May 2024 | Volume 1 | Issue 3 | www.embrella.org
Community and Connection – At The Core Of What We Do!
Get ready for our latest issue of Otterly embrella, jam-packed with news and information to share with you! As we continue to celebrate 50 years of community and connection, you’re invited to visit our newly updated anniversary web page. We hope you enjoy reading through the timeline of events and browsing the many historical photos and facts that helped to make embrella what it is today!
We also share updates from our CEO, Corinne LeBaron, as she attended the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Conference with two of our staff members. A little history of our long-standing relationship with the National Foster Parent Association, wrap-ups from the Annual Recognition Awards Brunch, and an introduction from our Staff Scholarship Committee are also included.
As always, we thank you for being a part of our community and hope to connect with YOU soon!
From the CEO
I always enjoy participating in “Hill Day” as part of the annual CWLA Conference in Washington, D.C. It’s an opportunity to meet with our NJ Legislators and staff at their offices on Capitol Hill and talk about current issues in child welfare and how they can better support the families, children, and youth in NJ. It was wonderful to have two of embrella’s Family Support Advocates, Chanel Dupree and Erika Retamar (pictured below with Dr. Tawanda Hubbard, social work educator and practitioner), join me this year. Their frontline stories and experiences definitely made an impact on all those we met with.
We focused on three specific and connected areas this year that we want legislators to provide financial and other support for:
Child Welfare Workforce: Child welfare work is labor intensive and emotionally draining. There are high vacancy and turnover rates as well as rising concerns over compassion fatigue, burnout, and secondary trauma. A well-trained, staffed, and supported workforce is vital to the stability and wellbeing of children and families.
Reducing Child Poverty: Children and families often become involved with the child welfare system not due to abuse, but because of poverty and the lack of economic supports in impoverished communities. Strategies that reduce child poverty, strengthen families, prevent family separation, and reduce foster care must be a top priority.
Mental Health: There is a significant lack of mental and behavioral health services for children and youth across the nation. The current mental health crisis, especially facing children in our country, must be addressed immediately.
For more information on policy issues, specific bills, and how you can get involved, please check out the embrella website’s “Get Involved” page as well as CWLA.org. Your voice, letters, and emails do make a difference!
From Humble Beginnings to a Leading Voice in
NJ’s Child Welfare Community
It’s hard to believe that more than five decades have passed since a small group of dedicated individuals gathered together around a kitchen table in Burlington, New Jersey to address not only the day-to-day challenges of being a foster parent, but also the perception of caregiving in general.
Led by foster parents Sue and Bernie Dondiego and Hattie Talley (pictured above), this passionate group envisioned a brighter future for foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
From those humble beginnings emerged the New Jersey Foster Parents Association (NJFPA), later evolving into Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), and finally becoming embrella as we know it today.
The early years were marked by challenges and uncertainties. Foster parents often found themselves navigating uncharted waters, with limited information about the children in their care and minimal support from the broader community.
However, fueled by a shared commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children, NJFPA quickly gained momentum. Under the leadership of pioneers like Hattie, Sue, and Bernie, foster parents rallied together, advocating for policy changes, increased support, and greater recognition of the vital role they played in the lives of New Jersey’s children.
Throughout the decades, embrella has remained rooted in its mission to support foster, kinship, and adoptive families. From the establishment of statewide training conferences to the expansion of advocacy efforts and branching out to form programs and scholarships that support the children and youth themselves, our organization has continued to evolve and adapt to meet our community’s changing needs.
As we embark on the next chapter of our journey, we are filled with a sense of optimism and excitement for the future. Guided by our unwavering commitment to compassion, collaboration, and community, we remain dedicated to serving foster, kinship, and adoptive families across New Jersey and beyond.
For a visual timeline of embrella’s milestones, please visit our 50th Anniversary page!
