POST PERMANENCY NEWSLETTER
WELCOME TO THE BAIR FOUNDATION POST-PERMANENCY DEPARTMENT'S NEWSLETTER! WITH OFFICES IN HARRISBURG, NEW WILMINGTON, ERIE, PITTSBURGH, AND ALTOONA, THE BAIR FOUNDATION IS ABLE TO SERVE POST-PERMANENCY FAMILIES ACROSS THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. WE HOPE YOU WILL FIND OUR QUARTERLY NEWSLETTERS HELPFUL AND INFORMATIVE ON YOUR JOURNEY AS A PERMANENCY FAMILY.
in this issue:
Water Safety Information (pg 1 & 2)
Ways To Prepare For Summer Break (pg 1)
Summer Reading Resource (pg 1)
WATER SAFETY
BY:PEDIATRICTRAUMAAND INJURYPREVENTIONPROGRAM, PENNSTATECHILDREN'SHOSPITAL PENNSTATEHEALTHMILTONS. HERSHEYMEDICALCENTER
Summer is a great time to think about water safety, not only around the home, but also around open water, like beaches, rivers and lakes. It is important for parents and caregivers to create layers of protection and reduce drowning risks for children every moment they are in or around open water – this includes whe swimming, kayaking floating, boating, or playing on or fishin off a dock JULY
Summer Ideas (pg. 3)
Family Activities (pg. 2 & 3)
A FREE, FUN AND SAFE PROGRAM FOR KIDS
Check out your local libraries for summer reading programs, they're always free and for a variety of ages!
You can search for libraries close to you on this site: https://powerlibrary.org/about/find -a-pa-library/
WATER SAFETY CONTINUED...
Open water Safety Tips:
Ensure your child is wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket at all times in or around open water.
Adult-sized life jackets may not work for children. A proper fitting life jacket will fit snugly but comfortably and should not be allowed to rise above the child’s chin or ears.
Floats, such as tubes, air mattresses or ‘floaties’ are toys and are not substitutes for a life jacket
Life jackets provide buoyancy, but different body types float differently; make sure you find a fit that accommodates your child’s body.
Ensure that the life jacket is in good working condition
Check that all hardware and straps are in good shape, firmly attached, and in working order
Discard and replace life jackets that show signs of deterioration – faded material, tears, mildew stains, punctures, etc. When not in use, store lifejackets in a dry, cool, and dark place
Make sure the label stating USCG approval is attached, and that it is readable
A life jacket cannot do what it is made to do unless it is worn!
Children should not be allowed to swim alone in open water.
Choose a Water Watcher When there are several adults present, choose one to be responsible for watching children in or near the water for a certain period of time, such as 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, select another adult to be the Water Watcher This applies not only when a child is in the water, but also when on the dock
Only allow children to swim in designated areas in lakes or where a lifeguard is present These areas are usually roped off to indicate a more shallow and safer floor. Know the signs of drowning and how to respond in an emergency.
Signs of drowning:
Drowning is silent, the victim cannot yell for help (Drowning is often depicted incorrectly in movies)
If adult calls to child or asks them if they are ok and they give no answer or look at adult with a blank stare, this may indicate child is struggling and needs assistance. Head back and low in the water with mouth at water level Not using legs; person is vertical in the water, often bobbing up and down
Appears to be climbing an invisible ladder or pressing down on water to raise head
How to respond in an emergency:
Call 911 or get the attention of a lifeguard, if present “Reach or Throw, don’t go ” is the instruction from the water safety community It is safest to reach for the child or throw them a buoyant object. Learn CPR
ARE YOU ELIGIBLE FOR POST PERMANENCY SERVICES?
