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Fostering Financial Success Workshop for Youth 15 to 20
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We host monthly Financial Literacy and Job Preparation Workshops for older youth (at least 15 years of age) to increase their ability to make informed financial decisions, create a savings plan, and prepare for future employment. Community mentors will be present at the workshops to assist in setting financial, educational, and career goals. Registration required. Contact Nickie at 314.367.8373.
Upcoming Workshop:
11.05.11 / 10 a.m. to noon
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The KidStore
The KidStore is open exclusively to Missouri and Illinois foster/adoptive parents, relative caregivers, caseworkers, and GALs/CASAs. It provides high-quality clothing and other children's items at "garage sale" prices. Click here for instructions on what to bring with you on your first visit.
October Specials:
- Anything ORANGE is 1/2 price.
- Children's costumes are in!
Phone:
314.773.KIDS (5437)
Address:
Tyler Place Presbyterian Church
2109 S. Spring Street, 2nd Floor
St. Louis, MO 63110
Map:
Hours:
1st and 3rd Wednesday and every Saturday (except Holidays) from 9 a.m. to noon
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FREE Support Groups for Parents & Older Youth
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Support Groups Free to Foster and Adoptive Families
10.13.11 / 6 to 8 p.m.
11.17.11 / 6 to 8 p.m.
Dinner and childcare provided. Support groups are held in the Foster & Adoption Resource Center (1750 S. Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 210, St. Louis, MO 63144). You must register to attend.
To register,
contact Nickie Steinhoff at 314.367.8373 x2235.
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DID YOU KNOW?
Nearly 81.5 million Americans have considered adopting a child. If just one in 500 of these adults adopted, every waiting child in foster care would have a permanent family.
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Little Wishes Holiday Program
Deadline October 14th
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Thanks to KSDK NewsChannel 5 and thousands of generous donors, children in foster care will receive special Holiday gifts. Children are eligible if they live in Metro St. Louis and are currently in the foster care system, or were in foster care, and now live with their adoptive or guardianship family.
For more information and to request gifts, click here. Before you log on, make sure that you have your FACC Caregiver ID, which can be found above your address on the newsletter you received in the mail. If you did not receive your newsletter, please email littlewishes@foster-adopt.org to ensure we have your correct mailing address. The deadline is October 14th. You may also print and fill out the MO or IL referral forms (available for download at www.foster-adopt.org) and mail them by October 14th to:
Foster & Adoptive Care Coalition
ATTN: Little Wishes
1750 South Brentwood Blvd., Ste. 210
St. Louis, MO 63144
A couple of things to know:
- Gifts will be shipped to your home and cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.
- Name of current case manager or adoption/guardianship subsidy worker must be provided and WILL be verified.
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Training Extravaganza
October 22nd
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Thanks to the Daughters of Charity Foundation of St. Louis, the Coalition will host a Training Extravaganza on Saturday, October 22nd, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Receive 7.5 in-service training hours in one day at this all-day workshop for foster/adoptive/relative caregivers. Registration deadline is October 10th.
Extravaganza theme: Promoting Positive Development
Click here for details and a registration form.
Phone registrations are not accepted.
Childcare Lottery: Space is limited to 200 adults and 100 children.
Registration forms must be received by October 10th to be included in the childcare lottery. ALL requests for childcare received by October 10th will be placed into the same lottery pool. Registration forms will be drawn at random until the 100 childcare slots are filled. All families who register will be notified by mail. If childcare is full, adults are still welcome to attend the workshops and receive 7.5 training hours.
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[RE]FRESH This Week
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 STYLE Contest!
WIN $50! This Sat. and Sun., from noon to 3 p.m., Come in and create a style all your own (dress up a mannequin)! We'll post them on our Facebook page and our website. The look with the most "likes" and "comments" by October 12th will win $50 in Refresh Rewards! So, come in and show us your style! Winner announced on our website October 12th at noon. Friday through Sunday, all denim is 30% off. Plus, get a FREE BELT with your jeans purchase! Click here for discount procedures for youth in foster care and foster/adoptive/kinship families.
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Little Wishes... Big Dreams
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 November 19th will be a celebration of granting Little Wishes for foster children as well as making Big Dreams come true - forever families for all the children. Guests will enjoy cocktails, dinner, sweet treats, spectacular live auction items, and the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the children we serve. We are thrilled to announce our special guest: Antwone Fisher, former foster youth, New York Times best-selling author, and award-winning Hollywood producer and writer.
