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Donations are used to support Colorado's adoptive families.
In This Issue
Help COCAF
Twitter COCAF!
Trauma Informed Care
Foster Youth Internship Program
Youth Transitioning to Adulthood
Mental Health Resources
Help Needed
Pancakes with Santa
C.A.S.E. Webinar Series
Support Groups

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.
Classroom Training

 

Special Needs Planning Workshops

Wednesday

December 3, 2014

5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Sheridan Public Library

Click here for more info.

 

The Meaning of Holidays for Traumatized Children

Friday

December 5, 2014

9:00 a.m. - noon

Mile High United Way

Room 111

711 Park Ave West

Denver CO 80205

Click here for more info.

 

How to Talk to Your Child About Race

Saturday

December 6, 2014

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

History Colorado Center

1200 Broadway

Denver, CO 80203

Call 303-866-4689 to register.

Click here for more info.

 

Families by Design

Friday

March 20, 2015

Island Grove Events Center

Conference Rooms B & C

425 N 15th Ave

Greeley, Co 80631

9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Must pre-register by calling 970-534-8010.

Click here for more info.

 

 

 
Please DONATE
 Conferences

 

Conference on Inclusion Education

Thursday & Friday

February 12-13, 2015

Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center

7800 E Tufts Ave

Denver CO 80237

Click here for more info.


46th Annual Autism Society National Conference

July 8 - 11, 2015

Denver, CO

Click here for more info.
 

 

 

Webcasts

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?

Click here to download.

The 50 State Chartbook on Foster Care: A Web-Based Data Resource for Child Welfare Professionals

Click here to download.

 
  Improving the Economic Security of Children in Foster Care and Young People Who Are Transitioning from Foster Care
FREE Online Courses
FREE AFP Online Classes

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  

AMC Autism Logo  
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.

December 13
Paddington

 

Click here for more info.

 

 

Twitter @Adopt_Colorado 

 

Check us out at http://www.twitter.com/Adopt_Colorado  and follow us!  You'll get up to the minute news on classes, resources, and adoption issues. 

  
  

Tuesday, December 9, is Colorado Gives Day. COCAF has participated in Colorado Gives Day since its inception, and your generous donations have provided us with the funding we needed to provide free advocacy to adoptive families in Colorado. We are very proud of the support we provide, and we hope to continue helping Colorado's adoptive families for many years to come.

 

Unfortunately, COCAF has been informed by the Community First Foundation, the organization that makes Colorado Gives Day possible, that after this year, we will no longer be able to participate. Community First Foundation requires that we collect over $50,000 a year in donations or have $25,000 in assets, and we do not meet either of those criteria. So this will be our last year to participate in Colorado Gives Day (unless we are blessed with more than $25,000 in donations this Colorado Gives Day).

 

Please help us on Colorado Gives Day. If you don't have $25,000 to donate, we'll be happy with $10. Click here to pre-schedule your Colorado Gives Day donation. Please be sure to click on the CO GIVES DAY button just below the amount field to make sure your donation goes in on Colorado Gives Day (it helps us earn a few extra dollars!).

 

 

Hoping for a Better Future for ALL Families!

K. Colleen Tarket, COCAF Board of Directors

[email protected]   

 

  
Trauma Informed Care Online Tool
From the National Center for Child Welfare Excellence

The Georgetown University, National Technical Assistance Center for Children's Mental Health and others have recently completed a new free online tool entitled, Trauma Informed Care: Perspectives and Resources. The tool aims to support state and local decision-makers, administrators, providers, parents, and youth and family advocates to become more trauma informed. It includes video interviews, issue briefs, key resources, and links that will be updated monthly to keep up with new developments in the field.
 

