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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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Invisible Trauma
Tuesday
April 5, 2016
9:00 a.m. - noon
Mile High United Way
711 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
Mental Health: Understanding the Misunderstood Disease
Friday
April 8, 2016
8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Denver Police Protective Center
2105 Decatur St
Denver, CO 80211
Supporting Youth in Achieving Permanency
Friday & Saturday
April 8, 2016 4:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.
and
April 9, 2016 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Garfield County DHS
195 W 14th St
Rifle, CO 81650
Introduction to Executive Functioning: Navigating Your Child's Path to Success
Tuesday
April 12, 2016
6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Dreamcatcher Instruction Center
2300 Central, Ste 1A
Boulder, CO
FASD Effective Parenting Interventions
Thursday
April 14, 2016
5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
10451 Huron St
Northglenn, CO 80234
2nd Annual Transracial Adoption Bootcamp: From Colorblind to Color Brave
Saturday
April 16, 2015
12:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Southglenn Library
Centennial, CO
Guardianship Training, Part 1
Monday
April 18, 2016
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DDRC
11177 W 8th Ave
Lakewood, CO
RSVP to Megan Martin, 303-462-6590
Click here for more info.
Can You Really Love Me
Thursday
April 21, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
St. Vrain Community Hub
515 Coffman
Longmont, CO 80501
Childcare available with RSVP
RSVP to Margaret Davidson 303-441-1120 or [email protected]
Sexually Abused Children:
Parenting Game Plan
Friday & Saturday
April 22, 2016 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
and
April 23, 2016 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Pueblo Library Rawlings Branch
100 E Abriendo Ave
Pueblo, CO 81004
Guardianship Training, Part 2
Monday
April 25, 2016
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DDRC
11177 W 8th Ave
Lakewood, CO
RSVP to Megan Martin, 303-462-6590
Children Who Display Problematic & Sexualized Behaviors
Tuesday
April 26, 2016
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Lunch NOT provided
Sungate Kids
6090 Greenwood Plaza Blvd
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Severe Behavior Problems in Adoption: Explosive, Aggressive Mood Disorders
Thursday May 5, 2016
9:30 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
Southeast Christian Church
9690 Jordan Rd
Parker, CO 80134
Introduction to Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TRBI)
Parenting Kids from Hard Places
Friday
May 6, 2016
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
Being and Doing our Best When Helping Children Who Have Experienced the Worst
Thursday
May 12, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
St. Vrain Community Hub
515 Coffman
Longmont, CO 80501
Childcare available with RSVP
Sexually Abused Children:
Parenting Game Plan
Friday & Saturday
May 20, 2016 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
and
May 21, 2016 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Garfield County DHS
195 W 14th St
Rifle, CO 81650
Parenting Children with Challenging Behaviors
Friday & Saturday
May 20, 2016 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
and
May 21, 2016 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Fremont County DHS
172 Justice Center Rd, Door C
Room 3
Canon City CO 81212
Sexually Abused Children:
Parenting Game Plan
Friday & Saturday
June 24, 2016 4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
and
June 25, 2016 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Denver Police Dept
District 1 Station
Community Room
11311 W 46th Ave
Denver, CO 80211
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Webinars
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Debunking the Myth: Getting an SSI/SSDI Application Approved the First Time
Five 1-hour sessions
April 18 & 25, May 2, 9, & 16
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C.A.S.E. Webinars
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 | |
Reading in the City 2016
Brain Research & Practical Teaching Strategies
Literacy Conference for Educators
Saturday
April 9, 2016
8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
North High School
Denver, CO
Camp Watwuzithink'n Part 2
Wednesday - Friday
April 27-29, 2016
Beaver Run Resort
Breckenridge, CO
COPARC's Annual Spotlight Conference: Bloom Renewing & Refreshing Families
Friday
April 29, 2016
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Pines at Genesee
633 Park Point Drive
Golden, Colorado 80401
Click here for more info.
GLOW Conference for TEENS
For adopted teens or teens in foster care ages 13-18
Saturday
June 11, 2016
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Miller Activity Complex
1375 W Plum Creek Pkwy
Castle Rock, CO 80109
NACAC Conference
August 3-6, 2016
Nashville, TN
Reading in the Rockies Fall Conference
October 7-8, 2016
Vail, CO
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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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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 9 10:00 a.m. April 12 7:00 p.m. Batman vs Superman Dawn of Justice
April 23 10:00 a.m. The Jungle Book
April 26 at 7:00 p.m. The Huntsman Winter's War Click here for more info. | |
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April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month. For those of us who adopted from the foster care system, we know all too well the long-term effects of child abuse, as we struggle to help our children heal. Please take time this month to talk to your children, their friends, your friends, and anyone else who will listen about the importance of telling.
