CLUB SCHEDULE:
Thursday, February 2 – Books Are Fun Book Fair at Club Conference Room – 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, February 8 – Board Resolution Deadline – 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday, February 14 – School Early Release
Wednesday, February 15 – Board Meeting – 8:30 a.m.
Thursday, February 16 – Safety Committee Meeting – 11:30 a.m.
Monday, February 20 – President’s Day – Club, School and Tribal Holiday
Tuesday, February 21 – Health Screen – 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Monday, February 27 – School Furlough Day
CLUB EMPLOYEE LOSES HOME TO FIRE
John Crowe (Club Bus Driver and Body Shop employee) and his family lost their home in a fire on Friday, January 27. If you would like to make a cash donation to John and his family, please see Beth Bradley at the Club’s information window.
Family Support Services Annual Report
The following report was provided by Barbara Jones, Manager of the Boys Club’s Family Support Services office. This report covers the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2010 and ending June 30, 2011.
Service Description
- Accomplishments and progress for each goal and objective; including improved outcomes for children and families, as well providing more comprehensive, coordinated and effective child and family services Continuum (45 CFR 1357.16.(a)(1)
Goal 1: In-home case work services will be provided to 22 Cherokee families who are at risk of having children removed from the home. In-home services will help to ensure the continued safety of the child/ren and increase family stability while working to eliminate problematic areas.
Objective 1: Administer the North Carolina risk assessment tool
Objective 2: Assist family in developing goals to guide forward progress
Objective 3: Assist family in identifying strengths and weaknesses
Objective 4: Assist families in developing strategies for achieving goals
Improved outcomes: Stable homes, well-adjusted child and family relationships and family cohesiveness
2011 Accomplishments: Family centered, strength based case work services were provided to 35 Cherokee families (42 parents and 86 children).
Goal 2: Time Limited Reunification Services will be provided to 15 Cherokee families to expedite the reunification of families and securing permanency for children in the least amount of time as possible.
Objective 1: Assist families in completing court ordered case plans whose children are in foster care or kinship placement
Objective 2: Attend court hearings to better serve families
Objective 3: Social Worker will visit child in the home at least monthly and before each court hearing
Improved outcomes: Timely return of children to home, parenting skills improved, parents learning to reach for help before problems escalate. We will continue to collaborate with county and tribal partners to provide effective services such as supervised visits, transportation, and case work services while keeping children safe.
2011 Accomplishments: There were 120 court ordered supervised visits provided to 13 parents and 18 children in collaboration with County and Tribal partners. Eight (8) families (12 parents and 27 children) received time-limited reunifications services. Seven (7) home studies (13 parents and 7 children) were completed for adoptive placements and 73 home visits were done.
Goal 3: Assist County DSS in joint Foster Care Initiative by recruiting Cherokee families to serve as foster homes to Cherokee children. We would project at least three Cherokee families recruited and licensed each fiscal year.
Objective 1: Assist County DSS in the recruitment of potential Cherokee families
Objective 2: Assist County DSS in providing pre-foster care training
Objective 3: Continue researching the possibility of the Tribe becoming a licensed child placing agency
Improved Outcomes: Children remain in their community while family issues are resolved.
2011 Accomplishments: No families where licensed during this fiscal year. However, Jackson County DSS and Family Support have been working on a foster/adoptive campaign aimed specifically at the Cherokee Indian population.
Goal 4: Provide Parenting Education classes to at least 25 Cherokee families. Providing classes that will give parents the tools needed to raise children in a safe and nurturing environment ensuring children will grow to be more productive and responsible now and in the future.
Objective 1: Provide parenting education classes four times a year or on an individual basis as requested
Objective 2: Provide child care and transportation as needed
Objective 3: Research and purchase a parenting curriculum specific to Native American populations
2011 Accomplishments: Family Support provided a combined total of 201 parenting groups and individual classes to 38 parents this fiscal year. Sixty five (65) children’s homes were impacted by this service.
Goal 5: Provide the Parents as Teachers program (PATS) in the Snowbird community to 15 Cherokee children and their families. Developing the parent’s confidence in being their child’s first teacher will secure quality parent – child interaction.
Objective 1: Develop/ enhance the parent-child interaction
Objective 2: School readiness
Objective 3: Early detection of developmental delays
Objective 4: Increase parents’ knowledge and understanding of child development
Improved Outcomes: Parents will actively participate in their child’s early childhood education. Parent/child relationship and communication will improve. Additionally, parents will have a greater understanding of their child’s cognitive, intellectual and physical capabilities. We will serve 15 children per year.
2011 Accomplishments: The PATS program remains a strong and much needed program in the Snowbird community. Fifteen (15) families were served again this year and recruitment for 2012 has begun. Two children graduated from the program this year headed to kindergarten fully prepared.
Goal 6: Provide court ordered supervision to 20 families ensuring safety of the child while preserving the parent child relationship
Objective 1: Improving parenting skills through demonstration and coaching
Objective 2: Evaluate and refer to other community partners as needed
Objective 3: Assist family in identifying barriers to reunification
Objective 4: Provide court report to judges to assist in the family reunification, parent/child reunification decision making process
Improved Outcomes: A more loving and nurturing home environment with parents better prepared to problem solve and/or ask for help before situations are out of control. Children will be raised and nurtured by the best possible source, their parents.
2011 Accomplishments: One hundred and twenty (120) court ordered supervised visits occurred this past fiscal year. Preserving, supporting, improving and in some cases terminating the parent-child relationship.
In addition to the above services the Indian Child Welfare Office had an average of 60 open ICWA cases for the Western Counties, two cases in Gaston County, North Carolina, and approximately 20 ICWA cases in different states. The ICWA Social Worker completed approximately 12 home studies for the placement of Cherokee children. The ICWA Social Worker spent approximately 75% of her time in District and Tribal Court.
The Tribal Public Welfare services administered by Family Support assisted 111 clients with emergency assistance that would include such things as electric deposits, security deposits, burn-out assistance and emergency travel due to death of a family member.
Fuel assistance was provided for 95 low-income families and 541 loads of wood were delivered for heating for low-income, senior citizens and disabled clients.
Funeral benefits where paid on 92 enrolled members’ funeral services and transportation charges were paid on seven burials. This was paid in addition to the $2,250. Food was provided for 50 funeral services.
Gas vouchers where provided to 6,674 enrolled members to assist individuals to doctors’ appointments outside the community.
Home repair up to $1,000 was completed on nine low- income family homes.
Wheelchair lifts were installed on two client’s vehicles.
FAMILY SUPPORT SERVICES TO RELOCATE
The Family Support Services’ office on Goose Creek Road in the Birdtown Community will be moving to the Boys Club’s main campus sometime in March of 2012.
Please watch future editions of the One Feather (Cherokee Boys Club Report) for additional information.
CHECK US OUT ONLINE at www.cherokeeboysclub.com or find us on Facebook – Cherokee Boys Club
