The Child First Annual Report 2011 Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, Florida 123 Barton Boulevard, Rockledge, FL ─ 321·631·7776 ─ GRG-BREVARD.ORG
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Message to the Community We are pleased to present Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) of Brevard’s 2011 Annual Report. As GRG of Brevard evolved from a support group concept and into a community based service delivery organization, the Community remained focused on our mission to provide advocacy, support, and referral to relative care families throughout Brevard County. After 16 years in operation, we’ve enjoyed some remarkable achievements, including: • The implementation of The Child First Program • The largest relative care support organization in the State of Florida • Showing statistically significant improvements • Core operating values and family-centered service provider • The creation of new services: 5 monthly support groups throughout the county (mornings and evenings), legal services for custody of relative children, and annual training conference for caregivers. In a difficult fiscal environment for small businesses GRG of Brevard is surviving the uncertainties by managing program funding wisely. Overall our scope of work has increased, with more than 1,800 Brevard County children this year receiving critical services that build and sustain healthy families for our most vulnerable youth. GRG of Brevard has taken the opportunity to examine program services, to tighten and streamline processes, to pay greater attention to measurable outcomes and to focus on the greater needs of the community. In partnership with others, we have expanded our service in areas where growth is needed. Our leaders on the staff and Board considered this past year the perfect time to launch strategic planning initiatives to strengthen our core vitality and ensure the future of GRG of Brevard. In the following pages, you will read highlights of our initiatives for services, systems to capture measurable outcomes, and other plans that underline our commitment to a strong future of service to community. We are justifiably proud of the staff, volunteers and Board leadership, program integrity, and sustainability of GRG of Brevard. We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Bob Johnson on his retirement. Bob has served on the Board of Directors for many years and has provided financial oversight to the organization. It is with heartfelt gratitude for the efforts, partnership, and commitment of the local agencies, advocates, relative care families, and friends that we present this annual report. Mary Ann Sterling Executive Director
Jim Proctor Chairman
“More than 1,800 Brevard County children this year received critical services that build and sustain healthy families for our most vulnerable youth.”
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GRG of Brevard is‌‌ New Beginnings for Children
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Thriving Families and Communities
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Success Stories
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Strategically Poised for the Future
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Fiscally Confident
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Community Supported
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Living in a place you can call home and knowing that someone will always be there for you is something everyone needs, especially children.
Making a Difference! 3
New Beginnings for Children
From Sam Levenson’s, You Don’t Have to be in “Who’s Who” to Know What’s What. “The simplest toy, which even the youngest child can operate, is called a grandparent”
Celebrating Beginnings Harold and Barbara Koenig adopted their granddaughter, Liberty, on March 2, 2011. The picture shows the happy occasion with Barbara, Liberty, Jody, Harold and Brevard County Chief Judge Silvernail. 4
Don and Nancy Swickert have two adopted great grandchildren and both have accomplished great things this year.
Nicholas attends Merritt Island Christian School and is in the 4th grade. The school is putting on a play, “Music Man.” Many children tried out for the play and Nicholas was one who was selected. He also is learning to play golf. His golf instructor said his golf skills are “phenomenal” at this point. Nathan also attends Merritt Island Christian School and is in the 2nd grade. He has consistently been on the honor roll, as well as the principal’s list, which is the highest level of academic performance. Nathan also is in a school play and recently joined the basketball team.
Building and Maintaining Connection Decades of research have shown that children need stable, permanent homes to thrive. An alternative for some children who cannot safely remain with their birth families is a relative’s home, where a natural connection to the biological family can be maintained. Although many counties throughout Florida and the nation have embraced relative care as a good alternative to foster care, it is not without cost because of caregivers’ need for extensive support.
