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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 |
Thursday
March 2, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
TRBI Caregiver Training: Intro & Overview
Friday
March 3, 2017
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
Implicit Bias: Understanding the Stories of Foster & Adopted Children
Tuesday
March 7, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
Plan for a Person with Disabilities
Wednesday
March 8, 2017
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DDRC
11177 W 8th Ave
Lakewood, CO
80215
RSVP to Megan Martin
303-462-6590
So Now You are a Guardian or Thinking about Becoming a Co-Guardian
Tuesday
March 14, 2017
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DDRC
11177 W 8th Ave
Lakewood, CO 80215
RSVP to Megan Martin
303-462-6590
Becoming Sensory Smart
Wednesday
March 15, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD):
Advanced Course
Thursday
March 23, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
While You Wait
Wednesday
April 12, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
For more info, call
1-800-451-5246
Toxic Love: When Offenders Enter the Family System
Wednesday
April 26, 2017
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Mile High United Way
711 Park Avenue West
Denver, CO 80205
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Webinars
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The Adoption Tax Credit
Tuesday
March 7, 2017
Noon
FREE
While You Wait
Tuesday & Wednesday
June 6 & 7, 2017
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
For more info, call
1-800-451-5246
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C.A.S.E. Webinars
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Click here for more information for any of the C.A.S.E. webinars.
Parenting Sexually Abused Children
Tuesday
March 21, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Why and When to Address Racial Identity: Parenting Tasks in Transracial Adoptive Families
Thursday
April 20, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
What is Attachment-based Parenting?
Thursday
May 18, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
We are still Family: Supporting Relationships Between Separated Siblings
Thursday
June 15, 2017
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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| CONFERENCES |
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A Conference for Teens
Saturday
March 4, 2017
5:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Xtreme Challenge Arena
82 Inverness Dr East #A2 Englewood, CO 80112
Cost: $10/teen
Spotlight Conference
The Power of Resiliency
Friday
March 10, 2017
8:30am-4:00pm
The Summit Conference & Event Center
Aurora, CO 80011
Empowered to Connect
Friday & Saturday
April 7 & 8, 2017
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Windsor, CO
49th Annual Autism Society National Conference
July 12-15, 2017
Milwaukee, WI
NACAC Annual Conference
July 19-22, 2017
Atlanta, GA
More info to come!
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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.
Participating theatres:
Kong: Skull Island
Tuesday, Mar 14
Beauty and the Beast
Saturday, Mar 25
Power Rangers
Tuesday, Mar 28
Born Leader
Saturday, April 8
Gifted
Tuesday, April 11
Smurfs: The Lost Village
Saturday, April 22
The Fate of the Furious
Tuesday, April 25
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Tuesday, May 9
Saturday, May 13
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2017 Heritage Camp Schedule
Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families have been offering culturally rich summer camp experiences for adoptive families since 1991. Click here for more information.
Adult Adoptee Retreat:
Registration March 8 - July 1
Camp dates: July 20-30 in Denver, CO
African/Caribbean:
Registration Feb 20 - May 8
Camp dates: June 8-11 in Denver, CO
Cambodian:
Registration March 1 - May 12
Camp dates: July 13-16, Fraser, CO
Chinese:
Registration Mar 15 - July 30
Camp dates: September 1-4 in Fraser, CO
Chinese II:
Registration Mar 1 - June 20
Camp Dates: July 20 -23 in Denver, CO
Domestic Adoption:
Registration March 8 - July 3
Camp dates: August 3 -6 in Denver, CO
Indian/Nepalese: Registration March 1 - May 5
Camp dates: July 6 - 9, Fraser, CO
Korean: Registration Feb 20 - April 21
Camp dates: June 15-18 in Fraser, CO
Latin American: Registation Feb 20 - April 21
Camp dates: June 22 -23 in Fraser, CO
Russian/Eastern European/Central Asians (REECA):
Registration March 1 - May 10
Camp dates: July 20-23, Fraser, CO
Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander (SEAPI):
Registration March 8 - May 12
Camp dates: July 13-16 in Estes Park, CO
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FREE RESOURCES
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Looking for books or movies about adoption? Or how to deal with school-related adoption issues?
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With every change of US President, the adoption/foster care world must adjust to the new changes. In general, adoption and foster care are never a priority, and the few services our families have always seem to be in danger of being cut. This time the stakes are potentially higher than ever before, and not all the danger is as clear cut as in the past and the potential changes could affect us for decades.
