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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
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The Nuts & Bolts: Parenting for Attachment (Part 2)
Wednesday
February 6, 2019
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Colorado Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
February 12, 2019
6:00 p.m.
Prenatal Substance Exposure
Tuesday
February 12, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Longmont Hub
515 Coffman Street, Room 112
Longmont, CO 80501
A Close Look at ADHD & Executive Functioning Disorder
Thursday
February 28, 2019
11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Developmental Pathways
325 Inverness Dr South
Englewood, CO
Empowered to Connect Simulcast
Friday & Saturday
April 5 & 6, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Ken Caryl Church
8395 W Ken Caryl Ave
Littleton, CO 80128
Call 303.973.1700 to register.
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2019 TBRI® Caregiver Training
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TBRI® Intro & Overview
Full Day
March 15, 2019
May 1, 2019
September 18, 2019
November 13, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
May 3, 2019
September 20, 2019
November 15, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Empowering Principles
Addressing Physical Needs
February 1, 2019
May 10, 2019
September 27, 2019
November 22, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
February 8, 2019
May 17, 2019
October , 2019
December 6, 2019
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WEBINARS
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Effective Facilitation of Parent Support Groups
Available on YouTube
Free
Caring for LGBTQ Youth
Wednesday
February 6, 2019
3:00 p.m.
Adoption Options Orientation
Wednesday
February 20, 2019
6:30 p.m.
Peer Support Strategies for Kinship, Foster, and Adoptive Families in Tribal Communities
Thursday
February 28, 2019
1:00 p.m.
Colorado Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
March 12, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Foster Care Adoption Orientation
Wednesday
March 20, 2019
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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| CONFERENCES |
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Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools 2019 Conference
February 17-19, 2019
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
NACAC 2019 Conference
July 17-20, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
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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:
The Kid Who Would Be King
Saturday
February 9, 2019
Miss Bala
Tuesday
February 12, 2019
The Lego Movie 2: Second Part
Saturday
February 23, 2019
Fighting with My Family
Tuesday
February 26
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Sensory Friendly Events
Longmont Get Air Trampoline Park
2251 Ken Pratt Blvd,
Longmont, CO 80501
Every Saturday from 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Big Air - $13, Little Air - $9
Dedicated time just for jumpers with special needs. Music is played at a lower volume and the park's atmosphere is calmer. One parent or guardian can support jumpers on the trampoline for free. Siblings of jumpers are welcome to jump for the same price but should be more careful during this time.
*A Special Time Just For You is not available during blackout dates or holidays.
Chuck E Cheese Sensory Sensitive Sundays
Sunday, October 7 (1st Sunday of every month)
9:00 - 11:00
Select Chuck E Cheese locations below will be open 2 hours early on the first Sunday of every month, specifically for children with autism and other special needs.
* Reduced lighting and noise
* Food and games offered
* Trained and caring staff
COLORADO SPRINGS
2925 GEYSER DRIVE
FT COLLINS
105 W PROSPECT RD
LITTLETON
7510 PARKWAY DR
SUPERIOR
305 MARSHALL ROAD
CO Springs - SF Storytime Pikes Peak Library District: 21C
2nd Monday of every month
1:30 - 2:00pm
1175 Chapel Hills Dr.,
Colorado Springs, CO 80920
Sensory Story Time
: Interactive story time that is especially welcoming for children on the autism spectrum and families who are looking for a smaller, more adaptive library experience. Call 719.884.9800 x6310 if you have any questions.
Denver Aquarium Low Sensory Morning
2nd Sunday of every month
8:30 - 9:45am
Downtown Aquarium
700 Water St
Denver, CO 80211, USA
Denver Aquarium has started offering a low-sensory morning with our ambient sounds and the flash flood exhibit turned off and lights turned up for a calmer, quieter time for any families that need it. Sounds and lights get turned back on at 9:45am for the regular business day.
The cost is the regular ticket price at our box office.
Adults (12 - 64) are $20.50, Seniors (65+) are $19.50, Children (3-11) are $14.50
2 and under are free
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Resources for Contacting Members of Congress
Find your legislators online:
Call the U.S. Capitol Switch Board to Connect with your legislators office by phone:
(202) 224-3121
A switchboard operator with connect you directly with a legislators office that you request.
