Purina Farms' Easter Village
04.16.11 / 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
04.17.11 / 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Purina Farms in Gray Summit (200 Checkerboard Loop, Gray Summit, MO 63039)
Cost:  FREE
Visitors of all ages can ejoy a day on the farm and can get their picture taken with Peter Cottontail, pet baby animals, sway on a rope swing, watch an incredible dog show, and more!
More information: www.purinafarms.com or 314.982.3232

YMCA Healthy Kids Day 

04.16.11 / 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Area YMCA Locations
Cost: FREE
This is a fun-filled day of activities designed to promote healthy living.
More information and locations: www.ymcastlouis.org

22nd Annual St. Louis Earth Day Festival
04.17.11 / 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Muny Grounds in Forest Park (#1 Theater Dr., St. Louis, MO 63112)
Cost: FREE
Enjoy two stages of live music, cultural performances, local food, and hands-on activities for the whole family at the St. Louis Earth Day Festival.  Over 200 artists, educational exhibitors, food vendors, businesses, and organizations will share how they are "Being the Change" and how you can, too!
More information: www.stlouisearthday.org

Gateway Grizzlies 9th Annual Easter Egg Hunt

04.23.11 / 9:30 a.m.

GCS Ballpark (2301 Grizzlie Bear Blvd., Sauget, IL 62206)

Cost: FREE

The Annual Egg Hunt for families begins at 10:30 a.m.

More information: www.gatewaygrizzlies.com

First Championship for Robots

04.28.11 through 04.28.11

Edward Jones Dome (901 N. Broadway, St. Louis, MO 63101)

Cost: FREE

Watch as international teams of students match their robots' wits as they compete in the FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) Championship. 

More information: www.stlouisfirst.org 

Baby Kid Expo

04.30.11 / 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

St. Charles Convention Center (1 Convention Center Plaza, St. Charles, MO 63303)

Cost:  FREE
Bring the whole family!  Exhibitor booths will offer the latest in health resources, parenting resources, and fun activities for kids, plus lots of giveaways.  See performances by the Delta Dental Tooth Wizard and friends, the Muny Kids, Radio Disney, and more.  Kids can have fun on the inflatable slide and participate in Safety Stop.

More information: www.babykidexpo.com

There will be community resource vendors, children's activities, older youth workshops, and much more!  Vendor space is available.

More information: The Foster Parent Appreciation Committee, 314.340.7536

There will be a 5K run, a contest to find St. Louis' healthiest family, fitness events and exhibits for all ages, healthy food tastings, hip-hop star Eric James, inflatables, jugglers, giveaways and more - all focused on promoting fitness and overall health.

More information: Click here for a flyer.

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day and Free Ice Cream!
05.03.11 / 3 to 6 p.m.
Participating Cold Stone Creamery Locations

Cost: FREE

In honor of National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day and to increase awareness of children's mental health, the Children's Service Fund has organized an initiative called "Get the Scoop on Children's Mental Health."  Kids will receive a free scoop of ice cream at participating Cold Stone Creamery locations on May 3rd from 3 to 6 p.m. (Locations include: 6662B Delmar Blvd., 320 S. Kirkwood Rd., 7 Ronnie's Plaza, and 14013 New Halls Ferry Rd.).  Families will receive helpful tips and information on supporting children's mental health.  

Educational Advocacy Corner

For help with IEPs, tutoring, and educational concerns, please contact:

• Leslie Lewis, Director of Educational Advocacy, at leslielewis@foster-adopt.org or 314.367.8373 x2237 OR
• Dell Vinson, Director of Educational Advocacy - St. Louis City, at delbricavinson@foster-adopt.org or 314.314.367.8373 x2243.

Treating and Understanding ADHD 

04.20.11 / 7 to 9 p.m.
SSD Central Office (12110 Clayton Rd., Town & Country, MO 63131)
Cost: FREE
Dr. Schulman, a psychiatrist and developmental pediatrician, will present information on understanding and treating ADHD.
To register: Call 314.989.7807 (711 Deaf/HOH)  or click here

Writing Post Secondary Goals for Students with ASD
04.25.11 / 6 to 9 p.m.
SSD Central Office (12110 Clayton Rd., Town & Country, MO 63131)
Cost: FREE
Young adults with Autism Spectrum Disorders face unique challenges in transition to adulthood. This training focuses on the development of post secondary goals that address common concerns among students with ASD - communication, social skills, self regulation and sensory concerns, as well as transition assessment and measuring progress.

To register: Call 314.989.7807 (711 Deaf/HOH) or click here

The National Resource Center for Youth Development recently added a new section to its web site called Youth Port.  Designed for youth who are currently in, are transitioning out of, or have aged out of foster care, the site contains message boards, information on living independently, opportunities for internships, and other resources and tools for youth.  To view the website, click here.

St. Louis Book Fair - The Largest Charity Book Sale in the Midwest

Hundreds of thousands of books in 150 categories will be for sale and most children's books will cost from .50 to $1.  This will teach kids them to recycle their books.  All money raised goes to funding literacy programs across the metro region.  The book fair is held in the lower level of Macy's east garage (Ballas Road side) at West County Center.  Admission is FREE from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday.  For more information, visit www.stlouisbookfair.org, or call 314.993.1995.

Adoption Tax Credit

The health care reform bill made the U.S. federal adoption tax credit refundable for 2010 and 2011.  New guidance from the IRS states that adoption tax credits carried forward from the previous years will also be refundable, which means that families who adopted as far back as 2005 but who didn't have enough tax liability to use the credit in the past may be able to take full advantage of the credit with their 2010 return.  Both NACAC and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption provide additional information about the adoption tax credit on their websites (www.nacac.org and www.davethomasfoundation.org).  They also offer special savings for adoptive families on tax preparation services.  Click here for more information.  A number of families have mentioned that the IRS has requested documentation that families had already sent in the with their returns.  If you have had this issue, click here or email taxcredit@nacac.org.

Good Shepherd's Summer Therapy Camp & Summer Care for Children Ages 3 to 10 of All Abilities
Summer camps are a fun and exciting way for your child to learn, grow, and make new friends.  Good Shepherd offers therapy services in their school, in the summer camp up to age 10, and through outpatient services up to age 18.  Sign your child up for their summer camp and give them a summer to remember!  Financial assistance may be available.  Call for more information.  Find other summer opportunities for children of all ages here.
More information: www.goodss.org or 314.469.0606

Save the Date!  In Pursuit of Strengths and Possibilities:  What We Have Learned About Effective Therapy and How We Can Get Better

05.13.11 / 8:30 a.m. to noon

Maryville University Auditorium (650 Maryville University Dr., St. Louis, MO 63141)

Cost: $10 ($5 for students)

This workshop will feature Dr. Bob Bertolino, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling at Maryville University; Sr. Clinical Advisor at Youth In Need; and Associate for the International Center for Clinical Excellence.  Participants in this workshop will learn about the advancements and challenges of providing efficient and effective services that offer the greatest possible benefit to clients. 
More information and to register: Contact Katie Corrigan at 314.292.5770