Click here for details and to purchase a ticket or table.
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Educational Advocacy Corner
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For educational concerns, please contact:
Dell Vinson, Director of Educational Advocacy at 314.600.0305.
Trish Taddeucci, Educational Specialist at 314.614.2420
Report Bullying in School (AND CYBERBULLYING)
Students and parents can file anonymous reports of school violence, such as fights, bullying, and vandalism. To report bullying or for more information, please click here. Click here to learn about cyber bullying. What is it? More importantly, what you can do to prevent it.
Understanding The Impact of AD/HD and Executive Function Deficits on Learning and Behavior
On Sunday, October 16th from 4 to 6 p.m., Chris Dendy will meet guests and hold a discussion. Chris Dendy is an author, former educator, school psychologist, children's mental health professional with over 40 years of experience, plus the mother of grown children who have ADHD. Spend the afternoon with her and take back valuable information. This event is FREE and registration is not required. This event will be held at St. Luke's Hospital (232 S. Woodsmill Rd., Chesterfield, MO 63017). For more information, please call 314.467.0280 or visit www.chadd.org.
FREE Workshops at St. Louis County Library: Helping Teens Prepare for College
High school students who plan to pursue higher education can get a head start by attending a workshop at six St. Louis County Library branches. The workshops are entitled "College & the Real World: A Workshop for Teens" and feature author and youth motivational speaker Grant Baldwin. Registration is recommended. Teens and parents are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be served. Call 314.994.3300 to register. October 8th workshop times and locations:
10 a.m. - Natural Bridge Branch (7606 Natural Bridge Rd., St. Louis.
Noon - Samuel Sachs Branch (16400 Burkhardt Pl., Chesterfield)
3 p.m. - Tesson Ferry Branch (9920 Lin-Ferry Road, St. Louis)
FREE Workshops from Special School District (SSD) for Parents in St. Louis County
Parent Workshops are provided free to parents in St. Louis County. Unless otherwise noted, all workshops are held on the lower level at Special School District Central Administrative Offices (12110 Clayton Rd., Town & Country, on Clayton Road just east of Ballas Road, next to Neuwoehner School). Childcare is not provided. Register at 314.989.7807 (or 711, Deaf/HOH) or online (call the registration number for assistance with setting up an online account). Click here to view an updated calendar of courses. Please be sure to register for workshops, as they are sometimes canceled due to low enrollment. If you need more information, or if you have special needs and require an alternative format, call Joann Noll, Assistant Administrator, Parent Education, 314.989.8108 or 711 (Deaf/HOH).
Upcoming FREE workshops (held at the SSD Central Office):
Special Education Law / 10.10.11 / 6 to 9 p.m. Training by MPACT staff provides an overview of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, Safe Schools Act and No Child Left Behind.
Orientation for Parents to Special Education & the IEP Process /10.12.11 / 9 to 11 a.m.
This orientation will provide an overview of special education services and how they are provided through SSD. Learn more about how to develop an effective individualized education program (IEP), educational rights, community resources/support, and tour the Family & Community Resource Center.
Is Your Child a Target of Bullying? / 10.24.11 / 6 to 9 p.m. / SSD Central Office, Room 61
You will be introduced to a range of bullying intervention strategies for children, parents, and school personnel. You will also receive guidelines for the development of a plan to address the unique needs of the individual child and is applicable across all disability categories and age groups.
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Community Calendar
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Southern Illinois Harvest Festival - "Harvest of Helping Hands"10.07.11 to 10.15.11Mount Vernon, IL (visit the link below for directions) C ost: FREEThis festival offers new and exciting events for residents across all of Mount Vernon, Jefferson County, and the entire region of Southern Illinois! There will be plenty of fun things to do for all ages! Enjoy the Chili Cook Off, children's activities, pumpkin patch and more! More information and directions: www.silharvestfest.mvn.netFriday Night Free For All at Craft Alliance
10.14.11 / 6 to 8 p.m.
Craft Alliance (6840 Delmar Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130)
Cost: FREE
Try your hand at many creative activities designed for children ages 5 and up. Activities for older kids (ages 10 and older) include creating a glass bead on a torch in the glass studio and forming a copper enamel charm in the metals studio. Kids can also throw clay on a pottery wheel, make a fanciful mask or headdress, create a folding bug book, and more. More information: www.craftalliance.orgDestination: Healthy Community Run Run/Walk and Health Festival featuring Jackie Joyner Kersee 10.15.11 / 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.St. Vincent Park (7333 St. Charles Rock Rd., St. Louis, MO 63133)Cost: FREEBring the whole family for a great day of fun, health, and fitness! There will be FREE flue shots, health screenings, health resources, cooking demonstrations, a children's health village, and more. Please pre-register by October 7th. More information or to pre-register: www.beyondhouseing.org or 314.533.0600
Respite Care Event Sponsored by MFCAA
10.15.11 / 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.
