November 2018 Newsletter
HANRAHAN HERALD
November 2018
“We Can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” ― Ronald Reagan,
Employee of the Month
Hanrahan Youth Services would like to recognize Matt Travers as our Employee of the Month for October.
Matt has worked with Hanrahan since 2010, Matt was the coordinator for Hanrahan's section 23 classroom from 2013-2017. Making sure each youth were involved with their education, attending the class and making sure they were working to their full potential. Matt would attend each day keeping the youth on task and working hard.
When Matt is working within the home, he has the best interest of the kids in mind, and he is always lending a helping hand. Matt can be looked to when things are needed, and he will make sure to get things finished properly and on time.
Recently Matt has stepped up to be Hanrahan's UMAB trainer, and did a great job at our last UMAB training session.
Great Job Matt!
Keep up the good work!
Congratulations/Acknowledgement
Please ensure that every birthday is acknowledged, including birthday cake, dinner with foster family or group home, gift/gift card.
Please make sure that all homes are to be clean, licensable and up to standards on a daily basis. Note that ALL property standards are the responsibility of the foster parents- the yard and the home are both important.
HYS would like to involve you in ‘Webinar Wednesday’s’ Paul will be sending out a Webinar each week for staff and Foster Parents to take part in. A $25.00 gift card will be given out weekly as incentive for the most detailed feedback/observations/commentary to the Webinar series.
For the Year 2018, we would like to update our Hanrahan Family board, take an updated photo of the youths and send it to Taylors email or bring it by head office!
Reminders:
Marijuana Legalization:
Please Remind your youth Marijuana Legalization use is 19.
Marijuana is still not permitted on premises! Please stress this to the youth.
Go over the safety importance with not getting into vehicles with people they know who are under the influence.
Go over with them the safety and no vehicle driving if they are under the influence. Don’t forget to double check that the youth are not bringing this into the homes.
Terminology Changes:
Crown Ward -> Extended Society Care
Society Ward -> Interim Society Care
Apprehension -> Brought into a Place of Safety
Indian & Native Children -> First Nation, Inuit and Metis Children and Youth
Extended family -> Expanded Definition
Dealing with Matters -> Dealing with children
He /She -> They / Person / Child/ Youth
Runaway/ Abandoned -> No Longer Used
November Special Days
November is Child Safety Protection Month
Did you know that November is Child Safety & Protection Month? Initiated to create awareness about the potential dangers our children face every day, this month is a good reminder for everyone – parents and caregivers, as well as educators and students – of the importance of keeping our children safe at all times.
November 4th- Daylight Saving Time Ends
When local daylight time is about to reach Sunday, November 4, 2018, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned backward 1 hour to Sunday, November 4, 2018, 1:00:00 am local standard time instead.
November 11th Remembrance Day
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the official end of the World War I hostilities on November 11, 1918. World War I was a massive conflict was played out over the whole globe, but particularly in Europe, where troops from Canada supported the Allied forces.
November 20th National Child Day
National Child Day is celebrated on November 20th each year. National Child Day has been celebrated across Canada since 1993 to commemorate the United Nations' adoption of two documents centered on children's rights: the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1959, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child on November 20, 1989.
By ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1991, Canada made a commitment to ensure that all children are treated with dignity and respect. This commitment includes the opportunity for children to have a voice, be protected from harm and be provided with their basic needs and every opportunity to reach their full potential.
Celebrating National Child Day is about celebrating children as active participants in their own lives and in communities, as active citizens who can and should meaningfully contribute to decision-making.
November 25th-December 6th 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence
The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence begin on the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and end on International Human Rights Day on December 10.
They also include the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women on December 6. The 16 Days of Activism is a time to both reflect on violence against women and to take action to end it.
This year’s theme, #MYActionsMatter, is a call to action that asks everyone to take concrete steps to question, call out, and speak up against acts of gender-based violence (GBV). Recently, public attention has shone a light on what statistics have long confirmed: women in Canada and around the world continue to face disproportionate levels of violence each and every day. In response to this all-too-familiar reality #MYActionsMatter asks the question: what will you do?
