Official Press Releases

Sapulpa

Debra Rudman | Visual Image — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:04:41 GMT

Choices For Life To Host Leave Your Mark Event In Support Of National Foster Care Month

SAPULPA, OKLAHOMA — April 3, 2008 — Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc. will recognize Mary Walters at the annual Leave Your Mark event on May 8, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. The event, which will be held at Freddie’s Bar-B-Que & Steak House located on New Sapulpa Road, is intended to raise awareness of the month of May as National Foster Care Month, and pay tribute to the support given by local leaders to the organization’s Therapeutic Foster Care program.

Walters, through her position as executive director of Community Care Inc., provides food, clothing, and infant and child necessities to families in need living in Creak County. When funding is available, financial assistance is also provided to families to cover utility bills and prescription costs. In her private capacity, Walters also acts as program manager for Share of Colorado (a food program), is president of the Sapulpa Community Theater, sits on the board of directors for Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma, and teaches weakly self-esteem and goal-setting classes at the Oklahoma Victory Transformation Center.

As part of the awards ceremony, Walters will be given a bench decorated with handprints of the children on the Choices For Life foster program, and placed in a location of her choice. The bench will serve as a reminder of the need for therapeutic foster care, while encouraging the public to consider becoming foster families (or as they are otherwise known, Treatment Parent Specialists).

“We are constantly inspired by the relentless and selfless work provided by Mary to the under-privileged families residing in our community,” said Douglas C. Fellrath, CEO of Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc. “Attendants at the Leave Your Mark event will be given the opportunity to learn more about what the community as a whole can do to help those in vulnerable situations, especially information on how to provide greater assistance to therapeutic foster care.”

The Choices for Life Therapeutic Foster Care program combines professional foster homes with an intensive and personalized therapy program. Subsequently, children and adolescents are able to benefit from the stability and support provided by a trained foster family, while at the same time, they receive professional therapy from qualified counselors. The program is designed specifically to help children with severe emotional issues that may be the result of previous abuse. More information on the program will be readily available at the event.

In 2006, 58.02% of the 27,172 children who experienced neglect or abuse in the state of Oklahoma were under six years of age.

Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc., which was established in 1997, is an active member of the Oklahoma Therapeutic Foster Care Association, the professional association of all therapeutic care provider agencies in Oklahoma. The organization has also been a national member of the Foster Family-based Treatment Association since 2001 and is accredited by the Council of Accreditation. The organization, which was founded in Oklahoma and has served over 1,500 children in the state, now also operates in Georgia. Visit cflfostercare.com or call (405) 751-0800 for more information.

Checotah

Debra Rudman | Visual Image — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:05:23 GMT

Choices for Life To Honor Local Leader In Support Of National Foster Care Month

CHECOTAH, OKLAHOMA — March 31, 2008 — Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc. will recognize Richard C. Hatfield Jr. at the second annual Leave Your Mark event to be held at 229 West Gentry, Checotah on May 13, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. The event is intended to raise awareness of the month of May as National Foster Care Month, and pay tribute to a local leader for work done with children in the foster care community and for creating a positive partnership with the organization’s Therapeutic Foster Care program.

Hatfield, a superintendent with Wilson Public Schools in Okmulgee County, has been involved in the education industry for over 27 years, and has held positions of secondary teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal over his career. In his current role as superintendant, Hatfield accommodates many of the foster children in local schools in the district, allowing them access to education while they receive necessary therapy for abuse or neglect.

“We are so grateful to Richard Hatfield for the compassion, understanding and commitment he has shown to our foster children,” said Douglas C. Fellrath, CEO of Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc. “Richard goes above the call of duty to ensure that these children receive the best possible school experience, while accommodating extraordinary challenges that they face while receiving therapy on the program.”

As part of the awards ceremony, Hatfield will be given a bench decorated with handprints of the children on the foster program, and placed in a location of his choice. The bench will serve as a reminder of the need for therapeutic foster care, while encouraging the public to consider becoming foster families or as they are otherwise known, Treatment Parent Specialists.

The Choices for Life Therapeutic Foster Care program combines professional foster homes with an intensive and personalized therapy program. Subsequently, children and adolescents are able to benefit from the stability and support provided by a trained foster family, while at the same time, they receive professional therapy from qualified counselors. The program is designed specifically to help children with severe emotional issues that may be the result of previous abuse. More information on the program will be readily available at the event.

“Attendants at the Leave Your Mark event will be given the opportunity to learn what community leaders are doing to provide greater assistance in therapeutic foster care, and they will gain valuable insight into the journey of a child who has successfully completed our foster program,” said Fellrath.

In 2006, 58.02% of the 27,172 children who experienced neglect or abuse in the state of Oklahoma were under six years of age.

Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc., which was established in 1997, is an active member of the Oklahoma Therapeutic Foster Care Association, the professional association of all therapeutic care provider agencies in Oklahoma. The organization has also been a national member of the Foster Family-based Treatment Association since 2001 and is accredited by the Council of Accreditation. The organization, which was founded in Oklahoma and has served over 1,500 children in the state, now also operates in Georgia. Visit cflfostercare.com or call (405) 751-0800 for more information.

Oklahoma City

Debra Rudman | Visual Image — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:02:32 GMT

Choices for Life Pays Tribute to Local Leader

OKLAHOMA CITY — March 28, 2008 — Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc. is scheduled to honor David Gadberry at the second annual Leave Your Mark Event at the Sportsman’s Country Club on May 22, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. The event is held each year to pay tribute to a local leader for their outstanding work with children in the foster care community and for their positive partnership with the organization’s Therapeutic Foster Care program. Gadberry, a senior associate pastor at the Church of the Harvest, will be recognized for his work with the Royal Family Kids’ Camp. The Christian-based, week-long camp provides a safe environment for foster children to receive one-on-one support, understanding and encouragement from an adult camp counselor.

As part of the awards ceremony, Gadberry will be given a bench decorated with handprints of the children on the foster program, and placed in a location of his choice. The bench will serve as a reminder of the need for therapeutic foster care, while encouraging the public to consider becoming foster families or as they are otherwise known, Treatment Parent Specialists.

“We are grateful to pastor Gadberry for the unforgettable experience he provides our children,” said Douglas C. Fellrath, CEO of Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc. “The week at camp arms these children with positive reinforcement that greatly aids in their development and treatment within the therapeutic foster care model.”

The Choices for Life Therapeutic Foster Care program combines professional foster homes with an intensive and personalized therapy program. Subsequently, children and adolescents are able to benefit from the stability and support provided by a trained foster family, while at the same time, they receive individual, family and group therapy from qualified counselors. The program is designed specifically to help children with emotional issues and traumatic histories that may be the result of previous abuse.

Choices for Life Foster Care, Inc., which was established in 1997, is an active member of the Oklahoma Therapeutic Foster Care Association, the professional association of all therapeutic care provider agencies in Oklahoma. The organization has also been a national member of the Foster Family-based Treatment Association since 2001 and is accredited by the Council of Accreditation. The organization, which was founded in Oklahoma and has served over 1,500 children in the state, now also operates in Georgia. Visit cflfostercare.com or call (405) 751-0800 for more information.

May 22, 2008 (OKC Leave Your Mark Celebration)
	Awaiting to present the Leave Your Mark Bench and Award to David Gadberry.

	David addressing the audience after receiving the award and bench from Doug Fellrath (president of Choices for Life Foster Care).