Thursday, March 11, 2010  

Coalition News
 
Coalition Community Resource Guide Now Available
This guide provides a wealth of information on community and service resources available to assist foster and adoptive families and case management professionals in providing the best possible care to the children in our community. Every family needs a helping hand and this resource guide provides valuable information to connect the foster/adoptive community with those who are there to help.
 
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 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
 
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 families caring for foster and adopted children).  They will also discover how to receive advance notification of special 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.
 
Older Youth Support Group
03.23.10 / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Topic:  This is Me - Identifying and understanding personal and cultural  identity issues.  To register, please contact Nickie Steinhoff, Director of Training and Community Support, at 800.FOSTER.3 (314.367.8373) x35.
 
Parent Support Group
03.23.10 / 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. 
*NEW Location*
Olivette Community Ctr, 9723 Grandview Dr, 63132 
Topic:  Unique opportunities to make a difference in the life of a child.  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.
 
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:  Parent Guide Book to Special Education, and Acronyms for Education
Are you working with a client or youth who has been identified or you think should be evaluated by your local school district as a child with a disability as defined by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act? This law, commonly referred to as IDEA, provides the basis for special education services in Missouri.
Click to View Full Article  (Don't forget to rate article!)
  
Community News
 
Free Tutoring Available
Rev. Calvin Jones is partnering with the Public School system to provide tutoring for Kindergarten through eighth grade in English and Math at any of the 46 Public Schools listed on the their flier. This is an after school program using certified teachers.  For more information, contact  Sam Gradford at 314.303.0895.
  
Community Events
 
Beyond Consequences, Live!
03.13.10 / 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Edward Jones, 12555 Manchester Rd, 63131
Cost:  FREE
Join Heather T. Forbes, LCSW, author of Beyond Consequences, Logic and Control Volume 1 & 2, for an entire day of training and information about raising children who have experienced abuse, neglect, loss, grief, and other trauma.
 
Irish Step Dancing with St. Louis Irish Arts
03.14.10 / 2:00 p.m.
Missouri History Museum, MacDermott Grand Hall
Cost:  FREE
This Second Sunday Celebration presentation includes live music, dance, storytelling and more.  For more information, call 314.746.4599
 
Wild About Reading
03.15.10 / 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
STL Public Library Barr Branch, 1701 S Jefferson
Cost:  FREE
The Saint Louis Zoo presents a read-aloud program for all ages.  They'll read three stories featuring animal characters.  Then meet the live animals from the stories. Each family will receive a tote bag for library books and helpful handouts to encourage family reading.  For more information, call 314.994.3300.
 
Our Little Haven's New Parenting Group
03.22.10 & 03.24.10 / 10:30 am to 12:00 pm
Our Little Haven, 4330 Lindell Blvd, 63108
This is a parent group designed to assist parents with exploring and understanding their parenting skills and attitudes while also learning new parenting skills.  The goal is ENHANCING the parent-child relationship by providing parents with information and techniques on developing a nurturing approach to parenting.  For more information, contact Andrea Parker at 314.533.2229 x233.
  
Other Trainings
 
Grade-to-Grade:  Developing Self-Advocacy Skills
03.30.10 / 7:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.57)
Not Approved for Training Hours 
Learn tips to help your child transition from grade to grade while focusing your child's learning at home and school on skills for self-advocacy and independence.  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.
 
Understanding Asperger Syndrome
03.31.10 & 04.07.10 / 7:00 p.m.  9:00 p.m.
SSD Admin Office, 12110 Clayton Rd (Rm.57)
Not Approved for Training Hours 
Identify and understand the social, communication, sensory and behavioral characteristics of Asperger syndrome and gain an awareness of effective, practical strategies that will support your child in being more successful at home and school.  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
05.01.10 / 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Registration Ends on April 21st
Approved for 7.5 In-Service Training Hours 
THEME: Understanding & Promoting Positive Infant, Child & Teen Development
Training Extravaganzas are all-day trainings that allow 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. 
  

 
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