Hello there! My name is Timothy Martinez and I am the new support/contact person for the NE region of New Mexico.
I was Humbled when I was thought of for this position. It is a true pleasure to be in the company of the other support/contact people associated with FIESTA.
I am the father of four wonderful children,Alex 11,Lonnie 10, Lenora 6, and Renee 5. Along with my wife Marie, we have fostered many wonderful children through the nine, almost ten, years being involved with CYFD.
Marie and I started this journey in July of 2000, when we received a phone call about two children that needed a Forever Home. Without hesitation we started to get everything ready for our two new kids! Since that time we have adopted two more. Is there more in our future? Only God knows the answer to that question, but my heart, as well as my wife's, is dedicated solely to our children and the children that need and are looking for Forever homes this very night.
Thank you for taking the time to read just a glimpse of the Martinez' story.
I would like everyone to know that this position is a Great Honor, and one that I will devote to making strong ties with other Families that have adopted or are thinking about adopting. I also look forward to the group meetings,trainings, and group outings that will be starting in the very near future.
Please feel free to contact me via e-mail, blog, or telephone. I would love to hear the thoughts and ideas of everyone in Region 2, and all of New Mexico! Together we can move mountains!
Best Regards,
Timothy M. Martinez
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Center for Development and Disabilities
Hi everyone,
I just wanted to post this web site for the CDD for families looking for information and free trainings for those who support persons with autism.
The web site is:
http://cdd.unm.edu/SWAN/calendar/index.htm
and it has some very helpful information and useful trainings in our state.
I just wanted to post this web site for the CDD for families looking for information and free trainings for those who support persons with autism.
The web site is:
http://cdd.unm.edu/SWAN/calendar/index.htm
and it has some very helpful information and useful trainings in our state.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Region Three FIESTA KICKOFF EVENT
Today was the day that the FIESTA project truly got underway. Families from Rio Rancho, Albuquerque, Los Lunas, Belen and Moriarty gathered at the Art Design College to meet the NM FIESTA Family Contacts from their region (Donna, Gayle, Monica and Sue) and other families. After the Family Contacts gave an introduction to the project, teenage and adult adoptees spoke about their experiences and shared advice with those listening.
They talked about the importance of parents embracing their children for who they are and welcoming them wholeheartedly into the family. Meanwhile, younger kids played with their new friends and enjoyed the wonderful meeting space.
Families completed a survey about their support needs and training ideas. Those forms were used in a drawing for some door prizes. Congratulations, Winners!! The day came to a close with a time for mingling, conversation and cake. Informal respite connections were made, therapy referrals were provided and people were encouraged! It was an amazing event!
They talked about the importance of parents embracing their children for who they are and welcoming them wholeheartedly into the family. Meanwhile, younger kids played with their new friends and enjoyed the wonderful meeting space. Families completed a survey about their support needs and training ideas. Those forms were used in a drawing for some door prizes. Congratulations, Winners!! The day came to a close with a time for mingling, conversation and cake. Informal respite connections were made, therapy referrals were provided and people were encouraged! It was an amazing event!Thursday, February 19, 2009
Hello Everyone!
My name is Penny Bailey and I am very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the FIESTA project! I will be a contact and support person for families statewide who have adopted medically fragile/medical special needs children. I have a special place in my heart for these adoptive families as we too, have adopted a medically fragile child.My husband and I have been foster parents for the last 5 years. We have two children by birth who are 11 and 9 and two children through adoption who are 4 and 3. Our three year old, D, is our med frag kiddo. D was born at 34 weeks. He has Fetal Valproate Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect. He was born with a severe cranial defect, craniosynostosis. He is developmentally delayed. BUT...make no mistake, he is a wonderful, incredible child, who is the light of our home. We face many challenges with D, both behaviorally and medically, but would not trade him for the world. Making the decision to adopt a child can be the most joyful, scary decision of your life. Making the decision to adopt a child with lifelong medical needs is all the more difficult. I am hoping that by participating in this project with La Familia I can help provide support to each of you. I hope to help create support groups where you all feel safe expressing your frustrations and joys! I am hoping that we can find some regional contacts for DD Waivers and Medically Fragile so that we can all have some concrete, accurate guidance in navigating these programs. We are still working on structuring my role in this project and I would love to hear from each of you about what your specific needs are. I look forward to working with you all! Penny :)
My name is Penny Bailey and I am very excited to have the opportunity to be a part of the FIESTA project! I will be a contact and support person for families statewide who have adopted medically fragile/medical special needs children. I have a special place in my heart for these adoptive families as we too, have adopted a medically fragile child.My husband and I have been foster parents for the last 5 years. We have two children by birth who are 11 and 9 and two children through adoption who are 4 and 3. Our three year old, D, is our med frag kiddo. D was born at 34 weeks. He has Fetal Valproate Syndrome and Fetal Alcohol Effect. He was born with a severe cranial defect, craniosynostosis. He is developmentally delayed. BUT...make no mistake, he is a wonderful, incredible child, who is the light of our home. We face many challenges with D, both behaviorally and medically, but would not trade him for the world. Making the decision to adopt a child can be the most joyful, scary decision of your life. Making the decision to adopt a child with lifelong medical needs is all the more difficult. I am hoping that by participating in this project with La Familia I can help provide support to each of you. I hope to help create support groups where you all feel safe expressing your frustrations and joys! I am hoping that we can find some regional contacts for DD Waivers and Medically Fragile so that we can all have some concrete, accurate guidance in navigating these programs. We are still working on structuring my role in this project and I would love to hear from each of you about what your specific needs are. I look forward to working with you all! Penny :)
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Tips On Finding A Therapist
Finding a therapist can be a challenging and frustrating task. It may mean driving for more time than you expected or spending hours making phone calls. The benefits far out way any inconveniences you may run into. A strong and supportive relationship with a therapist can be a Life-Line.
