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Foster Mothers Haiku

Kids with no first chance

Get a second one―because

Foster moms are there

YOU, foster moms, are a mother’s day gift from the heart! Twenty-four hours a day, you’re a source of comfort, stability, and love to children who have never known or experienced the meaning of the words. YOU are the most important part of the child’s treatment team. We are all part of this effort because we know and see for ourselves how well children can do when they have caring and reliable foster parents to help them through hard times.

A favorite column by Erma Bombeck tells of God in the act of creating mothers. On the day God created mothers He had already worked long overtime, and an angel said to Him, “Lord, you sure are spending a lot of time on this one.” God replied, “Have you read the specs on this model?” then rattles off a list of impossible requirements, including 180 moving parts and six pairs of hands, all able to run on black coffee and leftovers.

A foster mom’s specs demand even more than “standard” mother models. You must have a heart big enough to encompass other mothers’ children, and the fortitude to work through the challenges and issues that accompany their shattered pasts.

You know, if it was easy, anyone could do it. Remember, you’re not just anyone – you’re a FOSTER MOM.

Remember the story about little Jenna and her foster family from George West, TX?  Her foster parents, Tracy Arnold and Mark Skoruppa, are with the Robstown Foster In Texas office. Jenna was diagnosed with SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency Disease) and underwent a bone marrow transplant just over a year ago. Mom Tracy formed a Relay for Life team for Jenna, and “Team Jenna” had their day on April 26^th.  It turned out to be great fun for everyone—including the FIT office staff and their kids—as Jenna was able to get out of her plastic “bubble” and ride around the track in her little car.  Her brothers vied for the privilege of pushing her around, then she moved to her stroller and took turns riding around with all of the walkers.

The best news is that Tracy and Mark will be able to adopt her by the end of this month; the second best news is that “Team Jenna” raised a whopping $3,200!

Many kids in foster care feel like they don’t have a prayer. Let’s change that. – Cry of the Orphan

One week in May, which is National Foster Care Month, has been designated by the “Cry of the Orphan” campaign for a nationwide foster care prayer vigil. From May 19 through 26, congregations and groups large and small are coming together to pray for the more than 400,000 children in our nation’s foster care system.  The vigil includes prayers for foster families and the family social workers who work to protect them.

Across Texas, there is an urgent need for foster parents, particularly those who are qualified to care for infants, medically fragile children, and large sibling groups. The LSS Foster In Texas (FIT) program recruits, trains, and supports foster families, and the need for new families to provide loving homes is paramount. For those called to gather and join in the prayer vigil, please include the successful recruitment of new FIT families in your collective prayer on behalf of these children.

The Call for Orphans started in 2005 as a collaborative effort of Hope for Orphans (a ministry of FamilyLife), Show Hope, and Focus on the Family. If you are interested in joining with others to pray for the children in our foster care system, go to the “Cry of the Orphan” website to take the next step. The site also offers downloads for prayer guides and church bulletins.

On Saturday, April 27, more than 150 participants congregated at Eddie Deen’s Ranch in Dallas to “Waltz Across Texas” in support of DFW’s foster children. Over $98,000 was raised for Foster In Texas (FIT)* families, who make it possible for the area’s abused and neglected children to live and heal in safe and nurturing homes.

The “Waltz Across Texas” theme brought out the inner cowboy and cowgirl in the partygoers, who dined on Texas barbecue and two-stepped to Stetson Walker & Friends. Larry Mowry, chief meteorologist with CBS Channel 11 was the live auctioneer, and a football autographed by #2 NFL draft pick Luke Joeckel was a highlight of the live auction. A silent auction filled one room at Eddie Deen’s with more than 80 auction items that ran the gamut from gift baskets to golf trips.

This was the 4^th Annual Caring for Kids event, and this year a special appeal called attention to the need for respite care funds to train and screen foster care respite providers. Foster parents have the need for respite care when family emergencies arise and to give them a chance to relax and reenergize so they can continue providing the best care for their children. Foster In Texas (FIT) parents rely on the agency and community support to have access to opportunities and “extras” that may be beyond their reach – including clothing, school supplies, training, and specialized therapy.

To read more about the event and view photos click HERE. 

FIT parents Mr. & Mrs. Luis Lumbreras 

Foster In Texas in Laredo hosted 69 foster children and l6 FIT foster families at a combination foster care picnic and community event, along with Foster Angels of South Texas, Catholic  Social Services, Burke Center, and Vos de Niños (CASA). The event, held at the Catholic Social Services Senior Center Saturday April 27, was a fun-filled day of food, music, games, raffle items, rides, face painting, arts and crafts, — and just kids being kids!

