DePelchin Children’s CenterFALL 2014

Super Mom’s Love Conquers All

inside2 From the President

3 Inaugural Conference Spotlights Importance of Trauma-Informed Care

4 DePelchin Launches Electronic Health Record

4 Long-time Foster Family Receives High Honor

5 Middle-schooler Secures Patent, Launches Business

5 Become a DePelchin Birthday Buddy

6 Support the 2014 Holiday Project

6 Back the Bowl, Support DePelchin

7 What’s Happening at DePelchin

Superheroes, though, also take the form of selfless individuals, who, fueled by love, muster the bravery needed to

make a daily difference in the world — including in the lives of children.

Christi Fisher is one such superhero.

A DePelchin foster and adoptive parent, Fisher exhibits heroism every day, from sunup to sundown. She’s a single mom, who, along with having a 10 -year-old biological son, has adopted two children under the age of 3, will adopt a 21- month- old in November, and maintains an open door to foster more children.

A Drive to Do MoreFisher first considered fostering after she became aware of the plight of so many children in Houston who didn’t have a family to “stand up and fight for them.” Initially, she thought she might not qualify to be a foster parent, but after attending an information session at DePelchin, she learned that even as a single mom she could provide safe shelter for children in crisis.

After completing the required training, Fisher decided that she would be willing to accept two foster placements, especially after learning about the shortage of homes for siblings.

Her first placement was a brother and sister — one of them 3 days old, the other 10 months old.

Within a short time, Fisher’s compassionate heart drove her to open her home to even more children.

That’s when 8-month-old Jaxsen arrived.

Fisher says that before the CPS caseworker even placed Jaxsen’s car seat on the ground, he asked her if she might ultimately be open to adoption. Without hesitating, Fisher said yes.

“Adoption wasn’t on my radar, but after one look at Jaxsen and knowing the transformation that was happening in the siblings — that fueled me to want to do more,” she says.

Ultimately, the two siblings in her care were reunited with their biological family. Letting go of them was heart wrenching, but she knew that it was best for them.

Just hours after their departure, however, Fisher — who was still fighting back tears —received a phone call from DePelchin. A 5 -week- old named Bailey needed a home.

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Superheroes are often easy to spot. They swoop into dire circumstances, brandish superhuman powers and miraculously save the day — often with a crowd nearby to applaud their heroism.

“ ”“I felt like God was sending me a message,” Fisher says.“It’s like he was saying, ‘Everything’s going to be OK. Here is another child who needs you.’”

SUPER MOM’S LOVE CONQUERS ALL, CONTINUED

“I felt like God was sending me a message,” Fisher says. “It’s like he was saying, ‘Everything’s going to be OK. Here is another child who needs you.’”

This last July, the adoptions for both Jaxsen and Bailey were finalized; and this November, Fisher plans to adopt her third child, Ember.

Supportive SidekicksAt times, even the bravest superhero needs the support of a dependable sidekick. For Fisher, one those sidekicks is her 10 -year -old biological son, Karsen.

Christi says prior to her becoming a foster parent, Karsen had often expressed to her his desire to have siblings. Today, of course, Karsen is not only a big brother, he’s a big help to his mom.

To be sure, few 10 -year-olds have the maturity and perspective on life that Karsen does.

Fisher recalls one instance when she knew Karsen was struggling with the departure of

one of the children they had been fostering. Fisher assured Karsen that if he didn’t feel like they should continue opening their home to more children, they would stop. His response, however, surprised her.

Planting his small fist on the kitchen table, Karsen said, “No, Mom. We keep going. We have to keep going.”

Fisher’s resolve to push forward as a foster and adoptive mom has also been strengthened, she says, by DePelchin. In addition to helping her navigate the process of fostering and

adopting, DePelchin has supported Fisher and her family with its broad range of services, including counseling, psychiatry and post-adoption services.

“From day one, DePelchin has never stopped asking me, ‘How can we help?’ Every time I need something, they are there. They’re like family.”

Better to Give Than ReceiveFisher and her family are a testament to the power of love. As a single mom of five who also works full time, though, Fisher readily admits she faces challenges.

