News & Events
WALK ME HOME EVENT - Saturday, May 17th
FACES sponsors this NFPA event to generate publicity, funding and support for Permanency in Foster Care. Get your walking shoes ready! ….and join us at Lake Accotink Park, Fairfax, Virginia on Saturday, May 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more info or to register visit www.walkmehome.org and click on “Find a Walk” and scroll down to Virginia and click on Fairfax. Decide if you want to create a team, register as a walker, or make a donation, etc; then click on that option in the right hand corner. Let all your friends and family know via email from this site that you are walking. Raise your funds for the walk and SHOW UP!
For more info contact:
Billie Jo McGhee at Billie.McGhee@fairfaxcounty.gov or Cate Newbanks at 804-649-0184.
FACES 2008 ANNUAL CONFERENCE A HUGE SUCCESS
Foster, adoptive, and kinship families attended the Premier FACES Annual Conference entitled Brighter Tomorrows Begin Today on April 18-20, 2008. Nearly 200 participants enjoyed keynotes from well-known speakers Jaiya John, Ashley Rhodes Courter, Jennifer Lauck, Dr. Robert Hill, and Terri Jaggers. A wonderful blend of 2-3 hour workshops were included on Friday and Saturday to meet the needs of both families and professionals. Friday night’s awards banquet was a wonderful opportunity to recognize inidividuals, agencies and organizations that have contributed to the successful growth and impact FACES has experienced in its short history.
Participants were encouraged by the support of the Freddie Mac Foundation as well as First Lady Anne Holton to continue the work of FACES to meet the needs of Virginia’s children in care. Many were recognized for their contributions and efforts during the past year which have resulted in building relationships, new legislation and a brighter future for FACES, families and children.
The FACES Youth Conference hosted more than 30 children who enjoyed the fun, food and fellowship together as well as workshops and an Edutainment presentation from Michael Sanders. The youth presented a talent and fashion show on Saturday where everyone–young and old, parent, child and professional, danced the night away.
FACES is so grateful to everyone who made this year’s conference a big success and we hope to see more people involved in the planning of our 2009 Conference: Give children wings…and their futures will soar!
FACES SEEKING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FACES of Virginia Families, Virginia’s statewide Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Association is seeking an experienced leader who can engage, motivate, and lead others in furthering the mission, vision and work of FACES and who will carry out the operations of this organization. The successful candidate will be an action-oriented, results driven, analytical, strategic thinker who can develop, support and lead an effective and cohesive team toward improving the well-being of Virginia’s children and their families.
The position will be located in the metro Richmond area, but will include statewide travel. Position is contingent upon funding and is proposed to begin no later than July 1, 2008. Click here to view the complete job description.
Qualified and interested candidates should submit the following to Chair of ED Search Committee, Kathy Sauter, ksauter@facesofvirginia.org by March 25, 2008. Resume with cover letter explaining how you would support the expansion and development of FACES as an organization. All applications will be acknowledged.
CURRENT FACES NEWSLETTER - Updated January 2008
Stay on top of recent FACES happenings and learn about upcoming events by viewing our most recent newsletter.
WEDNESDAYS IN WASHINGTON GRANDRALLY - May 7, 2008, 1:00 P.M. in Washington, D.C.
The Wednesdays in Washington® GrandRally is a historic gathering of grandparents and other relative caregivers from across the country that brings attention to the needs of children and kinship care families. The GrandRally is an important opportunity to educate members of Congress and their staff about the supports and services kinship families need. The GrandRally also offers caregivers, advocates and members of Congress the chance to recognize and celebrate the essential role that grandparents and other relative caregivers play in keeping children safe and in stable families. This year’s GrandRally was sponsored by AARP, Child Welfare League of America, Children’s Defense Fund (CDF), Generations United (GU), GrandFamilies of America, and National Committee of Grandparents for Children’s Rights (NCGCR). Click to view Grand Rally Photos.
COVERING FOSTER CARE COSTS
Nationwide foster care report finds Virginia reimbursements are fifty-one to seventy-five percent below “minimum adequate rate.” Study exposes disparities in foster care reimbursement rates and discusses potential impacts. For more information, please go to:
http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2007-10-04-0150.html
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/17/AR2007101700966_2.html?nav=hcmodule
For additional events focused on policy, legislation and advocacy, e.g. public hearings, committee meetings, testimony training, and more, please visit the Advocacy page.