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Spring is finally here and it is time for the showers of April and the

growth of new life that occurs in spring. Soon we will have grass to

cut, shrubs and trees to trim and the heat and humidity of summer.

Other things many of us look forward to is the graduations that occur

during this season. If you, one of your own children or a foster child is

graduating from any school, college or university, please let us know

by May 1 so we can recognized them next month in the May

Newsletter.

The month of May is Foster Care Awareness Month and several activities will occur to

recognize the important work of Resource Parents. See the ads in this newsletter for

further details.

From The Desk Of Mike Nason

April 2015 Volume 2, Issue 4

May Resource Parent Activities

Foster Care Brunch - May 2

Career Fair – May 7 See ad in this newsletter

Foster Parent’s Night Out - TBA

Targeted Recruitment May 20 & 27

Super Saturday May 30

Details will follow later

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https://www.dropbox.com/s/inibpt1av7id8bq/Volunteer%20Req%20Ltr%20Memphis%20RP%20and%20Staff%20

2015.doc?dl=0

Saturday, June 27, 2015

Overton Park, 1914 Poplar Avenue

8:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Registration Begins at 8:00 a.m. Walk Begins at 9:00

a.m.

Greetings! I LOVE my home state of Mississippi! After

graduating from Mississippi State University with a degree in

Educational Psychology/minor in Counselor Education, I moved

to Memphis, TN due to employment. I’ve worked in the field of

child welfare for the past 13 years. I’ve been employee with the

Department of Children Services for ten years. I’ve worked as an

Adoption Specialist, Family Service Worker and currently

Resource Home Support. I’ve worked in this area for the last

three years and I have truly enjoyed this area. It has been a

pleasure getting to interact with families in this aspect. In my

free time I enjoy window shopping, walking, creating/trying new

recipes and discovering new restaurants. One of my favorite

quotes is by Zora Neale Hurston, “Research is formalized

curiosity. It is poking and prying with a purpose.” It’s a great

reminder to always have a purpose in whatever you do!

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April Anniversary Congratulations

Name Date Years as a Resource Parent

Bohannon, Kevin & Kimberly 4/12/13 2

Braxton, Doris 4/10/14 1

Chaney, Scott & Lisa 4/7/14 1

Ciesiolka, Richard and Betty 4/4/14 1

Cobb, Cindy 4/28/13 2

Dorsey, Cedric 4/21/14 1

Dotson, Tammy 4/21/14 1

Hubbard, Mea 4/10/14 1

Ingram, Tracy 4/10/14 1

Kinard, Aaron & Nichole 4/15/14 1

McShane, Cynthia & Eligah 4/4/13 2

Rork, Cynthia 4/18/13 2

Sharp, Marvel & Latrice 4/4/11 4

Smith, Evelyn 4/12/13 2

Smith, Terry & Sabrina 4/9/14 1

Stigler, Jared & Kaitlyn 4/14/13 2

Walker, Collette 4/18/13 2

Resource Parent, there are discussions that will come up while caring for children that are in

state custody. These discussions include haircuts, ear piercing, and putting chemicals in

children hair. Any change to the child/youth appearance must be discussed within the Child

and Family Team Meeting with the Birth Parents. As a resource parent, you ONLY have the

right to change their appearance if the Parental Rights are terminated. Remember to

preserve the continuity of the child’s racial, ethnic, religious, and cultural identity in a positive

manner (Policy 16.3 H. #3). By Jarrita Jones, RPS Specialist

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to Our New Resource Parents Since Last Newsletter

Samantha Travis - Kinship

Maria Watson – Kinship

Terry and Diane Neal – Kinship

Kendall Turner & Stephen DeWitt

Susan & Carlos Dease

Doris Morris

Christin Little

Tidbits from the Resource Parent Bill of Rights

The department shall provide the foster parent(s) with a clear

explanation and understanding of the role of the department and the

role of the members of the child's birth family in a child's foster care.

Tidbit 2

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April 22-23, 2015 for April 1-15

May 6-7, 2015 for April 16-30

May 20-21, 2015 for May 1-15

June 4-5, 2015 for May 16-31

Supplemental call in dates will be announced at a later date.

Website: https://apps.tn.gov/fpv/

Phone 1-877-318-5064