By Sonia and Sylvester Robinson
On Saturday, September 28, the Kinship Family Conference and the Children’s Service Council held a community event at the Mt. Hermon AME Church Life Center in Fort Lauderdale. You knew it was a community-driven event because it was structured to accommodate the clients and community served with benefits available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
As we entered the edifice and having no preconceived notions or expectations, I was immediately captivated by the ambiance of the setting, easily characterized as warm, inviting, compassionate and loving. The table decor and aroma of a much anticipated lunch were perfect; however, the delightful overwhelming, tranquil atmosphere I soon realized emanated from the awesome employees and caregivers associated with these benevolent organizations. I felt it and saw it in the eyes and facial expressions of each that I observed or came in contact with as they went about their individual responsibilities.
You understand immediately or in a very short period of time the love, dedication and commitment for their clients, children victimized by unfortunate circumstances not of their own doing, innocent and vulnerable. I observed personally a young girl who broke away from her caregiver, ran on stage where agency representatives were discussing legal aid services they provide, then proceeded to run unrestrained throughout the assembly, oblivious to surroundings. The caregivers, aware of the young girl’s challenges, resolved the issue with patience and sensitivity, confirming my initial impression.
Cindy, President and CEO of Children Services Council, graciously answered some important questions posed by Westside Gazette staffer, Sonia Henry-Robinson.
WG: As the President/CEO, what personal connection do you have to the kinship family community?
Cindy: I was very close to my grandparents and my extended family. When the late Carole Andrews (School Board Member and Founding CSC Council Member) brought this issue to my attention early in CSC’s existence, I was amazed at how prevalent Kinship care was. Hearing the stories of the families was very moving and we knew we needed to do something to help these overlooked families. It has been very gratifying to see the impact these programs have had.
WG: What do you believe is the most critical issue facing kinship families today?
Cindy: One of the most pressing issues for Broward’s kinship families is the rapidly rising cost of living in South Florida, with housing as the largest expense.
WG: How do you envision the conference impacting the broader community?
Cindy: If a child cannot live with their parents, they benefit from remaining with family who keep them connected to their culture and community. Kinship caregivers are those family members or close family friends who are part of that child’s village. The conference is an opportunity for Broward’s Kinship Village to gather and build social connections while Kinship Support agencies pour into their cups with information, resources, and appreciation. When the Kinship Village is supported, Broward’s children thrive. We also hope to inform all Broward’s families about the wonderful Kinship Support Programs available through KID Inc., Harmony Development Center, Memorial Health Systems, Legal Aid of Broward County, and Broward Health’s Kinship Cares Initiative, so they know where to get help if they ever need it.
WG: How can attendees stay connected with the kinship family community after the conference?
Cindy: For more information about Kinship Support and Services, contact any of the CSC funded programs:
KID Inc. Kinship program, (954) 390-7654 ext.1283;
Memorial Healthcare System Kinship Program, (954) 276-0866; and
Harmony Development Center, (954) 766-4483.
These agencies offer supportive services, parent education and counseling and can connect families who need legal advocacy or Healthcare.
WG: What’s the story behind the paintings? From whom or where did they originate?
President/CEO Arenberg-Seltzer: The paintings on display at the conference were created by the children and teens who were in attendance; their masterpieces were the answer to the question, ‘what family means to me.’
The Legal Aid Service of Broward County, panel of presenters included
Luz Maria-Montero, Attorney, Legal Aid Service of Broward County; Elisaveta Alexieva, Lead Attorney, Kinship Project, Legal Aid Service of Broward County; Walter Honaman, Program Director, Legal Aid Service of Broward County; Sarah Baker, Attorney, Legal Aid Service of Broward County; Ivan Parra, Attorney, Legal Aid Service of Broward County; and
Elizabeth Adorno, Legal Aid Service of Broward County. Other love partners ensuring continued program success and sustainability in addition to Legal Aid Services are Kids In Distress, Kinship Cares Initiatives, Harmony Development Center ,Memorial Health Services and CSC among others.
Fortunately, Attorney Walter Honaman, Supervising Attorney for the Children’s Unit, selflessly gave his perspective on the vitally important work confronting his agency and clients which is providing legal services for Kinship, specifically adoption and temporary custody. Having legal authority to represent clients in lieu of parents ensures the viability of school related issues, medical concerns- mental and physical – and the legal authority to take care of the child while in the system. Attorney Hanneman was also familiar with one of my former church members Phyllis Harris, who began working at kinship with him years ago. The work they are committed to is under appreciated and really needed. We still have grandparents, aunts and uncles and we were part of the team that lobbied legislators to expand programs. It used to be three steps of continuity. Now we have expanded to include close friend.
The licensure type is designed for relatives and nonrelatives who have an existing relationship with the child from whom they are seeking licensure. If the child is not able to safely remain at home with their parents, and there are many reasons leading to that circumstance, including incarceration, divorce, death, and abuse, a family member who is willing and able to provide care for the child is the next best alternate. When ask where most of the clients come from Mr.Honaman explained thusly: the kids in kinship are not involved with DCF. Their intended purpose is to match them with close relatives, godparents or friends and placed them in loving homes, avoiding DCF entirely. His inspiration is to continue engaging the communities most impacted, let parents, caregivers and relatives know that they are not alone and assistance is available. Though he professes no bias, he’s proud of legal assistance that Legal Aid of Broward offers because it is so fundamental to the needs of children who would be denied access to services if not for their authority to act on behalf of clients, i.e., school enrollment, medical appointments and even mental health services.
We next spoke to Phyllis Harris of Kindred Cares Initiatives as we were leaving the center. When asked how the organization came up with the name Kindred, Ms. Harris explained that it was symbolic of actual relatives, desiring that clients feel and experience those connections as if in a home of blood relatives. She also stated that the primary focus of her agency and most others was to keep the children out of the state welfare program. Frankly speaking, studies have shown that children do much better in a supportive, nurturing environment. Ms. Harris agrees with Attorney Honaman that state legislators have vastly improved benefits for kinship clients, recognizing the important work that all of these agencies perform to improve the lives of young children dealt a challenging hand early in life. Also, the caregivers – grandparents, uncles, aunts, friends – are being recognized for the impact that they have when providing a safe, nurturing home environment for children.
Finally, the organizations and agencies do wonderful, important work on behalf of children, but it’s people like those we observe interacting with the children, the sponsors and organizers and people like Cindy Arenberg-Selter, President/CEO Children Services Council. Broward Attorney Honaman, and Ms. Harris who are the real heroes giving hope and inspiration to so many.
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