WHATS

INSIDE:

Whats Goin On?

Things to do
and see locally
and nearby.
PAGE 2

FEATURED ARTICLE:

Supporting
Maltreated Children:
Countering the Affects of
Neglect & Abuse
PAGES 3-4

BOREDOM

BUSTERS
PAGE 7

JAN

2016

R E S O U R C E S , N E W S & I N F O R M AT I O N F O R A D O P T I V E FA M I L I E S I N T E H A M A C O U N T Y

Holiday Party Fun!

See you at the...

Tuesday,
January 19
R E S O U R C E S , N E W S & I N F O R M AT I O N F O R A D O P T I V E FA M I L I E S I N T E H A M A C O U N T Y

Above: Families enjoy a

delicious catered dinner
at the 2015 Adoptions
Holiday Party.
Right: Permanency
Team members Sherry,
Marina, Teri and
Melissa pose for a
quick group shot at
the photo booth.

What a celebration!
The 2015 Adoptions Holiday Party was
a great success, thanks to the efforts
of the Tehama County Permanency
Team, Toys for Tots, and especially to
all of the adoptive families that came
out to celebrate!

Together on Purpose January 2016

3:30-4:30
PM
at 345 David Ave., Red Bluff
(North Valley Baptist Church)

Come down and

take advantage of all
that Together on
Purpose has to offer!
DETAILS INSIDE!
An Alternatives to Violence Project made possible through a collaboration with the Tehama County Department of Social Services

FREE CHILDCARE
PROVIDED ON-SITE

WHATS GOIN ON?

Coming
Events &
Activities

WHATS
GOIN
ON?
18

NOVEMBER 2015

(Christmas Kick-Off Events continued...)

2015 Downtown Christmas

Parade, A Storybook Christmas

Saturday. November 28 at 5:30PM

Come down and enjoy a Tehama County
Tradition! A Storybook Christmas
Wednesday. November 17, 6PM - 7:30PM at
TOGETHER ON PURPOSE
is the theme for this years Red Bluff
he Red Bluff Agriculture Department, 1760
Network & Resource Group
Christmas Parade.The Parade is on
Walnut Street in Red Bluff (in the Walnut
Tuesday, January 19, 3:30PM - 4:30PM
Saturday,
November, 28th at 5:30 PM.
at 345 David Ave., Red Bluff (North Valley
oom). Presented by Melissa McKenna,

The Nurtured Heart Approach

For
more
information,
pleasedown
visit and
www.
Baptist Church) Come
meet with
MSW, Permanency Team Supervisor for
Workshop
redbluffchamber.com
for
more
information.
professional therapist Scott Howell and other
ehama County Social Services. Do you
Friday, January 15, 9AM - 4PM at LilliputCongratulations
to the
Tehama
County
local adoptive
families
- share
resources,
ave friends
or familyServices,
that have
considered
Childrens
289
Rio Lindo Ave. Library;stories,
the Grand
Marshalls
foradvantage
the Parade
tips
&
tricks!
Take
of all
doption from
foster
care,
but
need
more
Chico, CA 95926.
this year!
Free
Event.on Purpose has to offer! On-site
that
Together
formation? Please pass the information

childcare will be provided free of charge to

The Nurtured
Approach
r this orientation
along Heart
to them!
Contactis a
methodology that builds richer relationships, all adoptive families. (Please arrive by 3:15
Melissa at 530-838-1423 with any questions.
if youll be taking advantage of childcare
helping children and all those who care
ree Event.

so that you can introduce your kids the

Adoption from
Foster Care Orientation

JANUARY 2016 19

15

S GOIN ON?
DECEMBER

3:30-4:30 PM

It has been found to be effective with even

28DECEMBER 2015
515
the most
challenging
behaviors. RSVP/
Small
Business
Saturday

FREE CHILDCARE

Along with the games there are special

contests, a silent auction, concessions,
dinner, root beer floats and live
entertainment. EVERYONE is invited!
FREE to enter - 25 cents a game! 2016
theme: Chinese New Year VIP Hour from
3-4PM for ALL of our special needs and
elderly community members! VIPs play for
free and eat at a discounted price!

