During the official, yet festive ceremonial proceedings, each family appeared before Judge Jennifer Taylor and Brevard Family Partnership’s attorney, and presented the final permanency documents to the court, completing the adoption process. Following the ceremonies, a lunch reception for the newly-formed families was held in the courtroom, provided by Chick-fil-A of Viera. 

The celebration aligns with November’s National Adoption Month, an initiative of the Children’s Bureau, with a goal to increase national awareness and bring attention to the need for permanent families for children and youth in the U.S. foster care system.

Brevard Family Partnership, along with partner agency IMPOWER, has joined with the Brevard community giving youth whose parents could no longer care for them, the safety and stability of a permanent and lasting family connection.  Since Inception in 2005, over 1200 children have been adopted out of Brevard’s child welfare system.

For more information about adopting a child in foster care, please call Brevard Family Partnership at (321) 752-4650 or visit www.fpocf.org.

About Brevard Family Partnership

Established in 2003 as a non-profit organization in response to the Legislative mandate toprivatize foster care and related services in Florida (Section 409.986, Florida Statutes), Brevard Family Partnership is Brevard County’s lead child welfare agency. The agency was subsequently awarded the contract, through the Florida Department of Children and Families, to manage Brevard County’s child welfare system. Working in partnership with over 50 community organizations, its mission is to protect children, strengthen families and change lives through the prevention of child abuse and the operation and management of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based system of care for abused, abandoned and neglected children, and their families.

The post Celebration of Adoption event joins 17 Brevard foster youth with their “forever families” appeared first on Family Partnerships of Central Florida.

Performers gathered community “votes” prior to their performance in the form of donations.  At the end of the event, the performers were judged by an expert panel and given scores based 50% on their performance and 50% on money raised. As the feature fundraiser for Brevard Family Partnership’s Family of Agencies, the 5th Annual Lip Sync Battle raised funds to help Brevard’s most vulnerable children.

2019 Performers included Brooke Deratany Goldfarb, Peaceful Beach Mediation & Collaboration, Dr. Vanessa Johnson, Health First, Dr. Frank Venzara, Florida Retina Specialists, Barbara Gunter, Community Credit Union, and members representing Roy Allen Elementary School, Community Credit Union, Junior League of South Brevard, Family Allies, Brevard C.A.R.E.S., and FIT Crew Team.

Many thanks to our sponsors!   Artemis, Community Credit Union, Eckerd Connects, Health First, Insperity, Mindshare, Sunshine Health, Dr. Vanessa Johnson, Netzley Law, Community Bank of the South, Space Systems Joint Venture, Atlantic Business Systems, Barbara Gunter, BIMDA, Bouchard Insurance, Brevard Regional Hyperbaric Center, Club 52 @ Melbourne Greyhound Park, Dean Mead Attorneys at Law,  Don & Enie Windle, Edward Jones – Steve & Gregory Phelps, Embrace Home Loans, FL Retina Specialists, GI Tax, Moss Krusick, Peaceful Beach, Mediation & Consultation,  Swanky Sole/Sandy Soul, The Viera Company, and Tire Kingdom.

About Brevard Family Partnership

Established in 2003 as a non-profit organization in response to the Legislative mandate toprivatize foster care and related services in Florida (Section 409.986, Florida Statutes), Brevard Family Partnership is Brevard County’s lead child welfare agency. The agency was subsequently awarded the contract, through the Florida Department of Children and Families, to manage Brevard County’s child welfare system. Working in partnership with over 50 community organizations, its mission is to protect children, strengthen families and change lives through the prevention of child abuse and the operation and management of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based system of care for abused, abandoned and neglected children, and their families.

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Celebration Will Recognize Families Who Have Been Successfully Reunited with Their Children

Event: Reunification Celebration

Date/Time: Friday, June 2, 2017, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.

Location: Moore Justice Center – 2825 Judge Fran Jamieson Way, Viera, FL 32940 – Courtroom 4D

Details: Photo, video and interview opportunities with families who have been successfully reunified with their children, Judge Kelly McKibben, special guest speaker, Joe Cohen, and service providers.

The Honorable Kelly McKibben, Brevard Family Partnership, Guardian ad Litem Program, and IMPOWER will host an event to celebrate and recognize the families in our community who have successfully overcome the challenges in their lives to be reunited with their children.

