March 2019 Newsletter
"Be who you needed when you were younger”
- Unknown
Congratulations/Acknowledgement
TRAINING APRIL 25TH
The training that was scheduled for February 8th is being rescheduled. It will be at Central Public School in Brampton from 9:00am – 4:30pm. It is imperative that you are not late,and it is mandatory except for those who are actually scheduled to be working.
Please ensure that every youths 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.
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.
New Canada Food Guide:
Please take a look at the new Canada food guide and ensure that each home is up to standards and each meal is following the guide. Print outs are available at head office.
Please make sure to remember the Ministry 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
March is Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
There are a few great ways to celebrate this month. Do you know someone who has Multiple Sclerosis? If so, this month is the perfect time to show you care about them, so give them a call, make them a pot of stew or just drop by their place to see if there is anything they need help with. Being disabled often makes people feel helpless, useless, and like they don’t matter anymore. But nothing makes a person feeling lonely, scared or just plain miserable feel better than knowing they haven’t been forgotten
Women's History Month
This year’s theme for Women’s History Month is Make an impact, in honour of the courageous women and girls who have made a lasting impact as pioneers in their fields. Whether as business leaders, politicians, researchers, artists or activists, they have helped shape Canada into a thriving, diverse and prosperous country through their achievements and desire to make a difference.
March 8th is International Women' s Day
The future is exciting. Let's build a gender-balanced world.
Everyone has a part to play - all the time, everywhere.
From grassroots activism to worldwide action, we are entering an exciting period of history where the world expects balance. We notice its absence and celebrate its presence.
Balance drives a better working world. Let's all help create a #BalanceforBetter.
March 10, 2019 - Daylight Saving Time Starts
When local standard time is about to reach Sunday, March 10, 2019, 2:00:00 am clocks are turned forward 1 hour to Sunday, March 10, 2019, 3:00:00 am local daylight time instead.
March Events
International Women's Day Celebration
Friday, March 08, 2019
263 Queen St. East Unit 14, Brampton
12:00 PM-3:00 PM
Celebrating women, Information booths, personal safety.
Living with Urban Wildlife
Sunday, March 03, 2019
Gore Meadows Community Centre - Community Room 1
11:00 AM- 1:00 PM
Information and tips with Brampton Wildlife- Everything from foxes and skunks to coyotes and raccoons live in Brampton’s neighbourhoods, especially near wooded areas and ravines, and they often explore the city’s backyards and streets.
The Play: How Black Mothers Say I Love You
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
Brampton Rose Threatre
8:00PM-10:00PM
From Trey Anthony, author of the blockbuster hit ’da Kink in my hair, and Brampton native, comes an emotional and raw look into family dynamics, trust, resolution and change. Performed for the first time in Brampton, How Black Mothers Say I Love You is Trey Anthony’s most thought-provoking play.
The Toronto Light Show
Distillery Historic District
Starting January 18th- March 3rd 2019
The Toronto Light Festival is a new visual journey and an imaginative cerebral adventure.
During the cold, dark days of winter, City residents will be drawn out of their traditional indoor habitats to experience Toronto in a way they never have before.
The Festival exhibits the creativity of local and international artists and is a winter experience designed to entertain & inspire.
https://www.torontolightfest.com
International Women's Day "Resilience Gala" with Jully Black
Daily Bread Food Bank Production Hall
6:30 pm - 11:30 pm
This International Women's Day, join us for an evening of celebration & inspiration in support of Daily Bread Food Bank. Featuring a Keynote Address and Acapella performance by Singer and Songwriter, Jully Black, a riveting performance by RAW - Raging Asian Women Taiko Drummers and a thought-provoking performance by Poet and Artist Naeema Hassan & so much more!
Benway Skate Trail
250 Fort York Blvd, Toronto, ON
The Bentway Skate Trail and our first ever Winter Season! Get out of hibernation and reimagine winter with a full weekend of FREE fun activities and events, including musical performances from Charmie Deller, Carmen Braden, demonstrations of Ice Breaking a unique hybrid of breakdancing and freestyle ice skating by the Toronto Ice Skate Group, DJ sets from Skratch Bastid and Nino Brown, food and drink, pop-up curling, our inaugural public art exhibition Constructions of the Everyday, and more.
DJ Skate Nights
HarbourFront centre, 235 Queens Quay West, Toronto.
Free Admission. All Ages.
Skate and Helmet Rentals Available
Sharpen your skates and skills as Toronto’s number one outdoor winter parety returns with another stellar line up of DJSs that will being the heat to your Saturday nights. The rumours are true, DJ skate nights is the best in town!
