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Adoption Topics       Education        Health Care       Legislative Info       Services & Resources   

In This Issue
Smile & Donate!
Sensory Friendly Events
Members of Congress
Adoption Data
Every Child Deserves a Family Act
Kinship Guardianship
Respite Funding
Respite Funding
Heritage Summer Camps
Outdoor Adventure Camp
Spark Club
Summer Camps
Clays for Kids
Support Groups

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CLASSROOM
2019 TBRI®: Caregiver Training
WEBINARS
CONFERENCES

26th Annual National Foster Care Conference
Wednesday - Friday
May 15-17, 2019
St. Petersburg, FL

National Autism Conference
Tuesday - Wednesday
June 11 - 12, 2019
Cleveland, Ohio


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:

Avengers
Saturday,
May 11
Tuesday,
May 14

Pokemon Dectective Pikachu
Saturday, 
May 25

John Wick: Chapter 3 Parabellum
Tuesday, 
May 28

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
 
One more month of school, then the kids will be free and parents will be scrambling to figure out how to keep those kids occupied. Take time to peruse the list of camps in our newsletter and see if any of them are the right fit for your children.

If you want to save a little money on summer activities, check out www.getoutpass.com/Colorado/. For a set fee, you get passes to a number of activities in the Denver/Colorado Springs/Fort Collins areas. Be sure to sign up for the emails to get a discount code so you get the pass(es) for a discounted rate.

Wishing you peace, love, and no calamities in 2019,
Colleen Tarket, 
COCAF Board of Directors
Every Child Deserves a Family Act

Gay equal rights and LGBT sexual freedom in America concept with the statue of liberty covered in the rainbow colors. LGBTQ community advocates for tolerance towards gender_ sexuality and identity
NY Senstor Kirsten Gillibrand is re-introducing the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which would ban discrimination against LGBTQ families from being considered as foster or adoptive parents based on religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other aspects of a parent's identity .

COCAF strongly believes that every child and youth in foster care deserves a permanent family - there are too many children waiting to be adopted or who age out of our system ( in 2017, the most recent year for which federal data are available, more than 69,000 children were free for adoption, and more than 17,000 aged out of care without a permanent family!). 

We have contacted Senator Cory Gardner to request that he be an original co-sponsor on Senator Gillibrand's bill.  If you wish to contact Senator Gardner to request that he serve as an original co-sponsor on the Every Child Deserves a Family Act, please call his office at (202) 224-5941.  

If you are an LGBTQ family formed by fostering or adoption, please consider sharing your story so it can  be shared with Senator Gardner.

Kinship Guardianship as a Permanency Option 
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway
family-portrait-sm2.jpg

Legal guardianship is a judicially created relationship between a child and responsible adult in which the guardian assumes many of the rights and responsibilities that customarily would reside with the child's parents. Traditionally, a guardian has been a person, usually a relative or close family friend, who has been named by the parent in his or her will to assume the care of the child after the parent's death or permanent disability. In addition to parental arrangements for guardianship, a court may appoint a guardian for a minor if the parent is unable or unwilling to provide appropriate care for his or her child or parental rights have been terminated.

To read this entire article and see where Colorado stands, click here. Colorado specific information is on pages 21-23.

 
Respite Funding Considered by Congress 
From disabilityscoop

Lawmakers are looking to dramatically increase federal funding to support respite care for families of those with disabilities and other special needs.

A bipartisan bill introduced this month known as the Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2019, or H.R.2035, would tag $200 million over the next five years to boost respite care services across the country.

The legislation is an effort to reauthorize an existing law that's been on the books since 2006 while adding significant investment. Under the measure, $20 million would be authorized for fiscal year 2020 and then funding would increase by $10 million per year, ultimately reaching $60 million in fiscal year 2024.

Funding has been stagnant at $2.5 million since 2009.
Click here to read the entire article.

