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Donations are used to support Colorado's adoptive families.
In This Issue
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Twitter COCAF!
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CWT Open Houses
NACAC Annual Conference
Heritage Camps
Support Groups

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Webinars for Professionals Working with Adoptive Families

Adopt Care Advanced Training
Fridays
July 8, 15, 22, & 29
10:00 a.m. - noon

 
Click here to register for session 2

Webinars
The Basics of SSI and SSDI
Tuesday
July 5, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To register call Chrissy DeShazer at 720-354-6120 or email [email protected]
 
The SSA Disability Application Process
Tuesday
July 12, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To register call Chrissy DeShazer at 720-354-6120 or email c[email protected]
 
The SSA Forms 3368, 827, & 1
Tuesday
July 19, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To register call Chrissy DeShazer at 720-354-6120 or email [email protected] 
 
The SSA Work History Report
Tuesday
July 26, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To register call Chrissy DeShazer at 720-354-6120 or email [email protected] 
 
The SSA Adult Function Report
Tuesday
August 9, 2016
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
To register call Chrissy DeShazer at 720-354-6120 or email c[email protected]


 Conferences

NACAC Conference
Wednesday - Saturday
August 3-6, 2016
Nashville, TN

Reading in the Rockies Fall Conference
October 7-8, 2016
Vail, CO

 

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
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.

The Secret Life of Pets
Saturday July 9 10:00 a.m.

The BFG
Tuesday July 12 10:00 a.m.

Ghostbusters
Tuesday July 26

Pete's Dragon
Saturday August 13
Saturday August 27

 


Adoptive Families Magazine Open Access 

The current issue of Adoptive Families to available to everyone online thanks to Adoptions from the Heart.  

To read this edition, click here.
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. 

  
Portrait Project
Voice For Adoption (VFA) is looking for foster care adoptive families whose family portraits will be displayed in the Washington, DC office of their member of Congress. 

VFA will also ask for family's adoption experiences in order to share an adoption story with members of Congress. 

VFA will match Senators and Representatives with a family from their home state or home district (for Representatives). 

Each participating family will receive a copy of our Adoptive Family Portrait Project booklet that features the families and Members of Congress that are involved. 


Please email [email protected] if you and your family are interested or if you want to nominate a family.
FREE RESOURCES
Looking for books or movies about adoption?  Or how to deal with school-related adoption issues?  
 
Ever have more to do than you can possibly do because there are only 24 hours in a day...168 hours in a week...8,760 hours in a year???  I can empathize!!!  Please read the newsletter and have a great July!

 
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K. Colleen Tarket, COCAF Board of Directors
Debunking the Myth:  Getting an SSI/SSDI Application Approved the First Time 

Colorado Disability Benefits Support Program (DBS) has announced a new series of webinars assist people with the Social Security Administration (SSA) disability application process in Colorado.  Through these webinars, DBS aims to help Colorado families better understand the SSA's disability programs and navigate the disability application process/
 
Each of the five one-hour webinars will be held from 6:00 to 7:00 PM MST and will address the following topics:  
  • July 5, 2016-The Basics of SSI and SSDI
  • July 12, 2016-The SSA Disability Application Process
  • July 19, 2016-The SSA Forms 3368, 827, & 1696
  • July 26, 2016-The SSA Work History Report
  • August 9, 2016-The SSA Adult Function Report
 
These webinars are designed for Individuals applying for SSI/SSDI, families of individuals with disabilities, clinicians, case managers, advocates, and staff who provide direct service to individuals who are in need of accessing SSI/SSDI disability benefits. Cost is $10 per webinar or $40 for all 5 webinars.
 
To register, please contact Chrissy DeShazer at (720) 354-6120 or email [email protected]. Reasonable accommodations provided on request.

 
COPARC Respite Survey 
From the Colorado Post-Adoption Resource Center (COPARC)

The Colorado Post-Adoption Resource Center (COPARC) is gathering information from families about their experience with using respite care. COPARC will use this information to help assess families' needs and barriers to utilizing respite. Obtaining feedback from families will be very helpful to future efforts to address the respite care needs of foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Colorado.
 
 
Adoption-Competent Mental Health Care 
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway

Adoption competent mental health practice is crucial for the delivery of responsive services to adopted children and their families. Research has long demonstrated that adoptive families greatly benefit from timely intervention by mental health providers who have experience in adoption issues and can address families' needs more effectively. Adoption skilled therapists who are familiar with specific challenges faced by adoptive parents and children can also play a significant role in supporting families and improving overall family functioning. Although adoptive families utilize different types of therapeutic and/or counseling approaches, several studies indicate that many adoptive parents find it difficult to locate practitioners that have a solid knowledge of adoption related trauma, grief, and loss, which is essential in treatment planning. The resources below highlight the value of adoption competent therapy, address gaps and needs, and identify pathways to pursue professional training opportunities.
  1. Read Child Welfare Information Gateway's publication on Selecting and Working With a Therapist Skilled in Adoption, which highlights the different types of therapy and providers available to help and offers suggestions on how to find a suitable therapist. 
  2. Visit the Center for Adoption Support and Education website for information on their Training for Adoption Competency, which focuses on 18 areas of knowledge, values, and skills that are critical to adoption-competent mental health services.
  3. Review the Donaldson Adoption Institute publication, A Need To Know: Enhancing Adoption Competence Among Mental Health Professionals (PDF - 1,050 KB), which describes some of the barriers that adoptive families encounter in their search of assistance and supports, promotes professionals' awareness about the nature and importance of adoption clinical competence, and identifies various means by which the relevant knowledge and skills can be obtained.

Needs of Children in Foster Care 
From the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)

The National Center for Child Welfare Excellence (NCCWE) has released a new packet of information - Emotional and Psychological Well-Being of Children in Foster Care - that explores facts and statistics about the mental health concerns of children in foster care. The report emphasizes the importance of assessments of children given the abuse, neglect, and trauma they have typically experienced. The packet also emphasizes the importance of education and training for foster parents, and highlights policies and practices that help children in foster care access mental health services.
 
Kinship Caregivers 
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway

A number of grandparents and other relatives care for children whose own parents are unable to care for them. Sometimes, the arrangement (referred to as "kinship care") is an informal, private arrangement between the parents and relative caregivers; in other situations, the local child welfare agency is involved. This factsheet is designed to help kinship caregivers-including grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives, and family friends caring for children-work effectively with the child welfare system. Resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find help, are included.
 
CWT Summer Open Houses  

The Colorado Child Welfare Training System is hosting summer open houses.

Families, community members, foster parents, and youth are invited to a number of upcoming Regional Training Center open houses throughout the summer.   No RSVP required, just drop in.

Metro Regional Training Center
5670 Greenwood Plaza Blvd, Ste 115, Greenwood Village
Friday, July 8, 1:00 - 4:00
Monday, August 22, 9:00 - noon
 
Northeast Regional Training Center
2573 Midpoint Dr, Suite 108, Fort Collins
Monday, July 25 1:00 - 4:00
Monday, August 29, 11:00 - 2:00
 
West Regional Training Center
195 W 14th St, Building D, Suite 208, Rifle
Friday, July 9, Noon - 3:00
Friday, August 19, 9:00 - noon
 
Southeast Regional Training Center
172 Justice Center Rd, South Entrance, Door C, Canon City
Monday, July 18, 1:00 - 4:00
Friday, July 22, 11:00 - 2:00
Friday, August 26, 10:00 - 1:00

NACAC Annual Conference 

NACAC Logo
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.
Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families 

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Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families has published their 2016 schedule.  If you're interested in any of these camps, click here for more information.

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 
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.  
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
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
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.  
  

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