Kinship Center News

National Social Work Month Honors Helping Professionals

More than 150 Kinship Center direct service professionals work throughout the year to create safe, permanent havens for abused and neglected children who have been removed from their homes to keep them safe.

Shown here: A March 2 celebration at Kinship Center headquarters in Salinas recognizes "National Social Work Month." Through this and other celebrations around the state, Kinship Center pays tribute to its social workers, therapists, psychologists and psychiatrists, occupational and speech therapists, caseworkers and others who work directly with children in crisis and with the men and women who step forward to provide a new home and a loving, permanent family.

The National Association of Social Workers calls social work a profession of hope, grounded in practical problem solving expertise. It is a profession important to the successful functioning of American society, filled with people who believe there are no limits to human potential and who use their talents to help others lead rewarding lives.

Each year Kinship Center staff members are recognized on a national stage for improving the lives of traumatized children through their dedication, cutting edge work, and excellent outcomes. Kinship Center salutes these fine professionals who change lives every day.

Orange County Foundation Changes Lives

Some Kinship Center families are especially grateful this year to an Orange County Foundation that was created to meet some extraordinary needs of ordinary people.

The Change a Life Foundation, headquartered in Irvine, CA, has a straightforward mission: to help individuals and families who, through no fault of their own, have experienced an injury, illness, or catastrophic life event, and who are suffering financial hardship, by providing support for critically needed direct services that promote their self-sufficiency and improve their quality of life.

In the past year, the Foundation has provided more than $40,000 in specific assistance to families who are clients of Kinship Center and who were identified by Kinship Center professionals because of some critical special needs.

"The Foundation makes the application process so easy that even those staff members with no grant writing experience are able to submit compelling proposals outlining the needs of select families," says Kinship Center Regional Executive Director Allison Maxon. "Our social workers, therapists and others throughout the state are tremendously enthusiastic about being able to provide extra help for client families in this way. We are so grateful to Change a Life Foundation."

Gabilan Auxiliary Makes $50K Gift

Kinship Center received a gift of $50,000 from the Gabilan Chapter Women's Auxiliary on January 25 at the Chapter's Annual Meeting in Hollister. Receiving the gift from Chapter members Jo Schlie (l) and Carol Feisthamel (r) on behalf of Kinship Center's Board of Directors was Chair-Elect Sandy Haney (center). "This wonderful gift is a tribute to the amazing dedication and commitment of this group," said Haney.

The gift represents proceeds from a variety of fundraising projects undertaken by Chapter members, including the signature Wine & Food Tasting event that attracts attendance of up to 1200 each year. The sellout event, the oldest of its kind on the Central Coast, has grown to include participation by large numbers of regional wineries and restaurants. The 2010 event will be held on September 11, from 4:00 - 6:30 pm at the historic Paicines Ranch in San Benito County. For information please contact the event chairs at (831) 801-0229 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ; or (831) 801-7124 / This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

The Gabilan Chapter, which boasts several hundred members and associates, supports Kinship Center's vital services to children and families in San Benito County. For information on the Chapter or its events, or to find out how to become a member, please call Chapter President Kay Filice at 831-637-3200 or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Mental Health Therapeutic Services Now Available to the Public

Kinship Center's Monterey County Mental Health Clinic has just announced a new community service for adults and children seeking psychotherapy, psychiatric services, and psychological and educational assessments. The new service expands Kinship Center's professional mental health programs to include those not covered by Medi-Cal, on a fee-for-service basis.

Services are designed primarily for children and adults whose lives have been touched by adoption, relative caregiving, childhood trauma, grief and loss, attachment difficulties, depression, anxiety, or learning and other school related problems. Click here for more information or call (831) 455-4771 for information or to make an appointment.

Recycled Wheels Help Kinship Center Families

For the third year, 'Recycled Rides,' a program of the National Auto Body Council, has provided safe, reliable transport to families in need through lovingly repaired, restored used vehicles.

This year two Southern California Kinship Center families are enjoying a dream come true...a "new" car, presented through a partnership between Recycled Rides, FIX Auto, the Automobile Club of So CA, and the Rotary Club of El Monte.

Suzie, a grandmother and sole caregiver of six, shed tears of joy when she was awarded a revamped Kia Minivvan to transport her large family. "This is an answer to a prayer," said Suzie about the unexpected gift.

Kristine and Leo, shown above, are caregivers to three young relatives and parents of three. The couple received a "nearly new" Chevy Suburban. The big plus for this family of eight? "Now we'll be able to go places together...everyone in one car!"

Congressional "Angels in Adoption" Award Presented

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Senior Family Recruiter Kim Felder expresses her commitment to permanence for children in a very personal way. Mother to seven adopted and two birth children, Felder and husband Carl also help educate other adoptive parents, and the entire family is involved in advocacy for adoption.

Felder was nominated by Congressman Gary Miller (CA-42) for the prestigious Angels in Adoption Award for her 20-year unparalleled career in adoptive family development. She received the award at a September 30 ceremony in Washington D.C. The annual Angels in Adoption recognition allows members of the U.S. Congress to honor significant achievements by child welfare professionals, and outstanding Kinship Center staff are regularly among those recognized. Shown here: Senator Mary Landrieu, LA, (at left) who chairs the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, presented the award to Felder.

During her career, Felder has shepherded thousands of children into permanent homes, including some of the hardest-to-place adolescents, sibling groups and children with severe medical disabilities. Her aggressive efforts include taking the time to know each waiting child and exhaustive research to match those unique needs with the right family. Felder's devotion to detail ensures a high level of success and she is held in the highest regard by the counties she works with.

"I have been blessed to pursue my life's goal of helping children obtain the right to a permanent, loving family," says Felder. "I cannot think of anything more important or rewarding."

Kinship Center Announces Scholar-in-Residence

Kinship Center is pleased to welcome scholar-in-residence, Dr. Michael Grand, Professor of Clinical Psychology, University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Grand's professional activities and research have been focused on search and reunion, adoptive family identity, provision of adoption services and openness in legislation and practice. He has received awards from the North American Council on Adoptable Children, the Adoption Council of Canada and the Adoption Council of Ontario for his contributions to best practice policies in adoption and permanence.

Dr. Grand will spend his sabbatical year bringing his research and expertise to Kinship Center's statewide programs, including analyzing the agency's mental health clinic data and outcomes with a view to determining the efficacy of clinical models. He is shown here with Kinship Center Regional Executive Directors Del Stewart (L) and Allison Maxon.

Kinship Center CEO Presents at Oxford

Kinship Center President and CEO Carol Biddle recently returned from England where she celebrated Kinship Center's 25th Anniversary as an invited speaker at the Oxford University Roundtable Conference: "The Next Generation Besieged: Violence, Sex and Substance Abuse."

The invitation reflects the groundbreaking work that Carol Biddle and Executive Vice President Carol Bishop have spearheaded since they founded Kinship Center in 1984.