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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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Because of the state-wide stay-at-home order, no classroom courses are currently scheduled.
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WEBINARS
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Legal Rights of Foster Parents and What's New That May Impact You
Friday
April 3, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Preparing for the IEP
Wednesday
April 8, 2020
Noon - 1:00 p.m.
The 7 Core Struggles in Adoption: Parenting Strategies to Support Your Child's Needs
Friday
April 10, 2020
Noon - 2:00 p.m.
Would My Child Benefit from Medication
Thursday
April 23, 2020
Click here for more info.
Foster Parent Challenges: Embracing the Loss and Grief that Comes with Transitions, Reunification and Co-Parenting
Thursday
May 21, 2020
Click here for more info.
5 Common Emotional/Behavioral Challenges Children Face and Strategies for Addressing Them (part 1)
Thursday
June 18, 2020
Click here for more info.
5 Common Emotional/Behavioral Challenges Children Face and Strategies for Addressing Them (part 2)
Thursday
July 9, 2020
Click here for more info.
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| CONFERENCES |
Wrightslaw Special Education Law & Advocacy Conference
Sunday
April 19, 2020
9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
350 S Dahlia
Denver, CO 80246
Click here for more info.
NACAC 2020
August 27 - August 29, 2020
Toronto, Ontario
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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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Right now, everyone's focus is on COVID-19, also known as the Coronavirus. While it's important to stay up to date on the developments and to take precautions to keep your family safe, it is also important to not make every family conversation be about the virus. Children don't have the necessary coping skills to deal with a situation like this, and children who have already suffered trauma don't need the added stress (like any of us do!). So, remember to PLAY with your children. Read them books with happy endings. Look through family pictures and talk about happy events. Bring some sunshine into their lives, and you might find it makes you a little less stressed, too.
Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy!
Wishing you peace, love, and less stress in 2020,
Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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Help COCAF Change the Law!
COCAF needs your help! If:
1) you are an adoptive family and your child receives Medicaid through their Adoption Assistance;
2) your child is on your insurance as their primary insurance, and you use Medicaid as their SECONDARY insurance (to cover copays, medications, etc.); and
3) you tried to pay out-of-pocket to a provider who is NOT a Medicaid provider, and were denied because your child has Medicaid as their secondary insurance (for example, therapists or psychiatrists who are not Medicaid providers)
Please email COCAF Executive Director, Deborah Cave, at Deborah.cave@cocaf.org as soon as possible. The proposed bill will allow adoptive families to pay out-of-pocket to non-Medicaid providers for their children who have Medicaid secondary, without any penalty to the provider! We will need letters to the senate as soon as we know which committee will be hearing the bill, and we will also need families to testify; Deborah will be coordinating this. Thank you!
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COVID-19 Information Resources
Please use reputable websites for information related to COVID-19. Some good resources for Colorado residents are listed below:
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Food Support Options
Denver Public Schools offers grab-and-go style breakfast and lunch at 12 locations throughout the city. These breakfasts and lunches are available from 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and noon - 1:00 p.m. Monday-Friday until April 17. Meals are available for children as well as adults, and weekend meals will be available for pickup on Fridays. For a list of meal sites, click here.
Some Denver recreation centers are serving dinner to children 18 and under. Meals are available from 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., weekdays until April 17. For a list of rec centers, click here.
For Aurora residents, Little Flower Food Pantry provides boxes of food items for families. They are open Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Recipients must bring a photo ID and proof of residence (like a utility bill) in order to collect their food. For more information, click here or call 303-360-9686.
Douglas Elbert Task Force Food Bank provides food for residents once a month. They have walk-in hours Monday-Friday 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., however they only serve 20 families a day, so they recommend that you arrive at 9:00 to increase your chances of receiving food. You will need a photo ID and proof of residence. Click here for more information.
Arvada offers an emergency box of food by driving or walking up to the stations in their parking lot (8555 West 57th Avenue Arvada, CO 80002). Food is available Tuesday-Friday 12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. They have TEFAP boxes, too, for eligible households and food for people experiencing homelessness. No ID or documentation required. You do not need to live in our service area. For more information, click here.
Adams County Emergency Food Bank is open Wednesday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. They serve Adams County residents. Photo ID and proof of Adams County residency required. Clients can go weekly for perishables and monthly for staple food items. For more information, click here.
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CSFPA Foster Care Assessment Survey
Take a few minutes to participate in CSFPA's needs assessment survey for all those providing care and services to Colorado's children in out of home placement.
CSFPA is investigating how they can better support you and in a meaningful way. The survey only takes about 5 minutes. It is anonymous. There is a space that you can include your name and contact info if you would like to talk with CSFPA personally.
Click here to go to the survey.
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FREE C.A.S.E. Webinars
Until April 30, the Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) is offering all 13 of their In-Demand webinars for free
using coupon code HOME at checkout. You must view the webinar within 48 hours purchase. To request Certificates of Attendance, email Courtney Carter at
carter@adoptionsupport.org.
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Post-High School Adoptee Experience
HCAF recognize that experiences related to adoption don't disappear when a child graduates from high school or has their 18th birthday. Relationships with older adult adoptees, and structured conversations provide essential support.
Who: Adoptees ages 18-25
Where: HCAF's 9 adoption camps in Colorado
What: Programming developed by adoptees, for adoptees
What are the dates? Find the specific camp that corresponds with your/your child's birth culture by visiting the HCAF website. Camp dates are listed on the right side of the homepage. The Post-High School Experience is offered at each of our 9 camps.
