Arizona's Children Association In Touch

An animal kingdom adventure for Parents As Teachers participants

2015-05-29T14:51:00.000-07:00

Child development experts agree that in order to develop critical early literacy skills, frequent exposure to words through conversation and books is extremely important, starting the day a child is born. At a recent Parent As Teachers event, families discovered that a child’s early learning and language skills can also be cultivated during an adventure at the zoo!

Volunteer John Huff explains snakes to a group of captivated families.

Parents as Teachers is a home visiting program for families with children 0-5 years. During bi-weekly visits, parent educators work to strengthen families by sharing tips around parent-child interaction, development-centered parenting, and family well-being. Through monthly group connections, the organization connects parents to local support services and fosters their engagement to schools and other community organizations.

Parents As Teacher’s recent excursion to Prescott’s Heritage Park Zoological Sanctuary proved to be a literacy rich encounter as young children were introduced to beautiful beasts, bugs and reptiles. The sanctuary, formerly known as Heritage Park Zoo, is a non-profit wildlife preserve dedicated to the conservation and protection of native and exotic animals. Sanctuary volunteer and snake handler John Huff shared: "Lots of moms and young children come to the Zoo. Exposure helps children see how amazing the world around them is and helps them become better aquatinted with their environment". When asked if exposure to the animals helped to reduce children’s fears, Huff responded, "Sometimes. One benefit, however is that it can help children practice kindness."

Ali and Asher check out "Sash" an American Black Bear.

Because they discover new concepts, sights and sounds, outings such as the Parents As Teachers Zoo visit help young children start to associate objects with words, and those experiences help to shape their understanding of the world around them. "We have been to the zoo before but this is the first time that Ali is actually enjoying the animals!" said Karen, a grandparent in attendance. "When I snapped the photo of Asher and Ali looking at the bear, Ali was continually growling like a bear! Her favorite animal of the day, or at least to name, was the Emu! Both children were able to brush goats, pet a turtle, chase chickens, see a snake up close, climb on a rope spider web, and then we all took a break from the sun and danced in the gazebo to Grandma singing the rumba".

Enthusiastic about their visit, families were also able to practice developing their child’s social and emotional skills: "So much fun to be had that there was a two year old tantrum to work through when leaving!" said one caregiver. Other parents agreed: "I’m glad PAT had a zoo day" said Anne Parmeter, mother to 2 year old Benjamin. "We got in free and got to see all the animals. I took lots of photos that my son will enjoy seeing later".

Parents As Teachers, a program of the Arizona Children's Association , is supported by First Things First. For more information about First Things First, please visit azftf.gov. If you are interested in learning more about PAT please contact Rainee Crabtree at (928) 443-1991 x2021

Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) to Transition to CODAC Behavioral Health Services

2015-04-06T08:14:00.002-07:00

TUCSON, Ariz. – The Southern Arizona Center Against Sexual Assault (SACASA) has transitioned from being operated under Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) to being operated under CODAC Behavioral Health Services. The transition was effective April 1, 2015.

SACASA is the largest provider of sexual assault services in the state of Arizona and has been a trusted resource for sexual assault survivors since 1973. Through SACASA, thousands of survivors have been provided with a safe place to gain strength, learn coping skills and develop trusting, caring relationships. SACASA operates 24-hour sexual assault crisis lines in English and Spanish; provides 24-hour intervention, advocacy, information and referral services; assists with reporting sexual assault; provides hospital response and medical forensic exams; and offers individual, group and family counseling as well as peer support to help facilitate the transformation from victim to survivor. SACASA has two locations in Tucson and one in Nogales, Arizona.

Services through SACASA will continue without interruption due to funding by state and federal grants, the Pima County Health Department, the TMC Foundation and donations provided by generous individuals and businesses. Services provided through a Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grant will continue to be provided by SACASA staff working for AzCA until the grant concludes in September. CODAC will apply to take over administration of that grant starting October 1.

AzCA – a child welfare and behavioral health agency – acquired SACASA in 2006 to ensure that Southern Arizona continued to have services dedicated to survivors of sexual violence. Since then, AzCA has maintained SACASA’s core services while also providing critical fundraising support. Nearly two years ago, however, AzCA identified that SACASA would be better served and sustained under the management of an agency that provides adult services so they began the search for the right organization.

CODAC Behavioral Health Services is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that was founded in 1970. It provides treatment services to youth, adults and families ages 6 and older who are living with trauma, mental health disorders and addiction. CODAC has extensive experience in providing a continuum of professional, trauma-informed care, including psychiatric medical care, therapy, case management and peer support. These services can further complement the care survivors are already receiving from SACASA’s victims’ advocates, therapists and forensic nurses.

“Every 2.5 minutes someone is the victim of sexual violence. As a community, we simply cannot not have these services available. Too many suffer; too many need our help,” says CODAC President & CEO Dennis Regnier, MA. “CODAC is proud to be able to provide SACASA with the infrastructure it needs to be able to continue its life-saving work for many men and women in southern Arizona. The Boards and leadership of AzCA and CODAC believe this transition will result in growth and sustainability for SACASA so that it may continue its critical role in the community.”

AzCA President & CEO Denise Ensdorff, LCSW adds: "We want to thank all of you who have supported the mission of SACASA over the years and we believe you will not only be pleased with this partnership, but also impressed with the success and improved sustainability of SACASA in future years."

Arizona’s Children Association Tucson Headquarters Moving

2014-12-08T11:46:00.000-08:00

Tucson office move will accommodate growth and increase cross-utilization of programs by clientele

Arizona’s Children Association’s five-year strategic plan to improve services and better utilize resources has led the leadership and Board to the decision to move their various programs from around the Tucson metropolitan area to one location. The move will accommodate the growth of the many programs throughout Tucson as well as incorporate the many agencies with whom Arizona’s Children Association has merged over the years, including The Parent Connection, KARE and Las Familias. Until now, as Arizona’s Children Association programs have expanded it was natural that multiple physical sites became home to different programs. Foster care services would be available at one location, while parenting classes were a few miles away. Behavioral health services were even further up the road. In addition to the disconnect that resulted between the programs being geographically separated, the agency has struggled with space restraints at the Tucson Corporate campus on 8th Ave.

This month, Arizona’s Children Association will move to its new location, near the intersection of Ajo Way and Alvernon (3716 E. Columbia Street, Suite 120, Tucson, AZ 85714). The new site will allow these programs and their clientele to connect in ways that Arizona’s Children has never been able to provide before – the same client can receive multiple services at the same site, expanding their knowledge and usage of the many services available in the process.

Unfortunately, this great opportunity comes with a bittersweet departure from the very building that Arizona’s Children Association has called home since 1921. Mrs. Minnie Davenport first proposed the organization of a Children’s Home in May of 1912. On November 27, 1914, Mrs. Julia Attix donated 7.5 acres of her homestead for the purpose of constructing a permanent home to serve the children in Arizona. The land donation was not fully executed until the organization raised enough funds to begin design and construction of the home. In November 1921, that location, which is now affectionately known as “Angel House” in appreciation of support from Angel Charities, opened as a home for up to sixty neglected and orphaned children.

With so much history, the staff and leadership are sad to be leaving the original Children’s Home location. However, over the last century, the agency has been able to provide a myriad of programs and services to thousands of children and their families from that location and they intend to expand that legacy through the new facility. The campus in Tucson will transfer ownership later this month.

An open house was held in early December to officially
“pass the keys” to Pasadera’s CEO Chuck Burbank.

The new owners for the Tucson main campus, Pasadera Behavioral Health Network, adore the campus. Pasadera is the merged entity of SAMHC and Compass Behavioral Health. It gives them the opportunity to bring multiple sites onto one - similar to Arizona’s Children Association, but at a smaller scale.

"We intend to continue the tradition that Arizona’s Children Association began and sustained for more than 100 years to be good stewards of the land, the buildings, the city of South Tucson, and the greater community,” said CEO Chuck Burbank of Pasadera.