PROVIDED ON-SITE

Questions:
(530) 896-1920
Across
the nation,
shoppers are
oming out to shop at local businesses on
bCorning
Hometown
Christmas
he Saturday
after Thanksgiving
- join
them
Acoustic
Guitar
December
5, Masters with
SHOPPINGSaturday,
SMALL on
Small Business
Scott Kritzer
Downtown
Corning.
Celebrating
aturday.
Many
businesses
in Tehama
Friday,small
January
15, 7:30PM
- 9:30PM at the
Hometown
Heroes
Events
nd surrounding
counties
are
participating
by for
State Theatre, Red Bluff. Price: FREE
include:
Pancake
fferingwill
great
deals,
and
Shopping
Small
in
Tehama Concert Series members; $30.00
Hometown
ottonwood
year
will get
you a$10.00
free tote
fts breakfast,
forthis
Non-member
adults;
for NonHeroes
Display,
Craftunder
and Food
Vendors,
NEARBY RESOURCES
ag
last)!
member students
25 still
living at
g (while supplies
Childrens
Activities,
Art
Exhibit,
Pictures
home. Acoustic Guitar Masters features
g
with
Santa,
Spaghetti
Lighted
Parade, at the Red Bluff Community Center
fingerstyle
guitarist Dinner,
Mark
Hanson,
jazz
2015
Downtown
Red
Bluff
eTree
Lighting
Ceremony
And
more!
guitarist
Eric
Skye,
and
classical
guitarist
Christmas Kick-Off Events:
ALL TEHAMA COUNTY
information:
Scott Kritzer.
The guitar is one of the most
ed For more
he
Muppet
Christmas
Carol
versatile
instruments
in
communicating
Visit www.corningcachamber.org
ADOPTIVE FAMILIES WELCOME!
o
across
genres
of 2PM
music. This concert will
aturday.
November
28 at
Email:
info@corningcachamber.org
27Shasta College Foster Care
bring
out the
best ofFree
these
styles
Muppet
characters
tellEvent.
their when these
orThe
call
530-824-5550
three standouts
from tale
the worlds
of classical,
and Kinship Education
version
of the classic
of an old
jazzbitter
and fingerstyle
perform music
More courses planned for 2016 - Details
and
misers redemption
on from Miles
Please
RSVP:
Davis
to
Villa-Lobos
to
Americana
ballads.
will be included in newsletters as they
Christmas Eve. Tickets available at
For more information, call (530) 727-8727 Rose
or
become available, or email Sherri at
530-838-1449
the door starting at 1:15PM,
visit www.TehamaConcertSeries.org
swiggins@shastacollege.edu
(continued)
Admission: $2

28

3:30-4:30 PM

Saturday, Febrary 20 & Saturday, February

27 from
12PM
- 4PM
(anRed
8-Hour
at 345
David
Ave.,
BluffCourse) at
The Attach
Center for
Strengthening
(NorthPlace
Valley- Baptist
Church)
Relationships, 3406 American River Drive,
Suite D, Sacramento, CA 95864

adoption and trauma informed course will

help you find your way with a comprehensive
approach:
Complex Developmental Trauma vs. RAD
Psycho-education
Brain-Based Parenting Approach
Preventing Parent Reactivity
Zones of Regulation
Empowering, Connecting, Correcting
Get support, information, coaching, and
understanding for what you are experiencing
as a parent.
R E S O U R C E S , N E W S & I N F O R M AT I O N F O R A D O P T I V E FA M I L I E S I N T E H A M A C O U N T Y

FEBRUARY 2016 More Resources for

Childrens Activities, Art Exhibit, Pictures
4-H Family Fun Night
with Santa, Spaghetti Dinner, Lighted Parade,
13
Tuesday,
December
16 Adoptive Families:
Tree Lighting Ceremony And
more!

