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DONATE Today!
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Donations are used to support Colorado's adoptive families. |
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Classroom Training
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Developmental Consequences of Child Maltreatment
Tuesday
April 8, 2014
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Anschutz Medical Campus
Kempe - Education Center
13123 E 16th St
Aurora CO 80045
Click here for more info.
For the Love of My Special Child:
Estate Planning for Parents of Children
with Special Needs
Thursday
April 10, 2014
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Eloise May Public Library
1471 S Parker Rd
Denver, CO 80231
Click here for more info.
Transitioning Through Adoption
Thursday
April 10, 2014
9:00 a.m. - noon
172 Justice Center Rd.
Ca�on City, CO 81212
Click here for more info.
Teens, Tweens, and Everything In-Between
Thursday
April 10, 2014
1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
172 Justice Center Rd
Ca�on City, CO 81212
Click here for more info.
Trust Based Relational Intervention� for Every Day and Attachment:
Yours, Mine, and Ours
Friday & Saturday
April 11-12, 2014
Fri 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Saturday 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m.
Foothills Bible Church
6100 South Devinney Way
Littleton, CO 80127
Click here for more info.
My Body Belongs to Me
Free Workshop for parents of children age 0-7
Wednesday
April 16, 2014
Email for more info [email protected].
Strengthening & Re-Building Attachments
Saturday
April 19, 2014
9:00 a.m. - noon
Christ Community Church
1301 15th St
Greeley, CO
Contact Loni Corliss at 970.339.8545.
Caring for Children Who Have Been
Sexually Abused
Friday & Saturday
April 25-26, 2014
172 Justice Center Rd
Ca�on City, CO 81212
Click here for more info.
Creating a Circle of Hope -
FASD Prevention and Intervention Training
Tuesday
May 6, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Ft Logan Campus Auditorium
3520 West Oxford Avenue
Denver, CO
Click here for more info.
Understanding Grief & Coping with Loss
Tuesday
May 13, 2014
Colorado Springs, CO
Click here for more info.
Foster/Kinship/Adoptive Parents' Guide To Advocacy
for the Educational Needs of Children in Their Care
Thursday & Friday
May 15 & 16, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
El Pueblo
1 El Pueblo Ranch Way
Pueblo, CO 81006
Click here for more info.
Beyond Consequences LIVE
Saturday
May 17, 2014
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Crossroads Church of Denver
9725 W 50th Ave
Wheat Ridge, CO 80033
Click here for more info.
Caring for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused
June 13 & 14, 2014
Friday, 4:40 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Saturday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Northeast Regional Training Center
2573 Midpoint Drive
Fort Collins CO 80525
Click here for more info.
Starting Over:
An Intensive Family Intervention Training for Defiant & Out-of-Control Children
Saturday & Sunday
July 12-13, 1014
Denver, CO
Click here for more info.
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Webinars
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Helping Children Manage
Feelings & Behaviors
Thursday
April 24, 2014
6:00 p.m.
Untangling the Web: The Internet's Transformative Impact on Domestic and International Adoption
Wednesday
April 30,2014
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Click here for more info.
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| Conferences |
COPARC's Annual
Spotlight Conference
Resources: Life Beyond Labels
Friday
April 18, 2014
Mile High Station
Denver, CO
Click here for more info.
21st Annual National
Foster Care Conference "Footsteps to the Future"
Wednesday-Friday
May 28-30, 2014
Hilton Daytona Beach
Oceanfront Resort
100 N Alantic Ave
Daytona Beach, FL
Click here for more info.
2014 NACAC Conference Permanency Matters: A Family for Growing Up and Growing Old Wednesday - Saturday July 23-26, 2014 Kansas City, MO Click here more information. 27th Annual
National Independent Living Conference "Growing Pains 2014" For Adults and Youth Tuesday-Friday August 26-29, 2014
Sheraton Downtown Denver1550 Court Pl Denver, CO 80202Click here for more info. |
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Webcasts
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These webinars have been recorded and are available 24X7
Supporting Youth in Transition: The Importance of Case Worker Visits
Click here to for more info.
Adoption Tax Credit: A Guide for State Advocates
Click here for more info.
Child Welfare and the Affordable Care Act
Click here for more info.
Improving the Economic Security of Children in Foster Care & Young People Who Are Transitioning out of Care
Privatization of Child Welfare Services: A Guide for State Advocates
Click here to download.
Collaborating with Kinship Caregivers Curriculum and TA
Click here to download.
