May 18, 2001

Present: Andrea Andreasen: USF Kinship Support Center; Amy Caparratto: USF Kinship Support Center;  Kate Carter: Family Resources, Inc.; Laura Caruthers: Gift of Life; Carol Chambers: Catholic Charities; Desiree  Cheeseman: Department of Corrections Even Start Project; Larry Cooper: The Children’s Home, Inc.; Brent Elrod; Family Resources, Inc.; Jo Fort: United Cerebral Palsy;  Judy Hall: USF Kinship Support Center; Patricia Howard: Family Resources, Inc.; Martha Kobres: Seniors In Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.; Kerry Krisman: USF Kinship Support Center; LaSandra McGrew: USF Kinship Support Center; Nancy McWilliams: Seniors In Service of Tampa Bay, Inc.; Michael Oliver: Department of Corrections Even Start Project; Harriet Rayner: Gift of Life; John Rivas: Catholic Charities;  Aimee Rivera: Mental Health Center;  Jackie Shields: Family Resources, Inc.; Aaron Smith: USF Kinship Support Center; Marilyn Spinnichia: Pinellas County Schools; Anne Strozier: USF Kinship Support Center.

            Anne Strozier called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. Introductions were made. Kerry Krisman read a personal excerpt about kinship care to begin the meeting. Anne asked if there were any corrections to the minutes for the meeting on March 23, 2001. Desiree Cheeseman stated that she meets with the children she works with twice a month not twice a week. After this correction was mentioned, the minutes were approved.

            Anne introduced Andrea Andreasen as the newest member of the Kinship Support Center team. Andrea is the Kinship Center Support Group Coordinator. In Hillsborough county, she will be assisting current support groups and helping to create new groups where needed. Next, Anne spoke about the Grandparents Raising Grandchildren trip to Tallahassee on April 25^th. The group left Tampa at 8am and returned at 11pm. There were seventeen participating grandparents from Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Pictures were passed around of the Grandparents with several different legislators. Jackie Shields briefly spoke about the trip. She thought it was very interesting. Some of the meetings were really encouraging and some were not. She did not like that no legislators wrote anything down. But she looks forward to going next year.  Next, Jackie Shields, Kate Carter, and Brent Elrod were acknowledged for their help in organizing the St. Petersburg group for this trip. Annette Royal and the Family Enrichment Center was acknowledged at this time also. At the gallery for the House of Representatives Sandra Murman recognized the Grandparents and everyone applauded them. Aaron Smith added that a scrolling markee in the legislative room welcomed the grandparents. Also, the grandparents were not shy at all and made their presence known. Brent Elrod wanted to thank Jackie Shields for planning the trip for the St. Petersburg grandparents. She was employed only for one month when she was asked to plan the trip. Brent said the grandparents were very grateful and enjoyed traveling. Judy Hall reminded everyone that it was the grandparents’ idea to have an organized trip to Tallahassee and that they voiced this idea at the teleconference.

            Next, Anne spoke about upcoming conferences the Kinship Support Center is going to be presenting at. The first one, sponsored by NASW of Florida,  is on June 14^th and the topic is Health Issues of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. Next is the National Child Welfare League of America Kinship Care Conference in Chicago, IL.  Generations United sponsors an International Conference in October. The Kinship Support Center will be presenting material here as well. 

            Aaron spoke briefly about what the Kinship Support Center does. Next, Aaron spoke about the Tradition of Caring educational sessions for kinship caregivers. The Child Welfare League of America out of Washington, D.C. is developing educational supportive services to grandparents and other relatives raising children. The Kinship Support Center has been conducting focus groups and pilot tests. It is the only site in the country that is evaluating this program for development.  Mattie Satterfield, Child Welfare League director, will be having dinner in the near future with the Kinship Support Center members.

            Kerry passed out copies of an article written about the Kinship Care Warmline that was published this month in a statewide newspaper for seniors. Next, she spoke about her trip to the Jane Addams School of Social Work Kinship Care and her training at their Kinship Care Practice Project. Partnerships were developed. 

            LaSandra McGrew, coordinator for the Kinship Care Connection, a school based program for grandparents and other relatives raising children and the children themselves, reported that the end of school is very close. At this time, only two schools are being served, Oak Park elementary and Palm River elementary. The students have been  doing much better, academics and behavior have improved and self-esteem has increased. She will be doing a post test and will report the results at the next advisory meeting. 

            Amy Caparratto reported that since January there have been about 85 warmline calls. The primary needs requested are emotional support and assistance with legal issues.

Amy asked that if anyone needed warmline brochures to let the Kinship Support Center know.

            Kerry passed out an article written by the Urban Institute concerning how children in relative care are faring.

