San Joaquin County Children’s Services

A Heartfelt Thank You to Quilters’ Hollow! 🧵🪡⁣
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Children’s Services is incredibly grateful to Quilters’ Hollow for their generous donation of beautifully quilted blankets for our foster youth. Special thanks to Barbara Nemeth, Audrey Mathers, Penny Thomas, Tracy Skalsky, and Patricia Rieta-Garcia for their time, creativity, and love in crafting these adorable and unique blankets. ⁣
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Our social workers were overjoyed to pick out the perfect blanket for the youth on their caseloads, thoughtfully matching the quilts to the youths’ personalities. These blankets are more than just cozy coverings; they will bring immense comfort and joy to the youth, making them feel special, cherished, and loved.⁣
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The quilts have been distributed to the Intensive Family Preservation unit, a team dedicated to keeping families together and providing vital support during challenging times. This unit focuses on preventing out-of-home placements, ensuring that children can safely remain with their families whenever possible. Your thoughtful donation not only meets the basic need of having a blanket but also supports the mission of the Intensive Family Preservation unit by providing comfort and stability to the children, reminding them that they are deeply cared for and valued.⁣
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Thank you, Quilters’ Hollow, for your kindness and generosity. You’ve made a profound and wonderful difference in the lives of our foster youth, and we are truly grateful! ⁣
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Happy Father’s Day! ⁣
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Today, we celebrate all the incredible fathers and father figures, including foster dads and relative caregivers, who make a positive impact in the lives of children. Your unwavering support, love, and dedication shape bright futures and create cherished memories.⁣
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San Joaquin County Children’s Services deeply values the crucial role that fathers and father figures play in nurturing, guiding, and inspiring the children in their care. Thank you for being the everyday heroes that children look up to and rely on.⁣
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Join us in honoring and celebrating these extraordinary dads today and every day. Share your favorite fatherhood moments with us using and ⁣.⁣

FatherFest 2024 wouldn’t be possible without the incredible support of the Dear Dads Coalition and our amazing community partners! Huge thanks to Yosemite Street Village for hosting us again as we celebrate dads and father-figures in our community! 🎉💙⁣
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Be sure to join us this Saturday, June 8th, from 10am to 2pm for FatherFest!⁣

San Joaquin County Human Services Agency
San Joaquin County Children’s Services
Parents by Choice
Yosemite Street Village
Apsara Stockton
CC Stockton
San Joaquin County Department of Child Support Services
Family Resource Center
El Concilio California
Mary Magdalene Community Services
San Joaquin County Probation
San Joaquin County Office of Education
Victor

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Ya viene la Fiesta del Padre 2024! ¡Disfruta un día perfecto con comida, música y más con tu hijo el 8 de junio en Stockton!⁣
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Visita www.parents.sjckids.org/es-mx/Apoyo-Para-Pap%C3%A1s para encontrar consejos y recursos para ser el mejor padre posible.⁣
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FatherFest 2024 is coming soon! Share a perfect day of food, music, and activities with your child on June 8th in Stockton!⁣
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Visit SanJoaquinFathers.org to find tips and resources for being the best dad you can be.⁣
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We are pleased to share that today, June 4th, 2024, the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors officially proclaimed the week of June 9-16, 2024, as Father Appreciation Week. 🎉⁣⁣⁣
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San Joaquin County Children’s Services, in collaboration with Parents by Choice, the Dear Dads Coalition, and other esteemed community partners, is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the vital role of fathers in our community.⁣⁣⁣
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We invite you to join us in celebrating and to participate in the on June 8th. Together, let’s honor the contributions and importance of fathers. 💙⁣⁣

