We have a sensational line-up of faculty this year including…

Mr. Daniel Beaty - Award-winning actor, singer, and writer performing his “Spoken Word.” Mr. Beaty will also be presenting a workshop titled “Pain to Power-One Man’s Journey". Read more about Mr. Beaty on his website at www.danielbeaty.com

Mr. Steve Garagiola – Back by popular demand our Master of Ceremonies for 2012 is Local 4 DetroitAnchor, Steve Garagiola. Steve is the son of Major League Baseball Catcher Joe Garagiola.

Mr. Vander Green – Mr. Green is a Fatherhood Program Specialist for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Ms. Denise DeVaan – Ms. DeVaan is a Senior Consultant with ICF International.

Dr. Randall Turner – Dr. Turner was Vice-President of the National Fatherhood Initiative and is currently a Senior consultant with ICF International.

Mr. Joseph Kozakiewicz – Mr. Kozakiewicz is the Director of the Chance at Childhood Program at Michigan State University.

Mr. Colbert Williams –Mr. Williams is the Site Supervisor with ACMH (Association of Children with Mental Health) Colbert is the father of 2 sons Nathan and DJ. sontoafather.com

Ms. Zenell B. Brown – Ms. Brown is the Wayne County Friend of the Court.

Mr. Kurt Faust - Mr. Faust is the Men’s Outreach Coordinator at Mid-Michigan Pregnancy Outreach Center.

Ms. Amanda Burch – Ms. Burch is a CPS Investigatory Supervisor with the Eaton County Michigan Department of Human Services.

Mr. Terry Keller – Mr. Keller is Assistant Professor of Social work at Lourdes University.

Ms. Joyce Wright – Ms. Wright is the Director of Training for the Michigan Domestic Violence Prevention and Treatment Board.

Mr. Duane Wilson – Mr. Wilson is a National Training Consultant and Master Trainer for the Nurturing Fathers Program and Vice President & co-founder of the Michigan Fatherhood Coalition.

College Goal Sunday for Foster Youth is scheduled on Sunday, February 19th in Fairlane Center South. While our official hours are from 1:00-4:00 p.m., our families arrive as early as noon. We ask that volunteers arrive by 12:30 p.m. and sign in at the volunteer table. Other than your name tag picked up at the volunteer registration table, no special attire is required.

The University of Michigan-Dearborn sponsors the only College Goal Sunday for Foster Youth in the state. In addition to helping foster youth complete the FAFSA online, there is a special program with panelists from state, agency and non-profits who provide information on financial support available to foster youth attending college. In addition, we have a group of Seita Scholars (former foster youth) from Western Michigan University who speak about their foster youth and college experience. It is pretty inspiring. By the way, we are the only college in Michigan with a Foster Youth College Goal Sunday. The link to our campus website is http://www.umd.umich.edu/wwwumdumichedufinancialaid/.

If interested, volunteers can register at http://portal52.dnn2.host1.dynamitedashboard.com/Volunteers/Register.as . The Dearborn Foster Youth Program is listed last. Additional information will be provided to volunteers from EduGuide (coordinator of the Michigan College Goal Sunday effort).

Light refreshments will be available in Dining Area D. Both School of Education computer labs will be open.

Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day—February 13

We are asking everyone in the adoption community to take part in the first grassroots Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day. Unfortunately, many adoptive families are still not aware that this tax credit exists. It is our goal to help ensure that all adoptive families who are eligible to receive this benefit are informed about how to claim the credit.

We are asking everyone, including professionals, advocates, state agencies, families, and others to help broadcast the existence of the adoption tax credit on one given day—February 13. You can either copy this text into an e-mail or print flier you share with others or download a flier to distribute.

Save the Date: Plan now to be part of the Adoption Tax Credit Awareness Day on Monday, February 13, 2012—a national effort highlighting the federal tax credit available to adoptive families.

Play Your Part: Join with adoption organizations, state agencies, adoptive families, advocates, and other interested parties to raise visibility of the adoption tax credit. Help spread the word collectively, through website postings, e-mail blasts, newsletters, social media, and other informational outlets, so eligible families that may not be aware of this benefit can be sure to access the credit. Families who adopted as far back as 2005 may still benefit if they haven’t already. Be sure to include non-internet based strategies since some adoptive families do not have access to the internet.