A Profound Day of Community and Fellowship
In celebration of National Foster Care Month, the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P), in partnership with embrella, once again hosted the Annual Recognition Awards Brunch on May 4th, in West Windsor, NJ.
With nominations submitted from our community, we were able to honor the outstanding achievements of our families, youth, volunteers, and CP&P staff.
The event was filled with much emotion and gratitude as the theme of Community and Connection radiated throughout the day.
Many of our nominators and award winners used this theme as a central idea in their speeches, sharing stories of how individuals and families create positive change with the help of their communities.
As parents, friends, and colleagues shared their stories of why they nominated these individuals, their heartfelt words resonated with the audience as we all felt a connection to one another and a desire to engage with our own networks, large or small, to exact change.
Many were moved to tears listening to the individual stories of trying challenges and joyful successes. We were fortunate to learn about a caregiver who told his worker he wanted to begin his journey fostering two children.
He chuckled as he related this tale as his first experience was a sibling group of two, that quickly turned to four as two more siblings joined their family, following soon after with a fifth, a newborn baby. All five children have been adopted by their loving father and are thriving.
Two older siblings have also been welcomed into their home and are awaiting adoption as well, totaling seven children for the foster parent that requested two. Life is full of surprises.
This individual was nominated by the eldest member of the sibling group, who was adopted into a different family. We heard her truth as she described one cold winter’s evening when she was locked out of her house by her adoptive mother, wearing sandals and a light sweatshirt. With little money and no place to call home, she had one hope: to reach out to the caregiver that adopted her brothers.
Without hesitation, she was welcomed into the already full home. Not only full with children, but full with an abundance of love and laughter. Through a humorous speech, she told us how she received a “crash course in adulthood,” learning how exhilarating completing your taxes can be, and living her “college dream while juggling not one, but two jobs like a circus performer on a unicycle.”
She ended her speech describing the caregiver as a “beacon of hope, a lighthouse guiding lost ships through the stormy seas of life.”
The narratives being told were awe-inspiring while the feeling of pride for those being recognized was almost palpable.
As an organization working tirelessly for five decades along side so many compassionate caregivers, workers, youth, volunteers, and others within the child welfare community, we are grateful to have many “beacons of hope” shining their light so others may find their way.
Click on the link below for a short video of the brunch with opening remarks from embrella’s CEO Corinne LeBaron.
Connecting you to Support and Resources
Are you a resource or kinship caregiver looking for a supportive community where you can connect with others who understand the unique challenges and joys of fostering? Look no further than your local Connecting Families Meetings!
Hosted by dedicated Family Support Advocates across New Jersey, these monthly gatherings offer a safe space for caregivers to come together, share experiences, and access valuable resources.
Whether navigating complex issues, seeking assistance with community resources, or simply looking for a place to discuss best practices in childcare, our knowledgeable Advocates are here to help.
Connecting Families Meetings offer unique courses designed to enrich your fostering experience. We understand the importance of bonding between caregivers and children, and we are excited to introduce upcoming specialty meetings where caregivers and children can attend together, fostering deeper connections and creating lasting memories.
Steadfastly committed to addressing the diverse needs of resource and kinship families, we’re introducing new evidence-based workshops on in-depth topics such as building and nurturing positive relationships with teens in your care.
Our meetings aim to equip caregivers with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the unique experiences of caring for our children, ensuring that every child receives the support and guidance they need to thrive. Join us at our next Connecting Families Meeting to explore these exciting opportunities and take your fostering journey to new heights!
Did you know attending these meetings fulfills your in-service credit hours as per CP&P licensing requirements? This ensures you stay up to date on the latest training and information to provide the best care for the children in your charge.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with other resource and kinship parents in your area. Join us at the next Connecting Families Meeting by checking out the calendar of upcoming meetings and take the next step in your journey today!
