Our new shirts look AWESOME

Children's Week Information

Children's Week 

2016 Schedule of Events
Below are the events and activities taking place during Children's Week. Please click on the event for more 
information. 

Advocacy Training Workshop - "Making Your Case"

This workshop is a legislative advocacy presentation designed to teach how to effectively communicate with legislators and policymakers. Hosted by Family Network on Disabilities, and presented by the Executive Director, Richard La Belle.
Guided Tours of the Capitol

Monday - Tuesday, January 25 - 26, 2016 New and Old Capitol Buildings
New and Old Capitol buildings Bring your family, class or organization to the Capitol during Children's Week and enjoy guided tours of the old and new Capitol buildings. Groups will tour the Florida State Capitol buildings during Legislative Session and learn more about Florida government, civics and state history. Tours last between 45 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes and provide a 'live classroom' for youth and adults to learn about Florida politics and civics.
Children's Week Awards Dinner & Reception

Monday, January 25, 2016 • 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Children's Week partners host dozens of statewide association meetings in Tallahassee on Monday and the Children's Week Awards Dinner & Reception takes place Monday evening to honor and recognize Children's Week Partners and non-profit organizations who dedicate their lives to children....see more
Children's Week Breakfast

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 • 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m State Capitol Courtyard
Join us as we kick off the "Children's Capitol for a Day" activities on Tuesday, April 14 with the Children's Week Breakfast from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Children and families in attendance will receive a free "Grab and Go Breakfast" for a healthy and nutritious way to start your day.
Storybook Village

Tuesday,January 26, 2016 • 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. State Capitol Courtyard
Children's Week partners and volunteers will create a "village" of interactive reading booths for children to explore that will feature stories and characters from their favorite books!
Town Hall Meeting

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 • 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tallahassee City Hall
The Town Hall Meeting provides a forum and voice for students from across the state to work together with Florida's Children and Youth Cabinet to address important issues relating to children's services.
Children's Week Press Conference and Hanging of the Hands Dedication Ceremony

Tuesday, January 26, 2016• 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. State Capitol Courtyard
Thousands of non-profit partners, policy makers, faith-based leaders and advocates join together to recognize the efforts of teachers, parents and children and dedicate the Children's hand art display to the Florida Legislature. Click here to learn more about submitting hands to be hung in the Capital.
Children's Week Luncheon

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 • 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. State Capitol Courtyard
Thousands of attendees will receive a healthy and nutritious lunch from Newk's Eatery! Lunches are provided on a first come, first served basis. Advanced lunch reservations are accepted for large classes or groups traveling to Tallahassee.
Florida Youth SHINE Presents: Youth Advocacy Workshop

Tuesday, January 26, 2016 • 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tallahassee City Hall
A fun and interactive advocacy workshop that will inspire a new generation of youth advocates. If you are in middle or high school, please join us at our Youth Advocacy Workshop to learn how to turn your passions into action and make a difference in your community! Created by Florida YouthSHINE, a youth driven group of child advocates, this workshop will train the next generation of empowered teens. Have your voice heard!

A great big THANK YOU to Pam Eck

They will raffle off this gift basket at the state conference this month.  It is filled with many gift cards. Thank you Pam 

New T-Shirt

Here is your new OSFCA T-shirt

A big Thank you

A HUGE thank you to the Heathrow Modern Mom's and Lake Mary Montessori Academy Mom's for supporting Jc's Kidz Dudz.  This group started collecting items over the last month and met on February 26, 2015 to organize and size all the amazing donations.  There were many new items purchased such as shoes, bras, underwear and socks and many bags of donated clothing that their children had outgrown.  Jc's Kidz Dudz was opened in 2013 with the support of OSFCA to accommodate children coming in to care and continued assistance when needed, with clothing and basic necessities.

The Heathrow Modern Moms and Lake Mary Montessori Academy is pleased to know that these items will be used by children in need and they look forward to supporting and partnering more with OSFCA and Jc's Kidz Dudz in the future.  Again, thank you to these two groups of amazing ladies making a difference in our local community for kids that have been abused and neglected.

Together We Rise

Hello Families!

 

I wanted to tell you about the above mentioned organization.  I found their link on Facebook and I inquired about their sweet case.  I wanted to make a request first to see how their system works.  I received a sweet case today for a child in foster care so I wanted to pass this along.....Just FYI, it was about 90 days from the time of request to receiving the sweet case.  The sweet cases are for children in foster care.

 

A Little About "Together We Rise"

 

Together We Rise is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization comprised of motivated young adults and former foster youth. Our vision is to improve the lives of foster children in America, who often find themselves forgotten and neglected by the public. TWR has built a foundation of passionate volunteers who work tirelessly to transform the way kids experience foster care. Our foundation has allowed us to provide thousands of foster kids across the country with sports equipment, bicycles, and suitcases so that children do not have to travel from home to home with their clothing in a trash bag. 

 

TO MAKE A SWEET CASE REQUEST USE THIS LINK:

 

http://www.togetherwerise.org/projects/sweetcases

Advantage Sunshine Health

Hello Families!

 

A few months ago we had a training from Sunshine State Health at the OSFCA meeting/training.  During this training there was information shared about a program called Over The Counter orders.  Please see the attached information sheet for the items that you may order each month for your family up to $25.00.  FYI - When you order make sure they have your address listed as the mailing address so the items come directly to you. 

http://advantage.sunshinehealth.com/files/2012/01/OTC-Brochure-FL001-English-APPROVED-120214-1030_508121320141.pdf

Reminder Membership Dues

This is a reminder that membership to the Orange/Seminole Foster Children's Association closes in March.  Please log on to the website at www.osfca.com to fill out your membership application and pay your yearly membership dues.

 

******Please invite any other foster or adoptive families to join our group**********

Membership

Don't forget your membership dues need to be paid before March 31, 2015.


We are thankful for everyone who has taken the time to complete your awesome stories. We are still in need of many more to accomplish our goal. Please submit your experience to pattyclark30@yahoo.com or bring them to the meeting on Tuesday.

Welcome to our website.

Our new website is up and running. Don't forget to check us out on Facebook. The online application is up and working. We will be updating our photo album. Please keep an eye on the calendar for all up coming events. You can contact us at information@osfca.com .




If you have a company that would like to be added to our directory. Please contact Kelli Bock at her email address kellifpl@gmail.com. Don't forget to let them know the advertising is FREE.