“Every day, I get up and put on a mask of bravery. I may not be a perfect mom, but I offer what I have, even if that’s just my presence.”

Fisher says she would like to continue fostering as long as she has the capacity to do so.

When asked what she hopes for all her children, her answer is simple: “I hope they always know that they are wanted and loved and that ultimately it’s not what you have that will make you happy, it’s what you can give.”

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From the President

As the close of the year brings together the festive spirit of the holidays and cherished get-togethers with family and friends, it causes us to pause and reflect on the many children who will be celebrating the holidays differently this year. Thanks to your support, children like Bailey and Jaxsen, featured in our cover

story, will be celebrating with their new mom Christi Fisher as a forever family! We also think of children who will be celebrating in the homes of loving foster parents like Hal and Deb Poorman, recently recognized as the State’s “foster family of the year.” Our annual Holiday Project, made possible by your support, will also ensure that more than 1,000 children in our care will have their wish lists fulfilled this holiday season.

We are always looking for new ways to better care for kids, and we are grateful for your support with these endeavors. This fall, we have rolled out our Birthday Buddies program, giving you the opportunity to make a child in foster care feel special on his or her special day. You can read more about the program in this issue of Today in addition to how the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl helped our families get a head start on the new school year. We are also excited about the launch of the Maconda Brown O’Conner Training Institute, established through a generous gift from the Brown Foundation, Inc., to advance the knowledge of the latest, evidence-based, trauma-informed research and practices for supporting children and their families.

None of this would be possible without friends like you, so thank you for helping us turn lives around this year! In between issues of Today, we hope you will keep up to date with us through our Facebook page and e-news publications.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season,

Jenifer JarrielPresident and CEO

Officers of the BoardCharles D. Powell, ChairmanJohn C. Bass, Chairman-elect Steve Cherek, Secretary Pamela Lovett, Past Chairman Board MembersEfrain Bleiberg, M.D.Sean G. Boutros, M.D.Pam BrasseuxNancy I. Cook, Ph.D.Sue Nan Cutsinger

Susan DistefanoAnne S. DuncanStephen DyerHenry S. FlorsheimKay ForbesTerry GebertGerald GehmM. James HendersonDebbi M. JohnstoneRobbie LowreyConnelly McGreevyHannah McNairGinni Mithoff

FOUNDATION AND TRUST FOR DEPELCHIN CHILDREN’S CENTER BOARD Bob Paddock, ChairmanKarey DyeRussell HawkinsNancy KinderFlo McGeeRahul MehtaJohn E. StokesCharles SzalkowskiHarper B. Trammell

John Moody, Jr.Stewart Pisecco, Ph.D.Carolyn PopePat G. PowersMary Eliza ShaperLisa StoneTim SurrattH. Richard WaltonJaneana White-Lewis, M.D.Geraldina Interiano WiseDon M. Woo

DEPELCHIN PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES BOARD Albert C. Hergenroeder, M.D., ChairmanEfrain Bleiberg, M.D.Matthew Brams, M.D.James S. Ezelle, Jr., M.D.Sanjay J. Mathew, M.D.Lindy Upton McGee, M.D.

DEPELCHIN CHILDREN’S CENTER BOARD OF DIRECTORS

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“I may not be a perfect mom, but I offer what I have, even if that’s just my presence.”

Nearly 200 child welfare professionals from 11 regions participated in the conference, which was co-sponsored

by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and Bo’s Place. The conference featured local and national experts on trauma-informed care, including Judge John Specia, commissioner for DFPS; David Harmon, chief medical director for Superior HealthPlan; and David Cross, co-developer of Trust-Based Relational Intervention, a model of trauma-informed care.

The practice of trauma-informed care grew out of studies conducted over the last two decades that showed that traditional models of care —which often included punitive methods — largely failed to produce positive outcomes. Today,

evidence continues to build for a reformed approach to caring for children who have experienced relational trauma.