This FREE tool is now live and available for your use. Click here to go to the tools.
Foster Youth Internship Program

From the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) 

 

The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI) is accepting applications for its 2015 Foster Youth Internship program. Each summer, CCAI Foster Youth Interns spend two months in Washington, D.C. interning for a member of Congress and writing a Congressional policy report. The internship is open to those who have graduated or are currently enrolled in and have completed four semesters of college/trade school, have spent at least 24 consecutive months or 36 total months in the foster care system, and have a desire to use their voice on Capitol Hill. Interns receive a weekly stipend and housing during their assignment.

 

The application deadline for this life-changing internship is Friday, January 9, 2015.  Click here to go to the application.

 

 

Youth Transitioning to Adulthood

The National Resource Center for Permanency and Family Connections offers a variety of web-based resources for youth transitioning to adulthood.  Click here to go to the website.


Online Mental Health Resources
From publichealthcorps.org

Mental illness is no different than any other chronic illness:  You need resources to successfully manage it.  Here's a list of online resources that you may find helpful: 

 

Get Immediate Mental Health Help

 

Local Organizations with Mental Health Expertise

 

Medicare and Mental Health

Help Needed

While COCAF does not have the resources to provide actual services (like respite), we know many of our families are willing to help other families in need, so we are publishing this request in hopes that the adoptive community can assist this family. Please note that COCAF is not in any way responsible for any actions or lack thereof that may come as a result of this request.

 

Help needed: Single mom of 4 in Centennial needs respite for a few hours or a day during the weekend for her 13-year old adopted daughter. The child in need of respite has been diagnosed with oppositional defiant and attachment disorders. While generally not problematic with others, the child needs constant structure to ensure that her return home is as least disruptive as possible. Guidance on the type of structure needed will be provided by the mother. If you can help this family, please email Jennifer at [email protected].


 

Events


Pancakes with Santa santa-with-cookie.jpg

Saturday,

December 13, 2015  

 

8:30 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.

6501 Brittany Street, Fort Collins, CO

 

Kids at Heart will have a pancake fundraiser to raise funds for our Fundango and Camp Fundango programs. Your ticket includes all you can eat pancakes, sausages, juice, milk, & coffee for only $5 before the event / $7 day of event. Kids 5 and under are FREE! Santa will be available for photos with your child or children.   

 

Click here for more information.

  

Run for Orphans

Saturday, May 9, 2015

More info to come!

 
C.A.S.E. Webinar Series
                                       

These webinars are being offered by the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E). Click here to read more information about any of these webinars.

 

Beneath the Mask Part 2: Effective Communication with Adopted Teens

Thursday

January 22, 2015

11:00 a.m.

 

What Prospective & Adoptive Families Should Know about Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD)

Thursday

February 19, 2015

11:00 a.m.

 

Desperately Seeking Attachment: Parenting Traumatized Children & Teens - Part 1

Thursday

March 19, 2015

11:00 a.m.

 

Desperately Seeking Attachment: Parenting Traumatized Children & Teens - Part 2

Thursday

April 16, 2015

11:00 a.m.

 

Search & Reunion in Domestic & International Adoption

Thursday

May 14, 2015

11:00 a.m.

 

Relating to Relatives: Adoption & Extended Family

Thursday

June 18, 2015

11:00 a.m.

  

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.

 

 

Teen & Tween Adoption Support for Parents

Potluck

2nd & 4th Monday of each month

6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Resilience Center

1298 Peoria St

Aurora, CO 80011

Click here for more info.

 

 

Young Adult Mental Illness Support Group

For ages 18-28

1st & 3rd Thursday of every month

6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

1st week Classroom F-G

3rd week Classroom E

St Anthony Hospital

11600 W 2nd Dr

Lakewood, CO 80228

Contact Courtney at 720-369-2629 for more information.  

  

Welcome Child Adoption/Foster Care Support Group

Second Sunday of the month

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.

 

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.  
 

 Adult Adoptee Group

Thursdays starting November 6, 2014

6:00 p.m. 7:30 p.m.

7950 S Lincoln St, Ste 111-E, Littleton, CO 80122

Call 303-522-3184 to register. $20 per session.
 

 

  

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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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