FALL 2016
DePelchin Children’s Center
Fostering with DePelchin Through its foster care program, DePelchin partners with individuals and families throughout the State of Texas who can provide temporary care for children removed from their birth families by CPS due to abuse, neglect or abandonment. Many of these children have experienced trauma and desperately need the care and support of a loving foster family. The last few years have seen significant changes for the DePelchin program beginning with the merger of the Austin-based foster care and adoption agency Caring Family Network in January of 2012. With locations now in Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Brownwood and Lubbock, DePelchin is poised to make a more meaningful impact on the child welfare system — and more importantly in the lives of these children and their families. We recently sat down with Renee Calder Price, Director of Child Welfare Services over the Greater Texas offices, to talk more about DePelchin’s foster care program. Many individuals often ask whether foster care can lead to adoption? How does that process work?
When children are unable to be safely reunified to biological family or relatives and DFPS terminates parental rights, children in CPS custody become “legally free for adoption.” In these instances, some of our foster families adopt the children currently in their homes. Other families assist with the transition of a foster child into an adoptive home and help children become a part of their adoptive family.
and how to change it. We would talk to the child, make rules, give consequences, etc. Now, however, we have a much better understanding of the reason behind the behavior. We understand that the trauma that the children have experienced – the abuse, the neglect, and the abandonment – is what is causing the behavior. We now understand that we have to look at how to help that child feel safe, find their voice, learn to attach and heal.
creates opportunities for survivors to rebuild a sense of control and empowerment.”
DePelchin’s model follows the principles of trauma informed care. Can you explain.
What is the biggest challenge to finding more foster parents right now?
Trauma Informed Care is officially defined as “a strengths-based framework that is grounded in an understanding of and responsiveness to the impact of trauma…that emphasizes physical, psychological, and emotional safety for both providers and survivors…and, that
This is the million dollar question. I think if we knew what the biggest challenge was, it would be easier to come up with solutions. Perhaps the biggest challenge is where to find the right
To me, Trauma Informed Care is the philosophy that experiencing trauma has long term effects on children and adults. It is the model of care that looks at creating a safe environment in order to meet the basic human needs of feeling safe, trusting others and building relationships.
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What do you think is the biggest challenge facing kids as they enter foster care?
I’m not sure this can be narrowed down to just one — partly because each child is different and partly because there are so many challenges for our children. But maybe, the biggest challenge is their lack of ability to build relationships. They have typically had no one to show them that they are precious and loved in a way that teaches them how to make healthy attachments to others. How is DePelchin’s new child welfare model different than what was done previously?
Historically, child welfare was very behavior management focused. So a child would misbehave in some way and we, as child care workers, would focus on that behavior
inside 2 From the President 3 Thank you Children’s Museum 3 Meet Our Foster Families 4 AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl 4 DePelchin Holiday Project
4 Congrats to Friends of DePelchin 5 Transitioning Adults through Guidance and Support 6 SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Fort Bend Cares
and Madison Charitable Foundation Team Up for DePelchin
6 Prevention Programs at DePelchin 7 Celebrating 125 Years
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From the President I
t is hard to believe that 2017 is just around the corner – the year in which DePelchin will celebrate
its 125th anniversary! It is not lost on any of us that we would not be here today without you, our faithful supporters. As our founder Kezia DePelchin said when she opened her orphanage, “I suppose I will have to call it my Faith Home. I’m entirely dependent on my faith in God and the good people of Houston to support it.” We continue to rely on your support and are thankful to receive it in so many ways both locally and statewide. Our annual Holiday Project is kicking off which is one way you can make a difference in a child’s life. Sponsoring a child’s holiday wish list is a great activity to do with your own child or your co-workers. It’s also easy to do — just sign up online at http://holidayproject.depelchin.org and drop off your gifts at our Donation Station in December. This past year we have been grateful recipients