FILL OUT THIS SIMPLE QUESTIONNARIE AND SOMEONE WILL REACH OUT TO FURTHER DISCUSS WHAT SERVICES ARE AVAILABLE 1 MINUTE QUESTIONNARIE
U M M
SCHOOL’S OUT AND SUMMER IS HERE! AS A NEW FOSTER OR ADOPTIVE PARENT, THE NEXT FEW MONTHS MAY SEEM DAUNTING. WHO WILL PROVIDE CHILDCARE WHILE YOU WORK? WHAT ACTIVITIES SHOULD YOU SIGN YOUR CHILD UP FOR? LET’S DIVE IN, BUT FIRST, A NOTE
ON HOW TRANSITIONS IN SCHEDULES CAN IMPACT CHILDREN.
HOW DO TRANSITIONS AND TRAUMA INTERACT?
SCHOOL PROVIDES A STRUCTURE FOR KIDS, AND FOR MANY CHILDREN, STRUCTURE CAN BE IMPORTANT. WITHOUT IT, CHILDREN MAY EXPERIENCE ANXIETY AND EXHIBIT MORE SEVERE BEHAVIORS FOR CHILDREN IMPACTED BY TRAUMA, IT’S NORMAL FOR BEHAVIOR CHALLENGES TO INCREASE WHEN ROUTINES ARE DISRUPTED ANTICIPATE MORE MELTDOWNS AND ARGUMENTS DURING THIS TIME
TALK WITH YOUR WORKER WHEN THINGS FEEL CHALLENGING. YOU CAN ALSO CHECK OUT RESPITE CARE RESOURCES, JOIN A PARENT SUPPORT GROUP, AND READ INFORMATION ABOUT TRAUMA AND BEHAVIORS. TWO SHORT RESOURCES FROM ADOPTUSKIDS MAY BE HELPFUL: IS IT LYING OR CONFABULATION AND HOW SHOULD I RESPOND? AND HELPING A CHILD THROUGH A CRISIS. PAVE ALSO HAS A GREAT RESOURCE ON REINFORCING POSITIVE BEHAVIORS AT HOME, WHICH YOU CAN FIND ON THEIR WEBSITE
AND REMEMBER THAT SUMMER BREAK CAN ALSO BE A GREAT TIME FOR CHILDREN TO RELAX, RECHARGE, AND HAVE LOTS OF FUN WE HAVE A FEW IDEAS TO HELP MAKE THIS SUMMER A GOOD ONE!
GETTING READY FOR A FAMILY VACATION FOR THE SAME REASON THAT BEING OUT OF SCHOOL CAN CAUSE BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, VACATIONS CAN, TOO. THAT DOESN’T MEAN YOU SHOULDN’T TAKE A VACATION. IT JUST MEANS THAT IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO PREPARE YOUR CHILD FOR THE CHANGES AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. BEFORE TAKING OFF, THINK THROUGH THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS AND TALK THROUGH THEM WITH YOUR CHILD:
HOW LONG WILL WE BE IN THE CAR/ON THE PLANE? WHAT WILL WE DO WHEN WE FIRST GET TO THE HOTEL? WHAT ARE THE RULES FOR BEING IN THE HOTEL? WHAT WILL WE EAT? WHAT COMFORT ITEMS DO YOU WANT TO BRING?
FAMILY ACTIVITY:
MAKE A LIST OF YOUR FAMILYS FAVORITE ICE CREAM FLAVORS AND TOPPINGS
PICK A DAY FOR YOUR FAMILY TO GATHER TOGETHER CREATE A SNACK BOARD LOADED WITH ALL THE TOPPINGS, YUMMY FLAVORS AND FANCY BOWLS AND SPOONS, IF YOU HAVE THEM HAVE EVERYONE CREATE THEIR SUNDAE MASTER PIECES AND THEN GO AROUND THE TABLE, TAKING TURNS SHARING WHAT EVERYONE INCLUDED IN THEIR SUNDAE AND WHY THEY CHOOSE EACH THING
ENJOY ICE CREAM, WHILE ALSO ENJOYING FUN QUAILITY FAMILY TIME WHILE LAUGHING AND LEARNING ABOUT EACH OTHER!
