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Last Chance to Register for the 2017 Angel Tree Celebration
What: 2017 CASA Angel Tree Celebration
When: Saturday, Dec. 16, 2017
Registration Deadline: Friday, Dec. 8, 2017
We're making our lists and checking them twice. Food, fun, games...even a visit from a certain someone from the North Pole! It's all at the Angel Tree Celebration, so don't miss out!
This event is open to all children in DFS care. Keep watching your email inbox and mailbox for registration information for this magical holiday experience!
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FOSTER PARENT TRAINING PLATFORM CHANGES
As of December 1, 2017, Nevada Partnership for Training (NPT) will no longer be the site for registration for Foster Parent Classes. Foster Parent class registration will be handled through the Parenting Project. Foster Parents can call (702) 455-5295 to register. In 2018 the registration will move to an on-line system. Please watch for announcements.
***IMPORTANT*** ALL Foster Parents, Relative/Kin Placements, Secondary Partners, should sign into the Nevada Partnership for Training Website and print their training records. This should be done by
December 15, 2017, as the system will no longer be available after that date. Records for 2016-2017 should be provided to your Licensing Worker. Records prior to 2016 can be maintained in your own files. If you have training records at NPT's website, please follow these steps to ensure your records are not lost.
2. Enter your login/password
3. Go to the My Account Page
4. Go to "View Classes that you have completed"
5. Print the screen listing all your training.
If you have any questions, please contact DFS training at
DFSTrainingTeam@ClarkCountyNV.gov. If you are in need of assistance with the NPT website, please contact Kellee Nash (702) 486-7668.
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Fun Family Holiday Events
With the winter holiday season in full swing, there are plenty of opportunities throughout Clark County for family fun. Looking to ice skate? Take in the festive lights? Or perhaps child-friendly entertainment? We've got you covered.
Click here to check out these great, holiday-themed activities to make for an extra magical December!
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There is No Such Thing as Fostering to Adopt
We have all heard stories about people who becomes foster parents with the intent to "foster to adopt". While adoption can be the end result of becoming a foster family, the main goal should always be the safe reunification of a child with their family. One foster mother shares her story of coming to find that there is no such thing as "fostering to adopt."
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'Tis the Season for Stress
Shopping, decorating, traveling...the holidays can be wonderful AND stressful! It's enough to make any parent reach his or her breaking point.
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anne-Marie Abruscato of UNLV provides some great tips for foster parents to have a memorable, happy, and stress-free holiday season.
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New Training Available from B-Beautiful Children's Foundation
DFS is partnering with the B-Beautiful Children's Foundation to offer caregivers an opportunity to learn important information about the proper care for ethnic skin and hair.
These three (3) hour classes are being offered 2-3 time per month so that Foster Parents, Relatives, Parents and even Youth themselves have an opportunity to learn about the best products and tools to use for their particular hair and skin type.
Register soon so that you don't miss this wonderful opportunity!
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Foster One Recruit One Success Story!
The Clark County Department of Family Services (DFS) recruitment department had a very successful relaunch of its Foster One Recruit One program. Here is the firsthand testimonial from the hosts:
Last Friday (November 10) we had the privilege of inviting friends over for both a foster and CASA information/recruitment meeting at our home. We invited friends who had expressed an interest in becoming foster parents, along with those who are simply good parents and we thought could become great foster parents as well. We also included those who are not currently able to foster to learn more about how they can still support the kids in need through the CASA program. Everyone we talked to, and invited, was very receptive
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A representative from DFS gave a presentation which was very powerful and touching, but not at all pushy. Many of our friends texted us later expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to come and learn more. One friend in particular stated her husband, who was adamantly against fostering, is now completely on board and they are now in the process of filling out the application. Attendees also met many people who will be a support to them in their journey, including ourselves. Our neighbors who attended the meeting decided they aren't quite ready to become foster parents, but they still want to help. Now they come to our home once a week to read to our kids.
We had a very positive experience. We would be happy to do it again.
You can help us recruit more foster parents!
Please click here to learn more about this program.
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Independent Living Holiday Newsletter
Even though the year is wrapping up, our youth in the Independent
Living program have been busy. See what they have been up to and encourage any of your foster children who qualify to become involved.
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Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
The Department of Family Services participated in the 10th annual Día de los Muertos celebration at the Springs Preserve.
Nearly 1,000 unique individuals visited the Department of Family Services' altar and were engaged by members of the recruitment unit. Each person learned about the challenges children face upon CPS removal, the unique opportunities that the community has in supporting children and their families, and they learned that the primary goal of foster care was reunification.
