CBC Annual Report.cdr - Brevard Family Partnership

FosterParenting&AdoptionFoster Parenting & AdoptionFoster Care & Adoption: Fostering Hope-Foster CareCBC of Brevard partners with Children’s Home Society, InterventionServices, Devereux Florida and Florida Mentor that serve as ourlocal Child Placing agencies. They are responsible for therecruitment of foster homes to meet the needs of the children in care.In addition to our formal partnerships, concerned citizens also assist inrecruitment efforts. We are grateful to Ms. Julia Irvin with the Jr. League ofSouth Brevard for her role and leadership in the establishment of FosteringFlorida’s Future (www.fosterflorida.org).In partnership with our Child Placing agencies, CBC of Brevard managesfoster care and adoption services for youth who have been removed fromtheir homes due to abuse, neglect and/or abandonment. These childrenrepresent all races and ethnicities, and range in age from birth to 17 years.While approximately 85% of these children will return home to theirparents, many others will become available for adoption. CBC of Brevardprovides support to the foster and adoptive families as well as relative(Kinship Care) and non-relative caregivers.Foster CareFoster care is the temporary placement of a child while his or her parent(s)work on improving parenting skills or addressing the issues which resulted inthe child being removed. A child can reside in foster care for a few days or aslong as 24 months. We are committed to providing children with the safetyand permanency they deserve in the most time-sensitive manner possible.CBC of Brevard staff stays focused on a child’s sense of time and best interest.Sadly, in certain circumstances, some children can never return home.Brevard County’s foster parents are among the most dedicated, caringcommunity members. They welcome children into their hearts and homesand respond to each one’s needs with kindness and compassion whileproviding the structure and stability so many of the children need.NEVER ENOUGHBy: Brevard Foster ChildSometimes I know the words to say,Give thanks for all you’ve done,But they fly up and awayAs quickly as they come.How could I possibly thank you enough,The one who makes me whole,The one to who I owe my life,The forming of my soul.The one who always told me goodnight,The one who stopped my crying,The one who was an expert,at picking up when I was lying.The one who makes sacrifices,To always put me first,Who let me test my broken wings,in spite of how it hurts.Who paints the world a rainbow,When it’s filled with broken dreams,Who explains it all very clearly,When nothing is what it seems.Are there really any words for this,I find, this question tough,Everything I want to say,Just doesn’t seem enough.What way is there to thank you,For your heart, your soul, your tears,For ten thousand things you’ve done,That seems like for many, many years.Thank you for the gift you give,For everything you do,But thank you mom most of all,For making dreams come true.CBC OF BREVARD | 2007 Annual Report Page 11