GBV involves the use and abuse of power and control over another person and is perpetrated against someone based on their gender identity, gender expression or perceived gender. Violence against women and girls is one form of GBV. It also has a disproportionate impact on LGBTQ2 and gender non-binary people.
Look closely and you will see the roots of GBV all around you — in sexist jokes that demean women, in the language that we use, in media messages that objectify women and glorify toxic masculinity, and in the rigid gender norms we impose on young children. With the release of It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence, the Government of Canada is committed to taking immediate action to end this form of violence.
We are using #MYActionsMatter to ask Canadians what they can do to prevent GBV, and invite you to use one of the five ways in which you can become an ally in our efforts to end GBV:
Listen – be open to learning from the experiences of others.
Believe – support survivors and those affected by violence.
Speak out – add your voice to call out violence.
Intervene – find a safe way to help when you see acts of GBV.
Act – give your time to organizations working to end violence, and be the change you want to see
November Events
· Great Pumpkin Party
Wednesday, November 1, 2018 Garden Square, Downtown Brampton 6 - 8 pm
Free Admission
On Wednesday, November 1, rain or shine from 6 to 8 pm, join us in your costumes and bring your Halloween pumpkins to The Great Pumpkin Party in Garden Square Downtown Brampton. Don't miss the display of pumpkins, lit up one last time, then watch as they are prepped for compost at the Great Pumpkin Smash.
· 10th Annual Cruisers Cup Sledge Hockey Tournament
Saturday November 3, 2018
7AM- 9PM
South Fletchers Community Centre
Over 40 teams from Canada and northern USA will participate in this annual tournament. The public is invited to come out and "Try the Sled" and meet former members of Canada's Paralympic teams. A wonderful family experience!
· The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair
November 2 to November 11, 2018
Visit Exhibition Place this November to take in the agricultural displays, over 2000 agricultural competitions, family activities, cooking demos, wine and apple competition and of course, the equestrian show.
· Remembrance Day Ceremonies
November 11, 2018
Make sure you're sporting your poppy and take time on November 11 to honour all those served, including the many who gave their lives.
Brampton:
Parade and Service of Remembrance Sunday, November 11, 2018 | 10:55 am start City Hall, Ken Whillans Square, Memorial Cenotaph
Toronto:
Starting at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, November 11, 500 members of the Canadian Armed Forces will parade north on University Avenue from Union Station to symbolize the return of soldiers from the First World War. They will march from the train station as they would have done in 1918-1919.
· Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Friday November 16, 2018
2 Wellington Street West, Brampton
6-8PM
Free Admission
Brampton residents and visitors enjoyed an evening of local and professional entertainment, family fun activities and the main event, the lighting of the 60-foot spruce tree!
· Brampton Santa Claus Parade
Saturday November 17, 2018
5PM
The organizing Committee’s mission of maintaining a safe and entertaining community parade along with the support of our sponsors, and our community partners has resulted in the Brampton Santa Claus Parade becoming the largest single day event in the Region of Peel and the largest night parade in Canada.
· Toronto Santa Claus Parade
Saturday November 18, 2018
Santa Claus returns to the streets of Toronto, bringing a bit of early Christmas cheer with him. The parade starts at 12:30 p.m. at Christie Pits and ends its route at St.Lawrence Market. Remember to bundle up and come early to get a good spot to see Santa.
· Toronto Christmas Market
November 15-December 23 2018
The Toronto Christmas Market takes over the Distillery Historic District for another year of holiday magic and romance. Now in its eighth year, the market has become one of the city’s favourite holiday traditions, ranked one of the world's best Christmas markets by Fodor’s Travel, USA Today, Mashable and more. Take in sparkling Christmas light canopies, traditional music and carols, dance performances and family-friendly activities like Santa's House, a ferris wheel, carousel and life-sized gingerbread house. Foodies can taste traditional European street-style food as well as Canadian holiday treats and sip on cold and warm brews in the beer gardens.
