Welcome to the brand-new quarterly newsletter for TFI’s Kansas services and programs!
We believe that it is imperative for you, our families, staff, supporters, educators and state representatives to keep in touch with our mission and know about the incredible impact that your support is making on our Child Welfare initiatives in the heart of Kansas.
In this quarterly newsletter, we plan to bring highlights of our various events, success stories, staff profiles and other impactful activities that define our mission.
You will find captivating stories about the children and families we serve and how we are fostering a world where children are safe and families are strong.
Through our newsletter, we intend to raise awareness and increase understanding about our goals and efforts toward the welfare of our precious children and their families.
Looking forward to our continued partnership in helping provide love, safety, and service to children and families in Kansas.
We hope you will stay connected and continue to make a difference!
-TFI
Since joining TFI in 2018, Wanda Patton has fostered many sibling groups. In addition to providing a safe and nurturing environment, she also assists in supervising parent/child visits while in her care. Wanda’s ultimate goal is to establish meaningful relationships with biological parents to aid in successful reintegration.
In the past year alone, Wanda has helped four children successfully return to their families, and she remains committed to providing support to these families even after they leave her home. Wanda’s dedication and focus have made a significant positive impact on the lives of these families.
Foster Care Highlights
Holiday Events
Over the past month, TFI organized foster parent Christmas parties across various cities in the state including Chanute, Independence, Fort Scott, Pittsburg, Wichita, Parsons, Winfield, Garden City, Overland Park, Atchinson, Manhattan and Topeka. These well-received parties were enjoyed by both foster parents and youth. In addition to these events, the dedicated TFI staff went above and beyond to ensure that all children placed in TFI homes received gifts generously donated by members of the community.
Foster Parent Celebration
KS/NE had their first Foster Parent Celebration call in December. Fifteen families participated in the virtual call. The families were appreciative and thankful to be recognized during the call. We provided celebration gift cards to three families, and one family received a $200 gift card for going above and beyond. We plan to have ongoing celebration calls, so be sure to ask your foster care worker for upcoming dates!
Case Management Highlights
A Big Ask
Merdith Lynn, a supervisor from Labette County, recently made a request of her community. She reached out on social media, asking for someone who may be willing to donate a van. Her request was ultimately answered, and the van was gifted to a single mother who had previously lost custody of her children. Following her children’s reentry into foster care, this mother was able to provide a loving home, and now cares for six children. TFI assisted in the process of ensuring the proper transfer of the vehicle’s title and registration, all of which was completed in the mother’s name.
Take a look at recent numbers within our
Case Management program.
Since January 2020, Debra Clark has been a valued Family Support Worker in our Growing Nurturing Families program. She covers the Pittsburg, Kan. area and southeast Kansas with ease, thanks to her past experiences in child welfare.
Read more…
Since July 2022, Lori Brown has been a PCIT Therapist with Grow Nurturing Families. While she primarily works out of the El Dorado office, she covers a broad range of counties. Lori’s exceptional skills as a therapist have made our program stronger.