By Jeffrey Wolpers

Featured in BCFS’ annual magazine, together

Maria Isabel Chavez is a 45-year-old mother in Harlingen, Texas. Her 4-year-old daughter, Jayleen, is the light of her life. Jayleen has Down Syndrome. Maria was referred to BCFS’ Project HOPES program by a neighbor. She began receiving in-home parenting education with the evidence-based curriculum SafeCare.

Within the first month, a BCFS Family Services Coordinator determined that Jayleen could benefit from physical and speech therapy, and located a therapist in the community to provide the services. When the therapist identified some tools that would help Jayleen improve her mobility, BCFS purchased the supplies and helped Jayleen get the most out of her therapy sessions.

When Mrs. Chavez expressed an interest in counseling for her and her husband to learn more about what to expect related to Jayleen’s development, BCFS connected the family to a therapist specializing in working with children with developmental delays.

BCFS’ Project HOPES has helped the Chavez family through direct counseling or referrals to other community resources that could meet the family’s needs.

“For going to the doctor, I learned when it is necessary [to take my child] and when it is not… because sometimes you get scared and think you need a doctor, and you do not need to go. They have also helped me with my child’s speech therapy services, and everything that they have helped me with has really helped me out.” —Maria Isabel Chavez

BCFS Health and Human Services hosts literacy event for Harlingen families

BCFS Health and Human Services’ Project HOPES program welcomed more than 60 children and parents from across Harlingen in the Rio Grande Valley for a children’s literacy event at the Los Vecinos Apartments on Friday, January 29.

Photos of the event on our Facebook page

The free event featured readings from several children’s books, face painting, and a hands-on crafts making workshop. Members of the Harlingen Police Department led story time and Harlingen Police’s CyberCop posed for photos with the kids. At the end of the event, families received gift bags for their participation and were encouraged to take books home to share in the joy of reading with their youngsters.

“Reading time between parents and their children not only strengthens the parent-child bond, but also helps children achieve educational benchmarks,” says Jeff Wolpers, BCFS Director – Community Services. “We want to help grow healthy, stable families, and our literacy events remind parents about fun and creative ways to interact with their child and inspire a love of reading.”

Project HOPES is a community-based program for families with children five years old and younger that provides parenting education, support groups and counseling to help families overcome a variety of challenges. The program serves families in Cameron County and is funded by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. For more information about BCFS’ work in Harlingen, call (956) 230-3849 or visit DiscoverBCFS.net/HOPES.

By Leonard Favela
Featured in BCFS’ annual together magazine

“It’s pretty simple,” begins the Campbell family patriarch, Mark. “You look in James, Chapter 1, and we are commanded to take care of the orphans and children and widows of the world. It’s not an option. God says, ‘this is what I want you to do.’”

With this scripture as their guiding principle, the Campbell family was made whole. Although the divine command sounds simple enough, working through the earthly challenges proved trying for the Campbells, their two biological children, and their adopted daughter, Desiree. Mark and Kathy Campbell already had two small children when they decided to become foster parents through BCFS Health and Human Services.

“We were foster parents for about an hour before we got the call that there was a baby that needed a place to stay,” says Mark. That’s when the Campbells met a sweet little toddler, Desiree.

Cautiously Optimistic

The Campbells fostered a pair of sisters during the span of two years without Desiree. After a chance encounter between Kathy and Desiree’s caseworker, the caseworker asked if the Campbells were interested in adopting Desiree. The Campbells began to prepare for the possibility that Desiree could join their family for good – with cautious optimism. But questions remained.

“Would she stay a year? Was that possible?” Kathy wondered. “Because for our kids, it felt like a death in the family with Desiree coming in and out of the house.”

They went to court and presented their home as the safest, most stable place for Desiree. But after an error in court proceedings and documentation, Desiree was deemed unavailable for adoption and would remain in state custody. The Campbells continued to fight for custody of Desiree, and another chance encounter (plus a lot of gusto from Mr. Campbell) caused a breakthrough in the case!

Mark was a member of his local Rotary club, as were all the judges that preside over foster care cases in the county. The judges led a presentation during a Rotary meeting, and when the presentation ended, Mark rose and told the crowd, in no uncertain terms, that the courts were threatening the unity of his family. His rousing, impromptu speech earned a standing ovation from his fellow Rotary members, and caught the attention of the judges.

During this time, Desiree’s mom had visitation rights but rarely came to see her daughter. She missed several scheduled visits – all the while, she vowed that she’d fight for custody as long as it would take. When a trial date was set, nerves set in and Desiree’s mom did not want to appear before the judge. She told her attorney she wanted to meet with the Campbells.

Mark’s voice quivers as he recalls that meeting. “Desiree’s mom said, ‘it’s best for you guys to take her, because I can’t do it.’” Another emotional breakthrough – but more roadblocks stood in their way. In the final phase of the legal proceedings, the family’s lawyer attempted to double his fees to complete the adoption. Outraged and out of options, Mark called BCFS President Kevin Dinnin, who immediately assigned BCFS’ lawyers to their case.

