Brighter Futures

WWW.EDGEWOOD.ORG SUMMER 2011

News from Edgewood Center for Children and Families

CEO LetterOne of my first priorities as CEO has been to help formulate a strategic vision that will contribute to the success of Edgewood for the next 160 years. The goal is to position the agency to better respond to the rapid changes affecting the field of human services. Staff input and consultations with industry leaders has led to a sound and viable vision that now serves as a guide to the work we do here at Edgewood.

Education services and integrated, family-focused programs are two of the major themes of the new strategic vision. This edition of Brighter Futures showcases these priorities. An article on page 3 reports on the recent review of our Non-Public School by the California Department of Education. The glowing review demonstrates the quality of our education programs which we hope to expand as part of the new vision. On page 6, you can read about the kick-off event for the Family Connections Program. This program provides a transformative approach to residential treatment, breaking down the traditional barriers between residential and intensive in-home services. The program stresses continuity and heavy family involvement at all levels of care.

Stay tuned for upcoming issues of Brighter Futures for additional updates on how we are making our strategic vision a reality.

Sincerely,

Matthew Madaus, LCSW CEO

Sean was eight years old when his aunt started bringing him for treatment to Edgewood San Mateo Child and Family Treatment Collaborative, a program that provides mental health services aimed at helping children and families develop the skills necessary to have a healthy home environment. A slight African-American boy with sparkling brown eyes, Sean was bounced from relative to relative around the Bay Area while his mother battled a dependency on crack cocaine. His assigned Collaborative clinician took note of Sean’s difficulty sitting still and listening to authority figures, all expressions of his turbulent life.

Sean had already attended three different schools by his second year of elementary school. Most school days ended with Sean running away or getting so frustrated he had to be restrained or taken home by the police. Meeting with a therapeutic behavior coach at Edgewood provided him with one-on-one guidance on how to manage his feelings at school. As Sean improved, it was clear that it would be helpful to have his mother involved in his treatment. Through the coach’s

connections at San Mateo County Human Services Agency, Sean’s mother was able to enroll in an outpatient drug rehabilitation program and begin planning her future with Sean in Edgewood family conferencing sessions.

With the clarity that sobriety brought, Sean’s mother had a new drive to reunite her family. She found a job at a nearby fast food restaurant and the family’s case manager helped her secure low-income housing. Edgewood furnished the house, including a set of prized dishes on which Sean’s mother served the family’s first and subsequent dinners together.

Sean was able to take the tools he learned from his coach and clinician to succeed in his community. He joined the East Palo Alto Boys and Girls Club and started playing group sports at the YMCA. Because Sean’s behavior was so changed, Edgewood services were no longer needed and Child Protective Services restored Sean to his mother’s custody.

Edgewood transformed Sean’s life by giving him back the family he deserved.

Story of Hope: Sean

The 45th Annual Edgewood Fair: Guest Speaker and Tales of the City Author, Amistead Maupin; Meg Heinicke, Fair Chair; Janet Lautenberger, Auxiliary President; Kelly Wyllie, Sponsorship Chair. More photographs on page 7.

Photographs by Moanalani Jeffrey.

The Olympic Club Foundation gave a $4,000 grant to support the Sports and Recreation Program. This program encourages youth with histories of abuse, trauma, neglect, and mental illness to embrace their full potential and build self-confidence through athleticism, sportsmanship, teamwork, and active participation.

Edgewood Non-Public School New Mascot, the Eagle!Children stomped their feet along the worn floorboards of the C. Frederick Kohl Memorial Gymnasium, chanting at a louder and louder pitch, “EAGLES, EAGLES, EAGLES!” Teachers and staff members shared the enthusiasm and cheer. The afternoon was grey and raining outside, but the excitement inside Edgewood San Francisco couldn’t have been sunnier.

“It’s our pep rally, ya know?” exclaimed one of the students. “We’re the best!”

The inaugural rally was held to unveil the school’s brand new mascot, the Edgewood Eagle. Students chose the eagle in a school-wide vote. The bold and majestic eagle embodies strength and tenacity, inspires respect, and alludes to the transformative power of soaring to new heights. The Edgewood Eagle was designed pro-bono by David Byrd and Brian Perkins of the renowned advertising agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners.

Edgewood Non-Public School has participated in the Bay Area non-public school sports league for almost two years.

The sports league is comprised of students from seven other non-public schools. Edgewood physical education teacher Noam Scott was the primary advocate for Edgewood to join the league.

“Teaching P.E. here for three years, I’ve seen the impact sports has on these kids. It’s inclusive and allows them to build self-esteem and confidence. The league is really unique. The schools work together to promote athleticism, participation, safety, and self-awareness. There is a really strong sense of respect that transcends sides.”