To learn more about AzCA’s history, visit us online at www.ArizonasChildren.org.

October 10th Is 6th Annual PJs & Eggs!

2014-09-19T14:00:00.000-07:00

Once again, Hickman’s Family Farms will partner with some of the favorite breakfast restaurants around the Valley to celebrate PJs & Eggs. The sixth annual event will be held on “World Egg Day”: Friday, October 10, 2014. The “breakfast for dinner” will begin at 5:00 p.m. at participating locations to benefit Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) foster care programs statewide.

Customers who have breakfast for dinner at each participating restaurant on October 10 are invited to wear their pajamas and asked to bring a new pair (any size for kids ages newborn to18) to be donated to children in the AzCA’s foster care programs. In return, each customer will receive a certificate for a free dozen Hickman’s eggs. Some participating restaurants will also donate a portion of the proceeds from the evening to AzCA.

The current list of participating restaurants includes: Café 25:35 (Buckeye); Chaffin’s Diner (Tucson); Chicken Noodle Café (Wickenburg); Kiss the Cook (Glendale); Millstone Café (Buckeye); OverEasy (Phoenix - Arcadia); Scramble (North Phoenix); Sue Ann’s Apple Pan (Prescott); and TJ’s Homestyle Restaurant (Avondale). Pajama collection will begin in September at participating locations and will continue through the night of the event. Donations received after October 10 will be forwarded to AzCA.

“The event is in its sixth year with continued support from many of the locations that have participated since the beginning,” says Sharman Hickman of Hickman’s Family Farms. “PJs & Eggs offers a unique opportunity to share in an event that is fun and extremely useful. It’s hands-on help for our local communities’ kids in foster care. Participants know that whatever donations they make go directly to local children in need. Our goal this year is to reach 6,000 total pairs of pajamas donated since the start of this event.”

AzCA’s adoption and foster care programs, offered throughout the state, are vital resources for matching children in need with safe and loving families. There are more than 14,000 children in Arizona’s foster care system ranging from in age from newborn to 18 years old.

For additional information about PJs & Eggs, visit www.pjsandeggsaz.com. For more information about AzCA, including becoming a foster or adoptive parent, visit www.arizonaschildren.org.

Arizona’s Children Association kinship service providers invited to present at the CWLA National Conference

2014-09-17T13:58:00.000-07:00

As kinship care continues to be a primary and valuable option for children who cannot live with their parents, emphasis on kinship care policy, practice, and research is necessary to continue to enhance services and supports for kinship caregivers and families. The Child Welfare League of America’s (CWLA) National Kinship Care Conference is being held this week in Louisiana to highlight the field’s collective knowledge of best practice, policy, program and service development for kinship caregivers, and identifies areas for further research.

Arizona’s Children Association kinship service providers were one of only seven kinship programs throughout the nation invited by CWLA to present at this national conference. Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) has developed a strong reputation nationwide as one of the key providers of valuable kinship services, in large part due to AzCA being one of few agencies chosen to receive a three-year federal grant in 2012. Arizona Kinship Support Services (AKSS) is a program of AzCA in partnership with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS), Administration for Children Youth and Families (ACYF), and DES Family Assistance Administration (FAA). The overall goal of the federal grant is to improve services for children being raised by kinship care providers by assisting caregivers in meeting their family’s needs, promoting public/private partnerships to meet those needs and increase safety, permanency and well-being of the children in kinship care. AzCA kinship service providers will present on the progress and impact of services since the beginning of the grant period.

To learn more about AzCA’s kinship support services, visit us online at www.arizonakinship.org.

Arizona’s Children Association Recognized for Wellness Efforts

2014-08-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

Last month, Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) was recognized as a Healthy Arizona Worksite by the City of Phoenix’s FitPHX program.

FitPHX is a program that encourages Phoenix area residents and businesses to lead healthier lifestyles. The goal of the program is to improve health and wellness in the community and build collaboration among Arizona employers around worksite wellness. The program recognizes participating Arizona employers for their leadership and commitment to the health of their employees and the state's business community.

Julie Peterson, Human Resource Generalist, and Richard Brubaker, Integrated Health and Wellness Director, received the award on Arizona’s Children’s behalf. The award was presented by Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton and Phoenix City Councilman Daniel Valenzuela.

“We are looking forward to increasing our wellness activities,” said Jeff Jameson, Vice President of Human Resources at AzCA. “We encourage everyone to continue in maintaining a healthy mind, body and spirit!”

This year, Arizona’s Children Association is taking active steps to address what all businesses deal with—chronic stress, burnout, and healthy lifestyles for our employees.

“Arizona’s Children Association is committed not only to our children and families, but to our employees as well,” said Julie. “We know that in order to take care of our families we need to first take care of ourselves.”

Julie and Richard are part of the agency’s Wellness Committee and invite staff across the state to participate. This opportunity is to help both our fellow employees and their families by inviting our peers to come together and address their needs.

“Through meeting, we hope to give employees a voice in addressing stress and healthy lifestyle concerns by being an advocate for health and wellness across the state,” said Julie.

For further information on FitPHX, visit www.healthyazworksites.org

Color Vibe is near, and you’re about to get tagged!

2014-08-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

Get ready Phoenix and Tempe for the most colorful fun-filled day of your life! You’ll have more color on you than your happy levels can handle! So get your friends and family stretched out for this amazing color blast event where you'll get blasted with color while you run/walk the Color Vibe 5K.

Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) is the beneficiary of the Color Vibe 5K Fun Run & Color Dance Party at Arizona Mills Mall in Tempe on February 22, 2015. If you’re not yet familiar with these types of events, you should be! It’s a fun, family-friendly event in which colored powder is ‘blasted’ at the crowd all through the run. You start out in your white shirt and by the end, who knows what your new look will be!

Don’t miss out! A portion of your registration fee benefits our programs and services for children and families, so invite your friends and family to this exciting color fun experience and support a great cause! This year, up to three children ages 12 and under can run for free with each paid adult. Register today and receive $5.00 off when you use the code: ACACOLOR.

We hope to see you there! Arizona Mills Mall is located at 5000 South Arizona Mills Circle, Tempe, AZ 85282. For more details, visit www.thecolorvibe.com.

Sex Trafficking: Raising Awareness to Protect Arizona’s Foster Youth

2014-08-11T08:00:00.000-07:00

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, traffickers target children and youth with low self-esteem and minimal social support. The majority of individuals who are lured into sex trafficking have experienced emotional, physical and sexual abuse in childhood, and are victims of domestic violence, neglect or abandonment. These traits are highly prevalent among young people who have run away from home, endured a life of poverty, experienced homelessness and/or additional adverse experiences.

As we work with foster youth and young adults across the state, the Independent Living Program has come to recognize the vulnerability of this population to being targeted for human trafficking. The vast majority of youth involved in the Independent Living Program have had one or more of the above factors greatly impact their lives.

Arizona’s Children Association’s Independent Living Program (ILP) provides young adults, ages 16-21, who are in or have been involved in foster care with opportunities to develop mastery in major life areas. This is done by teaching youth essential life skills, assisting the youth in learning self-advocacy, identifying mentors and natural supports, and working with the youth on concrete measurable goals.

The Independent Living Program is designed to aid youth in their transition into independence and assists them in gaining tools for self-sufficiency. ILP specializes in the various needs and opportunities for youth in foster care. Services include educational support, employment skills, financial literacy, food preparation, health & wellness, housing support, transportation support, leadership skills, participation in a Youth Advisory Board, mentorship, clinical support, and much more.

Is human trafficking a problem in Arizona? Trafficking for labor and/or services occurs, but sex trafficking definitely has the largest impact on children and youth in Arizona. According to Arizona State University’s School of Social Work Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, “Arizona has many factors that make it a profitable market for sex trafficking including 1) traffic corridors enabling easy, anonymous movement throughout the state and across state lines 2) a large resort community and mild climate that brings conferences and other tourist attractions year round.”

