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Children and Family Services
Registration open for 2018 Fatherhood Breakfasts
San Bernardino County men are invited to attend two breakfasts that aim to inspire, educate and better equip them to tackle the challenges of fatherhood.
The free San Bernardino County Fatherhood Breakfasts will be June 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Burning Bush Church, 14849 Seventh St. in Victorville and June 16, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Westside Christian Center, 785 N. Arrowhead Ave. in San Bernardino. The breakfasts will feature community resources, words of encouragement, awards, music, networking and prizes. Keynote speakers Samuel Mahan and Jake Tarpley, will be recognized as Fathers of the Year. Justin Sayre, Armin Alverado, Justin Smith, and Eduardo Marin will also be honored. To register free for the breakfast, visit https://tinyurl.com/eventbrite-fatherhoodbreakfast
“Fathers are a strong part of the family unit and for them to be not involved in their children’s lives puts their kids at a deficit,” said Clyde Stewart, Pastor of Westside Christian Center, who hosts the San Bernardino breakfast and is a key sponsor of the Kinship program. “This time is set aside to get dads involved and to let them know they are important to our community and their children need them. “
Now in its seventh year, the effort is a collaboration with Children and Family Services (CFS), County agencies, community and faith-based organizations and individuals from various professions working to reduce father absenteeism and the negative effects of fatherlessness.
“We are proud of the contributions fathers make in their children’s lives, “said Marlene Hagen, Director of San Bernardino County CFS. “We know fathers who attend our breakfasts will be uplifted, encouraged and empowered to be positive and engaged fathers. “
Participating San Bernardino County agencies include the Children’s Network, Preschool Services Department, Probation Department, Child Support Services, Department of Behavioral Health, and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
CFS is dedicated to the protection of abused, neglected, and dependent children in San Bernardino County and the promotion of their well-being. CFS is doing its part to help the community achieve the Countywide Vision by ensuring residents have the resources they need to provide the necessities of life to their families. Information on the Countywide Vision can be found at www.sbcounty.gov.
Government Works: More foster children enrolled in preschool
Did you know the departments of Children and Family Services and Preschool Services were honored with an award for their Preschool Referral Project?
The Preschool Referral Project was developed to offer foster children age 3 to 5 enhanced preschool services resulting in increased placement stability, school readiness and school performance.
As a result of the referral project, participation in early childhood education programs for foster children increased by 200 percent resulting in 118 foster children participating the program. All children in the program showed improvement in language, self-regulation, mathematical and social development. The results are encouraging for children who have been abused, witnessed abuse and suffered the trauma of being removed from their parents.
The program was recognized in November 2013 by the California State Association of Counties with a Challenge Award, one of the most prestigious government awards in the state.
This is an example of how Government Works.
Adoption finalization celebrates families, record number of siblings adopted
Amanda and Avi Bloom
A record number of brothers and sisters were among nearly 100 children who celebrated their adoptions during the San Bernardino County Children and Family Services (CFS) Adoption Finalization event held Thursday at the Ontario Convention Center. The adoptions of the 22 sets of siblings marked the most sets of siblings adopted at the annual event.
This year’s theme “Viva Las Familias,” described what adoption is all about. Some of the families adopted between two and five children from the same family.
CFS Director Randall Schulz credits the many sibling adoptions to the department’s commitment to keep brothers and sisters together. CFS facilitates nearly 200 adoptions per year. This year, families came from throughout California and as far away as Oregon to finalize adoptions. All of the children at the event have been living with their caregivers, relatives or prospective adoptive parents for some time.
“We have many children, from toddlers to teenagers, in our care who aren’t able to safely return home,” said Randall L. Schulz, Director of CFS. “It’s very exciting know so many families in our community are willing to give their love to our kids by making them a part of their family through the life-long commitment of adoption.”
The families legally united in ceremonies performed by San Bernardino County judges: the Honorable Christopher B. Marshall, Juvenile Court Presiding Judge, who spoke at the event; Honorable Cheryl C. Kersey; Judge of the Superior Court, Honorable Lily L. Sinfield, Judge of the Superior Court and the Honorable Lynn M. Poncin, Judge of the Superior Court.
In addition to making their child(ren) legally part of their family, families enjoyed lunch, children’s activities and photo opportunities.
The event also featured the CFS Heart Gallery in conjunction with Heart Gallery of America, Inc. The Heart Gallery features photos of children with special needs who are in need of committed families that can meet their special needs and provide the security of a loving family. (For more information, please contact the Heart Gallery at (909) 891-3300 or by email at: HeartGallerySanBernardinoCounty@hss.sbcounty.gov).
Children and Family Services provides family-centered programs and services designed to ensure safety, permanence, and well-being for San Bernardino County’s children, while strengthening and attempting to preserve the family unit. Children and Family Services helps prevent further harm to children from intentional physical or mental injury, sexual abuse, exploitation, or neglect by a person responsible for a child’s health or welfare.
For more information about adoption or foster care, contact San Bernardino County Children and Family Services at 1-800-722-4477 or (909) 891-3300 or access our website at http://hss.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dcs
