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About babshill

babshill started this conversation
Oct 7, 2008
I am writing to you on behalf of my organization, Kids Central, Inc., located in Ocala, Florida.  Our non-profit organization manages the foster care, adoption and protective service program for Marion, Lake, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties.  In addition to managing these programs, Kids Central delivers services to more than 700 children who are placed with relatives.  Our "Kinship Care" reaches far beyond those children living with their relative caregivers.  According to the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA), there are 13,970 children living with their grandparents in the five counties served by Kids Central. The vast majority of these children were not placed with their grandparents by the child welfare system.  These grandparents have taken in their grandchildren without being asked by anyone, and it is this group of children and caregivers who typically do not receive needed services and supports.

These grandparents have taken on the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren, and usually have stretched their financial resources beyond their meager means to assume expenses for these unplanned additions to their household.

 

With the recent budget cuts that have been imposed from the State, Kids Central struggles for innovative ways to continue to serve and support these grandparents whose selflessness cause thousands of children to remain out of the child welfare system. 

 

I am wondering if there are any agencies offering grants to help us provide Christams gifts for the families that we serve, and help Kids Central to make a difference in these children’s lives. 

 

My dream is that on Christmas day, 2008, the grandparents of 500 children will see little faces of joy when they learn that Santa Claus came to their house for Christmas.

 

Will you please help us help our seniors? 

I can be contracted at barbara.myshrall@kidscentralinc.org

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