“One of the most important aspects of this issue is prevention through awareness,” said Brandy Verderosa, Independent Living Program Coordinator. “Many communities are still misinformed or under informed about human trafficking. I have heard many people say that this only happens in third-world countries and that it would never happen in the United States, let alone Arizona.”

In order to build awareness, the Independent Living Program will be holding a mandatory training for ILP staff on human trafficking. The training will assist staff in recognizing the signs of trafficking, provide guidance on how to properly intervene, as well as, introduce resources across the state that will provide prevention and aftercare services through connections made across the state with law enforcement. In seeking trainings and education, Arizona’s Children Association and the Independent Living Program will be able to provide resources that can be used to assist youth that are being targeted or trafficked and inform others.

“This training is a collaboration to bring people together to better understand how to combat this issue,” said Candy Espino, Vice President of Child Welfare. “Following the training, our staff will truly be able to better serve our clients, especially youth in transition.”

Summer Ideal Time to Prepare for Kindergarten Success

2014-08-04T10:58:00.001-07:00

For young kids entering kindergarten, summer is the ideal time to instill the skills that will make the transition to school smoother.

Kindergarten has changed a lot since most of us started school. Today’s 5-year-olds are expected to arrive with basic academic and social skills so they are prepared on day one to start learning to read, write and do basic math.

First Things First has a list of simple things parents and caregivers can do this summer to help kindergarteners prepare for their big day. Some tips include:

Read to your child at least 30 minutes per day.
Talk to your child; make up stories or songs.
Play games about colors, numbers and shapes of objects. Point out letters and repeat them.
Encourage your child to draw on plain paper with crayons.
Make sure that all immunizations are current and have your child visit the dentist.
Start talking to your child about the change that is coming when they start school. Be positive.
Talk with your child and set an example of sharing and putting things back where they belong.
Talk with your child about a typical school day. The more your child knows, the less anxiety he is likely to experience.
Do a test-run of the new routine, including laying out clothes the night before, waking up with enough time to get ready and eating breakfast.
Give your child a family picture for their pocket or backpack; reassure them about what time you will be back to pick them up.
Most importantly, celebrate and enjoy this milestone with your child!

Additional tips can be found at azftf.gov in the Parent Section under Early Education.

Even if you don’t have kindergarteners this year, it’s never too early to start helping kids prepare. Children who have positive early childhood experiences tend to score higher on school readiness assessments and are more likely to do well in school and graduate.

By turning everyday moments into learning moments, we can send our children to school with the skills – and the love of learning – that will help them succeed in kindergarten and beyond!

New Directions Institute, a program of Arizona’s Children Association, provides parents and caregivers with training and tools to help every infant, toddler and preschooler in Arizona develop a healthy brain and enter school ready to learn. Parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, childcare providers, and others who care for infants and toddlers are invited to join New Directions Institute for one of our FREE presentations of the latest research and techniques to "wire up" your child's brain for a successful future.

Workshops include: Wired for Success®, Kinder Prep A & B Pre-literacy Program, Brain Time with Brain Boxes®, S.T.E.P.S.® Plus and Nurturing Parenting. To learn more about New Directions Institute or the free workshops, visit www.newdirectionsinstitute.org.

Summer Programs Help Keep Kids Engaged

2014-08-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

This summer, children and teens around the state are participating in a number of skill-building and dynamic activities. In Northern Arizona, a special group of youth are given the chance to take part in a variety of recreational and experimental learning opportunities which are tailored to their individual needs and interests through the Skills Training and Respite Program and Meet Me Where I Am. Programs like these help to stabilize families, give kids the tools needed to succeed, aid in appropriate social interactions, get the children involved in their communities, and help them learn valuable skill sets.

The Skills Training and Respite (STAR) Program offers a variety of behavioral health services to support these youth and their families. Services aim to reduce caregiver stress, and to build skills and resiliency in youth. Respite services engage youth in a variety of recreational activities with their peers.

Skills training groups focus on a variety of age-appropriate skills such as how to manage emotions, communicate effectively, develop friendships, and utilize community resources, and respite services aim to engage youth in recreational activities with their peers. STAR also focuses on individual skills training and support, including providing older youth with support in developing independent living skills such as pre-employment training, money management, or applying for college.

Meet Me Where I AM (MMWIA) is a unique service made available to families in the community who are struggling with very challenging needs. There are a broad range of dynamic and creative services available depending on each family’s unique needs. The main goal of the MMWIA program is to help children develop the skills they need to be successful and to provide their caregivers the support they need to begin parenting anew with fresh ideas. MMWIA is focused on helping families function successfully over the long–term so that when services end, positive changes continue.

Each year, there are a number of activities planned throughout the summer months to keep the children engaged. The summer programs and groups provide opportunities for both programs to participate in daytime, group activities and allows the staff to have more time with the youth. All activities are determined by the passionate and energetic staff with the clients’ input and individualized to meet the needs of the peer groups. Other activities this summer have included: hiking, gardening, games at the park, and various other outdoor teambuilding exercises. One exciting opportunity that the children and youth participated in was learning to cook with foods harvested from their own garden. Activities like these instill life skills and nutritional education.

Parents often work during the summer months and children are left home unsupervised,” said Gretchen Shallcross, program director for behavioral health. “The goal of the program is to keep kids engaged and to allow them the opportunity to experience and learn things that they otherwise wouldn’t. Many children find themselves getting into trouble and lack the financial resources to experience cultural activities and other involvements.”

To learn more about these programs, visit www.ArizonasChildren.org and click on Our Services: Behavioral Health & Trauma/Crisis Response.

Sex Trafficking: Raising Awareness to Protect Arizona’s Foster Youth

2014-07-25T14:23:00.004-07:00

As we work with foster youth and young adults across the state, the Independent Living Program has come to recognize the vulnerability of this population to being targeted for human trafficking. The vast majority of youth involved in the Independent Living Program have had one or more of the above factors greatly impact their lives.

Arizona’s Children Association’s Independent Living Program (ILP) provides young adults, ages 16-21, who are in or have been involved in foster care with opportunities to develop mastery in major life areas. This is done by teaching youth essential life skills, assisting the youth in learning self-advocacy, identifying mentors and natural supports, and working with the youth on concrete measurable goals.

The Independent Living Program is designed to aid youth in their transition into independence and assists them in gaining tools for self-sufficiency. ILP specializes in the various needs and opportunities for youth in foster care. Services include educational support, employment skills, financial literacy, food preparation, health & wellness, housing support, transportation support, leadership skills, participation in a Youth Advisory Board, mentorship, clinical support, and much more.

Is human trafficking a problem in Arizona? Trafficking for labor and/or services occurs, but sex trafficking definitely has the largest impact on children and youth in Arizona. According to Arizona State University’s School of Social Work Office of Sex Trafficking Intervention Research, “Arizona has many factors that make it a profitable market for sex trafficking including 1) traffic corridors enabling easy, anonymous movement throughout the state and across state lines 2) a large resort community and mild climate that brings conferences and other tourist attractions year round.”

“One of the most important aspects of this issue is prevention through awareness,” said Brandy Verderosa, Independent Living Program Coordinator. “Many communities are still misinformed or under informed about human trafficking. I have heard many people say that this only happens in third-world countries and that it would never happen in the United States, let alone Arizona.”

In order to build awareness, the Independent Living Program will be holding a mandatory training for ILP staff on human trafficking. The training will assist staff in recognizing the signs of trafficking, provide guidance on how to properly intervene, as well as, introduce resources across the state that will provide prevention and aftercare services through connections made across the state with law enforcement. In seeking trainings and education, Arizona’s Children Association and the Independent Living Program will be able to provide resources that can be used to assist youth that are being targeted or trafficked and inform others.

