What Is It?

ROCKIN' KIDS is a program with the goal of changing the future of foster and adopted children who have come from the Children's Protective Service System in Harris County, Texas. Foster and adopted children have received more and more attention, as their journey from abuse and neglect to health and safety has many challenges. ROCKIN' KIDS can help these children meet and overcome challenges.

Special attention is being placed on the challenge of overcoming the labels "foster" and "adopted," which carry a stigma or victim-role. Being special, and having a label such as "foster child" can be both a blessing and a curse. The label allows children to get the resources and interventions they need, but also creates social and psychological expectations that are often lowered and negative.

One component of the ROCKIN' KIDS program is a Summer Day Program. Next summer, a pilot-program will be offered. It is designed to provide a group format for dialogical and experiential therapies in a fun environment. An initial assessment of the community has found that there is a need for this type of program. Foster and adopted children are often provided individual and family therapy, but group therapy formats are limited to dealing with specific abuse issues, most often sexual abuse. Groups offer many therapeutic resources, including identification with others, support from others, problem-solving and alternative perspectives.

For more information about this program, please see the attached brochure, and contact HGI at 713 526-8390.

How Is It Funded?

We thank the Susan Speight Memorial Fund, a family fund, that has donated start-up funds for the pilot project, and committed to long-term support. If you are interested in joining a partnership of community funders to support the development of this program, please let us know!

In addition, HGI is applying for funding for the ROCKIN' KIDS Therapeutic Program for Foster and Adopted Children. ROCKIN' KIDS has the goal of changing the identity, life and future of foster and adopted children who have come from the Children's Protective Service System in Harris County. This program can help these children meet and overcome challenges on their journey from abuse and neglect to health and safety.

The proposal is underway to the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation's (RWJF) Local Initiative Funding Partnership (LIFP) program, which is one of the most competitive annual grantmaking programs of the RWJF. The LIFP office received 320 applications for 2004, and only 19 were selected. The LIFP program identifies community-based, collaborative projects that take innovative approaches to improve health and health care for vulnerable populations.

This funding, which is matched dollar for dollar by local community funders, will allow HGI to provide a Summer Day Program, a ROCKIN' SATURDAYS Monthly Program, and a Foster and Adopted Kids' Summit. It is a four-year initiative.

If you are interested in participating as a community partner, funder, or volunteer, please let us know!

WHAT'S NEW?

Laura McPherson Attends Parent Coordinator Training

The Texas state legislature recently passed a new Texas Family Code statute that provides for an appointment of a parent coordinator for conflictual parents who are unable to reach agreements that involve their children. A Parent Coordinator is a highly skilled mental health professional, appointed by the court, with knowledge and training in family law, conflict resolution, child development, family systems and domestic violence. The Domestic Relations Office of Bexar County, Texas was the first in the state after the act was passed to offer this training. Laura McPherson, LMFTA, LPCI, one of HGI's supervised clinical associates, attended this two day training. Ann Marie Termini, a nationally recognized parent coordinator expert, provided the training for mental health professionals, judges and attorneys. In addition to this training, Laura has been a mediator for the Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County, a divorce recovery facilitator for 3 ½ years, and participated in the Families Enacting Divorce project developed by HGI with a grant from the Texas Attorney General's Office.

Glen Boyd Sends an Update

Glenn reports that his life continues to be interesting between his clinical work and some new ventures. He enjoyed going to Scotland in March to do a workshop. Glenn is working on several articles, especially "The Most Important Thing We Do" (on listening). He has proposed a presentation at TAMFT called "The Client-Colleague Relationship: Reflections on a Process," an interesting project involving a practicum client who worked as a therapist in the past. He is teaching first year practicum again as well as teaching Systemic Approaches to Counseling 2 for Our Lady of the Lake University MS Psychology students. In addition, he is supervising several former OLLU students who are working toward licensure. One venture he is particularly excited about is that he started a company in Austin with his son, Reagan, called Boyd Clan Realty.

MEET OUR NEW INTERNS

Kerry Ann Dennis is working on her MS in Psychology at Our Lady of the Lake University Houston campus. She was born in Houston, Texas and currently resides in Katy. In addition, Kerry lived in Los Angeles for three years and in San Antonio for one year. She reports that she has a great husband and that she adores her two wonderful daughters, 8 and 3. Kerry has a BS in Psychology from the University of Houston. She enjoys nature and gardening as well as being near the ocean and lying on the beach. Kerry appreciates reading all types of literature, fiction and nonfiction. She became interested in Family Therapy after she finished her BS because of the love she has for the family unit. She reports that she is very excited to be starting at HGI for her internship and looks forward to a fantastic year of learning and practicing to help others.

Rabia Ilahi, originally from Pakistan, moved with her family to the US at the tender age of six. After suffering through two months of the New Jersey winter, she and her family traveled south to Texas where she has lived ever since. Rabia graduated from the University of Houston, Main Campus, with a major in Philosophy and a minor in Psychology. After working in the business world for 12 years, she switched careers and began her graduate studies in psychology. Rabia is currently completing an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. Having lived a few lives and having experienced much diversity, Rabia fully appreciates the postmodern idea of the uniqueness of all individuals. She is thoroughly enjoying her internship at the Houston Galveston Institute and feels blessed to have the opportunity to be potentially helpful to others.

MEET OUR OFFICE STAFF

Andrea Caldwell took the position of Office Manager last fall. She reports that she is enjoying the new responsibilities, and learning so many new things from different people. She reports that the job is very challenging, but also rewarding. On the personal side, the Caldwell clan made a big move in March, 2005 to their new home, in Clear Lake, Texas. Andrea reports that it was very exciting but also stressful. "We are still getting settled, however, things appear to be coming along. We love our new home and look forward to many years of memories.    We are hoping to have an Open house in the near future. "

Brittany Chenevert, a University of Houston Alumni and HGI's office assistant, was very busy at the end of May and the beginning of June helping get everything ready for the International Summer Institute in Playa del Carmen. She hopes everyone involved had a fun and safe trip. Brittany recently took a trip to her hometown in Arkansas to attend a friend's wedding in a lovely garden setting. The following weekend Brittany had another wonderful opportunity to be a bridesmaid for one of her sorority sisters and close friends. Brittany celebrated her birthday in early July. Later in July she will take a trip to Connecticut to visit family.