Date: Thursday, September 22nd
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. EST
Hosted by: First Home Care
Registration Link: 

Questions:

Join us for an interactive and educational presentation specifically addresses the unique needs of youth who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Queer, Transgender, and/or more (+).

Meet the trainer:

Delton Harris, MSW
Richmond, VA- Virginia Commonwealth University – He/They

Delton is an upcoming fourth-year PhD student in the Healthcare Policy and Research program at Virginia Commonwealth University. He was born and raised in Durham, NC, and earned his bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the University of North Caroline at Charlotte. Since earning his Master of Social Work (MSW) degree, Delton has spent much of his time earning his licensure and practicing as a licensed psychotherapist in NC and VA, specifically working with Black and Latin individuals, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and individuals diagnosed with HIV. Additionally, Delton has prioritized researching, training, and educating mental and physical health practitioners regarding best practices to engage and treat transgender individuals.  Due to Delton’s experience both personally and professionally, he has a unique perspective and curiosity about health care disparities and policies, leading him to ask about and investigate healthcare, behaviors, relationships, and solutions. Delton is preparing his dissertation on examining the equity in the current HIV testing guidelines and access to culturally component HIV testing for transgender individuals.

An engaging presentation and interactive discussion that helps the community learn about the warning signs of mental health conditions and what steps to take if you or a loved one need help or support. Including personal testimony from and conversation with a youth or young adult with lived experience. The presentation’s message of empathy and hope encourages all to actively care for themselves and their loved ones. Also, an informative discussion on how to find resources and care that are most relevant and helpful for you and your loved ones. To include how and where to find providers, what questions to ask, what different qualifications and keywords mean, and more!

Thank you, NAMI Coastal Virginia, Jessica, and Melvin, for your amazing presentation of Ending the Silence and for sharing your stories! FHC is grateful for your partnership and the advocacy that you do to end the silence.

Attendee Feedback

-“Thank you for opening this up to many people and allowing us this time for free. It is much appreciated. what great info and testimonies. ❤️”

– “Thank you so much for this presentation and sharing your testimonies! ~Blessings!”

– “This has been great! Thank you.”

– “Both of you are inspiring…thank you so much for speaking today!”

-“Great Content and love tha tthere was someone with lived experience. Very well done. Thank you.”

Meet the trainer:

Jessica Huffman, MA, Resident in Counseling
Doctoral Student, Counselor Education and Supervision
Title IX Advocate and Community Wellbeing Support Clinic Counselor, Old Dominion University
NAMI Coastal Virginia Advocate and Board Member

www.namicoastalvirginia.org

What makes a good family and who determines what is good? This workshop will delve into modern racism that persists in the foster care system that contributes to children of color being disproportionately represented in the foster care system. Many children of color are entering the system due to their families being low income and them being considered neglected. A new Child Trends brief argues that reframing Black families’ cultural assets—i.e., the core protective elements that many U.S. Black families share, such as cultural values, traditions, and practices—is crucial to developing policies and practices that enhance their well-being. We will discuss what can be done on the ground and support more reunification of families.

Thank you to Allison for your eye-opening workshop and your dedication to the children and families of Virginia.

Attendee feedback:

• “It was Deep, True and Awesome!”
• “This was an amazing training with excellent resources that I plan to utilize. Our presenter was engaging and very knowledgeable. Excellent, excellent training choice.”
• “Phenomenal presentation. Thank you, Allison for enlightening us on such sensitive topics that needed to be discussed.”
• “This was probably the VERY best virtual session I have seen and if you can achieve this, I can’t even imagine an in person session.”
• “Great information and from a different point of view. Great job and information.”
• “Thank you, Allison! Thank you for sharing a part of your story and helping us learn more how to advocate more for social justice! This presentation has definitely helped me as a worker and human become more aware!” 

Meet the trainer:

Allison Gilbreath, MSW
Policy and Programs Director at Voices for Virginia’s Children

Email: allison@vakids.org

Allison Gilbreath leads Voices for Virginia’s Children’s child welfare policy work as well as the implementation of advocacy programs, elevating policy conversations across all policy areas. Allison created Voices’ foster care policy network, a group comprised of partners, direct service providers, families, and youth who create a foster care unified agenda each year. She also helped to create the first-ever bi-partisan foster care caucus with the Virginia General Assembly.