As National Child Abuse Prevention Month comes to a close, let’s remember that supporting families is a year-round commitment.⁣⁣
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Poverty, in and of itself, is not a reason for Child Protective Services (CPS) to get involved in a case. CPS is designed to protect children from abuse and neglect, not to penalize families for their financial struggles. Families facing challenges like housing instability or limited access to resources need support and assistance.⁣⁣
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If you see a family in need, consider helping them connect to community resources like San Joaquin 211. Families can find information about available services by using an online database, texting, or calling 2-1-1 to speak with a trained Resource and Referral Specialist. San Joaquin 211 is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with translation services in over 200 languages. From housing assistance to healthcare, they can help connect families with the resources they need.⁣⁣
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Let’s work together to ensure every family has the support they need without fear of unnecessary intervention. ⁣⁣
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Find help and support through San Joaquin 211:⁣⁣
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📞 Call: 2-1-1 or (800) 436-9997
📱 Text: Your zip code to 898211⁣⁣
💻 Visit: 211sj.org⁣⁣
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The Board of Supervisors has once again demonstrated their commitment to our community’s children by approving a Proclamation declaring April as National Child Abuse Prevention Month in San Joaquin County at its meeting today, April 9th, 2024.⁣
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At Children’s Services, we understand the vital role of caring connections, supportive environments, and positive experiences in the lives of children and families. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated child-welfare workforce and allies who tirelessly work to strengthen families and protect children.⁣
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National Child Abuse Prevention Month serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of families and communities uniting to prevent child abuse and neglect. Together, we share the responsibility of creating safe environments where every child can thrive.⁣
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Join us in spreading awareness and promoting action to prevent and address child abuse in our community. Visit BeTheirVoice.org to learn more about accessing support services and making a difference.⁣
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San Joaquin County Children’s Services extends a heartfelt “Thank You” to Simpson Strong-Tie Corporation for their generous donation!⁣⁣⁣
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Community support, like yours, is invaluable in assisting resource families during emergency situations. Through Simpson Strong-Tie’s incredible Give Back Program, you’re making a tangible impact in our community. 🙌⁣⁣⁣
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Your efforts to shed light on the needs of our foster youth are invaluable, and we are grateful for your support. Thank you, Simpson Strong-Tie, for all that you do to support our resource families and foster youth in San Joaquin County. Your contributions make a significant difference! ⁣⁣⁣
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Today, on Autism Awareness Day, we honor the resilience and strength of individuals on the autism spectrum.⁣
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At San Joaquin County Children’s Services, we also want to recognize the incredible dedication of our resource parents who go above and beyond to support our foster youth, including those with autism.⁣
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From providing a safe and nurturing environment to offering love, understanding, and specialized care, resource parents play a vital role in the lives of our foster youth.⁣
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Join us in expressing gratitude to these unsung heroes and raising awareness about the need for resource homes willing to open their homes to children with special needs.⁣
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Please consider fostering a child with special needs. If you’re interested, call 209-465-KIDS (5437). Together, let’s create a world where every child, regardless of their abilities, is valued and supported. 💙⁣
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April shines a spotlight on something close to our hearts: National Child Abuse Prevention Month.⁣
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San Joaquin County Children’s Services is dedicated to raising awareness, providing support, and advocating for the safety and protection of children in our community. Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, nurturing environment, free from harm and abuse.⁣
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The latest national data is a stark reminder of why our efforts are so crucial. In the United States, an estimated 1,990 children died from abuse and neglect in federal fiscal year 2022. Approximately 3.1 million children received intervention by child protective services, and 558,899 children were found to be victims of child maltreatment. This isn’t just a statistic; it’s a call to action.⁣
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Child abuse prevention isn’t just a national initiative; it’s rooted in our community, where we work together to support children and families, especially during challenging times.⁣
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San Joaquin County can join this national effort by spreading the word about the importance of child abuse prevention. Visit parents.sjckids.org for more information and resources to support families. Together, let’s work towards creating a future where every child in San Joaquin County can thrive.⁣
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✨ Happy Social Worker Appreciation Month!✨⁣
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Today, we want to shine a spotlight on the incredible heroes of our team - our dedicated social workers! 💙⁣
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To all the compassionate hearts and caring hands that make up our Children’s Services family, thank you for your unwavering commitment to the well-being of our community’s children. Your tireless efforts, empathy, and advocacy make a lasting impact every day. 👏⁣
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In the tapestry of support and care, you are the threads that weave hope and change. Your kindness, resilience, and love create a brighter future for the children and families you serve. 🤗⁣
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Don’t hesitate to express your gratitude to a social worker who has positively impacted your life or the life of someone you know. Join us in filling the comments with appreciation and heartfelt thanks! 🌟 ⁣
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Reflecting on the incredible spirit of generosity that has lit up our community this holiday season!⁣
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“Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much” - a powerful sentiment echoed by Helen Keller and brought to life by the amazing individuals and organizations who have rallied behind our foster youth.⁣
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A heartfelt shoutout to the generous employees at Human Services Agency, the dedicated members of St. Joseph’s employee-led SPIRIT Club, and the amazing community at Bear Creek Community Church. Your commitment to fulfilling the wishes of our foster youth is nothing short of inspiring. 🎁⁣
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To all those who contributed, whether through specific gifts or generous donations, your impact is immeasurable. The holidays have been made a little brighter, a little warmer, and a lot more special for our exceptional foster youth, thanks to your hard work and dedication.⁣
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To our incredible community, your gifts of time, talents, and treasures have made a significant difference in the lives of our deserving foster youth. Each one is worthy of being lavishly loved on, and you’ve made that possible.⁣
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As we wrap up this year, let’s carry this spirit of giving into the new one. Thank you for being the heart and soul of our network of support! ✨⁣
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Wishing you all a joyous and fulfilling holiday season!⁣
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A heartfelt THANK YOU to our friends at Ripon Police Department for their incredible support in transporting gifts for foster youth to San Joaquin County Children’s Services! 🚓🎁 Your commitment to community well-being shines bright, and we’re immensely grateful for your partnership.⁣
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Let’s give a virtual round of applause to Ripon PD! 👏👏👏⁣
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A heartfelt thank you to our amazing community!⁣
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We’re overjoyed to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who supported the 3rd Holiday Toy Drive for foster youth, hosted by District 1 Supervisor Miguel Villapudua and Koe’s owner Ken Littleton. Your generosity has left us in awe, and Children’s Services is incredibly grateful.⁣
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A special shoutout to AMR San Joaquin for their substantial donation of toys and the invaluable assistance in loading gifts. 🎁👏 Your support has truly made a difference!⁣
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🌟🧶 Children’s Services extends heartfelt gratitude to the Manteca Senior Center Crochet and Knitting group for their incredible generosity! Their blankets bring warmth and comfort to our community’s children. 🧡⁣
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Donna, with an amazing 27 years of dedication, embodies the club’s legacy of crafting love for youth in need. We’re honored to share in their commitment!⁣
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Inspired by their example, the All Tangled Up Crochet Club has joined the cause, creating blankets specifically for our older foster youth.⁣
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Every stitch, a gesture of comfort and security, is crafted to bring smiles to the faces of our foster youth. A massive thank you to both groups for using their talents to shower our foster youth with love! 🌈⁣
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Manteca Senior Center Crochet and Knitting group members:⁣
🧶55 blankets & 🧸15 bears⁣
Irene Alfaro - 4 years⁣
Janet Buckman - 22 years⁣
Donna Crovella - 27 years⁣
Tressie Fulton - 11 years⁣
Beverly Grant - 13 years⁣
Jetta Hawk - 6 years⁣
Sheila Regan - 3 years⁣
Doreen Xuereb - 7 years⁣
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All Tangled Up Crochet Club:⁣
🧶40 crocheted blankets and quilts - All Members 7 years⁣
Carol Jorritsma⁣
Jennifer Snarr⁣
Amber Minana⁣
Belinda Jorritsma Rogers⁣
Anita Jorritsma ⁣
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November is National Adoption Month, and we were thrilled to celebrate Adoption Saturday on November 18th! 🎉 This year, 33 children found their forever homes with 22 amazing families in San Joaquin County. 🏡💖⁣⁣
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The Honorable Judges Michael Coughlan, Michael Mulvihill, Anthony Lucaccini, and Erin Guy-Castillo presided over these heartwarming finalizations.⁣⁣
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National Adoption Day is a powerful nationwide initiative shedding light on the 150,000 children in foster care across the U.S. who are eagerly awaiting permanent, loving families. For 24 years, San Joaquin County has been an integral part of this movement, creating new beginnings for countless children.⁣⁣
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Thank you for joining us in spreading awareness! 🌟 Let's continue making a difference together. Learn more about San Joaquin County’s Adoption Saturday event at https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftinyurl.com%2FSJC-Adoption-Saturday&data=05%7C01%7Camaguire%40sjgov.org%7Cf93d58999cb248fc27e908dbf0709867%7C3cff5075176a400d860a54960a7c7e51%7C0%7C0%7C638368138618222920%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=UefTVNhQX8kEIk8A2GijLSM0vgyp3z9r4h%2FaPyGAd9s%3D&reserved=0 ⁣
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Children’s Services and Mary Graham Children’s Shelter would like to extend a huge thank you to the Stockton Police Department for their generous donation of new children’s clothing and cleaning supplies. ⁣
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We are so thankful for the collaboration with in supporting vulnerable children and families! This donation has already made a positive impact. ⁣
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Pictured: Paul Daveluy, Sergeant Stephen Kihlthau, Justin Chao, and Chaplain Jesse Kenyon ⁣