The celebration will feature special guest speakers, success stories from families, refreshments, and family fun entertainment.

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Contact

Melissa Breckenridge
Brevard Family Partnership, Public Relations Coordinator
2301 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Ste. 104
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: 321-752-4650 ext. 3047
Melissa.Breckenridge@fpocf.org

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Brevard Family Partnership’s 2^nd Annual Decades in Revue Lip Sync Battle Features Local Stars

MELBOURNE, Fla. – October 25, 2016 – On Saturday, October 29, 2016, the biggest stars of Brevard County will take the stage to perform and lip sync their favorite musical act from the “Fabulous 50’s”.

This lip sync battle, held at the Melbourne Hilton Rialto, (200 Rialto Place), from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m., will highlight our local star talent, while raising money for Brevard Family Partnership.

Performers include: Roy Allen Elementary School teachers; Linda May, Board Chair, Juliana Kreul, Board Treasurer, and Sandi Scannelli, President/CEO, Community Foundation for Brevard; Steven Audino, Harris Corporation; Melissa Romero, Modus Operandi; Madison Conradis and Catherine Bell, Your Logo By Geiger, and Christine Conradis, attorney; and Eric Smith, Brevard Family Partnership Board Chair and President and CEO, Indian River Networks, Amy Sullivan, Owner of Professional Learning Solutions, and Laurie Anna Blackburn, Brevard Family Partnership.

During this evening to remember, community advocates Seeta Begui and Ellen Little, will host the festivities of the evening. As the feature fundraiser for Brevard Family Partnership, the 2nd Annual Decades in Revue Lip Sync Battle, will raise funds to help Brevard’s most vulnerable children. Performers will gather community “votes” prior to their performance in the form of donations.  Each $1 raised will equate to one vote for the performer of the donor’s choice. At the end of the event, the performers will be judged by an expert panel and given scores based 50% on their performance and 50% on money raised.

Our celebrity judges, Malak Hammad, Brooke Deratany Goldfarb, Nancy Peltonen, and Rob Rains are sure to provide entertainment as they judge each performance.

Guests are encouraged to come dressed in their favorite fashion or icon from the 1950’s for a chance to win “best dressed” in the look-a-like contest.  Tickets are $125 each and include dinner, entertainment, and much more. Tables of 8 are available for purchase at the discounted rate of $800. Seats are limited and going quickly.

For more information on tickets, performers, or sponsorship opportunities, please visit our website at www.fpocf.org/decadesinrevue or contact Melissa Breckenridge at 321-752-4650 extension 3047.

About Brevard Family Partnership

Established in 2004 by a Legislative mandate to privatize foster care and related services in Florida (Section 409.1617, Florida Statutes), Brevard Family Partnership is Brevard County’s lead child welfare agency. Working in partnership with over 70 community organizations, its mission is to protect children, strengthen families and change lives through the prevention of child abuse and the operation and management of a comprehensive, integrated, community-based system of care for abused, abandoned and neglected children, and their families.

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Contact:
Melissa Breckenridge
Brevard Family Partnership, Public Relations Coordinator
2301 W. Eau Gallie Blvd., Ste. 104
Melbourne, FL 32935
Phone: 321-752-4650 ext. 3047
Melissa.Breckenridge@fpocf.org

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I recently had the opportunity to speak at the Melbourne Chamber’s Women of Excellence convening where I opened by sharing that child welfare is a challenging, yet rewarding field. Challenging because there is inadequate funding, long and often times endless work hours, very high staff turnover due to the nature of the work; and child welfare is a field often subjected to public scrutiny and criticism as a result of the sensitive nature of the work we do.

Yet, in spite of the challenges associated with serving in this field, there are amazing men and women called to protect and care for vulnerable children and their families who literally put their lives on the line and make personal sacrifices to do this work and rarely are they recognized as champions for all they do.

