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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 |
TBRI Caregiver Training: Empowering Principles - Addressing Physical Needs
Friday
April 6, 2018
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Sungate Kids
6090 Greenwood Plaza Blvd
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Click here for more info.
Colorado Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
April 10, 2018
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO 80014
IEP: The Role of Interests, Questions, and Listening
Thursday
April 12, 2018
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Arc of Pueblo
2705 Vinewood Lane
Pueblo, CO 81005
TRBI Caregiver Training: Introduction & Overview
Thursday
April 26, 2018
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
El Pueblo History Museum
301 N Union Avenue
Pueblo, CO 81003
TRBI Caregiver Training: Introduction & Overview
Tuesday
May 1, 2018
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Wheatland Conference Center
221 E 2nd St
Flagler, CO 80815
TRBI Caregiver Training: Introduction & Overview
Wednesday
May 2, 2018
9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
DHS Training Center
1104 H Street
Greeley, CO 80631
Beyond Bowlby: Applying the Neurobiology of Attachment to Play Therapy
Friday & Saturday
May 4 & 5, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Parker Branch of Douglas County Libraries
20105 W Main St
Parker, CO 80134
IEP: Create Connections, Understand Resistance, and Clarify Consensus: PEAK 3-Part Series of Trainings
Thursday
May 10, 2018
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Arc of Pueblo
2705 Vinewood Lane
Pueblo, CO 81005
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TBRI® Caregiver Training
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Intro & Overview
May 4, 2018
July 20, 2018
September 21, 2018
November 2, 2018
Connecting Principles - Addressing Attachment Needs
August 3, 2018
Empowering Principles - Addressing Physical Needs
April 20, 2018
October 19, 2018
Correcting Principles - Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
June 15, 2018
December 7, 2018
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WEBINARS
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 1 Loss
Wednesday
April 4, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Medical Eligibility Criteria
Thursday
April 5, 2018
4:30 p.m.
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 2 Rejection
Wednesday
April 11, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
SSA Work History Report
Thursday
April 12, 2018
4:30 p.m.
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 3 Guilt/Shame
Wednesday
April 18, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Adoption Options Orientation
Wednesday
April 18, 2018
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Transition Grade to Grade
Wednesday
April 18, 2018
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
SSA Adult Function Report
Thursday
April 19, 2018
4:30 p.m.
Deflecting Mother Blame
Saturday
April 21, 2018
6:00 p.m.
Tips for Helping Children Develop Friendships
Tuesday
April 24, 2018
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Advocacy 101
Wednesday
April 25, 2018
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 4 Grief
Wednesday
April 25, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Transition from Childhood to Adult Disability
Thursday
April 26, 2018
4:30 p.m.
The Heart of the IEP Meeting: Connection and Communication
Wednesday
May 2, 2018
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 5 Identity
Wednesday
May 2, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 6 Intimacy
Wednesday
May 9, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
Core Struggles of Adoptees Throughout the Lifespan: Part 7 Control
Wednesday
May 16, 2018
12:15 p.m. - 12:45 p.m.
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| CONFERENCES |
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Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) Conference
Thursday-Saturday
April 26-28, 2018
Crested Butte, CO
NACAC Annual Conference
August 7-10, 2018
St Paul, Minnesota
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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:
Saturday
April 14
Rampage
Tuesday
April 24
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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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2018 Heritage Adoption Camps
Heritage Adoption Camps provide your adopted children with an opportunity to learn about the culture of their birth family. Giving your adopted children a true sense of who they are -- from both the birth perspective and from their place in your family -- will give them a better sense of self.
African/Caribbean June 7-10
Denver, CO
Chinese August 31 - Sept 3
Fraser, CO
Chinese II July 19-22
Denver, CO
Domestic Adoption June 28-July 1
Denver, CO
Indian/Nepalese July 5-8
Fraser, CO
Korean June 14-17
Fraser, CO
Latin American June 21-24
Fraser, CO
Russian/Eastern European/Central Asian (REECA) July 19-22
Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander (SEAPI)
July 12-15
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Spring is officially underway, which means summer break is just around the corner. Having a solid plan to keep your kids entertained is key to keeping them out of trouble. Start now looking for camps: Cultural, educational, sports, or just fun - but keep your child's mind stimulated all summer.
