May is National Foster Care Month
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National Foster Care Month is a time to renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for all of Brevard's children and youth in foster care and celebrate all those who make a meaningful difference in their lives. We all have a responsibility to remain persistent in the charge to provide the best care possible for children when they cannot remain in their own homes. During National Foster Care Month, we recognize the efforts of foster families, social workers, faith-based and community organizations, and others that are improving the lives of young people in foster care in our community and beyond. We thank all of our foster families for their committment to Brevard's children. Click here for more information on foster care and how to become a foster parent.
New Brevard Family Partnership Promotional Video
In collaboration with Consensus Communications, BFP has developed this short, two-minute overview video to help the community better understand who we are and what we do.
Visit our YouTube channel here to view the entire video. You can also visit our Facebook page to view this video and share it with your friends!
Community Gathers for "State of the Children"
Community leaders from all areas of social services, government and business attended the recent "State of the Children and Families" community forum to learn how the local child welfare System of Care has progressed since privatization. Attendees heard from CEO, Dr. Patricia Nellius and Leadership Roundtable Alliance Chairman, Brevard Public Defender, J.R. Russo, as well as a group of panelists that included members of the original LRA, BFP staff and board members who have history with the agency, and consumers of BFP's programs, including a Brevard CARES alumnus and former foster youth.
The goal of the meeting was to present what had been and what is now happening with our locally guided System of Care and to get input from those in attendance regarding the future of community based care in Brevard. The event proved that BFP and its partners have met the goals set by the LRA are moving in the right direction when it comes to improving the system and adapting to changing climates, both locally and in the legislative arena.
CLICK HERE to view a presentation of "That was then - this is now" in Brevard's community based care
CLICK HERE to view a history montage of BFP, from its beginnings in 2003 through today
In The News…
County Commission Continues Support for BFP - Proclamation Endorses Local System of Care as Best for Brevard
The Brevard County Board of County Commissioners has endorsed Brevard Family Partnership and its locally developed and operated System of Care for abused and neglected children. The Commissioners presented BFP with a Proclamation of Support at its April 10 meeting, citing the agency's role in reducing the number of children in care and the number of families that have been kept out of the formal dependency system, as well as the fact that our model was developed and continues to be guided by the Brevard Community.Fostering Families Today. Click here to read the procamation.
Gov. Bush: Keep ‘community’ in community-based care to protect children from abuse, neglect
In the February 20 issue of the Miami Herald, former Florida Governor, Jeb Bush came out in support of the continuance of the Community Based Care model that has saved thousands of children from abuse and neglect here in Brevard, and ten of thousands more throughout the state. Gov. Bush is concerned by what he sees as the "...increased bureaucratic control and an erosion of the original model..." and suggests that lawmakers remember child welfare of the past in Florida and not repeat history. Read the entire text of the letter here here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/02/18/2647450/keep-community-in-community-based.html#storylink=cpy
Florida State Foster/Adoptive Parent Association
The Foster Allegation Support Team is here for you! Call 800.327.8119 or email fast@floridafapa.org
Foster Parent Associations can help in parenting teens in care - click here to view article.
Community Events
Upcoming activities in your community
Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Conference
June 22-24, 2012
Daytona Beach Hilton Oceanfront Resort
100 N. Atlantic Ave. Daytona Beach, FL 32118
Click here for Registration form
NEW this year -- Run for Love 5K
Raising Awareness about Adoption - November 17, 2012
The first annual Run for Love 5K will be a fun-filled, family-friendly event. Join us as a participant, sponsor, or just enjoy the festivities and cheer on our contestants! Gather immediately following the race for fun post-run festivities, visit our vendors, and enjoy some delicious food.
Each race participant receives a complimentary t-shirt while supplies last. Be sure to sign-up early to avoid missing out! Click here to download a registration form or register online. Be sure to "like" the Run for Love on Facebook and receive a free article with tips on rocking a 5K like a pro!
Contact Stephanie Strodtman at 321-752-4650 x 3047 or via email for more information. Visit www.runforlove5K.org to find out more!
Alliance for Children and Families Training Opportunities
Brevard Family Partnership recently became a member of The Alliance for Children and Families. Webinars and teleconferences are among the most popular programs offered by the Alliance. These networking and knowledge development opportunities cover a wide range of topics.
Many webinars and teleconferences are provided to Alliance members at no charge. Fee-based offerings are available to both Alliance members and nonmembers, but are offered to members at a discounted rate.
Visit the Alliance website to view information and register for upcoming webinars.
BFP seeks volunteers to support agency services, programs, outreach
Brevard Family Partnership is seeking individuals who are interested in volunteering time and talent to support the organization’s many activities related to preventing child abuse, supporting children who have suffered abuse, and raising awareness of the local System of Care that serves the community.
Several opportunities exist for volunteer participation within Brevard Family Partnership and its abuse prevention and family preservation program, Brevard C.A.R.E.S., including: in-office administrative and clerical support, child and family transportation, child mentoring, community outreach, and special events such as BFP’s annual holiday foster child gift drive and adoption awareness “Walk for Love.”
Click here to RSVP for the next volunteer monthly meeting on May 16th at 6PM
Is this the year you choose to become an adoptive parent?
Each year, many children who have been permanently removed from their homes become available for adoption. They are toddlers, young children, sibling groups and teenagers. Each is unique and precious, and each is looking for their 'forever home'..jpg){kind=logo}
While becoming an adoptive parent is no small task, the rewards for opening your heart and home to a child are incredible. You help to shape a child's life, provide them with safety and security, and nuture them to become the best that they can be! Many children who were adopted are now some of our greatest leaders and business people; they are who they are because of the oppoprtunities they had, thanks to their adoptive parents.
So will this be the year you consider adoption?
For more information visit our Heart Gallery at www.heartgallerybrevard.org.
Brevard Family Partnership is a COA Accredited Agency
FSFN Corner
Information for Foster and Adoptive Parents, and Independent Living Youth
Beginning July 1, 2011 the State of Florida, Department of Children and Families (DCF) mandated that each community based care agency contracting with DCF to process payments through Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN) for foster care room & board, maintenance adoption subsidies and independent living youth subsidies and program support, etc. prior to issuing checks and electronic funds transfers.
Brevard Family Partnership (BFP) has met this mandate and all of the payment activity is now being processed through FSFN. With this new processing BFP has identified a single point of contact for all of your questions and concerns regarding your payments and other related matters.
- For Foster Parents and Group Homes – BFP Intake Unit at (321) 752-4650
- For Adoptive Parents – BFP Child & Family Program Manager LaChrista Jones (321) 752-4650 x3053
- For Independent Living Youth – Crosswinds Youth Services (321) 452-0800
To address any concerns you might have regarding the timing of your payments, please refer to the schedule below for your designated area for the window in which you should expect your payments whether in the form of a physical check or as a direct deposit.
- For Foster Parents and Group Homes – between the 14th and 18th of the month
- For Adoptive Parents – between the 20th and the 26th of the month
- For Independent Living Youth – the first business day of the month
BFP offers a direct deposit program which avoids you having to wait on mail deliver. Typically direct deposit payments are available in your bank accounts a couple of days before you would receive a physical check. If interested in our direct deposit program, please contact the appropriate designee listed above to request the form and instructions needed to initiate this process.
Your patience and understanding through the continued refinement of this payment process is most appreciated. Please know that we welcome communication on any challenges you may experience.