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Adoption Topics       Education        Health Care       Legislative Info       Services & Resources   
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In This Issue
Help COCAF
Twitter COCAF!
Question of the Month
Camp Watwuzithinkin
Federal Adoption Assistance
Mount Saint Vincent
Behavioral Health & Adopted Children
NACAC Conference
Rehoming
Travel Safety
Events
C.A.S.E. Webinar Series
Support Groups

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Classroom Training

 

FASD: Prevention & Intervention: Let's Do It Together

Tuesday

May 12, 2015

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

West Bowles Community Church

12325 W Bowles Ave

Littleton, CO 80127

Click here for more info. 

 

Kinship Seminar:  

Protecting Children from Sexual Abuse

Thursday

May 14, 2015

11:00 a.m. - noon

Thornton Rec Center

11151 Colorado Blvd

Thornton, CO  80233

RSVP to Kerry Lutz at 303-742-0823 X2072 or at [email protected]

 

Educational Stability for Foster, Adoption, & Kinship Parents

Friday & Saturday

May 15-16, 2015

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Northeast Regional Training Center

 Click here for more info.

 

 

Rest and Respite for 

Caregivers and Families

Thursday

May 21, 2015

10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Aurora, CO

Click here for more info.

Attachment-Focused Family Therapy

Daniel Hughes Training

Tuesday-Friday

June 2-5, 2015

8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

PAAS Center

2460 W 26th Ave, C-165

Denver, CO 80211

Click here for more info. 

 

Colorado Cross Disability Coalition Advocacy Training

Tuesdays

June 2 - July 21, 2015

10:15 a.m. - 1:15 p.m.

University of Denver

University Hall Room 304

2197 S University Blvd

Denver, CO

Contact Sheryle Hutter (CCDC Advocacy Support and Training Coordinator) by email at  [email protected] for more info.

 

Rest and Respite for 

Caregivers and Families

Friday

June 19, 2015

10:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Aurora, CO

Click here for more info. 

 

Raising Assertive Kids:  Teaching Confidence, Safety, & Communication

Saturday

August 15, 2015

9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Koelbel Library

5955 S Holly St

Centennial, CO  80121

Click here for more info.

 

Family Wellness Event

Saturday

October 3, 2015

9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.

Timberline Church

2908 South Timberline Road

Fort Collins, CO

Click here for more info.

 

Webinars
 Conferences

 

Adoption Support and Preservation (ASAP)  National Conference

Sunday - Tuesday

May 31 - June 2, 2015

Sheraton Music City Hotel
777 McGavock Pike
Nashville, Tennessee 37214
Click here for more info.

 

 

Colorado State Foster Parent Association (CSFPA) Annual Education Conference

Wednesday - Friday

June 3 -5, 2015

Beaver Run Resort

Breckenridge, CO

Click here for more info.


46th Annual Autism Society National Conference

July 8 - 11, 2015

Denver, CO

Click here for more info.

 

2015 NACAC Conference:

Changing the Picture of Foster Care & Adoption

July 30 - August 1, 2015

Long Beach, CA

Click here for more info.

 

Together We Can

October 13-15, 2015

Cajundome

Lafayette, LA

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.

May 30
Tomorrowland

June 27
Inside Out

July 18
Minions

Sept 26
Hotel Transylvania

Oct 17
The Jungle Book

Nov 14
The Peanuts Movie

Dec 5
The Good Dinosaur

 

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. 

  


 

COCAF wants to give a shout out to Casi Preheim and her staff at the Colorado Post-Adoption Resource Center (COPARC).  They held their annual Spotlight conference last weekend, and while COCAF was unable to attend this year's conference because of other commitments, we know that Casi and her staff provided a great conference for Colorado's adoptive families.

 

Take a minute to read about the Colorado State Foster Parent Association conference in June.  These conferences provide education and a great opportunity to network with other adoptive, kinship, and foster parents.

 

Finally, we hope that you've got your summer plan together.  Yes, summer is just around the corner and those kids aren't going to entertain themselves!  Check out the Heritage Camps for some culturally sensitive camps for your family.

  

Wishing you a sizzling summer!  watermelon.jpg

 

K. Colleen Tarket, COCAF Board of Directors
Question of the Month

Multi-ethnic arms outstretched to ask questions.
This will be a new monthly article answering a question that COCAF has received that we think many of you would like to know the answer to.  If you have a question you'd like answered, please send your question to [email protected].  All questions will be answered anonymously.

Question of the month: Can the County reduce our monthly adoption assistance (subsidy) amount without a reason? 

Answer:  If you have a Title IV-e adoption assistance payment (subsidy), the County is required to follow federal guidelines, which includes not reducing your adoption assistance amount without your input and agreement.