Christmas
Parade.The
on
nd a Pumpkin
Drop.
Kids willParade
need toisbring
This workshop
presented
by5:30
SentaPM.
Burton,
Saturday,
November,
28th
at
lunch and 2 snacks each day. Camp is preMSW student
and adoptive
parent,
will
For
more
information,
please
visit
www.
Saturday, Febrary 13 from at 4PM egistrationintroduce
only. Youyou
cantoregister
online
at
a
positive
and
structured
8:30PM
at the Tehama County Fairgrounds.
redbluffchamber.com
for
more
information.
For
more
information:
ww.redbluffrecreation.org,
comeyour
by the
Red
method in transforming
childs
Fundraiserat
for345
theDavid
Tehama
4-H
Congratulations
to the
Countydifficult
Visit www.corningcachamber.org
Ave.,County
Red Bluff
Center
callTehama
Erinwill
Luevano
dluff Community
behaviors.
Thisorworkshop
offer you new
Program
every
club
in
the
county
program
Library;
the and
Grand
Marshalls for the
Parade
(North Valley Baptist Church)
Email: info@corningcachamber.org
t Red Bluff
Parks
Recreation
527strategies
and
techniques(530)
in encouraging
creates and runsFree
carnival
style game booths
this
year!
Free
Event.
or
call
530-824-5550
Event.
177 Cost positive
is $45 per
child.
goals
while setting clear boundaries. for EVERYONE to enjoy!

ns.

20 27

Therapeutic
Parenting Course
For Parents of Adopted and
TraumatizedDecember
Children
Tuesday,
16

&

Coming
Events &Traditional
FREEparenting
CHILDCARE
does not heal the
Activitiesbroken
PROVIDED
ON-SITE
hearts of traumatized
children. This
2015

for them to build their Inner Wealth . This

Together on Purpose Kids Activity Leader.)
approach
has
a proven
track record of
(Christmas
Kick-Off
Events
continued...)
bCorning
Hometown Christmas
Fall
Fest for
Kids
Refreshements will be served!
awakening
the
inherent
greatness
in
all
2015 Downtown Christmas
Saturday,
5,call Andrea at 530Red
Bluff while
Parksfacilitating
and Recreation
For moreDecember
information,
children,
parenting and
Parade,
A
Storybook
Christmas
Downtown
Corning.
Celebrating
528-0300 or email acurry@atvrb.org.
resents Fall
Fest for success.
Kids, a day camp for
classroom
Saturday.
November
28 at 5:30PM
Hometown
Heroes
FREE
Event.Events
ds ages
5-12
during
their
school
holiday
Dodown
you think
and
family
could will include: Pancake
Come
and you
enjoy
a your
Tehama
County
reak. November
23rd-25th,
2015
from
benefitA
from
a transformative
and
Tradition!
Storybook
breakfast, Hometown
days
of funChristmas
games,
crafts
at30AM - 5:30PM.3
successful
approach
in
parenting
is the theme
for this
years decorating
Red Bluff your Heroes Display, Craft and Food Vendors,
nd activities,
including
pumpkin
0
child?

23

Coming
Events &
Activities

R E S O U R C E S , N E W S & I N F O R M AT I O N F O R A D O P T I V E FA M I L I E S I N T E H A M A C O U N T Y

Education:

Who Should Attend?

YOU, if you are a relative, caregiver, guardian

or
parent ofCollege
a child(ren)
from difficult
Shasta
Foster
Care
beginnings--maltreatment, neglect, trauma,
and
Kinship
Education
attachment breaches, drug exposure, difficult
More courses planned for 2016 - Details
pregnancy, and/or birth trauma. This is the
will be included in newsletters as they
help
you have been looking for, especially if
become available, or email Sherri at
you have tried everything.
swiggins@shastacollege.edu
Two 4-hour Training Sessions
Trainer: Ce Eshelman, LMFT, Attachment
Sierra Forever Families
Specialist, TBRI Certified Trainer
Various seminars offered on topics
Tuition: $200.00 per 2-person group.
like Attachment, Understanding
Skilled
care available
forand
$30 per day.
Poverty,child
Understanding
Trauma,
Sign-up
by
emailing
Jen@attachplace.com.
more. For upcoming dates, contact

More Resources for

December 11, 6-8PM
More Resources
for Support Groups:
Adoptive
Families:
Adoptive
Families:
Education:

Join us for FOOD & FUN!