“Recent studies reveal that healing from trauma is based upon connection and positive relationships, which create an intrinsic motivation to behave in a way that leads to success,” says Corrine Walijarvi, director of strategic planning at DePelchin and the coordinator for the conference.

Along with furthering the discussion on trauma-informed care, the conference also served as the launching event for DePelchin’s Maconda Brown O’Connor Training Institute, established through a generous gift from the Brown Foundation, Inc., in memory of Houston social

worker and philanthropist Dr. Maconda Brown O’Connor. Honoring Dr. O’Connor’s work and legacy, the Institute aims to advance the professional knowledge of the latest, evidence-based, trauma-informed research and practices for supporting children and the families who care for them.

“We are grateful to the Brown Foundation for their gift toward the Training Institute and its mission,” says Jenifer Jarriel, DePelchin president and CEO. “Our inaugural trauma-informed care conference highlighted the impact that the Training Institute can have by providing a forum for discussion and learning about topics central to children’s mental health and well-being.”

Inaugural Conference Spotlights Importance of Trauma-Informed Care

DEPELCHIN PSYCHIATRIC SERVICES BOARD Albert C. Hergenroeder, M.D., ChairmanEfrain Bleiberg, M.D.Matthew Brams, M.D.James S. Ezelle, Jr., M.D.Sanjay J. Mathew, M.D.Lindy Upton McGee, M.D.

Thought leaders from across Texas gathered at DePelchin in September for the inaugural DePelchin Trauma-Informed Care Conference, a two-day event designed to drive dialogue about the need for mental health care reform within the field of child welfare services.

fall 2014 | 3

DePelchin launches the Maconda Brown O’Connor Training Institute at its inaugural Trauma-Informed Care Conference held in September. Pictured from left: Toby O’Connor and Nancy Abendshein, two of Maconda O’Connor’s children; Jenifer Jarriel, DePelchin president and CEO

DePelchin Launches Electronic Health Record

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Long-time Foster Family Receives High Honor Hal and Deb Poorman epitomize what it means to love selflessly, unconditionally and for the long haul. For 22 years, they have served as foster parents in Kerrville, Texas, having opened their home to more than 100 children in need of foster care. In September, the Poormans — a foster family for DePelchin affiliate Caring Family Network — were honored as “foster family of the year” by the Texas Foster Family Association (TFFA). The Poormans, who have fostered with Caring Family Network for nine years, were presented the award at the TFFA’s annual fall conference.

“We are thrilled that the Poormans were selected to receive this award,” says Laura Richards, program manager for Caring Family Network. “They are truly a deserving couple who have

impacted the lives of so many children and who inspire the rest of us to live beyond ourselves.”

In addition to all the children they have fostered over the years, the Poormans are proud parents to three biological sons, each of whom now have families, and two adopted daughters, who started college this fall.

In November, DePelchin launched its first electronic health record (EHR) system aimed at streamlining clinical documentation and improving the overall experience of families receiving mental health services.

Funded by grants from the Cullen Foundation and the Cullen Trust for Health Care, the EHR system allows

for integration of records across DePelchin service lines and the exchange of health information with outside medical providers such as primary care physicians.

“We needed an EHR solution that was both state-of-the-art and flexible enough to meet our diverse requirements,” says Paul Lampi, director of business development and information systems at DePelchin. “I’m confident the new system will help us meet our objectives.”

Planning for the EHR started in 2012 and involved collaboration among multiple departments at DePelchin as well as

contributions from a number of external parties. The complete rollout of the EHR system will occur in phases, Lampi says.

The initial phase, which launched in November, included enhancements to DePelchin’s call center, registration process and billing. The second phase, slated for 2015, will feature upgrades such as an online patient portal, e-prescriptions and participation in the Greater Houston Healthconnect’s health information exchange.

“Ultimately, I believe the new system will allow us to better serve the children and families for whom we provide care,” Lampi says. “That makes it all worth it.”

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“Ultimately, I believe the new system will allow us to better serve the children and families for whom we provide care.

fall 2014 | 5

At just 13, though, Gilmore, who was adopted through DePelchin, has also accomplished a remarkable

achievement: he’s an inventor and entrepreneur.