of in-kind support from community organizations like the Children’s Museum, Kolache Factory and even local builder Long Lake Ltd. You can read about how these generous organizations stepped up in various ways to support our families, our staff and our children. We also continue to be grateful for our relationship with the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl, which provides not only philanthropic support and community awareness but also precious family memories that last a lifetime. This year’s game will take place on December 28, featuring a Big 12 and SEC match-up. We are excited for the December team announcement and for our families to meet these players and coaches during their annual team visits late December. We are also very excited about next year’s 125th anniversary! Be on the lookout for more information about our 125th Birthday Celebration, taking place at the new Marriott Marquis on May 2, 2017 – 125 years to the day Kezia opened her orphanage. We will also host a fun family picnic at our main campus later in the fall. You are a big part of our legacy, and we look forward to celebrating this significant anniversary with you! It was true in 1892 and is still true today — we would not be able to do our important work without the support of this wonderful community. On behalf of our children, our families and the DePelchin staff, I thank you. Sincerely,
Jenifer Jarriel, MBA President and CEO
FOSTERING WITH DEPELCHIN, CONTINUED
people. There are many misconceptions about who can be a foster parent. We often say that foster parents are everyday people from every walk of life. They come from all income levels and can be single or married, working or retired. They can be renters or homeowners, have children of their own or no parenting experience. What they all share is a genuine desire to care for children and the ability to provide a safe home and loving family. What is the one thing you would want people to know about our foster parents?
Our foster parents are the most important part of the entire child welfare system. These wonderful people — who have chosen to open up their lives, their homes and their families to traumatized children — are the key to helping the children successfully reach permanency.
Interested in learning more about foster care or adoption? Come to one of our free informational orientation sessions or call one of our offices to learn more: www.depelchin.org/orientation-schedule
DEPELCHIN CHILDREN’S CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS Officers of the Board
John C. Bass, Chairman Pam Brasseux, Chairman-elect Steve Cherek, Secretary Charles D. Powell, Past Chairman
Board Members
Laura Bellows Efrain Bleiberg, M.D. Sean G. Boutros, M.D. Nancy I. Cook, Ph.D. Sue Nan Cutsinger
Susan Distefano Anne S. Duncan Stephen Dyer Henry S. Florsheim Kay Forbes Terry Gebert Gerald Gehm M. James Henderson Debbi M. Johnstone Pamela Lovett Robbie Lowrey Connelly McGreevy Hannah McNair
John S. Moody, Jr. Stewart Pisecco, Ph.D. Carolyn Pope Lisa Stone Tim Surratt H. Richard Walton W. Temple Webber III Janeana White-Lewis, M.D. Geraldina Interiano Wise Don M. Woo
FOUNDATION AND TRUST FOR DEPELCHIN CHILDREN’S CENTER BOARD Bob Paddock, Chairman Charles Szalkowski, Vice Chair Karey Dye Russell Hawkins Malcolm Lovett, Jr. Flo McGee Rahul Mehta John E. Stokes Harper B. Trammell
DEPELCHIN PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES BOARD Lindy Upton McGee, M.D., Chairman Efrain Bleiberg, M.D. Matthew Brams, M.D. James S. Ezelle, Jr., M.D. Sanjay J. Mathew, M.D.
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Thank you Children’s Museum The Houston foster care team provides two annual events for all families in its foster care and foster-to-adopt programs: a spring event and a December holiday party. These events give families an opportunity to connect with other DePelchin foster families and enjoy an outing that is fun for the whole family. In honor of Foster Parent Appreciation Month, DePelchin hosted its spring event, treating foster families to a Family Night Out at the Children’s Museum of Houston with a catered dinner and open access to Museum exhibits and facilities. Thank you, Children’s Museum of Houston, for helping us recognize and reward our foster families for their steadfast commitment to the children in foster care.
Why We Foster
We asked families at the Family Night Out event why they decided to become foster parents and why they feel committed to helping children in foster care.
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“We foster because too many times we hear that people like us say they wish they could do something to help such wonderful kids. For us it was a calling to help and a chance to be that someone for those kids. Our priority is always to help them get back home when possible and when it is not, then we discuss becoming the forever place for them. These kids shouldn’t have to go through the experiences they do and if we can help them for however short or long God wants us to, then why not us? If I were in the shoes of the biological family, I’d want the same for my own children.”
