Lehigh Valley Families Together Inc.



center659006628130lehigh Valley Families Together Inc.annual report 2017-2018 Providing In-home Intervention, Reunification, Visit Coaching, Resource Family Care and Family Group Decision Making 8250027200lehigh Valley Families Together Inc.annual report 2017-2018 Providing In-home Intervention, Reunification, Visit Coaching, Resource Family Care and Family Group Decision Making Contents TOC \o "1-1" \h \z \u Message from the CEO PAGEREF _Toc531333112 \h 1Community Linkages PAGEREF _Toc531333113 \h 2Family Stories PAGEREF _Toc531333114 \h 14Statistics PAGEREF _Toc531333115 \h 20Statement of Financial Position PAGEREF _Toc531333116 \h 22Company Information PAGEREF _Toc531333117 \h 25Message from the CEOIt seems like only a short while ago that we were meeting to plan what would eventually become Lehigh Valley Families Together. In fact, we started our fifteenth year this past January. Consequently, the format used for this year’s annual report will look familiar, but the statistics and the organizations we have partnered with are cumulative from the beginning. The finances are for the 2017-2018 fiscal year as are the success stories that help bring to life the work that we do.Having recently read Shoe Dog, the true story of Phil Knight, the creator of Nike, it is fresh in my mind as to how start-ups can be successful along with the challenges faced while growing. There are never any guarantees of success.? The ability to navigate through the pitfalls is what makes the difference between success and failure. That, plus a little bit of luck along the way always helps. A little over 15 years ago when Allyn Benech and I were visualizing what LVFT could become, we felt it was important for us to remain as close to the fundamental services as possible. Throughout our 15 years, we have been consistent in doing that either through providing direct service or supervising those that are providing services. Too often good ideas that originally spark the genesis of an organization get lost as the originators lose engagement. We are ever mindful of that, and are committed to make every effort to prevent that from happening.So where do we go from here? We focus on working with families in the Lehigh Valley who have been challenged in order to help them get on a successful path, and to remain together or to be reunited with one another. We work with children that have been removed from their homes allowing them to heal and hopefully to return home.It’s been a privilege the past 15 years to have the opportunity to do this important work. I look forward to doing so in the years to come. President, CEO and Family WorkerSteven C. Brong Community LinkagesDuring the past 15 years of serving the Lehigh Valley, Lehigh Valley Families Together has worked with the following community agencies, linking our families with these nearby resources in order to facilitate supportive connections.Food BanksAllentown Area Ecumenical Food BankAngel Food MinistriesBenders Mennonite ChurchCatasauqua Food BankCatholic CharitiesCentral Elementary SchoolCity Limits of GodEaston Area Neighborhood CenterEverlasting MinistriesFaith Evangelical Free ChurchFood for FriendsGrace Evangelical Lutheran ChurchHope U. C. C.Inglesias 1st Corinthians 13Iglesias Jesus Christo Pentecostal ChurchJefferson School Food BankJewish Family ServicesLehigh County Conference of ChurchesMinistering HandsMosser VillageNew Bethany MinistriesNazareth Food BankNorthampton Area Food BankNorthern Lehigh Food BankPathwaysProject of EastonSt. Andrew’s Episcopal ChurchSt. Elizabeth/St. Joseph ChurchSt. Paul’s ChurchSalvation ArmySecond HarvestSlatington Food BankSyrian Arab AmericanSouthside Neighborhood CenterWegmans3257553257550Day Care/Education/EmploymentAC/JC Day CareAcademy SchoolAdeco Employment AgencyAdult Literacy CenterAll My Children Day CareAllentown School of CosmetologyAllied Personnel ServicesBackyard TreehouseBerks and BeyondBig Brother Big Sister of the Lehigh ValleyBoys and Girls Club – AllentownBright Hope – EastonCarbon Lehigh Intermediate UnitCare NetCareerLinkCASA GuadalupeCedar Crest CollegeCityspaceColonial Intermediate UnitCommunities in SchoolsCommunity Services for ChildrenCrayolaCreative MindsDay BreakDee’s Day CareDorney ParkDynamic StaffingERG StaffingESL ClassesEarly HeadStartEarly InterventionEarly Learning CenterEaston Community CenterEducation Law CenterFuntime DaycareGood ShepherdHead StartJobConnection ServicesLabor ReadyLaurel Youth ServicesLehigh Carbon Community CollegeLehigh Carbon Intermediate Units 20 & 21Lehigh Valley Child Care CenterLittle People Country ClubLocal School DistrictsMcCann Business SchoolMaking the Grade Program - PinebrookMilton Hershey SchoolMullen HallNorthampton Community CollegeOcasio’s Day CareOn the GoOpen LinePA