Finding What Works: Helping Young Adults Transition into Adulthood
Click here to download.
The Uninterrupted Scholars Act: How Do Recent Changes to FERPA Help Child Welfare Agencies Get Access to School Records?
Improving the Economic Security of Children in Foster Care and Young People Who Are Transitioning from Foster Care
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FREE AFP Online Classes
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These classes are available free to families who have adopted internationally or privately. To get your online training code and instructions for accessing your free training class, contact Michelle Betsch at [email protected] or
303-829-4296.
Conspicuous Families
Discipline and the Adopted Child: Ain't Misbehavin'
Finding the Missing Pieces
The Journey Of Attachment Tough Starts: Brain Development Matters |
| Kempe Center Webinars | |
The Kempe Center for the Prevention & Treatment of Child Abuse & Neglect has announced the dates for their free upcoming webinar series on Family Group Decision Making (FGDM) and other family engagement approaches. This series, for child and family serving professionals, advocates, foster parents, and other community stakeholders, will include a wide range of topics by presenters representing many areas in the field of family inclusion in decision making.
All these webinar are free of charge.
Detained Immigrant Parents' Place at the Table; The Parental Interest Directive
Wednesday, April 16, 2014, noon
Preparing Parents for Family Meetings: A Path to Increased Family Engagement
Tuesday, May 6, 2014, noon
Competencies for Strengths-based Family Workers
Thursday, August 14, 2014, noon
Leading the Way: Supervisors Promoting Critical Thinking in FGDM Practice
Tuesday, September 16, 2014, noon
Family Group Decision Making: Engaging, Encouraging, and Empowering Families to Succeed
Wednesday, October 15, 2014, noon
Believe it or Not: The Interplay between Child Welfare Agency Staff Attitudes and Knowledge about FGDM and Implementation
Thursday, November 13, 2014, noon
Click here for more information.
Click here to register for one of the webinars.
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Sensory Friendly Films
AMC Theatres (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other disabilities a special opportunity to enjoy their favorite films in a safe and accepting environment on a monthly basis with the "Sensory Friendly Films" program. April 19
Rio 2 May 31 Maleficent
Click here for more info. | |
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Yes, this newsletter is late. Have you ever had one of those months? A month when you have a lot to do, but then a different plan just takes over. Visits from far-away friends and family. Events with close friends and family. All taking the time you had planned for work. So yes, this newsletter is coming out late because I chose to make memories with my family and friends. So I apologize for the newsletter is coming out late, but know that I'd make the same decision in a snap. Hope you have the opportunity to make the same decision someday, too!
Happy Spring!!!
Colleen Murphy Tarket, Board Member
[email protected]
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Adoption from Foster Care Conference
From the Colorado Post Adoption Resource Center (COPARC)
COPARC's Annual Spotlight Conference, Resources: Life Beyond Labels, will be held Friday, April 18, 2014, at Mile High Station in Denver. This day-long conference offers the opportunity to meet and share information with adoptive and foster families as well as the professionals who work with these families. Click here for more information. |
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Summit Camp's Spring Weekender
Join Summit Camp for a fun weekend getaway, May 2-4, 2014, designed for young people with issues of high functioning autism/Asperger's, NVLD, or ADHD/ADD. The Weekender is a mini-camp, with a range of guided and supported activities similar to that of a full sleep away camp, featuring horseback riding, archery, archery, and high ropes. Staff are trained to work with kids with learning issues, including a fabulous certified special education teacher and 24x7 nurse practitioner who can facilitate medication administration. They have an excellent adult to camper ratio (typically one adult to every 2 or 3 campers). Pre-registration is required.
Visit http://summitweekender.com/index.php/apply-now to apply. Cost: $425.00 and includes activities, transportation from a central location on the Front Range, staffing, lodging, and nutritious meals and snacks (food allergies can be accommodated).
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Foster and Adoptive Family Blog
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Videos Offer Adoptive Families Advice
Two new YouTube videos provide some advice for adoptive families:
No Anger Zone: Maintaining a Peaceful Emotional Climate in Adoptive Families
Authors: Keck, Gregory C. and James, Arleta.
This six-minute video explores how past trauma can cause adopted children to become angry and how the anger can spread to the rest of the family. Reasons why adoptive parents can become frustrated and angry are discussed, including dealing with a child who dissociates as a way of dealing with stress. Strategies for maintaining a peaceful home environment are discussed, including helping families manage their own reactions and not respond in anger and helping the child adapt to the environment. Click here to see the video.