Happy Father’s Day…⁣
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…to all the wonderful foster Dads⁣
…to anyone who has lost their Dad or Father Figure⁣
…to those who have strained Father relationships⁣
…to all the amazing Step-Dads out there⁣
…to those waiting to expand their family through adoption⁣
…to single Dads raising kids on their own⁣
…to those struggling with infertility ⁣
…to all the new Dads adjusting to Fatherhood⁣
…to all the wonderful Dads who do it all for their child(ren)!⁣
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From all of us at Children’s Services, Happy Father’s Day! We’re celebrating and thanking dads for the big and small things they do every day! ⁣
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Visit SanJoaquinFathers.org to find tips, support and resources for being the best dad you can be.⁣
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¡Esta semana es la primera Semana de Agradecimiento a los Padres en el condado de San Joaquín del 12 al 17 de junio! ¡Estamos celebrando y agradeciendo a los papás por las cosas grandes y pequeñas que hacen todos los días!⁣
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Visita SanJoaquinFathers.org para encontrar consejos y recursos para ser el mejor padre posible.⁣
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First 5 San Joaquin - Parents and Caregivers > Support for Dads First 5 San Joaquin believes all of our county’s children will thrive in supportive, nurturing, and loving family environments. We’re here to help ensure they are safe, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and life.