Higher Education Assistance AgencyPA Office of Vocational RehabilitationPalmyra School DistrictPeople UnlimitedPerfect FitPetite Scholars Learning CenterPleasant Valley Intermediate UnitProject ConnectProject Peak (through Lehigh University)Project of Easton – Fowler Literacy CenterPublic LibrariesOffice of Vocational Rehabilitation (OVR)St. Anthony’s Hill Street Day CareSt. Margaret’s SchoolSafe StartSalvation Army After-School ProgramSpark ProgramSonia’s Little Angels DaycareStaffmarkStine’s Family Day CareSummer SizzleTeddy BearThe Caring PlaceThe Performance GroupThe Welcome PlaceTot Info/Child Care Information ServicesVitalistic Therapeutic CenterYoungsters Day CareYMCA Pre-K Counts ProgramSupplies and Housing AssistanceAllentown Housing AuthorityAllentown Rescue MissionAmerican Red CrossBethlehem Housing AuthorityCatholic CharitiesCenter for Independent LivingCommunity Action Committee of the Lehigh ValleyEaston Area Neighborhood CenterEaston Housing AuthorityHabitat for HumanityHispanic American OrganizationHope HouseLehigh County Conference of ChurchesLehigh Valley Outreach DepotLenscraftersLife ChoicesLifelineLIHEAPMary’s Shelter - Cay Galgon CenterMet-EdMorning Call “Be an Angel” CampaignNew Bethany Ministries-Restoration House ApartmentsNorthampton County Housing AuthorityPPL Cares Program PPL “On Track”PPL Wrap ProgramPA Department of Public Welfare PathwaysPennsylvania Utility CommissionPinebrook Family Answers Reentry ProgramProgram for Women and FamiliesProject of EastonRiver of Life ChurchSalisbury HouseSalvation ArmySlater Family NetworkSouth Bethlehem Neighborhood CenterSouthside MinistriesToys for TotsTurning PointUGIValley Housing Development CorporationValley Wide HelpYouth in Action NowVisiting Nurses AssociationWICMiscellaneousAPSARCAT&TA & P ApplianceAIDS Service CenterAllentown Health BureauAshley ManorAllentown Public LibraryBanana FactoryBerks County Deaf & Hard of HearingBethlehem Public LibraryBoys and Girls ClubBoy and Girl ScoutsBoyertown Oral SurgeryCamp CentralCASACCIS – Title XX OfficeChild Advocacy CenterChildren’s Home of EastonChildren’s Home of ReadingCommunity Action Committee of the Lehigh ValleyCommunity Bike WorksCommunity Service FoundationConcernConsumer Credit CounselingCraig’s ListCredit Counseling ServicesCrime Victims CouncilDiakonDomestic RelationsEaston Public LibraryElwynFamilies FirstForest Lab Manufacturing CompanyFree CycleFund to Benefit Children & Youth. Inc.Good ShepherdGood Shepherd Christian FellowshipHelwig Diabetes CenterHighway Safety ProgramHomestartJustice WorksKinder CareKindness ExchangeKutztown University Beginning Reading ProgramLafayette College Sports Day CampLANTALehigh County Adult Probation & ParoleLehigh County Cooperative ExtensionLehigh County Court of Common PleasLehigh County Family CourtLehigh County PFA OfficeLehigh County Walk-in Bench WarrantLehigh Valley Chamber of CommerceLehigh Valley Health Network Car Seat TrainingMagisterial District Court 3rd District (Cherryville)Metro PlusMustard Seed Clothing MinistryNational Epilepsy FoundationNew StoryNorth Penn Legal ServicesNorthampton & Lehigh County Custody OfficesNorthampton County Assistance OfficeNorthampton County Cooperative ExtensionNorthampton County Court of Common PleasNorthampton County Juvenile CourtNorthampton County PFA OfficeNorthampton County PrisonNorthampton County Probation OfficeNorthern Lehigh Community CenterOpportunity House – Veteran’s AffairsOutreach DepotPA Department of Human ServicesParent LineParent to ParentPennDotPfizer Manufacturing CompanyPfizer Pfriends Prescription AssistancePlanned ParenthoodProject ChildProject for PeoplePublic Defender’s Office of Lehigh CountyRCNSt. Andrew’s Evangelical Lutheran ChurchSt. Luke’s Dental ClinicSafeLink Cell Phone ServiceSafe StartSarah Smiles CampSecond MileService Electric Cable TVShawnee AcademyShiloh Baptist ChurchSocial Security AdministrationSpecial Kids NetworkTitle XX OfficeTioga ResidentialUnion Boulevard Auto SalesValley Youth House – Truancy Intervention ProgramVerizonWays to Work ProgramWegmansWells Fargo BankYetter Law OfficeYMCAYouth Advocate ProgramYouth in Action NowCounselingleft5334000Access ServicesAlternative Counseling AssociatesBehavioral Health SpecialistBerks Counseling CenterBet-El Counseling ServicesBethlehem Counseling ServicesCADACare NetCedar PointCenter for Integrative PsychotherapyCHIPClem-Mar Halfway HouseClub HouseCompassionate FriendsCommunity Care Behavioral HealthCommunity Voices ClinicCompeerConcernConewago – Lifetree Drug and AlcoholConfrontCreative PathwaysCrime Victims CouncilDr. Kinney - PsychologistDr. Lychak - PsychiatristDr. Ron EsteveDr. Park – PsychiatristDr. SaxenaDr. Veronique ValliereDrug & Alcohol Intake, Lehigh and Northampton CountiesFlorence Child Guidance CenterFountain Hill CounselingForensic