Laredo FIT staff (Area Director Oscar Guerra, Priscilla Ruiz Saenz, FSW, Mayra Guzman, FSW, and Patricia Leija, FSW) helped our foster kids make friendship bracelets. This was another fun day of activity for our families, made possible by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust and Foundation.

Mark Skoruppa & Tracy Arnold

Vanessa Aguirre, family social worker at the Foster In Texas (FIT) Robstown office, says she loves to brag about the wonderful FIT parents she works with. Tracy Arnold is one such foster mom, and Vanessa told us the following story about Tracy, Mark, their foster child Jenna, and why they deserve a “Foster Parents of the Year Award.”

Tracy Arnold and Mark Skoruppa from George West, TX, have been foster parents since May 2011. Infant Jenna, now 19 months old, is their fifth foster child and was placed in their home on December 5, 2011. They were told that she was a healthy little girl … but she had a cough that mysteriously would not go away.

In early 2012, Tracy was beating a path back and forth taking Jenna to appointments and different doctors, trying to figure out what was wrong with her. At last, on Jan. 31, 2012, it was discovered through blood tests that Jenna had SCID (Severe Combined Immunodeficiency disease).  On that day, Jenna was transferred to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, and they learned that she was going to need a bone marrow transplant. Transplant day was March 23, 2012, and on April 8, 2012 the transplant was declared a success. Jenny and Tracy remained in the hospital from February 6^th until Jenna was discharged by all of her doctors on July 16^th.

Before the family could take Jenna home, they had to make some serious preparations for her arrival. Because of her immune system, germs and infection can cause very serious complications to her health.  The home had to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to prevent germs, and the Robstown FIT office arranged for a cleaning service to do a thorough cleaning of the entire home. The family placed hand sanitizer dispensers by the front door and by the door in Jenna’s room.  When out in public, Jenna remains in her stroller covered in a “bubble-like” plastic shield to protect her from germs.

Once Jenna was home she continued to have medical complications; since being released in July she has been in and out of the hospital. Every complication with Jenna is serious and many times she has had to be admitted to Texas Children’s Hospital.  She gets her feedings through a feeding tube and medications via a PICC line.  Since Jenna’s release, Tracy has been taking her to doctor appointments in Houston once a week and therapy at Driscoll Children’s Hospital in Corpus Christi twice a week.  Jenna receives speech therapy, feeding therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy.  She is on 24-hour nursing care to assist with all of her medical needs.

SCID is a disorder that Jenna will have to deal with for the rest of her life, and could pass on to her children one day.  It is still unclear how normal of a life she can lead, and if she will ever be able to attend school or do the things healthy children do … only time will tell. Despite all the medical scares and complications that Jenna has had, the Arnold/Skoruppa family is currently pursuing adoption.  Additionally, Tracy Arnold has four children of her own!

This Saturday, March 23^rd, marks the one-year anniversary of Jenna’s transplant. The Robstown FIT office is having an Easter party for foster families on that day, and will present her with a “lil Ms. Survivor” sash and tiara at the event.

Tracy has formed a Relay for Life team for Jenna, who will be the youngest survivor at the event, to be held in George West, TX, on April 26, 2013. The theme for her team is “Fight like a girl,” and Jenna’s t-shirt will say “I fought like a girl and won!” If you would like to make a donation, or join her team, please look for her page on the Relay for Life website; enter George West, TX, and look for “Team Jenna.”

Every month in El Paso, dozens of children are removed from abusive and neglectful homes. What happens to these children? They are placed in foster care. Foster care is considered to be a short-term placement until a long-term living situation can be arranged for the child.

Children, ranging in age from birth to age 18, enter the foster care system frightened, lonely, and dealing with the wounds of abuse, abandonment, and/or neglect. While they come from many different backgrounds, they have the same fears, hopes, dreams, and needs as any child. Foster placement stops the abuse cycle while the child heals.

Celebre la Familia – A Way to Help Foster Families

Celebre la Familia  is an annual fundraiser to benefit the children in Lutheran Social Services’ Foster In Texas (FIT) program in El Paso. The event will take place Thursday, April 4^th, at the Marriott El Paso Hotel from 5:30-9:00 p.m.  Funds raised that night will go directly to support FIT foster families – helping provide hope for abused and neglected children while creating a support system for the true heroes, our foster parents.

Although the state Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) compensates foster parents for a small portion of each child’s care, there is still a very significant gap that must be covered through donated funds. School fees and supplies, clothing, medical supplies, psychiatric services, and specialized training are the “extras” that can add up and create a financial strain on foster families.

