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A mindful mini-respite

Mon, 01/30/2012 - 21:50

How to get your juice back when there’s work, school, taxes, dog, cats and plans for the next week? Even planning for taking a break can sometimes feel overwhelming. When that is the case there is a way to have little moments for yourself so that energy can be restored without too much pressure.

Some of us savor that moment in the utility room, folding dirty towels in a haze not realizing that it was the wrong basket. It’s nice and peaceful, and more importantly; I’m still doing something useful so no guilty feelings over leaving my partner to deal with the mess in the kitchen after the kids got to the dog’s water bowl. I’m good. I’m not too tired.

Some of us volunteer to do the grocery run. The trick is to casually slip a piece of Tiramisu next to the potatoes and ground beef in the grocery cart, and pay for the whole lot with a library card while fantasizing over the soon to be had cake-extravaganza in the glamorous parking lot outside Safeways. I’m not tired! What? What grocery bags? uh...

So you might do the above, which is fine and necessary at times. You can also bring in some mindful techniques to release stress when planning anything else is just too much.

Bring back the senses; sit down and listen. What do I hear right now? Sit still and find five sounds that you hear right now. Yes, humming of the fridge counts, so does silence, or the distant murmur of some conversation in the other room.

FLO expands SAFE project for WA State LGBT&Q Foster Youth

Tue, 01/24/2012 - 14:02 | David's BLOG

Families Like Ours (FLO), has been able to expand our specialized recruitment SAFE project to find adoptive families for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning (LGBT&Q) Washington State foster youth. Through grants and direct donations, we are now able to hire a full time youth recruiter. 

Since 2003 FLO has been called upon to consult with, and find permanent homes for Washington State LGBT&Q foster youth. Much of this work has been a side note to their primary focus of supporting pre and post adoptive-foster families.

Current reports indicate that 14.5% of Washington foster youth are self identifying as LGBT&Q. The problems these youth and their professional team’s encounter can create additional instability for the youth, manifesting itself in added behavioral, and educational, emotional and even life threatening concerns. This project is designed to bring stability to these youth and encourage self recognition of their own personal worth, and show them the possibility of a bright future.

The team at FLO will be working directly with the youth’s DSHS team, ensuring LGBT&Q cultural competencies while seeking permanent families for youth in question. While a family is being sought, their team will be preparing the child for adoption. Once that adoptive family has been found, wraparound services will be put into place to further support the youth and family.

While this is a State wide project, FLO will be concentrating their efforts within the metro Puget Sound community. The project is designed to work with front line social service professionals, primarily with youth needing permanency. Families that would like to learn more about LGBT&Q foster youth needing adoption are encouraged to contact FLO directly at 206-441-7602 or email.

Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2011 tax year

Thu, 01/19/2012 - 13:10 | David's BLOG

Hello everyone, we wanted to get this this update out to everyone that has finalized their adoption during the 2011 calender year. NACAC has provided some very good information, examples and forms.

Claiming the Federal Adoption Tax Credit for 2011

Let us know if you have any questions.

David

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