Kinship Care and Concurrent Custody

For the past three years, The Florida Kinship Center, Kinship Caregivers, and other Kinship Service Providers have gone to Tallahassee for the annual Kinship Rally In Tally to encourage legislators to support concurrent custody legislation. As of July 1, 2010, this legislation went into effect. First and foremost, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all of those who have taken the time out of their busy schedules to beat the drum for kinship issues and also for those who took the consideration to support such legislation.

Concurrent custody legislation revises provisions relating to petitions & court orders awarding temporary custody of a child or children to an extended family member, to also provide for concurrent custody with parents of child. The legislation provides that if a parent objects to the petition for concurrent custody, the court may not grant the petition & must give the petitioner the option of converting the petition to one for temporary custody. Concurrent custody does not affect the ability of parents to obtain physical custody of child at any time. The court may terminate the order for concurrent custody if parent withdraws his or her consent to order.

For more information regarding concurrent custody legislation, please contact our legal education line through the Kinship Care Warmline 800-640-6444.

Facebook and The Florida Kinship Center

In an effort to serve the masses and promote the issues of kinship caregivers statewide, The Florida Kinship Center has established an Official Fan Page on Facebook. Facebook is a social networking site used by students and professionals alike to stay abreast of issues concerning them most and to keep connected with those they contact. The Florida Kinship Center acknowledges the power of such a tool and would like to encourage you all to find us on Facebook and stay tuned for powerful discussions, events, and other happenings with regard to The Florida Kinship Center.

Looking For Families With 3 or More Generations Living Together, Respond By June 23rd

A very legitimate MAJOR CABLE NETWORK is looking for ALL - AMERICAN MULTI-GENERATIONAL FAMILIES!

High housing costs, gas prices, job woes and an unstable economy are spurring American families to rethink their living situations. Many families are choosing to move grandparents, parents, aunts/uncles,children and grandchildren in together. The Network is looking for multi-generational families that have stood up to, or are willing to come together to better face this economy with a "family first" attitude.

• Are there 3 or more generations living together in your home?
• Have you moved back in with your folks or taken up residence with your adult children?
• Has your child finished college and can't find a job so has moved back home?
• Has your retirement savings gone down the drain, causing you to move in with family members?
• Has someone in your family gone through a home foreclosure (or is about to)?

If your family fits this description, or you know of a family that does, please briefly tell me about the situation ASAP, but at the latest BY JUNE 23RD!!! Email algoyer@comcast.net and if possible enclose a photo of your family and the home you live in.

Please feel free to pass this message on to your family, friends and colleagues.

Grandparents.com

Family Communication 101: Get the Message!

Join us for a Webinar on May 14

Space is limited. Reserve your Webinar seat now at:
https://ww2.gotomeeting.com/register/544722659

Learn to be a better communicator! Communication is the key to all positive family interactions. But how do you know if you're communicating effectively? Join the experts at Grandparents.com for a live online seminar (a webinar!). This interactive event will show your how to:

• Identify you communication style
• Discover new ways to resolve family conflict
• Learn valuable listening skills
• Understand how others perceive you

It is FREE!!!

Title: Family Communication 101: Get the Message!
Date: Thursday, May 14, 2009
Time: 8:00 PM - 9:30 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webnair.

System Requirements
PC Based attendees
Required: Windows 2000, XP Home, XP Pro, 2003 Server, Vista

Macintosh-based attendees
Required: Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) or newer

Florida Kinship Center's Rally In Tally

We are gearing up for the big event. Below are some links that will give you more information on Rally in Tally, as well as forms that will help get you signed up.

• Rally in Tally Issues and Information 2009
• Rally In Tally Itinerary 2009
• Registration and Donation Forms 2009
• Liability-Image Release Agreement

We hope you all can make it out for this important event!

Macy's Shop for a Cause

Macy's Shop for a Cause Event is on Saturday, February 28, 2009, from 9am to 9pm. Given the economic situation everyone could use a day to save money and at the same time you can help others. Your $5.00 ticket donation allows you to receive 20% off your purchases on regular, sale and clearance items apparel, accessories, jewerly, bed and bath, housewares, frames, luggage, china, crystal, and silver. It also offers a 10% discount on regular, sale and clearance on furniture, mattresses, area rugs, kitchen and person care electrics, and technology items.

By purchasing two $5.00 tickets, you can help send a caregiver to Tallahassee for our "Rally N' Tally" event on March 10th.

If you're interested in purchasing a ticket or want more information on our "Rally N' Tally" event, contact the Florida Kinship Center at (800) 640-6444.

Unable to participate in Macy's Shopy for a Cause, but want to donate to the Florida Kinship Center click here.

Connect 2 Go!

Know How 2 Go Tampa Bay and Connected by 25 are working together to identify ways to help youth go to college. They would like to talk to young adults who currently are or have been in foster care to learn about things that helped them get through high school as well as things that make it hard to complete high school and continue their education after graduation. They are particularly interested in learning things that helped and frustrated college aspirations of youth who were in foster care. The interviews will take place at a time and location convenient to the participant and participants will receive a $20.00 store gift card.

If you would like to learn more about the project, please send an e-mail to Catherine Batsche at cbatsche@fmhi.usf.edu. Please provide your name, phone number and/or an e-mail address. If you prefer to contact them directly, please call Catherine Batsche at (813) 974-7196.

Connect 2 Go! is located at the University of South Florida and is funded by the Children's Board of Hillsborough County as well as the USF Collaborative for Children, Family, and Communities.