In 2011 there were more than 8,000 children in Brevard County living with relative caregivers. Most come from backgrounds of abuse, neglect or abandonment. GRG of Brevard and its community partners bring critical services to relatives, primarily grandmothers, who have had to step forward to raise one or more children. GRG of Brevard’s "The Child First Program” relative caregiver support program provides about 100 families each month with emergency assistance, resources and referrals, education, counseling, parent training, children’s therapeutic services, legal assistance, support groups and more. For 15 years GRG of Brevard has created new beginnings for children by advocating for caregivers and their relative children . We are committed to ensuring the success of these new families by providing the full spectrum of family-centered support, including hands-on assistance as grandparents learn to care for traumatized children and help them overcome the scars of past abuse. With the assistance of the attorneys Jody Culmer & Scarlett Davidson, GRG of Brevard provided legal assistance to 28 children, with 18 adoptions.
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Thriving Families & Communities
GRG of Brevard Receives Grant From The Boeing Company On March 8th, 2011 we received a grant in the amount of $5,400 from the Boeing Company. Mary Ann Sterling is shown receiving this great gift from the Boeing Company Employee Community Fund representative Janet Rollins at our office. Thank you Boeing for your continued support!
GRG of Brevard volunteers and staff participated in the Brevard Family
Partnerships 6th Annual Walk for Love In recognition of National Adoption Month – November 2011 at the Avenue Viera.
On April 29th GRG of Brevard join 40 other nonprofit organizations participated in the Cocoa
Beach Area Chamber of Commerce 7th Annual Fiesta Brevard at the International Palms Resort & Conference Center in Cocoa Beach. Festivities included live entertainment with Latin music, salsa dancing, games, drawings, raffles, salsa contest, fiesta hat parade and contest, lots of food and more!
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It’s HOT, HOT, HOT GRG of Brevard’s 6th Annual Children’s Summer Picnic
There was a large water slide, snow cones, hot dogs, hamburgers, organized children s games. Space Coast River Tours provided a wonderful trip on the Indian River to see the dolphins and manatees. This adventure was courtesy of grandparents Michelle and Mark Anderson.
On June 14th we had a wonderful field trip to the Green Meadows Farm in Kissimmee, attended by 57 relative care families. The children loved petting the animals and riding the ponies. We went on a train ride and a hayride. We all brought our lunches and ate under a huge pavilion. Everyone really enjoyed the adventure.
This year’s Children’s Christmas Party was a great success with a visit from Santa, cookie decorating, bounce house, face painting and even a clown. With the financial and in-kind support of local businesses and agencies GRG of Brevard provided Holiday meals to over 60 families and Holiday Toys to over 200 children.
Thriving Families & Communities
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GRG of Brevard Success Stories Three years ago two grandsons, Shane Carter (14) and Jacob Scott (6) came to live with grandparents Scott & Carol. It can be quite challenging to make this new family work together. Thinking back Carol says “we did some things correct and some things not, but I know it was all worth it”. Jacob finished third grade and has been on the A & B honor roll all year at Apollo Elementary School. Shane had failed ninth grade math three years ago and he had a love for skateboarding. He took the challenge to do his best in school and his grandparents supported his endeavor of skateboarding. Last November he was awarded best overall skateboarder for age category 16 & up 2010 at the Skatepark of Tampa. He also has maintained all A’s in school this year. In February, he was nominated for a National Mathematics Award from the United States Achievement Academy. He also is dual enrolled in Brevard Community College this semester. Shane graduated from Titusville High School on May 19, 2011, just ten days after becoming seventeen years old. Needless to say, his grandparents are so proud of the boys.
Nate is the grandson of Elaine Murray, and he has had an outstanding year. Nate attended Satellite High School and graduated in May of this year. He has received a 4-year football scholarship from Virginia Military Institute. Nate was awarded Athlete of the Year at Satellite High School and has a plaque placed on the Hall of Fame at his school. He also came in fifth in the discus in the state. We are so proud of Nate for his excellent effort and performance.
