Back-To-School Bash

GA Home Post-Adoption program hosts event

Free haircuts, backpacks, and fun were all on the menu for families who are part of the Gustavus Adolphus (G.A.) Children’s Home/ G.A. Family Services Regional Permanency Center's post-adoption program recently.

The Regional Permanency Center (RPC) Post-Adoption program, part of The Gustavus Adolphus (G.A.) Children’s Home/ G.A. Family Services, hosted a back-to-school event for program members.

"The event was a success," said Beth Lanphere, a lead caseworker with the RPC program. "We had about 15 participants; they all received a free haircut and backpack and appeared to have a blast."

Lanphere explained that for some larger families, visiting the barber can be a taxing event and put a damper on a family's budget.

"For some of our larger families, going to get a haircut can run upwards of $100 or more," she said. "The kids and the families were so happy and thankful. ...after the cuts."

Lamphere said the stylist who provided the haircuts volunteered their time, and their work was superb.

"Kylie Luce of John David Salon volunteered her time and skills, and the kids couldn't have been happier," she said. "As she was cutting the kids’ hair, the smiles on their faces got bigger and bigger."

Although this event was scheduled, it should not be considered a one-off. The RPC staff seem to enjoy organizing special, child-focused extravaganzas like this one, and will continue to do so moving forward.

"It was a lot of fun to plan this event," said Lanphere. "We do events all year round to support our families. We did a trip to Six Flags Darien Lake a few weeks ago, and in May we hosted a trip to Great Wolf Lodge. We are always looking for new and creative ways to have fun and support our program participants."

According to gafamilyservices.org, the RPC program serves families in five Western New York (WNY) counties that have opened their homes to expand their family through adoption or guardianship. A sample of the core services provided by the RPC program includes linkage and referrals; casework and post-adoptive planning; post-adoption and guardianship counseling; clinical and psychiatric services; parent training and education; family support groups; advocacy; community outreach; transition planning; and 24/7 staff support.

The five counties eligible for services are Niagara, Erie, Wyoming, Cattaraugus, and Chautauqua. To qualify for these services, at least one of the following criteria must be met: the family must have adopted at least one child residing in the home, or the family must have legal guardianship of at least one child living in the home.

For more information, visit www.gafamilyservices.org or call 716-708-6161.