This year's Toronto Christmas Market offers Christmas-inspired activities for the whole family to enjoy. With one of the city's largest real Christmas trees, magical lighting and seasonal decor, more than 350 stage performances, unique and locally handcrafted products and, of course, Santa and his elves.
Fall is Here!
Leaves are falling and the weather is getting colder! Here are some ideas that can be used to go outside and enjoy the beautiful colours and changing weather with our residents!
Fertilize your lawn!
Although the exact timing can vary due to weather conditions and climate zone, the final fertilizer application should be made sometime in November in most regions--at the point when the grass has stopped growing or has slowed down to the pint of not needing to be mowed.
Do not wait until the ground freezes, however. Ideally, there is still active growth occurring, but not enough to warrant mowing.
Proper timing is essential. If fertilizer is applied too early while grass or garden plants are vigorously growing, it can invite winter injury and snow mold the following spring.
Go for a Hike!
If you want the ultimate test of will, visit one of Ontario’s scenic hiking trails this autumn and try not to break out your phone to capture the views. Toronto has numerous trails to explore this season that all offer a chance to take in beautiful fall foliage and break a sweat at the same time. Evergreen Brick Works is a local favourite during fall, and they also offer a complimentary shuttle bus north of Broadview Station. Or head west to Dundas, Ontario to the Dundas Peak for a trail walk that also features a waterfall.
Go Apple Picking!
Candy apples, apple pie and apple crumble made with fresh and crisp apples picked by your very own hand. What gets better? There are several orchards across the GTA where you can pick your own apples and many places also offer wagon rides, petting zoos, and country fresh markets where you can nab fresh jams, fruits, and veggies.
Make your way through a corn maze!
Find a farm near you, when this fun and seasonal activity is involved your kids will be more willing to get outside or exercise.
Clean the Yard!
Rake the leaves, and clean the yard! This simple task is a great way to have some outdoor fun with your kids while boosting your home's curb appeal. This is also a great life skill for our youth. Make it fun, or worth their while to help out by making it a paid chore. This is a good way to instil a sense of pride in the aesthetics and condition of their home. Please just ensure that they are taught how to properly and safely use tools prior to starting.
Preparation for fall
We also just want to reiterate that it is the perfect time to do some fall cleaning both inside the home (including the garage) and out. For those of you who aren’t aware, the HYS pick-up truck is available to do garbage-runs. If you need to access it, please contact Erin Hurley at head office. We strongly advise that this gets done as soon as possible to prepare for the colder months.
Not many of us are actually looking forward to the weather getting colder but we have to be well-prepared for the coming winter, we advise you prepare for winter by buying extra non-perishable groceries, appropriate winter clothing, bags of salt, shovels and other important items.
We also want to advise our foster parents and staff to be watching the news regularly for any updates from Environment Canada regarding weather. It is important that we are well prepared for the winter! In addition to this, please ensure your residents have the appropriate winter clothing attire such as snow boots, winter coats, mittens, hats and scarves.
Use of Bikes
Children will be out on their bicycles and looking to take them to school. Please remind your youth that cyclists are governed by the same rules as drivers, and review safe cycling procedures at home. Be certain that the bicycle is “road worthy” and that they are able to ride it in a safe manner. They should the serial number of their bicycles and make sure they LOCK them in the racks at school to prevent loss. Don’t forget that helmets are a must!
Brain Teaser
Just for fun, try to solve the following brain teasers. The answers will be at the bottom of the newsletter. Good luck!
1. What is 3/7 chicken, 2/3 cat, and a half goat?
DID YOU KNOW?...
Marijuana Affects Teenager Brain Functioning More Than Alcohol: Canadian Study
New Canadian research has provided more evidence that smoking cannabis may have a negative effect on cognition in young people.