The adoption was finalized in court two weeks later, February 2, 2005. Desiree was officially a Campbell!

In Her Own Words

Desiree, now 16, sits comfortably beside her mom and dad in their living room, where Christian artwork and scriptures adorn the walls.

“I don’t know where I’d be without them,” Desiree says of her mom and dad. “They’re a big part of my life, they’re always there, and I’ll always have somewhere to go.”

The family calendar is full – weekend getaways, family game nights, soccer, swimming and golf. Desiree now has her driver’s license. By the time she graduates high school, she’ll have her cosmetology license, but in the meantime (license or not) she is the “go-to” hair and makeup stylist for her sister and friends.

She traveled to Central America on a church mission trip to disciple youth in a Guatemalan orphanage. “Last year, I brought someone to Christ,” Desiree says. “They wanted me to sign their Bible. It was a really cool experience.”

What Now?

In every adoptive family, the parents must decide how best to communicate with the child about their history, their biological parents, and the future of the parent-child relationship. The Campbells decided early on they never wanted Desiree to look back and feel as if she had been “stolen from her mother.” So they determined two things would be key – gratitude and honesty. Kathy and Mark reminded Desiree to be grateful to her mother for helping her have a bright future.

“It would’ve been easier for a 14-year-old girl to make a very poor choice about her pregnancy,” says Mark. “So she did two things for Desiree; she gave her life and then she said, ‘I can’t take care of her and I don’t want her to go down the same path that I have, so here’s another option for Desiree.’ I can’t think of two greater gifts of love that you can give another person.”

Desiree and her biological mother haven’t spoken since the adoption was finalized more than 10 years ago. Desiree is uncertain about the future of their relationship.

“So many things run through my mind, like if I were to find her, would she ever want to meet me back? Maybe her mind has changed and she wants to meet me,” wonders Desiree. “Or, what if I meet her and I’m not what she expected…I definitely, probably would, in the future, want to meet her.”

“The fact that my parents are open with me about my adoption and that they’ve allowed me to ask questions really helped me trust them and grow up and be okay with the fact that I was different, and I didn’t look like them…and they don’t go a day without telling me they love me.”

Desiree dreams of one day adopting a child of her own. With her courageous parents by her side, she’s bound to follow in their footsteps gracefully and prove her father right when he says, “God’s always got a way of working these things out. There’s always a good place for a child.”

By Stephanie Pelech & Yvonne Paris Rhodes, Featured in BCFS annual magazine, together

How childhood learning is impacted by what happens IN and OUT of the classroom

Calvin is a bright, friendly 4-year-old boy. He excels academically and socially in the BCFS Education Services Head Start classroom he attends. But that wasn’t always the case. When Calvin first joined Head Start, he struggled to get along with his classmates. He was often reprimanded for hitting other students, and was suspended from riding the bus for repeatedly disruptive behavior. Calvin’s mom, Nichole, asked for help from BCFS Family Specialist Stephanie Pelech. Stephanie advised Nichole on healthy family routines to adopt at home, and gave the weary mom some much-needed support and encouragement.

During a home visit, the BCFS Family Specialist Stephanie asked Nichole about her son’s playtime habits. Turns out, Calvin was watching about 4 hours of television each day, including some violent shows and cartoons. It was also revealed that Calvin had witnessed violence in the home between his parents.

Stephanie explained that if Calvin continued to witness violence in the home and on TV, he’d be more likely to replicate violent behaviors. Calvin’s mom committed to regulating her son’s TV habits. More importantly, she asked Calvin’s father to leave the home to create a peaceful environment for their son. “It was crucial that she recognize that was unhealthy,” says Stephanie. “She was willing to accept our help and advice.”

Calvin’s eating habits were also a concern. He refused to eat anything except fried chicken, French fries, and macaroni and cheese. Chocolate milk and sweet tea, both chock full of sugar and caffeine, were his go-to drinks. The BCFS team educated Calvin’s mom about how the food and drinks children consume impact their health and behavior, and she agreed to meet with a nutritionist. Nichole was determined to improve her son’s diet, but she admitted she had a bad habit of giving in to his dinnertime tantrums too often – a pain MANY parents can relate to.

“I encouraged her to continue to be a good role model to him,” Stephanie explains. “Eat healthy foods and get Calvin as much exercise as possible. These habits would promote better behavior in school and better outcomes overall. Even if he gets mad about his meals, she knows she is doing the right thing giving him healthy food.”

As the year progressed, Calvin’s literacy and math skills improved. His behavior on the bus improved, as well. Their hard work was paying off – Calvin was demonstrating he could compromise, share and problem-solve. He showed early signs of emergent reading and writing skills, composing short consonant-vowel-consonant words. Sometimes, he’d get so excited about his writing that he’d wave the paper in the air and proudly ask to show the teacher or office staff his work.

