Tuesday, February 09, 2010  

Coalition News
 
Seeking a Place to Call Home
Blaine (16) is a good natured young man who has severe mental retardation and severe developmental delays.  He remembers and recognizes the people in his life and his face lights into a happy smile for the people who care about him.  Blaine loves water activities, especially swimming, and any other action activities.  To communicate, he points at what he wants to make his needs known.  Blaine needs a very special family who is willing to devote much time to his care. To learn more, please contact Ian Forber-Pratt, Extreme Recruiter, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x32.
 
Birthday Buddy Program Helps Youth in Foster Care
Do you need help providing birthday presents for your children in foster care?  Apply for a Birthday Buddy today!  Donors within the community are matched with your child(ren) who then typically receive several birthday presents from their Buddy.  Applications from foster children with March, April, May or June birthdays are now being accepted.  For questions, please contact Debbie Schoemehl, the Birthday Buddy Coordinator, at 314.223.5723 or Shelley Thomas-Benke at 800.FOSTER.3 x29.
  
Coalition Events
 
Older Youth Support Group
02.23.10 / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Topic:  A Whole New World - Acceptance into new family dynamics.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
 
Parent Support Group
02.23.10 / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Topic:  Strengthening your relationship by building special times.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
 
Job Fair for Teens & Young Adults
03.06.10 / 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Held during March Training Extravaganza
Does your teen want a summer job?  Thanks to Citigroup, youth ages 16-20 can participate in the Coalitions Second Annual Teen & Young Adults Job Fair, featuring a variety of financial literacy workshops.  Topics include how to complete an application, practice interviewing skills, budgeting your income, banking, and more!
 
Foster / Adoptive Parent Meet & Greet
03.23.10 / 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Would you like to meet other foster / adoptive parents?  Learn from their experiences?  Make new friends?  Attendees will learn more about the new and improved Parent-to-Parent Network (a temporary relief system for caregivers and families caring for foster and adoptive children).  They will also discover how to receive advance notification of speical opportunities, including free sporting event tickets, movie passes, etc.  Childcare provided.  Parents must be registered to attend.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
  
KidStore News
 
314.773.KIDS
Tyler Place Presbyterian Church
2109 S. Spring Street, 2nd Floor,  63110
Hours of Operation: 1st and 3rd Wednesday, and every Saturday (except Holidays) from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
The KidStore is a resale shop open exclusively to children in foster care.  Visit www.foster-adopt.org/kidstore for more information.
 
ATTENTION PARENTS!
Mens Warehouse just recently donated several suits to our KidStore!  So if your youth is in need of a new suit, perfect for Easter or a job interview, stop by the store!
 
February:  
Every red clothing item in store is half off!
March:
All sweaters and coats are buy one get one free.
 
KidStore & Parents Classifieds
The KidStore Classifieds is a section that allows foster parents to see what we have to offer at our KidStore.  The Parents Trade Classifieds allow parents to exchange items amongst themselves.
  
Advocacy Corner
 
Leslie Lewis, Director of Educational Advocacy, has over 30-years experience, and can help you with IEPs, tutoring, and a variety of other educational concerns.  Requests can be e-mailed or discussed by calling 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37. 
 
Hot Topic of the Month
Topic:  There is a new Parents Bill of Rights that is in place in Missouri for children with a disability...
Click to View Full Article  (Don't forget to rate article!)
  
Community News
 
Best Buy @15 Scholarship Program
This year the Best Buy @15 Scholarship Program will award 1,000 scholarships of $1,000 each to students in grades 9-12 living in the U.S. or Puerto Rico who plan to enter a full-time undergraduate course of study upon high school graduation.  They are looking for students with solid grades, who are involved in volunteer efforts in their schools and communities, and/or have a work history.  Deadline to apply is February 15, 2010.
 
Summer Employment with St. Louis ArtWorks
St. Louis ArtWorks is now accepting applications for their Summer Apprenticeship program. Apprentices must be available to work from June 14 to July 23 and must be 14-19 years old during this period. All applications (and letters of recommendation for new apprentices) must be submitted by March 31.  You can also speak with a representative from St. Louis ArtWorks on Saturday, March 6th at the Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition's Job Fair for Teens & Young Adults... Sign up today!
  
Community Events
 
Mardi Gras at the St. Louis Zoo
02.14.10 / 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Living World in St. Louis Zoo
Cost:  FREE
Bring the kids for the best family Mardi Gras celebration in town! The Zoo-style party is complete with mask-making, beads, face painting, and a grand finale parade at 3:00 p.m.  Radio Disney AM 1260's performers will also be on hand!
 
Celebrate Black History Month
Sundays / 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
ST. Louis Art Museum, 1 Fine Arts Dr, 63110
Cost:  FREE
Visit the Museum's Sculpture Hall every Sunday afternoon for free hands-on art activities and a lively 30-minute family tour through the galleries.  Each month's activities focus on a different, family-friendly theme.  February theme:  Inspired by Africa.
 
St. Louis Library Honors Jim Henson
Throughout February
Events take place at various branches
Cost:   FREE
The Muppets are celebrating their 55th anniversary, and the St. Louis County Library is celebrating all month long with film screenings, Jim Henson video shorts and puppet workshops.
Click for More Information
  
Other Trainings
 
Overcoming Barriers to Reading and Writing for Students with Developmental Disabilities
02.11.10 & 02.18.10 / 6:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Road (Rm.61)
Not Approved for Training Hours
Provides approaches to teaching reading and writing to students who have difficulty learning due to intellectual ability, autism, and multiple disabilities.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
Helping Children Develop Friendships & Social Skills
02.17.10 / 6:30 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Road (Rm.61)
Not Approved for Training Hours
Workshop offers strategies for parents to help children develop friendships, school strategies for building friendships through programs and peer support groups, and strategies that help children with language and learning differences develop social skills.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
How to Write Measurable Goals & Objectives
02.11.10 & 02.18.10 / 6:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Road (Rm.60)
Not Approved for Training Hours
Learn how to write individualized and measurable educational goals for your child and track your child's progress for children with disabilities.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
 
What to Do This Summer Resource Fair
02.24.10 / 7:00 p.m.  8:30 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd. (Rm.60-61)
Not Approved for Training Hours
In this "Recreation Fair" parents will be able to visit with providers of summer programs and camps that include all children.  Opportunities for 13-21 year olds also available.  To register, call 314.989.7807 (TTY: 314.989.8552) or register on-line at www.solutionwhere.com/ssd.  For training hour approval, contact Leslie Lewis at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x37.
  
Training Extravaganza
 
Coalition Training Extravaganza
03.06.10 / 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m
Registration Ends on February 24
Approved for 7.5 In-Service Training Hours 
THEME: Overcoming Barriers
Training Extravaganzas are an all-day training that allows foster/adoptive/relative caregivers to receive 7.5 in-service training hours in one day, and you can bring the kids, too.  Please check with your licensing worker if planning on attending.  Registration ends on February 24th. 
Click for More Information
  

 
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