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– ANA AND PAUL TORRES
“I started out to foster to give back to my community. When the biological family members did not want my babies, that’s when I adopted. The thing I would like everyone to know is how important it is to keep siblings together. This is the longest relationship these babies will have in their lifetime. They will lose parents, grandparents but they need each other. If you do adopt, it is important to consider providing sibling visits if the children are in separate homes. It’s not about the parents rather than a hole in their heart to see their brother or sister.”
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– SELENA YATES
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“We foster to adopt because adoption has always been the first choice to grow our family. There are many ways people can adopt, but we wanted to be part of a system that better protects children and recognizes the rights of family, just like we would want for ourselves. The process isn’t without tragedy, but we’ll always help there be a happy ending for the children.”
– AMBER AND RANDALL ROBINSON
We chose to foster to adopt because we recognized the extreme need for foster/ adoptive parents and we felt God was calling us to do this. We are thrilled that in a few months, we will be adopting a little girl! Our other children are thrilled and the two girls love each other so much.”
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–STEPHANIE AND BENJAMIN BAMMES
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ADVOCARE V100 TEXAS BOWL FIELD DAY
D
ePelchin families were treated to an afternoon of field day fun courtesy of the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at the Houston Methodist Training Center, the practice facility of the Houston Texans. Children received autographs and ran drills with the Gridiron Legends, individuals who have made a significant contribution to Texas football, either at the high school, collegiate or professional level.
Don’t forget to save the date for the 2016 AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl December 28 at NRG Stadium. Tickets are on sale now at http://www.advocaretexasbowl.com/
T
he holidays are fast approaching! We invite you to make a dream come true for a child this year by participating in the annual DePelchin Children's Center Holiday Project. There are many ways you can get involved:
1. Sponsor a child 2. Host a toy drive
3. Make a cash donation 4. Volunteer your time
Last year, we fulfilled the holiday wish lists of more than 1,300 children, and we anticipate even more children will be in need this year. To learn more or get involved in this year’s Holiday Project visit: http://holidayproject.depelchin.org “We are not sending a wish list for our son this year, but we do want to send a huge thank you to all the sponsors that have sent him gifts in the past years. Our son is now 17 and I feel like these gifts should go to the younger kids. We are very grateful for all the gifts he has received over the years as these gifts have taught him about value of kindness and the importance of helping others. It has also helped us be able to provide him with a great Christmas year after year, especially since some years were harder than others. Once again, thank you so very very much for all you have done.”
–A DePelchin Parent
CONGRATS TO FRIENDS OF DEPELCHIN!
F
or the month of August, Friends of DePelchin competed against several other area nonprofits to be the recipient of OKRA Charity Bar’s proceeds. After a month long competition, DePelchin was selected as the winner and designated to receive the bar’s proceeds for the month of September which amounted to $13,050. Thank you to OKRA and all DePelchin supporters who voted for DePelchin!
Friends Board Members DJ and Anna Lyssa Johnson and Donald Green alongside Ashley Garner, DePelchin Manager of Volunteer Services
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TRANSITIONING TO ADULTHOOD THROUGH GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT In 2014, DePelchin Children’s Center opened a home for young adults, ages 18-22, who had aged out of foster care without a forever family and were at risk of becoming homeless. In addition to offering youths a safe, stable living environment, DePelchin’s Transitioning to Adulthood through Guidance and Support (TAGS) program helps guides these young adults to becoming financially independent and selfsufficient. Thank you! We would like to recognize a few groups for thinking of our TAGS residents and helping us to help them succeed. We are always thankful to the community for their support through thoughtful donations or innovative programs for our residents.
