Family & Children Services, Inc.

Isabella Van Valkanberg recently invited her entire 1st grade class to a very special event…her adoption finalization! Staff and 1st graders from Walters Elementary School, as well as family and friends, all dressed up and gathered around Isabella as she was officially welcomed as the 15th member of the Van Valkanberg family. Though our goal as an Agency is always to reunite children with their birth families, we know there are situations where that ideal is not possible. In those cases we are so grateful for families like the Van Valkenbergs who pour so much support, love, and attention on the children they are adopting. Adoptions like this one are one aspect of our work that an entire community can get behind. Thanks to all of the news networks and local journalists who came to celebrate with the Van Valkanberg family! Watch WWMT's coverage here: https://lnkd.in/ghbmC-Vi

Last week we gathered at Revel and Roll to celebrate our extraordinary social workers, case managers, therapists, and counselors. Raffle prizes, bowling, and a lot of off-the-clock fun was had! We are so proud of how hard our staff works to strengthen the well-being of our clients and community. Any chance we get to thank and celebrate them for that work, we take! Thank you to everyone who took time out to support their peers! Want to join our team? Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gK7WPWCs

Join us for our blood drive to save lives this Wednesday! Sign up here https://lnkd.in/e4fTAiqR or email Callista Cook for questions callista.cook@fcsource.org

Social Work is more than a job — it’s a way of life! We are so proud to have so many social workers doing extraordinary work for our clients and community. Thank you to each and every one! #SocialWorkMonth #CompassionPlusAction

Being a foster parent is just like being any kind of parent; it’s exciting, challenging, hilarious, full of up and downs. If you are interested in learning more about the process and if it’s right for you, fill out our inquiry form and one of our specialists will get in touch with you! https://lnkd.in/gdAswFmZ

Did you know Family & Children Services has an Amazon wish list? Our clients often need basic needs met like diapers, hygiene items, formula, and clothes. Typically, we purchase them with HANDLE WITH CARE dollars donated by generous members of our community. But it’s also possible to purchase them directly from our wish list and send to our agency! Click here to see the list of items most requested: https://lnkd.in/gUpp5af5 (Just remember to put your name in the “from” box so we know who to thank.) If you would prefer to donate money and have us purchase them for clients, click here: https://lnkd.in/g2ehnFEW

Last week our friends at Urban Alliance helped us complete our Valentine’s Day gifts to donors. Thanks to their hard work, our flowerpots were finished in record time and looked just as we hoped! We are so grateful for our community partners like Urban Alliance who are always so willing to help wherever and whenever it’s needed.

Protective Factors are the factors that mitigate or eliminate risk and promote resilience in families. The more Protective Factors a family has, the lower the risk of child abuse and neglect. One of those Protective Factors is social connections. The more social connections a family has, the better they can weather many storms. Our social connections provide emotional support, practical assistance, and a sense of belonging. Today we celebrate Galentine’s Day, a day devoted to the social connections that make our lives easier and give us a sense of belonging. We hope you feel supported by your community today and every day!

Rx Kids is a prescription for health, hope, and opportunity. ❤️ The program provides all pregnant residents in the City of Kalamazoo with no-strings-attached cash of $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 each month throughout the baby's first year. Learn more and apply at RxKids.org We are so thrilled the City of Kalamazoo is getting this program that has been so successful in Flint. Please spread the word to your social circles so that all pregnant people in the City of Kalamazoo are supported and healthy! RxKids.org @RxKidsUS, @MSU public health, @GiveDirectly, @Cradle Kalamazoo, @Kalamazoo Community Foundation

We are looking for therapists, both Per Diem and Independent Contractor, to join our team. Learn more and apply here: https://bit.ly/4b42lm9