Defunding of Planned Parenthood will leave millions of women without birth control. Some of these women will get pregnant, whether they are prepared to parent or not. And a certain percentage of those women will end up losing their children to the foster care system - a system that is already overloaded and underfunded.
Deporting 11 million undocumented persons is another potential foster care issue. A large percentage of these people are parents, and many of their children are American citizens. If the parents are deported, their children will also be added to the foster care system. These are children who are in loving, caring homes, and they will be permanently traumatized by being ripped from their parents and dumped into the foster care system. The foster care system can't financially support the current foster care load - how is it going to support this monumental increase? Where will the foster care families comes from? How much will it increase our taxes to support all these children - children who were being support by their parents but are now forced into a system they don't belong in?
Allowing discrimination based on sexual orientation is also an adoption issue. Loving, qualified LGBTQ persons should be able to adopt and provide foster care. To eliminate this group as potential parents only hurts the thousands of children in need of a loving home.
Please educate yourself. Talk to your lawmakers. Let them know that our children - all children - deserve a life in a loving family with the appropriate support.
Happy March!
K. Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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COPARC Budget Cut
COCAF has been informed that CDHS is no longer funding The Adoption Exchange's Colorado Post-Adoption Resource Center (COPARC) program.
COPARC was the only program in Colorado that provided services to permanency families statewide.
COPARC services included the following:
1. Annual statewide conference (please see below);
2. Conferences for adopted and foster youth (please see below);
3. Critical trainings for permanency families and providers;
4. Development and maintenance of a statewide adoption competency therapist database;
5. Development and maintenance of a statewide support group database;
6. Regional coordinators who were familiar with the needs and service providers for permanency families;
7. Special programs, including Outward Bound programs for teens and parents.
If you benefitted from services provided by COPARC, please call or email CDHS and let them know how you benefitted and why this program needs to be continued.
Director of the Division of Child Welfare:
Director of the Office of Children, Youth and Families:
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Glow: A Conference for Teens
82 Inverness Dr. East #A2 Englewood, CO 80112
Cost: $10/teen
This action-packed evening for youth ages 13-18 who are adopted or currently in kinship/foster care features:
· 90 minutes of Arena Time (Gladiator activities like jousting and high ropes)
· Dinner (free food!) & giveaways
· A series of short, inspirational talks by adults who have experienced foster care and/or adoption themselves
For more information: Amanda Purvis, 303.755.4756 x273, apurvis@adoptex.org
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COPARC's Spotlight Conference:
The Power of Resiliency, A Conference for Caregivers
Friday, March 10, 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
The Summit Conference & Event Center
411 Sable Blvd, Aurora, CO 80011
Cost: $15/caregiver
This conference is designed to uplift and empower kinship and adoptive parents. It will include a morning keynote presentation: "The Power of Resilience," presented by Schylar Baber, a former foster youth, adult adoptee, & Director of Voice for Adoption.
Attendees will have the choice of participating in 1 of 4 workshops, followed by lunch.
The afternoon will conclude with a closing keynote presentation entitled "Your Resiliency Will Change The Future," presented by Mike Berry, adoptive parent, author, and speaker.
Childcare will not be provided.
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Medicaid Changes May Affect School Resources
From disabilityscoop
As federal lawmakers consider broad changes to Medicaid, school chiefs from across the country are warning that such modifications could have big consequences for students with disabilities.
School districts rely on Medicaid to help pay for everything from nurses and therapists to screening and treatment for students in special education.
This could change if lawmakers cut Medicaid benefits.
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Military Families & Adoption
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway
Military families face a distinct set of challenges to consider when adopting, including deployment and frequent relocation.
Here are some resources specifically for military families considering adoption:
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Adoption Support Services
From AdoptUSKids
Providing post-placement support is critical to achieving the goal of finding and maintaining a pool of stable families for children and youth, as well as helping families succeed and thrive.
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Child Welfare: An Overview of Federal Programs & Their Current Funding
Child Welfare: An Overview of Federal Programs and Their Current Funding is a government document that explains all federal programs relating to child welfare, including Title IV-E Adoption Assistance and other adoption, kinship, and foster care programs. Click here to go to the document.
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ICPC & Kinship Care Issues
The article "The Lost Ones of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children" explains how the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) can impede kinship care if relatives reside outside of the state. Click here to read the article.
