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In This Issue
Smile & Donate!
Aderholt Amendment
Mental Health Services
SSDI Webinars
CCDC Listening Tour
Emotional & Psychological Well-Being of Foster Children
Support Groups

Help COCAF

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CLASSROOM

Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
August 14, 2018
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO  80014

TBRI® Primer -- Introduction and Overview
Friday
August 17, 2018
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Boulder County Dept. of Housing & Human Services
515 Coffman, Rm 112
Longmont, CO 80501
 
TRBI® -- Connecting Principles - Addressing attachment needs & Empowering Principles- Addressing physical needs
Saturday
August 18, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Boulder County Dept. of Housing & Human Services
515 Coffman, Rm 112
Longmont, CO 80501
 
TBRI® -- Empowering Principles- Addressing physical needs & Correcting Principles - Addressing fear-based behaviors
Saturday
August 25, 2018
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Boulder County Dept. of Housing & Human Services
515 Coffman, Rm 112
Longmont, CO 80501

Powerful Tools for Kinship Caregivers
Fridays (7 weeks)
September 7 - October 19, 2018
10:00 a.m. - noon
Longmont Hub
515 Coffman St
Longmont, CO
Contact Boulder County Housing and Human Services at info@bouldercountyhhs.org for more info.

Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
September 11, 2018
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Adoption Exchange
14232 E Evans Ave
Aurora, CO  80014
TBRI® Caregiver Training

Intro & Overview
September 21, 2018
November 2, 2018

Connecting Principles - Addressing Attachment Needs
August 3, 2018
 
Empowering Principles - Addressing Physical Needs
October 19, 2018
 
Correcting Principles - Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
December 7, 2018

TBRI® Trauma
 Informed Classrooms
OUTSIDE of the Metro Area 

August 7, 2018
8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Greeley DHS Training Center
1104 H St
Greeley, CO  80631

Mesa County Workforce Center
512 29 1/2 Rd
Grand Junction, CO 81504

Arapahoe County Dept of Human Services
Littleton Room
14980 E Alameda Dr
Aurora, CO 90012

Also available by Live Stream

WEBINARS



CONFERENCES

NACAC Annual Conference
August 7-10, 2018
St Paul, Minnesota

Strengthening Colorado Families & Communities Conference
September 26-28, 2018
Vail Marriot
715 W Lionshead Circle
Vail, CO 81657

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

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:
 
Hotel Translyvnia Summer Vacation
Saturday
July 28

Teen Titans Go!  To The Movies
Saturday
August 11

The Meg 
Tuesday
August 14

Christopher Robin
Saturday
August 25



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

 
August - that month when you try to jam the rest of summer vacation in while buying school clothes and supplies! This is also the month that the kids start to feel the pressure of the upcoming school year. Take the time to make your children feel comfortable about walking into a new classroom and meeting a new teacher.

This is also a great time to teach your child money management skills. Give your kids a budget for their school clothes purchases and then let them make the decisions on what to buy - as long as they stay within their budget and buy the necessary clothing (this means having a discussion on what they have to buy, for example, 5 shirts, 3 pairs of jeans, etc.). You can do the same thing with the school supplies. This helps your children build money-management skills and helps them with important decision-making skills.

And do take time to enjoy those last days of summer vacation!

Colleen Tarket, 
COCAF Board of Directors
Aderholt Amendment Will Hurt Adoptive Families
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The U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee voted on a measure related to adoption by same-sex couples July 11 during a markup of a  funding bill for the departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education.
 
Rep. Robert Aderholt, R-Ala., introduced an amendment prohibiting the federal government, or any state, or local entity receiving federal funds, from taking action against child welfare providers that refuse to provide services to certain customers due to "sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions."
 
If installed, the Aderholt amendment would enable child welfare providers to discriminate when recruiting adoptive parents, promoting and facilitating adoptions, and supporting adoptive families.

The amendment would not establish a nationwide ban making it impossible for same-sex couples to adopt, but it would allow individual child welfare providers to create their own adoption criteria - a change that would increase the potential for discrimination against gays and lesbians.
Aderholt's amendment also includes language requiring HHS to withhold 15 percent of federal funds allocated for child welfare services from states and localities that do take action against providers that refuse services on the basis of religious beliefs.

The amendment was approved by a vote of 29 to 23, with all 22 Democrats and one Republican voting to strike it. Several Democrats, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, have voiced disapproval for the amendment, calling it a "license to discriminate."
 
The full funding bill will have to pass both the House and Senate and be signed by President Donald Trump before the amendment will enter into effect.

Take time to contact your Senators and Representative to let them know that this amendment will hurt foster and adoptive children and their families.

Mental Health Services Survey 

Some of our children who were adopted or placed with kin, and who have suffered trauma, need significant mental health services.  Unfortunately, sometimes in-home and community services are not enough, and our children and youth require residential care.  But this level of care -- even for children who qualify for it -- can be very difficult to access.  This level of care must be timely and appropriate, and families should be supported during this process.  
 
Mental Health Colorado is collecting stories from families who have not been able to access timely and appropriate services for their child:
 
If you've been denied or struggled to obtain mental health or substance use services, we [Mental Health Colorado] want to know. Please share your experience at: mentalhealthcolorado.org/survey.

If you have had to access in-home/community resources or residential care for your child through either mental health or human services, please submit your comments using the link above.  It is critical that Colorado addresses this lack in care. 
 
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 4: August 16, 23, 30, September 6, 13, & 20
Series 5: October 25, November 1, 8, 15, 29, and December 6


CCDC Listening Tour 

The largest most experienced and trusted statewide disability rights organization in Colorado, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), is conducting a Summer 2018 Listening Tour. It's taking place in communities around the state and CCDC wants to hear from you!

During this tour, CCDC Executive Director Julie Reiskin will be available to provide the most up-to-date, accurate information on what has and has not changed at the Federal level regarding disability policy, what has and has not changed at the state level, and how you can make sure that your voice is heard.

We want to hear from people with disabilities (PWD) and our allies around the state about the most common issues that affect them in their communities. When possible, we want to help find possible solutions. CCDC will be revising its strategic plan in 2019 and we want to ensure we focus on those issues most important to Coloradans with disabilities.

In addition, CCDC will soon introduce new partnerships that are being created: To unify the voice of Colorado's disability community and elect public officials who support Medicaid and all PWD in our great state. This will help us shape public policy in the future and make sure that PWD are included in all levels of government.

Please contact Karyn ReNae Anderson at kranderson@ccdconline.org, or (970) 393-0170 if you need any accommodations to participate as soon as possible but at least by 1 week before events.

WHEN: Aug 17, 2018, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. 
WHERE: Bud Werner Memorial Library, 1289 Lincoln Ave, Steamboat Springs, CO 80487 

RSVP CONTACT: Karyn ReNae Anderson kranderson@ccdconline.org (970) 393-0170
Emotional & Psychological Well-Being of Foster Children
The Child Welfare Gateway
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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.
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