About Angels

Lompoc Vision | February 1, 2018

Meichelle Arntz RN, Angels Foster Care has placed more than 230 local foster babies andtoddlers in stable, loving families. Meichelle became involved in foster care by volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) where she learned firsthand about the challenges of providing foster care to approximately 400 Santa Barbara County children, many under age three.

Meichelle worked with two young brothers in her first year as a CASA. These children were placed in seven different Santa Barbara County homes in a single year. With each move, they had to adjust to living with strangers. They had no family or friends to count on. Unfortunately, the trauma of multiple placements caused the children’s emotional, physical, and psychological health to deteriorate quickly. Meichelle realized that there had to be a better way. That is when she discovered the Angels model of foster care and brought that approach to Santa Barbara County.

Angels Foster Care recruits, trains and certifies stable, caring local resource parents (aka foster parents) who provide a home and unconditional love for an infant, a toddler,or a sibling set age 0-5. Our approach to foster care leads to the best possible outcomes for these babies because Angels parents agree to care for only one foster baby or sibling set at a time and commit to caring for the child for the entire time that he or she needs foster care. Angels also requires a full-time parent in the home.

We are currently looking for Lompoc and Vandenberg Village area families who want to make a difference in the life of a foster baby or toddler. The challenge we are facing right now, is that we do not have enough families for all the young children in this area who need foster care.

Director of Operations, Jennifer Mills, and her clinical team provide hands-on support to Angels Foster Care parents and their foster children. She has been amazed and inspired by, “the tremendous positive impact that one family can have on a child.”

Angels Foster Care staff and parents buffer foster children from the turmoil of the court system and the social welfare process so that the children can focus on just being kids. One out of every two Angels children are ultimately adopted by their Angels parents.

To learn more please visit

www.angelsfostercare.org

or

call 805-884-0012.

About Angels Foster Care:

Angels Foster Care is an accredited, private, non-profit Santa Barbara County Foster Family Agency (FFA), serving foster children ages 0-5 and their families

Think you can't be a foster parent? The myths keeping people from signing up

ksby.com | September 8, 2017
by Megan Abundis

Social services representatives across the Central Coast say there is a severe shortage of foster homes.

For the first time in a number of years, both Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties say they are seeing a very large number of kids coming into foster care and a decreasing availability of foster parents and foster homes.

Right now in San Luis Obispo County, there are 165 kids and teens who are in need of homes.

The Department of Social Services says common myths may be getting in the way of those wanting to be a foster parent.

One Paso Robles family wants to bust those myths and change the lives of foster kids on the Central Coast.

Ted and Cynthia Fletcher fostered, then adopted, four girls - Bailey, Jasmine, Lexi, and Sadie.

"There are kids all over this community and this state that have nothing, they come with a little bit of clothes, and what we wanted to do... when they leave, even if it was a short period of time, give them nice clothes, give him a bed to sleep in, a blanket, love, unconditional love," Ted Fletcher said.

The Fletchers say the girls, through no fault of their own, came to them young and from homes of abuse, drugs and neglect.

"We have children and siblings that are being separated, we have children who are not able to return to their schools or communities. Children deserve to be in safe and loving homes," said Julie DeFranco, Program Manager for the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services.

"If a kid is in my home for a week, I want it to be the best time in her life. I want them to know that you're loved unconditionally," Fletcher said.

"The first time in my life, I actually know what love is," said Bailey Fletcher. "I think it's kind of something everyone deserves, to love and feel and know that they are loved by their family and they are protected by those who are supposed to protect them."

So what might be preventing people from becoming foster parents? DeFranco responds to the following myths:

Myth: I don't own my home so I can't be a foster parent
"You can own your home, you can rent your home, you definitely don't need to own your home to be a foster parent."
Myth: I'm single so I can't be a foster parent
"You are welcome to become a foster parent just as much as someone who has a partner or someone who is married. We're looking for caring individuals who can provide a safe and loving home."
Myth: I work full time; I won't have a lot of time to spend on foster kids
"We have resources and supports but (as) part of the process, we work with you to identify what works best for you, what works best for your family in terms of the ages and your availability."
Myth: I'm too old to be a foster parent
"We are looking again for individuals who have a heart in making a difference in the life of a child. That's not an issue, that's not something the county would rule out. We have many families who are in their 50s, 60s, 70s who are foster parents. What we are looking for is loving, safe individuals who want to open their homes."
Myth: I don't have children of my own or parenting experience so I can't be a foster parent
"Well, until you have a child, none of us have experience and so the good news is that there is a lot of support. Depending on what your needs are, we are here to support you. We provide in-home behavioral services, we provide parenting education, therapeutic services. We are there to support you and loving, caring for that child."
Myth: If I want to be a foster parent, I have to adopt
"As long as you are willing to consider concurrent planning, which means they would consider to be a long term placement options for the child. But many of our children need a temporary home and there is a real need for that as well."
Myth: It's expensive to be a foster parent
"If you are certified through the county or through 'Family Care Network' we provide fiscal stipends to support day to day care in support of children. We provide medical care for the children, we pay for all therapeutic service, medical service, and special needs services."
Myth: I don't get to have a preference of what type of child to foster
"People have preferences, and we do, do our best. But the way that life happens is that children come to us when they come to us. When there is a need we reach out and ask people to step outside of what they originally thought they were interested in and consider giving a home to child."