Here are some basic guidelines and a check list to finding the right fit for you and your family.
State and private agencies can be good resource for referrals.
If you call a therapist and they can not work with you because of scheduling , time frames, or incompatible insurance ask them who they would recommend.
The best thing to do is sit down with pencil and paper and start calling. Sometimes you will just know it is a fit when you talk to them.
Therapist Check-list (as it pertains to your child and family):
□ Have they had experience working with children with emotional
&/or behavioral struggles?
- Have they worked with children that have been in state custody?
- Do they have knowledge of international adoption issues?
- Do they have a understanding of cultural issues that would pertain
to your child or family?
□ Is their philosophy to work with the entire family or just the child?
- Parenting children who have been through trauma or who have
mental illnesses requires different skills.
- Does the therapist bring ‘Re-Parenting’ training and support
to parents and the entire family? Do not for get that your birth
children need continual help adjusting also.
- Traditional parenting skills do not work with many children who
have been through severe trauma or children with ADHD, Autism,
Fetal Alcohol Syndrom/Effects, or Reactive Attachment Disorder).
□ Do you get the feeling ‘you’ can be totally vulnerable with them?
- Raising children that have been through trauma can be extremely
frustrating and isolating. Many times friends and family do not
understanding. You will need to be working with a therapist that
you can be gut-honest with).
□ Does the therapist have a growing relationship with his or her
own significant other and/or children? You will pick up on cues over
time.
- Therapist can only take clients as far as they have been willing to
grow.
□ After you have been to see this therapist 3 or 4 times, you should
be sensing whether it is or not a good fit.
Finding the right fit for you and your family is a worth while endeavor. Though it can be intimidating it is not impossible.
Flexibility and willingness to learn something new will bring hope, joy, and even peace to you, your child, and entire family.
Here are some basic guidelines and a check list to finding the right fit for you and your family.
State and private agencies can be good resource for referrals.
If you call a therapist and they can not work with you because of scheduling , time frames, or incompatible insurance ask them who they would recommend.
The best thing to do is sit down with pencil and paper and start calling. Sometimes you will just know it is a fit when you talk to them.
Therapist Check-list (as it pertains to your child and family):
□ Have they had experience working with children with emotional
&/or behavioral struggles?
- Have they worked with children that have been in state custody?
- Do they have knowledge of international adoption issues?
- Do they have a understanding of cultural issues that would pertain
to your child or family?
□ Is their philosophy to work with the entire family or just the child?
- Parenting children who have been through trauma or who have
mental illnesses requires different skills.
- Does the therapist bring ‘Re-Parenting’ training and support
to parents and the entire family? Do not for get that your birth
children need continual help adjusting also.
- Traditional parenting skills do not work with many children who
have been through severe trauma or children with ADHD, Autism,
Fetal Alcohol Syndrom/Effects, or Reactive Attachment Disorder).
□ Do you get the feeling ‘you’ can be totally vulnerable with them?
- Raising children that have been through trauma can be extremely
frustrating and isolating. Many times friends and family do not
understanding. You will need to be working with a therapist that
you can be gut-honest with).
□ Does the therapist have a growing relationship with his or her
own significant other and/or children? You will pick up on cues over
time.
- Therapist can only take clients as far as they have been willing to
grow.
□ After you have been to see this therapist 3 or 4 times, you should
be sensing whether it is or not a good fit.
Finding the right fit for you and your family is a worth while endeavor. Though it can be intimidating it is not impossible.
Flexibility and willingness to learn something new will bring hope, joy, and even peace to you, your child, and entire family.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Teen Attachment Cycle
Check out this interesting twist on the attachment cycle.
http://everythingadoption.blogspot.com/2007/03/teen-attachment-cycle.html
http://everythingadoption.blogspot.com/2007/03/teen-attachment-cycle.html
Monday, February 9, 2009
Friday, February 6, 2009
Events are Scheduled!
Events are being scheduled all around New Mexico for adoptive families. Support groups, family activities and trainings will be held in each region before the end of March. Please check out the events listed under your region on the left side of the blog. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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