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In This Issue
Smile & Donate!
Sensory Friendly Events
Members of Congress
Adoption Data
Free Kids' Bowling
Respite
Equine Camps
Heritage Summer Camps
Champions for Children Golf Classic
Support Groups

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CLASSROOM



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

Evening
September 18, 2019
November 13, 2019


TBRI® Caregiver Training 
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
September 20, 2019
November 15, 2019

TBRI® Caregiver Training 
Empowering Principles
Addressing Physical Needs
September 27, 2019
November 22, 2019

TBRI® Caregiver Training 
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
October , 2019
December 6, 2019

WEBINARS

Calming the Emotional Storm
Tuesday
July 30, 2019
Noon-1:30 p.m.

CONFERENCES

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:

Spider-Man:
Far From Home
Tuesday, July 9

Toy Story 4
Saturday, July 13

The Lion King
Tuesday, July 23
Saturday, July 27



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?  

 
Sorry the newsletter is late this month.  Hoping you are all having a fabulous summer!

Wishing you peace, love, and no calamities in 2019,
Colleen Tarket, 
COCAF Board of Directors
Free Kids' Bowling 

bowling_pins2.jpg
Registered kids ages 2-15 receive two free games of bowling each day of the KBF Program all summer! This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.


BROOMFIELD: Chipper's Lanes

LAYFAYETTE:  Coal Creek Bowling


GREENWOOD VILLAGE:  
Arapahoe Bowling Center
LOVELAND: Sweetheart Lanes

For more information and to see more locations, click here.

Respite 

Colorado Respite Locator:   Are you looking for respite? 
Use the Colorado Respite Locator online tool to find 
providers in your area.

Family Respite Voucher Program:  This program provides financial assistance to eligible families to access respite care through contracted providers. Click here to apply.
 
Contact Elle Billman at 303-233-1666 x225 for questions about the program.

Equine Camps 

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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:  
 
* 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.
 
Chinese Camp I
August 30-September 2
Snow Mountain Ranch
Fraser, CO

Chinese Camp II
July 18-21
Regis University, Denver, CO

Indian/Nepalese
July 11-14
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
EVENTS 

Denver Black Arts Festival
Friday -Sunday, July 12-14, 2019
City Park, 2100 Steele St, Denver
Celebrate the annual Colorado Black Art Festival showcasing the rich and creative talents of local, regional, and national African Americans in art and culture. The 3-day event features 3 stages filled with jazz, blues, reggae, gospel, and traditional African drum and dance. This is a family-friendly event. Admission is free.
Friday 12-8pm, Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7pm.



Westminster Latino Festival
Saturday, July 20, 2019
Westminster RTD Station, 6995 Grove St, Denver

The Westminster Latino Festival is a free, day-long celebration of Latino culture! At this year's festival, you will hear live music, learn about different types of dance, sample delicious food, see Luchadores, a low-rider car show, and more! 12-8pm.



Art from the Heart
Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
For more information, please click visit www.denvercac.org/events/art-heart-2019.



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