So what do you have to provide as a foster parent? Social Services says you need proof of a stable source of income, a safe home, food, guidance, and mentorship.

"We're asking that of you and to open your heart and open your home to provide a safe and loving place for a child," DeFranco said.

At any given time, San Luis Obispo County has about 350 children in foster care.

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Angels Foster Care Receives Donations from Six Month Drive

Santa Maria Times | September 16, 2017

During the last six months, local children between 3 and 12 years old from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Santa Maria 2nd Ward have been gathering supplies in support of Angels Foster Care.

Twenty diaper bags stuffed with essentials such as blankets, wipes, towels, soap and other essentials along with 20 car seats were recently donated to Angels Foster Care.

Holly Carmody, Angels Foster Care executive director, was on hand to receive the donations from the local children and their families.

"I just want to thank all of you so much for helping other children who do not have a home. We appreciate all you have done for these children," she said.

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Angels Foster Care Celebrates Families

Noozhawk | September 14, 2017
by Holly Carmody

Read the article here.

Children Collect Donations for Angels Foster Care

KSBY | September 13, 2017
by KSBY staff

Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara recently received a donation courtesy of the children at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Santa Maria.

Over the last six months, the kids in the church's 2nd Ward Primary organization collected supplies for the foster care program. They ended up stuffing 20 diaper bags with blankets, wipes, towels, and soap, plus they were able to collect 20 car seats.

Go to article

Read the article here.

Angels Alfresco

Santa Barbara Magazine | June 1, 2017
by Monica Montigny

More than 200 guests gathered for an alfresco luncheon at the Four Seasons Resort Biltmore to benefit Angels Foster Care. The sixth annual Angels by the Sea event featured a tableside fashion show with Angels moms modeling clothes from Diani, J. McLaughlin, and Whiskey + Leather while a raffle raised funds to support the organization's cause, which rescued abused, abandoned, or neglected babies in the area and places them with foster parents for care.

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Mac Grant Fitness Benefits Angels Foster Care

Santa Barbara Independent | May 15, 2017

Santa Barbara, May 11 — Mac Grant Fitness hosted a well-attended fundraiser on Saturday, May 6, for Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara. Ticketholders participated in high energy workouts, enjoyed food offerings, and were awarded raffle prizes donated by local businesses. All proceeds from ticket sales went directly to Angels.
Macauley Grant, owner of the recently expanded fitness studio at the corner of Haley and Laguna Streets, commented, “It’s been a great turnout for our first charity fundraiser. We are so excited to see this level of community support for Angels, particularly in the rain!”

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Pennies from Heaven

Montecito Journal | May 11, 2017
by Richard Mineards

A mélange of magnificent millinery swept over the impeccably manicured lawn of the Biltmore when Angels Foster Care of Santa Barbara held its sixth annual Al Fresco Afternoon on the Riviera. The 11-year-old charity, which has placed 217 babies and had 101 adoptions, had more than 200 guests helping raise more than $90,000 for the cause. Event co-chairs were Peggy Hodson and Sheri Mardiat, while my Journal colleague Erin Graffy and radio host Catherine Remak emceed the boffo beano. The Volunteer of the Year award went to Nick Salvesen, who has led successful fundraising campaigns, while the MVP award went to Holly Murphy, owner of the La Arcada gift boutique, Coast 2 Coast, the “visionary” behind the popular event. Guests supporting the lunch, which also helped raise $10,000 – two $5,000 gifts – toward a matching grant for a hybrid vehicle for social workers, included founder Meichelle Arntz, Karen Earp, Ivana Firestone, Janet Garufis, George Leis, Belle Hahn Cohen, Mindy Denson, Gina Tolleson, Monica Babich, Mary Reynolds, Annie Williams, and Diana MacFarlane. A tableside fashion show featuring Angels Foster Care mothers, with clothes from Diani, J. McLaughlin, and Whiskey x Leather, also added color to the bash.

Read the article here.

Community Focus Radio Broadcast

American General Media | October 1, 2016

Kelly White O'Neill has an informative discussion with radio personality, Kurt Olsen, about Angels Foster Care and issues surrounding foster care in Santa Barbara County.

Read the article here.

