About the Gathering Foster parents themselves are the real experts when it comes to balancing the daily joys, frustrations, hopes, loses, and rewards of foster parenting. The gathering will focus on ideas, tools, and techniques for foster parents to build communities of understanding and support. Fun, thought-provoking activities and group discussions will provide LINK parents with an opportunity to learn about and from each other and think creatively about possibilities. Please join with us as we expand and strengthen our network of knowledgeable foster parents who serve as supportive resources to other families facing the new realities and challenges of permanency planning today.   Registration Information To register for the LINK Family Gathering, please complete and return the registration form on the next page. The invitation is open to all Region III foster parents for a fee of $20.00 per person. Grant funding will cover meals and overnight accommodations for two LINK parents from each of the 14 LINK project counties. Funding to cover lodging and meal costs may be available for additional foster parents, depending on the number of registrants. Space is limited, and we are establishing a waiting list for those who need "scholarships", so let us know your plans as soon as possible! Please contact Susie Collins, NYSCCC Program Director, 607-272-0034 or scollins@nysccc.org, to discuss availability of grant funds and your meal and lodging needs. Although funding for meals and lodging is available to only a limited number of foster parents, all Region III foster parents are encouraged to attend for the nominal cost of $70.00 (based on two persons to a room). We urge you to you to bring as many folks from your network as possible for education and support tailored to your needs!

Schedule   FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 2003 1:00 p.m. "Getting to Know You" - Welcome and introductions 1:30 p.m. "Lean on Me" - Developing and implementing parent support services. 3:00 p.m. "Honesty Is Mostly What I Need From You" - Supportive communication skills 6:30 p.m. "Food, Glorious Food" - Dinner together 7:30 p.m. "Take Good Care of Yourself" - Simple pleasures to feed the soul. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 4, 2003 8:30 a.m. "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" -Continental breakfast 9:00 a.m. "Cuz I've Been Searching..." - Locating helping resources and getting the word out. 12:00 p.m. Luncheon "So Long, Farewell, Auf Wiedershen" LINK Family Project LINK Families is a NYSCCC program supported by The Salvation Army of Syracuse through their federally-funded concurrent planning project. Recognizing that a strong support system for foster parents is vital to their ability to assist children through the concurrent planning process, NYSCCC is committed to developing a strong foster parent network in every county.

"A Little Help From My Friends" October 3-4, 2003 • Cortland Holiday Inn * I-81 at Exit 11 Registration Form • Return by September 15, 2003. Please Complete and Return to NYSCCC, 410 East Upland Road, Ithaca, NY 14850.   Name: ___________________________________________________________________________   Organization: _____________________________________________________________________   Address: _________________________________________________________________________   Daytime Phone: _____________________________Email: _______________________________     Registration Fee: $20.00 per person: o Check payable to: NYS Citizens' Coalition for Children, Inc. o Credit Card: o Visa o MasterCard o American Express     Card#________________________ Exp. Date _______ Name on Card________________________________ Signature ____________________________________ Contact Susie Collins, 607-272-0034 or scollins@nysccc.org for hotel and meal arrangements.

Foster Parents interested in learning more about participating
in project activities and becoming a LINK family should contact:

Susan Collins, NYSCCC Program Director

(607) 272-0034 • scollins@nysccc.org

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