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In This Issue
Smile & Donate!
Sensory Friendly Events
Members of Congress
Adoption Data
Pancakes with Santa
Support Groups

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CLASSROOM

Colorado Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
January 8, 2019
6:00 p.m.

Animal Assisted Therapy
3-Day Intensive Training
Wednesday-Friday
January 26-28, 2019

Colorado Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
February 12, 2019
6:00 p.m.

2019 TBRI® Caregiver Training
TBRI® Intro & Overview
Full Day
March 15, 2019
August 2, 2019

Evening
 
January 16, 2019
May 1, 2019
September 18, 2019
November 13, 2019


TBRI® Caregiver Training 
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
January 25, 2019
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


WEBINARS

Foster Care Adoption Orientation
Wednesday
January 16, 2019
6:30 p.m.

How to Best Manage the Emotional Rollercoaster of Asperger Syndrome-High Functioning Autism
Friday
January 25, 2018
11:00 a.m.

Can't vs. Won't
Tuesday
January 29, 2019
11:30 a.m.

Adoption Options Orientation
Wednesday
February 20, 2019
6:30 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.

CONFERENCES

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

AMC Autism Logo  
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:
 
BumbleBee
Tuesday
January 8, 2019
 
Mary Poppins Returns
Saturday
January 12, 2019
 
Glass
Tuesday
January 22, 2019

A Dog's Way Home
Saturday
January 26, 2019



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

 
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. 
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.

FREE RESOURCES
Looking for books or movies about adoption?  Or how to deal with school-related adoption issues?  

 
COCAF would like to THANK all those who have generously donated their time and/or hard-earned money in 2018 to support COCAF:
 
Frank & Carla Bennett
Joanne Brothers
Tony Coppola
Sarah Dillion-Jensen
Charles Friedman
Beth Gustas
Lori Holden
Beverly Holst
Paula Koyama
Kim Lewis
Josh Muller
Jackie Palmer
Carla Quinn
Sheryl Reynolds
Sean Selters
Dawn Sieh
Roxanne Thompson
 
Your support means the world to those families COCAF advocates for and to us. So, thank you for all that you do to help us!!!


Wishing you peace, love, and no calamities in 2019,
Colleen Tarket, 
COCAF Board of Directors
Adoption Issues 
From MentalHelp.net
people_social_icons.jpg
Adoption is complicated - for the adopted child as well as the adoptive family. Being aware of what some of the long-terms issues adopted children face will help adoptive parents make this complicated relationship a little simpler.
 
Some of the issues for adopted children are included in this article, Long-Term Issues for the Adopted Child, from MentalHelp.net, the American Addiction Centers Resource.
Adoption-Friendly Workplaces 2018 
From the Dave Thomas Foundation
Every year, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption publishes their list of the 100 best adoption friendly workplaces. 

Adoptees Perspective 
From the Child Welfare Adoption Triad
sisters_kissing.jpg
As no adoption experience is like any other, adoptees' stories provide a unique perspective and insight into a lifelong journey with its blend of joys and challenges. Some of these narratives speak to the struggles and obstacles faced by many of our nation's children and youth who are waiting to be placed in a safe and permanent home. The impact of past maltreatment and trauma, the effect of loss and grief, and thoughts and feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability are some of the recurring themes.

Successful adoption stories that tell us of children and youth who live meaningful, resilient lives-surrounded by their supportive adoptive families-can also offer a glimpse into the traits and characteristics of parents who are best equipped to ensure a positive outcome. The following articles and video highlight the diversity and complexity of the adoption experience from the eyes and voices of youth who were formerly in foster care:
 
Re-Homing, Part 2 
From The Atlantic
paper_cutout_child_reding.jpg
The unfortunate and very ugly truth is, not all adoptions "stick." There are a variety of reasons why adoptions fail, but the biggest problem with failed adoptions is what happens to the child.
 
Re-homing is now illegal - which is a big step in protecting the child from being placed in a home that is unsuitable, or in some cases, criminal. But the issue still remains that the child who has been "un-adopted" is still without a family. An organization in Utah is now providing services to help find forever parents for children whose adoption has been disrupted.
 
Whether or not this is right answer or not, we don't have enough evidence to know at this time, but at least this is a regulated way to provide these children with a third chance at a forever family.
 
 
School Discipline Regs May Change 
From disabilityscoop
school-group.jpg
A Trump administration school safety commission is recommending that federal officials rescind Obama-era guidance aimed at ensuring that minorities and students with disabilities aren't unfairly disciplined.

In a 180-page report  released Tuesday, the Federal Commission on School Safety said that the 2014 guidance issued jointly by the U.S. Department of Education and the Department of Justice should be abandoned.

The guidance outlined how schools should work to ensure that discipline isn't administered in a way that disproportionately affects students from certain groups, noting that federal law prohibits "discriminatory discipline" based on race, disability and other factors.

 
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.

golf4b.jpg

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.
For more info or to register: [email protected]

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 [email protected] 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
For more information, email [email protected] . 
  
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
For more information, contact Tim Paxton at 970-691-5737 or by email at [email protected].
 
  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 [email protected] 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
Contact Carol Villa at 303-790-1055 for more information or email [email protected]

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
Contact:  [email protected] 
 
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.  
  

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 [email protected].  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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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