Camp Watwuzithinkin 

This year's Colorado State Foster Care Association (CSFCA) education conference, "Camp Watwuzithinkin?" will be held June 3-5 in Breckenridge.   CSFPA had a lot of fun playing around with this theme. Their goal? To give their "adult" attendees a nostalgic look back at their own camp experiences, restore and revive the spirit of childhood, and hopefully provide a fresh perspective and appreciation of what you have accomplished and, of course, to pass on that enthusiasm to your kids. The camp name? Well, that's because on almost a daily basis they hear that question: "What was I thinking when I said I would become a foster parent?" "What was I thinking when I said I would take a sibling group?" "What was I thinking when I said I could do this by myself?"

 

You must register by May 31 to avoid paying the late fee.

 

To read more about this educational conference, click here.

 

Public Comments for Federal Adoption Assistance 

From Voice For Adoption (VFA)


 

The Children's Bureau announced through the Federal Register an opportunity to provide public comment about the title IV-E adoption assistance suspension and termination policies. The department is inviting agencies and stakeholders to share their experiences and concerns about how title IV-E agencies implement the suspension and termination policies, and any difficulties they have had ensuring that they are paying title IV-E adoption assistance funds appropriately. Current policy allows for termination under three circumstances: child attained age 18 (or 21), adoptive parents are no longer legally responsible, or title IV-E agency determines the adoptive parents are no longer providing any support to the child. The questions outlined in the notice are: 1. Should jurisdictions have the authority to suspend AA subsidy under any circumstances, if so, what cases? 2. If so, what process should be required in suspension, and for reinstatement? The notice also invites comment about the adoption assistance program generally. All comments are due by June 29, 2015. Click here to access the notice. 


Mount Saint Vincent  

Mount Saint Vincent (MSV) is a leader in children's mental health and a flagship site for the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), an honor bestowed by The ChildTrauma Academy of Houston, Texas. 

 

Mount Saint Vincent serves children aged 5 to 12 who face behavioral and emotional challenges due to trauma, mental illness, abuse, or neglect.  MSV serves children and their families through a variety of therapeutic, educational, and counseling programs, including:

  • Residential treatment;
  • Individualized day treatment and specialized School Programs;
  • In-home services;
  • Parent education and therapy to develop relational, parenting, and coping skills; and
  • Clinical assessment and consultations.

For a list of services or to contact MSV, go to www.msvhome.org

 

Behavioral Health & Adopted Children 

KSOC-TV (the Knowledge Network for Systems of Care) has archived a webisode that explored the behavioral health needs of children who have been adopted. Panelists on Behavioral Health Needs of Adopted Children and Youth included:

  • Gary Blau, Ph.D., Child, Adolescent and Family Branch, SAMHSA (moderator)
  • Debbie Riley, LCMFT, Chief Executive Officer, Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.)
  • Richard Barth, Dean of the School of Social Work and Professor, University of Maryland, School of Social Work
  • Vivian, a young adult who has been adopted and experienced behavioral health challenges
View the webisode (1 Hour 14 minutes)
NACAC Conference 
From the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)

 

The NACAC conference will be held in Long Beach, California, from July 29 to August 1. Dan Siegel, M.D., will present a preconference session, "Mindsight and Healing Trauma," and offer the opening keynote session.

 

Registration is now open, and early bird registration rates are available through June 26.   Click here to learn more.

 

The conference will be held at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach, and discounted rooms are available for $159 per night plus tax. Make your reservations early because the discounted rate applies only until the NACAC room block fills or July 7, whichever is earlier.  Click here to make reservations.

Rehoming 

Rehoming, once a term used to describe a new home for a family pet, is now a major adoption issue.  Families with seemingly unsurmountable adoption-related problems are not getting the support and services they need, and some, in desperation, seek to rehome their adopted child(ren).  Colorado has passed regulations to prevent rehoming, but most states have not.  Read more about this issue on the Social Worker Helper website.  Click here to go to their article on rehoming.

 

Travel Safety 
From the American Academy of Pediatrics

airplane-illustration.jpg

As you plan your summer vacation, making sure your kids are prepared and have a great time have to be at the top of your list.  


 

Click here to go to the American Academy of Pediatrics website for some family travel safety tips.

Events


Blue Jean Bash

Saturday, September 26, 2015

The EXDO Event Center

Supporting Clothes To Kids of Denver and their mission to provide free school clothing to students in need. Click here for more information.

 

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.

 

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.

 

 

Adoptive Parents Support Group

Last Sunday of every month from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Discovery Church, 2605 W 144th Ave, Broomfield, CO  80023

Meets the last Sunday of every month from 2:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.  
For more information, email [email protected] or [email protected]
  

Online Support Group for Adoptive, Foster, & Kinship Parents

Second Tuesday of the Month

Morning session 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

Evening session 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Session includes a short presentation followed by a discussion.  

Email Deb Felio at

[email protected]  

for the toll-free number and access code.

 

Adoptive Parents Support Group

1st Tuesday of the month   

February 3 - May 5, 2015

5:30pm-7:00pm

Supervised activities and group therapy for children

Lakewood Nazarene Church

Lakewood, CO

RSVP to Family Support Specialist, Mindi Bekler, 720-251-5876

 

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  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