parent Support Group/Training
Every 3rd Tuesday of the month. Babysitting is provided for this
training if you RSVP. Please contact Cyndi Thomas at 618-2588718 or [email protected] to RSVP
East Alton Foster Parent Support Group/Training
Every 2nd Thursday of the month .Babysitting is provided for this
training if you RSVP. Please contact Cyndi Thomas at 618-2588718 or [email protected] to RSVP
CPR
Wednesday, March 26, 2014, from 6:00 - 10:00 p.m., at the
Belleville Caritas Family Solutions Office. Please call Tina Bilzing,
618-394-5900, x 282 to register.
Additional training hours may be obtained through the 4th Edition
of the Lending Library Catalog. This catalog can be viewed at
www.state.il.us/dcfs/index/shtml under “Training”
You may also contact your licensing work to inquire about ‘Digital
Training’ options.
Foster Parent
NEWS
8601 West Main Street
Suite 201
Belleville, IL 62223
618-394-5900
645 Berkshire Boulevard
East Alton, IL 62024
618-258-8750
www.caritasfamilysolutions.org
S N A P S H O T S F R O M O U R C H R I S T M A S PA R T Y !
This year, the East Alton foster care Christmas
party was held at Edison’s Entertainment Complex
in Edwardsville. Children and adults alike had a
great time engaging in all the activities Edison’s
has to offer. At the beginning of the night, guests
dined on pizza and were able to take a look
around the complex. Following dinner, partygoers
engaged in bowling, arcade games, and laser
tag.
Santa Claus himself also made an
appearance and everyone was given a chance to
sit on his lap and share their Christmas wishes.
One of the most
popular attractions
of the night—a
virtual reality racing
game.
A little guy takes a
turn on one of the
many games in the
arcade.
A couple of
"Quarterbacks in
Training" test
the accuracy of
their arms.