The Facts:
Since 2003, families who adopted a U.S. child with special needs from foster care could claim a federal adoption tax credit even if they had no adoption expenses (as long as their income was below the fairly generous income requirements).

Children who receive adoption assistance/subsidy benefits are considered children with special needs. Even families who receive a deferred subsidy ($0 per month but medical coverage through the subsidy program) are eligible.

The 2012 Michigan Teen Conference registration is open!

Workers are encouraged to begin talking with foster youth, caregivers and caseworkers about attending the 2012 Michigan Teen Conference Take Charge of Your Journey! Youth In Transition funds can be used to cover costs for youth attending and a portion of the chaperone costs. Get requests for the funds in early and save $$!

The Teen Conference will be held at Ferris State University in Big Rapids, MI.

Find the announcement and registration form to download below, along with details about Sponsor Options. Sign up today!

Doors open at 7:00 PM Friday, February 17, at the Woodside Bible Church, 6600 Rochester Road, Troy (North of Square Lake Road). This special Comedy for a Cause features comedians Anthony Griffith and Ron Pearson and raises funds to benefit long-time Federation Member Promise Village Home for Children.

Download the attached flyer for more information.

September 12-14:
Annual Senior Management Conference
at Shanty Creek's Cedar Village

May 9:
Michigan Federation for Children and Families Annual Spring HR Training Day, at Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Members Event:

April 18:
Adoption/Licensing/Foster Care/Independent Living-Homeless Youth MIN meeting Day

Event for Members of the Michigan Federation for Children and Families
March 14:
11:30 - 1:00 HR Lunch & Learn
1:00-2:30 HR MIN

Based on a True Story: Best Practice for Child Welfare Professionals
March 14, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hall of Justice, Lansing, Michigan

This training presents best practices for child welfare professionals. The training curriculum is based on an actual Michigan case about a child who was placed in care based on incomplete medical evidence. Facilitators will highlight various stages of the legal process to demonstrate what each child welfare professional involved in the case could have done differently to return the child home earlier. The facilitators will use videotaped interviews of the family involved in the case to illustrate the consequences to families when decisions are made based on incomplete medical information.

Target Audience: Judges, referees, attorneys for children and parents, and caseworkers for the Michigan Department of Human Services, tribes, and private agencies.

Self-Care for Child Welfare Professionals: Avoiding Burnout
March 16, 2012 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Hall of Justice, Lansing, Michigan

This half-day workshop is designed to help child welfare professionals identify the behavioral, psychological, and physical symptoms of their personal and professional stressors. Professionals in this field are intimately exposed to the grief and loss that children experience. The workshop presenter will discuss tools for managing stress by recognizing how our personal needs are met by the work we do, setting clear boundaries, and committing to the goal of self-care. Participants will have opportunities to identify their own signs and symptoms, to exchange ideas with others, and to problem-solve on how to reduce stress and increase well-being.

Target Audience: Attorneys working in child welfare, Child Protective Services and Foster Care caseworkers for the Michigan Department of Human Services, tribes, and private agencies.

Twenty slots are open for this special four-day train-the-trainer event on March 7-10, 2012, in Ann Arbor. Completion of this training will earn Instructor Certification by the National Institute for Healing and Wellness, certifying you to assist parents and professionals and educators struggling with the most difficult behaviors displayed by children with trauma histories. This boot camp will review components of groundbreaking approaches and provide tools to assist you in instructing successful classes. This intensive training utilizes proven brain-based wellness approaches with stressed and traumatized children, adolescents and adults by implementing a revolutionary and non-traditional method that incorporates body/mind research, neuro-relational research, resilience approaches and trauma-informed care. Read all about it at this link: http://www.healingtheinsidechild.com/bootcamp.php

Application approval for 24 SW CECHs is pending.
A special offer—$100 coupon—is downloadable as an attachment.

The 16th Annual Governor's Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect Summit: "Calling all Dads! The Importance of Fathers in Children's Lives"

October 20-21, 2011 at the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Target Audience: Attorneys, Judges, Social Workers, and other child welfare professionals.

Find full details of Wedgwood Institute’s spring schedule of workshops in the attached brochure. Sessions for spring include:
➢ April 12: Children and Teens with ADHD
➢ April 19: Conflict Resolution
➢ April 26 and June 24: Becoming Trauma Sensitive
➢ May 10: Treating Terrified Children
➢ May 17: Cultural Competence
➢ June 14: Human Trafficking Seminar