But also make sure to plan family time as well. Strong bonds are built around family memories. Some of those memories will be about botched vacations. Like the time we took the kids camping and our camping site was one ginormous ant hill. We ended up "camping" at a hotel in a tiny town, but the hotel had an awesome indoor pool in the middle of the restaurant. It's something my kids still talk about...how we got to eat dinner while playing in the pool and not having to put sunscreen on. So, make memories - good, bad, or a mix of both - your family will be stronger for it.
Happy Spring!
Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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Improve IEPs
From the ARC of Jefferson/Gilpin/Clear Creek Counties
It's been just over a year since the Supreme Court's unanimous decision in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District Re-1. With this landmark decision, the Supreme Court set a new standard for interpreting the Free and Appropriate Education (FAPE) component of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), raising the bar on what constitutes an appropriate education.
Prior to this ruling, multiple courts had held that a student in special education was considered to be making progress toward their educational goals if they received a "merely more than de minimis" - or trivial -- educational benefit. Overturning this precedent, the Supreme Court determined that schools must offer an individualized education program (IEP) that is "reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances."
The Court additionally emphasized the requirement that "every child should have the chance to meet challenging objectives."
In December, the Department of Education issued a document with FAQs about the Endrew decision, including how the decision affects the IEP process. Click here to go to those FAQs.
For every parent of a child on an IEP, understanding the Endrew decision is an opportunity to improve services for your student directly, and to indirectly improve supports for all children receiving special education at your school. To this end, understood.org has developed a toolkit for parents with talking points related to the decision and a worksheet to help you improve your child's IEP. Click here to access the toolkit.
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Boulder Valley Kids Identified with Dyslexia
BVKID is a non-profit grass roots all volunteer parent group in the BVSD area, concerned with advocacy for kids with learning disabilities, and offering support and information for parents and teachers. BVKID meets regularly, have a closed FB group for parents, bring simulation events to schools and libraries, and are working to encourage our district to look at issues around literacy, screening etc.
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Autism Support Group
Colorado Springs Autism and Asperger Connections offers free support groups for families, individuals, and professionals, providing autism support, information, and resources.
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Federal Funding Helps Foster/Adoption
From Voice for Adoption
Congress has settled on a final appropriation deal that resulted in some massive increases to child welfare funding.
A $2.3 billion increase with an additional $600 million in Head Start and Early Head Start was the largest increase, with other funding to smaller programs such as the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) state grants.
A huge victory for the adoption community included
the doubling of the adoption incentive fund to $75 million. The Adoption (and Kinship) incentive fund fell $50 million short of the total $55 million states had earned in last year's awards. HHS can now fully reward the states for last year, and have room to award for this year, to be awarded in September. There is also a possibility of an additional fix when the FY 2019 is settled sometime at the end of this year.
In addition, a $40 million increase under Promoting Safe and Stable Families with $20 million to fund Kinship Navigator Programs and $20 million designated to supplement the current $20 million for Regional Partnership Grants (RPGs).
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Every Child Deserves a Family Campaign Condemns HHS Action
Leaders of the Every Child Deserves a Family Campaign are condemning the Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) planned 2-year delay in collecting critical foster care and adoption data as required by a 2016 rule.
States are already 14 months into preparing to make updates to their foster care and adoption data collection systems by the 2019 deadline. The HHS notice would extend that deadline to 2021. HHS has not updated the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) since 1993 despite two statutes requiring adding data elements (the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008, and the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act of 2014), and the lack of data needed to measure progress on implementation of the Indian Child Welfare Act. HHS collected comments from states, Tribes, and the public on needed improvements to AFCARS in 2008, 2010, 2015, and 2016.
In addition to the proposed delay, HHS has announced plans to reopen the 2016 rule to further comments, which could lead to permanent elimination of critical data elements.
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Sex Trafficking Data Delayed
From rewire.com
The Trump administration delayed an Obama-era rule that would have made it easier to collect data crucial to improving the lives of sex trafficking victims in the foster care system.