Gage Center, LLC (1101 NW Jefferson., Blue Springs, MO 64015)
Cost: FREE
The Midwest Foster Care and Adoption Association (MFCAA) understands the hardships that foster parents face. They provide services to enhance the fostering network in the community. Take a two hour respite, knowing that your foster/adoptive children will be having fun with professional staff and volunteers to look after them. Dinner will be provided. The Gage Center has a huge variety of fun physical activities, as well as space to cool down and watch a movie or rest. From trampolines and ball pits, to climbing ropes and a super slide. This is open to children in foster care ages 4 and older and reservations are required.
More information and reservations: Nathan Ross at 816.350.0215
Parent and Community Crisis Training
10.18.11 / 7 p.m.
Lafayette High School (17050 Clayton Rd., Wildwood, MO 63011)
Cost: FREE
Parents and community members are invited to attend a crisis workshop with Jesus Villahermosa, the foudner of Crisis Reality Training. Presentations will focus specifically on school crises for middle school students and parents.
More information: www.rockwood.k12.mo.us
Not-So-Haunted House (Plus, FREE admission to foster families)
10.21.11 / 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Magic House (516 South Kirkwood Rd., St. Louis, MO 63122)
Cost: FREE with museum admission
Kids of all ages are invited to dress in their Halloween best and mingle with their favorite storybook characters including Cinderella, Prince Charming, Willy Wonka, Snow White, Tom Sawyer, Madeline, Alice, and many more! Each child attending this spooktacular event will receive a trick-or-treat bag and an autograph book for the characters to sign as they trick-or-treat throughout the more than 100-year-old Not-So-Haunted House. Older Boys and ghouls (ages 5 to 14) can get ready for screams of delight as they enter the twisting mazes of the Haunted Trail in the pitch black, armed only with a flashlight. There is no turning back when it comes to the ghostly fun that awaits! The Magic House offers foster parents and those living in their homes free admission at all times. Foster families must show identification that proves they are currently licensed. The offer does not extend to adoptive parents, unless they can prove they are currently licensed foster parents.
More information: www.magichouse.com or 314.822.8900
Fall Tree ID Hike at Rockwoods Reservation
10.22.11 / 9 a.m. to noon
Rockwoods Reservation (Wildwood, MO - Click here for directions.)
Cost: FREE
Children ages 15 and older are invited to discover the colors of fall and hike among the trees. Learn to use colors and other clues to identify trees. Remember to dress for the weather, and bring a snack, water, and tree identification guide, if you have one. Reservations are required. Ages 15 and up.
More information: www.mdc.org or 636. 458.2236
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Community Resources
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"Meaning Making: How Infants and Young Children Make Meaning of Themselves in the World"The St. Louis Psychoanalytic Institute presents the 2011 Paul A. Dewald, MD, Lecture, "Meaning Making: How Infants and Young Children Make Meaning of Themselves in the World," with Edward Tronick, PhD. The event will be held October 27th from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the E thical Society Auditorium (9001 Clayton Rd., St. Louis, MO 63117). The cost is $15 per person. This lecture will focus on the ways infants "make meaning" of the world using non-verbal processes, including emotions and actions through social play, culture and relationships, and Dr. Tronick will explain how the "meaning making" processes may lead to typical or to pathological childhood development. Click here for more information and click here to purchase tickets. You may also call 314.361.7075.
iFoster Free Member Discount ProgramiFoster.org's programs provide financial relief and opportunities for growth and learning for those in foster care. iFoster.org launched a free member discount program. This program can save the average household over $4,500 a year with discounts at national and local retailers, grocery stores, healthcare providers (dental & vision), restaurants, movie theatres, and attractions. They have over 60,000 discounts now with new discounts constantly being added. If you are a transition age foster youth (ages 16 to 21), family (foster, resource, kin, guardian, adoptive) or organization (e.g. group home, transitional housing, CASA) supporting children in foster care, you're invited to become a member and save! Visit www.ifoster.org for more information.
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