Caregiver News
Caregiver News A quarterly publication of Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County’s Healthy Communities Program
SPRING 2014
First Time 4-H Public Presentation
IN THIS ISSUE
Many Happenings 2 at Monthly Meetings Kinship Coalition 2 Kick-Off Write RAPP! Q&A with J&A
3
3 Help is Just a Phone Call Away...
RAPP Thanks You
4
Our Mission The Relatives as Parents Program strives to make a difference in the lives of relative caregivers and the children they care for by providing education and support. RAPP is committed to assisting caregivers and youth in building and strengthening family ties.
The 4-H motto is to “Make the Best Better”. Children start a project knowing very little and then build their expertise based on constructive feedback from 4-H judges, leaders, and peers. This year, Jasper Fassbender, who is a member of RAPP’s Wonderful Kid’s Activity 4-H Club, learned to create and deliver a public presentation. His presentation, “How to make a baseball pin Below: Jasper demonstrating his presentacushion”, was presented at the tion at the District Level held at Gander county level on March 22nd and Mountain. received a blue ribbon, the highest award based on points. Left: Jasper holding his hand-made enlarged version of He was then asked to present at the baseball pincushion used the district level where he to show how to perform the blanket stitch on a larger scale received a red ribbon. His first experience with public presentations was very rewarding. He will hone his skills next year with a new topic, using the constructive feedback from the judges.
RAPP Youth Run for 3rd Year RAPP youth and caregivers met every Saturday morning from February to May to participate in the Y26.2 running program offered at the Ulster County YMCA. While children enjoyed various running games, the caregivers walked the indoor track with Youth Educator, Allison Reidy and Program Below: Participants watched the other races after Coordinator, Jennifer their mile. Patterson. The children also learned proper running technique such as stretching and pace Above: Brothers, Jovan and Vitalis keeping while running with their medals after finishing the mile. the indoor track. The program culminated at the Kid’s Classic on Saturday May 3rd at Dietz Stadium where the youth ran their final mile of the program.
Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County online at www.cceulster.org
PAGE 2
Many Happenings at Monthly Meetings
RAPP Program Staff:
Jennifer Patterson RAPP Coordinator [email protected] Ext. 343
Allison Reidy RAPP Youth Educator [email protected] Ext. 345
Melinda Herzog Healthy Communities Issue Leader [email protected] Ext. 342
Cornell Cooperative
During the winter and early spring, RAPP participants met for regular monthly support group meetings. Some of the activities included a guest speaker. Emily Kirby from Legal Above: The children pose with Patricia Laufer, Services of the Hudson after their intergenerational yoga class. Below: The caregivers, Allison, and Kevin pose Valley presented with Patricia. Namaste! valuable information Jovan, Vitalis, Jasper, Kaylee, regarding legalservices, Above: and Kevin add water to the coir, a Caregivers’ rights and renewable resource good for growing seedlings made from coconuts. the basics of navigating the legal system as a relative caregiver. In addition, Patricia Laufer, a certified yoga instructor, taught a 4 week workshop that demonstrated the fundamentals of yoga. Caregivers met weekly for 30-minute classes which Below: The children shell peanuts to make healthy focused on homemade peanut butter. breathing, relaxation and light stretching. In early spring, RAPP participants and youth planted seedlings for the Sojourner Truth Memorial Community Garden. The garden is located outside of the Ulster County Family Court in Kingston. The startup was originally funded through the 2011 Learn and Serve America Garden Materials Grant. RAPP participants continue to maintain the garden from spring until fall every year.
Kinship Coalition Kick-Off
Extension of Ulster County 232 Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401 Ph: (845) 340-3990
In January 2014, RAPP staff partnered with the Kinship Navigator (a statewide referral agency for kinship caregivers) to begin a coalition. Approximately 15 local agencies from the community participated in the kickoff meeting, which was held at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. The coalition’s purpose is to increase awareness of kinship care as well as increase services available to kinship caregivers. The coalition members will be meeting every other month. A local summit is planned for the fall of 2014.
PAGE 3
Write RAPP! Q&A with J&A Dear RAPP Staff, I have been caring for my grandchild for the last 7 years due to the fact his biological mother has been incarcerated. Lately my grandchild has been asking to visit his mom and I am just not sure how to handle it. Any suggestions? - L
RAPP is funded by the Dyson Foundation and the Catholic Family Center (Kinship Navigator)
Together, we are making a significant and positive difference. “Like” The Ulster County Relatives As Parents Program on
Dear L, Providing the environment for visitation is safe, I would say by all means arrange a visit. You did not mention your grandchild’s age so I would suggest you engage in some age appropriate guidance that addresses what they might experience during the visit; this way there will be no surprises. It also might do some good to call the facility ahead of time and see if they can give you more information regarding visitation times. This will help you better prepare your grandson. It is healthy for children to want to develop a relationship with their parents if it has been compromised in the past. As long as it is safe, that relationship should be nurtured. Take it one step at a time and see how all parties involved react to the situation and go from there. Best of luck! J&A
Help is Just a Phone Call Away... Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP) Support, referral and assistance (845) 340-3990 Catholic Charities Emergency assistance and food pantry (845) 340-9170
Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County online at www.cceulster.org Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please Contact the CCEUC Office at 845-340-3990 if you have any special needs.
