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The Caregiver Courier
February 2018
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QPI Annual Conference
Several representatives from Clark County attended the annual National QPI convention in New Orleans, LA (January 15-17, 2018). The theme of the conference was New Partners, New Challenges, New Strategies, New Orleans. Those in attendance represented a wide variety of our department.
Everyone shared that they enjoyed the
youth
panel presentation and felt the insight they shared was very valuable. The
birth parent and foster parent
panel also challenged our participants to see things from different perspectives. The participants were very energized and excited about QPI and how to revitalize QPI here in Clark County. The team will be meeting in early February to debrief and plan the next steps based on lessons learned from the QPI conference.
Valerie Hicks (Executive Director, Safy of Nevada) shared more of what she learned
here
.
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School Holiday Reminders
The Caregiver Courier would like to offer friendly reminders of upcoming school holidays (based on the Clark County School District 9-month Calendar),
PLEASE MAKE A NOTE OF THIS EXTENDED WEEKEND.
Thursday-Friday, February 15-16: Extended Presidents' Day Holiday
(No School)
Monday, February 19: Presidents' Day Observed (No School)
For more CCSD calendar information, click
here
.
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10 Ways to Support Foster Children in Clark County
We are so appreciative of all the amazing people who have opened their homes to become foster parents.
However, becoming a foster parent is not the only way to help a child in need.
We have compiled a list of 10 ways you can support foster children in Clark County. Check out the full list
here.
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"The First 48 Hours" Workshop
DFS will be hosting a workshop created to focus on the first 48 hours after placement.
The training will take place:
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
6 - 9 PM
Clark Room at DFS Central
121 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
Please Register by Calling:
702-455-2455 or 702-455-5701
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DFS to participate in the Federal Child And Family Services Reviews in May and September 2018
As part of the Nevada Continuous Quality Improvement process, Clark County will be participating in Round 3 of the Child & Family Services Reviews (CFSRs) this year. The reviews in Clark County are scheduled in both May and September. CFSRs are completed in partnership with both State and Federal support.
CSFRs Enable the Children's Bureau to:
- Ensure conformity with federal child welfare requirements
- Determine what is actually happening to children and families as they are engaged in child welfare services
- Assist states in enhancing their capacity to help children and families achieve positive outcomes.
The CFSRs bring people together who can make a difference in state child welfare systems. Hearing from parents, caregivers and youth about their first-hand experiences is important. Information that parents, caregivers, and youth provide about their experiences helps child welfare agencies make changes to strengthen their work with families.
For more information about CFSRs for parents and caregivers click here
English
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Spanish
For more information about CFSRs for youth click here
English
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Spanish
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2018 Foster Parent Training Requirements
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Foster parents are required to complete 12 hours of training in 2018.
Click
here for more details about the courses that need to be completed and where those training can be accessed.
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Caring for a child is one of the most important things a person can do. Caring for a child who is not your own requires a special kind of dedication. There are many children in Southern Nevada who are unable to remain in their homes. Families who open their homes and hearts to these children are committed to improving their lives and their futures. Foster Change is committed to those families.
We are proud to be the foster and adoptive family association in Southern Nevada. For just $20/year, we offer monthly community connection groups, parents' nights out, family events, educational opportunities, play dates, and free car seat and CPR/first aid training. Many of our events include free childcare and meals. We also work together to advocate for support for all foster and adoptive families in Nevada. We look forward to meeting your family!
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Foster Parent Resource Night
Make sure to mark your calendars for Friday, February 23.
Community partners will be hosting a forum for foster parents.
Click
here
for more info.
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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, February 2nd, 2018
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: 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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Spotlight Series:
Trauma-Informed Parenting
Understanding and helping children in care who are victims of trauma is a critical skill for caregivers. Caring for traumatized children can be extraordinarily difficult. Trying to make sense of their behaviors can leave caregivers feeling confused, frustrated, unappreciated, angry and helpless. This month, in our second of an eight-part series, Kristi Shropshire covers Identifying Trauma in Module 2.
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The annual spring celebration isn't until April, but we want to make sure you have it on the calendar early. Plan to attend on April 7 at Floyd Lamb Park.
Click on the picture for more details.
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February Events
It may be the shortest month of the year, but there will still be plenty to do for the entire family.
Check out
the latest events going on around Southern Nevada during the month of February.
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February 7 is the celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day. To learn more about how Clark County will be celebrating, click
here.
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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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Foster One Recruit One
The greatest tool to recruit new foster parents...are current foster parents.
Clark County DFS wants to help you host a recruitment party. We will provide the information and refreshments, all we need from you is a location and a minimum of five (5) potential foster parents confirmed to attend.
See this
flyer
for more information.
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Independent Living Newsletter
Independent Living will begin to offer scholarship workshops this month to make sure youth and caregivers have all the tools needed to be best prepared to fill out scholarship applications.
For more info, click
here.
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Next Pivot Group Beginning February 7
Pivot is a facilitator-led 6 week program at The Center for LGBTQ children and their families. Pivot is designed to support both the caregivers and the dependent by providing counselor-led support, education and community to ensure healthy outcomes.
Click
here
for more details.
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Foster Info Sessions
DFS hosts multiple info sessions each month to get those interested in becoming foster parents started on the path to becoming licensed.
For a full list of dates and locations, click
here.
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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
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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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