The program has been widely successful. Out of 70 students, 27 tried out to be on the basketball team and 14 students made the team up from five last year. They finished the season 7–4. For the youth who don’t play on the teams, the Edgewood Eagle is still a great source of pride.

Go Eagles!

Brighter FuturesEdgewood Center for Children and Families Summer 2011 Edition

About Edgewood

Celebrating its 160th anniversary in 2011, Edgewood Center for Children and Families (Edgewood) helps children and families take back their future by working with them to overcome severe challenges like abuse, neglect, mental illness and crisis. The oldest children’s charity in the western U.S., Edgewood has evolved to meet the community’s changing needs. What began as a refuge for Gold Rush orphans is now a nationally recognized, multifaceted agency. Edgewood serves more than 5,000 children and families in the Bay Area each year through behavioral health, family support, and educational services. Edgewood: transforming lives, restoring hope.

Mission Statement

To strengthen children, youth, families, and their communities through service, training, advocacy, and research.

Board of Directors

Paul B. Holm, Jr., Chairman

Brooke Shields, Vice Chairman

Matt Madaus, LCSW, President and CEO

Donna B. Abrahamson

Suzanne Baird

John J. Bell

Elizabeth Strong Coover

Denise Dettore

Julie Flynn

Graeme Hanson, M.D.

Jeannette McCabe Harris

Julene Hunter

Cynthia Lohr

Adrian J. Sawyer

Paul R. Touchstone

Janet Lautenberger, Auxiliary President

Help Edgewood build better lives and brighter futures for thousands of San Francisco Bay Area families by getting involved:

Sign-up for volunteer events at edgewood.org/getinvolved/volunteer.

Make a gift at edgewood.org or by calling Edgewood Development at 415.682.3200.

2 For expanded coverage of the Edgewood Eagles, please visit edgewood.org/news/the-soaring-eagles-report-iii.html.

Want to help keep the Eagles strong and fit? Gift them an item from their wish list:

• Baseball Bats (youth size)

• Baseball Gloves

• Basketballs (regular or indoor)

• Basketball Hoop (portable)

• Bicycles

• Bicycle Helmets

• BPA-free water bottles

• Cleats

• Footballs

• Helmets/Pads for Biking or Skating

• Light Free Weights

• Skateboards

• Soccer Balls/Shin Guards

• Sports Illustrated Magazine Subscription

• Tennis balls (new or used)

• Whiffle Balls and Bats

• Yoga Mats

To schedule a time to bring a donation to Edgewood, please call Akiko Ebina at 415.682.3200, email her at akikoe@edgewood.org, or visit edgewood.org/getinvolved/ways-to-give.

Learn more about Edgewood Non-Public School, visit edgewood.org/whatwedo/non-public-school.html. 3

After a three-day in-depth review by the California Department of Education, the lead reviewer found that Edgewood Non-Public School was, “one of the finest non-public schools” she had ever seen, with “spectacular” staff team work that support all the functions of the program. This review occurs every three years to certify that a school is operating under California law. State workers rate compliance across more than fifty areas: administrative, personnel, curriculum, safety, records, etc. The process is a lengthy one. Two weeks prior to the State visiting the site a report is sent to Sacramento. A team of reviewers then visits the site to track eight students. The selected students are followed, their files are reviewed, they are observed in class, and their behavioral health treatment plan is examined. This year, Edgewood teachers were commended for their rigorous instruction and interesting lesson plans. Therapeutic Behavior Coaches (coaches who provide one-on-one behavioral interventions to emotionally disturbed youth and their caregivers to help them reduce and/or manage their

problematic behaviors) were noted for the good relationships they have with the students and their “proactive and preventative positive behavior support.” Other praises about the school included in the report were:

• Clear focus on the student;

• Proactive/preventative behavior intervention in the classroom facili-tating the student’s ability to focus on the instruction, and the teacher’s ability to teach;

• Amazing technology integration;

• Wonderful reinforcement programs in the classroom to support behav-ioral goals;

• Fabulous structured physical educa-tion program;

• Excellent nursing staff;

• Well-written student progress reports.

Congratulations to all the Edgewood Non-Public School staff for all their hard work.

Edgewood Non-Public School Wins Praise from California Department of Education

EDGEWOOD

Pine Pod houses the classrooms for the younger Non-Public School students. Special Education teachers create and implement individualized learning plans based on each student’s specific needs. Instruction focuses on core academic subject matter and critical social skills instruction.