“This training is a collaboration to bring people together to better understand how to combat this issue,” said Candy Espino, Vice President of Child Welfare. “Following the training, our staff will truly be able to better serve our clients, especially youth in transition.”

To learn more about our Independent Living program, visit www.arizonaschildren.org.

Born to Thrive: Birth to Five Conference

2014-06-25T10:08:00.000-07:00

Human service professionals and students recently joined Arizona’s Children Association for a day of professional development, exploring how individuals can brighten the futures of Arizona’s children.

Earlier this month, Arizona’s Children Association’s presented our first annual conference: “Born to Thrive: Birth to Five.” As an Arizona statewide leader on the challenges facing our families and the Birth to Five population, we recognized that this was a prime opportunity for us to share our expertise and review cutting edge trends on the topics of child welfare, foster care, behavioral health and neurodevelopmental research.

At the event, attendees had the opportunity to learn from experts in the field from both Arizona’s Children Association and partner agencies. The cofounder of New Directions Institute for Infant Brain Development (NDI), Dr. Jill Stamm, was the featured keynote speaker. Her presentation was titled: “Mindfulness in Parenting: Using Brain Science to Boost Our Skills.”

Conference sessions were divided along three tracks: Trauma Informed Care, Medical Integration, and Children with Systemic Involvement. Among the session presenters included Sara Rumann and Dianna Contreras from the Department of Health Services who presented on how substance exposure in utero can influence brain development. Richard Brubaker and Heidi Kaminski from Arizona’s Children Association presented on trauma-affected children and how to identify and manage associated behaviors. Marcia Stanton from Phoenix Children’s Hospital discussed the Adverse Childhood Experiences Study (ACES) and Dr. Melissa Johnson & Tallona Dixon from Arizona’s Children Association shared knowledge on other assessment tools for 0-5. Dr. Svetlana Sembrano and Ricky Dennis of Arizona’s Children Association, Nicole Valdez of Prevent Child Abuse Arizona, Ryan Krench of the Attorney General’s office and Dr. Julia Kelly of Maricopa Integrated Health Systems also covered additional topics, including medical integration, medication management, importance of attachment, the foster care process and the court process for kids in care.

"We were excited to present this day of professional development to students and human service professionals and we were thrilled with the community response to this event,” said Arizona’s Children Association President and CEO Denise Ensdorff. “This opportunity allowed those in the field, alongside Arizona’s Children Association, to share and gain new insights and information, helping us all improve our work with the children and families we serve.”

A special thank you to all of our presenters and the agencies who teamed up with us to provide presenters for this great event!

A very big thanks as well to the more than 200 conference attendees and to our Gold Sponsors: APS and Mercy Maricopa Integrated Care, along with our Silver Sponsors: Allegra, First Things First, and Child Crisis Center.

Stay tuned to our Upcoming Events calendar on our website for information on our 2015 conference!

Gold Sponsors:
Silver Sponsors:

Mission Accomplished! Reay's Road to 1 Million!

2014-06-02T14:26:00.000-07:00

On April 25th, Reay’s Ranch Investors, LLC hosted their 6th Annual Charity Golf Tournament benefiting Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) at Tubac Golf Resort and Spa. Thanks to Reay’s, the event and raffle sponsors and outstanding volunteers, the tournament continues to grow. This year, the tournament raised $66,731 for an outstanding six-year golf total of $324,059!

Reay’s currently owns and manages 39 retail sites which are located primarily in Central and Southern Arizona. Their sites include convenience stores and Subway locations.

In case you weren’t aware, the golf tournament is not the only way that Reay’s Ranch Investors has raised money for AzCA. In their eight year effort that started in 2006, their amazing customers have purchased $1.00 placards during placard drives, as well as, donated spare change during their many “Change for Children” drives. When you add these efforts to the proceeds from the golf tournaments, Reay’s has helped AzCA to “Protect Children, Empower Youth, and Strengthen Families,” raising a total of $1,045,334!

To show their success in reaching their million-dollar goal, Reay’s presented AzCA with a giant million dollar bill to put on display at the corporate office.

In appreciation for their continued support, AzCA President & CEO Denise Ensdorff presented Chief Operations Officer/General Manager Richard Couch and Reay’s employees with a trophy and plaque for the corporate office, along with plaques to be displayed at Reay’s locations throughout Central and Southern Arizona.

Prizes were awarded to the winning teams and sponsors were presented with awards for their support in making the event possible.

During the raffle, we were surprised with a visit from singer/songwriter/guitarist Steve McCarty from the Steve Miller Band. He auctioned off his personal guitar—signed by many legendary artists. The highest bidder was Richard’s wife, Janet! (Photo on right.)

Special thanks to Richard and Janet Couch and the sponsors: Northland, Arizona Fuel Distributors, Coca-Cola, Crest Insurance Group, Arizona Select Distribution, and McLane.

Arizona’s Children Association Presents Annual “Born to Thrive, Birth to Five” Conference

2014-05-09T11:22:00.002-07:00

In recent years, scientific research and knowledge on the critically important educational window of opportunity that occurs in infancy has increased dramatically. With increased understanding of how our early development affects the growth and wellbeing of the individual, the area of Birth to Five research and clinical practice has steadily come into focus in the Human Services field. As the body of psychological research on early development continues to expand, translating and sharing that important information about infant brain development with Human Service professionals is critical to the foundation of learning and success in the field.

As an Arizona statewide leader on the challenges facing our families and the Birth to Five population, Arizona’s Children Association presents the Born To Thrive, Birth to Five Conference.

The intricacies of professional Human Service work with the Birth to Five population are complex; with issues ranging from developmental to sociological in nature. The conference will focus on overviews of cutting edge trends and knowledge bases in the fields of Child Welfare, Foster Care, Behavioral Health, and Neurodevelopmental Research and will attempt to answer many of the questions that Human Service Professionals have in regard to trends, background, research, and practical application of clinically appropriate service within the field.

At the event, attendees will have opportunities to learn from experts in the field. The conference will feature cofounder of New Directions Institute for Brain Development (NDI), Dr. Jill Stamm, as keynote speaker. Her presentation is titled: “Mindfulness in Parenting: Using Brain Science to Boost Our Skills.”

Dr. Stamm earned her doctorate in Learning from Arizona State University, where she is an associate clinical professor in the Department of Psychology in Education. She is an author and a national and international speaker on early brain development and the connection of healthy brain growth to later learning and school achievement. Dr. Stamm is a member of the National Advisory Panel of the Learning & the Brain Conference series and serves on the Governor’s Advisory Council for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education (STEM) and is on the Advisory Board for the Arizona Science Center’s exhibit on the brain. She has appeared on numerous television segments and is frequently quoted in child development articles in The Arizona Republic.

Conference sessions will be divided along three tracks. Among the noted session presenters include the FASD prevention bureau which will be presenting on the topic of substance exposed newborns for those who want to learn more about how substance exposure in utero can influence brain development. Marcia Stanton from Phoenix Children’s Hospital will share her knowledge of how adverse childhood experiences can be crucial in our understanding of trauma and its presentation in infants and toddlers. Sessions included in each track are:

Track 1: Trauma Informed Care for Birth-5

• “Working With Parents of Trauma-Affected Children 0-5” – Richard Brubaker + Heidi Kaminski, Arizona’s Children Association

• “Birth to Five Assessments” – Melissa Johnson + Tallona Dixon, Arizona’s Children Association

• “Overcoming Adverse Childhood Experiences: Creating Hope for a Healthier Arizona” – Marcia Stanton, Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Track 2: Medical Integration for Children Birth-5

• “Preventing and Assessing Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol and Other Drugs – Understanding the Effects on a Child’s Development” – Sara Rumann + Dianna Contreras, Arizona Department of Health Services

• “Medication Management For 0-5 & Appropriate Alternatives” – Dr. Svetlana Sembrano, Arizona’s Children Association

• “Integrating Primary Care with 0-5” – Dr. Julia Kelly, Maricopa Integrated Health Systems

Track 3: Children with Systemic Involvement, Birth-5

• “Never Shake A Baby AZ: The Dangers of Shaking and How To Soothe a Crying Infant” – Nicole Valdez, Prevent Child Abuse Arizona

• “Foster Care Process for 0-5” – Ricky Dennis, Arizona’s Children Association

• “What You Need to Know About Baby Court” – Ryan Krench, Attorney General’s Office

“We are excited to present this day of professional development to students and Human Service professionals,” said Arizona’s Children Association President and CEO Denise Ensdorff. “This opportunity will allow those in the field to share and gain new insights and information, helping us improve our work with the children and families we serve.”