This week is the first-ever Father Appreciation Week in San Joaquin County from June 12th through June 17th! We’re celebrating and thanking dads for the big and small things they do every day!⁣
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Visit SanJoaquinFathers.org to find tips and resources for being the best dad you can be.⁣
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Please join us today! The Fatherhood Festival is on Saturday, June 10, 10am-2pm! ⁣
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Combine your festival celebration with a visit to Children’s Services booth to discover how you can make a difference in a child or teen’s life.⁣
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This event will feature fun dad and child-friendly games and activities, food trucks, live music, community resources, and more! Hope to see you!⁣
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¡Te invitamos al Festival de la Paternidad, sábado 10 de junio de 10 a.m. a 2 p.m. en Yosemite Street Village en Stockton (bloque 900 de Yosemite entre las calles Acacia y Poplar)!⁣
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Estamos celebrando y agradeciendo a los papás por las cosas grandes y pequeñas que hacen todos los días. Visita SanJoaquinFathers.org para obtener más información y encontrar consejos y recursos para ser el mejor padre que puedes ser.

Please join us! The Fatherhood Festival is on Saturday, June 10, 10am-2pm!
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This event will feature fun dad and child-friendly games and activities, food trucks, live music, community resources, and more! Hope to see you tomorrow!

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Save the date for the Fatherhood Festival on Saturday, June 10, 10am-2pm! We're excited to partner with First 5 San Joaquin, Parents by Choice, Mary Magdalene Community Services, and many other community organizations to bring this event to our community. ⁣
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This event will feature fun dad and child-friendly games and activities, food trucks, live music, community resources, and more! Hope to see you soon!