8:00PM- 11:00 PM
Every Saturday!
March Break Activities
These are great opportunities to get out as a group and have some fun!
Toronto ZOO
March Break at the Toronto Zoo. Get acquainted with the city’s most beloved furry, feathery and four-legged friends at the Toronto Zoo.
This year’s special March Break programming means even more fun: everyone can take part in activities with the Zoo’s Fun Team, listen to some educational Keeper Talks and join in on up-close-and-personal Animal Encounters.
PLAYDIUM
Mississauga’s Playdium is the ultimate place to play – it’s 40,000 square feet filled with 200 high-tech attractions, rides and simulators, including MaxFlight Roller Coaster Simulator and Laser Maze. Bring the whole family and a whole lot of energy to burn.
RIPLEYS AQUARIUM
Visit Ripley's over March Break and have a delightful time!
ROM
Adventures await this March Break at the ROM! Explore art, culture and nature from around the globe with our permanent galleries, amazing activities, and special exhibitions.
Sugar Shack T.O at Sugar Beach
Get your fill of sweet liquid gold as the kiddies munch on maple-infused goodies at the winter marketplace, then warm up with a maple sugaring demonstration and sample the sweet stuff. Plus, parents can head over to the sugar shack bar tent to warm up with some special winter drinks
March 9th & 10th
11 AM- 5 PM
March Break Visitations
If anyone of the residents plan on having visitations during the week, it is imperative that they be planned beforehand and properly. Obtain permission from their workers, clearly communicate the details with the family and your resource worker/manager, make check-ins a priority for group homes, ensure that visitation logs are being completed.
Spring is here!
March 20th marks the first day of Spring!
Perfect time to do some spring cleaning both inside the home (including the garage) and out! Get the whole group involved and de-clutter. Having everyone join in will make a big difference in the workload. To motivate them, try turning up some music or establishing a “reward” for when the work is done.
There are some special chores that need to be done seasonally like cleaning patios and windows. We ignore them for most of the fall and winter, but now it is time to get these things clean. Even though these chores only need to be done once or twice a year, they will help the home look better.
Temperatures are slowly creeping upwards which means that the snow has melted. We ask that staff and foster parents take a walk around the properties to see if there is any garbage laying around that needs to be picked up or any items that may require fixing.
If you need to use the HYS pick-up truck to do garbage-runs, please contact Erin Hurley at head office to book it. We strongly advise that this gets done over the next month or two to prepare for the warmer months
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. Before Mount Everest was discovered, what was the highest mountain in the world?
2. Imagine that you are in a boat, in the middle of the sea. Suddenly, you are surrounded by hungry sharks, just waiting to feed on you. How can you put an end to this?
DID YOU KNOW?...
Teens and Obesity
Obesity has received a lot of media attention recently. According to the CDC, a total of 12.5 million people between the ages of 2 and 19 are obese or overweight. Obesity is a major health concern because it increases your risk of getting conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, some cancers, high blood pressure, and emotional problems such as low self–esteem. Becoming overweight or obese is caused by eating more calories than you’re burning off. A person’s risk of becoming overweight or obese is influenced by behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors.
If you’re a teen and you’re not obese, you might not think this is relevant to you, but healthy eating habits and exercise are important even if you’re thin. Eating healthy foods and doing physical activity now is a great way to prevent weight and health problems in the future. As you get older, your body changes and your metabolism slows down. So, if you practice unhealthy eating habits as a teen, you put yourself at risk for health problems as an adult. There is good news though; if you’re currently overweight or obese and you improve your eating habits and get regular physical activity, you’ll improve your overall health and dramatically decrease your chances of having health problems when you’re older.
Some tips to keep in mind:
A healthy diet should be made up of a variety of nutrient–dense foods (foods that are high in vitamins, minerals, and/or fiber such as fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, whole–grains, and dairy).
Eat foods that are low in fats and added sugars, and limit your intake of saturated and trans fats, cholesterol, added sugars, sodium, and alcohol.
Build physical activity into your daily routine; for example, take a walk instead of riding the bus, and reduce the amount of time you spend watching TV or using the computer.
Eat when you’re hungry, stop when you’re satisfied, and avoid eating out of boredom.
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:
https://ca.ctrinstitute.com/workshops/category/public-workshops/
* 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.
Brain Teasers answers:
1. Mt. Everest. It just hadn’t been discovered yet!
2. Stop Imagining!