Our guest speaker on Friday, June 6th was Tracy Rubstello, Development Director, Bridge Receiving Center. Tracy has spoke to our Club in the past and was updating our Club on the latest activities at the Center. Tracy's father was a long time Rotarian in the downtown Seattle Club. Bridge Receiving Center is a healing start for children entering foster care. The problem is when a child is picked up for abuse or other unfortunate reasons they need a safe place to transition to foster care. A child's first encounter with foster care is often traumatic and confusing. Bridge Receiving is a new concept established in Lake Stevens that could be installed around the State of Washington and around the United States. Bridge Receiving is the first of its kind in the United States.
Some of the critical information regarding children and foster care are on average 35 children are being removed from their home every month. They are a 30 day receiving center for children ages 4-12 years old (and their siblings, age 13-17) who are entering foster care for the first time and need a safe, healing place to land. Located on the edge of Cedar Springs Camp in Lake Stevens. This trauma informed program has been intentionally designed to meet the therapeutic needs of children in crisis while providing fun, recreational activities that allow them to still be children.
Bridge Receiving tries to establish a tradition. When the child leaves the Bridge Receiving they leave with a backpack, blanket/quilt, signed pillowcase, stuffed animal, workbooks, clothing and other personal items. The purpose is to "take the lessons with them." So far, they have helped 49 children since opening on August 12th. The oldest child to date is 15. So far, 32 of the children have been part of a sibling group. They try not to break up the sibling groups. Most of the kids come from King and Snohomish County.
As of today, 74% of the children have been placed with a parent or relative and 26% of the children have gone into foster care. There are four children currently at the Center that are brothers. Of the 26 kids that have reached the three month post Bridge mark, 85% (22 children) maintained stability in location. Of the four children who had not maintained stability, two moved from foster care into relative care and the other two were placed with parents but were not able to remain in their care.
One of Tracy's favorite pages at the Bridge Receiving website is quotes on the Children Speak page. No photos or names just positive quotes about their experience staying at Bridge Receiving. Tracy shared other stories such as "Watching M" progress. M is a five year old who after the first two weeks finally reacted positively and opened up. Tracy shared "Ways to Respond" to help the Bridge Receiving Center financially and other ways. Another fantastic program. Phase One allows Bridge Receiving Center to house six children. The goal is to open another house on the site that could raise the number to ten children. Their Board has approved opening a second location in south King County in the near future that could house ten children. Eventually, they would like to expand to Pierce County and beyond. The State pays about 33% and the Center raise the other 66%. Jim Haugen toured the facility recently and was impressed with the location and the quality of the building, furniture and supplies.