Calvin’s transformation amazed his mother, the BCFS team and the school district. At another home visit, Nichole expressed her gratitude and excitement about Calvin’s development.

“It was such a good feeling,” Nichole said, “to leave him at Sunday school class and know he wouldn’t hurt another student.”

Even his dinnertime habits have improved. There are more veggies Calvin likes to eat, and he’s happy to wash them down with white milk instead of chocolate. Calvin’s healthier habits and improved behavior freed up Nichole to work full-time and accomplish more in her own personal life.

Kassandra Ventura:  Babies & Mothers Get A Healthy Start

By Araceli Flores                                                                                                  Featured in BCFS’ annual magazine, together

Kassandra lives in the colonias along the Texas-Mexico border. Spanish is her first language, and although she struggled to learn English when she started school, against all odds, she passed her classes and made it to high school.

By Christina Burghard

*Featured in BCFS’ annual together magazine

Julie Garcia and Jalie Carrasco are a dynamic mother-and-daughter team. Julie is a single mom to sweet little Jalie, a 4-year-old student in BCFS Education Services’ Head Start program. Julie and Jalie have unwavering faith in one another as Jalie bravely battles leukemia.

Julie was confident about enrolling her daughter in Head Start and felt blessed when she was accepted. Several of Julie’s nieces and nephews attended Head Start in prior years, so she knew it would be the perfect environment for her daughter.

Before cancer hit her little world, Jalie was excelling in school and mom Julie was enthusiastic about her bright future. Unfortunately, after the diagnosis, numerous rounds of chemotherapy and exhausting treatments, Jalie’s little body was worn out and she wasn’t quite the same spirited little girl.

Julie said, “that’s where Head Start came in and saved her! She developed her social skills again, had the joy of singing her ABCs and other pre-K songs again, and overall built back her confidence and love for school. Head Start gave me peace and joy in my heart that my daughter’s world was coming back together and she was where she always loved to be – in school.”

On days that were especially difficult, when Jalie wasn’t feeling well, her teachers showed Jalie and her mother love and encouragement that made her feel like everything was going to be okay. That meant the world to Julie.

“Head Start is a great start to a bright future. With small class sizes, there is more time and attention for each child in all areas,” said Julie.

Throughout their journey, Julie has passionately advocated for her daughter. Her goal is for Jalie to feel encouraged, always reach for the stars, remember that school is important, and always help a friend in need.

“Head Start helped me in such a great way,” said Julie. “Especially when your life has changed in a moment due to your child having a life-threatening disease… As a single mother you always feel like you are forgetting something or you are running behind, but when your child is in an environment where they have your back, Jalie has nothing to fear.”

Update as of November 2015

According to Julie, Jalie’s mom, Jalie has been doing phenomenal in and out of school. She is involved in dance and is expecting to be a big sister on New Year’s Eve. Julie said that she is able to do more physical things this year and dance is her favorite activity at the moment. There is one more year of chemotherapy treatment that is predicted for her which is huge progress. Jalie still asks how her friends are doing in Floresville and hopes to soon visit her old classmates at school one day. Julie thanked us again for all of our support throughout last year and hopes we are all doing well.

Ann M. Osborn, Program Director for BCFS Education Services

Thanksgiving luncheon for youth from foster care and foster families hosted by BCFS

The luncheon, held Tuesday November 24 at Sunset Station, brought together approximately 200 youth from foster care, foster families, and BCFS’ community partners including the Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS).

The “family-like” setting for the luncheon, complete with long banquet tables and a football game in the background on projector screens, was a big hit with guests.

Two youth from foster care spoke to the crowd, sharing how thankful they were for BCFS Health and Human Services’ PAL program, among other blessings.

The PAL program, or Preparation for Adult Living, helps youth from foster care prepare for life on their own by teaching life skills like budgeting, healthy relationships, and how to access critical resources.

The youth played games with BCFS staff and mentors, like a football toss, giant outdoor Jenga, and card games.

September is “Infant Mortality Awareness Month”

Teresa Arthur (left) and Araceli Flores (right) smile with the Arthurs’ newest bundle of joy. Teresa, from Nigeria, and her husband, from Uganda, have lived in the colonias for two years. Teresa joined Healthy Start’s program when she was pregnant with her third daughter, the youngest of her two other girls ages 5 and 3.

In recognition of September as “Infant Mortality Awareness Month,” BCFS Health and Human Services is doing its part to raise awareness on how to have a healthy pregnancy, and safe sleep practices once babies arrive.
The organization, which serves expectant mothers and those with children younger than 2 years old living in the colonias, has awarded participation in its parenting classes by giving away new bassinets to several families in need. Parents are also connected to partner resources such as the March of Dimes, Nurse Family Partnership, and City of Laredo Health Department Maternity Clinic, which also lead initiatives to reduce infant/fetal mortality in the community.

BCFS is also hosting interactive community events aimed at boosting awareness on how to prevent infant mortality, along with a baby buggy walk, balloon release and light luncheon for families on the following day.