Carried out by researchers at CHU Sainte-Justine and Université de Montréal, the new study followed 3,826 Canadian teenagers over a period of four years, and comes just as Canada is set to legalize recreational marijuana on Oct. 17.
The researchers looked at all levels of alcohol and cannabis use — including abstinent, occasional consumer and high consumer — and the different effects of use on a number of different cognitive domains, including recall memory, perceptual reasoning, inhibition, and working memory.
The findings, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, showed that cannabis and alcohol use in adolescence was associated with generally lower performance on all cognitive domains. However, the team also found that cannabis use appeared to have a greater effect on cognitive functioning than alcohol. "Further increases in cannabis use, but not alcohol consumption, showed additional concurrent and lagged effects on cognitive functions, such as perceptual reasoning, memory recall, working memory and inhibitory control," commented senior author and investigator Dr. Patricia Conrod.
"Of particular concern was the finding that cannabis use was associated with lasting effects on a measure of inhibitory control, which is a risk factor for other addictive behaviours, and might explain why early onset cannabis use is a risk factor for other addictions."
Co-author Jean-François G. Morin also added that, "Some of these effects are even more pronounced when consumption begins earlier in adolescence." In addition to their intoxicating effects, alcohol and cannabis have also previously been associated with impairments in learning, memory, attention and decision-making, as well as with lower academic performance.
"While many studies have reported group differences in cognitive performance between young users and non-users, what had yet to be established was the causal and lasting effects of teen substance use on cognitive development," Morin said.
"We also want to identify if these effects on brain development are related to other difficulties such as poor academic performance, neuroanatomical damage, and the risk of future addiction or mental health disorders."
-Huffington Post
Future Training Opportunities
HYS is continuing to look at expanding its training schedule. If a member of staff or foster parent is aware of any particular training that they feel would improve the level of care that we provide our youth, please bring it to the attention of your manager or supervisor. The possibility of providing such training will then be further explored.
Crisis & Trauma Institution Inc. (CTRI) offers a wide range of training opportunities covering areas such as working with adolescents with mental health, substance abuse additions, gender identity issues, eating disorders, and much more. These public workshops are designed to be interactive in nature.
HYS strongly encourages all staff to make good use of this opportunity to grow with their learning and professional development.
Duty to Report
Please remember that we all have a duty to report abuse or suspected abuse of a child.
The Child and Family Services Act is clear on the civic responsibilities of ordinary citizens and their duty to report any concerns of abuse and neglect to Children’s Aid Societies, but there is a special responsibility on the part of professionals who work with children.
It's important for all of us to increase our awareness about child abuse and neglect, to learn the signs and some of the underlying causes. Too many children lack the nurturing family and community supports essential for them to thrive and succeed. This has resulted in too many families coping with stressors and challenges affecting their ability to provide a safe, secure home for their children. (“Help Stop Abuse & Neglect”)
Please be sure to revisit the Duty to Report section of the Policy and Procedure Manual should you have questions regarding reporting procedures.
Strength Based Perspective
The Basics of Strength-Based Approach
Working from a strength-based perspective is a collaborative approach, whereby the person being supported by services is an active participant in the process of problem-solving issues they are experiencing. This allows the opportunity for the individual’s voice to be heard, and for the individual to be engaged in the decisions that affect their life. This is a chance to empower the client, but to also foster skills of self-advocacy. There is a significant focus on the quality of the relationship between the individual receiving support, and those that are providing the support. The relationship must be one of trust and transparency, in order for there to be real success.
A strength-based approach focuses on the inherent strengths of individuals, what their skills and abilities are, rather than on their deficits or problems. This also means investigating what resources are available, and how they can be used to accomplish what is needed. Although the goal is to promote the positive, this does not mean denying that issues or problems are affecting the client. Instead, it means combating situations based on the abilities and resources that exist, and utilizing these things in the most effective ways possible. The problems and concerns are not the main focus of intervention – the individual is.
