March 2015

Welcome

Dear BWA;

One of the themes for this year’s programming has been to feature the issues that we know you, the members, are either keenly interested in or engaged in supporting on a daily basis. This month we tackle one of society’s most impactful issues, Foster Care.

KidsPeace and Fostercare.com report that there are 400,000 children and teens in the Foster Care System, with 14,000 in Florida alone. Adding the numbers of children and teens impacted by ancillary services (such as protective services, abuse hotlines, children’s legal services, substance abuse issues, as well as refugee indigent, homelessness- to name a few) the portion of the population involved in Florida’s social service system reaches the hundreds of thousands.

Our meeting will feature a panel of speakers who will bring you up to date on some key foster care issues. This is particularly timely with the start of the legislative session on March 3. Florida is predicted to have a budget surplus this year. And the governor’s budget does recommend additional dollars for selected Foster Care services. It is enough? Come and listen to what our panelists think.

See you soon,

Merrie

Important Registration Details
 

On line registration closes Wednesday  March  4th.

Your on-line registration is very important to provide an accurate count.   If you attend without registering OR you register and do not attend, you will be charged a fee.

If you must cancel after Friday, March 6th or, if you have questions about registration you must contact Debbi Hartman at Browardwomensalliance@gmail.com  or 954-483-3060

Our March meeting will address the impact of Foster Care.

The Annie E Casey Foundation defines Foster Care as, “A temporary living situation for children whose parents cannot take care of them and whose need for care has come to the attention of child welfare agency staff.”

Although foster care is meant to be temporary, some children spend their entire childhood bouncing from the care of relatives to foster parents or staff in group homes.  Young people involved in child welfare and juvenile justice systems are at greater risk of poor outcomes in adulthood. Children within the foster care system require a number of services, most of which are tax supported. So, even if your family is not affected by the Foster Care system, your pocket book is.

The governor’s proposed budget has an $80 million recommendation for the Department of Children and Families. Is this enough? Will it serve the population adequately?

 Come listen to our panelists and learn about what is being done to support Florida’s most at-risk residents.
 

Member News
 

Special Announcement

In an effort to better serve all of our members and continue to grow our scholarship fund, we ask that if you plan to say more than your name and affiliation during self-introductions, you donate $5 or more to the scholarship box when it is passed. As you may remember, we decided to limit announcements in order to keep the meetings moving along in a timely manner. Providing an option to speak and asking those who want to speak about an event or their organization to donate will allow the scholarship fund to continue to grow.  As you all know, besides friendships and networking, providing scholarships is our reason for being.

Roberta Young recently traveled to Texas for her son’s wedding.  “It's special to me because he lived with his father after our divorce and now we are close.” Congratulations, Roberta.

Geri Trodick and American Trophy are hosting an Open House on March 12th from 5:30-8:00 for the Fort Lauderdale Executives Association. “I am inviting all BWA members to come and see my shop.” The address is 831 W. McNab Road, Pompano Beach 33060.

This from Durée Ross:  Durée & Company is now working with The Jills and Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in South Florida. In the last two years The Jills have sold over $1 billion worth of real estate. Coldwell Banker Residential Real eEstate is the No. 1 residential real estate brokerage in Miami-Dade and Broward. Details here:

http://dureeandcompany.com/its-all-about-pr-pr-pr-were-representing-the-no-1-residential-real-estate-team-in-the-us-floridas-no-1-real-estate-company/

Also, we have expanded our work with longtime client Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science and will now also be handling their new museum under construction in Downtown Miami in front of the PAMM scheduled to open in 2016.

Durée & Company is also celebrating 15 years.

Don't miss learning about the latest and most innovative medical and scientific procedures from 14 of South Florida's prestigious practitioners. Anita Finley is presenting the "Boomer Longevity Programmes" in partnership with Palm Beach State College, Boca Raton, starting with the 4th semi-annual C.U.R.E. (Cutting-edge Research & Education) Symposium, on Saturday, April 25 from 9 to 3 in the Countess deHoernle Lecture Hall on campus. Alpine Jaguar is the Grand Sponsor and other sponsors are welcome. For information, contact Anita Finley, Gerontologist/Talk Show Host & Publisher of BoomerTimes at srlife@gate.net  or call 561 735-6525.

The Salvation Army’s MOST Amazing Race will take place on Saturday March 21. Teams of 2 will race around downtown Ft. Lauderdale and the beach, deciphering clues and completing challenges. The race will begin and end at Laura Ward Plaza on the Riverwalk and will raise money for Salvation Army shelters. To register: http://donate.salvationarmyusa.org/MostAmazingRace-FortLauderdale/   For information call Sally Gress at 954-712-2431.

Meeting Dates
 

March 9, 2015

April 13, 2015

May 11, 2015

June 8, 2015