CLEVELAND TRAINING NEWS

Children in foster care are like ships on a life journey. Some of them sail in and out of ports (homes), looking for a place to put down the anchor and stay for a while. Some drift in slowly as if not to care where they dock. Others crash into anything in their way, leaving a path of destruction behind. However they come to our port, it is our job to be sure they leave with life’s goods on board; with supplies that will leave them in better shape than when they came, with new skills and the knowledge that someone was concerned about them and the journey they are on.

Some of the ships that have come to our port are locked up tight. There are bars on the windows and the cannons are ready and willing to fire at any time. We do not have access to them and they are not interested in any goods we have to offer. Anything we try to get on board is rejected and thrown back overboard. Does this sound familiar?

Taking a closer look at some of the ships that have come to our port, they have been out on the sea of life, alone, and with no one to guide them. They have been battered by storms, drifting to wherever the current carries them. There has been no one to provide guidance or direction to their lives. Their supplies are long gone and they can’t trust anyone long enough to help them.

The tough part of our job is getting supplies: hope, caring and some trust on board. Some of the ships in our port don’t stay long, so we have to move quickly. While they are not on guard, we supply a safe place to rest, some entertainment (video games etc) and kindness. We also provide them the opportunity to make some decisions on their own. Most importantly, we provide them with a peaceful place to drop anchor and stay safe from the storms of life.

I think the important part of this is that no matter how long your ships stay in your port, let’s work so that they leave our ports with more than they came with, something to make their journey a little easier. We hope they set sail a little more trusting and knowing that someone took time to care for them.

As always I wish you well!
Donna Romano
Training Specialist

When making reservation for any training BEDFORD or CANTON call Tami McKinley at 1-330-493-0083 ext.3430 or 1-800-838-7284 to RSVP.

Bedford Clusters

We will be offering child care at the Bedford EVENING clusters. Must RSVP for classes and childcare.

NOVEMBER PM CLUSTER

Monday, November 21st 6 PM – 9 PM
Self Destructive Youth
Sonji Gregory PCC-S
Meets Requirements for:
940-04 Working with Teens
942-02 Interventions for children with Emotional and Mental Problems
Childcare available by RSVP

DECEMBER AM CLUSTER

Tuesday, December 13th, 10AM – 1PM
Surviving Holidays
Sonji Gregory PCC-S
Meets Requirements for:
924 –A Working with Birth Families
949-01 Working with Siblings
981 Culture Issues

CRISIS PREVENTION INTERVENTION (CPI)
Recertification is due every 12 months.
Please wear comfortable clothing.
Please keep your license current. This is required by the State of Ohio.
No Childcare for CPI classes

CPI Refresher
Wednesday, December 14th, 6PM – 9PM
Meets Requirements for:
933A Crisis Prevention Intervention

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Recertification is due every 12 months for CPR and every 3 years for First Aid.
Please keep you license current. This is required by the State of Ohio.
Wear comfortable clothes
No child care for Red Cross classes

Red Cross CPR Refresher
Wednesday, December 7th, 6PM – 10PM

Red Cross First Aid Refresher
To be announced in the next issue of “The Pathfinder”