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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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Open-Hearted Adoption
Saturday
October 6, 2018
10:00 - noon
Denver Public Library
Ross-University Hills Branch
4310 A Amherst Ave
Denver, CO 80222
On the Fence of Independence
Tuesday
October 9, 2018
6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
Metro Point I Building
Blue Spruce Room
4600 S Ulster St
Denver, CO 80237
RSVP by 10/5/18 to jmondrow@financialguide.com
Mobilizing Families
October 11, 2018 (6-week class)
Developing Resilient, Trauma-Informed Organizations
Thursday
October 11, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Westwood Food Cooperative
3738 Morrison Road
Denver 80219
Guardianship and Options when a Person Turns 18 Part 1
Tuesday
October 16, 2018
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
DDRC
11177 West 8th Ave
Lakewood, CO
RSVP required for all classes. RSVP to Becky (303) 233-3363
Promoting Successful Adoptions: Supporting Permanency and
Improving Outcomes
Thursday
October 19, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
St Ambrose Episcopal Church
7520 S Boulder Rd
Boulder, CO 80303
Contact Marla Slade for info at 303-441-1534
Or Suzanne Daniels 303-441-1533
Adoptive & Kinship Parenting: Understanding the Challenges, Finding the Solution
Friday
October 19,2018
8:45 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
St Ambrose Episcopal Church
7520 S Boulder Rd
Boulder, CO 80303
Contact Marla Slade for info at 303-441-1534
Or Suzanne Daniels 303-441-1533
Guardianship and Options when a Person Turns 18 Part 2
Tuesday
October 23, 2018
4:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Note: Participants must attend Part 1 of the training to attend Part 2.
DDRC
11177 West 8th Ave
Lakewood, CO
RSVP required for all classes. RSVP to Becky (303) 233-3363
Child Abuse & Neglect Seminar
Wednesday
October 24, 2018
8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Redeemer Lutheran Church
3300 W Nevada Pl
Denver 80219
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TBRI® Caregiver Training
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Intro & Overview
November 2, 2018
Empowering Principles - Addressing Physical Needs
October 19, 2018
Correcting Principles - Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
December 7, 2018
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2019 TBRI® Caregiver Training
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TBRI® Intro & Overview
January 25, 2019
May 17, 2019
August 2, 2019
November 15, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Full Series
March 13-15, 2019
June 19-21, 2019
September 18-20, 2019
December 4-6, 2019
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WEBINARS
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Their Own Words: Lifting Up Youth Voices to Promote Permanency for Older Youth
Wednesday
October 3, 2018
1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Working to Make Unadoptable Unacceptable
Thursday
October 11, 2018
10:00 a.m.
Helping Children Develop Healthy Sexual Boundaries in the Digital Age
Thursday
October 11, 2018
6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Monday
October 22, 2018
11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
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| CONFERENCES |
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JFK Partners 6th Annual
Autism Spectrum Disorder Conference
Friday
October 12, 2018
8:0 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Anschutz Medical Campus
13121 E. 17th Ave
Education 2 South
1st Floor Auditorium
Aurora, CO
Creating Trauma-Sensitive Schools 2019 Conference
February 17-19, 2019
Washington Hilton
Washington, D.C.
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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:
Venom
Tuesday
October 9, 2018
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
Saturday
October 13, 2018
Halloween
Tuesday
October 23, 2018
Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween
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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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The holidays are just a hop (Halloween), skip (Thanksgiving), and jump (Christmas/Hanukkah/Kwanzaa) away.
Start your planning now...it will save a lot of stress when the holidays actually get here. Remember that it's the things that you do together that your children will remember, long after the costumes and toys have been abandoned for the next fad.
Spend time with your family and make memories they'll never forget.
And if you're in the need of some additional training to keep your family thriving, consider the Lori Holden class (Open-Hearted Adoption) or the Debbie Riley class (Adoptive & Kinship Parenting: Understanding the Challenges, Finding Solutions).
Celebrate with love & laughter,
Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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Lori Holden Wins National Adoption Award
We are thrilled to announce that the volunteer managing COCAF's Facebook page, Lori Holden, has been selected as one of CCAI's (Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute) 2018 Angels in Adoption Awards! Lori is an amazing adoptive parent and volunteer, and we are honored to know her.
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Family-Based Residential Treatment
From Voice for Adoption
Family-based residential treatment is now Title IV-E eligible. The aim is to encourage states developing congregate facilities to keep youth with their parents in treatment when it is safe to do so.
A foster youth who is placed with a parent in a licensed residential family-based treatment facility is eligible, for up to 12 months, for Title IV-E foster care maintenance payment permits. Although the child must be formally placed in foster care, no income eligibility test is applied to determining entitlement for these time-limited foster care maintenance payments.