Treatment ServicesGary Rute and AssociatesGenesisGlenn R. Koch & AssociatesHaven House Behavioral Health ServicesHispanic American OrganizationHolcomb Behavioral HealthHorsham ClinicJoanne Ngito – Play TherapyJody Matthews – Play TherapyKatie Coughlin & AssociatesKidsPeaceLVACTLVPG – MacungieLehigh and Northampton CrisisLehigh County Mental Health ClinicLehigh UniversityLehigh Valley Community Mental HealthLehigh Valley Family Health CenterLehigh Valley Hospital Mental Health ClinicLehigh Valley Muhlenburg Behavioral HealthLife GuidanceMagellan Behavioral HealthMarjorie ReaganMethodist ServicesNew Directions Treatment ServicesNew LifeNorthampton County MH/MRNortheast Treatment ServicesNorthwestern Human ServicesOmni Health ServicesPA MentorPeer Recovery PartnershipsPinebrook Family AnswersProgressionsPyramidReading SpecialistsRecovery RevolutionReDCo GroupRiversideRyan’s TreeSt. Luke’s Behavioral HealthStep by StepStephen’s House TASC – Berks CountyThe Program for Women and FamiliesTurning Point – Domestic Violence CounselingUnited Health AARPValley Counseling GroupValley Youth HouseWarm LineWarwick Family Services41148024511000Shelters and Housing3rd Street Alliance for Women & Children6th Street ShelterAllentown Housing AuthorityAllentown Rescue MissionAlliance for Building CommunitiesAmerican Red CrossBucks County PrisonComfort SuitesHealth Professional Recovery ProgramMary’s Shelter - Cay Galgon CenterHamilton Services Group Inc.New Bethany MinistriesNorthampton & Lehigh County PrisonPathwaysRestoration HouseRoof Over Family ShelterRuth’s PlaceSafe HarborSalisbury House-Behavioral HealthSalvation Army Hospitality HouseSection 8 ProgramStep by StepTurner Street ApartmentsTurning PointValley Youth House ShelterVictoria Village49720527432000Health and MedicalAIDS Service CenterAllentown Health BureauAmeriHealth CaritasAmeriHealth MercyAspen DentalAutism Support GroupAverhealthBerks County Deaf & Hard of HearingCHIPCHOPChildren’s Dental AssociationD & A IntakeDental DreamsDr. BlasiolDr. CantorDr. Greenspan - ENTDental DreamsEaston Family PracticeEaston HospitalEyelandForensic Treatment SpecialistsGatewayGeisinger Medical CenterGood ShepherdHershey Medical CenterHumana Health InsuranceKeystone Health InsuranceKidscare BethlehemKidscare Union Station in EastonKidspeace HospitalLenscraftersLehigh Valley Hospital NetworkMetro PlusNew DirectionsOutpatient Pediatrics-LVHPA Department of Public WelfarePath NursePlanned ParenthoodPyramid Drug & AlcoholQuest DiagnosticsRiversideSt. Christopher’s Children’s HospitalSt. Luke’s Dental VanSt. Luke’s Family Practice CenterSt. Luke’s HospiceSt. Luke’s HospitalSacred Heart HospitalSASSISegal CenterSmile KraftersUnited Health InsuranceValley Forge Medical CenterVisiting Nurses AssociationVital RecordsWalmart Vision CenterWhite Deer RunWill’s Eye CenterFamily StoriesLuke and ClaireLehigh Valley Families Together began working with the Hampton family in December of 2017. We were called in by Northampton County Children, Youth, and Families after concerns were raised over inappropriate discipline and parenting techniques. When we initially met Luke and Claire, they reported that their parenting style reflected their culture’s approach and was how they were both raised as first generation Americans. We immediately began to provide them with parenting education and instruction to help them develop more appropriate parenting styles. We also furnished them with child development education to better understand the needs and growth of both of their children. After working with the family for a month, it was clear that their eldest son Bobby struggled with behavioral issues at home and in school. We developed a plan for the parents to address his behavioral issues in the home, and also set up a meeting with them and school personnel which we also attended. Afterwards, we connected them to Behavioral Health Rehabilitation Services through Valley Youth House. Once BHRS services began, coupled with the new parenting techniques and styles we taught them through our parenting education program, the parents, school, and our team began to see an improvement in Bobby’s behavior. In addition to addressing Bobby’s behavioral issues, we helped connect Luke and Claire to mental health and protective parenting treatment services. Through treatment, Luke and Claire further recognized the areas in which they could improve their thoughts, actions, and overall parenting skills. We worked with them to implement many of the tools they learned in treatment that further assisted them in developing a loving and safe home environment. Despite the issues that were initially present when our team met the family, Luke and Claire worked hard alongside our team to implement positive life-long changes that directly benefited not only their child’s life, but