May 2015

GRG of Brevard

May 2015 GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN OF BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA INC.

ISSUE # 166

DCF MEETINGS

T.A.R.G.E.T. TRAINING

GRG of Brevard will host quarterly meetings with The Department of Children and Families (DCF) to enable our members to express their concerns with their individual cases.

Stephanie Weis, Family Safety and Community Services Director for DCF's Circuits 5, 9, 10 and 18 (Brevard Co. is in Circuit 18) who has been an outstanding advocate for our organization, will be in attendance along with Katie Guemple, DCF Program Administrator for the DCF Abuse Investigation Division. A representative from IMPOWER, the organization who handles the case management for DCF will also be there.

This is your opportunity to understand the DCF organization, express your concerns and assistance DCF in improving their services.

Our Next Scheduled Meeting:

TARGET is a six-week training course that covers the latest information from community and state experts on topics. Please plan to join us Wednesdays 10 am – 12 pm at the GRG office 123 Barton Blvd Suite 102, Rockledge:  May 6: Parenting Survival Training Cliff Valentine  May 13: Resources Culmer & Davidson, Attorneys – Jody Culmer  May 20: Parenting Again / When to Call for Assistance Sheriff Wayne Ivey  May 27: Assisting teens from following a path to a troubled future Larry Lawton (Reality Check)

May 20th, 2015 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM

GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge Please contact the GRG office 321-631-7776 if you are interested in attending.

SUMMER PICNIC Our annual picnic is June 13th 12-4pm it will be held at the Kiwanis Island SR 520. GRG supplies hamburgers, hot dogs and drinks. Please bring a covered dish. There will be a Bounce House, Water Slide, Boat Tour and organized sports.

KIDS ARTS AND CRAFT DAY GRG of Brevard will be holding a Kids’ Arts and Craft Day on Saturday, June 6th, 2015 at 10:00 am – noon; at the GRG of Brevard office 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge.

If you and your grandchild would like to participate, please contact Karen at 321-6317776 or 506-4554. We need to have your reservation in by May 15th in order to have enough supplies for everyone.

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Issue 166

GRG of Brevard

"DO I MAINTAIN CONTACT WITH THE INCARCERATED PARENT? Taken from Grandparents As Parents - Sylvie de Toledo and Deborah Edler Brown Whether or not to maintain contact and how to set boundaries are primary questions for grandparents when a parent goes to jail. Do you accept collect calls? Do you send money? Do you arrange for the things she/he has on her/his wish list? How do you keep yourself from being manipulated? These are the decisions you will need to make again and again throughout her/his sentence, and the answers may change according to your feelings, your grandchild's feelings, your adult child's progress, and what you are able to do.

If you are unsure about getting involved, it helps to take a clear look at the situation and ask yourself: How old is my adult child, and how long have I been dealing with his/her behavior?

What has the behavior been? Has he run away, stolen from me, threatened my grandchild safety or his own?  How will it impact my family if I help or if I don't?  What would help look like? What am I emotionally and financially able to do?

If, after this self-evaluation, you are still unsure, talking to an outsider might be helpful.  

BRIGHT STAR PROGRAM To lose a loved one is difficult and tragic for anyone whose life is affected by the loss. The expression of grief, although basic in nature, is often a learned behavior - a process. Young children, however, haven't had an opportunity to know what grief is or how to handle the flood of emotions they feel when experiencing the loss of a loved one.

BRIGHT STAR is a specialized community resource for grief and loss. BRIGHT STAR encourages the expression of grief experiences verbally, and through creative, positive play within a peer group setting.

Groups are open to grieving children ages 3 to 18. Services are provided through Hospice of Health First's family of programs, including Grieving Children Services, Bright Star workshops, Camp BRIGHT STAR, and New Hope's Children's Wish Foundation. If you are interested in services that Bright Star has to offer, please contact them at 321-733-7672. Bright Star is located in Melbourne, FL. http://www.health-first.org/outpatient/hospice/services/support.cfm

2016 CALENDAR GRG of Brevard is planning on publishing a 2016 calendar as a fundraiser. If you would like to have your grandchild appear in the calendar please drop off or mail a picture and preferred month to appear, at the GRG office: 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge, FL 32955 no later than June 30. You will be required to sign a Photography Release for your minor grandchild or grandchildren. The calendar will also mark the dates for every Support Group Meeting and upcoming events. If you have any questions, please call either Karen or Mary Ann at 321-631-7776

NEWS FROM OUR MEMBERS

Granddaughter Lexie was selected as a runner up for a Take Stock in Children Scholarship; she was one of about 60 students selected for an interview. She (and grandparents) were interviewed and hurray she as been selected!