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The 6 Principles of IDEA
The 6 Principles of IDEA self-guided training includes a series of short videos and related information that provide clarity on six aspects of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including: eligibility, evaluations, the IEP, least restrictive environment, parent and student participation, and procedural safeguards. It's entirely self-paced and you can view the topics of interest to you.
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The Black Child / Hair 101
The
Inclusive Family - workshop series is a hands-on workshop for non-African American care givers of Black children in order to build bridges and foundations of love and support to families of different ethnic and racial backgrounds.
We are a group of parents, psychologist, Black historians and educators. Our purpose and goal are to give non-black caregivers of black children a deeper understanding into the child's culture, mannerism and hair and skin care.
First half of the workshop will consist of an open discussion (TALK-BACK) about being an inclusive family, questions and concerns in addition to the black child. In addition, we will review and provide a list of positive cultural resources and programs.
(During the first half of the workshop the children will be in a room adjacent to the main room getting their hair washed and conditioned in preparation for the second half of the workshop.)
The second half is a hands-on hair workshop will enable participants to properly care for the child's hair to prevent, hair loss, breakage and to provide them with basic kinky natural hair maintenance skills. Participates will receive hair care items, booklets, resources and sample size products from vendors.
Breakfast Cakes, Lunch, Snacks and Refreshments will be provided.
Opportunities for vendors as well - Contact Mattye 720-722-8561 for info.
Tickets on sale 9/8/2018 -10/21/2018
$75 per adult/child pair
$25 per additional child
Limited Spots Available
Sun, October 28, 2018
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM MDT
Sun Valley Youth Center
1230 Decatur Street
Denver, CO 80204
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Free Social Security Disability Group Sessions
Disability Benefit Services (DBS) is offering group sessions on the second Wednesday of every month! Group sessions are held at 10 AM at the Easterseals DBS office, located at 393 S Harlan St, Suite 180, in Lakewood.
Topics include:
- Overview of the SSI/SSDI application process
- Medical and non-medical criteria for SSI/SSDI
- Summary of documents and information that are needed to apply for SSI/SSDI
- Tips for making a strong application for SSI/SSDI
For more information on group sessions, please call (303)233-1666 x 230.
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Parent to Parent (P2P)
Parenting children with a disability or special health care need can be complex, challenging, delightful and, at times, overwhelming! Parent to Parent of Colorado (P2P-CO) is a network of families across Colorado who understand. P2P connects families to each other and to the resources they need. P2P offer encouragement to each other on the journey of parenting by providing emotional and informational support.
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Free Accessibility Home Modification
Have you heard of the Home Builders Foundation?
Home Builders Foundation offers FREE accessibility modifications to your house. Their goal is to increase their clients' independence and increasing their quality of life. Examples of renovations include ramps, bathroom modifications, and lifts. Here is the process:
2) Complete an interview
3) The team comes in, performs an evaluation on your house, and provides recommendations on modifications
4) Volunteers perform the modifications for FREE
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Supervised Visitation
COCAF has been contacted several times by families looking for supervised visitation. If you need this service, one available provider is Denver's Premier Supervision, LLC, which offers Off-Site/In-Home Supervised Parenting Time and Off-Site Monitored/Safe Exchanges for custodial parents/grandparents/ guardians, adoptive parents, and visiting parents. The program offers services in the greater Denver area.
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2018 Federal Adoption Tax Credit
For information on the 2018 federal adoption tax credit, check out some of these websites:
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SSDI Webinars
These SSDI webinars are designed to help families better understand the SSA's federal disability programs and navigate the disability application process throughout the U.S. The webinars cover six topics that are relevant to most individuals and families.
Resources provided to webinar attendees include a copy of the slides (sent prior to each webinar); video recordings of each webinar; and a copy of the Q&A portion of the webinar will be provided following each webinar.
Class topics:
(1) The Basics of SSI and SSDI
(2) The SSA Forms 3368, 827, & 1696
(3) The Medical Eligibility Criteria
(4) Transition from Childhood to Adult Disability
(5) The SSA Work History Report
(6) The SSA Adult Function Report
All webinars are from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
The webinars are being offered at two different times in later 2018:
Series 5: October 25, November 1, 8, 15, 29, and December 6
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The Grandfamily Guidebook
"The Grandfamily Guidebook: Wisdom and Support for Grandparents Raising Grandchildren" published by the non-profit Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. The book is a contemporary, invaluable resource for grandparents raising grandchildren in today's world.
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Administration Postpones AFCARS Updates
The Trump Administration has postponed the 2016 Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) updates to October 1, 2020
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Originally, these updates were set to take affect on October 1, 2019. They would have provided longitudinal data on residential care, adoption disruptions, trafficking, and education for children in foster care.
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EVENTS
2018 Run/Walk 5K Run for Orphans
November 3, 2018 9:00 a.m./9:30 a.m.
Windsor Lake
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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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