There are more than 600,000 social workers across America and hundreds right here in Brevard County. So what exactly does a child welfare professional do? They are called upon to ensure the children entrusted to their care receive the support and services they need, they get up early, work late, are on call 24/7 including holidays, attend court hearings, prepare case plans and coordinate services, ensure documentation is entered timely, visit the children and their families, transport children to visits and appointments, ensure siblings have opportunities to visit on a regular basis, secure dental and medical appointments, and monitor and ensure academic progress. They also – to respond to and stabilize crisis, and most importantly ensure children are safe and supported; and amidst the daily responsibility of protecting children, at times they are placed in harm’s way.

It is my privilege to represent the unsung heroes of our community who are doing work that many are not willing or able to do for the pay, risk, and heartbreak often associated. Forging solutions out of challenges defines the role of child welfare professionals. While confronted daily with a myriad of challenges these amazing people continue to heed the call to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children; making personal sacrifices by going above and beyond, and by doing so are facilitators of hope and healing. Many lives have been changed because of the work child welfare professionals do.

It is my honor to recognize the dedication and commitment of Brevard’s child welfare professionals. Thank you for all that you do each and every day to protect children, strengthen families and change lives.

Sincerely,

Patricia

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The agencies will envelope the Youth Thrive framework into their policies and practices, programs, training, services and other aspects of their operations to support the healthy development of the youth in their care.

The announcement comes after a nationwide search and RFP process that drew applicant organizations from across the country, including social service agencies and direct service nonprofits.

Read More…

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Research indicates 1 in 5 women and 1 in 7 men have been victims of severe physical violence by an intimate partner in their lifetime. Domestic violence hotlines are a lifeline for victims in danger, providing support, information, safety planning, and resources. According to the 2014 Domestic Violence Counts Report in the 24-hour survey period, local and state hotlines answered 20,267 calls and the National Domestic Violence Hotline answered 550 calls, averaging more than 14 hotline calls every minute.[2]

Additionally, it is reported that 19% of domestic violence incidents involves a weapon and the presence of a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the risk of homicide by 500%[3]. Seventy two percent of all murder-suicides involve an intimate partner; and 94% of the victims of these murder-suicides are female.

There is also a strong correlation between substance abuse and domestic violence which is also one of the primary causes of removal of a child from their home in Brevard County. According to the Sudbury, Wayland, Lincoln Domestic Violence Roundtable, more than 3 million children in the United States witness domestic violence in their homes every year. Children who live in homes where there is domestic violence present are at significant risk of harm to the child’s physical, emotional and social development according to UNICEF’s “Behind Closed Doors” publication. Children who witness violence in the home also suffer abuse or neglect at high rates (30% to 60%). Children are more likely to intervene when they witness severe violence against a parent – which can place a child at great risk for injury or even death. Research shows that 1 in 15 children are exposed to intimate partner violence each year, and 90% of these children are eyewitnesses to this violence.[4]

Domestic violence is most common among women aged 18-24 and 25-34.[5] This fact places young children at even a greater risk of harm. Additionally when children grow up in a home with domestic violence they are more likely to have health problems, underperform at school, withdraw, engage in aggressive behavior, and suffer from anxiety and depression. Children in homes where domestic violence exists are also vulnerable to the risk of being used in retaliation against a non-offending parent in an effort to maintain control over them. We have all read and heard about such heart breaking events in the news.

As a community we have a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable among us, our children. As family, friends, neighbors, clergy, teachers, doctors, nurses, coaches, etc. our intervention may literally save lives and make a lasting and meaningful difference in the life of a child. Children need adults to speak out and break the silence. If you know someone who is the victim of domestic violence reach out and provide support, resources and concrete help in time of need. Become better acquainted with your local domestic violence shelter and agencies who may be a lifeline for those in need.

The 24 hour Florida Domestic Violence Hotline number is 1-800-500-1119. The following Brevard County shelters are available to assist victims of domestic violence:

• Salvation Army: 321-631-2764
• Serene Harbor: 321-726-8282
• Women’s Center: 321-242-3110, 321-607-6811

Additional domestic violence services and resources are available online here.

Sincerely,

Patricia

[1] https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_executive_summary-a.pdf

[2] https://nnedv.org/downloads/Census/DVCounts2014/DVCounts14_NatlReport_web.pdf

[3] https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/nisvs_report2010-a.pdf

[4] https://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/ojjdp/232272.pdf

[5] viiCatalano, S. (2012). Intimate partner violence, 1993-2010. Retrieved from https://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/ipv9310.pdf

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