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Show L2 THE DAILY HERALD, Provo, Utah, Thursday, December 7, 1995 CHILDREN: letter from the Division of Family Serv ices and a copy of the core standards for becoming foster par- (Continued from Page CI) Ogden. that doesn't mean it hasn't pwidod lots of challenges. For example, one teenage girl i an away froir Ogden's home after four months there as a foster child. Others have been suffering the consequences of drug abuse or being sexually or emotionally ents. It also contains a list of "things about" to assist people in think to their decision to become foster parents. Some of those "things" include personal qualities, family composition, health, income, age and physical facilities. "The purpose of foster care is to have a child protected while services are being provided toward reunification of the family. It's not just taking a cute kid and putting him to bed every night," said Brown, who supervises the team responsible for licensing foster parents in Utah County. In addition to completing the abused. Natural parents have tried to find Ogden and threatened to hurt ht'r and her children. Ogden often h .is to go to court and explain to he natural parents and a judge why she feels a child shouldn't be renirned home a situation that 'an create a lot of anger. ' Ogden's own children have had to o through therapy to help them deal with the fact that all foster children eventually leave. Alex, who was adopted by Ogden when he was 10 days old, often feels like t:eTyone he has ever loved has left. "It's hard on everyone; it's like losing a family member. That's why I've always been open with my kids about it," said Ogden. But even with all the challenges. Ogden feels being a foster parent is something she needs to do. "I wanted to help kids and I didn't have any of my own. It's a way of parenting but just involving kids who are not my own. I feel like it's my mission," Ogden added. But foster parenting may not be pail ol everyone's mission, Ogden points out. People considering becoming foster parents need to be able to open their hearts to (he child and his family and understand their role is to help those same people reunite. ' You have to go in knowing your job isn't to keep the child. .And it's not just patience, it's a to willingness put up with lots of the kids, what they were things raised with, their parents, and Social services," Ogden said. " Ten people tell me I'm doing the wrong thing for every one that telK me it's the right thing. There are some people who can and some who can't and I feel like I'm one of the people who can do it. I can't say it's easy, but I can say it's worthwhile," she added. Utah County's Foster Care System ; Couples or single individuals vho are interested in becoming foster parents will immediately become familiar with the office of licensing within the Division of ; ', Family Services. Interested people can call 374-701- 6 for more information and when they do, they'll receive a packet containing an introductory "The purpose of foster care is to have a child protected while services are being provided toward reunification of the family. It's not just taking a cute kid and putting him to bed every night." LaRay Brown application to be foster parents and going through a home study, interested people must also complete 2 hours of training. Brown said the training not only provides information people need to deal with the problems foster children have and the entire foster care system, it also helps "weed out" the people who discover foster parenting isn't right for them. "There are a number of people who realize 'I can't do this.' It takes more than just good thoughts. It's a very difficult job but it can be rewarding," Brown added. Currently, the county has approximately 175 foster homes 70 basic, 70 specialized, 19 structured and 16 homes applying for adoption. The different categories refer to level of care the homes can provide with each level requiring different kinds of training. About 297 children live in the county's foster homes as of November 98 in basic, 41 in specialized and 52 in structured. Residential care is also available for children who need more intensive work on certain issues. Once a person is licensed to be a foster parent, he must complete 1 pre-servi- Program to feature Utah foster care. a certain number of training hours each year to keep that license. Brown said monthly training is provided by the licensing staff on a number of different topics. "Foster parents need support from our agency. They are part of the team," Brown added. Another place foster parents can find support is from the Foster Parent Association. The group meets on a monthly basis and covers a wide variety of topics foster parents might encounter such as hyperactivity, grief, emotional abuse and service available through local school dis- Families and children are a high priority in Utah, yet the state is facing a critical shortage of foster parents, people caring for children who face uncertainty. Nearly 2,300 children in the state need foster homes but only about 1 ,000 are available. On Monday at 7 p.m., KSL Television will present Fostering Families, a Family Now special program focusing on foster care in Utah. Bruce Lindsay and Ruth Todd will host Fostering Families along with Governor and Mrs. Mike Leavitt. They will be joined by a panel of experts to answer any tricts. But maybe the most important service the association provides is a place for foster parents to meet and discuss common challenges, said Karen Hill, president of the association. home." j Former foster children StA their memories of what is feels to be a foster child and their ci&i tions reoardina their biolom; family. A former foster child also relate the difference his fojjej parents made in his life and whWtr -- i is now a foster parent. JiJ one. It also focuses on the growing number of children placed in the foster care program and the lack of foster homes for them. Lindsay and Todd talk to foster parents about their fears, the diffi- Fostering Families is a projlci I Family Now pubJ of the lie service campaign, which is dtJ on-goi- icated to tne siuuy, pieservaxrfig; and betterment of the family. Pn ily Now is a multimedia project KSL in partnership with Utah State it agencies, businesses and culties they encounter and the rewards they receive. They also discuss the many different ways people can help in the foster care program besides having foster questions the viewing audience has about foster care and how to non-prof- organizations. Couples share their touching stories of finding love at first sigfif "Our meetings are scheduled for an hour, but people always stay for two. They like to discuss the problems, of course without identifying the children," said Hill. The association is also working to get foster parents involved at all levels of the foster care system. Hopefully, that way the rights of the foster parents and the foster children won't