Two years ago, as part of a school competition, Gilmore came up with the idea for the “Sleepover Bed Tent” – a tent-like contraption that allows a double bed to serve as two separate sleeping areas. Sean’s invention won second place at the competition, and soon, interest in his product began building.

Everyone loves birthdays, especially children. Birthdays are a time when every child should feel celebrated,

loved and uniquely special. At DePelchin, we recently launched Birthday Buddies, a new program focused on celebrating DePelchin children on their birthdays. We invite you to become a DePelchin Birthday Buddy and help us make birthdays memorable for children in the care of our foster families. Opportunities for involvement include sponsoring a child’s birthday wish list, hosting a toy drive or making a donation to help us purchase gifts and fulfill other needs. To learn more about becoming a Birthday Buddy, email us at birthdaybuddies@depelchin.org.

With help from his mom, Gilmore recently secured two patents for his invention and in September officially launched his own company, the Sleepover Bed Tent, LLC, to market his product.

Gilmore has attracted a lot of attention with his invention, including a TV appearance on Great Day Houston with Debra Duncan.

While the journey of developing and launching his product has been fun, it’s also been challenging and has taught Gilmore a number of valuable lessons.

“One thing I learned is to never give up, and always keep trying,” he says.

Gilmore adds that knowing people have found his invention to be helpful makes him happy. He doesn’t know if being an entrepreneur is what he wants to do after high school, but for now, he’s content to enjoy the ride.

Middle-schooler Secures Patent, Launches Business

Become a DePelchin Birthday Buddy

Eighth-grader Sean Gilmore seems like an average teenager at first glance. He enjoys sports, especially lacrosse and football, loves to hang out with his friends and has a passion for video games.

B rthdayBuddies

DePelchin Children’s Center

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Support the 2014 Holiday Project

Back the Bowl, Support DePelchin

Sleigh bells are already ringing here at DePelchin! It’s that special time of year when we put big smiles on little faces during our annual Holiday Project. Last year, generous donors fulfilled the holiday wishes of more than 1,300 children. We anticipate that even more children will be in need of your help this year.

You can brighten the holidays for a DePelchin child through the following ways:

HOST A TOY DRIVE. Collect toys at your work place, holiday party, church, synagogue or other holiday gatherings. Visit holidayproject.depelchin.org for a list of our children’s most needed and most wished-for items.

MAKE A CASH DONATION. DePelchin will use your donation to purchase gifts or needed items for the children. You may make a donation online at holidayproject.depelchin.org or mail your contribution to:

4950 Memorial Drive Houston, Texas 77007 Attention: Holiday Project

The only thing college football fans love more than the grind of conference play is the glorious arrival of bowl season. This

December, Houston football fans will have the chance to experience some of the post-season action at the 2014 AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl. DePelchin Children’s Center is honored to be the official charitable beneficiary of the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl and will again host both bowl teams at its main campus for some pre-game pep rally fun. This year’s game, which will feature contenders from the Big 12 and SEC, will kick off at 8 p.m. on December 29 at NRG Stadium. Continuing its longstanding commitment to the children of the community, the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl will donate a portion of game day proceeds to DePelchin. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.advocaretexasbowl.com.

Donations of gift cards are also extremely helpful in fulfilling wish lists.

For more information, please contact Lori Siwinski, DePelchin’s Holiday Project coordinator, at (713) 802-7623 or holidayproject@depelchin.org.

On behalf of all of the children and families whose holidays will be brighter through your gifts of time and treasure, we thank you!

What’s Happening at DePelchin

FIELD DAY KICKSTARTS SCHOOL YEAR FOR ADOPTIVE FAMILIES

Adoptive families from DePelchin celebrated the new school year with an action-packed field day held at DePelchin in late August. The back-to-school event — sponsored by the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl — featured a slew of activities, including football drills coached by members of the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl’s Gridiron Legends, animal balloons by Twilight the Clown and face-painting. Along with receiving an assortment of goodies and prizes, every family also received school supplies and enjoyed a pizza lunch from Papa John’s. DePelchin would like to thank the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl for its involvement in the field day this year as well as Friends of DePelchin for their help in making the event a success.

to encourage experiential learning, campers visited the Maker’s Annex at the Children’s Museum of Houston twice each week and participated in numerous other field trips, including to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Downtown Aquarium, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Sam Houston Boat Tour of the Port of Houston.

