From time to time, our caregivers like to share their real-life stories about fostering children in care. It's a challenging and, quite often, an emotional journey. But the dividends in the long run pay off in reunifying children with their birth parents and strengthening the family.

 

Click here for a story we received from a foster parent about the value and importance of partnering and being a support to birth parents.

We have all heard that phrase and here at DFS and it rings true! June is National Reunification Month. DFS's Elizabeth Freeland reflects and shares a story of reunification with a very important lesson about teamwork. 

Click here to read her story.

Connections & Healing

Think about the most important connections in your life. Think about how they define your identity and shape your daily choices. Now imagine that all of those connections were taken from you. How do you feel? Who are you now? Where do you fit in?  

SAFY's Jennifer Anderson unpacks the importance of making connections with children in care as well as birth parents in this month's installment of the Trauma-Informed Parenting Series.

 

Click here to read Module 6.

Previous Modules

Module 1: Building a Trauma-informed Community

Module 2: Identifying Trauma

Module 3: Understanding the Effects of Trauma

Module 4: Building a Safe Space

Module 5: Dealing with Feelings & Behaviors

More information can be found at the National Child Traumatic Stress Network.

...'cause it's the summertime. Thursday, June 8 is the last day of school in Clark County. Not June 1, Not June 15. June 8! That's a week away! Fight summertime boredom right now by checking out this list of summer fun for the whole family!

 

Looking for a great resource for additional support, training or just want to connect with fellow foster parents? Sign up today to receive Foster Change's monthly newsletter! A partner organization of the Clark County Department of Family Services, Foster Change is committed to the empowerment of foster, adoptive, and kinship families.

 

Click here to read Foster Change's May newsletter.

 

Make sure you join their email list to keep receiving the newsletter. Then check out FosterChangeCC.org for additional information, meeting schedules and more.

 

After the success of its inaugural Foster Parents Day Out, Grace Point Church is expanding its free respite program so foster parents can get an occasional night out! Beginning in August, Grace Point will offer respite care from 6 - 9 p.m. on the first Friday each month.

 

What: Foster Parents Night Out

When: 6 - 9 p.m., first Friday each month, beginning Friday, Aug. 4

Where:  Grace Point Church, 3794 W. Ann Rd., North Las Vegas

 

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: Sept. 1, Oct. 6, Nov. 8, 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.

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 for more information and RSVP information. 

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:

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.

Speaking of workgroups, download the June and July QPI calendars for the latest workgroup meetings and partner organization events and gatherings.

 

Click here for the calendar.