Various Perspectives Felt From
Attending CWLA Conference
Chanel Dupree and Erika Retamar, Family Support Advocates, (pictured above with CEO Corinne LeBaron and fellow attendee, David Armstrong) recently attended the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA) Conference and Hill Day as representatives of embrella. They each brought unique ideas in relation to child welfare, and took away fresh approaches to view the current landscape.
Of the many workshops that were offered to conference attendees, Chanel feels that three had the biggest impact on her:
The first workshop, titled “The Building Blocks for Effective Co-Parenting,” highlighted the importance of any co-parenting relationship. It focused on how, when co-parenting is done properly, it can assist in the overall growth and healthy development of children. The concept is so simple; however, co-parents often miss the mark. The innovative way the presenter introduced the core principles, solutions, and resources left her wanting more.
The second workshop, “Engaging Fathers to Strengthen Families,” was male-led, interactive, and focused on best practices for engaging and serving male caregivers. This workshop also connected attendees to the National Responsible Fatherhood Clearinghouse, a free resource for local/regional fatherhood programs.
With the last workshop, “Rethinking Mandated Reporting,” the panel of presenters discussed the history, practices, and intended and unintended consequences of mandated reporting, along with strategies on how to improve reporting laws that potentially harm, while promoting the protection of vulnerable children.
Chanel adds, “Attending the CWLA conference was enriching. It provided me with an opportunity to come together with a diverse group of like-minded individuals to share insights and discuss strategies to improve the welfare and well-being of children and families.”
While Chanel’s observations focused on the enriching workshops she attended, Erika reflects on thought-provoking takeaways:
“Child Welfare has always been a passion of mine in assisting and advocating for families and children here in New Jersey. Being present at workshops gave me hope that change can come…and although we have come a long way, we still have so much to accomplish.”
Thinking about the theme of the conference, Creating Meaningful Change, Erika believes that with certain systems in place, we as a society can create that change in a community, a family, or a child, starting first with ourselves.
A common sentiment was echoed throughout workshops she attended: “Showing empathy, commitment, and courage can shift the lens and open the world to become more culturally adaptable for our future to thrive in!”
Both Chanel and Erika agree the experiences gained at the conference will assist their professional development for years to come.
A Fundraiser Like No Other!
To honor our past and build for our future, we are excited to host our 50th Birthday Boardwalk Bash on October 10, 2024. We hope you will plan to attend this unique affair!
This event, held at The Whitechapel Projects in Long Branch, NJ, will transport you to the lively vintage boardwalks of the Jersey Shore and include great food and drinks, live music, and special auction items to raise funds in support of our vital programs for foster youth and their families.
Sponsorships are welcome, and will offer grateful recognition and terrific exposure to the event’s attendees as well as embrella’s wide audience of New Jersey’s families and business community.
Please email Development@embrella.org for sponsorships, event program ads, and more!
We invite you to be a part of our 50th Anniversary by sharing your experiences, wisdom, and insights throughout your time with embrella.
Your entries will help us build a celebratory “Tips and Tricks” reference book to share with caregivers throughout New Jersey and beyond!
No idea is too large or too small. We’re looking to share your hard earned knowledge with those that could benefit from your wisdom.
Some possible ideas include:
- Self-care practices
- Favorite recipes – school nights, quick meals, big family dinners
- Entering a new school
- Supporting teens
- Success stories
- Bonding activities
Click on the link below to submit your form today!
P.E.A.C.E. Summit Around the Corner!
As embrella celebrates 50 years of Community and Connection, we have engaged in a year-long P.E.A.C.E. Initiative consisting of eight events before we reach our peak known as the P.E.A.C.E. Summit.
These included five opportunities to learn about Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and Positive Childhood Experiences (PCEs) and three community events that included roller skating in Newark, star gazing in the planetarium at the NJ State Museum in Trenton, and a trip to Adventure Aquarium in Camden.
The P.E.A.C.E. Summit, to be held on June 1st in New Brunswick, NJ, will bring together children, youth, families, providers,
and caregivers to create healers, leaders, and future changemakers through self-exploration and hands-on workshops.
