Frontier Times - Frontier Health

July, 2024

Addressing the Urgent Need for Foster Families in Tennessee

Tennessee faces a critical shortage of foster families, a situation exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have seen a drastic drop in foster homes since COVID, and we are desperately trying to build our families back up,” says Richard Rourk, TRACES Therapeutic Foster Care Recruiter/Trainer. TRACES Therapeutic Foster Care urgently calls on families to consider fostering children in need. In the United States, over 390,000 children were in foster care in 2021. Within Tennessee, around 7,500 children are in foster care at any given time, with about 350 of these children available for adoption without an identified adoptive home. Tragically, approximately 1,000 children age out of care in Tennessee each year, often without the support and stability a family provides. “It’s hard to see so many wonderful children age out of the system without the bonds of a loving family,” said Rourk.

Despite the challenges, the rewards of fostering are immense and often overlooked. Foster parents frequently share that fostering has profoundly enriched their lives. “TRACES foster parents are top-notch,” TRACES Therapeutic Foster Care and Safe Place Case Manager Margaret Powers explains. “They are in this for the children, willing to open their homes and hearts to children in need.” These families, though diverse, share a common trait: they care deeply and are not afraid to show it. The dedicated staff at TRACES also see the rewards in the meaningful connections they form and the lives they help transform. TRACES supports its foster families with 24-hour on-call assistance, financial support, outstanding case manager support, free pre-service training, and ongoing training opportunities. “We do what we do to enable children to have a safe, caring, and loving environment,” said Powers. “Foster parents have a very tough but rewarding role in the lives of children of all ages.”

For those wondering how they can help, there are several ways to make a difference. The most direct method is to become a foster parent. Many may feel unqualified or concerned about the financial and time commitments, but TRACES encourages potential foster parents to reach out and discuss their situation. The support provided by TRACES often alleviates these concerns. Additionally, respite care is an option for those who can only offer short-term placements, giving full-time foster families a much-needed break. Although Frontier Health staff are not eligible to be foster parents with TRACES, employees can help by becoming advocates and could get a bonus if they refer someone who has a placement for at least six months. Becoming an advocate is crucial. Everyone can help spread the word in their communities, places of worship, and on social media. For more information or to refer someone who might be a great foster family, contact Richard Rourk at rgrourk@frontierhealth.org, 423-224-1043 (office), or 423-360-7902 (cell). The recent State of the Child report by the Tennessee Government offers further insights into the challenges facing our youth and underscores the importance of community support. StateoftheChild2023Final.pdf (tn.gov)

Food City Donates $60,000 for New Digital Sign at Bristol Behavioral Health Services

Frontier Health received a generous $60,000 donation from Food City, enabling the installation of a new digital sign at our Bristol Behavioral Health Services location off Volunteer Parkway in Bristol, TN. This state-of-the-art sign will be a vital communication tool, allowing us to promote our services, job opportunities, and other important information to the community.

The digital sign significantly enhances our outreach efforts, ensuring that those who pass by are informed about the support and resources available at Bristol Behavioral Health Services. We are deeply grateful to Food City for its continued partnership and commitment to improving access to behavioral health services in our region.

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Frontier Health Welcomes Whitney Holt as Project B.A.S.I.C. State Coordinator and Greene County School-Based Program Manager

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Whitney Holt to the role of Project B.A.S.I.C. State Coordinator and Greene County School-Based Program Manager at Frontier Health. Whitney’s dedication to school-based mental health services has been evident throughout her career, and this new role is a testament to her hard work and passion.

Whitney earned her Master’s in Social Work from East Tennessee State University (ETSU) in 2019 and has since achieved her Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) certification. Her unwavering commitment to supporting the mental health of students in Greene County makes her an exceptional school-based therapist and a natural leader in this field.

In her new role, Whitney will bring her extensive experience and leadership skills to the Project B.A.S.I.C. team, where she is expected to make a significant impact. We are confident she will excel and flourish, continuing to drive positive change and providing invaluable support to the students and schools we serve.

Please join us in congratulating Whitney Holt on this well-deserved promotion. We look forward to seeing what she accomplishes in this new role!

VALUES and TRACES Programs Sponsor Foster Care Night at Kingsport Axemen Game

VALUES and TRACES programs, which support foster care in Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee, recently sponsored a Foster Care Night at a Kingsport Axemen baseball game. The event, which aimed to raise awareness about the urgent need for foster families in our region, engaged fans and shared vital information about how they can make a difference in a child’s life.

The sponsorship provided a unique opportunity to unite the community and emphasize the importance of providing stable, loving homes for needy children. Frontier Health is proud of this event’s success and remains committed to finding safe, supportive families for children in Virginia and Tennessee.

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Johnson County Counseling Center Celebrates National Coloring Book Day and National Sunglasses Day

The Johnson County Counseling Center recently brought extra fun and creativity to the community by celebrating National Coloring Book Day and National Sunglasses Day with those we serve. These events provided an excellent opportunity for clients to engage in light-hearted activities that promote relaxation and self-expression.

National Coloring Book Day was filled with vibrant colors as participants enjoyed therapeutic coloring sessions, which have been shown to reduce stress and encourage mindfulness. Meanwhile, National Sunglasses Day added a summer spirit, reminding everyone to protect their eyes while enjoying the sunny days ahead. These celebrations not only brightened the days of our clients but also reinforced the importance of self-care in mental health.

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Kaylee Murphy and Brianna Beverly Represent Frontier Health at Kids Central Event During Fun Fest

Kaylee Murphy, Regional Community Development Director, and Brianna Beverly, Behavioral Health Outreach Specialist for the Healthy Transitions program, recently participated in the Kids Central event at Fun Fest in Kingsport, TN, held on July 22nd and 23rd. This vibrant event attracted approximately 1,200 children and their families and offered a lively celebration of community and essential resources.

The free event was a resounding success, connecting families with valuable local resources and providing engaging activities for kids of all ages. The interactive booths and supportive environment our community partners created ensured everyone had a memorable experience. Frontier Health is proud to have been part of such an impactful event, which significantly enhanced the well-being of the families in our community.