What is Happening in Mya`s Family?

What is Happening in Mya’s Family?
An Answer & Activity Book
For Maine Children
What is Happening in Mya’s Family?
An Answer and Activity Book
For Maine Children
This publication has been made possible by the Federal Court Improvement Training Grant
Produced by: The Court Improvement Program, Family Division, Administrative Office of the Courts
171 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333
207-287-7060
www.courts.state.me.us
Written and illustrated by: Amy Phalon
© 2011 Court Improvement Program, Family Division, Administrative Office of the Courts
printed on recycled paper
This book is for you. Here is a place for you to write about yourself.
My name is ________________________________________.
My birthday is on ________________. I am ____ years old.
I have ___ sisters and ___ brothers. Their names are_________
_________________________________________________.
I have ___ pets. Their names are _________________________.
My favorite color is ___________________________________.
My favorite food is ___________________________________.
My favorite song is ___________________________________.
Mya feels worried. Something is happening to her family. Her friend Kip
knows how she feels because something like this happened to his family
too. Kip says Mya should talk to Baxter.
Baxter is a Maine moose who knows about families. He can answer Mya’s
questions; and maybe yours too.
All families have problems. Some problems are
small. Some problems are big. Some problems
are solved quickly. Others take longer.
Mya’s family is having the kind of problem that
means she can’t live at home right now.
This kind of problem has to be fixed by adults. Mya didn’t
cause the problem in her family. It is not her fault.
If your family is having the kind of problem that means
you can’t go home, it is not your fault. Remember, this
kind of problem has to be fixed by adults.
The Moose Family’s Family Tree
Families come in many shapes and sizes. Who is part of your family? Here is
Baxter’s family tree. Baxter’s brother is Albert and his grandfather is also
named Baxter! Who is on your family tree? Fill in the tree on the next page
with the names of people who are close to you.
My Family Tree
Mya is staying with her Aunt Mimi. Aunt Mimi has a pet turtle named Fifi
and a lot of pillows on her sofa.
If you can’t live at home with your mom or
dad, you will live with a resource family.
Your resource family, like Mya’s, might be your
relatives. If you have an aunt, uncle, cousin or
grandparent who might be able to take care of
you; tell one of the people helping you.
If a relative can’t take care of you, a resource family will be chosen for
you. This kind of resource family, sometimes called a foster family, is a
regular family that wants to help other families. Your resource parents will
help you by giving you a safe home. They will make sure you go to school,
play with friends, eat your meals, and stay healthy.
Kip said he stayed with a resource family. While he was there he had his
own room. He went to school and played with his friends. His resource dad
and resource brother taught him how to fish. Now, Kip loves to go fishing.
Mya told Kip and Baxter that different people come to Aunt Mimi’s house
and ask Mya a lot of questions. The people are nice, but Mya is not sure
who they are. She is worried about whether or not she should answer
their questions.
Caseworker
You will meet some new people while you are staying with your resource
family. It’s ok to talk to them because they want to help you. A person you
will see often is your caseworker. Your caseworker will visit you and ask
questions about how you are doing. Your caseworker will also spend time
with your mom and your dad. If you have questions, your caseworker is a
good person to ask.
Mya is writing down her caseworker’s name and some questions
she wants to ask. What is your caseworker’s name? Do you
have questions to ask?
My caseworker’s name is __________________________.
My caseworker’s phone number is: ___________________.
Some questions I want to ask are ____________________
_____________________________________________
_____________________________________________
____________________________________________.
GAL
Another person who will visit you is your guardian ad litem or GAL. Your
GAL might be called a CASA. That stands for Court Appointed Special
Advocate. Your GAL has been picked by the judge to help you. Your GAL
will vist you and get to know you. It is your GAL’s job to tell the judge
what you want the judge to know about you and your family.
Kip said he had fun when his GAL visited him.
They played basketball. Kip said that his GAL
listened to what he had to say. Mya is writing
down her GAL’s name and phone number. What is
your GAL’s name?
My GAL’s name is______________________________________________________.
