Page 2 - Florida Sentinel 9-23-16 Online Edition

Features
Tampa Zip Code Ranks Highest In State
For Child Removals
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel city Editor
On any given day, children are removed from their homes for various reasons through- out the country. While it may be necessary to remove children from their homes, the goal of the child welfare system is to reunite families.
However, there never seems to be enough foster families available to accept these chil- dren. Pastor Moses Brown, a member of the Advisory Board for Eckerd Kids, said there is a great need for homes.
Statistics pertaining to the removal of the children are retained by zip code. Currently, the 33610 zip code has the highest rate of re- moval of children in the state.
Pastor Brown said, “If we don’t do some- thing these numbers are going to continue to spiral. And the community is not even aware of it.
“We need more foster families, but we also need to prevent some of these removals. We need the involvement of the churches and the community.”
Ms. Adrienne Drew, External Relations Manager for Eckerd Kids said, “We are trying to recruit more foster families. Our main goal is to get the word out about our needs for fos- ter families.”
Once the decision has been made to re- move a child from the home, the child is placed in a foster home.
Ms. Lesa Sims, Director of Programs for Eckerd Hillsborough said, “It is very hard to find a place to accept siblings. It’s very hard to keep them together. And, if they can’t be placed in the area where they live, then they must go outside of the neighborhood.
“We want to thank those who have opened their doors to these children. But we need members of the community to provide support through mentoring and foster parenting.”
Children are removed from their homes
SAD CHILD
because of reports of abuse or neglect. Once a child is removed, if he or she cannot be placed in the area, then there is a change of place- ment at school and they are separated from their friends.
According to statistics released by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, in 2015, there were 65 shelters. To date, there have been 64 shelters in 2016.
Ms. Drew said that while the 33610 zip code has the highest removal rate, children are also reunited with their families back into the area. From January 2015 to June 2016, 124 children were reunited.
In some instances, the children find homes through permanent guardianship and adop- tion.
She also said that 99 of those children were returned to their homes within a 12-month pe- riod. The ultimate goal is to reunite the fami- lies. However, in some instances it becomes necessary to terminate the parents’ rights and the child becomes available for adoption.
Anyone wanting more information about becoming a foster parent, adoption, or any other information can call 1-800-554-4357.
‘Unity In The Community’ Event
Brings Residents And Agencies Together
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
During the spring, mem- bers of the Positive Images Committee had scheduled the “First Unity In The Commu- nity” Event. It was designed to bring all members together to socialize in a positive way.
However, inclement weather put a damper on the event. Recently, Committee members decided to have the event again, adding even more events, displays and vendors than before.
The event will be held on Sunday, October 16th, at Cen- tennial Park, 1800 E. 18th Av- enue, (corner of 8th Avenue and E. 18th Avenue), from 12 noon until 6 p.m.
Tampa Fire Chief Tom Forward said, “Once again, the City of Tampa’s Positive Image Committee will be bringing together the “Unity In The Community” event. We are again encouraging all members of the community to not only come out to a festive affair, but also an educational and fully family-friendly event.
“This event will feature City and County governmental agencies along with other major service organizations as well.
“This will give members of the community the opportunity to get answers to their ques- tions. They will have an oppor- tunity to meet with and discuss your concerns with the individ- ual who can address them di- rectly,” Chief Forward said.
Members of the Positive Images Committee are inviting people from all walks of life, all ethnicities, all cultures, all ages, and all religions to come together in an afternoon of fun and entertainment. They want members of churches, organi- zations, businesses local gov-
TOM FORWARD Tampa Fire Chief and member of the Positive
Images Committee
ernment, as well as individuals and families to participate in the event.
The event will feature ven- dors offering a wide variety of different types of food, infor- mation ranging from health to finances, and family-oriented activities. There will be an his- torical displays that discuss the origins and story of various fractions of the community will be at the park.
There will be an antique and classic car show. The Tampa Fire Department will have its equipment on display, while the Tampa Police De- partment and Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office will have Mounted Police and its vehicles on display.
The three honorary Co- Chairpersons are Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Tampa Police Chief Eric Ward, and David Gee, the Hillsborough County Sheriff.
For more information about the event contact Mar- vin Knight at (813) 453-5690; Chief Tom Forward at (813) 334-5705; or Ms. Trienicia Washington at (813) 928- 3879. Andy Scaglione, Doug Belden, or Joseph Capitano, Sr., can be reached at (813) 247-4731.
33610
33610
PAGE 2-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2016