Sierra Forever Families

Leslie Damschoder at 530.879.3861

Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Glenn Counties

For Support Groups held in Yreka,

Mt. Shasta, Orland or Sacramento contact
Leslie Damschoder at 530.879.3861

Butte County Post Adoptive Services

Support Group, Drop in Assistance, WRAP

Family Support Group ... For info, call Miko:
530-209-0817, Heather: 916-475-7198 or
Deborah: 530-896-1920

Various seminars offered on topics

to Violence
Project
possible
through
apossible
collaboration
with
the Tehama
County
Department
Social Services
An Alternatives
to made
Violence
project,
made
through
partnership
with
the Tehama
CountyofPermanancy
Team.
2a An Alternatives
like
Attachment,
Project
possible
through
collaboration
with
the Tehama
County
Department
Social Services
by
An Alternatives
to made
Violence
project,
madeaUnderstanding
possible
through
partnership
with
the Tehama
CountyofPermanancy
Team.
2 An Alternatives to Violence
Poverty, Understanding Trauma, and
n
more. For upcoming dates, contact
e

Supporting Maltreated Children:

Countering the Effects of Neglect and Abuse

by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.

The most important property of

humankind is the capacity to form
and maintain relationships. These
relationships are absolutely necessary
for any of us to survive, learn, work, love,
and procreate.
The ability and desire to form emotional
relationships is related to the organization
and functioning of specific parts of the
human brainsystems that develop
during infancy and the first years of life.
Experiences during this early vulnerable
period affect a childs core attachment
capabilities. A childs ability to feel
empathy, be caring, inhibit aggression,
love, and acquire other characteristics
typical of a healthy, happy, and productive
person are tied to the childs care at the
beginning of life.

How Early Neglect and Abuse

Affect Attachment
Impaired childhood bonding affects
people differently. Severe emotional
neglect in early childhood can have
devastating consequences. Children
without touch, stimulation, and nurturing
can literally lose the capacity to form
meaningful relationships. Fortunately,
most children do not suffer this degree
of neglect, but millions do experience
some degree of impaired bonding and
attachment during early childhood.
Resulting problems can range from mild
interpersonal discomfort to profound
social and emotional problems. In
general, the level of impairment is related
to how early in life the emotional neglect
began as well as its severity and duration.
With help, neglected children can
learn to navigate normal relationships.
Clinical experiences and a number of
studies suggest, though, that the path
to improvement is a long, difficult, and
frustrating process for families and children.
Together on Purpose January 2016

How Abuse Affects

Brain Development
During childhood, the human brain
matures and brain-related capabilities
develop in a sequential fashion. With
optimal experiences, the brain develops
healthy, flexible, and diverse capabilities.
Disruptions in the timing, intensity,
quality,
or
quantity
of
normal
development, however, can adversely
affect neurodevelopment and function.
Traumatic experiences trigger a state
of fear-related activation in abused and
neglected childrens brains. Chronic
activation of the adaptive fear response
can cause a persistent fear state that in
turn causes hyper-vigilance, increased
muscle tone, a focus on threat-related
cues, anxiety, and behavioral impulsivity.
These attributes are helpful during a
threatening event but counter-productive
when the threat has passed.
The very process of proper adaptive
neural response during a threat underlies
the neural pathology that causes so much
distress and pain through the childs life.
The chronically traumatized child will
develop a host of physical signs (altered
cardiovascular regulation) and symptoms
(attention, sleep, and mood problems)
that make life more difficult.
There is hope. The brain is very plastic and
can change in response to experiences,
especially those that are repetitive and
patterned.
Specific Problems in Maltreated
Children with Attachment Problems
Specific problems vary depending upon
the nature, intensity, duration, and timing
of neglect and abuse. Some children will
have profound and obvious problems;
others will have very subtle problems that
do not seem to relate to early life neglect.