The Impact of Trauma on Child Development: The New Arrival is "Younger" Than Anticipated: A Discussion
Authors: Keck, Gregory C. and James, Arleta.
This five-minute video explores how past trauma can impact the development of children who have been adopted, including the impact on cause and effect thinking that leads to delays in problem-solving skills, moral development, and social skills. The lack of age-mate peers for children without cause and effect thinking is explained and the difficulties this can pose for siblings in the family is discussed. The need for parents to understand the challenges siblings face when dealing with the adopted child is emphasized. Click here to see the video.
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Aurora Residents: Check Out a Museum!
In partnership with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, the Aurora Public Library is offering Family Plus Memberships cards you can check out just like a book or DVD. This allows seven people over the age of 2, entry to the museum, starting April 1, 2014. Now Aurora residents have access to the marvelous and educational exhibits and shows offered by the museum with all the privileges and normal benefits associated with a Family-Plus membership, such as the gift shop, T-Rex Caf�, IMAX, planetarium, and temporary exhibition ticket discounts. Library patrons can check out the membership cards for a week and enjoy the Museum. You'll be able to put the memberships on hold, check them out, and return them, just like you would any of the materials from the library. Check out the memberships at Central, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mission Viejo library branches or at the Hoffman Heights Computer Center. |
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Smart 9-1-1
 Smart 911 is a free service that allows anyone in the U.S. to create a Safety Profile for their household that includes any information they want 9-1-1 to have in the event of an emergency. Then, when anyone in that household dials 9-1-1 from a phone associated with their Safety Profile, their profile is immediately displayed to the 9-1-1 call taker providing additional information that can be used to facilitate the proper response to the proper location. At a time when seconds count, being able to provide 9-1-1 with all details that could affect response as soon as an emergency call is placed could be the difference between life and death. Sign up today at https://www.smart911.com/. |
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Domestic Adoption Camp, July 24-27
The theme this year is "Family Ties: What Holds Us Together." Through art, music, movement, play, team building, outdoor activities, and more, children from the age of 3 to 18 joyfully will explore and celebrate being adopted. Children's counselors will be young adult adoptees. Experts in the fields of adoption, education, trauma ,and child development are invited to speak with parents and with older teens. Parents have an opportunity to be with a group of people who "GET IT." No explanations, no crazy questions, no judgments. Come learn and share with other adoptive families. Registration is open. Scholarships are available for those who need financial assistance.
Click here for more information.
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Adopted Teens Gathering
Sundays through May 4, 1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m.
740 Burbank St, Broomfield, CO
Discuss what it means to be adopted and a teen: Fears, hopes, identity, self worth, trust, future, relationships, and family. Whether adoption was many years ago or just recently, you are welcome to come talk with others who share an adoption story.
Contact Deb Felio: 303-548 -8902 or
[email protected].
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Kinship Family Resources
Looking for resources for your kinship family? Catholic Charities provides great resources. Click here to read their April newsletter. Click here to read about the Kinship Powwow.
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Books for the Visually Impaired
Storybud a children's story website with children's stories from around the world. The site is unique in that content is available in three formats (text, audio, and combined text and audio) and has a number of accessibility features for those using speech programs. While designed to help those with visual impairments, this site is a valuable asset for all families.
Download the stories for free and save to your own computer and enjoy at your leisure. Stories are categorized by age, theme, continent, and title. Click here to go to Storybud.
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Help COCAF While You Shop!
Use AmazonSmile when you shop Amazon, and support COCAF at the same time! Shop at AmazonSmile and 0.5% of your eligible Amazon purchases can be donated to the nonprofit of your choice - including COCAF. Your donations help adoptive families in Colorado find the services they need to keep their families safe, healthy, and thriving. Click here to start shopping. |
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Re-Visiting the Adoption/Guardianship Discussion
NRCPFC and NRCA Webinar Recording Now Available
The recording of the webinar "Re-Visiting the Adoption/Guardianship Discussion: Helping Caseworkers Better Understand and Communicate the Permanency Implications of Adoption and Guardianship," co-sponsored by the National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections (NRCPFC) and the National Resource Center for Adoption (NRCA), is now available on the NRCA website. This webinar summarized the foundation on which guardianship as a permanency option was developed; provided a comparative look at the qualities of permanency for adoption and guardianship; discussed the value of guardianship for kinship families, Native Americans, and older youth; and highlighted strategies for the engagement and education of families in the decision making process. Tips and tools for engagement of families, educating families about the differences between adoption and guardianship, and documenting critical discussions were also shared. The webinar recording and PowerPoint presentation are available by clicking here.
