DPSS News June 2020

ELDER ABUSE MONTH SHEDS SPOTLIGHT ON NEEDS OF VULNERABLE SENIORS

DPSS CELEBRATES A FOSTER YOUTH PARTNER AND A NEW UNIVERSITY GRADUATE

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elinda Bobadilla misses meeting her kids for coffee at Starbucks. Being able to see them in person and to offer a hug if they need one is what she loves best about her role as a foster youth partner. Due to the current coronavirus crisis, however, face to face time has been placed on hold. It has also placed on hold her own formal college graduation ceremony. For Belinda, life has not always been easy. The oldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, she recalls her father struggling to get her and her three younger siblings out of poverty. At age 17, Belinda entered the Riverside County foster care program. After completing her high school diploma through Adult Education, she stayed a bit longer with her foster Mom before moving into transitional housing.

BELINDA BOBADILLA, a foster youth partner in the DPSS Youth Partner Program is graduating from La Sierra University this month.

Adult Protective Service social worker Dianet Penilla.

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In her view, many of the hardships that she has endured in life have been opportunities in disguise. Now, Belinda will be graduating from La Sierra University with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW). “I can’t believe this is finally happening,” she said. Belinda considers herself fortunate. Only 15% of foster children will attend college and fewer than 3% will earn a degree, according to Voices for Children, an advocacy organization for foster children that operates in Riverside and San Diego counties. At age 32, Belinda mentors foster youth who are facing the same obstacles she confronted while growing up. She has been a Youth Partner for the past nine years, helping current foster youth successfully transition into adulthood. encourages them to maintain their lifelong connections and to learn to take charge of their own wellbeing. “It is an emotional journey,” she said. “It is not their fault they are in the system. I tell them they need to be willing to see their current situation as a new beginning. “Foster care opened my eyes and gave me hope that something good can come from extreme events,” said Belinda. “I learned to forgive and to have compassion for others. Without compassion, we would not feel the obligation to serve others.” Belinda attributes her success to the mentors she had along the way: friends, colleagues, social workers and supervisors. But, most of all, she says it has been her faith that has helped to get her through the difficult times. After graduation, Bobadilla is considering a career in social work. “It feels great to know that I have come so far and am finally at the end of this journey and the beginning of another,” she said. “This is truly an epic moment.” **To make a referral to the Youth Partners program, Social Service Providers can submit a form via intranet (DPSS 4487) and send to parentyouthpartner@rivco.org. Belinda has survived, endured and thrived in challenging situations. She enjoys the process of learning, and has dedicated her life to improving the lives of others. Congratulations Belinda!! You have put in sleepless nights, weekends, back to back roles with your internship on top of your 40 hour work week as a Youth Partner. You are amazing! - Michelle Markovsky , Youth Partner Supervisor “ “ “I love interacting with the kids,” said Belinda. She wants to let them know that there is still support available to them. “I tell them that it is not easy but if I could do it, so can they.” Belinda helps foster youth find stability in their placements and she

s seniors self-isolate during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, social worker Dianet Penilla with Adult Protective Services is learning first-hand about their struggles. “We’re getting cases where seniors are depressed, don’t have enough food or have been the victims of various scams,” Penilla said. “I encourage them to seek personal connections and mental health services. It’s part of a collaboration with county partners to make sure all our clients know the resources available to help them in this tough time.” June is National Elder Abuse Month, a time each year to highlight the vulnerability of America’s senior and dependent adults, and how families and communities can help. Penilla works with up to 21 clients a month. She visi ts them in person if they’re in imminent danger, including physical , financial or sexual abuse. She’s also checking on clients weekly over the phone or by video chat.

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RIVERSIDE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SOCIAL SERVICES