their relationship as a couple, as parents, and as individuals. Towards the end of our services, the family continued to make strong and positive steps in the right direction that resulted in great improvement of the family dynamic and home environment. Due to their significant progress, Northampton County Children, Youth, and Families vacated court involvement, and after a month and a half of continued work by our team, the County successfully closed this case. As a family, the Hampton’s are the epitome of how once paired with the right services and connections, a family can begin to flourish and improve far beyond their circumstances or past issues. EDWARD AND ASHLEYEdward and Ashley were referred to Lehigh Valley Families Together in January of 2018 when Ashley had her third child, Ed Jr., and both tested positive for drugs. Children and Youth Services had been involved with the couple for some time as they were noncompliant with CYS recommendations. The couple had three children together, though they only had custody of the youngest child, Ed Jr. Their other children resided with Ashley’s parents, who were legally responsible for the two older children.The bond between Edward and Ashley was noticeably strong, and their commitment to one another acted as a positive motivator to move in the right direction. The family faced a number of problems including drug and alcohol abuse, lack of transportation, and financial concerns. Edward had a prior DUI conviction which resulted in the suspension of his license for over a year. This greatly impacted the family’s ability to get to necessary appointments as well as urine screens in Allentown. Edward and his son Ed Jr. resided with his father in western Lehigh County, while Ashley lived separately. The couple lived apart because the court issued a safety plan that prevented Ashley from residing with her son, Ed Jr. due to her drug use. This caused strain on the couple’s relationship as well as their financial stability. Ashley felt bad that she couldn’t be with her son and often missed the baby’s developmental milestones. We provided Ashley with supportive counseling which encouraged her to keep focused on her goal of being reunited with Edward and the baby.When Ashley failed to appear in court for a previous criminal offense, a warrant was issued for her arrest and she was incarcerated overnight, until bail was posted. During this time, LVFT was able to assist in transporting Ashley to several court hearings as well as applying for a public defender. Prior to this, Ashley had a difficult time admitting that she had an addiction problem. The incarceration experience acted as a motivator for her to take her actions more seriously in order to reunify with her son. Both parents were employed full time at McDonalds, but their financial stability was impacted by their combined court costs and legal fees. During LVFT’s involvement, we were able to assist Edward with an application for food stamps. This was a challenging task because living with his father prevented him from receiving benefits. LVFT was able to advocate that Edward’s income should not be combined with his father’s income. Ultimately he was granted health benefits as well as food stamps. Due to the couple’s limited income, LVFT felt that it was paramount that they apply for Title XX subsidized childcare. Once approved, Edward and Ashley were able to maintain their fulltime employment. Additionally, it alleviated much of the strain on James who provided care for Ed Jr. while Edward was at work or attending appointments. As Ashley grew more responsible, she began to regain the trust and respect of Edward’s father James. This was a monumental achievement as James was originally opposed to Ashley moving in with him if the family was reunified. This relieved much of the frustration and strain in their household. As our time with the family came to a close, we saw growth in Edward and Ashley as they began to spend more time with their son and fully take on the role of parents. The family also became more responsible with their finances and paid down their court costs significantly. Demonstrating sobriety and accountability encouraged James to open his home to allow Ashley to move in with him and Edward and be responsible for raising their son. tORITori was referred to Lehigh Valley Families Together due to failure to attend school and was placed in foster care in July of 2017. This was not Tori’s first time in a resource home with Lehigh Valley Families Together. She was placed in our resource family care program previously, also due to a lack of school attendance, and spent about four months with LVFT before successfully reunifying with her family. During Tori’s first placement at LVFT, she created quite a bond with her resource mother and