Values Recognition

Shana has helped create an environment that is accessible by making sure any media created for the CaRES team is reflective of all participants including graphics that support inclusivity. She sets the pace for welcoming all and fostering a sense of belonging through her outgoing, welcoming personality. She thinks through situations quickly and can turn a less than positive situation or phrase into a positive statement or action that is reaffirming to all involved. She creates a safe environment in conversations she leads or is part of to honor the diversity and inclusivity of all.

Shana serves on several of the Alliance committees/groups as part of her efforts to support the Alliance’s mission. She shares the knowledge she learns with her team and models the behavior of the mission during her work practice and interactions with those she comes into contact with.

Having examples like Shana who represent mission, values, goals and vision for the Alliance strengthens people’s interest in the value being modeled and elicits positive affirmations, support as it strengthens community and working partnerships.

Stacy held a meeting to discuss the development of a statewide scheduling system, and process mapping. In her presentation, she emphasized the importance of creating systems that will meet everyone’s needs and was also sensitive to the Alliance assessing what those needs might be by being inclusive and asking questions.

Stacy is a natural leader and her approach to this work is inspiring. We are lucky to have her!

Luanne has modelled inclusivity in the way that she values the knowledge and expertise of foster and kinship caregivers. She takes the time to ensure that she is getting the benefit of their experience by going to ALL the 1624 caregiver meetings across the state and following all the Facebook pages for various caregiver groups throughout the state in order to hear directly the issues that caregivers are bringing up. She uses the information she gathers to inform her recommendations for CaRES offerings and practices. Luanne is not required to attend all these meetings but she wants to be sure she keeps her finger on the pulse of what caregivers are experiencing so she can help meet their needs.

Because Luanne spends so much energy and time listening to foster and kin caregivers she is readily able to create trainings, and offer support to meet the needs of caregivers. She is also able to notice trends in caregiver needs that we can report back to DCYF to help influence practice and policy.

Penny goes out of her way to make new people feel welcome. She included me in a book group, took the time to get to know me, and offered me lots of help, suggestions, and support. This kind of welcome is truly how a colleague can “foster a sense of belonging.”

Penny also works tirelessly in service of children and families who have experience trauma. She is an absolute champion for TRBI because she is so committed to trauma informed practices in service of folks who have experienced trauma. Penny has organized book groups related to trauma and anti-racism. She truly understands the value of lived experience and is using her strengths to make the our community a better place.

Her work empowers those caring for and serving families and communities to provide anti-racist, culturally relevant, trauma-informed service.

Penny is continually engaging in opportunities that will increase her knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed care; parent-child support; brain science, and more! Not only does she engage in these opportunities for herself, but she never fails to pass the information and opportunities along to her teammates and colleagues. She is an inspiring example of the lifelong student for those she works and learns with, and can get anyone excited about “brain stuff.”

Penny should give a master class on networking! She maintains and acquires relationships across programs and organizations – opening doors of partnership that keep us all connected and open-minded about life outside of our “bubbles.” Penny finds seeds of partnership and contribution in places others may overlook, and she cultivates that growth and potential. Collaboration is inclusive is nature and Penny is always seeking the knowledge, expertise and experience of others.

If you’ve seen Penny in action, you know what it looks like to be “seen, heard and valued.”

Leah provides thoughtful leadership and guidance so her team and especially new supervisors can improve and sustain great learning and accessibility experiences.

It helps our learning organization keep a high standard of quality across all our offerings.

Shelby has been a tremendous supporter of several CaRES initiatives from innovation to development and into implimentation. Specifically, she championed and joined our African-American caregiver workgroup. She then volunteer to read the stories for our special Caregiver Story and Activity Hour that celebrates black authors and stories. Her commitment to helping our team expand and improve our diverse offerings goes above and beyond collaboration – it is true partnership!

Shelby’s engagement with the CaRES committee fostered a sense of belonging among the various Alliance and partner organization participants. Her respect for the other perspectives in the workgroup and her willingness to help CaRES staff determine the next best steps demonstrated her desire to create an accessible, welcoming, and diverse environment.

Shelby’s contribution led directly to an new special event theme and, in the long-term, helped establish the framework CaRES can use to continue creating and implementing welcoming, diverse, and engaging caregiver events.

Renee Siers embodies inclusion and acceptance. She makes those around her feel special, cared about, and loved. Renee would go out of her way to make others feel valued and important.

She models inclusion and support to make our product the best it can be.