Jewish Family Services of Ulster County Elder care, social workers, workshops (845) 338-2980 Department of Social Services Food stamps, child care, Medicaid (845) 334-5000 Ulster County Community Action “Extra Helpings of Food Program”, fresh produce distribution (845) 338-8750 ext. 105 Family of Woodstock Case management, emergency homeless assistance (845) 331-7080
Do you have concerns about your preschooler’s speech or other skills? If you or others have trouble understanding what your child is saying, or you suspect delays in any area of development, he or she may be eligible for services like speech therapy or possibly even a pre-school program that is FREE. In Kingston, contact your school district at 339-3000. In New Paltz, call Kathleen Clark, 256-4042 for more info. People’s Place Food and clothing (845) 338-4030 Office of the Aging Free and low-cost services for seniors (845) 340-3456 Ulster County Crime Victims Program Confidential service for victims (845) 340-3443
Return Service Requested
Non–Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 1 Kingston, NY 12401
232 Plaza Road Kingston, N.Y. 12401 Phone: 845-340-3990 Fax: 845-340-39993 www.cceulster.org
RAPP Thanks You! So many people help to make our program successful. This page is dedicated to thanking all of the organizations and people who help RAPP help others! Special Thanks to our venues: Ulster County Family Court
Special Thanks to our funders and donors:
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Dyson Foundation
YMCA of Ulster County
Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation Catholic Family Center, NYS Kinship Navigator
Special Thanks to our Educators: Patricia Laufer, Yoga Instructor Above: The children display their race numbers before the mile!
Emily Kirby, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
Right: Vitalis completes his second lap of the one mile run at Dietz Stadium. He completed his mile in under 11 minutes! Right: Intergenerational yoga with Patricia. Having fun doing different animal poses.
SPRING 2014
First Time 4-H Public Presentation
IN THIS ISSUE
Many Happenings 2 at Monthly Meetings Kinship Coalition 2 Kick-Off Write RAPP! Q&A with J&A
3
3 Help is Just a Phone Call Away...
RAPP Thanks You
4
Our Mission The Relatives as Parents Program strives to make a difference in the lives of relative caregivers and the children they care for by providing education and support. RAPP is committed to assisting caregivers and youth in building and strengthening family ties.
The 4-H motto is to “Make the Best Better”. Children start a project knowing very little and then build their expertise based on constructive feedback from 4-H judges, leaders, and peers. This year, Jasper Fassbender, who is a member of RAPP’s Wonderful Kid’s Activity 4-H Club, learned to create and deliver a public presentation. His presentation, “How to make a baseball pin Below: Jasper demonstrating his presentacushion”, was presented at the tion at the District Level held at Gander county level on March 22nd and Mountain. received a blue ribbon, the highest award based on points. Left: Jasper holding his hand-made enlarged version of He was then asked to present at the baseball pincushion used the district level where he to show how to perform the blanket stitch on a larger scale received a red ribbon. His first experience with public presentations was very rewarding. He will hone his skills next year with a new topic, using the constructive feedback from the judges.
RAPP Youth Run for 3rd Year RAPP youth and caregivers met every Saturday morning from February to May to participate in the Y26.2 running program offered at the Ulster County YMCA. While children enjoyed various running games, the caregivers walked the indoor track with Youth Educator, Allison Reidy and Program Below: Participants watched the other races after Coordinator, Jennifer their mile. Patterson. The children also learned proper running technique such as stretching and pace Above: Brothers, Jovan and Vitalis keeping while running with their medals after finishing the mile. the indoor track. The program culminated at the Kid’s Classic on Saturday May 3rd at Dietz Stadium where the youth ran their final mile of the program.
Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County online at www.cceulster.org
PAGE 2
Many Happenings at Monthly Meetings
RAPP Program Staff:
Jennifer Patterson RAPP Coordinator [email protected] Ext. 343
Allison Reidy RAPP Youth Educator [email protected] Ext. 345
Melinda Herzog Healthy Communities Issue Leader [email protected] Ext. 342
Cornell Cooperative
During the winter and early spring, RAPP participants met for regular monthly support group meetings. Some of the activities included a guest speaker. Emily Kirby from Legal Above: The children pose with Patricia Laufer, Services of the Hudson after their intergenerational yoga class. Below: The caregivers, Allison, and Kevin pose Valley presented with Patricia. Namaste! valuable information Jovan, Vitalis, Jasper, Kaylee, regarding legalservices, Above: and Kevin add water to the coir, a Caregivers’ rights and renewable resource good for growing seedlings made from coconuts. the basics of navigating the legal system as a relative caregiver. In addition, Patricia Laufer, a certified yoga instructor, taught a 4 week workshop that demonstrated the fundamentals of yoga. Caregivers met weekly for 30-minute classes which Below: The children shell peanuts to make healthy focused on homemade peanut butter. breathing, relaxation and light stretching. In early spring, RAPP participants and youth planted seedlings for the Sojourner Truth Memorial Community Garden. The garden is located outside of the Ulster County Family Court in Kingston. The startup was originally funded through the 2011 Learn and Serve America Garden Materials Grant. RAPP participants continue to maintain the garden from spring until fall every year.
Kinship Coalition Kick-Off
Extension of Ulster County 232 Plaza Road Kingston, NY 12401 Ph: (845) 340-3990
In January 2014, RAPP staff partnered with the Kinship Navigator (a statewide referral agency for kinship caregivers) to begin a coalition. Approximately 15 local agencies from the community participated in the kickoff meeting, which was held at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County. The coalition’s purpose is to increase awareness of kinship care as well as increase services available to kinship caregivers. The coalition members will be meeting every other month. A local summit is planned for the fall of 2014.
PAGE 3
Write RAPP! Q&A with J&A Dear RAPP Staff, I have been caring for my grandchild for the last 7 years due to the fact his biological mother has been incarcerated. Lately my grandchild has been asking to visit his mom and I am just not sure how to handle it. Any suggestions? - L
RAPP is funded by the Dyson Foundation and the Catholic Family Center (Kinship Navigator)
Together, we are making a significant and positive difference. “Like” The Ulster County Relatives As Parents Program on
Dear L, Providing the environment for visitation is safe, I would say by all means arrange a visit. You did not mention your grandchild’s age so I would suggest you engage in some age appropriate guidance that addresses what they might experience during the visit; this way there will be no surprises. It also might do some good to call the facility ahead of time and see if they can give you more information regarding visitation times. This will help you better prepare your grandson. It is healthy for children to want to develop a relationship with their parents if it has been compromised in the past. As long as it is safe, that relationship should be nurtured. Take it one step at a time and see how all parties involved react to the situation and go from there. Best of luck! J&A
Help is Just a Phone Call Away... Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County Relatives As Parents Program (RAPP) Support, referral and assistance (845) 340-3990 Catholic Charities Emergency assistance and food pantry (845) 340-9170
Visit Cornell Cooperative Extension Ulster County online at www.cceulster.org Cornell University Cooperative Extension provides equal program and employment opportunities. Please Contact the CCEUC Office at 845-340-3990 if you have any special needs.
Jewish Family Services of Ulster County Elder care, social workers, workshops (845) 338-2980 Department of Social Services Food stamps, child care, Medicaid (845) 334-5000 Ulster County Community Action “Extra Helpings of Food Program”, fresh produce distribution (845) 338-8750 ext. 105 Family of Woodstock Case management, emergency homeless assistance (845) 331-7080
Do you have concerns about your preschooler’s speech or other skills? If you or others have trouble understanding what your child is saying, or you suspect delays in any area of development, he or she may be eligible for services like speech therapy or possibly even a pre-school program that is FREE. In Kingston, contact your school district at 339-3000. In New Paltz, call Kathleen Clark, 256-4042 for more info. People’s Place Food and clothing (845) 338-4030 Office of the Aging Free and low-cost services for seniors (845) 340-3456 Ulster County Crime Victims Program Confidential service for victims (845) 340-3443
Return Service Requested
Non–Profit Organization U.S. Postage
PAID Permit No. 1 Kingston, NY 12401
232 Plaza Road Kingston, N.Y. 12401 Phone: 845-340-3990 Fax: 845-340-39993 www.cceulster.org
RAPP Thanks You! So many people help to make our program successful. This page is dedicated to thanking all of the organizations and people who help RAPP help others! Special Thanks to our venues: Ulster County Family Court
Special Thanks to our funders and donors:
Cornell Cooperative Extension
Dyson Foundation
YMCA of Ulster County
Ulster Savings Charitable Foundation Catholic Family Center, NYS Kinship Navigator
Special Thanks to our Educators: Patricia Laufer, Yoga Instructor Above: The children display their race numbers before the mile!
Emily Kirby, Legal Services of the Hudson Valley
Right: Vitalis completes his second lap of the one mile run at Dietz Stadium. He completed his mile in under 11 minutes! Right: Intergenerational yoga with Patricia. Having fun doing different animal poses.
