1
Foster and Kinship Care Education (FKCE)
Independent Living Program (ILP)
Sponsored by California Community Colleges, Chancellor’s Office
VVC FKCE/ILP Advisory Board Meeting
12046 Jacaranda Ave., Suite A
Hesperia, CA 92345
January 30, 2008 8-10 AM
Minutes
I.
Welcome & Introductions
Present: Liz Dunford, Marcelino Garza, Kelley Johnson, Jeff Luther, Sandra Williams,
Roderick Gray, Amy Curtis, Anthony Chambers, Shaun Zigler, Berkeley Harris, Robert
Manghane, Becky Klaudt, Trish Hill, and Rebecca Talley
II.
Approve November 28, 2007 minutes—Approved as written
III.
Review training schedule (January-March 2008)
A. Please note change to schedule regarding classes at HDRC-Attachment-based parenting
will not be provided at HDRC by Annette Morgan. High Desert Relative Caregivers will
provide Love & Logic classes. These classes are posted on our website
(www.vvc.edu/fkce); please contact HDRC for information.
B. Other-Trish Hill sent Apple Valley Police Department logo to be included in next
newsletter; Rebecca reminded the group to refer interested parties to the FKCE/ILP
website as much as possible as the class information is updated regularly.
IV.
Review training to date for FKCE
A. Hours to date—approximately 138-Rebecca informed the group that VVC is on track to
exceed required hours again this year with trainers who reflect the target group.
B. Open—new class site possibilities: FKCE has been asked to provide training at Desert
Valley Medical Group Educational Foundation, Lucerne Valley preschool, and
Newberry Springs preschool; Spanish-language classes are continuing at Kingston
Elementary school in Hesperia and Adelanto preschool. Marcelino reported attendance
in Adelanto has included families from the Littlerock area (close to Palmdale).
V.
Review upcoming training for ILP
A. Please see separate handout
2
B. Other-Amy reviewed format and details of previous classes and asked for suggestions of
speakers; Marcelino offered the members of the Alliance for Education as ILP
speakers; Trish discussed the JIP program offered “down the hill” and the upcoming
10-week SHOCK program offered by Apple Valley PD.
VI.
Open
Marcelino: San Bernardino County Gang & Drug Task Force formed a High Desert
chapter to meet for the first time on February 6th at 8AM at Desert Mountain Educational
Services Center (DMESC). (Please contact Matilde at 242-7565 to confirm date/time);
Alliance for Education is planning a Parent Conference/Expo to be held in June at
DMESC.
Jeff: Transitional housing is expanding to include 10 apartments for youth ages 16-18;
Educational Specialists were hired to help youth with their graduation plans, credits, etc.
Sandra: Focusing on Daily Living Skills as opposed to Independent Living Skills; Team
Decision Making (TDM) is awesome in the High Desert; Family to Family (F2F) is also
interested in recruitment, training, and support of foster parents.
Shaun: Will renew the VISTA program at the YES Center. These VISTAS may be able to
help with volunteer recruitment, marketing, etc. for FKCE/ILP and other community
organizations working with foster youth; California Youth Connection to train Adult
Supporters; Healthy Kids Fair scheduled on April 12th at the YES Center; Robin McMullen
trains Parent Mentors; TDM meets at the YES Center; Foster Youth Services starting to
focus on middle school-aged youth; Wellness Foundation is providing funding for
counseling at YES Center
Trish: SHOCK program to start in March (through AVPD) is focused on 6th, 7th, and 8th
graders
Berkeley: Attended mandatory meeting for RFP for services for Kinship Care Providers
/approximately $424,000 for three regions including the High Desert
VII.
Training: “How to promote Victor Valley College’s FKCE/ILP programs”
Marcelino is a volunteer facilitator for FKCE and ILP. He discussed the importance of
promoting these programs throughout the High Desert. He discussed the benefits of
promoting the resources available to High Desert foster youth, foster parents, and kinship
care providers. Marcelino discussed the importance of having a personal buy-in to the
mission of the programs. He asked for input on how to promote FKCE/ILP:
Shaun: get the word out to Foster Family Agencies (FFAs) (Sandra will provide a list from
the FFA Association); discuss the possibility of collaborating with Barstow Community
College and Copper Mountain Community College; outsource printing to Glen Helen
prison; contact Kathy Peach who is a retired probation officer to provide training as a
volunteer; become part of the ‘211’ information service
3
Jeff: Contact Linda Cidores through Jeff’s office at 243-6655 for a list of approximately 80
social workers who have responsibilities to kinship care providers
Kelley: print general business cards as an economical way to distribute/market information
Trish: advertise in the Penny Saver; write English and Spanish PSAs
VIII. Other-a group photo was taken
IX.
Adjourn
Next Meeting: April 30th at VVC FKCE/ILP Offices on Jacaranda from 8-10 AM
4
Spring 2008 ILP classes at
Victor Valley College
Victor Valley College-ILP
Student Activity Center (SAC) Room C
February 13, 20, 27
March 5, 12
April 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14
Life Development Institute
Admin. Building, Room 4
March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
April 7, 14, 21, 28
5