Summer Water Safety

As summer gets into full swing, it is extremely important to teach your children about water safety. More children die in Florida from drowning than in any other state. Don't assume that your child understands danger. There are classes to protect all ages of children from infant to toddler and beyond.
Here are some links to consider:

YMCA Safe Start
http://ymcacentralflorida.com/activity-schedule-search/aquatics-activities/

Pool Safety
http://www.floridahealth.gov/alternatesites/waterprooffl/

Drowning Prevention
http://www.wfla.com/story/25495210/time-for-drowning-prevention-awareness-reminder

Stay Safe This Halloween

This Halloween be sure to help your little goblin to stay safe.

• Make sure to buy costumes that fit and are flame retardant
• Make sure that all costume accessories are soft and can't cause bodily harm
• Give your goblin reflective costumes or a flash light to carry while trick or treating
• Only go to homes where you know the residents giving candy
• Inspect all treats before allowing your child to eat the treats
• Make sure to obey all traffic laws if driving during Halloween
• Stay with your child while they are trick or treating

Marital Property and Equitable Distribution

    What is Marital Property? Marital Property is all income, property, and possessions acquired during the span of a marriage. Upon the dissolution of marriage, marital property will be divided among spouses.  Property acquired before the marriage, will remain as non-marital property at the time of the divorce unless it has been co-mingled during the marriage.

     Florida distributes all property in a divorce through equitable distribution. This means that all marital property will be dispersed evenly between the two spouses at the time of their divorce. Florida State Statute adheres to this principle, unless justification can be provided to permit an unequal distribution judgment. Factors that may contribute in determining asset distribution:

•          Length of marriage
•           Financial circumstances of each spouse
•           The contributions to marital assets made by each spouse during the marriage
•           Any other relevant factors in determining appropriate distribution

This list may not be inclusive based on individual circumstances.

November is National Adoption Month

            National Adoption Month raises awareness for children in the foster care system, awaiting placement within a permanent, loving, and stable home.  National Adoption Month has increased recruitment efforts for foster parents and permanent adoption through meeting events, adoption learning sessions, and adoption celebrations nationwide. These efforts have resulted in thousands of children being adopted in the United States and around the world over the past 22 years since the creation of National Adoption Month.

            Regardless of whether the adoption occurs from the foster care system or from a private source, adoption is key in providing many children with an opportunity to be part of a functioning, loving family.

National Adoption Day is Wednesday, November 21, 2012. This year’s theme is Adoption in the Digital Age. For more information on adoption, events in your area, and to help celebrate adoption, visit the National Adoption Month website at: http://www.childwelfare.gov/adoption/nam/

REACTIVE ATTACHMENT DISORDER

Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD) is defined as a condition found in children who have been significantly neglected and unable to form an emotional connection with their caregivers. When a child is born, an emotional bond is created between child and parent when the child is held, fed, nurtured, and loved. It is at this time the child becomes attached emotionally and learns to trust the parent. When an infant is neglected of these basic comforts and affection, it can cause problems with their emotional stability in the future. Neglected, abused, and orphaned children most commonly have a higher risk of developing RAD.

Symptoms of RAD in Infants & Children:

•        Detached
•        Unresponsive to comfort
•        Calm when left alone
•        Engages in self-soothing behavior
•        Displays controlling behavior
•        Aggressive towards other toddlers

This list is not inclusive based upon your individual circumstances.

Effects of RAD in Adulthood:

•        Low self-esteem
•         Depression
•         Anxiety
•         Promiscuous
•         Frequent job changes

This list is not inclusive based upon your individual circumstances.

While a child will suffer with RAD indefinitely, there are treatment options to help manage the symptoms and stabilize the disorder. Some treatments may include medication and/or play therapy for the child and educating the parent on skills to improve the relationship and help develop the attachment needed. If you think your child has RAD you should seek advice from a medical professional. In most cases you will need to consult with a RAD specialist or a mental health psychiatrist.

Step- Parent Adoption: What About The Other Natural Parent

A step-parent adoption always requires one natural parent to lose parental rights. The natural parent losing rights must consent to the termination of rights to the child. If the natural parent does not consent, one of the following must have occurred to proceed with the adoption:

Natural parent has abandoned the child financially or emotionally
Natural parent has been incarcerated for the majority of the child’s life
Natural parent is deceased (Must provide Death Certificate)
Natural parent is prohibited from having a relationship with the child

In circumstances where the natural parent is unlocatable, a diligent search must be executed. After the search, if the whereabouts of the natural parent are not discovered, Florida law requires one to serve constructively by advertising for the individual.  A newspaper ad must appear in the area where the natural parent was last seen, once a week for four weeks.

Upon completion of the search, if the natural parent has been located, he/she must be served with notice of the adoption. Receiving legal notice allows the natural parent to respond to the proceeding. If he/she does not respond within the designated time allotted and appear at the proceeding, he/she waives their legal rights. 

 

Florida Adoption Home Study

An adoption home study is completed to assess your ability to provide a safe and stable environment in which to raise a child. A home study begins with a social worker. The social worker will come into the home and conduct an interview with the prospective parent(s). The social worker can be a privately hired social worker or a government social worker with the Department of Children and Families depending on the type of adoption.

While there, he/she will ask questions in regards to your parenting philosophy, criminal history, financial circumstance, and other relevant information. A tour of the home is also required to assess the environment and child safety.  In addition, the prospective adoptive parents will need to provide fingerprints and criminal background checks. The social worker will then assemble the evaluation notes and requested documentation into a written report, which will be submitted to the adoption agency and/or attorney assigned to the adoption case. A child cannot legally be placed in the home without a completed home study.

A Home Study will include:

·         Home Visit with Personal Interview

·         Criminal Background Check

·         Documentation: Finances, Employment, Marital Status, and Personal References

This list may not be inclusive based on circumstance.

            In the state of Florida, the type of adoption and your familial relationship to the potential adoptee will determine if a home study is required by law. Florida State statute requires all non- related prospective parents to undergo a home study evaluation. A home study is not required in cases of relative adoption within three degrees of relation and step-parent adoption.

A Home Study IS required if:

·         You are privately adopting from a licensed adoption agency (non-relative)

·         You are publicly adopting from The Department of Children and Families (unless waived)

·         You are adopting internationally (relative and non-relative)

Home Study is NOT required if:

·         You are adopting a step-child or a relative within three degrees of relationship

·         You are a foster parent adopting your foster child (a home study has already been completed to become a foster parent)