URGENT - WHOOPING COUGH IN WASHINGTON STATE

Whooping cough (also called pertussis) is reaching epidemic levels in our state. Whooping cough can produce a terrible cough, making it very difficult to breathe. In infants and young children, whooping cough can be deadly.  More information is listed at http://www.doh.wa.gov/EHSPHL/factsheet/pertussis.htm

So many ways to help!

There are so many ways to help the children of our communities!

1. Become a foster parent
2. Help by donating to the Foster Parent Association - http://www.facebook.com/fpaspokane - you can specify where the donation goes; for example you could pay for music lessons, sports equipment, and so on. you yyou
3. Or directly to the Clothing Perk and Teen Closet to help children see people do care about them - they deserve new and like new clothing.
   • we need new socks and underwear for every age child newborn to 18
   • we also need shoes of all sizes
   • donations of new and very slightly used clothing is accepted also!
   • for more information on donating go to http://www.facebook.com/fpaspokane#!/pages/Clothing-Perk/197861026914227 or www.teencloset.org
4. you could also coordinate a clothing drive at your business or church
5. The list goes on and on - not everyone can be a foster parent but everyone can help show a child that we care!

Keeping Siblings Connected

Looking for ways to keep brothers and sisters connected.  Here are some tips -http://www.dshs.wa.gov/pdf/publications/22-1455.pdf

Independent Living Resources for Youth Aging Out

The following are excellent resources for youth aging out:

http://www.independence.wa.gov/

http://www.win211.org/

http://www.safetynetspokane.org/
 

Retention Respite Guidelines

Here are the Retention Respite Guidelines hot off the presses!