The month of May is significant for two great reasons: National Foster Care Month and Mother’s Day. ⁣
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May is a special time to celebrate the true heroes who are making the world a better place for children. Children’s Services is excited to honor all the dedicated moms we work with: social workers, foster and adoptive parents, advocates, and partners who go the extra mile to help transform the lives of our foster youth. ⁣
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For this Mother’s Day, we would like to honor you for everything you do in helping children feel safe, loved and valued. Your patience, kindness, compassion and dedication are greatly appreciated!⁣
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Happy Mother’s Day to each of you! ⁣

We love Laura‘s passionate for finding homes for special needs children! Her firsthand account of children remaining in hospitals due to their medical needs, highlighted in our last post, drives home the dire need for families willing to open their home to special needs children.⁣
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Children’s Services is dedicated to taking children with special needs out of institutional settings, and placing them with caring, well trained resource families. It is our belief that in an environment cultivated by a loving, nurturing family, children will be able to reach their fullest potential.⁣
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It takes a special resource parent to provide a child with special needs a loving home necessary for them to thrive. If you have the desire to learn more, we’d love to share information on how you can help. Please call, (209) 465-KIDS(5437) or visit our website at sjcrfa.org. ⁣⠀⁣
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📸:Thank you for the incredible advocacy and care you provide in San Joaquin County!⁣
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Laura Suess: “I don't think I can name a defining moment in my life that led me to foster care. It was a topic that always seemed to be in the back of my mind. Something for future Laura to think about. As a child I was exposed to foster families that for all intents and purposes appeared to have their hearts in the right place. In high school I remember telling my friends ‘I'd love to be a foster parent someday.’ It wasn't until I attended nursing school that my heart truly broke open for the plight of the foster child.⁣
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“Part of my senior nursing rotation was a six week stint at Seattle Children's Hospital. The majority of my patients had doting, loving, albeit stressed, parents who would keep vigil by their bedside until they were healthy enough to go home. Occasionally, however, there would be little ones with a flag on their chart ‘CPS HOLD.’ My heart would sink a little when I saw that. If their medical needs were minor they usually didn't wait long for a foster family or family member to pick them up. The kids with more severe medical needs often waited weeks. Or months. These sweet souls would live in their sterile hospital room while the social workers frantically tried to find anyone able and willing to take on their medically complex care. We as nurses and nursing students did everything in our power to fill in the gap of primary caregiver, but kids thrive at home. Not in hospital beds.⁣
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“After I graduated, I got a job at Valley Children's Hospital near Fresno, CA. It didn't take long for me to realize the situation was similar there. I grew increasingly desperate and frustrated until one day I decided I could continue to lament, or take action. I've never been one to sit still long. Several months after getting licensed as a foster parent  I received a call for a medically fragile baby boy in the NICU at UCSF. My YES turned out to be life changing in more ways than one. That baby boy is now eight and his medical complexities are nothing compared to his wit, his talent on the baseball field, and his love for animals. His story and the story of so many other kids who could have been looked over as ‘too complex’ or ‘hard to place’ are my WHY.⁣”
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Interested in working for San Joaquin County? WorkNet is hosting a countywide Job Fair today! Human Services Agency will be present to share information about current job opportunities.⁣
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🗓 Thursday, May 4th, 2023⁣⁣
📍 Stockton WorkNet Center - 6221 West Lane, Suite 105 Stockton, CA 95210⁣⁣
⏰ 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM⁣⁣
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It’s National Month! Help raise awareness about the importance of conversations with children, youth, and their caregivers about their mental health needs while they are engaged with the foster care system. https://www.sjckids.org/Parents-and-Caregivers/Be-Their-Voice/For-Families⁣
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¡Es el Mes Nacional del Cuidado de Crianza! Ayuda a crear conciencia sobre la importancia de las conversaciones con los niños, jóvenes y proveedores de cuidado sobre sus necesidades de salud mental mientras participan en el sistema de cuidado de crianza. https://www.sjckids.org/Parents-and-Caregivers/Be-Their-Voice/For-Families⁣