People are so afraid to step on someone's toes or to offend someone that we constantly see something or hear something that concerns us, but we don't get involved. Think about how much better our children's lives would have been if someone had stepped in earlier!
So talk to others about telling. And if you see or hear anything that looks like child abuse, get involved. If your concerns turn out to be unfounded, then apologize and move on. But don't ignore something that may forever change a child's life for the worst.
Happy Spring! 
K. Colleen Tarket, COCAF Board of Directors
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Bloom: Renewing & Refreshing Families
 The annual COPARC Spotlight Conference is scheduled for Friday, April 29.
As families and professionals who care for kids who have experienced trauma, you deserve a day to refresh and renew! Join The Adoption Exchange's COPARC this year for their Spotlight Conference: BLOOM. Keynote speaker is Nancy Norton, a stand-up comedian and adoptive parent known for her family focused comedy. Join other adoptive parents for a day of laughter, and leave with new tools to rejuvenate you as you continue to nurture children. The workshops will give you opportunities to gain tools for self-awareness, time to reflect and focus on self-care, and you will leave with new ideas and invigoration for this journey we're all on together.
Registration begins at 8:30am; breakfast begins at 9:00 a.m. Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be provided. This conference is for adults only.
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School Suspensions
From disabilityscoop
Charter schools are suspending students with disabilities at higher rates than typically-developing children and in numbers that outpace traditional public schools, a first-of-its-kind report indicates.
In an analysis of discipline records for nearly 5,000 charter schools, researchers identified deep disparities no matter which grades charters served even though fewer children with disabilities attend such schools, according to the report from the Center for Civil Rights Remedies at the Civil Rights Project at the University of California, Los Angeles.
"It's disturbing to see so many of these schools still reporting such high suspension rates because that indicates charter leaders continue to pursue 'broken windows,' 'no excuses' and other forms of 'zero tolerance' discipline," said Daniel Losen, the study's lead author. "And we know from decades of research that frequently suspending children from school is counterproductive."
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Help Me Grow
Parents concerned with their child's development and not getting the support they need from their child's physicians can turn to Help Me Grow Colorado for assistance.
Help Me Grow Colorado helps to identify at-risk children and connects families to community-based programs through the ABCD program (Access to Baby and Child Dentistry) and the Medicaid Medical Homes for Children program.
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Empowered to Connect Simulcast
"Empowered to Connect Simulcast" is scheduled for April 8 & 9, in Boulder.
It is a 2-day conference designed to help adoptive and foster parents, ministry leaders, and professionals better understand how to connect with "children from hard places" in order to help them heal. The conference features Dr. Purvis.
It is FREE of charge. If anyone needs Continuing Education Credits, there is a $25 fee for 11 credit hours.
For more details (time, location, etc.) and to register, click here. |
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Your Right to Make Choices & Take Control of Services
From Family Link and the Colorado Developmental Disability Council
A rare opportunity to learn Your Right To Make Choices and Take Control of Services if you have a family member with a disability in Colorado. Thursday 4/7, 9:30-3 pm, Arvada Center (6901 Wadsworth, Arvada, 80003), FREE all-day event including free lunch, everything accessible, and lots of free parking.
Get answers to your questions about:
Consumer Direction (CDASS) and how this makes life easier for choosing, hiring and paying providers of services.
Family Caregiver-helpful hints
EBD (Elderly, Blind, Disabled Waiver) versus SLS (Supported Living Waiver)-pros and cons
Becoming a Family Managed PASA-Controlling your loved one's funding
How your family member can get a "supported" JOB
Building Community Connections-useful strategies
Finding agencies with your values, who believe in your loved one's contributions
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Defiant Children
From the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
Seven Simple Ways to Disarm Defiant Children by Danielle Maxon, is worth a read for those of us whose children are not always in complete control. Click here to read the article. |
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NACAC Annual Conference
NACAC Conference is scheduled for August 4-6, 2016, in Nashville, Tennessee, with a preconference session on August 3.
For more information on this incredible conference for all those involved with adoption, click here.