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GRG of Brevard Success Stories
Melani Jean Leonard, granddaughter of Lily Leonard, now deceased; has accomplished her studies to obtain her Master of Oriental Medicine. We are so proud of her. Lily was a dear friend of Mary Ann and many others in our group. She was so proud of her grandchildren. GRG of Brevard wants to let Melani know how much we share in her happiness of obtaining this goal.
Cyrah is the granddaughter of Priscilla Livingston; she was a proud 1st grader on May 16th. She received an award for being an outstanding student in Math, Spelling, Reading and Science. She also received an award for making the A+ Honor Roll and a Citizenship Award. Cyrah attends Imagine Schools at West Melbourne. As of August she is now a second grader.
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Strategically Poised for the Future GRG of Brevard’s vision embraces excellence, innovation, effective use of resources, and the most positive outcomes for children and families.
GRG of Brevard Strategic Plan Goal 1: Improve and expand the communication network between relative caregivers and community service providers. Goal 2: Develop financial reserves and diverse income streams to protect and sustain the organization and its programs Goal 3: Develop a training resource guide for relative caregivers seeking assistance.
Goal 4: Create an administrative infrastructure that will strengthen GRG of Brevard’s effectiveness and communication Goal 5: Position the organization to create maximum positive brand and mission recognition, and to increase visibility and influence in the community Goal 7: Create consistent outcome measures and articulate outcomes for organizational benefit “The strategic plan will not only provide a living roadmap for where our organization is going, it will outline how we’re going to get there, and, very importantly, how we will know if we got there or not.”
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Solutions for Current & Emerging Needs • Monthly Support Meetings Countywide (5) • Emergency Infant Supplies • Emergency Food Pantry & Children’s Closet
Infrastructure • Trained Volunteer Staff • Full Time Program Director & 2 Part-time Program Facilitators • Website & Facebook Page • Monthly Newsletter
Stability & Credibility in Challenging Times • • • • • • •
Over 16 Years in Brevard County Largest Support Organization in the State of Florida Continuing Growth Grant award $5400 – The Boeing Company Grant award $15,000 – Brevard Family Partnership Current United Way Funding $18,500 Brevard County CBO Grant $46,087.50
Childhood Successes • Assisted over 1800 Children & Families in 2011 • Matthew Armstrong – Practicing attorney in Orlando and member of GRG of Brevard BOD. • Teresa Meyers gained custody of her 5 disabled great grandchildren, and achieved stability and normalcy in their lives.
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In Florida there are 19,156 children living in foster care and 150,391 grandparents are raising grandchildren. In Brevard County 8,000 children are being raised by grandparents. 71% of grandparents are under 60 40% are below the poverty line 32.3% of the children have physical/mental disabilities.
Relative care placement reduces child abuse and neglect Siblings are kept together in relative care placement Family stability will increase opportunities for higher education.
Fiscally Confident
Brevard County CBO Grant United Way Funding
87¢ of every dollar is used for Direct Program Services
In-Kind Services Non-Government Grants Fundraising Membership
GRG of Brevard exercises the best in responsible stewardship and financial management practices
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Celebrating Grandparents Day
The Child First Gala
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Community Supported GRG of Brevard extends our deepest gratitude to those who made a difference in a child’s life with gifts in 2011.
Asbury Arms
Express LCL Services
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GRG of Brevard 2011 Board of Directors Name
Company/Organization
Jim Proctor – Chair
Retired Harris Corporation, VP & Gen Mgr
Cliff Valentine, LMHC, CAP, CEAP CoChair
Counselor – Employee & Health Assistance Consultants, General Partner
Bob Walters
Health First – Director of Human Resources
Dr. Valerie Allan
Licensed School Psychologist
Ann B. Hodge, LMHC
Independent Living Counselor
Lillian Clover
Attorney
Dolores “Dee” Ferguson-Ray
Business Owner
Dr. Disa G. Sacks
Physician
Jackie Erickson
Manager, Bank of America
Matthew Armstrong
Attorney – Lowndes, Drosdick, Doster, Kantor, & Reed, P.A.
Bethanne Hall
Business Professional
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