 
Equine Camps 

girl-horseback-riding.jpg
Boulder County Department of Housing and Human Services and the Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program will be hosting four equine camps for youth this summer. 
 
These camps are for post-adoption and children in kinship placement and are therapeutic camps .  E ach day there will be activities in groups and with the horses.  
 
Families must provide their own transportation to and from the camp.
 
Dates and details:  
 
* June 10-14, Time: 8:00 until 12:00, Location: Niwot, Ages: 7-12
 
* July 8-12, Time: 8:00 until 12:00, Location: Niwot, Ages: 12-17
 
* July 22 -26, Time: 8:00 until 12:00, Location: Niwot, Age 12-17

Sibling Camp!

This camp will be for biological siblings who now have kinship or adopted siblings.

Changing family dynamics will be the focus of this camp.
 
* July 29 - August 1, Time: 8:00 until 12:00, 
Location: Boulder, Ages 7-14 
This camp will be at Cherryvale and South Boulder Road.  
                    
Please Note:  Priority will be given to youth that have not attended an equine camp in the past. 
 
If you have any questions or would like to sign up for a camp, contact Marla Slade at 303 - 441-1534, or mslade@bouldercounty.org.  

Because the camps are therapeutic each camp will be limited in the number of participants. Please indicate which camp you are interested in. 
 
This event is sponsored by the Kinship and Post-Permanency Program through Boulder County Housing and Human Services.  Funding provided by Promoting Safe and Stable Families.

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
Outdoor Adventure Camp 

kids_tent.jpg
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.

Click here for more information.
Spark Club 


Summer Camps 

graphic-summer-park.jpg
Royal Family Kids' Camps:
Every foster or kinship child, ages 6-12, can experience a 5-day overnight camp for free. Your children may also be eligible to participate in a year-round mentoring club. Registration begins in March!
 
Arvada: Arvada Covenant Church  -  Camp #005-June 24-28
5555 Ward Road, Arvada, CO 80002
Camp Directors: Will & Mikki LeVett, Phone: (303) 422-1235
 
Boulder: Camp for Change  -  Camp #261-July 29-August 2
7100 S Boulder Road, Boulder, CO 80303
Camp Director: Jan Timm, Phone: (303) 322-4067
 
Littleton: Waterstone Community Church  -  Camp #234-June 17-21
5890 S Alkire Street, Littleton, CO 80127
Camp Director: Scott Selin, Phone: (720) 984-9095
 
Parker: Southeast Christian Church  -  Camp #272-June 3-7
9650 Jordan Road, Parker, CO 80134
Camp Director: Kim Webb, Phone: (303) 841-9292
 
Windsor/Weld County: Timberline Church  -  Camp #334-June 25-30
360 Crossroads Blvd, Windsor, CO 80550
Camp Director: Katie Dunphy, Phone: (970) 689-6166
 
CITY OF AURORA SUMMER CAMPS:
There are no "formal" scholarships, but any family can apply for financial assistance by calling 303-326-8650
 
For scholarships, click here

City of Lakewood camp catalog, click here.
For scholarship information, click here.
 
ARVADA CENTER SUMMER CAMPS:
Arvada Center camp catalog, click here.
Arvada Center scholarship information, click here.

Denver Center for the Performing Arts Child and Teen Theatre Programs
For eager students as young as three to high schoolers taking the first step towards a theatre career, our classes fuel creativity and reinforce the tools to help all skill levels improve and develop their craft.  For DCPA child and teen classes, click here.  For scholarship information, click here.
 