Child welfare, as its name implies, has historically focused on providing services to children. While many of its principles may also apply to working with youth/teens in foster care, given the different developmental needs and the number of youth in care, a more customized approach is needed to respond to youth’s developmental, social, and practical needs. This interactive workshop will highlight practical ways to apply the Youth Welfare Approach in service provision that effectively engages youth to be more actively involved in their case planning. Key concepts will include Shifting Our Lens from Child Welfare to Youth Welfare and utilizing a Good-Better-Best continuum to provide services to youth.

Thank you to Chauncey Strong for facilitating another wonderful training, this time about our youth!

Attendee feedback:

“Worth it every time”

“Always motivational and encouraging to hear his trainings. Thank you!”

“Chauncey is wonderful and engaging trainer. I like the way he was able to connect real life experiences to the work we do. His passion for the work we do is contagious!”

“Mr. Strong was engaging and came with a wealth of knowledge. I love that he spoke from firsthand experience. His story was so moving.”

“This is my second time participating in a training facilitated by Mr. Strong. He is an excellent presenter and the information was meaningful and inspiring!”

Meet the trainer:

CHAUNCEY STRONG, MSW

Chauncey Strong, MSW, is a child welfare advocate with more than 26 years of child welfare experience specializing in foster care and adoption. He is the Executive Director of Strong Training and Consulting, LLC, where he provides training and consulting throughout the country. Chauncey is a motivational speaker and a committed advocate for children and families and has dedicated his career to improving the outcomes of children and families involved in the child welfare system.

Chauncey Strong, MSW
Executive Director
804-338-3071
https://strongfamilytraining.com

This interactive training will highlight how music can help children who have experienced trauma. We will explore the use of Music to Connect with Foster Children, Music Therapy Groups and Socialization and Individual Music Therapy at any developmental stage as a treatment experience.

Thank you to Ashley for sharing your passion for music and sharing tools on how to use music to help children who have been through trauma.

Attendee feedback:

“This training was amazing and face us really good tools to use.”

“It was very organized and each presenter was great!”

 “Thank you! I plan to utilize the information in my work and personal life.”

“Great presentation and information for integrating music into the curriculum.”

“Wonderful listening to you, Ashley. Lots of wisdom!”

“This was a fantastic presentation! Thank you so much!”

Meet the trainer:

Ashley Carrol, MA, MT-BC: ashley.carroll@tidewatermusictherapy.com

Tidewater Music Therapy: https://tidewatermusictherapy.com/

Today, there is nothing more fearful for a parent than the thought of their child/youth becoming a trending hashtag name on social media; due to an interaction with law enforcement. The fear and anxiety among parents are real. The same can be said for our YOUTH. This thought-provoking conversation explores the complex nuances and social intricacies of police-youth relations. We take an in-depth look at how information shared with dispatch personnel can influence the impending potential police-youth interaction, we will analyze implicit and explicit bias, and discuss strategies of having “the talk” with youth. The goal of this conversation is to arm participants with the knowledge and practical strategies that lead to better understanding among all parties involved.

Thank you to Adrian McLemore for facilitating this important conversation! We are grateful for your insight and commitment to children in care.

Attendee feedback:

“Adrian was insightful and provided great information. I highly enjoyed the training.”

“Great topic and enjoyed the presenter.”

“The trainer was amazing I love his energy and knowledge.”

“Engaging and educational.”

“This training was insightful, informative, fun and interesting. Adrian was an excellent presenter with the right amount of interaction that it was not boring…”

“Very engaging and presented great content. I thoroughly enjoyed it!”

“Excellent job and great perspectives.”

“It was interactive and relatable.”

“The Presenter did a phenomenal job relaying the information.”

“Wonderful!!”

Adrian McLemore
National Consultant
http://adrianmclemore.com/

The theme for Social Work Month 2021 is Social Workers Are Essential. In child welfare, Social Workers perform a vital service in society by finding permanent homes for children in foster care. You are essential, and your work matters because you impact children and families’ lives in a profound and lasting manner. This interactive training will highlight the importance of youth permanency and why the social workers’ role is essential to helping them reach this goal. We will also explore the importance of self-care and appreciate social workers for all you do for children and families.

