The Caregiver Courier
February 2019
Never Too Old for Family: Myths and Facts
Nationally, 45 percent of those waiting to be adopted out of the foster care system are eight years of age or older.

The magazine AdoptiveFamilies set out to debunk some of the common myths out there when it comes to adopting older children in care.

Read more here.
Quality Parenting Standards for Foster Homes - What is DFS?
As part of the monthly spotlight on the Quality Parenting Standards for Foster Homes, we want to highlight part of the first section:

What is the mission of DFS?

The Mission of Department of Family Services is to support our community in becoming a place where children are safe and families are stronger. 


Of course, the mission and purpose of DFS is much more robust than that. If you want to read more about DFS, and peruse the rest of the Quality Parenting Standards for Foster Homes, you can do so by clicking here!
Independent Living Update
FAAYT (Foster and Adoptive Youth Together) has had a fast start to the year and we are excited to congratulate them on being selected by the City of Las Vegas's Youth Neighborhood Association Partnership Program to implement an Arts in the Park event. Great job FAAYT!

Read more about it here.
thinkLaw Course
The Independent Living team will be hosting a thinkLaw course focused on the art of argument and teaching youth how to build a persuasive argument about what they believe in. These classes will take place every other Tuesday and are open to youth in foster care age 14-18. Click here for a flyer with more information.
Mad Money Event
The Independent Living unit is also excited to be bringing Mad City Money to our foster youth ages 14-18! The event on Friday, March 29, will be an opportunity to learn financial skills such as creating a budget, saving for emergencies and minimizing debt! Youth may sign-up by reaching out their IL worker. Learn more about Mad City Money here.
Upcoming Conferences!
6th Annual
QPI National Conference
April 29-May 1, 2019
Philadelphia, PA
Learn more here.
National Foster Parent Association
Annual Conference
June 12 - June 15, 2019
Anaheim, CA
Learn more here.
North American Council on Adoptable Children
Annual Conference
July 17 - July 20, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
Learn more here.
Black History Month Festival
Springs Preserve will be hosting its annual Black History Month Festival in celebration of Black History Month. The event will feature live music and dance performance, local food, arts and crafts for kids and so much more!

  • Date & Time: Saturday, Feb. 16, 2019, 10am-4pm
  • Location: Springs Preserve
  • Admission: $6 adults, $4 children (age 3-17.) Free for children age 2 and under. Bronze, Silver State Pass, Gold and Platinum members receive free admission.

Get more information here.
Foster Parent Training Calendar
Foster parents are required to complete 12 hours of training in 2019. There are many trainings each month you can attend to satisfy this requirement.

You can view the February training calendar with dates/times/locations  here .
Online Training Spotlight:
Recognizing and Report Child Abuse and Neglect*

Did you know that you can take “Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect” training online at no cost? This training provides detailed information for Mandated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect.

Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect
Sponsor:   University of Nevada Cooperative Extension - Las Vegas
Type of Training:   Internet Course
Contact Info:   Cathryn Peshlakai    Phone  : (702) 257-5561
No Charge         Hours:   2
Registration Info:   Visit  https://campus.extension.org  and create an account. After your account is established, search by title of the course. Content in this course is designed to simulate a two-hour face to face training. All sections and videos must be viewed completely and in sequential order to meet The Nevada Registry course requirement. Upon successful completion, a certificate will be available for printing.
Core Knowledge Area:   Health, Nutrition & Safety
Training Summary:   This online training will teach child care providers the definitions and indicators of child abuse and neglect. Topics include: How to recognize and report abuse, how to respond to a disclosure, what happens when you report and child care program policies that help keep children safe and dealing with stress.
Upcoming CCSD
Days Off!
The Caregiver Courier would like to offer friendly reminders of upcoming school holidays/days off (based on the Clark County School District 9-month Calendar)

  • Monday, February 18:
Presidents' Day-No School

For more CCSD calendar information, click   here
Like DFS on Facebook
The Department of Family Services is now on Facebook. You can find the page by clicking here.

The focus of the page is to reach more potential foster parents in new and unique ways and continue to educate the community on how they can support our children in need. Go ahead and give it a like.
Foster Parents' Night Out!
Grace Point Church and Canyon Ridge Christian Church are both hosting a  FREE  respite program so foster parents can get an occasional night out! 

Grace Point offers respite care from 6 - 9 p.m. on the first Friday of each month.
Canyon Ridge offers respite care from 6 - 9 p.m. on the third Friday of each month.
Grace Point Church Foster Parents' Night Out
 
What: Foster Parents' Night Out

When: 6 - 9 p.m., First Friday of each month.

Next date: Friday, March 1, 2018

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

Who: All foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin)

How to register:   Click here .(Registration closes two days before the event and opens the Saturday after each event for the following month's event.)
Canyon Ridge Christian Church
Foster Parents' Night Out

What: Foster Parents' Night Out

When: 6-9 p.m., Third Friday of each month.

Next date: Friday, February 15, 2018

Where: Canyon Ridge Christian Church
Lone Mountain Campus – Base Camp
6200 West Lone Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89130

Who: All foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin)
How to register: Click here . (registration closed the second Friday of each month opens the Monday after each event for the following month).
Foster One Recruit One

The greatest tool to recruit new foster parents...are current foster parents.

Clark County DFS wants to help you host a recruitment party. We will provide the information and refreshments, all we need from you is a location and a minimum of five (5) potential foster parents confirmed to attend.

Do you want to be next!? See this flyer for more information.
Foster Care Information Sessions!

There is always a need for more foster families in Clark County. The first step is to attend one of the many information sessions offered all across Clark County.

If you know someone who has been thinking of becoming a foster resource, click on the picture to see the full schedule of information sessions and help them take that first step.
Join Foster Change
Caring for a child is one of the most important things a person can do. Caring for a child who is not your own requires a special kind of dedication. There are many children in Southern Nevada who are unable to remain in their homes. Families who open their homes and hearts to these children are committed to improving their lives and their futures. Foster Change is committed to those families. 

We are proud to be the foster and adoptive family association in Southern Nevada. For just $20/year, we offer monthly community connection groups, parents' nights out, family events, educational opportunities, play dates, and free car seat and CPR/first aid training. Many of our events include free childcare and meals. We also work together to advocate for support for all foster and adoptive families in Nevada. We look forward to meeting your family! 

For more information, please contact Foster Change program manager Sandy Vargas at (702) 970-4546 or by email at Sandy@FosterChangeCC.org . Visit us at www.FosterChangeCC.org or  https://www.facebook.com/FosterChangeVegas
10 Ways to Support Foster Children in Clark County

We are so appreciative of all the amazing people who have opened their homes to become foster parents.

However, becoming a foster parent is not the only way to help a child in need.

We have compiled a list of 10 ways you can support foster children in Clark County. Check out the full list: English/ Spanish
Entrenamiento en Español

There's a new feature on the QPI Nevada Just in Time training website! There is now a button (Entrenamiento en Español) on the homepage. This button directs caregivers to a new page that features a link to the "Trainings in Spanish" topic in the video library and the Spanish version of the FAQ document.

Click here  to see the new button or go directly to the following website here:  http://www.qpinevada.org/pages/enEspanol.html

Para entrenamientos en español,  haga clic aquí .
What is QPI?

Building quality relationships through support and partnership for the well-being and support of our children.

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 Clark County Values
  • Children do best in families
  • Engaging our community
  • Supporting & strengthening families
702-455-5444 |   http://tinyurl.com/my66nkm
121 S. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106