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Donations are used to support Colorado's adoptive families. |
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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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Classroom Training
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XYZ's of IEPs (Part 2)
Tuesday
November 10, 2015
BVSD Education Center
6500 Arapahoe Rd
Boulder, CO 80301
Parenting Kids from Hard Places: In Depth TBRI Correcting Principles
Friday
November 13, 2015
9:30 am-3:00 pm
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Avenue
Aurora CO
Raising Children with Trauma Histories
Tuesday
November 17
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Risen Christ Catholic Parish
3060 S Monaco Pkwy
(Hampden & Monaco)
Denver, CO 80222
Childcare and a meal provided with an RSVP.
RSVP to Carrie Savage at 303-742-0823 x2071
Anniversary Reactions: Traumatic Memories
Thursday
November 19, 2015
9:00 a.m. - noon
Mile High United Way
PCL Conference Room 2
711 Park Ave West
Denver, CO 80205
Healing Our Youth
Thursday
November 19, 2015
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Douglas County High School
2842 Front St
Castle Rock, CO 80104
Parenting Children with Challenging Behaviors
Friday & Saturday
November 20-21, 2015
Ca�on City, CO or
Edgewater, CO
Nurturing Fatherhood Program
13-week program
December 2015-March 2016
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
For more info, contact Nancy Regalado
303-552-6231
Parenting Kids from Hard Places: An Introduction to TBRI
IEP Assessments & Monitoring Progress
Wednesday
January 13, 2016
BVSD Education Center
6500 Arapahoe Rd
Boulder, CO 80301
Understanding Executive Functioning (EF)
Wednesday
February 24, 2016
BVSD Education Center
6500 Arapahoe Rd
Boulder, CO 80301
Twice Exceptional Learners
Thursday
March 31, 2016
BVSD Education Center
6500 Arapahoe Rd
Boulder, CO 80301
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Webinars
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AdoptCare Advanced
Mondays
November 9 Sessions 3
November 16 Session 4
10:00 a.m.
Building a Strong Advocacy Effort for Children, Youth, & Families
Tuesday
November 17, 2015
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Adoption Paperwork, Explained
Tuesday
November 17, 2015
11:00 a.m.
FREE
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C.A.S.E. Webinars
Considering Adoption? Making the Decision to Adopt Older Children/Teens from Foster Care Thursday, November 19, 2015 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Extended Access: November 20-25, 2015 Search and Reunion in International Adoption Tuesday, January 26, 2016 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Extended Access: January 27 - February 2, 2016 Ask the Expert: Answers to the Five Most Common Adopted Teen Parenting Challenges Thursday, February 18, 2016 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Extended Access: February 19- 24, 2016 Parent to Parent: Addressing Trauma-Based Behaviors to Promote Attachment Thursday, March 17, 2016 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Extended Access: March 18 -23, 2016 Search and Reunion: Focus on Birthfathers Thursday, April 21, 2016 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Extended Access: April 22 - 27, 2016 Ready by 21: A Realistic Approach to Helping Foster Youth Transition to Adulthood Thursday, May 19, 2016 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Extended Access: May 20 - 25, 2016 Adoptive Fathers: Empowering the Male Voice Thursday, June 16, 2016 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Extended Access: June 17 - 22, 2016 |
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| Conferences | |
August 3-6, 2016
Nashville, TN
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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 |
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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.
Nov 14 10 a.m.
The Peanuts Movie
Nov 28 10 a.m. &
Dec 12 10 a.m.
The Good Dinosaur
Dec 22 7 p.m. & Dec 26 10 a.m. Star Wars: The Force Awakens Click here for more info. | |
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November is National Adoption Month. Most of you receive this email because you're part of an adoptive family or because you work with adoptive families.
COCAF has spent the last 17 years advocating on behalf of adoptive families. We do it on a shoestring budget, and we don't charge families for our services.
We also don't take money from the State of Colorado. Why not? Because we don't want to have any conflicts when we help you, the adoptive family. If we took State money, then it would be difficult to go to a fair hearing to fully support you in your battle to get a reasonable adoption assistance (subsidy) agreement from the county (given the county is an arm of the State). So we don't take State money, and when we advocate on your behalf, we don't have to worry about "offending" our money source - which means we are 100% focused on doing what is best for your family - and no one else!
That said, it means that COCAF is 100% dependent upon you, our adoptive families, for our financial support. Please consider making a donation to COCAF to ensure that all of Colorado's adoptive families have the advocacy support they need to ensure their family thrives.
Have a peaceful Thanksgiving!
K. Colleen Tarket, COCAF Board of Directors
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Question of the Month
How can I support COCAF?
Non-profits need money to operate - just like you!
In the past, COCAF has used Colorado Gives Day as our one big donation push. Unfortunately, we won't be able to do that this year.
When we first started working with the Community First Foundation in 2009 (the organizers of CO Gives Day), they welcomed us, despite the fact that we are a small charity (in terms of donations brought in). They now require that a charity bring in $50,000 in donations annually or have $25,000 in fixed assets to participate. COCAF is a small (okay, really small) charity, and we have never taken in more than $8,000 a year in donations. So Community First Foundation no longer wants to help us.
We are definitely hurt by this move, but we will persevere!