requested that she live with her again during this placement. Upon meeting Tori for the first time, LVFT staff found her to be a respectful and sweet young woman. However, it was also noted that she had been through a significant amount of trauma, and that she held this weight of trauma with her tightly. As time went on and LVFT staff got to know Tori better, it was clear that her family was a focal point in Tori’s life. She spoke often about missing her younger siblings and her mother, and how frustrated she was that she was being kept away from them. It was a hard adjustment for Tori to go from helping her mother watch her siblings every day, to being placed in foster care and being told that her only job was to go to school and to “be a kid.” Visits with her family were the highlight of Tori’s week. She regularly visited with them for a few months and was even granted an overnight visit on Thanksgiving. Things seemed to be going well. Tori was attending school on a regular basis and doing what she needed to do in order to reunite with her family. However, in December, Tori received some heartbreaking news. She was told that her mother was evicted from her apartment and was now homeless. Tori lost contact with not just her, but all of her siblings as well. Court occurred in January and Tori’s hopes of being reunited with her family were crushed, as she was told that she would not be able to be with them again until her mother established stable housing. The next couple of months were very rough for Tori. As she struggled with the news about her family, a change in her school attendance was noticed. Her resource mother raised concerns about Tori regularly saying that she had a migraine that kept her from going to school. She also started to fail a few classes and seemed to lack motivation while at school. It was recommended that Tori start outpatient therapy. During her intake appointment, she rated very high on the depression scale. It was not until visits started once again, now that her mother secured a room in a local shelter, that Tori seemed happy again. She saw the light at the end of the tunnel and was not absent from school again. Her grades improved, and she reported that her motivation was knowing that going to school and getting good grades was her way of securing that she would be reunited with her family. Court occurred once more in April and Tori was given some good news. The judge told her that if she continued to go to school and “be a kid,” he would grant her permission to reunite with her mother and younger siblings once the school year ended. Tori was ecstatic! The rest of the school year went without a hiccup, and she successfully reunited with her family, making her feel complete once again. JANE AND JOHNJane and John Morgen were referred to Lehigh Valley Families Together because of allegations of medical neglect and their impending homelessness. The family also struggled with mental health and physical health challenges, with Jane struggling to control her diabetes and bi-polar disorder. We worked closely with the family for more than a year to reunify them with their son Ethan.We became acquainted with the family for the first time at the Wood Spring Suites, where they had extended their stay while looking for more appropriate housing. From the beginning, Jane had reservations about locking into a lease because they intended to relocate to New Jersey once Ethan was returned to their care. Despite this, Jane and John finally accepted LVFT’s urgings and signed a lease for appropriate housing in order to be reunited with Ethan. Both parents also followed Children, Youth, and Family Services recommendations to complete forensic treatment services. Jane was referred to protective parenting classes and was willing to comply with the treatment. She also continued to see her counselor weekly and accepted medication for her bi-polar disorder.Due to Jane’s medical needs, she was unable to hold down a job, while John started and left various employment opportunities. Throughout their ups and downs, they maintained full contact with LVFT. After several months, the Morgens were granted overnight visitation on the weekends. Unfortunately, this had to be halted with Jane’s non-compliance with protective parenting treatment. With the help of LVFT’s effective parenting recommendations, Jane was able to begin to use appropriate discipline and language with Ethan. After about a year of involvement with LVFT, both parents were showing positive parent-child interaction during visitations, thus leading to unsupervised visitation from Thursday to Monday weekly at the family home.As more time passed and the parents became more confident in their parenting style with Ethan, John had to leave for Puerto Rico due to a family emergency. Jane relied