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Autistic Children In the Workforce
From disabilityscoop
Parents of children with autism are more likely to remain in the workforce if they have access to Medicaid waiver services for their kids, new research suggests.
In a study looking at over 17,000 children on the spectrum, researchers found a link between the availability of waivers and parent employment.
Click here to read the entire article.
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Foster Care Failing
From The Chronicle of Social Change
Noel Anaya "aged out"
of the system after 20 years in foster care. He was 21. At
his final court hearing
, he read a compelling statement about how he felt the California foster care system had failed him.
California is not alone. Throughout the nation, our current foster care system is suffering from a shortage of foster homes, unacceptable delays and failure in achieving permanence for our children in limbo, and the continuing reliance on yesterday's solutions to address today's changed family lifestyles.
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Free Overnight Camp for Foster & Kinship Kids
Every foster or kinship child, ages 6-12, can experience a 5-day overnight camp for free. Your children may also be eligible to participate in a year-round mentoring club. Registration generally begins in March, but call to inquire ASAP.
Arvada: Arvada Covenant Church - Camp #005-June 19-23
5555 Ward Road, Arvada, CO 80002
Camp Directors: Will & Mikki Le Vett, Phone: (303) 422-1235
Englewood/Denver: The Sacred Grace - Camp #066-June 19-23
3220 S Acoma Street, Englewood, CO 80110
Camp Director: Nate Galuzzi, Phone: (303) 422-3777
Littleton: Waterstone Community Church - Camp #234-June 5-9
5890 S. Alkire Street, Littleton, CO 80127
Camp Director: Maryann Jennings, Phone: (303) 520-5370
Parker: Southeast Christian Church - Camp #272-June 5-9
9650 Jordan Road, Parker, CO 80134
Camp Director: Kim Webb, Phone: (303) 841-9292
Windsor/Weld County: Timberline Church - Camp #334-June 26-30
360 Crossroads Blvd, Windsor, CO 80550
Camp Directors: Pat & Kathy Seeboth, Phone: (970) 686-8494
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Avid 4 Adventure CO Mountain Camp
Avid 4 Adventure has camp scholarships available at the following locations with activities for kids aged 3 to 13 (7th grade).
Deadline for scholarships is March 15th, 2017, but spots are expected to fill up fast. Scholarships are awarded for a specific session. Hours may differ for children aged 5 and under; call to inquire.
Click here to read more information on these camps.
Call 1-800-977-9873 for more information and for camp times.
Castle Rock
Soaring Hawk Elementary 4665 Tanglevine Dr, Castle Rock, CO 80109
JUNE: 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
JULY: 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-Aug 4
Denver
Greenwood Village Aspen Academy 5859 S University Blvd, Greenwood Village, CO 80121
JUNE: 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
JULY: 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-Aug 4
AUGUST: 7-11
Denver
Hilltop Denver Language School, 451 Newport St, Denver CO 80220
JUNE: 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
JULY: 3-7 (morning only), 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-Aug 4
AUGUST: 7-11
Denver
Washington Park
MAY: 30 - June 2 (4-day camp prorated price)
JUNE: 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
JULY: 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-Aug 4
AUGUST: 7-11
AUGUST:14-18 (United Methodist Church)
Denver-
Stapleton Westerly Creek Elementary 8800 E 28th Ave, Denver, CO 80238
JUNE: 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
JULY: 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-Aug 4
AUGUST: 7-11
Highlands Ranch
Trailblazer Elementary 9760 S Hackberry St, Littleton, CO 80129
JUNE: 5-9, 12-16, 19-23, 26-30
JULY: 3-7, 10-14, 17-21, 24-28, 31-Aug 4
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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.
Boulder Valley Christian Church
Support group for foster and adoptive moms
Tuesdays, 10:00 am to noon, beginning Feb. 7, 2017
Facilitated by Lisa Firle, MA., LPCC
Boulder Valley Christian Church, 7100 S. Boulder Road, Boulder.
Parents of Children with PTSD or Dissociative Disorder
Starts November 4, 2016
First Friday of the month
Denver Therapy & Consultation Group
2133 S Bellaire, Ste 11
$25 per person or $40 couple
Some scholarships are available.
For more information, contact Jan Tomski at
jantomski@msn.com
or by phone at 303-881-7630.
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).
Foster Care & 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
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, C
O 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
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 SarahA@bipr.org 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
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 colleen.tarket@cocaf.org. 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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