Every year, thousands of children in the U.S. foster care system are sexually exploited by traffickers who prey on their vulnerability. These kids are easily targeted, advocates say, in part because of a flawed child welfare system that often fails to provide them with proper support and protection.
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The IEP: A Tool for Realizing Possibilities
PEAK Parent will be presenting The IEP: A Tool For Realizing Possibilities, a workshop designed to answer questions like how do I get ready for an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), what needs to be included in an IEP, and how do I know if we have a good IEP or not?
The workshop will take place on Wednesday, April 4 from 5:30 to 8 PM at Bal Swan Children's Center located at 1145 E 13th Ave in Broomfield. A light meal will be provided, and everyone is welcome. Register by April 2 by calling PEAK at (719) 531-9400 or by clicking here.
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Boulder Pre-Teen & Teen Support Group
Boulder County is offering a support group for pre-teens and teens who have been adopted or live with kin. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with other adoptees or youth in kinship homes, work on art projects, and talk about adoption/kinship issues.
When:
Mondays starting April 2 through June 18 from 4:30 to 6:00 pm.
Where:
Art Therapy Collective, 1400 Lee Drive #7, Boulder, CO 80304
Facilitator:
Erica Brann, LCSW. Erica has over 20 years of ex
perience working with teens and families including adoptive and kinship families
Cost:
Free
Sponsored by the Boulder
County
Kinship and Post-Permanency Program and the Promoting
Safe
and
Stable Families Grant.
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Online Support Group
The Online Parent Support Group for Parent to Parent of Colorado uses Groups.io, a free, easy-to-use email group service. This group shares information and support for parents of children with disabilities/special health care needs in Colorado.
It is designed as a private membership group so that all families have a safe place to talk, ask for advice and sometimes vent!
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Empowered to Connect
Empowered to Connect simulcast will be hosted by Ken Caryl Church, on
April 13 - 14, 2018, 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m., at
Ken Caryl Church,
8395 W Ken Caryl Avenue Littleton, CO 80128.
$20 includes both days viewing, two light snacks each day, and the workbook.
Questions may be referred to Sandy Blaylock at 303.921.8572 or to Pam Hintz at 720.273.3322.
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Events
Clays for Kids benefiting the Denver Children's Advocacy Center
Friday, April 6, 2018, 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Colorado Clays Shooting Park, 13600 Lanewood St, Brighton, CO 80603
In honor of
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
, this event is designed to bring sporting enthusiasts together to spread awareness about our mission to serve Denver's child victims of abuse, neglect, and violence. It will include a 15-station clay shooting tournament and a fully catered BBQ lunch.
Saturday, April 14, 2018, 5:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum
Join the annual celebration to support the work of Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families! They'll again be celebrating at the Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum. International food tasting stations, exciting cultural entertainment, fantastic silent auction, and short but sweet live auction!
Help raise money for the Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families, Inc., Domestic Adoption camp by buying raffle tickets! There are two awesome raffle prizes:
Hamilton Chicago Package!
Jet set to Chicago for an unforgettable weekend, including two mezzanine tickets to Hamilton The Musical, airfare for 2, and two nights at The Drake Hotel! For just $75 per raffle ticket, you have the chance to win! Not limited to HCAF attendees, tell all your friends, family, and co-workers to purchase their tickets now for a chance at this amazing experience!
Camp Family Package!
Win camp fees for a family of 4 and $100 voucher towards accommodation at camp! For those who don't attend camp, you can still purchase raffle tickets and if you win, you can become a "Heritage Camp Hero" and designate the camp fees and accommodation to be used for a family in need. Raffle tickets are just $25!
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Super Star Summer Camp 2018
Super Star Summer Camp 2018 helps to b
uild literacy and math skills, self-esteem and confidence for students who want summer support, struggle, or have dyslexia.
This summer program created
specifically to build and improve skills in reading and spelling, with additional support in writing and math. This camp is designed for students entering 1st to 9th grade who are identified with dyslexia or who otherwise struggle with reading, spelling, writing, and math.
Camps will be offered at two locations.
Camp supervisors meet with each child individually pre-camp to determine grouping.
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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, beginning Feb. 7, 2017
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
February 3 - May 5, 2015
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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