Below are some clues that experienced

clinicians consider when working with
maltreated children:
Developmental delays: The bond
between a young child and her caregivers
provides the major vehicle for physical,
emotional, and cognitive development.
Lack of consistent and enriched
experiences in early childhood can cause
delays in motor, language, social, and
cognitive development.
Eating: Odd eating behaviors are
common, especially in children with
severe neglect and attachment problems.
They will hoard and hide food, or eat as
if the food will disappear any moment.
They may fail to thrive, ruminate (throw
up food), and have swallowing problems.
Soothing behavior: These children
may use primitive and bizarre soothing
behaviors, especially when stressed.
They may bang their heads, rock, chant,
scratch, or bite/cut themselves.
Emotional functioning: A range of
emotional issuesincluding depression
and anxietyis common in maltreated
children. Another common trait is
indiscriminate attachment, affectionate
behaviors with relatively unknown people
to secure safety rather than develop an
emotional bond.
Inappropriate modeling: Children
model adult behavior. Maltreated
children who learn that abusive behavior
is the right way to interact with others
have problems in social situations.
Children who have been sexually abused
are at-risk of being further victimized or
perpetrating on younger children.
Aggression: Childhood aggression
and cruelty often result from a lack of
empathy and poor impulse control. These
children really do not understand or feel

An Alternatives to Violence Project made

3 possible

Supporting Maltreated Children continued ... Model and teach appropriate social
behaviors. Many abused and neglected
what it is like for others when they do or children do not know how to interact with
others. To teach them, model behaviors
say something hurtful.
and narrate for the child what you are
Helping Maltreated Children
doing and why: I am going to the sink to
Responsive adultsparents, teachers, wash my hands before dinner because
and other caregiversmake all the or I take the soap and put it on my hands
like this.
difference for children. They can:
Nurture these children. They need to be
held, rocked, and cuddled. But be aware
that, for many children, touch has been
associated with pain, torture, or sexual
abuse. Observe how your child responds
to nurturing and act accordingly. In many
ways, you are providing experiences that
should have taken place during infancy.
Try to understand the behaviors before
punishing. The more you can learn about
attachment problems, bonding, and
development, the more you will be able to
develop useful interventions. If your child
hoards food, for example, do not accuse
him of stealing. A punitive approach may
increase
the childs
sense
of
insecurity
and need to
hoard food.

You can even coach maltreated children

as they play with other children. Use
play-by-play: Well, when you take that
from someone, they probably feel pretty
upset; so if you want them to have fun
when you play this game, then you should
try. Over time, success with other
children will make the child less socially
awkward and aggressive.
Maltreated children can have problems
modulating physical contact. They dont
know when to hug, how close to stand,
when to make/break eye contact, or at
what times they can wipe their nose,
touch their genitals, or do grooming tasks.
Do not lecture
the child about
appropriate
behavior;
gently suggest
how
she
can
interact
differently with
adults
and
children (Why
dont you sit over here?). Make lessons
clear using as few words as possible, and
explain in a way that will not make the
child feel bad or guilty.

Be patient with
the childs progress
and with yourself.

Interact with
children
at
their
emotional age. Abused and neglected
children are often emotionally and
socially delayed. When they are frustrated
or fearful, they will regress, and as much
as you want the children to act their
age, they simply cannot. Interact at
their emotional level. If they are tearful,
frustrated, or overwhelmed (emotionally
age two), use soothing non-verbal
interactions. Hold them. Rock them. Sing
quietly.