Registration is available at www.BorntoThriveConference.org. Early registration is available for $95 with a discounted rate of $85 for students. CEUs are included.

Golden Gate Community Center transitions from Arizona’s Children Association to Wesley Community Center

2014-04-18T08:44:00.000-07:00

On May 1st, 2014, Golden Gate Community Center in west Phoenix will officially transition from Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) to the care of Wesley Community Center. Golden Gate Community Center has been a member of Arizona’s Children Association family of agencies since 2004.

Golden Gate Community Center has been a trusted health, wellness, and social support resource for children, adults, and seniors for more than 75 years. Without Golden Gate, thousands of individuals and families would not have affordable access to recreation and personal development activities, educational classes, or preventive health services. AzCA acquired Golden Gate Community Center in 2004 because their Board and leadership strongly believe in the value and impact of the services provided by Golden Gate and understood that these programs were vital to the community. Since that time, Arizona’s Children Association has assisted them in growing their core services while also providing the critical fundraising support they needed to maintain services.

The key factor in the AzCA Board decision to transition Golden Gate Community Center was rooted in Wesley’s ability to enhance and expand programs for the local community. Wesley has extensive experience specific to the business of leading a community center and has community service work at its core which will allow for improved support of Golden Gate staff and programs. The Board and leadership of AzCA and Wesley believe this move will result in growth and sustainability for Golden Gate so that the Center may continue its leadership role in the community. Wesley has successfully run a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) since 2009 and anticipates that they will be able to expand and bring healthcare to the Golden Gate community.

“We now have a great new opportunity through Wesley that will provide further growth and expansion of Golden Gate programs – beyond AzCA’s current abilities,” said Denise Ensdorff, president and CEO of Arizona’s Children Association.

As a part of the Arizona’s Children Association’s original commitment to Golden Gate in 2004, the AzCA Board of Directors have decided to pay off the remaining mortgage of the Center – allowing for the best possible start for the success of the Center. In addition, current Golden Gate staff and programming will remain in place.

“We’re so thankful to all of you who have supported the mission of Golden Gate over the years and we believe you will not only be pleased with this partnership, but also impressed with the expanding success of the Center in future years,” Ensdorff added. “We are also thankful to all of the Golden Gate staff for their patience and trust during this process.”

Community members are invited to join representatives of Golden Gate, Arizona’s Children Association and Wesley Community Center for an open community “celebration” on April 21st from 6:00pm-8:00pm at Golden Gate Community Center. Golden Gate Community Center is located at 1625 N. 39th Ave, Phoenix, Arizona 85009.

About Wesley Community Center
The Wesley Community Center, a nonprofit organization located in South Central Phoenix, Arizona, since 1950, provides programs and services with children, youth, adults, families, senior adults. Comprehensive healthcare is a major component of these services through the family practice emphases of the Wesley Health Center. Learn more at www.wesleycenterphx.org.

Building a Better Future for Arizona’s Children

2014-03-25T11:35:00.000-07:00

Parents as Teachers (PAT) is an international early childhood parent education and family support program within Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA). The core value of the program is founded on the principle that parents are their children’s first and most influential teachers. PAT is a free home visitation program that partners with families by providing information, support, community resources and fun educational activities to help their children develop optimally during the crucial early years of life. PAT increases parent knowledge of early childhood development, provides early detection of developmental delays and health concerns, and prevents child abuse and neglect. Funded through First Things First, its effective curricula is known as an outstanding evidence-based best practice model for any pregnant family or family with children from birth to age six.

Certified home visitors, called Parent Educators, visit families in the safety of their homes bi-monthly and establish ongoing relationships that are professional, yet trusting. As part of the home visitation curriculum, parents learn to observe their children and learn to focus on developmental skill areas, participate in parent and child interactive activities, and receive follow up activities to work on between visits that utilize typical household items and reading.

“I believe in the mission of educating children as early as possible so that they can achieve and reach their full potential,” said Pam Carder, a Parent Educator in the PAT program in Pinal County. “I have seen the success this program has to offer with many of my families. Children love to learn. Children also love to play. This program allows them to learn while playing and I find it to be a true success story for the families we serve.”

Parents have the opportunity to share concerns and ask questions about their child’s developmental growth. Parents take the lead in setting goals for the child and family, and identify family strengths as they work with their Parent Educator.

An integral part of the program is the group meetings, or Group Connections. These are held monthly and offer parents the opportunity to share information about parenting issues and child development, learn from and support each other, observe their child’s interaction with other children, and practice parenting skills. Group Connections also offer a social network for parents to develop relationships with other parents.

As a requirement of the National Center for Parents as Teachers, and as part of the First Things First requirements, children also receive developmental screenings at regular intervals, as well as, hearing and vision screening.

Cheyloh Hamilton, a single mother of two energetic young boys, was working two jobs, cooking over a wood stove, and had a house in dire need of repairs when she came across the PAT program in Yavapai County. The program has helped Cheyloh to unlock the doors to her own successes, as well as, the success of her two young boys.

“Many people don’t know about Parents as Teachers, but I believe more people need this,” said Hamilton.

With the help of the program, Cheyloh and the boys have set aside family time each day dedicated to reading and learning. Parents as Teachers have also helped Cheyloh develop skills to parent her two very different boys. Ciel is sharp-minded and calm, whereas, Tre is more adventurous and sensitive. Cheyloh wants to make sure that she nurtures their individual personalities and strengths.

“Parents as Teachers is based on your child, wherever they’re at and whatever they need,” Hamilton said. “Parents as Teachers have had a big impact. It brought our family together, connected us to resources, lessened my anxiety and strengthened my parenting.”

Cheyloh is grateful for her partnership with Parents as Teachers as her boys continue to grow, and recommends Parents as Teachers to all families with young children that she knows.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to do what they love and also make a difference every single day!” explained Director of Prevention and Parents as Teachers Shelley Tellez. "This program is primary prevention first and foremost. Social service staff are invited into family homes in four different counties in Arizona to provide individualized parenting instruction. I cannot imagine anything better than that."

Photo: Cheyloh Hamilton, Ciel Hamilton, Tre Hamilton and Parent Educator, Jodie Campitelli.

Unforgettable Fun & Neon Memories

2014-02-18T10:46:00.000-08:00

More Colorful Opportunities Headed Your Way!

On Saturday, February 8th, runners, walkers, volunteers and spectators came out to enjoy the most colorful fun-filled day of their lives at Tumbleweed Park in Chandler for the Color Vibe 5K. They came prepared to be blasted with more color than their happy levels could handle — all in support of Arizona’s Children Association’s (AzCA) children and families in the community. We would like to thank everyone who came out for this exciting event and for your support of Arizona’s Children! An additional thank you to AzCA employees, volunteers and board members who joined in the fun!

Couldn't make it? See what’s in store for Yuma and Tucson!

Check out these great photos from the Color Vibe 5K in Chandler! You can also check us out on Facebook for more photos and videos from the event! Click here to see a short clip from the event!

Join us for a morning not to be forgotten!

Saturday, March 22 @ Gateway Park in Yuma

Why not color outside the lines while being active, social, and a little wacky! The Color in Motion 5k gives you all these benefits plus unforgettable fun and heaps of memories! By the end of the CIM5k your blank canvas will be brighter than ever — your clothes, health, and outlook on life will be changed for the better! For a limited time, use the code “AZCA” for $5 off! For more information, or to register, visit www.colorinmotion5k.com/Yuma.