heavily on LVFT during this time, and met with us consistently. She stated that while it was difficult for her to parent with John gone, it was a good learning experience for her. While she and John previously had some relationship difficulties, they had improved their co-parenting, and the time spent apart made Jane realize how much of an impact John had on her and Ethan as a family. Around the end of the time that LVFT spent with the Morgens, Jane suffered many medical emergencies with respect to her diabetes. Despite the loss of her toe and many nights spent in the hospital, both parents maintained contact with LVFT, meeting often. They were able to continue to effectively co-parent and look for other housing. As we saw this progress, we began to focus on the closure of our services, putting emphasis on stable housing and employment for both parents. We assisted the family with finding housing in the area, as well as supporting possible housing in New Jersey. There were many ups and downs to the Morgen family’s story, yet these hardships brought the family closer. We were able to reunite Ethan with his parents after almost a year and a half out of the home. The family now resides in New Jersey all together at last. With the support and enthusiasm of Lehigh Valley Families Together, reunification was not only possible but successful.MICHAEL and TylerMichael and Tyler are brothers, ages nine and two respectively when they were placed into care with Lehigh Valley Families Together by Children & Youth Services. Their home environment was deplorable and Tyler had a condition called “failure to thrive.” They were placed with the Hernandez family in January 2017. In the beginning, it was clear Michael had assumed a parental role with Tyler as he would try to bathe him and change his diapers. Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez began working to discourage these types of parental actions but still encourage him to be a big brother. Tyler was a happy child with the ability to entertain himself with a variety of toys, but he spoke only a few words and had his own form of sign language. It was important to enroll him in Early Intervention services, and he showed improvement soon after he started. Throughout their stay with the Hernandez family, the boys had visits with their mother twice weekly at the County as well as phone contact. During visits, Mom was interactive and appropriate. She would bring juice boxes and snacks and held each child responsible for cleaning up at the end of the visits. Michael was also able to visit with Tyler’s biological father weekly as they were both interested in visiting with each other. And Michael would later be able to visit with his biological father weekly. In school, Michael displayed troublesome behaviors on various occasions such as making sexual gestures and sounds, saying he was dumb or wanting to harm himself. Michael can exaggerate stories and at times was caught lying. Michael’s mother reported a history of bullying while he attended a different school. After a Functional Behavior Assessment was completed, a positive behavior plan was created for the next school year. In the meantime, school staff, service providers, resource parents, and biological parents would emphasize and reward positive behaviors. In months to follow, Michael decreased his disruptive behaviors at school and outpatient therapy services through KidsPeace were going well. Both brothers had bonded strongly with the Hernandez family and integrated themselves in the family. Tyler was potty-trained and very proud of this accomplishment. When two other children close to his age were also placed with the Hernandez family, Tyler became even more interactive and verbal. Michael also seemed to be comfortable in his role as a big brother and his behaviors seemed to calm down once the weekly visits with his father were allowed. By August 2017, it looked like the brothers would be able to remain with the Hernandez family due to the length of time in placement, and it was evident the brothers wanted to stay with them. However, in November, Michael began to exhibit troubling behaviors again in school. He was angry, defiant, lacked personal boundaries, and was caught setting fires. These actions led to two out-of-school suspensions. Michael also missed several visitations with his dad when dad canceled. This was a difficult time for Michael, but Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez helped to support him and provided constant communication to LVFT staff and school personnel. Michael was described as helpful and often kind in the home. He enjoyed assisting Mrs. Hernandez around the house and working on cars with Mr. Hernandez. Michael joined a Ju-Jitsu class and shared in the passion of this art with Mr. Hernandez. Ju-Jitsu