For more information, please visit the PEACE Initiative page, call Michele Rodriguez at 609-412-2698, or email us at PEACE@embrella.org.
If you would like to learn more about the Summit and reserve your spot to join us, click the link below!
Creating Opportunities for Youth to Thrive
As the saying goes, knowledge is power, and at embrella we believe education is at the forefront of that powerful journey.
In order to offer a more comprehensive approach to caring for the next leaders of our society, embrella’s Private Scholarships and Grants were formed.
From the first scholarship awarded in 1998, hundreds of individual scholarships and opportunity grants have been disbursed totaling in the hundreds of thousands in funding for education and independent living expenses.
This year, our donors graciously funded 11 scholarships and grants totaling over $11,000. 27 deserving scholars were chosen as recipients and invited to the Annual Awards Brunch to receive their accolades.
Scholarships are given to recognize academic achievement and support advanced studies at an accredited college, university, community college, or junior college. Opportunity Grants assist in supporting a young person to succeed in the next phase of his/her life. This might include additional training, trade school, vocational school, and/or independent living.
Many of these opportunities were created in memory of those that gave their time, energy, and heart to the children and youth of the foster, kinship, and adoptive community.
embrella staff members felt a need to give back and show our pride for the accomplishments of the young individuals we serve, and so the embrella Employee Opportunity Grant was created to recognize those who refuse to let their difficult past dim their bright future.
The embrella Scholarship Committee is comprised of a group of dedicated staff members who meet on a regular basis to brainstorm and implement ideas to engage our organization in contributing resources.
Some of these fundraising efforts have included raffles for gift baskets and custom furniture and hosting “Breakfast for a Cause” events. Many of our employees also choose to designate an amount to be deducted from their paychecks.
Each donation expands the amount we are able to give in support of our youth who are figuring out the next steps in their lives.
If you would like to donate to embrella’s Private Scholarships and Grants, please visit the link below.
A Deep-Rooted Relationship with NFPA
By Sue Dondiego
Though names and leadership have changed through the years, our organization has remained committed to the same core ideas set forth five decades ago.
We have been actively involved in the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA) and Council of State Affiliates (CoSA) for 50 years – as the New Jersey Foster Parents Association (NJFPA), Foster and Adoptive Family Services (FAFS), and embrella.
Over the course of this timeline, our staff members have played many roles in the development of the rich background of the NFPA. Representatives have been elected as Vice President, Secretary, Board Members, and CoSA Chairs, in addition to Chairing several Committees and participating in Strategic Plans.
Staff have attended NFPA Education Conferences as keynote speakers and workshop presenters. We also had the honor of hosting an NFPA Education Conference in Parsippany, NJ.
Through CoSA, requests for our “personalized” foster family programs and services were received from several state agencies, foster parent associations, and legislative committees.
Currently, embrella participates in CoSA meetings, providing grassroots information on issues, concerns, and successful programs and services, which, when combined with other state information, serves as a trend indicator for NFPA action.
Recently, our biggest impact has been on federal legislation, with embrella joining other organizations to support legislation beneficial to foster, adoptive, and kinship families.
We continue our efforts as we attend national forums such as the annual CWLA Conference in Washington, D.C. embrella CEO, Corinne LeBaron, met with representatives on Hill Day during the conference. An overview of her discussion topics is included in the opening article of this newsletter.
Staff members are looking forward to attending the NFPA Conference in June. Highlights will be included in the next issue of Otterly embrella.
Why CoSA Matters
By Arnold Eby
Executive Director
National Foster Parent Association
The question jarred my thinking. I had been a member of CoSA (Council of State Affiliates) for more years than I could remember – two decades as I recall. CoSA was the avenue of my first contributions to the National Foster Parent Association and the main reason I stayed involved. I learned so much from being involved so the question “Why does CoSA matter?” still caught my attention and made me sit up and think.