Classes are located at the DCPA: 13th and Arapahoe St, Denver
303-893-4000
 
School of the Poetic City Summer Camps in Five Points, Denver
The School of the Poetic City Summer Camps promote the having of wonderful ideas through contemporary art practices, exploration of the city, and art making. They are intentionally mixed-age, for children 5 to 15 years old. There are limited scholarships available for each session. Please inquire.
Urban Art Camp: June 10-14
Animation Lab: June 17-21
Animation Master Class: June 24-28
Camp location: St. Andrew's Church, 2015 Glenarm Place, Denver, CO 80205
720-323-4884
peter@schoolofthepoeticcity.com
 
The Art Garage in Park Hill, Denver
The Art Garage is a not for profit that offers high-quality art education classes, workshops and summer classes taught by local practicing artists for kids, teens and adults. Students are able to explore creative art materials, learn and demonstrate art techniques and design original artwork. Students learn fundamental art elements, art vocabulary, artistic styles, famous artists and much more! We also have teen workshops, private lessons and classes specific to toddlers (Toddler and Me!). All of our instructors are professional artists or art educators with extensive experience working with children and youth. 
Summer programs, click here.
Scholarship information, click here.
The Art Garage, 6100 E 23rd Ave, Denver, CO 80207
303-377-2353
 
Metropolitan State University STEM Camp in Denver
Have the opportunity to explore fun applications of math and science in an exciting, hands-on, team-oriented atmosphere on the Auraria Campus (777 Lawrence St, Denver, CO 80204). Daily attendance is required. This is a two-week, half-day program, with the exception of the last day, which will be an all-day exploration of physics at Elitch Gardens ! Session topics include Microbiology, 3D printing, Design Thinking, Water Environment, Rocket Science, Chemistry, Meteorology, Game Design, and Engineering. Students will be provided lunch each day and all activities are supervised.
4 Sessions:
June 3rd-14th
June 17th-28th
July 8th-19th
July 15th-26th 
Each session is $400, but there are need-based scholarships available. Call 303-615-0293 or email  ssi@msudenver.edu for more information.
To register, click here.
 
Denver Film Society's Young Filmmakers Workshops
Developed for teens aged 12-18, the Denver Film Society's Young Filmmakers Workshops (YFW) furnish their participants with opportunities to learn the art of cinema, collaborate with other young filmmakers, refine their work with industry professionals and exhibit their films in public premieres.
For two weeks during the summer, courses run weekdays from June 11 - August 3, 8:30am-2:30pm. YFW is hosted at multiple locations, including the Denver School of the Arts, CEC Early College, and the Colorado Film School. All workshops are $850 for two-weeks (less than $15 per hour for professional film education and training!), $450 for one week.  SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE . Early bird registration runs through March 9.
Click here for the camp website.
Email Hannah at youngfilmmakers@denverfilm.org for more information and to request financial assistance.
 
Lighthouse Young Writers Workshop in City Park West, Denver
Lighthouse's Young Writers Workshops are designed to foster creativity, self-expression, and excitement about writing. There are no grades here, just the stories. We offer workshops at Lighthouse including afterschool and weekend workshops, the Young Authors Collective, and summer camps, as well as youth outreach in schools, at juvenile residential treatment centers, and in collaboration with other arts organizations. See image below for Summer 2019 workshops.
Scholarships: Click "register" for any class or camp and look for the link on the next page that says "Get Financial Assistance." 

EVENTS 

Clays for Kids
A fundraiser for the Denver Children's Advocacy Center (DCAC)
Friday, May 3, 2019

Clays for Kids, a sporting clays tournament, will be hosted at the beautiful Colorado Clays Shooting Park in Brighton, Colorado. In honor of National Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, this event is designed to bring sporting enthusiasts together to spread awareness about DCAC's mission to serve child victims of abuse, neglect, and violence.
 
This year, DCAC is hosting Clays for Kids three days after April to avoid the risk of snowstorms and take advantage of the warmer weather. It will include a 15-station clay shooting tournament and a fully catered BBQ lunch. To learn more about Clays for Kids or to register, please click here.


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.


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: cathy@bvchristian.org

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
For more information, email bonnie.robertson02@yahoo.com
  
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 timpaxton33@gmail.com.
 
  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
Contact Carol Villa at 303-790-1055 for more information or email Littleton@empowercolorado.com

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:  eleslie15@gmail.com 
 
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 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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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