She has received a 60 credit hour Florida Prepaid Tuition Scholarship which will be rewarded upon her High School Graduation and completion of the Take Stock in Children (TSIC) Participation Agreement. In addition she will be assigned a volunteer mentor who will meet with her weekly at her school during school hours throughout her middle and high school years. The Blacks are so proud and wanted to share their good news. We are so proud and wanted to share our news with you and GRG! Thank you for all you do for us and all of our GRG members! Ronnie and Robbie Black

FYI: We now have a notary at our office if you need papers notarized (call 321-631-7776 for an appointment) NO charge.

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Issue 166

GRG of Brevard

SUMMER IS ALMOST HERE

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren has received grant funding to assist with summer camps for our grandchildren. This will be on a first come / first serve basis as funding is limited. Please contact GRG of Brevard at 321-631-7776 for more information.   

You must present a brochure or flyer from the camp which you would like for your grandchild/grandchildren to attend The fee will be paid directly to the facility It is your responsibility to get a receipt and mail or bring it to the office

CHRISTMAS IN JULY

GRG of Brevard will be holding a Christmas in July vendor/craft event on Saturday, July 25th from 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at the Martin Andersen Senior Center, 1025 S. Florida Ave., Rockledge. If you know of anyone who might be interested in a space, the cost is $35.00 for a table and two chairs. For more information contact Karen at 631-7776 or 506-4554. More info to come.

GOOD GRADES

The Grandparents Raising Grandchildren organization is so proud of our grandchildren's improvement in their endeavor to improve their grades. So far we have given out gift cards to 16 children for making the honor roll. Kids bring your honor roll report cards to our office and you will receive your $25.00 gift card. Keep up the good work!

QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING

Members you are welcome to attend our Quarterly Board Meeting. It will be held on Friday, May 1st, 2015 at the GRG of Brevard office 123 Barton Blvd., Rockledge starting from 12 – 1pm.

SAD NEWS

Joyce Wright passed away Sunday, March 29, 2014. Our deepest sympathy to David and his family for their loss. Joyce was a member of GRG for many years and was always at our Rockledge Support Group and any GRG event; she will be greatly missed.

You're Stronger When We're Together

MAY 2015 ~ SUPPORT GROUP MEETINGS Tuesday, May 12th – Titusville Support Group Meeting (Ginger Blair, Brevard County Schools) 805 Century Medical Dr, Building B, Titusville. This group is partnered with Parrish Senior Solutions. 10:00 – 11:30 am (This meeting is always the second Tuesday of each month) Thursday, May 14th – Club Esteem Support Group Meeting (Ginger Blair, Brevard County Schools) Club Esteem 3316 Monroe Street, Melbourne 10:00 – 11:30 am.

(This meeting is always the second Thursday of each month) Tuesday, May 19th – Central Brevard Support Group (Ginger Blair, Brevard County Schools) GRG of Brevard Office, 123 Barton Blvd, Rockledge 9:30-11:30 am (This meeting is always the third Tuesday of each month) Wednesday, May 20th – South Brevard Support Group Meeting (Ginger Blair, Brevard County Schools) Memaw’s Restaurant, 4916 Babcock Blvd, Palm Bay 6:00 – 7:30 pm (Dinner is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the third Wednesday of each month) Thursday, May 28th – Beach Side Support Group (Ginger Blair, Brevard County Schools) Memaw’s Restaurant, Indian Harbour Beach, 9:30 – 11:30 am (Breakfast is available at member's expense) (This meeting is always the last Thursday of each month)

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The Child First!

HELP THE GRANDPARENTS AND CHILDREN OF GRG OF BREVARD BECOME A MEMBER AND/OR FRIEND Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County FL, Inc. is a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation.

All gifts are deductible on corporate, foundation and individual tax returns to the extent provided by state and federal laws.

Members of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard County, FL, Inc. receive our newsletter and invitations to events where they can meet others in similar situations Name Date: Address:

I am raising children who are not my own I am their: [ ] Grandparent [ ] Aunt / Uncle [ ] Sister / Brother [ ] Other (please specify)

City/State: Zip: Phone:

[ ] I am not in this situation but I want to join GRG of Brevard because I am interested in what you do.

Email: [ ] Annual Membership $20 per family or $10 per caregiver [ ] Annual Corporate Membership $500 I want to be a friend of the GRG of Brevard and enclose an additional donation of: [ ] $25 [ ] $50 [ ] $75 [ ] $100 Other: $

Please make your check payable to: Grandparents Raising Grandchildren of Brevard