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The Caregiver Courier
February 2017
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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, SAFY's Kristi Shropshire covers Identifying Trauma in Module 2.
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Foster Parent Champions Honored as Angels in Adoption
Sometimes, the "good guys" win; even in D.C.! For their tireless efforts in supporting, counseling and providing guidance to Clark County caregivers, the Department of Family Services' Foster Parent Champions were honored as Angels in Adoption in Washington, D.C., presented by the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute (CCAI). In addition to the award and gala in the Washington, the Champions were greeted at
home by then-Sen. Harry Reid in an exclusive reception at his Las Vegas office.
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By Land or Sea, Child Focus Wants You to Join the Fun!
- Spend a day at SeaQuest Interactive Aquarium on Saturday, Feb. 18, OR
- Submit an application for Camp To Belong Nevada, July 30 - Aug. 4
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Spotlight on Support: Foster Change
Entering the world of foster care can be daunting for both the child and the caregiver. No one understands the challenges and complexities more than Ali Caliendo and Audrey Rosenstein, co-founders of Foster Change, an organization empowering foster, adoptive and kinship families. They came together last year to bring four Clark County foster support organizations-Fostering Southern Nevada, Foster Kinship, Foster Connect and the Foster and Adoptive Coalition-under one umbrella: Foster Change.
How do they help caregivers and children in care? We sat down with Audrey and Ali to learn more about Foster Change and how you can get involved.
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Education Spotlight: Monitoring Your Child's School Progress
A new school semester began in January and, therefore, a fresh start for many of our children in school. It's nice to start off the semester telling your child about this new beginning and making some realistic goals on how they can either improve or continue to do well in school. This month, our education liaison, Dr. Leslie Strasser Murdock outlines the ways you can keep up with your children's progress at school.
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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 first Monday 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 Wednesday 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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When LGBTQ Youth Reach the "Pivot" Point
There is a place and time when a child is outed. Sometimes, the child voices his or her own recognition of a difference in himself/herself to a parent, teacher, caregiver or trusted adult. Other times, it is beyond the child's choice. This coming-out time is full of fear and trepidation, as the child awaits a reaction and the witness to this life-changing event is forced to react or shut down.
The Center is teaming with SAFY of Nevada and wants to be there for those families at this "pivot" point. Pivot is designed to support both the caregivers and the dependent by providing counselor-led support, education and community to ensure healthy outcomes.
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What's Going on This Month? Check the QPI Calendar
Speaking of workgroups, download the February and March QPI calendars for the latest workgroup meetings and partner organization events and gatherings.
Do you have an event or meeting that you'd like to share with our caregiver community?
Send an email message with your event information. Please be sure to include the date, time, location and contact information for your event.
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Education Spotlight EXTRA: Foster Care Advocates & School of Origin
Did you know federal law mandates that a student in foster care who is moved to a new attendance zone may still attend his/her school of origin? That means the student may stay in the school he/she attended when permanently housed-or the school where the student was last enrolled-unless it is against the best interest of the student.
Click here to learn more about School of Origin as well as obtain a copy of the foster placement request form.
Also, do you know the foster care advocate in your child's school? Each Clark County School District school has a foster care advocate on staff to answer your questions and be a resource.
Click here for the most up-to-date list of foster care advocates.
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Do you have a question, suggestion or story idea for The Caregiver Courier?
Click here to submit your story ideas, suggestions or questions.
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What is QPI?
Making sure every child living in foster care is cared for by 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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121 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
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