We Say No to Kinship CutsEdgewood relies heavily on government funding. As funding levels decrease, Edgewood continues to face the difficult task of doing more with less. Edgewood Kinship San Mateo is dealing with this challenge right now. The San Mateo County Human Services Agency has recommended a $180,000 cut to kinship. This cut reflects 37% of the program’s entire operating budget and will be devastating to this landmark program. Without these funds, the following services are in jeopardy of being scaled back or cut completely:

• Case management;

• Family counseling;

• Community health services;

• Support groups;

• Childcare;

• Recreational activities.

Edgewood is the only agency in San Mateo County that provides social services specifically aimed toward the needs of kinship caregivers. 2,011 respite hours were provided last year alone. These hours make a difference. 97% of the children served remain in a stable home environment with the primary caregiver involved with the program.

Ms. Debbie Gaspar bravely took over the primary care for her stepson, Tony, despite chronic health issues, including suffering from a hip injury that has required 12 surgeries. In 1999, after being turned down by three different social service agencies, Ms. Gaspar was referred to Edgewood by a social worker. Ms. Gaspar was assigned a case manager who taught her how to navigate the social welfare system.

Edgewood San Mateo is more than an agency for Ms. Gaspar; it is family. She says, “Kinship support groups connect caregivers with peers. You can share things with a safe, non-judging group.”

This sentiment is echoed by Mr. and Mrs. Cole, who at ages 77 and 72 are raising their seven year old granddaughter Kayla. “It is a different world to raise children than it was 40 years ago when we did it

the first time. I don’t think we would be able to do this without the services our case manager found for us. We also take Kayla to recreational activities where she meets other children who are growing up without their biological mom and dad. Edgewood Kinship San Mateo gives her a community that she can’t find in our neighborhood or at her school.”

Because caregivers like the Coles have this outlet, rates of abuse and neglect are lower among these families than rates for foster care placements. Unmet caregiver need is the primary cause for a child to enter foster care.

It is essential San Mateo Human Services Agency continue to fully fund the kinship program so Edgewood can continue to provide support for the ongoing and critical needs of kinship caregivers and the children they raise.

4 Send an automated email to San Mateo County supervisors, visit edgewood.org/whatwedo/advocacy.html.

Who is a kinship caregiver? A kinship caregiver is a relative or friend who is raising someone else’s child in the absence of the biological parents. They can be grandparents, aunts, uncles, or close friends who have a personal relationship with the youth or with one or both of the parents.

Do you live in San Mateo County? Please consider calling your supervisor on behalf of Edgewood.

District 1: Dave Pine, 650.363.4571

District 2: Carole Groom, 650.363.4568

District 3: Don Horsley, 650.363.4569

District 4: Rose Jacobs Gibson, 650.363.4570

Thank You Rebuilding Together, Webcor Builders, and Jensen Corporation for Volunteering in Support of the Edgewood Garden Learning Center National Rebuilding Together Day, Saturday, April 30, 2011 All photographs courtesy of Yolanda Mendoza.

Want to contribute to the Edgewood Garden Learning Center? Please visit edgewood.org/getinvolved/gardennamingopps.html. 5call

Volunteer activities

featured a barbeque lunch, speeches from representatives across the state including: master of ceremonies John Franz, Lead Program Consultant for Residential Based Services/Family Connections Program; Debby Jeter, Deputy Director, San Francisco Human Services Agency; Miryam Choca, Senior Director, California Strategic Consultation, Casey Family Programs; Greg Rose, Deputy Director, California Department of Children’s Services; Carroll Schroeder, Executive Director, California Alliance of Child and Family Services; and a family panel. City and State officials applauded the shift in the type of residential care Family Connections Program represents. John Franz called the initiative “groundbreaking, no other state has done this level of collaboration between state, county, and federal government.” and Greg Rose referred to the passing of Assembly Bill 1453 as “leading the pathway to permanency . . . this reminds me of why I entered social work in the first place.”

Family panel participant Yolanda could already feel the impact the program has had on her family in the short time the program has been in existence. “It is so nice to be included in the process. The staff actually wants to know how I’m doing whenever I visit. I like to hang out with the other kids. We baked cupcakes together.”

Miryam Choca summed up the research behind the program best with the simple statement, “kids do better in families.”

Edgewood is pleased to be a participant in the Family Connections Program along with the City and County of San Francisco, St. Vincent’s School for Boys, and Seneca Center. Part of a state-wide pilot project to offer Residentially Based Services (RBS) to improve outcomes for children and youth, the goal of Family Connections Program is to help children, youth and their families achieve and sustain positive and permanent relationships. Family Connections Program provides a comprehensive array of services for families who have highly disrupted relationships and need support to reconnect. This pilot project, a result of Assembly Bill 1453 which strives to

“transform the current system of group care for foster children,” will deliver enhanced services to families.“A unique aspect of RBS is that each child or youth and family will experience continuity of care across living environments,” said Debby Jeter, Deputy Director of the San Francisco Human Services Agency, Family & Children Services Division. “The same direct care team will remain consistent whether the child or youth is in a residential cottage, in a foster or relative caregiver home, or back home with their family.”