City of Santa Maria Proclaims September "Angels Foster Care Month"

The Santa Maria Times | September 29, 2016
by Logan B. Anderson

Angels Foster Care Honored by Santa Maria City Council

Angels Foster Care Reaches Major Milestone--Places 200th Baby in it's Program!

August 9, 2016

Since founding in 2006, Angels Foster Care has been improving the way foster care is delivered to children in Santa Barbara County and is thrilled to announce that their exceptional program of care has placed their 200th baby in an Angels foster home. Two sisters, a 3 month old infant and her 2 year old big sister, were placed in the loving home of Angels Foster Parents, Maria and Evan* making this sibling set the 199th and 200th babies we have helped since opening our doors 10 years ago. Maria and Evan have been Angels Foster Parents for two years and have taken a number of placements for us already--including sibling sets. The need for more foster parents is great--there are almost 500 children in Santa Barbara County foster care right now, and almost 200 of those children are under the age of 3.

Jennifer, who trained Maria and Evan and matched Emily and Maddy with them, has been part of the lives of almost every one of these 200 children since she began working for Angels in 2008. “Being part of Angels Foster Care has shown me time and time again how one person or one family can make a significant, positive and enduring impact on the direction of a child's life. I feel honored to work each day with remarkable families in our community who have opened their homes and hearts to young children in need,” admits Jennifer.

One of the earliest families to become certified with Angels Foster Care was Michelle and Jeff Nerdin. They took Angels 2nd baby placement—little Gigi who they took home after she spent 7 weeks in the NICU after her birth. If the Nerdins had not taken her into their loving home, she would have been placed in a foster care shelter—which is a short term, emergency placement thereby requiring multiple moves for this tiny, fragile baby. Gigi was eventually adopted by the Nerdins and is now a healthy, happy 9 year old girl thriving in school and is a source of joy and blessing to their family. “It’s appropriate that Gigi was in Angels Foster Care because she is an angel. I have never met a human being more compassionate than Gigi. Even her teachers make a point of saying how kind and giving a child she is,” says her mom, Michelle Schneider-Nerdin. After adopting their two older children through private adoption, they were hesitant about fostering-to-adopt but because of their friendship with Meichelle Arntz, the founder of Angels Foster Care, they trusted they would be in good hands and, ultimately, wanted to help children in whatever way they could. “No matter the difficulty of the foster care process, adopting Gigi and having her complete our family made everything worth it,” reveals Schneider-Nerdin. She goes on to share, “People wait in line to adopt babies privately and for many people foster care and fostering-to-adopt is not even on their radar. More people should do it. They won’t regret it.”

Angels Foster Care is seen as an innovative model for providing the best care for the most vulnerable of all foster children – babies. On average, Angels manages the cases of 40 babies and toddlers per year. Angels Foster Care works with abused, abandoned and neglected infants and toddlers born in Santa Barbara County. 90% of Angels children come from birth parents who struggle with alcohol, drug problems and homelessness.

Angels foster families serve the children placed with them by providing a safe, stable and loving home where their foster child heals from their previous abuse/neglect and learns important bonding behaviors during critical early child development, until reunification with their biological parents or adoption occurs.

Of the 200 babies and toddlers they have placed, a remarkable 13 of those precious children were fostered by the Vega family in Santa Maria who became certified foster parents in 2012. They have been exceptional parents who have welcomed in a variety of Angel babies—some for a few days and some for many months. Foster mom, Tracy Vega, says of her experiences with Angels Foster Care, “What a ride! Our family felt strongly about the need for children to be surrounded with love and support, and joined Angels specifically to bridge the gap that forms when a child has been separated from their parents.” Working with Angels foster care and it’s exceptional staff of administrators and social workers who are thoroughly focused on the emotional, mental, and physical needs of both the foster child, its foster family, and in many cases the biological parents has been a blessing to the Vega’s and they remark on how supportive and encouraging the whole experience has been. “Angels Foster Care families are world changers, and our family is so thankful that we have been able to play a part in this,” continues Ms. Vega.

Not everyone devoted to making sure babies and toddlers in the community get the best start possible, do this by being foster parents. Holly Murphy is a behind the scenes leader by ensuring that the necessary funding is in place so Angels can recruit, train, certify, and support the many Angel families needed to care for these children. Holly has served on the Angels Fundraising Committee for many years and has helped guide many events and campaigns over the years that bring in the local and community-wide financial support needed to do the important work of Angels foster Care. Holly shares her motivations for supporting the organization, “When I heard about Angels Foster Care and how they were helping infants who needed safe homes and loving families I knew that I wanted to be involved.” She and her company, Coast 2 Coast Collection, along with her business partners, Juliska and Vietri, helped Angels create their annual fundraising luncheon - Al Fresco Afternoon on the Riviera. Murphy is so proud of the work that goes into this major fundraiser, “we have over 100 volunteers and businesses involved in this annual event. It produces significant funds and creates awareness for Angels Foster Care and we are proud to be a sponsor.” She goes on to say, it is “amazing with this year marking the 200th placement of an Angels baby.”