We do have a new "donate" button on our website that goes directly to our PayPal account, and we would be very grateful if you continued to support us, even if the Community First Foundation doesn't. We haven't changed; we still provide no cost advocacy support to all of Colorado's adoptive families, and to anyone in any other state who has adopted a child from the Colorado child welfare system.
Please consider a donation today
in honor of
National Adoption Month.
Thank you for supporting adoption and adoptive families. :)
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Adoption & Foster Care App
From the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
The University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) has released an app to help youth and parents involved in foster care. FOCUS on Foster Families-developed by the Nathanson Family Resilience Center at UCLA-provides videos and other tools designed to help users improve their skills related to communication, emotional regulation, problem solving, and goal setting. The app is free and can be downloaded from the iTunes Store or from Google Play.
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Colorado Receives Adoption Incentives
The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services has released the 2014 Adoption Incentive awards for 2014. Colorado did earn the incentive for 2014, making it the 8th year out of the last 17 years Colorado has earned the incentive.
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Colorado Crisis Services
Mental health issues seem to be at their worst during the holiday season. If you or someone you care about needs help with mental health, substance use, or emotional issues, the Colorado Crisis Services provides confidential and immediate support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year: 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or http://coloradocrisisservices.org/
You can also visit one of their walk-in crisis centers:
Aurora Walk-In Center:
Anschutz Medical Campus, 2206 Victor Street
Aurora Walk-In Center:
Urgent Care Center, 791 Chambers Rd. 7am-11pm
Boulder Walk-In Center:
Ryan Wellness Center, 1000 Alpine Ave.
Denver Walk-In Center: 4353 E. Colfax Ave.
Lakewood Walk-In Center:
Union Square Health Plaza, 12055 W. 2nd Pl.
Littleton Walk-In Center:
Santa Fe House, 6509 S. Santa Fe Dr.
Westminster Walk-In Center:
84th Ave. Neighborhood Center, 2551 W. 84th Ave.
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LFS Therapy: Correction
LFS offers individual counseling, family counseling, and support groups for adopted youth. Services are available in Lakewood, Colorado Springs, and Fort Collins. LFS offers a flat rate of $30 per hour session in the office and $40 per hour session for in home sessions. LFS does accept CO Access Medicaid.
You don't need to wait for a crisis-seeking support proactively will reduce your stress and help you to focus on your family. To get more information: - Email: [email protected]
- Denver Area 303.217.5858
- Fort Collins Area 970.266.1788
- Colorado Springs Area 719.227.7571
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Free National Park Access
Did you know that you own millions of acres of national parks, historic structures, cultural artifacts, ancient forests, snow-capped mountains, and clear blue lakes? Our public lands and waters belong to all Americans and are waiting for you to explore them!
To help engage and create our next generation of park visitors, supporters and advocates, the National Parks Service is kicking off the Every Kid in a Park initiative. The immediate goal is to provide an opportunity for each and every 4th grade student across the country to experience their public lands and waters in person throughout the 2015-2016 school year.
Beginning September 1st you will have access to your own Every Kid in a Park pass. This pass will give you free access to national parks, national forests, national wildlife refuges, and more! The Every Kid in a Park pass will be available starting September 1st, 2015 and will be good for the 2015-2016 school year until August 31, 2016. To apply for your pass, click here.
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COPARC Joins FaceBook
The Colorado Post-Adoption Resource Center (COPARC), a division of The Adoption Exchange, now has a FaceBook page. See what resources are available to help your adoptive family at https://www.facebook.com/coparc.
And while you're on FaceBook, don't forget to like COCAF, too!
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Events
Pizza Nights for Families Affected by Autism
The Autism Society of Colorado and Beau Jo's team up to offer individuals and families an autism friendly dining experience.
For more information: 720-214-0794 or www.autismcolorado.org
First Tuesday of every month:
Arvada Beau Jo's Wadsworth & 53rd
7525 W 53rd Ave
Arvada, CO 80002
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
KIDS EAT FREE
First Wednesday of every month:
Denver Beau Jo's Colorado Blvd & Yale
2710 Colorado Blvd
Denver, CO 80222
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Colorado Adoption & Foster Care Expo
Saturday
November 14, 2015
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Denver Mart Plaza Pavilion
The Adoption Exchange 29th Annual Fantasy Ball
Saturday, November 21, 2015, 6:00 p.m.
Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom
Denver Performing Arts Complex
1350 Curtis Street, Denver, CO 80202
The evening includes cocktails, silent auction, live auction, dinner, and dancing. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Attire is Black Tie Optional. 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.
Fathers Forever
2nd & 4th Thursdays
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Resilience Center, 1298 Peoria St, Aurora, CO 80011
For more information, contact Don Reynolds (720-353-6103) or Aaron Lockwood (303-901-4486).
Grandparent Group
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Aurora Mental Health Center in the Early Childhood & Family Dept.
11059 E Bethany Dr., Suite 101, Aurora, CO 80014
For more information, contact Aline Ratliff (303-885-5163).
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.
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
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
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
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
Aurora Mental Health
Adoption Support Group
2nd & 4th Mondays of the month
Aurora Mental Health
11059 E Bethany Drive, Aurora, CO 80014
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
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
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
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.
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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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