Be consistent, predictable, and

repetitive. Maltreated children with
attachment problems are very sensitive
to new situations. Social events (parties,
sleepovers, trips) can overwhelm them,
even if they are pleasant. Efforts to make
life consistent, predictable, and repetitive
are very important. When children feel
safe, they can benefit from the nurturing
and enriching experiences you provide.

Listen to and talk with children.

Whenever you can, sit, listen, and play
with your children. When you are quiet
and interactive with them, they often will
begin to show and tell you what is really
inside them. Practice thisslow down,
quit worrying about the next task, and
really relax into the moment with a child.
At these moments, teach children about
their feelings. Use these principles:
(1) All feelings (sad, glad, mad, etc.) are
okay to feel; (2) Children should know
healthy ways to act when sad, glad, or
mad; (3) Other people feel and show
feelingsHow do you think Bobby feels

when you push him? (4) When you

sense that the child is clearly happy, sad,
or mad, ask them how they are feeling.
Have realistic expectations. Abused and
neglected children have a lot to overcome.
We cannot predict potential, but we do
know how to measure a childs emotional,
behavioral, social, and physical strengths
and weaknesses. Skilled clinicians can
help to define a childs skill areas and
areas where progress will be slower.
Be patient with the childs progress
and with yourself. Progress will be slow
and frustrating. Many adults, especially
adoptive parents, will feel inadequate
because all the love, time, and effort
they exert on their childs behalf may not
seem to work. But it does. It just takes
time.
Take care of yourself. Caring for
maltreated children can be exhausting
and demoralizing. Adults cannot provide
the consistent, predictable, enriching,
and nurturing care these children need if
they are depleted; they must get rest and
support. Respite care can be crucial for
parents, who should also rely on friends,
family, and community resources.
Investigate other resources. Many
communities have support groups for
adoptive or foster families. Professionals
who specialize in attachment problems
can also help. Remember, the earlier and
more aggressive the interventions, the
better children will be able to heal and
thrive.
This article was adapted from articles
by Bruce D. Perry, M.D., Ph.D.: Bonding
and Attachment in Maltreated Children:
Consequences of Emotional Neglect in
Childhood, Bonding and Attachment in
Maltreated Children: How You Can Help,
The Impact of Abuse and Neglect on the
Developing Brain, with John Marcellus, M.D.,
and Principles of Working With Traumatized
Children. These articles, and others, are
online at http://teacher.scholastic.com/
professional/bruceperry/index.htm. Dr. Perry,
is senior fellow at The ChildTrauma Academy
(www.childtrauma.org).
From Adoptalk, published by the North
American Council on Adoptable Children, 970
Raymond Avenue, Suite 106, St. Paul, MN
55114; 651-644-3036; www.nacac.org.

An Alternatives to Violence
Project
possible
through
collaboration
with
the Tehama
County
Department
Social Services
An Alternatives
to made
Violence
project,
madeapossible
through
partnership
with
the Tehama
CountyofPermanancy
Team.

BOREDOM BUSTERS
START

FINISH!

Whats a

Meet Leo!

Can you guess what

kind of animal Leo is?
ts
t the do
c
e
n
n
o
C
out!
to find

RESOLUTION?

A resolution is a decision to do (or not do)

something in the future. Many people like
to decide on a resolution (or a few!) at the
beginning of the New Year.
Do you have any decisions, or plans for
the New Year? You can make decisions
as a family, or just for yourself - or help
someone younger than you with writing
their resolutions down.
Write some resolutions on the lines below,
then hang this sheet up where youll see it
every day to remind you of your plans!
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________
___________________________________

Together on Purpose January 2016

An Alternatives to Violence Project made

5 possible

Alternatives to Violence

1805 Walnut Street Red Bluff, California 96080

Dont miss your chance to

tell us what YOU want!
R E S O U R C E S , N E W S & I N F O R M AT I O N F O R A D O P T I V E FA M I L I E S I N T E H A M A C O U N T Y

2016

JAN

An Alternatives to Violence Project made possible through a collaboration with the Tehama County Department of Social Services