Get Ready to 'Get Bubbly!'

Saturday, March 29 @ Southwestern International Raceway in Tucson

The Neon Bubble Dash is a unique nighttime run and foam party that illuminates the sky all along its 5k route. Participants will run, walk, skip or dance their way into the foam-infested Neon Zones and Glow Caves throughout the course.

The fun doesn’t stop at the finish; all participants receive free entry in the ‘Get Bubbly’ foam party! You’ll also have the opportunity to challenge your friends and fellow Neon Bubble Dashers to illuminating field games! For a limited time, use the keyword “AZCA” & save $10 off of registration! Register today at www.NeonBubbleDash.com.

AzCA announces new Chief Development Officer Shawn Elmore

2014-02-14T11:23:00.000-08:00

Arizona's Children Association is pleased to announce the selection of Shawn Elmore as the agency’s new Chief Development Officer. As the Chief Development Officer, Shawn will be responsible for the fundraising and marketing activities of the agency.

Shawn has more than 15 years experience developing successful fundraising and marketing campaigns for numerous non-profit organizations, Fortune 50 companies, as well as numerous political organizations and candidates. Most recently, Shawn served as Development Director for Susan G. Komen Central and Northern Arizona. Prior to that position, Shawn served in fundraising roles for the Arizona Democratic Party and Georgetown University. Shawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Willamette University and is a graduate of the ASU Generation Next Nonprofit Leadership Academy.

THRIVE Mentor Program

2014-02-05T11:49:00.001-08:00

Mentors for Young Adults Aging Out of Foster Care

According to the Arizona Department of Economic Security, in Fiscal Year 2012, 723 young adults aged 18 and older left foster care. Without family or the support from a caring adult, statistics indicate that many of these young adults will experience homelessness, incarceration and/or poverty. In an attempt to improve the success of teens ‘aging out’ of foster care, Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) has created THRIVE, a mentor program designed to enhance support for young adults involved in Independent Living Services.

In May of 2013, AzCA was awarded a statewide DES contract for the Independent Living Program which teaches essential life skills to youth aging out of the foster care system. In order to improve the lives of transitioning youth, AzCA decided to bring mentors on board to develop supportive, positive relationships that assist the young adults reach their full potential.

THRIVE is actively recruiting community members and foster care alumni to be mentors for young adults (ages 17-19). Mentors are asked to commit to working with their mentee for two years in order to assist them in their transition into adulthood. THRIVE mentors must be at least 21 years old, demonstrate life skills and achievement, be relatable to youth, and have at least one year’s experience working with adolescents. All mentors receive the training, support and resources necessary to understand the transition planning process and to cultivate a successful mentor relationship.

THRIVE is statewide and dedicated to one-on-one mentoring that helps foster care youth thrive and achieve the same success as their peers who are not involved in foster care including: reduced rates of homelessness and teen pregnancy, increased rates of graduation, job stability, social skills, and healthy adult connections.

Stephanie is an eighteen year old who is part of AzCA’s Independent Living Program. She has been matched with a mentor for several months and is grateful for the time they spend together.

“She is a dedicated parent. She is a good example for me and I hope to gain some of the knowledge she has,” said Stephanie. “[She’s] trustworthy, successful and a great leader. I really like her. I hope for the qualities that she has and I will learn a lot for the future.”

Click here to learn more or to get started!

Questions? Email Mentor@arizonaschildren.org or call 1-844-747-1533.

Program Promotes Quality Family Time

2013-12-27T09:05:00.000-08:00

‘Parents as Teachers’ Visits Families to Promote Child Learning and Development

PRESCOTT VALLEY (December 3, 2013) - Traci and Pino Lira, parents of 4-year old Penelope and 10-month old Rendon, both work full-time. Despite their hectic schedules, they are committed to fitting in as much quality family time as they can.

That’s why they enrolled in Parents as Teachers (PAT), a free home visiting program for families with kids ages five and under. In Yavapai County, the program is put on by Arizona’s Children Association with grant funding from First Things First.

Through PAT, the Lira family gets a visit every two weeks from Jodie, their parent educator, who brings simple, fun and inexpensive learning activities that they can do together as a family, assesses the development of the children, provides informational sheets about the children’s’ stages of development, and connects them to any other community resources they may need. The goal of the program is to partner with parents to make sure their young children are healthy, happy, and learning. “It’s great,” said Traci Lira. “Who would turn down a free, educational program for their kids?”

Pino Lira, who works as a Deputy Clerk for the County, knows that strong families are the foundation of a strong society, and has seen first-hand what happens when families do not have the information and resources that they need. “Nowadays, many families have both parents working and struggle to find time together,” said Lira. “For us, visits from Jodie are dedicated family bonding time. Plus, it’s educational for both parents and kids,” he said.

The Lira family enjoys a music activity brought over by
Jodie, their Parents as Teachers Parent Educator.

Pino Lira also said that nowadays, it’s difficult to comb through all the parenting information out there. “If you don’t have a degree in early childhood education, you don’t know everything about children’s development. With so many sources, it’s hard to know what’s best,” he said. Lira recommends Parents as Teachers to any family with a young child because it provides an expert source of parenting tools and knowledge. “If I need legal advice, I get a lawyer. If I need parenting advice, why not seek a parenting expert?”

Lira said. The family also appreciates the convenience of the program. “Parents as Teachers comes to you and works with your schedule,” he said.

The Liras want the transition from home to kindergarten to be as smooth and easy as possible for Penelope and Rendon. With the tools and information they receive from PAT, Traci and Pino are confident that they are providing their kids with the knowledge and experiences they need to grow, learn, and succeed in school later on.

Parents as Teachers is a free home visiting program for families with children ages prenatal to five years, available in both Spanish and English. For more information about the program or to enroll, please call Arizona’s Children Association at (928) 443– 1991 X 2021.

A child can't wait.

2013-12-19T08:37:00.000-08:00

Kevin’s Story:

"I remember that day when we were first taken out of our house. The case worker told my brothers and me that we wouldn’t be going back home that day. I didn’t know where we were going. I was 10 at the time and had heard horror stories about living in a foster home. I was terrified. As the oldest, I knew that I had to protect my siblings. I held back my tears and tried not to let my brothers see that I was upset. "As long as we have each other everything will be okay," I reminded myself.

Everything wasn’t okay. We didn’t get to stay together. There wasn’t anything that I could do or say that would have made any difference.

I was the last stop. I got out of the car feeling regret—maybe there was something more I could have done to help my parents. I wandered my way up to the door of the house.

I was greeted by two smiling faces that threw their arms around me and graciously invited me in. My foster mom tried to keep things calm and as "normal" as possible. I cried myself to sleep each night only to feel numb and hopeless the next day.

As time progressed, I began to accept my temporary home. After all, they made me feel like I was part of the family. They made sure to remind me every day that none of this was my fault. They promised me that they were going to make sure that I was okay through whatever obstacles we faced.

Well, for the first time in my life, someone kept their promise to me. They took in my brothers so that we could be together again. Things progressed and I knew that I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. We were safe and happy. We found our "forever family" with them. My brothers and I were adopted. I may not have had control over how my story began, but I can certainly write the ending."

A child can’t wait.

Kevin couldn’t wait for the love and attention that he needed, and most importantly, deserved. Kevin’s story demands our attention. Unfortunately there are thousands of children in Arizona just like Kevin. Kevin was one of the lucky ones – finding a forever family that provided the love and safety that he and his brothers deserved.

A child can’t wait for safety. For help. For protection. For unconditional love. Family struggles are all too common in Arizona. Every day a child like Kevin is up against a challenge that is beyond his comprehension and not of his own making.

