The Caregiver Courier
March 2017
National Child Abuse Prevention Month: Pinwheels for Prevention® Campaign

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to remember that we can each play a part in promoting the social and emotional well-being of children and families in our community. To help promote this reminder, Prevent Child Abuse America and local chapters nationwide use the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign.

The pinwheel is an uplifting reminder of childhood and the bright futures all children deserve. We want to reinforce the notion that healthy child development serves as a foundation for both community and economic development.
 
Click here for Child Abuse Prevention Month events throughout Clark County during April.
Spotlight Series: Trauma-Informed Parenting, Pt. 4

What does it mean to feel safe? How do you define physical safety vs. psychological safety? This month, in our ongoing series about trauma-informed care, SAFY of Nevada's Lead Case Coordinator, Heather Brockway, outlines the critical steps for caregivers to promote safety for children who have experienced trauma; including instructions on being "an emotional container."

She also shares a real-life experience about "Chase," a child in foster care with a need for a safe space-and "an emotional container." 
 
Click here for Module 4.
 
Previous Modules
More information can be found at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

Bring the Family to Symphony Park for FREE National Sibling Day Event

Child Focus is hosting the second annual National Sibling Day festival! Partnering with the Smith Center, it's an afternoon with music, carnival games and prizes, fun family activities including a bounce house, obstacle course, scavenger hunt and much more. Best of all, FREE admission and FREE parking!
 
What:  National Sibling Day
When: Saturday, April 8, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Where: Symphony Park, 361 Symphony Park Ave., Las Vegas
 
Bring the family, enjoy the performers, activities and concessions. Attendees who RSVP will receive an additional raffle ticket at check-in.
 
To RSVP, call 702-436-1624 ext.220 or send an email message to Knelson@stjudesranch.org .

Click here for event information. Click here parking information. 
Don't Miss Foster Change's Ladies Night Tomorrow Night!

Because moms need a little time to themselves to decompress and have fun with peers, Foster Change is holding Ladies Night Out this Friday, April 7, and YOU can join the fun!
 
What: Ladies Night Out
When: Friday, April 7, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Where: 3109 Conners Dr., Las Vegas
Cost: Free for Foster Change members, or $20 at the door (annual membership)
 
This is a perfect opportunity to meet with fellow foster, adoptive and kinship parents and learn more about Foster Change, its events and resources for caregivers. RSVP is required. Contact Sandy Vargas at 702-970-4546 or via email at Sandy@FosterKinship.org.

Also, don't miss Foster Kinship's Tupperware/Lularoe Tea Party!

What:  Tupperware/Lularoe Tea Party
When: Sunday, April 30, 2 - 4 p.m.
Where: Foster Kinship, 4344 W. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas
 
Lularoe Marlene will also donate 30 percent of Lularoe sales to Foster Kinship. You get an additional 10 percent discount towards your next purchase. Click here for more details.
 
Foster Change offers training, advocacy and support to families in Clark County. Founded in 2016 by the directors of Fostering Southern Nevada, Foster Kinship, The Foster and Adoptive Coalition and Foster Connect in partnership with the Clark County Quality Parenting Initiative. Foster Change acts as an umbrella organization connecting the important work of individual organizations and works to provide a unified voice for families and children.
 
Click here to learn how you can get involved with Foster Change.
Take a Little "You" Time: Free Respite Offer from Grace Point Church

The members of Grace Point Church recognize the hard work and dedication it takes to be a quality foster parent. To show their appreciation, they're offering FREE RESPITE through a special Foster Parents Day Out.
 
What: Foster Parents Day Out
When: Saturday, April 29, 9 a.m. - noon
Where: Grace Point Church, 3794 W. Ann Rd., North Las Vegas
 
What Do You Get Out of it?
Take some time to rest, catch a movie, go out with your spouse...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.
 
Click here to register. Registration is required and the deadline is Saturday, April 22. Space is limited to a first come, first serve basis. Please print and bring your confirmation email to the event.
The Best of the Best: Become a DFS Advanced Foster Care Parent
As a foster parent, you have what it takes. You're patient. You've got a thick skin. You understand some of these kids are working through some challenging circumstances. You don't judge. You empathize. You don't break. You're flexible. You roll with ups and downs to provide a stable, loving, nurturing environment.
 
You are exactly what they need. Clark County Department of Family Services is calling on the best of the best of its DFS-licensed foster parents to become Advanced Foster Care (AFC) parents.
 
Click here to learn more.
Recruiting Quality Foster Parents is Everyone's Job

How can you harness your influence to become a foster care evangelist? Attend an upcoming Foster Parent Recruitment "Boot Camp!" 

Facilitated by Denise Goodman of the Annie E. Casey Foundation, the boot camps are lively, interactive sessions to develop successful strategies to recruit caregivers who fit the specific needs of DFS and our community. Attended by caregivers, community partners and DFS staff from across the spectrum of roles, the boot camps serve as a reminder that recruitment is everyone's job.
 
Click here to choose an upcoming boot camp to attend. 
DFS to Begin Quality Improvement Case Reviews Next Month
As part the Nevada Continuous Quality Improvement process, DFS conducts Quality Improvement Case Reviews (QICRs) twice a year in partnership with the State of Nevada. The next round of QICRs begin next month and again in September, ahead of the 2018 Round 3 Child & Family Services Reviews (CSFRs). DFS has been conducting QICRs since completing Round 2 CFSR in 2008.
 
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 and caregivers about their first-hand experiences is important. Information that parents and caregivers give about their experiences can help child welfare agencies make changes to strengthen their work with families.
 
Click here for more information about CSFRs.
Fun for Everyone at the Princess Lee Foundation Easter Celebration

The Princess Lee Foundation invites all families in DFS care to attend its 1st annual Easter Celebration on Sunday, April 16 at West Flamingo Park. FREE barbecue, FREE Easter baskets, an egg hunt for children, games, prizes and much more are in store at the celebration.
 
What: 1st Annual Easter Celebration, presented by the Princess Lee Foundation
When: Sunday, April 16, noon
Where: West Flamingo Park, 6255 W. Flamingo Rd., Las Vegas
 
For more information, go to www.PrincessLeeFoundation.org or send an email message to PrincessLee456@gmail.com.
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 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.

What's Going on This Month? Check the QPI Calendar

Speaking of workgroups, download the April and May QPI calendars for the latest workgroup meetings and partner organization events and gatherings.
 
Click here for the calendar.

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.

Do you have a question, suggestion or story idea for The Caregiver Courier? 

Click here to submit your story ideas, suggestions or questions.
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.
702-455-5444   |  
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121 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106