became a great method of motivation to encourage improvement of Michael’s behavior in school. Throughout the summer months of 2018, both boys improved. Tyler advanced in activity level and speech ability. He was interacting well with two other children close in age in the home. His weekly speech therapy sessions through Early Intervention were going well. He would be enrolled in Early Head Start in September where he would have the opportunity to further develop both socially and educationally. Michael got into trouble a few times in the home, however he was able to self-report these incidents, which was considered a sign of great progress. On a few occasions he had the opportunity to visit with an older brother, which went well. During weekly therapy sessions, Michael was opening up with his therapist. As summer came to a close and the seasons changed, so did the plans for their future. An aunt from Wyoming stepped forward as a possible permanent guardian for the brothers. The Court, though, decided it did not have grounds to terminate parental rights; therefore, adoption was no longer a possibility. Since the Hernandezes and the boys’ parents had a good relationship, the Court decided the next best option was to explore subsidized permanent legal custodianship. Under this arrangement, Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez would have legal guardianship of the boys, and the biological parents would have visitation rights. Both sets of parents were in agreement with this. Michael and Tyler were both enthusiastic with the decision and were pleased to have the best of both worlds. Michael and Tyler dressed up “fancy” and wore their biggest smiles for Court. On September 20th, 2018 Michael and Tyler gained Mr. and Mrs. Hernandez as their legal guardians. The Hernandezes are enjoying their new additions to the family and have expressed their interest to continue to foster with LVFT. Statistics Families Served 2002-2018Northampton County: 962 Families and Lehigh County: 631 FamiliesChildren Served 2002-2018Northampton County: 2,329 Children and Lehigh County: 1,381 ChildrenIn-Home Service Families Northampton County – 873 Families and 2,159 ChildrenLehigh County – 592 Families and 1,312 ChildrenFoster Care Placements (Since 2007)Northampton County – 170 ChildrenLehigh County – 69 ChildrenVisit Coaching FamiliesNorthampton County – 11 FamiliesLehigh County – 20 FamiliesFamily Group Decision Making FamiliesNorthampton County – 78 FamiliesLehigh County – 19 FamiliesStatement of Financial PositionJune 30,20182017ASSETSCash$355,827$334,460Accounts receivable61,59357,518Prepaid expenses16,64712,420Security deposit1,2001,200Property and equipment, net4,4318,603Total Assets$439,698$414,201LIABILITIESAccounts payable9,4284,646Accrued expenses24,39629,463Total Assets 33,824 =SUM(ABOVE) 34,109NET ASSETS - UNRESTRICTED405,874380,092Total Liabilities and Net Assets$439,698$414,201June 30,20182017REVENUEProgram FeesLehigh County221,096$263,385Northampton County564,011489,801Total Program Fees785,107 =SUM(ABOVE) $753,186Miscellaneous revenue3,128457Interest10899Total Revenue788,343753,742ExpensesProgram services685,357680,428Management and general77,20475,468Total Expenses762,561 =SUM(ABOVE) 755,896CHANGES IN NET ASSETS25,782(2,154)UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, JULY 1380,092382,246UNRESTRICTED NET ASSETS, JUNE 30$405,874$380,092Years EndedJune 30,20182017CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIESCash received from program services$784,160$763,176Cash received from interest income10899Cash paid to suppliers and employees(762,901)(755,144)Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities21,367 =SUM(ABOVE) 8,131CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIESPurchases of equipment0(2,164)Net Cash Used in Financing Activities0(2,164)NET INCREASE IN CASH21,3675,967CASH, JULY 1334,460328,493CASH, JUNE 30$355,827$334,460Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow InformationNon Cash Operating ActivitiesIn-Kind Contributions$2,230 0RECONCILIATION OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETSTO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIESCHANGES IN NET ASSETS$25,782(2,154)RECONCILIATIONOF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIESDepreciation4,172 4,063Changes in operating assets and liabilitiesDecrease (increase) in accounts receivable(4075) 9,533Increase in prepaid expenses(4,227) 2,745(Decrease) increase in accounts payable4,782 (8,495)Increase in accrued expenses(5,067) 2,439NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES$21,367$8,131Company InformationLehigh Valley Families Together Inc.928 Union Boulevard First FloorAllentown, PA 18109Tel 610.432.9420Fax 610.432.9423 ................
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