Arizona’s Children Association steps in when a family needs help. Our goal is to strengthen families and keep children safe. With the resources and support we provided, Kevin’s foster family was able to provide the safe, structured environment he needed to reach his potential and allow the family to strengthen their bond. Our services also educate and support families in an effort to prevent these struggles before they happen. We respond to the needs of children and families in communities, large and small, throughout Arizona.

You believe and so do we - that every child deserves a family that loves and cares for them and encourages their ability to reach their full potential. You can be a hero for a child like Kevin.

There is never a time more critical than now to support Kevin and those like him. Please join our End-of-Year fundraising campaign to keep the programs in place that provide for the many children in need. Our request is simple. Donate today and your gift will be immediately put to work to keep families on track and make our communities the place that we know every child deserves.

Together, we made a difference for Kevin. Let’s keep up the good work. Please mail your donation to 2700 S. 8th Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85713 or donate online at www.ArizonasChildren.org.

A History of Thanksgiving at Arizona's Children Association

2013-11-26T14:03:00.001-08:00

In November 1921, the founding members of Arizona Children’s Home Association realized their dream of building a receiving Home for the children of Arizona. One week before Thanksgiving, the agency moved from a modest 14-room rental house into a permanent two-story Home located on the south side of Tucson. This original building remains central to our agency operations and is now called “Angel House.”

The story that follows is an excerpt from the memoir of our most recognizable founding member, Mrs. Minnie Davenport. As she recounts the events of “Moving Day” and “Our First Thanksgiving” it is an opportunity to reflect, in thanksgiving, for all those who have made this agency possible.

Living room of Arizona's Children's Home, c. 1921.

"The [new] receiving Home faced east on south 8th avenue. The main floor consisted of a large living room, a hall-way leading to a large nursery room, two north rooms for children and a separate room for the nurse and matron. On the south end of the build was the dining room, kitchen, and pantry. In the basement was a laundry, playroom and furnace room. The second fl oor consisted of a girls dormitory, boys dormitory – room for ten single beds [each] – a room for the cook and housekeeper, two bath and toilet rooms, a clothes room with shelves and a small closet for linen and clothing. There were plenty of windows and radiators, so the place was properly ventilated and heated. The walls were tinted in light tan with white ceilings. The wood work was silver grey throughout the building. Two large homemade tables for the dining room were also painted the color of the wood work. The baths were in all white porcelain – tubs and showers.

All was in readiness for the move, as the city water had been piped on the premises. We paid to put in separate electric light and telephone extension, so besides the cost of a [thirty-five] thousand dollar building, funds were raised for all other necessities through friends. A new range was placed in the kitchen and through some grocery store closing out, we had an opportunity to secure a large ice box and Arizona Ice Company said they would supply us, gratis, all the ice we need. On November 14 [1921] we planned to move.

The ladies were placed on committees of three, to assist at ten o’clock. Mrs. N.C. Plumer, Mrs. S.M. Franklyn, Mrs. H.E. Heighton, Mrs. E.G. Spoerleder and Mrs. Geo. Reid, arrived [at the rental home] at 430 West 5th Street, filled their cars with bedding, groceries and linens. Then they placed the babies and children, too young to attend school, in the cars with the nurse and cook and went to the new Home. Mrs. Franklyn, Mrs. Plumer and Mrs. Heighton, were to oversee the placing and arranging of the furniture and all beds were to be put up in the nursery and two dormitories.

Mrs. Albert Steinfeld sent two 9 by 12 rugs, a couch, two rockers, and a wicker living room set, which made the place look homey.... Each furniture store sent complete beds and cribs, small chairs, and dining room chairs. This, with the furniture we had from the old receiving home, made it possible to care for 50 children, but there were only three women on the staff: a nurse, housekeeper and cook. We had advertised for a trained matron whom we hoped to have there to take over, but illness in her family delayed her taking the position for ten days. Mrs. Geo. Reid and Mrs. Spoerleder made many trips to and from the two Homes. The Citizen and Tucson Transfer Companies gave us free service.

Early kitchen stove in use at Arizona's
Children's Home, date unknown.

That day at noon, the children came from school and a picnic lunch consisting of sandwiches, cookies, milk and fruit was given them [at the rental home on 5th Street]. The lunch was furnished by Mrs. Blair, Mrs. Buchanan, Mrs. Spoerleder and Mrs. Davenport. After lunch the children returned to school and the women had about cleared the house of all boxes and furniture, leaving the laundry equipment, wood, coal and playground equipment, to be taken for the last load. After school, Mrs. Reid took the children to the [new] Home…. Things at the Home began to hum, as the first Thanksgiving in the new Home was only a week off…We were in correspondence with Mrs. Williams of El Paso. She had retired as a field matron for the government Indian Service. She wired she would arrive on an early train Thanksgiving morning. She was to come direct to my home. Later she and I went to the Home and found a committee of women busily assisting in the preparation of the dinner, arranging the tables, and dressing the children who were all so good and bubbling over with excitement.

Two big turkeys and all the “trimmings” were brought out for the dinner, supplied by the Ladies of the Tucson Temperance Union. The children said “Yummm, yummm, yummm, it smells good, Mrs. Davenport, and won’t we eat!”…What a feast those children enjoyed. The cook baked a number of pies from the pumpkins the ladies furnished. Many lovely gifts came into the Home during the following weeks, but in spite of all, there were many articles needed."

50th Anniversary of the Community Mental Health Act

2013-10-23T11:56:00.000-07:00

On October 31, 1963, President John F. Kennedy signed into law the Community Mental Health Act. These actions drastically altered the delivery of mental health services and inspired a new era of optimism in mental healthcare.

For millions of Americans living with a mental illness, this law opened the door to hope and recovery—to a life in the community. This legislation set the stage for an entirely new approach to recovery in the community, one marked by continually evolving care and treatment for Americans with mental illness.

Still, there is often a social stigma associated with mental illness which prevents people from seeking help. Many people are too ashamed or embarrassed to seek the help they need for themselves or their loved ones.

According to the National Association of Mental Illness (NAMI), nearly 1 in 17 Americans lives with a serious mental illness. One in five children and adolescents in the United States struggles with a mental illness and up to one-half of all lifetime cases of mental illness begins by the age of 14, according to the National Institute for Health Care Management.

Mental illness usually strikes individuals in the prime of their lives, often during adolescence and young adulthood, and can cause significant functional impairment in their day-to-day lives at home, in school, and with their peers. Without treatment, the consequences of mental illness for the individual and society are staggering: unnecessary disability, unemployment, substance abuse, homelessness, inappropriate incarceration, suicide and chronic health issues. The economic cost of untreated mental illness is more than 100 billion dollars each year in the United States (NAMI, 2013).

With a wide range of services tailored to their needs—that may or may not include medication—most people can significantly reduce the negative impact of their illness and find a satisfying measure of achievement and independence.

In the wake of the new Mental Health Act in the 1960s, Arizona’s Children Association, along with the Arizona State Department of Health, also began to focus on the mental health needs of our children. Funds from the Federal Mental Health Act made it possible for our agency to hire our first psychiatric social worker assigned to work with the children residing at the original home on 8th Avenue in Tucson.

Today, Arizona’s Children Association’s (AzCA) Outpatient Behavioral Health Services continue to serve children, adolescents and young adults transitioning to adult services, and their families. Clients come from a wide variety of referral sources including Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHA), Behavioral Health Networks, the Department of Economic Security, the Juvenile Court, local businesses, hospitals, physicians, schools, self-referrals, and private clients.

AzCA behavioral health service facilities are licensed by the Arizona Department of Health Services. Services are designed to be a short term intervention that can assist in developing the skills and supports needed to increase independence and resiliency. The Outpatient department works with the family unit if at all possible. When this is not possible, every effort is made to intervene therapeutically in the environment in which the child or adolescent resides.