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Get Ready for National Foster Care Month!
The Children's Bureau-together with its information service, Child Welfare Information Gateway-has announced that the 2014 National Foster Care Month website is now live. This year's theme is "Building Blocks Toward Permanent Families." The website provides resources for supporting permanence through reunification, kinship care, guardianship, and adoption, including resources specifically geared toward foster parents and youth. This year's website features resources on: Engaging families in case planning; Enriching caseworker and family visits; Supporting families and caregivers through services; Building family and community connections; Enhancing well-being for children, youth, and families; and, Strengthening families through permanence. Click here to go to the website. |
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Spanish-Speaking Professionals
Find Spanish-speaking professionals in your State by selecting "Private Domestic Foster Care and Adoption Agencies" in the National Foster Care and Adoption Directory search. On the search results page, look at the grouped "Search Results Clustered by Services and Languages" to find languages spoken by agency staff as self-reported in their annual directory update. The National Foster Care and Adoption Directory search is also available in Spanish: Directorio Nacional del Cuidado Temporal y la Adopci�n. Click here to go to the Spanish version. |
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NACAC Conference Registration Is Now Open!
Registration is now open for the annual NACAC conference in Kansas City, Missouri, on July 23-26, 2014. You can download a registration booklet or view all of the information and register online. This year's conference includes three pre-conference sessions:
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Permanency for Older Children and Youth: Critical Work Before, During, and After Placement
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Creating Trauma-Competent Homes to Nurture Permanency and Attachment
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Improving Services and Outcomes with Older LGBTQ Youth in Care
This nationally recognized adoption conference includes more than 90 workshops for all members of the adoption and foster care community; programming for children ages 6 to 17; and a 2-day conference for youth (July 24 & 25) , sponsored by Jockey Being FamilyTM, for youth advocates ages 18 to 25.
Click here for more information or to register.
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Events
SOAR! Youth and Adult Choir at Kirk of Bonnie Brae Church
Sunday, April 13th, 3:00pm
A fun event for the whole family, featuring a choir with adopted and foster children and the adults who support them, to benefit DCAC. Light refreshments provided. Tickets are $15 for adults and $5 for children at the door.
IDA-RMB Dining for Dyslexia at the Wynkoop Sunday, April 13, 2014, 4:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. 1634 18th St, Denver Bring your family and join IDA-RMB for an evening of food, drink, festivities, and inspirational speakers. Proceeds benefit the YES! Youth Program and Professional Development Scholarship Fund. Click here for more information. Every Child Has A Name Adoption Expo 2014 Friday, April 25, 2014, 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. Eastern Hills Community Church 25511 E Smoky Hill Rd, Aurora, CO 80016 For families and individuals who want to learn more about the many ways adoption is possible. Click here for more information. 13th Annual Ability Connection Colorado Mother's Tea Saturday, May 10, 2014, 10:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Westin Denver Downtown Treat your mom, grandmother, aunt, sister, caregiver, or friend to a special day of relaxation and laughter! Includes a lavish champagne reception, complementary portraits, scrumptious luncheon, ballroom dance performance, and fashion show. Click here to purchase tickets. Run for Orphans Saturday, May 10, 2014 The Ranch Events Complex, Thomas McKee Bldg
5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO 80538 Packet Pickup Before Race Day From 1:00-7:00PM on Friday, May 9, 2014
The Ranch, Thomas McKee Bldg - Berthoud meeting room OR Day of the RaceFrom 6-7:30AM (Registration & Packet Pickup) Saturday, May 10, 2014
The Ranch, Thomas McKee Bldg Race Date Saturday, May 10, 2014 The Ranch Events Complex, Thomas McKee Bldg
5280 Arena Circle, Loveland, CO 80538 Race Day Times 6:00 - 7:30 AM - Registration & Packet Pickup
8:00 AM - Kids' 1 Mile Run
8:30 AM - 5K Run/Walk Start
9:30 AM - Awards Awards for the top 3 male and female finishers in each age group. Click here for more information. 2014 Champions for Children Golf Classic to Benefit The Adoption Exchange Champions for Children Celebration Dinner on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 Denver Marriot South at Park Meadows Champions for Children Golf Tournament on Thursday, June 26, 2014 Sanctuary Golf Course, Sedalia, CO Click here for more information. |
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Support Groups
Sometimes our children provide us with challenges that we're just not quite ready to handle. And sometimes support groups can help us find the answers we need, or at least make us feel okay about the unique challenges we're facing. Here are some support groups that might be helpful.