My GAL’s phone number is _______________________________________________.
I want my GAL to tell the judge ____________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________.
Who Can I Talk To If I Have Questions?
Word Search
WORD LIST
AUNT
UNCLE
GAL
COACH
TEACHER
FRIEND
CASE
WORKER
GRANDMA
GRANDPA
PASTOR
CASA
BAXTER
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W O
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Mya is worried about her mom and dad. She wants to know what is
happening to her mom and to her dad while she is staying at Aunt Mimi’s
house. She asks Baxter if he knows.
Your mom and dad are fine. They love you and miss you. It is your mom and
dad’s job to work with your caseworker to fix the problems that your family
is having. Your mom and dad will have a plan to make changes that will make
your home safe for you. Your caseworker will help them follow the plan. They
will have to go to court and talk to the judge who will decide when the plan
is finished, the problems are solved, and your home is safe for you.
Mya feels nervous when she hears words like “judge” and “court.” She asks
Baxter to explain what they mean.
Court is a helpful place. There are several people in court who will help
your family. One of these people is the judge.
Judge
The judge sits in the front of the court room and usually wears a black
robe over regular clothes. The judge is very good at listening to everyone
and will make a decision about what is best for your family.
Attorneys
An attorney is a person who helps people tell their stories to the judge.
Attorneys ask a lot of questions. Mya’s mom has an attorney to help her.
Another attorney will help the caseworker. Mya’s dad will have an attorney
to help him too.
There will be other people in the courtroom too. Witnesses are people
who know your family and will answer questions the judge, your GAL, and
the attorneys ask. The court officer stands in the courtroom to make sure
everyone is behaving well. No one is allowed to be noisy or eat or drink in
court. The court clerk is a person who works with the judge. The clerk’s job is
to record everything that everyone says to the judge.
There are a lot of things wrong in this courtroom. How many can you find?
Mya wonders if she will have to go to court. Kip said he didn’t go to court.
His GAL went and told the judge about Kip. Afterwards, Kip’s GAL explained
what happened at court and answered Kip’s questions.
You do not have to go to court. Your GAL will go as your representative. You
can tell your GAL what you want the judge to know about you and your
family. Your GAL will tell the judge what you have to say. If you want to
go to court, tell your GAL. Your GAL will ask the judge for permission to
bring you to court. The judge will talk to you and your GAL either in the
courtroom or in the judge’s office.
The judge has to get to the courtroom, but there are so many obstacles!
Help him get through the maze.
Mya wonders if she will be able to visit with her mom and her dad. She is
also worried because she doesn’t know where she will live if she can’t go
home.
You will be able to visit with your mom and
dad as long as it is safe for you. Sometimes
your caseworker will stay with you during
the visit. You might go to a special place
where families visit togeter. You might have
your visits at the library, the mall, or a park.
In court, the judge will listen to your family and the people helping your
family. It is the judge’s job to think about what everyone says. The judge
will think about what is best for you and whether your home is safe. Then,
the judge will decide where you should live. If you can’t go back to your
mom or dad, the judge will make sure that you have a safe and permanent
home with your resource family.
Mya told Kip and Baxter that even though they explained so much to her,
she feels sad. Mya wants to go home. Kip told her that he felt homesick
when he was living with his resource family. It is ok to feel sad and to
miss your home and family. That is what it means to be homesick. The best
thing to do when you feel homesick is something that you like to do. It can
also help to talk with someone about the people and things you miss.
Kip likes to go fishing or watch a funny movie when he feels homesick. Mya
likes to bake cookies or go play on the swings at the park. Baxter likes to
dance in his socks. What do you like to do? Draw a picture of yourself doing
something fun that you like to do and color Baxter dancing.
It can be scary when there is a problem in your family and your home is not
a safe place. Mya’s family is having that kind of problem. Her friends Kip and
Baxter help answer her questions. Maybe they can answer your questions too.
If you know what is going on, you might feel less worried.
You are special and cared for!
Don’t forget that as you meet
the people who will help you to
have a safe place to call home.