be overlooked by people who may never have been in those situations themselves, Hill said. "It's hard work, but there are people who are meant to be foster parents. Even though foster parenting is a very difficult decision, the rewards really come," said Hill, adding the rewards come when a child is successfully reunited with his natural family or turns his life around and can make it on his own at the appropriate age. Monetary rewards, however, are not ones usually associated with foster parenting. Foster parents are paid for taking in a child but the amount is minimal $10 a day for basic care, $15 for specialized and $25 for structured. Brown said Utah County needs families who have the skills and desire to take children 1 1 -- years-old and older, especially boys. People who can take sibling groups are also needed. And while there are certain steps a person has to take to become a foster parent, it really comes down to his ability to love and help the child and his family. "There is a process to being a foster parent, but it's not meant as a road block, but as a safeguard for the kids," said Brown. "We really just ask people to love the child like he was their own, but always remember the goal is to go children living in their home. become involved in the program. The special program examines the three areas of the foster care shelter care, foster care system and residential care or group homes. It explains the difference between the three areas and the reasons a child is placed in each Dear Ann Landers: In a recent column, you asked people who had an unusual story about how they met their spouse to write and tell you. Here's mine: I had just been transferred to Augusta, Ga., and my first Sunday in town, a friend invited me to go nice-looki- y last-minu- te to Sunday School with him. As we entered the assembly room, I saw the most beautiful young girl giving the devotional. We walked down the aisle to take our seats, and I turned to my friend and said, "I'm going to marry that girl." And I did. We will be celebrating 53 years of a won- u Here's another one: Dear Ann: I will put my "howl I met the man of my dreams" up against the best of them..,!,,!.) I was divorced when my sort'! "Michael," was 10 years old:! He:; kept talking to me about "Natalie," a girl in his class at school who he thought was wonderfuLu;!' One day, he said, "Mom, NatnUi saw le you in the supermarket. says you are very pretty and; since her mom died a few yjg ago and her dad is lonely, mz you'd go to dinner with him.7 The kids fixed us up, and4l date led to the altar. It was 2 yltS, ssto-r- y Ann Landers derful marriage soon. You may use Mansfield Latimer, my name. Rock Hill, S.C. i many celebrations, but ours was Dear Mansfield: What a I hope you and that beautiful girl enjoy more happy years together. Keep reading for other lovely the first marriage that he knew of. Dygert, Desert Hot Edith heart-warme- r. Springs, Calif. Dear Ann Landers: You asked in your column for unusual stories of stories: how couples met. Well, here's mine: I was widowed at the early age of 31. 1 was in a department store with my two young children, one barely walking, struggling with a large item I had purchased in the sporting goods department. In the checkout line in front of Dear Ann Landers: Here's my story, and I give you permission to print it and use my real name. Twenty-plu- s years ago, a casual 45- - years-ol- d acquaintance of mine and a confirmed bachelor attended a social gathering where I was present. Knowing I was an Oakland Raiders football fan, he walked in from watching TV to tell me that George Blanda had kicked field goal to another win the game. As he talked to me, he put his instant-lov- man,, me was a very After he paid for his purchases;'.hfej waited to help me take my huge! box to my car. I thought to mySeif, wobWa "What a fine gentleman uwi't n't it be wonderful if ... " We just celebrated our and have a daughter. So you see, dreams"!do come true. Bethany, Conn. ,;;!' Dear Beth: They do indeedv! arm around my shoulder. Well, I fit perfectly, and he didn't have a chance after that. We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary soon. Some time ago, we were fortunate to meet George Blanda and tell him this story. He said his game winners had been responsible for a good e 1 Torrance, Calif. Dear Torrance: Thanks ihtl the closing heart-warme- r. lovely. "$'S23 it , famous Brontfljj Hitmen's lHa! SABLE NAILS Christmas Special! SOLAR NAILS $35. $25 Pedicure Body Contouring Waxing last-minu- te Call 226-024- 2263 I 1 1. Inlv. PROV ltieAlltfct 5 rprr- jg 50-7- 5 PkWl i (In MhMtiM't Parking Utl ft- - HELP. Friendship Center grand openin Robbins' Friendship Center, the first assisted living center to license in the state of Utah, will have its grand opening with a ribbon-cuttin- g ceremony and house buffet Friday from open 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 380 E. 240 North, Orem. Robbin's Friendship Center is a retirement care community with 36 outside independent 21 assisted living units in a beautiful residential setting, designed to offer personal care services and daily living support for the moderate income elderly. Service packages are available to asist the frail senior with meals, housekeeping. laundry, emergency response, monitoring, transportation and recre apartments and Support group to meet in Salt Lake ation in the outside apartments staff. along with Assisted living is a new category of licensed health care in Utah that has developed in response to the desire of the frial elderly to stay in a more residential or home-lik- e setting longer while receiving needed personal assistance and limited nursing 24-ho- ur IpsIlL in 5 i w mm m m m m. mm n m mm ih n ft mm ansa Muscular Dystrophy Association mm m. - a m n I J, . ft a r m Another Smith's Exclusive Lymphedema, an accumulation fluid causing of lymphatic in the arms andor legs swelling can affect both men and women, of all ages. The effects of lymphedema can ; . xib for life" be very distressing, emotionally and physically. In order to help those suffering from lymphedema, the American Cancer Society is sponsoring a Iv mphedema support group. I he group will meet every third Thm sday of every month at 4 p.m. at the American Cancer Society. 94 E. 3 My) South, Salt Lake City, the next meeting is scheduled for Jan. 18. For additional information, call the American Cancer Society at 1 1 "11 I1 The Absolute most cost efficient baby furniture ever ottered. T TV .. mx V-.- - fi us fc,' 6. 1 hi S. I I 4 m I . ri I Many styles & colors to choose from Starting At 3 Gingerbread houses to be given away over 3 weeks, $5 (or more) purchase OR a canned good for the Food & Shelter Coalition enters you In the drawing (enter as many times as you like). Drawings held at 3 pm Dec. 7, I Dec. 14, Dec. 21. fff,QLI J,,,, Only t-- a 00 ulU 1 OlCC 17-A- Ectjefnonipifzi Jljm brows Bod. Prow mm 255-425- 5 P ? 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