Benefiting
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Mu Kappa Omega Chapter One thing our TAGS residents always ask for is a home-cooked meal! Thanks to the generosity of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members, our residents enjoyed an evening of food, fellowship and fun with a home-cooked meal and a cooking class taught by the members themselves. “After learning that many of the TAGS residents who had been in foster care had little experience with food preparation and budgeting for food, we developed a class called Basic Cooking on a Budget. Every member of our sorority that participated loved working with this group and felt proud watching them realize they can make something that tastes really good,”
said Janet Harry-Taylor, Project Coordinator for Target 3-Family Strengthening for Alpha Kappa Alpha. It was not just an evening of learning for these young adults but an evening of camaraderie as well.
Long Lake LTD and Partners Remodel This past summer, Jason Ervin of Long Lake Ltd., a home building company, was contacted by his former foster daughter who is currently living in our TAGS residence. She asked if his company could use their skills and resources to spruce up their living quarters. Jason took it upon himself to take this request to the next level, bringing in other contractors and organizing full bedroom/bathroom remodels for the 20 rooms in DePelchin’s building. Thanks to the combined efforts of Long Lake Ltd, Chaparral Plumbing, Houston Carpet Service, Tile Connections, Westside Drywall and Williams Contractors, bedrooms now have new floors and bathrooms have been completely remodeled with new mirrors, showers, sinks and floors. This project has really made each bedroom feel personal and more like a home for the residents who live there.
Lola’s Lucky Day Dog Rescue Thanks to Lola’s Lucky Day dog rescue, our TAGS residents who have aged out of foster care are participating in the Buddy Foster Program for dogs. Since the program started in July, 11 residents have fostered 28 dogs, which entails feeding, sheltering and getting the dogs ready for their new homes in Wisconsin. Each group of dogs is fostered an average of four to six weeks before the residents say good bye and the dogs leave for their new homes. We are thankful to these young adults for their big hearts, responsibility and commitment to giving these furry friends a second chance. The Buddy Foster Program for dogs provides a true full circle moment!
When asked why he chose to do this project, Jason Ervin, Chief Financial Officer of Long Lake Ltd., responded, “We build homes every day for families that come in all shapes and sizes. We know the importance of not just a home but also a community. In this case, providing a remodeled bedroom and bathroom for these kids helps them to further feel part of their own community as they work to launch themselves into adulthood. It is important they are proud of their living quarters and proud of the decision they made to come be part of the TAGS program.”
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SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Center, Fort Bend Cares and Madison Charitable Foundation TEAM UP FOR DEPELCHIN
A
s part of the foster care program, DePelchin oversees a Residential Treatment Center (RTC) in Richmond for children between the ages of 5 and 12 with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Each month there is an average of 15 children being treated at the RTC with the goal of returning each child to a nurturing home as quickly as possible. Through the funding of Fort Bend Cares and Madison Charitable Foundation, DePelchin has partnered with SIRE Therapeutic Equestrian Center to provide a unique opportunity for therapeutic treatment using equine therapy. At a typical session, a child learns how to behave around horses and handle them, how to feed and keep their stalls clean and
how to ride the horses themselves. On their initial visit, the RTC clinical supervisor commented that she had “never seen our group of kids so calm and regulated, as well as so involved and engaged. Every child participated in every part of the program, and everyone was so well-behaved…Our kids connected so well with those animals, and the staff is very professional and in tune with the emotional and behavioral needs of our kids.” Thanks to funding from Fort Bend Cares and Madison Charitable Foundation, DePelchin and SIRE have been able to continue these sessions with both organizations benefitting from the relationships. Additionally, DePelchin staff has been highly impressed with the immediate positive impact on the children.
PREVENTION PROGRAMS AT DEPELCHIN
Kids don’t an instruct come with ion manua l, we c an HELP.
ParentingHelp DePelchin is currently working as the lead contractor for the HOPES grant (Healthy Outcomes Through Prevention and Early Support) in Harris County that provides free support services to families with children ages 0-5. Parenting is hard and children do not come with an instruction manual, but ParentingHelp offers individualized programs based on a family’s situation to help them feel more positive, happier and healthier. ParentingHelp is a collaborative partnership between the following agencies:
• Arrow Child and Family Ministries • Baylor Teen Clinic • Collaborative for Children • DePelchin Children’s Center • Harris County Protective Services • University of Texas Health Science Center – Memorial Hermann
Visit www.parentinghelp.org for more information.