Family and community work models often focus on the problems identified with the individual – thus, the individual is the problem that must be fixed. However, strength-based perspective focuses on the problem often existing because of interactions between people, organizations and structures.
Although issues exist, the individual only experiences the issue – the individual is not the issue.
The following are important principles of the strength-based perspective:
1) People are recognized as having potential, unique strengths and abilities, and have the capacity to continue to learn, grow, and change.
2) The focus of intervention is on the strengths and aspirations of the people we work with.
3) The language we use creates our reality – for the care providers, as well as children, youth, and families.
4) Communities and social environments are seen as being full of resources.
5) Service providers collaborate with the people they work with, and the client’s perspective of reality is primary.
6) Interventions are based on self-determination.
7) Change is inevitable.
8) There is a commitment to empowerment.
Problems are seen as the result of interactions between individuals, organizations or structures, rather than deficits within individuals, organizations or structures.
Training
We would like to continue to remind our staff and foster parents of the importance of ongoing training which can be used to assist you when dealing with the youth in our care. Hanrahan Youth Services is always willing to consider funding the many different sessions/webinars offered throughout the GTA and online that would be considered useful in working with our clients. We actually encourage all of you to make it a priority and take advantage of this opportunity to expand your professional development.
Should you be interested in doing so, please contact your resource worker or program coordinator with the details of the specific session you are looking to attend.
We have just recently registered a number of our staff and foster parents for workshops on:
· Motivating Change – Strategies for Approaching Resistance
· Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder – Strategies for Supporting
· Sexual Assault and Abuse Training
· Addictions and Mental Illness – Working with Co-Occurring Disorders
Many of our staff and foster parents have attended different workshops offered through the Crisis & Trauma Resource Institute (CTRI) in the past. They provide a wide range of training opportunities and included in their upcoming events are:
· Working in Social Services – The Essential Skills
· Violence Threat Assessment – Planning and Response
· Self-Injury Behaviour in Youth – Issues & Strategies
· Crisis Response Planning
· De-escalating Potentially Violent Situations
· Anxiety – Practical Intervention Strategies
· Challenging Behaviours in Youth – Strategies for Intervention.
For a complete list and descriptions of their upcoming workshops, you can visit:
* Be sure to select the Toronto or Mississauga local listings.
Please note that approved training is not limited to CTRI, these are just some examples of ones that we regularly take advantage of. We are always open to anything new that comes up. If you come across something different that you think would be worth exploring for our staff and foster parents, please send the information to the management team.
Our mandatory annual trainings, including UMAB and First Aid & CPR, will continue as per the usual schedules throughout the year. For upcoming sessions, please contact the head office.
Foster Parent Time-Off and Scheduling Relief
We understand how hard it can be to work around the clock. We also know how important it is to take time off whether it be for running errands, taking a break, visiting family and friends, or just taking care of business...we get it!
Hanrahan has a growing list of relief staff to utilize for the time you need, however, there is a process that needs to be followed in order to do so. It is essential that you communicate your request with your resource worker by submitting a TIME OFF REQUEST FORM. He or she will get this time approved, and then provide you with the relief staff list or book the relief for you. It is imperative that you keep them well informed of the time you take off, as well as ensure that your relief staff are documenting their hours and signing signature sheets when necessary.
Please note that any changes in dates or time need to first be approved by your resource worker.
Rec Night!
Don’t forget about REC NIGHT which takes place every Wednesday at 8:00pm at Century Gardens in Brampton. This is a great opportunity to get out of the house and get your kids to be active and mingling with the Hanrahan family. It is open to all foster parents and staff. Take your youth to play some basketball, volleyball, or whatever indoor sport has been organized for that evening. Don’t miss out!
Should you have any questions regarding rec night, please don’t hesitate to contact head office.
Brain Teasers answers:
1. The answer is CHICAGO. CHI is 3/7 of CHICKEN, CA is 2/3 of CAT, GO is a half of GOAT