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Adoption Data
Using information collected through various monitoring and reporting systems, the Children's Bureau analyzes and reports data on a variety of topics, including adoption, foster care, and child abuse and neglect.
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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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2019 is off to a questionable start - the government shutdown adversely affecting hundreds of thousands of US citizens. Gun violence continues to threaten every place we got on a regular basis from churches to banks and everywhere in between. Mother Nature seems to be very angry with us, as she hits back with mud slides, Arctic blasts, and rush-hour blizzards. If you feel a little off-kilter, think about how your children feel.
Adults have had years to develop coping skills for bad news, unpredictable events, and the general upheaval that sometimes comes our way. Children, especially children who have come from trauma backgrounds, may act like they have the skills, but they do not. Remember to talk to your children about the things they're hearing on TV, social media, and at school (from teachers and other students). You can't shield them from the bad, but you can discuss it with them, and help them understand what it means and how you, their parent, will protect them. Communication is critical to keeping your children safe and providing them with the skills they do need to cope.
Wishing you peace, love, and no calamities in 2019,
Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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Adoption Resources
From The Adoption Exchange
All parents need resources at times. Different families need different kinds of support, depending upon where the family lives, the nature of the challenges of the child they are raising and the needs of each individual caregiver. When searching for resources, people do not always know where to turn.
This Colorado statewide Resource Database is geared towards connecting families that provide permanence for children with resources most relevant to their needs (adoptive, guardianship, kinship and reunified biological families).
Click here to go to The Adoption Exchange resource.
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What to Ask BEFORE You Adopt
As families begin the adoption process, adoptive parents need as much background information about their child as possible. The resources below can help families and professionals know what information is most important to obtain. Access to all available information and comprehensive adoption preparation, preservation, and support services will increase adoption stability and improve permanency outcomes for children and families.
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What Is COCAF Working On?
Currently, adoptive families who have Medicaid cannot legally self-pay non-Medicaid providers. This makes finding adoption-competent mental health professionals almost impossible, creating a huge hole in the services many adopted children need. COCAF is working to find Colorado legislators to move forward a bill that would allow adoptive families to self-pay for non-Medicaid providers.
If you have personal contact with any Colorado legislators who might be willing to sponsor this bill, please let us know - we can use all the help we can get!
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Colorado Adoption Subsidy Disparities
Adoption subsidy rates are the most tangible element of the adoption assistance program, offering a definitive measure of a child's needs and affecting a child's permanency and well-being long after their adoption is finalized. However, these rates can vary dramatically, even when children have similar needs. This leads many to wonder what factors determine adoption subsidy rates and whether all families are receiving equitable support.
The office of Colorado's Child Protection Ombudsman (CPO) addressed these concerns through a 16-month investigation. After a complaint was filed with the CPO by the
Colorado Coalition of Adoptive Families
and the Colorado Office of the Child's Representative-both statewide agencies that serve adoptive children and families-the CPO studied whether 9,000 children receiving some form of adoption assistance were given the proper support. Through extensive collaboration with stakeholders, and interviews with more than 60 agencies and dozens of adoptive families, the CPO was granted unprecedented access and insight into Colorado's program. As a result, the CPO identified four areas of the adoption assistance program in need of reform.
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Adoption & the Government Shutdown
If the shutdown adversely affected your adoptive, kinship, or foster family, please let Voice for Adoption know how. Send an email explaining how the shutdown affected your family to
director@voice-for-adoption.org.
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Playful Parenting Builds Better Brains
From the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC)
Clinical supervisor, consultant, educator, and author of
Riley the Brave, Jessica Sinarski, shares why playful parenting helps children and parents navigate high-stress situations and how you can incorporate playful parenting in your day-to-day life in this article from NACAC's Adoptalk.
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Heritage Summer Camps
Heritage Summer Camps give you and your adoptive children learn more about their birth heritage.
Registration starts in February, so check your camp information to see your registration start date.