            Judy Hall is evaluating the family heritage project at Family Resources, Inc. Another project Judy is continuing research on is incarcerated biological parents, relative caregivers, and children. They are interviewing incarcerated biological parents about their relationships with their children. Judy is trying to start a MSW program at the St. Pete campus and would like to know who is interested. Anyone interested can call her for more information.

            Andrea Andreasen has been meeting with kinship children and  their families. She has also met with the support group leaders in Hillsborough county. She facilitated a support group meeting for all support group leaders in Hillsborough county. They are continuing to support each other and are trying to find ways to improve the groups and start new groups in other areas as needed.

              Aimee Rivera is the new case manager for Mental Health care located in Plant City. She is currently trying to engage families because her numbers are small.

            Larry Cooper, The Children’s Home, reported that Hillsborough Partners has expanded and they now have a second case manager. Support group is going good and they have a van for families who need a ride. In early June they are having a picnic for the families at Lowry park zoo. There will be more training from Hillsborough Partners in the near future.

            Judy Hall suggested that all agencies involved in kinship work collaboratively to solve the transportation problem at support groups. She suggested looking into buying a van and sharing it with all groups. Harriet Rayner offered to research grants for transportation.

            Jackie Shields, Family Resources, is very excited to be working with kinship families. She was a graduate of the Family Hertiage program and would like to find a way to keep the families involved post Family Heritage program. Martha Kobres suggested inviting them to support groups by a mailing list. Desiree Cheeseman suggested inviting those who have completed the program to return as a guest speaker for those currently enrolled in the program. Laura Caruthers suggested throwing a Christmas party and inviting all of the graduates. Brent Elrod is thinking about having a summer picnic/outing and inviting the graduates of the first two groups. Andrea Andreasen suggested having a telephone support group.

            Patricia Howard, Family Resources, spoke about her trip to the National child Abuse and Negliance Conference in Albuquerque, Mexico. She spoke about the great success the conference was and how many people enjoyed listening to her story. In fact, everyone stood up and applauded her.

            Brent Elrod, Family Resources, is currently trying to expand the Family Heritage program. The proposal is due on Monday. The Family Heritage program is a twelve week course that targets at risk youth whose biological parents are battling substance abuse. Brent will bring  a twelve minute video on the Family Heritage program  to a future advisory meeting. He is very pleased with the Mexico conference and is looking forward to the conference in Chicago in July.

            Nancy McWilliams and Martha Kobres, Seniors In Service, are worried about not meeting their numbers because referrals are very slow at this time. Martha, their case manager, has been going to schools in her assigned area and speaking to the school social workers and guidance counselors about their program. She plans to continue going to schools in the fall when school starts again. Martha also has visited churches, recreational centers, and boy and girls clubs to spread the word about kinship care. She attends shelter audits at DCF to find kinship families. She has fifteen active families at this time. The support group has on an average four to six families with about twenty-five children (which are mostly teenagers). Martha is working on a recipe book for the grandparents which will be published and sold as a fundraiser. She has a coupon exchange for the grandparents also. Martha has a great need for transportation for the support group, and housing and headstart/daycare continue to be a problem for the case management families.

            Marilyn Spinnichia, Pinellas County Schools, is a social worker in three counties. She would like to know where to refer kinship care families. She will be attending a kickoff meeting soon and about ninety social workers in Pinellas county will be present.

            Carol Chambers and John Rivas, Catholic Charities, are brand new to kinship care. John is the new case manager and will be covering the zip codes in the  Ruskin, Sun City, and  Wimama areas. He is currently waiting for referrals and is making a brochure that is in English and Spanish.

            Michael Oliver, Department of Corrections Even Start Project, works with caregivers who are caring for children because of parental incarceration. He finds working with the caregivers is a challenge because he feels that they are not euthiastic. The caregivers do not put enough emphasis on the children’s education. Desiree Cheeseman agrees the caregivers are overwhelmed with everything that is going on in their lives. Kerry said she has curriculum on how to educate children if Michael would like to view this material.

            Desiree Cheeseman, Department of Corrections Even Start Project, also works with incarcerated biological parents and their families. She has noticed that when the biological parent returns home, often the children do not respect the biological parent as much as they respect the relative who has been caring for them.

            Jo Fort, United Cerebral Palsy, is here representing Mike Cornelius; they have a grant that they are currently evaluating to see if it can be expanded to include respite services for kinship care families in Hillsborough County. At this time it is unclear as to if these services can be provided so please do not call with referrals at this time. UCP is very interested in kinship care and will be attending future meetings to learn more and if respite services will be available, UCP will contact the kinship support center.

            Laura Caruthers and Harriet Rayner, Gift of Life, recently received a Pinellas county grant, and Laura was hired to work with grandparents and other relatives raising children. Laura is working with community agencies to learn more about this topic and is very excited to be here. 

 Minutes submitted by: __________________________________________________

The next Kinship Care Advisory Committee Meeting will be held on August 10^th from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at University Square Mall.