FROM JUDITH'S DESK
Self-care includes any intentional actions you take to care for your physical, mental and emotional health. Too often, we are so busy taking care of others that we neglect our own needs, and I’m as guilty of that as the rest of us.
To help you take care of yourself, Hawaii Youth Services Network and National Association of Social Workers are sponsoring two Self-Care workshops in July on Oahu and Maui. You can participate in presentations on burnout and secondary trauma, compassion fatigue, and meditation. You can get a massage, color a beautiful picture, meditate, or practice yoga.. Oahu participants will have a therapy dog to pet. See workshop announcements with registration links elsewhere in this newsletter. HYSN member agencies get a discounted rate!
Each year, HYSN helps its staff practice self-care through its annual staff teambuilding day. We choose something fun to do together. This year we did a live escape room that tested our skills and wits. It was filled with a series of challenges we had to solve by working together. We had to determine who the double agent was who had infiltrated our organization. Our suspicions led us to a certain someone, but we needed proof to support our case against him/her and reveal to everyone his/her true plans.
Did we succeed in escaping? No. According to our hosts we needed about 8 more minutes to complete the remaining puzzles. Did we have fun? You bet! I didn’t once think about the grant proposals I’m writing or the audit we just completed. Instead I got to watch Darlene on her hands and knees reaching into a cabinet to feel the raised numbers that were the combination to a lock. The staff got to hear me shriek “I’ve got it!” at the top of my lungs when I opened the lock. And we were all excited when Jennifer swiped the Queen of Hearts card and a picture swung open to reveal the secret entrance to the next room.
I’d like to share a few ideas for self-care with you:
- Start a compliments file. Document the great things people say about you to read later.
- Be selfish. Do one thing today just because it makes you happy.
- Check in with your emotions. Sit quietly and just name without judgment what you’re feeling.
- Use your commute for a "Beauty Scavenger Hunt." Find five unexpected beautiful things on your way to work.
- Register for the HYSN/NASW workshops on Self-Care today!
RESOURCES
HAWAII ISLAND SCHOOL SUPPLIES DISTRIBUTION
Free school supplies distribution on the island of Hawaii will take place July 11- 29. Pre-registration is required.
Families that complete the Hawaiian Community Assets financial education workshop are eligible for one bag of school supplies for each school age child in the home. Call 808-965-5550 to register.
Families that do not complete the Hawaiian Community Assets financial education workshop can register beginning July 1st. They will be limited to a maximum of 3 bags per family. One bag per school age child in the home.
Basic supplies for grades K-12 may include: a back pack, flash drive, pencils, pens, paper, ruler, markers or crayons, and other basic school supplies.
Call Neighborhood Place of Puna to sign up or for more information.
Donations of supplies made by: Akaka Falls Lion’s Club, Big Isle Moving and Draying, Inc., Neighborhood Place of Puna, HFS Federal Credit Union, and The Salvation Army – FIS.
FOSTER CARE TRANSITION TOOLKIT AVAILABLE
The U.S. Department of Education released the Foster Care Transition Toolkit to inspire and support current and former foster youth pursuing college and career opportunities. The Foster Care Transition Toolkit includes tips and resources intended to help foster youth access and navigate social, emotional, educational, and skills barriers as they transition into adulthood. While the toolkit is written for foster youth, it's also meant to be a resource for caseworkers, care givers, teachers and mentors to help foster youth. This toolkit was developed in partnership with the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, and Labor, in addition to youth and practitioners involved in the child welfare system.
Who is this toolkit for?
This toolkit was developed with two audiences in mind. First and foremost, this toolkit is intended to help youth currently in foster care and young adults formerly in foster care access the information and resources needed to begin their transition to young adulthood.
Second, this toolkit can be a resource for caring and supportive adults.
Access the Foster Care Transition Toolkit at:
http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/foster-care/youth-transition-toolkit.pdf
ZIKA VIRUS IN HAWAII INFORMATION AVAILABLE
The Hawaii Department of Health has produced an informational site for residents and visitors seeking information about the Zika virus. Zika is not currently circulating in Hawaii, but the mosquito species that could potentially carry Zika are found here. Mosquitos in Hawaii can carry a number of diseases of concern, including dengue fever and avian malaria.
Visit the DOH Website to learn about Zika virus and the risks here in Hawaii.
INSIDE HYSN
SELF-CARE WORKSHOPS
Honolulu: Friday, July 15, 8:30 – 4:00 pm
Maui: Friday, July 29 – Save the Date – Registration opens soon
Hosted by NASW Hawai’I and HYSN
6 CEUs
Register for Honolulu workshop
HYSN ANNUAL MEETING
Thursday, July 14
10:00 a.m.- 1:00 p.m.
Airport Honolulu Hotel
| Cost: | $25 HYSN Member |
| $35 Non-Member | |
| Includes lunch and 1 DVD copy of Take a Stand, Lend a Hand video | |
| Featuring: | Clyde Aikau, Homeless Student Liaison, Hawaii Dept of Education and champion surfer |
| Take a Stand, Lend a Hand, HYSN’s ne bullying prevention video |
For more information or to request airfare scholarship for HYSN member agencies, please contact Jennifer Fonseca at jennifer@hysn.org or 808-489-9549.