Attend this Forum and gain a better understanding of what you, as a Board Member, are required to do for compliance.

Register now at:

http://www4.compasspoint.org/p.asp?WebPage_ID=127&Profile_ID=232618

Fostering Art is an opportunity for youth to learn photography and tell a larger community about their lives. It creates opportunities for positive social development and promotes confidence and self-esteem.

Weekly classes include instruction in camera use and darkroom skills, visits to galleries, museums, and studios, as well as opportunities to meet with local and visiting artists.

In the Spring of 2006 students will help plan and host a reception to open a gallery exhibit of their photographs.

Photographic equipment and experience not required. Transportation assistance is available. Fostering Art covers all costs for the student to attend the class. This includes materials, dinner and transportation. Class will be held every Wednesday from 4-8pm in San Francisco.

REFERRAL INFORMATION:

Please refer youth to Director Liz Bernstein. Referral forms can be found at www.ahomewithin.org. To send the referral:

1.) Print it out and fax it back to Liz Bernstein at fax number (415) 621-1317.

2.) Or you can cut and paste it into in to an email and email it back to lbernstein@ahomewithin.org

3.) Or you can print it out and mail it to Fostering Art c/o A Home Within 2481 Clay St. SF CA 94115.

Youth will be contacted directly to talk more about the class.

For more information, contact Liz Bernstein at(415) 652-1434 or at lbernstein@ahomewithin.org.

Excerpted from HEY's newsletter:
The Governor's 2006-07 budget was submitted on January 10 and below are two great links to better understand the budget both generally and specifically with regards to foster youth.

General:
California Budget Project has a great budget summary on www.cbp.org

Foster youth:
This year the Governor's Budget includes $3.8 billion ($1.4 billion General Fund) to provide assistance payments and services to children and families under child welfare programs. This is an increase of $89.1 million ($29.5 million General Fund), or 2.4 percent, from the revised 2005-06 budget. Last year THP+ was a buried line item but this year, THP+ funding is highlighted in the Governor's Budget Summary and this is a huge step showing that our advocacy is paying off! Please visit the Department of Social Services Child Welfare Services website at http://www.ebudget.ca.gov/BudgetSummary/HHS/8866802.html for more information about the budget at child welfare programs.

The Assembly Select Committee on Foster Care hearing about Relative Care on Feb.15 from 2-5PM at State Capitol, room TBA

The objective of the Select Committee on Foster Care hearing about relative care is to both address and examine the issues and needs experienced by relative caregivers alongside the youth they provide for. The upcoming hearing will be on February 15, 2006, from 2pm-5pm at the State Capitol (room TBD). Please pass this information on to any individuals and organizations that would be interested in participating. For more information, or if you have any questions, please contact Jessica Gunderson, Office of Assemblymember Karen Bass, 47th District, (916) 319-2047 or jessica.gunderson@asm.ca.gov

The National Association for Black Foster Parents & Relative Caregivers invite you to participate In The 3rd Annual National Association for Black Foster Parents & Relative Caregivers Conference. "BREAKING THE CHAINS IN FOSTER CARE."

This is an educational and informational conference organized by foster parents & relative caregivers support groups. It will be held on Wednesday, April 12, 2006 through April 15, 2006 at The Park Plaza Hotel - Oakland International Airport in Oakland, California.

An exciting conference is being planned for foster parents and relative caregivers, pre-adoptive parents, birth and adoptive parents, young and aged foster care persons, foster care administrators, educators and other foster care and caregiver professionals. The major goal of this conference is to provide the most up-to-date information and materials on foster care and relatives as caregivers, in addition to fostering, adoptive and parenting research and issues related to African American children. This is a Western Regional conference, which will be publicized across the nation.

You are invited to submit proposals for workshops or presentations in 45-minutes to 2-3-4-6-8 hours in length including questions and answer time.

Below is a list of topics to choose from when describing the type of workshop or presentation:

1. Adoptive and foster Parent Support Group
2. African -American /Black Foster Care & Adoption Issues
3. Allegations & Grievance Issues
4. Hair & Skin Care
5. Therapy, Therapeutic Issues
6. International and Interracial Foster Care & Adoption
7. Legal Issues in Foster Care & Adoption
8. Multidisciplinary Issues
9. Search/Reunification Issues
10. Permanency
11. Recruitment and Retention
12. Separation, Loss, Bonding
13. Teen Issues, Hip-Hop,
14. Mental Health
15. Medical Fragile Infants/Children
16. Single, Married, Gay & Lesbian
17. Parenting Children with Challenges
18. Advocacy and Public Policy
19. Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
20. Fostering/Parenting
21. Staying In Foster Care A lifetime
22. Transitioning/ Emancipation
23.Pre/Post & Open Adoption issues
24.Physical, Mental & Sexual Abuse
25. Church/Religion & Community

Click here for the Workshop/Presentation Submission Form.
Forms must be completed front and back and returned with the following items:
A. Papers- complete and return two (2) copies
B. Speaker Introductory Biography Form - complete and return
C. Enclosed a self-addressed, stamp envelope or postcard for notification of the conference panels decision
*NABFPRC requires a 200 word or less, double-space abstract describing the workshop or presentation. All papers must include subject, format, goals, objective, and intended audience.
PAPERS MUST BE RECEIVED BY JANUARY 31, 2006 TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE CONFERENCE COMMITTEE.
For additional information call 415-671-0115 or nabfprc@sbcglobal.net