Types of services provided include counseling (family, group & individual), psychosocial rehabilitation, coordinating/case management, training, outreach, volunteer services, psychiatric services, Child & Family Teams (CFT) facilitation, school-based services, respite, and more. Child & Family Teams are a central focus of services, where the issues and needs of families are addressed not only clinically, but from a cultural, strengths based, community, natural resource, extended family, and spiritual approach. Teams are structured and function in a flexible manner to include varying levels of involvement from AzCA staff, other child serving agencies and natural supports. The structure of the team varies depending on the child and family’s strengths, the complexity of needs, and goals identified by the child, the family, and the team.

“As an agency, we are committed to reducing the stigma of mental illness by providing access to services quickly, in an environment that the family prefers, and by bringing the family, the professionals and community members they chose together at the CFT," said Jessie Gillam, director of operations for behavioral health. "The use of the CFT puts the child and their family in the driver's seat, as they are the experts, and allows the team to come together and work on a common goal.”

With a stronger community behavioral health safety net, people in need of services today have greater access to care and an entirely new approach to recovery in the community. We are proud to carry on a 50 year tradition of respectfully providing the care and compassion needed for those in our communities with mental illness.

As the stigma surrounding this issue decreases and the community is educated on the need to identify these issues in young people, we will empower vulnerable children and their families to improve their safety, health and well-being and increase their potential to lead productive and healthy lives.

For more information about AzCA’s behavioral health services, visit us online at www.arizonaschildren.org.

Destined to Succeed

2013-10-01T09:17:00.002-07:00

In the spring of 2011, we met a young man who had overcome many obstacles in his life. From a very young age, Nathan Delafield knew his life was different from other kids his age. He had almost no relationship with his father, and his mother moved from home to home to homeless shelter during his most influential years. And then, when Nathan was only eight years old, she left.

After being placed in foster care, Nathan was given the opportunity to move in with his Aunt Kate and Uncle Randy.

“It was a roller coaster,” said Kate. “We had only been in our house for a few months but Randy and I totally jumped into Nate’s life. He’s always been a great kid, and I knew everything would work out.”

Kate and Randy became licensed through through Arizona's Children Association specifically for Nathan and maintained their license until he turned 18.

“My first night in the house, when I went into the cupboards to start to make myself dinner, my aunt told me that adults do the cooking here but asked if I wanted to help her,” recalls Nathan. “I knew from that moment on that life was going to be very different from the life I knew up till then.”

Nathan grew up to be a successful young man. After graduating high school, Nathan graduated from Arizona State University with an award for most outstanding senior graduate for the College of Nursing and Health Innovation and the “Spunky” Award (achieving a college education through adversity with Spunk) through the College of Liberal Arts and Science.

But, where is he now? After graduating from ASU, Nathan decided to further his education at the Indiana University School of Medicine. About a month ago, as he began his second year in medical school, Nathan received confirmation that he was awarded an all-inclusive scholarship through the National Health Service Corps to continue to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor without the outstanding indebtedness that many young physicians face. In return, Nathan has committed to enter into a primary-care medical field and he is particularly interested in working in the field of pediatrics. In Nathan’s opinion, working with children, particularly those in the underserved population will bring his “story” and life experiences full-circle.

Kate and Randy are thrilled with Nathan’s success and are proud of the man he has become. “My son is an exceptional inspiration and such an amazing man,” explained Kate.

“I can’t stress enough how my foster family changed my life,” Nathan says. “Up until I arrived at my Aunt and Uncle's home, I never even had my own bed to sleep in, and my shoes were hand-me-downs from my older brother. I was just a kid trying to survive and get by with the basics. This amazing opportunity changed my life, gave me a chance to thrive, and parents to guide me as I achieved my personal goals.”

“If there’s one thing I can remind potential foster families and foster kids, it’s to be patient with each other,” said Nathan. “Most of the kids in the foster program have seen or experienced things in their young lives that most adults will never encounter.”

For Kate and Randy, the past years were a learning process about raising a child and the foster care system. "Nate has touched our hearts in so many ways. He is an inspiration to the masses and we have been truly blessed to have him in our life,” said Kate. “I would encourage all families to educate themselves about the system. The more knowledge you have, the more power you have.”

We’re happy to say that Kate has been employed with Arizona’s Children Association for three years. She is currently working in our Prescott office in the ICPC program as a Sr. Resource Family Specialist and PSMAPP trainer working with kinship families and licensing. “I have always wanted to work for this agency,” said Kate. “They’ve given us so much help and support throughout the years. I have an amazing opportunity to work with families who face similar situations and use my experience to help guide them through this process.”

To learn more about the foster care and adoption programs at Arizona’s Children Association visit www.arizonaschildren.org.

*Photo (Left to right): Kate, Nathan and Randy Delafield

Same-Day Access Provides Positive Impact on Behavioral Health Services

2013-09-27T09:41:00.002-07:00

Last year, we reported that improved access to care has been proven to reduce no-shows and cancellations and better engage persons in mental health and addictions treatment and recovery. To improve access to care, Arizona’s Children Association (AzCA) was one of 56 behavioral health organizations that was chosen to participate in the National Council for Community Behavioral Healthcare’s 2012 Same Day Access Initiative.

AzCA has been working with expert consultants to help persons seeking public mental health and addiction treatment access services quickly and easily. Over the past 12 months, we assessed and redesigned our intake and assessment processes to reduce client wait times. With extreme wait times for patients reaching nearly 300 days at some organizations, a central goal of the initiative is for patients to get appointments for care with their providers when they want them. Studies have found that the longer patients have to wait to get appointments, the more likely they are to cancel or not show up. While a same-day appointment has a 10 percent chance of not being kept, almost a fourth of patients with next- day appointments do not show up.

The changes were made in order to streamline our intake process in behavioral health services and provide more immediate access to our clients. Our goal was to offer same-day appointments for intake assessment and screening for families requesting such services. These services include a full assessment—developmental history, mental health status exam, interim treatment plan, risk assessment, substance abuse assessment, diagnosis, coordination, and suggestions for ongoing services.

Families are now able to contact our office or stop by at their convenience to request services and be seen that same day. In offering services to families the day that they are needed, we can immediately address any safety concerns, develop a treatment plan with the family and provide them with the necessary resources. This process has also allowed us to simplify any paperwork, reduce duplication, and increase consistency across the state. There has also been a fiscal saving of over $10,000 thus far in staff time reduction. AzCA expects that number to continue growing. Because of these changes, staff is now able to be more productive and allot time for meeting other duties and responsibilities.

"It has been very helpful," said Nadia Vega, who schedules behavioral health intakes in Yuma. "We are really growing fast because of the changes and are getting a lot of new referrals, especially from schools. Families are really surprised at how quick and easy the process is. They assume we are going to schedule them a week or two out."

At the beginning of the project, the average number of days wait for the intake was 14 days. The goal was to reduce this to zero by implementing same-day access care. In addition, we have been able to reduce the number of no-show appointments by offering services when the family is in need. Before executing this, no-show rates for intakes were approximately 30 percent. After offering same-day access and allowing consumers to come in when they would like to enroll for services, we reduced our no-show rate to zero for intakes.

“There is less frustration from families with the same-day access to care,” said Lorraine Wallace, who works first-hand with the clients and schedules. “Families are still adjusting to the new process; however, we have gotten great feedback.”

The Council on Accreditation (COA) recently recognized AzCA with an award of excellence for our most recent Quality Improvement Initiative. According to COA, AzCA received the award:

“By demonstrating exceptional improvement initiatives in the management of quality/performance, your organization affirms its ongoing commitment to enhancing organizational effectiveness and excellence for consumers and other stakeholders.”

“By changing our process we have put the child and family’s immediate need at the forefront of our work," said Jessie Gillam, director of operations for behavioral health. "This has been a culture shift for our offices, but has been well-worth the efforts.”

To learn more about AzCA's behavioral health services, visit us online at www.arizonaschildren.org and click on Our Services.