El Paso’s Foster Home Shortage

“The El Paso region is extremely short on foster homes,” according to Jose Alamillo, Area Director for FIT in El Paso.  Alamillo says that right now, there are about 90 children in need of adoptive placement and there is a particularly high demand for foster homes that will take large sibling groups and Primary Medical Needs Children. “While foster parents come from all walks of life and circumstances, one thing they have in common is a dedication to the well-being of a child. Foster parents are the bridge to a more hopeful future,” Alamillo said. If you’re in the El Paso area and interested in becoming a foster parent, please contact Jose Alamillo at 915-598-5410.

Parade of Homes: Art Show by Local Artists

Celebre la Familia also features one of the most creative silent auctions you’ll ever see. El Paso’s premier artists create and contribute individual, one-dimensional wooden houses that become beautiful collector’s items the winners can proudly display. This year it is anticipated that there will be 80 of these unique and whimsical houses for the auction, all benefiting our FIT families. You can preview the houses online at www.FosterInTexas.org/CelebrelaFamilia.

Important Info About the Event:

When:   Thursday, April 4, 2013, 5:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Where:  Marriott El Paso Hotel, 1600 Airway Blvd. Complimentary parking at the Hotel

Reservations: Tickets are $30 per person and may be purchased online at FosterInTexas.org, or call Debblie Telles at 915-373-9220. Tickets will also be available at the door.

Cocktails & Dinner:  5:30 p.m.

Live Auction: begins 7 p.m.

Live music: by “2’s Company”

For additional information about Celebre la Familia, call Debbie Telles, Event Chairman: 915-373-9220.

KIDFIT was a one-day event on Saturday, March 2^nd promoting a FIT MIND, FIT BODY, and FIT LIFESTYLE for Harlingen’s kids. And what a perfect FIT it was for participation by our own Foster In Texas office staff and our FIT families. The name of the event was just a happy coincidence! The Junior League of Harlingen organized the event to bring together city and community groups and further awareness and educate children about how to live a healthy lifestyle – through a nutritious diet, regular exercise, and safe play.

Parents and their kids ran together in the KIDFIT Fun Run, the first event of the day. KIDFIT Day was free to the community, and the FIT staff and other organizations set up booths to distribute information and set up physical challenge games for the kids. The FIT booth had a kid-friendly obstacle course and a lot of little visitors ready to take it on.

KIDFIT Day was a great opportunity to let the community know about what Foster In Texas does, and raise awareness about our amazing foster families and the deserving children they care for.

Vos de Niños, the Laredo representation of CASA, or Court Appointed Special Advocates, held its first conference for advocates of children in foster care last week at the La Posada Hotel. Fifteen Foster In Texas (FIT) parents participated in eight workshops presented by child care experts. Also attending were LSS staff, including Frank Lopez, regional director, Oscar Guerra, area director, and family social workers Priscilla Ruiz Saenz, Mayra Guzman, and Patricia Leija.

Topics covered at the conference included the relationship between foster care and the juvenile justice system, the impact of abuse and neglect on the development of speech and language, why there may not be evidence of trauma after sexual abuse, and cognitive development of children living in poverty.

Annabel Segovia, a FIT parent, was quoted in the Laredo Morning Times: “I find foster care to be really gratifying and wish there were more people to open up their hearts and front doors.” Our foster parents all expressed gratitude to LSS-FIT and the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust Grant for giving them the opportunity to attend the training, which was specifically designed with foster parents in mind.

It would be hard to find a more festive holiday crowd than our foster families in Laredo! The Foster In Texas Laredo office held their annual party for our 73 foster children and 20 foster families at the Monte Carlo reception hall on December 18^th. The hall was decorated with a “White Christmas” theme and children and families were greeted by a life-sized Santa Claus at the main lobby.

The event was so fun and a HUGE success for kids of all ages. The families were treated to a three-course meal, made possible by the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust Grant. On the menu:  caesar salad, garlic chicken, roasted potatoes, green beans, and dessert. Children had the option of dining on chicken tenders with mashed potatoes and gravy if they preferred.

Each child received several gifts, thanks to the generosity of UPS and our very own FIT foster care office in San Antonio. A heartfelt thanks to Stephanie Garcia, LSS staff, for coordinating the delivery of gifts. Marissa Cordova, CPS Supervisor, took charge of coordinating the gifts with UPS. Thanks a million, Ms. Cordova!

In his fourth Christmas party appearance, Roger Allen played an awesome and convincing Santa Claus. He thrilled each child who was there. Thank you so much Roger! The “Munequitas” (or “Dolls”) provided delightful entertainment, which consisted of games, songs, and contests.

FIT Laredo Area Director Oscar Guerra presented our foster families with certificates of appreciation and gifts for their loyalty and commitment to our therapeutic foster care program. Everyone went home filled with the Christmas spirit … and anticipating next year’s Christmas party!