Welcome Child Adoption/Foster Care Support Group
Second Sunday of the month (Mar 9, Apr 13, May 11, & June 8)
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Timberline Church, Room 214
2908 S. Timberline Road
Fort Collins, CO 80525
For more information contact Michele Sanner by email at mlsanner@gmail.com or by phone at (970) 481-5749.
Click here to register for childcare.
Xpress Yourself Art & Play Therapy
Support groups for internationally adopted children & adolescents
CCAI
6920 S. Holly Circle
Centennial, CO 80112
Call 303-850-9998, ext 22
Called to Adopt Support Group
4th Saturday of the month, 6:00 p.m.,
Christ Community Church, Greeley, CO
Click here for more info.
The Men's Group for Adoptive Dads
Thursdays, 6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.
Zoe's, 715 10th St, Greeley, CO 80631
For more information, contact Tim Paxton at 970-691-5737 or by email at [email protected].
Sensory Processing Disorder Parent Support Group
Facilitators: Sarah Ahn and Jenny Burnsed, LPC
Last Monday of every month 6:00-8:00 p.m.
Bixby School, 3750 Table Mesa Drive, Boulder
There is no fee associated with this group, though donations are gratefully accepted. Please contact Sarah at [email protected] for questions.
Therapeutic Post-Adoption Support Group
2nd Thursday of the month, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Windsor Timberline Church
360 E Crossroads Blvd, Windsor, CO
Click here for more information.
Aurora Mental Health
Adoption Support Group
2nd & 4th Mondays of the month
Aurora Mental Health
11059 E Bethany Drive, Aurora, CO 80014
Click here for more information.
The Be The Change Challenge
(For parents of challenging children)
2nd Tuesday of each month, 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
ACL Boulder, 5744 North 71st Street, Longmont, Colorado 80503
Call 630-841-0458
Click here for more info.
EMPOWER Colorado Adams County Rainbow Center
3rd Thursday of each month, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
2140 E 88th Ave, Thornton, CO 80229
Contact: KimNichelle Rivera 303-226-5536
EMPOWER Littleton/Aurora/Englewood
1st & 3rd Thursday, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Arapahoe/Douglas Mental Health Network
155 Inverness Drive West, Englewood, CO 80112
Contact Carol Villa at 303-790-1055 for more information or email [email protected]
NAMI Connections Recovery Support Group for Adults
Wednesdays, 7:00 p.m. 8:30 p.m.
ADMHN Building, 3rd floor
5500 S. Sycamore St, Littleton, CO 80120
Contact: Carol
303-790-1055
NAMI Family Support Group Teleconference
2nd & 4th Tuesdays of each month
Contact: [email protected]
Louisville Parent Support Group
Second Tuesday of the month 7:00 - 8:30
Art Underground
901 Front Street, Louisville, CO 80027
$25 per session; reservations required.
Call 720-352-1743.
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COCAF strives to provide Colorado's adoptive families with the information and resources they need to keep their families healthy and happy. If you have ideas for topics you think we should cover, please let us know. And if you find a good resource -- definitely let us know. Please forward your ideas or information to me at [email protected]. Materials received by the 20th of a month will be considered for inclusion in the next month's newsletter.
Wishing all families peace, serenity, and a good sense of humor,
Colleen Tarket, COCAF Board Member (and newsletter put-ter-together-er)
COCAF does not recommend or endorse any specific book, website, survey, study, or provider of services. The purpose of the COCAF e-newsletter is to provide families with potential resources. All information contained in this newsletter is for general informational purposes only and as is without warranty expressed or implied, and shall not constitute legal, medical, psychiatric, educational, or parenting advice. COCAF is not be liable for any damages arising from using the information in this newsletter, including direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, and/or consequential damages.
No information on this site should be considered legal advice. Laws vary by state, so you are urged to research the specific laws, and your rights, within your state. If you have specific questions regarding your rights, or the laws in your state, please contact an attorney. |
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Use this area to provide your subscribers information about your organization.
We believe that all children have the right to a permanent loving family. We are dedicated to improving services for every pre- and post-adoptive family and to increasing the knowledge and accountability of public systems. We are committed to advocacy in state and local service planning and delivery, in support of all pre and post adoptive families.
Sincerely,
Deborah Cave, Executive Director
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