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Free Resources
Two new fact sheets are available on the C.A.S.E. website. These free resources offer valuable tips for adoptive parents. Click here to go to the website.
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Intro to Executive Functioning
Do you know a child who has problems with sustaining flexible, focused attention? Managing distractions and impulses? Prioritizing tasks? Planning and using time effectively? Taking and using notes? Preparing for tests? Managing motivation and energy levels?
Join this exciting, ground-breaking program that will help your child to think better--smarter--and faster! Lori Kochevar, LPC/Brighten the Brain, is collaborating with Dreamcatcher Learning Center to present a free parent seminar called "Introduction to Executive Functioning: Navigating Your Child's Path to Success." Its focus is on cutting-edge approaches to helping kids with executive functioning (EF) challenges. Parents will receive helpful information and strategies for helping their children with EF issues.
TIME: Tuesday, April 12, 6:30 - 8:30pm
LOCATION: Dreamcatcher Instruction Center, 2300 Central Suite 1A, Boulder
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Camp Teen Fundango
Camp Teen Fundangois a 3-day weekend of camping for adoptive, foster, and kinship teens ages 10-16. Biological teens are welcomed as long as they are accompanying a foster, adoptive or kinship sibling. The weekend was held at a primitive camp 45 minutes from Fort Collins - an off-the grid, pristine playground where kids discover both the natural world and their own innate skills and confidences. The weekend will be packed full of adventures and activities that engaged the kids in skill-building, learning, reflection and growth. Camp Teen Fundango will be challenging teens to step outside their comfort zone, connect with new and unexpected friends, and discover their sense of self and leadership.
Some of the activities that the teens will participate in are rock climbing, mountain boarding, hiking, leap of faith, and GAGA ball.
Registration starts April 18 at 9:00 am. Cost is $30 a camper. Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship children (and biological siblings, too!) ages 10-16 are welcome to attend. Registration forms will need to be printed, filled out completely, and submitted to Kids at Heart along with registration fee. Registration is limited to 24 participants and is based on a first come first serve basis. You will be considered "registered" when the office has received and processed ALL of your completed registration forms and fees. You may cancel and receive a full refund any time before May 16, 2016. If a cancellation is received after May 15, 2016, the fees will not be refunded. When forms and fees are received and processed by Kids at Heart, they will send you an e-mail letting you know that you are registered (could take up to a week or two). Send Registration & Fees to Kids at Heart 6501 Brittany Street Fort Collins, CO 80525.
Click here for more information and to download all the registration forms.
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Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families
June 9-12 African/Caribbean
June 16-19 Korean
June 23-26 Chinese II
June 23-26 Latin American
July 7-10 Indian/Nepalese
July 14-17 Cambodian
July 14-17 Vietnamese/Thai
July 21-24 Russian/Eastern European/Central Asian
July 29-21 Adult Adoptee Retreat
August 4-7 Domestic Adoption Camp
August 4-7 Filipino/Indonesian/Pacific Islander
Sept 2-5 Chinese in Fraser, CO
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Need a Ramp?
If you need a ramp to provide accessibility to your home, please email me at [email protected]. We know of a program that may be able to assist you at no cost.
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Health First Colorado
Starting May 2016, Colorado Medicaid will change its name to "Health First Colorado". The new name will better represent Colorado's fresh approach to public health care coverage.
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SUMMER CAMPS
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Foster & Kinship Children's Camps
Royal Family KIDS currently has eight summer camps in Colorado serving foster and kinship children.
Current camp locations include Arvada, Boulder, Colorado Springs, Englewood, Fort Collins, Littleton, Parker, and Windsor.
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Events
Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families 2016 Gala 25 Years of Helping Families Soar Saturday, April 23, 2016 Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Colorado Mammoth!!!
Friday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m.
$25 lower end tickets (COCAF gets $5)
$10 upper end tickets (COCAF gets $2)
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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.
Adult Adoptee Support Group
Every 1st & 3rd Thursday, 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sondermind, Suite 12, 100 Arapahoe Ave., Boulder, CO 80302
Cost $25-$35
Jefferson County Kids Group
Shepherd of the Hills Presbyterian, 11500 W. 20th Ave, Lakewood
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m..
RSVP to Mindy Beckler at 303-432-5205
North Adams Grandfamily Support Group
Third Thursday of the month
Brighton Police Department, 3401 E Bromley Ln, Brighton, 80601. RSVP to Janet at 303-637-8113.
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.
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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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