Children have an innate need and desire to be loved, nurtured and protected. When there is a lack of parental protective capacity and present vulnerabilities that result in a child failing to experience the love, nurturing and connection they need to thrive, they may experience a deep void that can adversely impact healthy child development.<\/p>\n
And while not everyone has the good fortune of being raised by their biological parents, many have loving caregivers, both relative and non-relative, who act as surrogate parents. In many instances, grandparents assume caregiver responsibility in the absence of the biological parents.<\/p>\n
The Pew Research Center reports that 7.7 million children in the U.S. are living with their grandparents. This is nearly 1-10 children and many more when you cast the net wider to include aunts, uncles, siblings, etc. The good news is that many successful adults today credit their grandparent\u2019s influence and care to their success. Among them include President Obama, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Clinton and Maya Angelou to name a few.<\/p>\n
Caregivers, regardless of their relationship to the child, play a critical role in maintaining healthy connections and providing the necessary stability for children who are separated from the parents to become healthy, whole and successful adults. For this reason, BFP offers a wide array of support to caregivers. This includes post adoption support through Brevard C.A.R.E.S., caregiver liaison support through our Client Relations Specialist, who assists with securing health benefits for children, caregiver funding and responding to general inquiries and therapeutic support through BFP\u2019s Clinical services Supervisor.<\/p>\n
As we recognize the many caregivers who have been entrusted with the care of Brevard\u2019s children, please know we are here to support you. Thank you for making a meaningful and lasting difference in the life of a child.<\/p>\n
For more information on the support BFP offers please contact:<\/p>\n
Client Relations Specialis<\/strong>t: (321) 752-4650 ext. 3082 Post Adoption Care Coordinator:<\/strong> (321) 632-2737 Relative\/Non-Relative Caregiver Support: <\/strong>(321) 752-4650 x 3033; tom.shipley@fpocf.org. Sincerely,<\/p>\n Patricia Nellius<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Children have an innate need and desire to be loved, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[27],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6876","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news-and-articles","wpautop"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nWe\u2019re aware that our clients and their families may need assistance navigating our System of Care. Contact our Client Relations Specialist for assistance finding the answers to your questions.<\/p>\n
\nBrevard C.A.R.E.S. offers a full array of support services and Wraparound Family Team Conferencing for families that have adopted. They also offer an open support group to all families who have adopted, on the First Tuesday of every month, at the Brevard C.A.R.E.S. office.<\/p>\n
\nA Brevard Family Partnership employee contacts all Relative\/Non-Relative caregivers upon notification from DCF Child Protection Investigator to determine any needs, supports, services that may be needed. If determined, the BFP employee may conduct a home visit to meet with the caregivers and children placed in the home to assess further any needs to support the placement.<\/p>\n