Thank you to Chauncey Strong for your inspiring training! We are grateful for your insight and commitment to children in care.

Attendee feedback:

“I think Mr. Strong is one of the best presenters I have encountered.”

“Chauncey is a great speaker and made the online space seem more personable.”

“It was so uplifting. Just as I am considering retiring as I will have 30 years in the system in 11 months, It almost makes me want to stay and keep on making a difference in people’s life especially children.”

“Very informative and entertaining.”

Chauncey Strong, MSW
Executive Director
(804) 338-3071
https://strongfamilytraining.com

In 2020 we had 28 children adopted by our foster families, with more still to be finalized.  We are always so proud and appreciative of the families that choose to adopt.  Our adoption celebrations will look a little different this year with many being held virtually.  Tidewater will be holding a virtual sand ceremony with cake and a gift being delivered to the house.  Richmond will deliver to each family an “Adoption Made Us a Family” personalized heart ornament, a certificate, balloons saying “It’s a Boy or I’’s a Girl” and a gift card.  Roanoke is hosting their families at The Hotel Roanoke for a socially distanced dinner. Alexandria is honoring their families by mailing a Thank You! box.  Each will have a Jockey personalized book bag for the youth, a small token of appreciation for the families that will include; a small candle, adoption keychain, candy and a flower pot.  A big thank you to our foster and adoptive parents who open up their hearts and home to the foster youth of Virginia.

To get just a glimpse into why our adoptive families opened up their homes to foster youth and then permanently into their hearts and homes, we asked a couple of our adoptive parents to share their stories.  With the stories we received, we see a trend on how it is actually the child that changes the family’s lives for the better, not just the adoptive family changing the child’s. 

“We have been lucky to adopt most of the children we have had with us through foster care.  Sometimes I hear the statement “You all have changed their lives!” No! THEY HAVE CHANGED OURS!” -FHC Foster and Adoptive Parent

“People often tell us that the Littles are so lucky to have us in their life – but it is just the opposite. We are lucky to have them in our life. They saved me from – hell, I do not know what… But they saved me and have given me a purpose in my life.” -FHC Foster and Adoptive Parent 

Our Executive Director shares her thoughts on the meaning on adoption for National Adoption Month

When I think of adoption the first word that comes to mind is “Family” and the next word is “finally”…

I have been in this helping field for several years. I have seen families detached, broken, and quite frankly stuck. I have also seen families empowered, repositioned, and reconditioned. In the midst of the various phases there is a moment that always brings about a feeling of delight and utter excitement. A sigh of relief that the process truly works. That moment is a finalized adoption. 

I envision day #1 of a child or sibling group coming into care with all the unknowns. Will this one last? Will the right combination of support be offered? Will this be a fit? Is there a such thing as a “forever home.” And then the journey begins with its high moments and fair share of lumps and bumps. The laughter, the tears, the questioning of it all being worth it. 

Working with First Home Care has offered opportunities to be a part of that moment of delight and excitement again and again and again every time a family makes the decision to remain connected and together forever. 

Happy Adoption Month to all the families and individuals involved in the process! This is what it is all about. The ‘Heart’ work that you were chosen and purposed to do. We salute you and thank you for making a child’s dream come true, for changing a life, and opening up a world of memories and experiences that only a Forever Family can bring.  

-Rasheena Harris, Executive Director

First Home Care Tidewater location became a No Hit Zone in December 2017. No Hit Zone is Champions for Children: Prevent Child Abuse Hampton Roads’ major initiative to ensure healthier, more productive communities by raising healthier children. No Hit Zones are safe, public places for children and adults that discourage the use of physical punishment on children. While fundamentally the No Hit Zone aims to prevent hitting in the short-term, it also serves to improve long-term child and adult health. Core elements of the No Hit Zone initiative include education and staff training to ensure a safe and friendly environment. Posters and informational materials are located around the Tidewater office, clearly outlining the key rules of a No Hit Zone. First Home Care Tidewater receives comprehensive staff training’s on nonviolent conflict resolution and supportive communication, as well as a distraction kit filled with child friendly toys to help diffuse potentially troublesome situations. By providing supportive and helpful intervention in times of stressful and potentially physical interactions, No Hit Zone sites help promote strategies to end physical punishment.