Many individuals stated they felt emotionally moved by the altar and they asked a variety of questions about the needs of children in foster care. Many people were surprised to learn that the majority of children were reunified.
To read the full explanation of the altar and what it symbolized click here:
English/
Spanish
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Share Your Story for Other Foster Families
Do you have a story you want to share about your experience as a foster parent? If so, we want to hear from you!
Whether you are a new foster parent or an experienced foster parent, everyone has a story to share.
What would you say to someone who is considering becoming a foster parent?
What would you want a new foster parent to know?
Why did you decide to become a foster parent?
What does fostering success mean to you?
You can be creative, funny, serious, reflective, or whatever style you feel best represents your foster care experience. Send us your story in less than 250 words with a photo to
DFSPartnership@clarkcountynv.gov. Give us a glimpse of your story and you might see your story featured in the next Caregiver Courier!
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Grace Point Church Offering Monthly Foster Parents' Night Out
Grace Point Church is hosting a
FREE
respite program so foster parents can get an occasional night out! Grace Point will offer respite care from 6 - 9 p.m. on the first Friday each month through August 2018.
Who:
All foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin)
What:
Foster Parents' Night Out
When:
6 - 9 p.m., first Friday each month. Next date: Friday, December 1st
, 2017
Where:
Grace Point Church, 3794 W. Ann Rd., North Las Vegas
How to register:
Click here. (Registration
closes two days before the event and
opens the Saturday after each event for the following month's event.)
What Do You Get Out of it?
Make it a "date night," catch a movie, unwind at your favorite coffee shop...whatever you need, it's a little "you" time to use as you choose! During that time, Grace Point will provide a fun, safe and nurturing environment for your children in care as well as your biological children.
The full list of upcoming Foster Parents' Night Out evenings includes: Dec. 1, Jan. 5, Feb. 2, March 2, April 6, May 4 (Star Wars Day!), June 1 and Aug. 6. Keep watching the Caregiver Courier for more details and registration information.
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The Caregiver Courier would like to offer friendly reminders of upcoming school holidays (based on the Clark County School District 9-month Calendar):
Monday, December 25 - Friday, January 5: Winter Break
Monday, January 15: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
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Entrenamiento en Español
There's a new feature on the QPI Nevada Just in Time training website! There is now a button (Entrenamiento en Español) on the homepage. This button directs caregivers to a new page that features a link to the "Trainings in Spanish" topic in the video library and the Spanish version of the FAQ document.
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DFS Training Class for Foster Parents and Licensed Relatives
The Clark County Department of Family Services (DFS) is offering a series of training classes designed to help foster parents and DFS make better placement decisions for children in foster care. Dubbed "Placement and Referral Intelligent Matching Engine" (PRIME), the internet based tool allows the Placement Team to email foster parents referrals to children who may be a good match for their household.
Click here
for a listing of all of the classes and their locations.
For more information about the innovative PRIME training classes, please call Heather Kendall at (702) 455-8895.
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What is QPI?
Making sure every child living in foster care has a caregiver (foster, relative, fictive and/or adoptive) who provides skilled, nurturing parenting while helping the child maintain connections to his or her family.
Enhance Your Skills
Various trainings are offered in the community to help enhance caregivers' capacity to parent. Please click on the links below to learn more about exciting training opportunities from which you can benefit.
The QPI Nevada Brand
Foster parents nurture children who have experienced trauma and provide a safe, loving and healing environment in which the children can thrive. They are parenting partners who honor and support family relationships. Foster parents are dedicated, informed and committed advocates for children. They are instrumental and fully supported members of the child and family team. Great foster parents make a difference for children and families in our community.
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Let Your Voice Be Heard! Join a QPI Workgroup Today
As a caregiver, we know you have ideas for improvements in child welfare that you'd like to share with decision makers. Now is your chance. Get involved with the Quality Parenting Initiative and join one of our six workgroups:
- Training: Meets the second Tuesday of each month
- Recruitment: Meets the first Wednesday of each month
- Community Partnerships: Meets the third Tuesday of each month
- Support & Retention: Meets the third Thursday of each month
- Communications: Meets the third Friday of each month
- Child Welfare: Meets the fourth Tuesday of each month
Within these workgroups, child welfare professionals, community partners and caregivers convene monthly to develop solutions to issues they face every day. Your input can make the difference in the lives of children and families in Clark County.
Click here for more information about QPI training, initiatives and workgroups.
Click here to complete the workgroup interest form.
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121 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
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