Neil Treble, program coordinator for the camp, says he saw many of the campers gain a new passion for learning and even received feedback from a number of school counselors about students’ positive attitudes toward school.

This summer, nearly 40 students from HISD schools participated in an eight-week camp at DePelchin aimed at promoting their academic growth, social enrichment and physical and mental well-being. The camp, funded by an education grant from the United Way, targeted students in grades six through nine and featured a unique partnership among the Children’s Museum of Houston, the University of Houston and Communities in Schools.

The students participated daily in a range of activities, including reading, dance, yoga, crafts and social skills classes. In addition,

“I think we succeeded in providing new ways for the kids to learn as well as have fun. We received so much positive feedback, and I hope next year we can offer this program again.”

NEW MURAL BEAUTIFIES DEPELCHIN LOBBY

In August, the east wing of DePelchin’s lobby received a beautiful enhancement with the painting of a new mural titled “Fish is Fish.” The mural, which depicts an assortment of sea animals, was funded through donations received in memory of Edgar Odell Lovett II, husband of Pam Lovett, a long-time board member and supporter of DePelchin.

“The new mural is a beautiful addition to our waiting area,” says Jenifer Jarriel, president and CEO of DePelchin. “It creates a welcoming atmosphere for all our visitors, including the children and families we serve.”

The painting is one of two murals that now enhance the lobby at DePelchin’s main campus. Both projects were completed by Houston artist Debora Hill.

fall 2014 | 7

SUMMER CAMP ADVANCES LEARNING, GRANTS NEW EXPERIENCES

Leave a Legacy Jane and Charles Szalkowski, long-time supporters of DePelchin, have incorporated the organization in their giving plans. You, too, can help future generations benefit from DePelchin’s services by including us in your will. It is an easy step that brings happiness to countless children and their families. The official legal bequest language is: “I have named DePelchin Children’s Center as a beneficiary of my will. This letter signifies my intention to keep in force in my will a donation of approximately $_____ or _____% of the residue of my estate to the Foundation for DePelchin Children’s Center to be used for its charitable purposes. Understanding that my gift intention is completely revocable, I will inform you should I change my intent toward DePelchin or should the dollar value of my estate’s potential donation significantly increase or decrease.”

If DePelchin is already included in your giving plans, please let us hear from you. Contact Dixie Mullins at 713-802-6292 or dmullins@depelchin.org and tell us about your generous intentions. We are interested in your story!

4950 Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas 77007

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDHouston, TX

Permit No. 3601DePelchin Children’s Center

Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter!

Are you on Facebook? Do you Tweet? Join our Facebook group or follow our tweets on Twitter, and you can stay in touch about recent

news and events at DePelchin. We would love to be connected to you. Become a member of our Facebook group and invite your friends to join at www.facebook.com/depelchin and follow us on

Twitter at www.twitter.com/depelchin.

OUR VISIONWe envision a world in which every child is safe and healthy. OUR MISSIONWe strengthen the lives of children by enhancing their mental health and physical well-being.

DePelchin Children’s Center is the leading center in Texas for children’s well-being, with a focus on mental health, foster care and adoption services. For more than 120 years, DePelchin has been turning lives around with comprehensive care for children, including psychiatric services, counseling, programs for at-risk youths, parent education, residential treatment, foster care and adoption. DePelchin is a not-for-profit organization and gratefully receives its support from individuals, foundations and corporations; government grants and fees; and United Way agencies. Visit www.depelchin.org to learn more.

Today is published by DePelchin Children’s Center. Copyright 2014 DePelchin Children’s Center. All rights reserved.

Dixie Mullins – Senior Vice President, AdvancementMary Kristen Valentine – Director, Marketing and Public RelationsJoshua Di Napoli – Writer, Photography