CoSA matters because it’s a vital part of modeling best practices, articulating the struggle for core supports foster parents need, and building a network for support for state associations.
In the past year, 26 states have introduced legislation in an effort to address the “daycare issue.” These efforts will continue to call awareness to the critical needs of childcare.
The need for updates to respite rules and rate adjustments for the workforce is also an issue that plays itself out on the state level. Through CoSA we learn of the state efforts that work and those that don’t.
Mental health awareness is a critical problem that all states encounter. Through CoSA we learn about efforts like the National Center for Adoption Competent Mental Health Services working to address the intersection of child welfare and mental health services.
Through CoSA we are able to learn about state efforts that are showing promise like in New Jersey, where child welfare and mental health services are co-located under the direction of a single director.
CoSA also provides training targeted at advocacy related to specific issues that require personal, state or federal advocacy and how to decipher the issues and where to advocate effectively.
And finally, “peer-to-peer” support. We recognize the need for helping build those supportive relationships for the young people and their caregivers (foster families) that serve them. Often we don’t always take advantage of, or recognize the need for these critical needs in our own situations.
CoSA matters! It builds a network of support and sharing among the states that helps address and advocate for solutions to the issues that matter most to foster, adoptive and kinship parents.
Board Spotlight:
Meet Dani!
Danielle (Dani) Rosen was looking for an opportunity to give back. After some thought-provoking conversations with a current embrella board member, Dani thought it would be a good fit for her skills and passions to join in and make an impact.
Dani began serving on the embrella Board of Directors in April 2020. She serves as the Board Treasurer, and she Chairs both the Fund Development and the Finance and Audit Committees.
Dani was born and raised by a large family in Freehold, NJ. She knows that families are created differently and that love is what makes a family, as her cousins were adopted from South Korea. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Kyle, and they have a daughter, Ruby, who is 4 years old.
Dani is the Director of Operations for Community Asset Preservation Corporation (CAPC) at New Jersey Community CapitalWorks. She received her BA in Human Development; Public Policy; Faith, Peace, & Justice.
After college, Dani joined the AmeriCorps VISTA program and served as a Development Associate for Hudson County CASA, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization empowering everyday people to improve the lives of foster children.
She then went on to get her master’s degree in urban planning from New York University. While in graduate school, Dani was a Community Scholar at NeighborWorks America and a Research Assistant at NYU’s Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. Dani supported scholarly research and program development centered on homeownership counseling, mobility, and impacts on child academic achievement.
Through her experiences, she has seen firsthand how essential housing is to the stability and success of someone’s life. Housing instability affects children’s futures, and she knows the importance of a support system with a network of people and organizations that can assist families on their journey.
Dani notes that embrella began with a strong foundation of foster parents and volunteers and continues to grow and change for the future with the addition of staff and programs which are paramount in supporting the children, youth, and families embrella serves.
Dani shares that it is an exciting time to be a part of embrella and to chair the Fund Development Committee as the organization is celebrating its 50th Anniversary. She and the committee are a part of organizing embrella’s 50th Birthday Boardwalk Bash to take place on October 10, 2024. Dani hopes to see you there and is looking forward to the future of embrella!
¡embrella habla Español!
¡Lázaro y Diana son nuestros dos Defensores de Apoyo Familiar que son bilingües y hablan español! No dude en comunicarse con ellos si necesita ayuda.
Porque sabemos lo importante que es hablar en nuestro propio idioma, embrella quiere saber cómo podemos conectarnos mejor con usted. Esté atento a nuestra encuesta enviada por correo. ¡Sus respuestas son muy importantes para embrella!
Tenemos una reunión virtual el 21 de marzo de 7 a 9 p.m. Habrá reuniones adicionales en Mayo, Agosto y Noviembre. Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud en relación con temas sobre los cuidadores que hablan español, comuníquese con nosotros a Support@embrella.org.