Additionally, every non profit is made stronger by the leadership of its board of directors. Michelle Richardson, the current Board Chair for Angels Foster Care, has also made the mission of helping foster children through the proven work of the Angels model by serving on the board, helping to guide policy and structure, and by ensuring financial stability for the organization. Her employer, Montecito Bank and Trust, has also proven to be an important business leader by providing financial support, help with communications and PR efforts, and providing volunteers for various events and outreach activities. “It is so incredibly rewarding to know Angels has changed the life of 200 children.” Richardson shares. She continues by saying, “I salute the staff, the Board, and the volunteers who make this incredible work happen.”

*names changed to respect privacy

Santa Maria Sunriser Lions Donate Proceeds from Annual Golf Tournament

Thanks to the hard work, dedication, organization and commitment to the needs of children, the Sunrisers Lions--led by the incredibly hard working Don Bock--put on a wonderful day of friendship, camaraderie, and serious golfing in June! The event proceeds were to be donated to Angels Foster Care. Through the financial contributions of event sponsors, and the golf entry fees, participants purchased raffle tickets for a variety of wonderful baskets and other items donated by local businesses and individuals which raised funds for the Sunriser Lions charitable giving program.

There was also a "Grand Prize" raffle featuring featuring 4 VIP seats to an upcoming Dodgers Game at Dodgers Stadium or cases of local, boutique wines. The golfers enjoyed a wonderful tri-tip lunch prepared by the chef at Monarch Dunes and also were awarded various cash prizes for their golf skills. Angels Foster Care was present with our information table and was able to share the message of foster care to the golfers and event volunteers who were interested. This golf tournament reflects the many years of service the various Lions Clubs in North County have given to Angels Foster Care--we are so grateful to their willingness to support our work and shine a light on the needs of babies and toddlers in foster care in our area. After everything was tallied, the event proceeds brought $3000.00 to Angels Foster Care which was recently presented to us at the Sunrisers morning meeting. With their help, we can continue our work to recruit, train, certify, and supervise more foster homes in Santa Barbara County.

from l to r: Lydia Magdalano, Jennifer Mills, Director of Operations for Angels Foster Care, Kelly White O'Neill, Development Associate for Angels, and Don Bock, Golf Tournament chair and member of Santa Maria Sunrisers proudly display donation check

Angels Foster Care 5th Annual Luncheon Event

Hope Ranch Living | July 1, 2016

Read the article here.

The 805 Focus

TV Santa Barbara interview with Meichelle Arntz | June 20, 2016
by Cynder Sinclair, host

http://vp.telvue.com/preview?id=T05099&video=278123

Montecito Bank and Trust and Cox Communications honor Angels Foster Care

March 17, 2016

Every year, the employees of Montecito Bank & Trust celebrate the bank's anniversary with a competitive grants program for their favorite local non profits. This year, Angels Foster Care was honored to recieve one of these grants, thanks in no small part, to Michelle Richardson, Angels Board President and SVP, Director Management Information Systems for the bank, who submitted our organization to the employees for consideration. In addition to a lovely monetary gift, MBB&T partnered with Cox Communications to have a beautiful, professional video produced to help us share the story of Angels Foster Care. The generosity of the bank and its employees along with the understanding that high quality marketing tools, like a great video, can help us do more to place babies and toddlers in foster care into high quality, loving, foster homes.

Click here to watch short video that celebrates Angels Foster Care. Video produced by Cox Communications.

Crime Scene Investigator Balances Life By Giving To Foster Babies

Coasthills Federal Credit Union | December 15, 2015
by JD Scroggins

Read the article here.

From left, CoastHills Credit Union Santa Maria Branch Manager James Thomas presents Orcutt Lions Lydia Magdaleno and Sheri Hughes a donation of $500 with the help of CoastHills Orcutt branch Member Services Officer Jamie Majewski. The funds go toward the club’s support of Angels Foster Care, a Santa Barbara County-based charitable organization that specializes in placing children under 3 in stable foster homes.

Montecito Miscellany: Fresco Air

Montecito Journal | May 7, 2015
by Richard Mineards

Read the article here.

Women of Excellence: Eight outstanding nominees to be honored at annual dinner

Santa Maria Times | March 12, 2015
by Jennifer Best

Read the article here.

Santa Maria Valley Women of Excellence Honored at Annual Dinner

Santa Maria Times | March 15, 2015
by Staff

Read the article here.

Lucy Ortega: A Gift for Balance

GoodHealth Magazine: A Healthcare Journal from Sansum Clinic | January 1, 2015
by Adele Menichella

Read the article here.