DePelchin’s STAR Counseling DePelchin helps families work through issues through its Services to At Risk Youths (STAR) program, offering services at DePelchin offices in Harris, Fort Bend, and Waller counties. In addition to free counseling support, the STAR Program offers skills-based training groups for youth as well as caregivers that focus on problem solving, goal setting and parenting skills. These classes are also of no cost and are held at DePelchin’s Memorial location. STAR services offer support to families who may be experiencing issues related to:
• family conflict • a child running away • behavior problems at home and at school • emotional support and mental health services
To schedule an appointment with a therapist, call 713-664-3459 in Harris County or 281-261-1341 in Fort Bend/ Waller County. STAR services are of no cost and are provided in both English and Spanish.
Call 713-80 2-7777 tod Visit Pa ay. rentingHelp .org
A FREE prog
ram from H
.O.P.E.S.
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1892
1939
Kezia opens her Faith Home orphanage
Negro Child Center opens, first institution to serve African American children
1923 DePelchin joins the “Community Chest” for funding, now the United Way
1899
1913
1937
1950
Second site at Chenevert Street opens
Third site at Albany Street opens
Cottage campus opens on Memorial, site of current location
DePelchin hires a psychiatrist, recognizing the need for mental health services
DEPELCHIN CELEBRATES 125 YEARS In 2017, DePelchin will celebrate its 125th anniversary and the thousands of children and families touched by Kezia’s legacy. As one of Houston’s longest standing non-profits, DePelchin Children’s Center is deeply rooted in the city’s history and culture, connecting generation to generation and family to family through its foster care, adoption and prevention programs. The philanthropic connections fostered through DePelchin also run deep, and it is because of the support of the local community and its philanthropic families that DePelchin is able to fulfill Kezia’s mission today — 125 years later. DePelchin’s milestone anniversary is a celebration of the organization’s deep roots in the community and among the community’s families with two signature events: 125th Birthday Celebration on May 2, 2017 and the family picnic to be held in the fall at DePelchin’s main campus. Be a part of this historical celebration! Visit www.depelchin.org/125 to learn more.
1975
1982
2002
DePelchin establishes off-site emergency shelter for homeless adolescents and teenagers
DePelchin merges with Florence Crittenton Services for pregnant and parenting teens
Kinder Services building completed, replacing original cottage buildings
1992
2012
Elkins Residential Treatment Center opens, now a home for youth aging out of foster care
DePelchin merges with Central Texas agency, expanding beyond Houston
1960 DePelchin focuses on finding adoptive families for minority and special needs children
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Houston, TX Permit No. 3601
DePelchin Children’s Center
4950 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007
SAVE THE DATE 125TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION Join DePelchin Children’s Center on May 2, 2017, at the Marriott Marquis, for our 125th Birthday Celebration, chaired by Laura Bellows. We invite you to become a part of our city’s history as we celebrate this unique achievement and DePelchin’s commitment to Family Ever After! For table and ticket information, please visit www.depelchin.org/familyeverafter or contact Emily Bolin at 713-802-7645 or ebolin@depelchin.org.
OUR VISION
We envision a world in which every child is safe and healthy.
OUR MISSION
We strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being. DePelchin Children’s Center believes that every child deserves to be safe and healthy. An accredited foster care and adoption agency, DePelchin serves the most vulnerable children and families in Texas and works to break the cycles of abuse and neglect. Our approach to caring for children integrates prevention, foster care, adoption and post-adoption programs to improve the mental health and physical well-being of children at risk of entering or within the State’s child welfare system. Founded as an orphanage in 1892, DePelchin is a nonprofit organization with locations throughout Houston and across Texas and gratefully receives support from individuals, foundations, corporations, government grants and the United Way. Today is published by DePelchin Children’s Center. Copyright 2016 DePelchin Children’s Center. All rights reserved. Mary Kristen Valentine – Director, Marketing and Public Relations Analisa Warren – Writer, Photography
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