African/Caribbean June 6-9
Regis University, Denver, CO
Chinese Camp I
August 30-September 2
Snow Mountain Ranch
Fraser, CO
Chinese Camp II
July 18-21
Regis University, Denver, CO
Domestic Adoption
June 27-30
Regis University, Denver, CO
Indian/Nepalese
July 11-14
Snow Mountain Ranch
Fraser, CO
Korean
June 13-16
Snow Mountain Ranch
Fraser, CO
Latin American
June 20-23
Snow Mountain Ranch
Fraser, CO
Russian/Eastern European/Central Asian
July 25-28
Snow Mountain Ranch
Fraser, CO
Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander
August 1-4
YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Park, CO
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Outdoor Adventure Camp
Outdoor Adventure Camp, a 6-week specialized day camp serving kids ages 6-11 with mental health, and social and emotional diagnoses. Scholarships are available and the camp accepts CCAP. The camp provides a wonderfully supportive environment in that kids are in groups of 7-8 with the same counselors for the whole summer while they engage in a variety of activities including swimming, rock climbing, canoeing, arts and crafts, fishing and field trips.
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Did You Adopt in 2017 or 2018?
Each year,
Adoptive Families
polls families across the nation to determine the average cost and length of adoption, by type and country. The final information is shared with their magazine readers and on the
Adoptive Families
(www.adoptivefamilies.com) website. If you adopted in 2017 or 2018 and are willing to share the details (anonymously) of your adoption experience,
click here to go to the survey.
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Homes for Hope Looking for Foster Parents
Adams County and Adams County Foundation have two fully furnished homes ready for two foster families to move into to provide temporary foster care services for children in emergency situations. Nightlight will be the certifying agency and support the families upon placement. The goal is to keep kids in their schools, community, and keep siblings together until we can find more long-term placement options for them. The children will remain in the homes for 30-90 days, giving the county the breathing room they often need to locate family members, create a safety plan with the child's biological family, or identify a more long-term foster placement. Prioritization will be given to children ages 0-10, but the families will be certified 0-18 years of age, in order to keep siblings together. One home will also be designated as a safe place for teen mothers and their children.
Nightlight is actively recruiting two families to move into the homes and respite families to support the families as they care for the children. It's important that we don't find just anyone for this program but the right families, those with experience, passion and drive to help children at their most vulnerable time.
Here are a few additional articles and information about the program:
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Opportunities for Youth Leaders
FosterClub is offering summer internship opportunities for two amazing young adults (ages 18-24) who have experienced foster or kinship care and want to travel the US, develop leadership skills, and mentor other young adults. Click here for more information.
Applications are due by February 20, 2019.
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EVENTS
A Day for Wednesday's Child
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
More info to come.
Champions for Children Golf Classic
Wednesday, June 19 & 20, 2019
Sanctuary Golf Course
7549 Daniels Park Road, Sedalia, CO 80135
The 28th Annual Champions for Children Golf Tournament will be held at the exclusive and picturesque Sanctuary Golf Course in Sedalia, CO on June 20, 2019. The event will provide a full day on the greens and an inspirational experience at the CELEBRATE dinner on June 19, 2019, including a live and silent auction, and much more. All net proceeds from this premium charity event will help The Adoption Exchange change the future for children in foster care.
More info coming soon.
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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
Facilitated by Lisa Firle, MA., LPCC
Boulder Valley Christian Church, 7100 S. Boulder Road, Boulder.
Parents of Children with PTSD
First Friday of the month, 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m.
464 Inca St, Denver, CO 80204
$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 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Zion Lutheran Church, Fellowship Hall, 14th & Skeel, Brighton, CO RSVP to Elaine Riedl at 303-912-8337.
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 & Kinship Support Group
2nd & 4th Wednesdays
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Aurora Mental Health Center, Viewpoint Office, Lotus Room
11059 E Bethany Dr., 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
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. 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
5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Aurora Mental Health
11059 E Bethany Drive, Aurora, CO 80014
Contact Sheila Reynolds 303-525-2123 or Stephanie Seriff 303-856-7698 for more information
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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