ProviderTimes
Volume 7 Issue 4
our mission:
To empower and serve people
in need of specialized supports
by providing innovative services
that improve their ability to live
fulfilling lives in the community.
Winter 2015
This article was written by Martin James Proud (adapted with permission)
for an earlier edition of the Provider Times.
Matthew 7 1:2 “Do not judge, or you will be judged from the same way you judge
others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
To me this means not to judge someone you meet for the first time. Do not judge
people how they look, walk, or talk, or their culture, skin color or religion. I feel at
times I am judged.
Here is my story. I was adopted. My name is Martin James Proud. I was in a couple
other foster homes and they did not want to keep me there. I came to live with my
mom and dad at the age of six, as a foster child. I was overweight and a picky eater.
I did not know how to act or if they were going to keep me or just put me out like the
others did. I knew something was very special about these people. This was all new
to me. I started to play and eat good food. I can remember my Nana went and got me
my first pair of jeans; this was a big deal for me. I was like other kids in school and no
more sweat pants for me! I was really filling in as I had people to love me that were
there all the time. I had my own bed, clothes and toys. What more could I have wanted?
Drew, age 12
“Approach the New Year with
resolve to find the opportunities
hidden in each new day.”
~Michael Josephson
Book:
Maybe Days: A Book for
Children in Foster Care
by Jennifer Wilgocki and
Marcia Kahn Wright
For many children in foster care,
the answer to many questions is
often "maybe". "Maybe Days" is a
straightforward look at the issues
of foster care, the questions that
children ask, and the feelings that
they confront. The book also
explains in children's’ terms, the
responsibilities of everyone
involved - parents, social
workers, lawyers, and judges.
Then my brother came to live with us right from the hospital. My parents started to
talk about adopting us. My parents said they loved us and wanted us to be their sons.
This meant we would have our own Mom and Dad and a place to call home! When
my parents were in the middle of adopting us, my Dad died. This was very hard for all
of us. My Mom adopted us as a single mom. I know this is what Dad and Mom wanted.
I remember the day so well. We went to the courthouse and had a lot of family and
friends there, and caseworkers. The judge asked my Mom what names she had
picked for us. Martin James Proud, James, after my dad. I was so excited! My
brother’s name was Jacob Todd Proud, Todd, named after a caseworker who helped
us out a lot. This was a great day for us!
We do not have a lot of money or live in a fancy house, but my Mom loves us so
much and we love her. My Mom gives us all the love she has in her heart. My name
is Martin James Proud! This is why I picked this bible verse. PLEASE DO NOT
JUDGE ME!
Training and Announcements
The Gathering: The Foster Parent Gathering will meet again on January 7th. There are
plans to meet February 4th as well. All are welcome. Your presence and participation
makes what we do worthwhile! Topic ideas are greatly appreciated.
Child Protective Service Law Changes: New requirements begin January 1, 2015.
All foster parents will be required to obtain training. You will receive additional
information soon. You may go to www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu to register and start the
training. This must be completed by June 30, 2015. There are no exceptions.
When you complete it, please forward the certificate to your coordinator to record the
training and maintain the documentation. This will be required every 5 years.
Additional information is on the back of the newsletter as well.
w w w. a c c e s s s e r v i c e s . o r g
Amendments to the Child Protective Service Law
The changes to this law are very important and effect many people, including
all foster parents. Please read about the changes and new requirements.
Act 31 of 2014 amended the Child Protective Services Law to require
certain persons to receive child abuse recognition and reporting training as
a condition of licensure/approval/registration. Along with many others
involved with caring for and working with children, the law pertains to all
foster parents approved and soon to be approved.
Effective December 31, 2014, new foster parents are required to receive
3 hours of training within 90 days of approval and 3 hours of training every
five years thereafter. We plan to have all new foster parents obtain this training within their pre-service training hours.
Beginning July 1, 2015, current foster parents must have received 3 hours of training prior to the re-issuance of a
license, approval or registration certificate and 3 hours of training every five years thereafter.
There is an approved free, three-hour Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse: Mandated and Permissive
Reporting in Pennsylvania online course created by the University of Pittsburgh, School of Social Work, Child Welfare
Resource Center. This course meets all of the requirements.
The training does not have to be completed all at once. You may stop, save, and resume the training at another time.
You will need to register, complete the training, and print the certificate. The certificate should be sent to Access to
record your training credit and completion. Access Services will keep track of when you need to complete the training
again. The link to the online training is www.reportabusepa.pitt.edu.
More information will follow and you will receive information about the changes to the Child Protective Service Law (CPSL),
ACT 31 of 2014, and when and how to complete the training. This is a requirement for re-approval as a foster parent.
REFERRAL BONUS!
Foster and Respite Providers
Still Needed
We continue to be in need of families interested
in being foster parents and/or respite providers.
If you know of anyone who may be interested in
being a foster parent or respite provider, please
let us know. We will contact them, answer their
questions and provide them with more
information. The $500 referral bonus continues!
The first $200 will be dispersed once the referred
family’s file is complete and they provide one day
of respite care or receive a long term placement.
An additional $300 will be awarded once the
referred family has a placement for three months.
For more information, please contact Donna
Donnelly at 215.540.2150 x304.
Celebrating our Providers
After not having the Provider Appreciation Lunch for several
years, we gathered together on November 15, 2014, at the
Blair Mill Inn to show appreciation to our foster care providers.
This event celebrates our providers and shows our appreciation
for the work they do in serving the children within the program.
We enjoyed spending time together, listening to music by
Christine and Todd Shelly, and hearing stories of those acting
out the core values at Access Services. Our providers were
reminded how important they are in bringing out the potential in
each child who enters their homes. The program staff selects
providers who have exemplified a core value of Access
Services’ throughout the previous year.
This year, the following certificates were awarded:
Tanya and Keith Williams: Results
Jennifer and Darrin Bowman: Love For Each Other
Angela and Umesh Candeaparcar: Passion For Service
Diane Coolidge: Love For Each Other
We also gave special recognition to providers who have been
with Access for 20+ years. Dot and Bill Seward received this
special award having served in respite and foster care over
20 years! We are grateful for all of our providers on a daily
basis. We realize the program could not continue without you.
We appreciate all you do and all of the selfless acts that enrich
the lives of the children and their families. We hope to see you
at the Access Picnic next fall!
500 Office Center Drive, Suite 100, Fort Washington, PA 19034
Phone: 215.540.2150 Fax : 215.540.2165