An event was held at Edgewood San Francisco to kick off the program that

Family Connections Program Kick-Off Event Thursday, May 19, 2011

Supporters and Events

6 Learn more at edgewood.org/whatwedo/intensive/familyconnectionsprogram.html.

Edgewood Family Connections Program staff. Serving families with children who up until now have required extended placements in high level group homes, the Family Connections Program uses a methodology that fundamentally transforms the nature of traditional residential services.

Edgewood staff led tours in the newly refurbished Halleck residential cottage, home of the Family Connections Program.

Family Connections Program Guiding Principles

• Respect the family’s culture, individuality, and humanity

• Focus and build plans of care on the individual strengths, needs and goals

• Ensure active and equitable family participation

• Understand and support the emotional, behavioral, intellectual and physical development of children and youth

• Help children and youth to: replace behaviors requiring residential placement with pro-social alternatives that best express and address their unmet needs; develop and sustain positive connections and remain safely with family, school and communities

Super Hero ($10,000+)

Dodge & Cox

Glass Lewis & Co.

Ideas, The Special Events Co., Inc.

Verizon Wireless

WDFA Marketing

Hero ($5,000+)

Suzanne and Douglas Baird

British Motor Car Distributors, Ltd.

The Chill Foundation

Heffernan Insurance Brokers

Susan and Bill Oberndorf

Kim and Jeffrey Qvale

Wildcat Cove Foundation

Guardian ($2,500+)

CAL Insurance and Associates, Inc.

Dan and Stacey Case Family Foundation

Julie and Greg Flynn

Joan O. Lautenberger and Margaret Koniniec

Elizabeth Leep

Mary Ann and Bill Margaretten

The Morrison and Foerster Foundation

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich and Rosati Foundation

Wells Fargo

The 45th Annual Edgewood Fair: San Francisco Days, San Francisco Nights, May 3 - 4, 2011The Golden Gate Club, The Presidio

All photographs courtesy of Moanalani Jeffrey.

Thank you to the Edgewood Auxiliary and the many generous supporters of the 45th Annual Edgewood Fair, San Francisco Days, San Francisco Nights. This two-day social and shopping extravaganza featured the very best of the City by the Bay and helped raise vital funds that go directly towards the children, families and communities served by Edgewood. With a flair for all that is quintessential San Francisco, including special lunch speaker, Armistead Maupin, author of Tales of the City, it truly was “A Fair to Remember.”

To view expanded photo albums from the event, please visit edgewood.org/getinvolved/partnerships/fair2011sponsors.html. 7

Kelly Wyllie, Sponsorship Chair; Meg Heinicke, Fair Chair; andJanet Lautenberger, Auxiliary President

Dr. Robin Randall, Medical Dir. with wife Monique Hosein

Carter Graber; Elizabeth Leep, Membership Chair; Laurel Frazier

Paul B. Holm, Jr., Board President, Donna B. Abrahamson, Board Development Chair; Matthew Madaus, CEO

Ifen Carlson with Michelle Stauffer

Lori Shigekane, Production Chair with Jennifer Marples, PR Chair

Kerry Bourdon with Marisa Scordelis, Lunch Chairs

SAN FRANCISCO CAMPUS

1801 VICENTE STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94116

TEL: 415.681.3211

EDGEWOOD SAN MATEO

957 INDUSTRIAL ROAD, SUITE B

SAN CARLOS, CA 94070

TEL: 800.496.3019

EDGEWOOD SAN BRUNO

DROP-IN CENTER

931 SAN BRUNO AVENUE, STE. #1

SAN BRUNO, CA 94066

TEL: 415.375.7626

The mission of Edgewood Center for Children and Families is to strengthen children, youth, families, and their communities through service, training, advocacy, and research.

EDGEWOOD.ORG

Address change requested.

NONPROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

PERMIT NO. 7055

Edgewood. 160 Years of Transforming Lives and Restoring Hope. Since 1851.

In 1911, the San Francisco Protestant Orphanage Asylum (now known as Edgewood) purchased 17.5 acres of land in Alamo to build Camp Swain. For ten weeks each summer, Edgewood children enjoyed the warm East Bay sun and all that the camp had to offer. At its height, the camp included two caretaker homes, boys’ and girls’ dormitories, a dining hall, a nursing building and a swimming pool. Edgewood sold the land in 1946 but continued to visit every summer until 1953 when the land was converted to a cattle ranch.

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Please contact Daniel L. Smith, Sr. Events Fundraising Manager for sponsorship opportunities at 415.682.3201 or

events@edgewood.org.