Participants benefit from social networking with other adoptees; outdoor and artistic activities focused on relationship building; and workshops built around shared experiences, suc
h as exploring identity and new phases into adulthood.
For adult adoptees, there will be a discounted camp rate of $100 per adult for the full camp, or $60 per adult for one day of camp.
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April Is National Child Abuse Prevention Month
Visit the 2020 National Child Abuse Prevention Month website by clicking here.
Download your free copy of the 2019/2020 Prevention Resource Guide by clicking here.
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Heritage Camps Registration Dates
Camps with registration opening on February 3:
A
frican/Caribbean Heritage Camp -- June 11-14, Regis University, Denver, CO
Korean Heritage Camp -- June 18 - 21, 2020, Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO
Latin American Heritage Camp -- June 25 - 28, 2020, Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO
Camps with registration opening on February 10:
Domestic Adoption Camp -- July 16 - 19, Regis University, Denver, CO
Indian/Nepalese Heritage Camp -- July 9 - 12, Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO
Southeast Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Camp -- July 16 - 19, YMCA of the Rockies, Estes Park, CO
Camps with registration opening on February 17:
Chinese Heritage Camp II
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July 30 - August 2, Regis University, Denver, CO
Russian/Eastern European/Central Asian Heritage Camp -- July 23 - 26, Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO
Camps with registration opening on March 5:
Chinese Heritage Camp -- September 4-7, Snow Mountain Ranch, Fraser, CO
Visit Heritage Camp's website for more information on camp fees, locations, and programming. Register early to avoid a late fee!
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Club Spark Programs for Children with Autism or Development Disabilities
Club Spark club sessions are community-based day programs that build social skills, community safety skills, and supports academic goals during school spring, summer, and winter breaks. Each child works with an ABA trained technician and is working on social and life skill goals from a current treatment plan created for your child based on your goals and information provided to us at intake.
Dates: Spring Club 2020: Monday, March 23rd-Friday, March 27th
Summer Club 2020:
Session 1: Monday, June 1st-Friday, June 26th
Session 2: Monday, July 13th-Friday, August 7th
Location: 265 South Harlan Street, Lakewood
Club Spark accepts Medicaid Waivers and some insurance plans. The registration fee for clients is $65. Siblings are allowed to accompany clients for $40 a day with a $25 registration fee. Children with special needs will typically be served first.
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Avid4 Adventure Summer Camps
These days, a lot of kids grow up surrounded by screens. At Avid4 Adventure summer camps in Colorado, we introduce kids to the power of the outdoors. Their mission is to empower kids of all ages and skill levels to choose active, outdoor lifestyles. Activities include biking, canoeing, skateboarding, climbing, hiking, and more.
Date: Varies based on the camp desired. Overnight and day camps.
Location: All over the Denver metro area.
Ages: Pre K through 12th grade
Scholarships: The application will be released February 1, 2020. Financial assistance can cover between 25%-100% of camp tuition. A separate application is required for each child.
SCHOLARSHIPS FILL UP VERY QUICKLY. APPLY ASAP!
General information: 720-759-2242
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Summer Camp Scholarships
Scholarship slots will be available for most camps and open for registration on Tuesday, February 4 by phone only.
To find out if you qualify, call Guest Services at 303-370-6000, 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and answer a few short questions. You may qualify to save 50% or even 100% on camp fees for one week of camp per child.
Summer camps run June 8 - August 7, including the week of July 4th.
Full-day Camps, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Half-day Camps, 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. or
1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
FULL-DAY SUMMER CAMPS FOR KIDS GOING INTO GRADES K - 6
Summer Day Camps get brains and bodies moving! Learn and play as we experiment, create, build, ask questions, and develop a knowledge of and passion for science. Our camps are led by experienced educators, with assistance from trained teen volunteers, offering the best opportunity for fun and learning.
SUMMER HALF-DAYS FOR AGES 4 & 5
Tiny budding scientists enjoy fun, engaging experiences led by Museum educators that will open their eyes and minds to the amazing world around them.
Choose morning or afternoon: 9:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m.
EARLY AND LATE CARE
Limited early and late care slots are available each week. Early morning check-in begins at 7:30 a.m. and late check-out is available until 5:00 p.m. Add early check-in or late check-out for $45 each for the whole week!
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Royal Family Kids' Camps
Every foster or kinship child, ages 6-12, can experience a 5-day overnight camp for free through
Royal Family Kids' Camps. Your children may also be eligible to participate in a year-round mentoring club. Drop-off and pick-up are at the organizing church listed below, but the actual location of each camp varies. Registration begins in March!
Arvada: Arvada Covenant Church - Camp #005-June 22-26
5555 Ward Road, Arvada, CO 80002
Boulder: Camp for Change - Camp #261-August 10-14
7100 S Boulder Road, Boulder, CO 80303
Camp Director: Jan Timm, (303) 322-4067
Also in Boulder, for teens ages 12-15: Teen Reach Girls Camp - July 10-12 and Teen Reach Boys Camp - July 17-19.
http://campforchange.org/
Colorado Springs: New Life Church - Camp #274-June 1-5
11025 Voyager Pkwy, Colorado Springs, CO 80921
Fort Collins: Timberline Church - Camp #335-June 8-12
2908 S Timberline Rd, Ft. Collins, CO 80525
Littleton: Waterstone Community Church - Camp #234-June 1-5
5890 S Alkire Street, Littleton, CO 80127
Parker: Southeast Christian Church - Camp #272-June 3-7
9650 Jordan Road, Parker, CO 80134
Windsor/Weld County: Timberline Church - Camp #334-June 15-19
360 Crossroads Blvd, Windsor, CO 80550
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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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