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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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2019 TBRI®: Caregiver Training
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TBRI® Intro & Overview
Full Day
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
LA JUNTA
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
June 24, 2019
8:30 a.m.
TBRI® Intro & Overview --
A TBRI® Primer
June 7, 2019
9:00 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
June 7, 2019
Noon
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Empowering Principles
Addressing Physical Needs
June 14, 2019
9:00 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
June 21, 2019
9:00 a.m.
LIMON
TBRI® Intro & Overview --
A TBRI® Primer
June 10, 2019
8:30 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
June 10, 2019
11:30
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Empowering Principles
Addressing Physical Needs
June 17, 2019
9:00 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
July 1, 2019
9:00 a.m.
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WEBINARS
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Parenting from the Trenches
Monday
June 24, 2019
5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
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| CONFERENCES |
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National Autism Conference
Tuesday - Wednesday
June 11 - 12, 2019
Cleveland, Ohio
NACAC 2019 Conference
July 17-20, 2019
Las Vegas, NV
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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:
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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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Summer is here (at least as far as our kids are concerned)! Please take some time to smell the roses, run in the sprinklers, lie on the grass and look at the stars, grill something delicious, search for four-leaf clovers, and do some summersaults with your kids. Life is short, and summer is shorter. Be present with your kids - it's the best summer you can give them.
Wishing you peace, love, and no calamities in 2019,
Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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COCAF Asks for Legislative Change
COCAF has been diligently working with the State of Colorado to make adoption assistant policies more transparent.
Colorado has 64 different counties, with 60+ different written adoption assistance policies and negotiation practices; this has made it very difficult for families to become knowledgeable about the critical Adoption Assistance (subsidy) negotiation process, and the importance/impact of the Adoption Assistance (subsidy) post-adoption.
COCAF's has strongly supported legislation that will:
1. Makes Colorado law consistent with federal law;
2. Ensures that all children have equal access to Adoption Assistance, and that county practice and information is consistent for all pre- and post-adoptive families; and
3. Provides transparent and inclusive language that will facilitate an understanding of Adoption Assistance for both families and counties.
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Brainwave
Mental Health Colorado
oversees a statewide network of advocates, called the Brain Wave."
Brain Wave member Barbara Buller, an insurance provider/guru with personal experience in accessing mental health services for a family member, presented to members on
navigating health insurance; terminology; how to select an insurance plan that will work best with your other life-goals; and current updates on mental health parity in Colorado. For example, Ms. Buller suggested asking a mental health provider if they are contracting with your insurer, vs. whether they accept your insurance.
To view the hand out from the webinar, please click here.
To listen to the recording of the webinar, click here.
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Helping Children Connect
From the Child Information Gateway
C
hildren need ongoing support, a connection to family, and a sense of belonging. Many children who have been removed from their families, whatever the reason, suffer from trauma, loss, and unresolved grief, all of which can negatively impact a child's development. It is imperative that foster and adoptive parents and child welfare professionals be informed about how separation and loss impact the children they care for and how to help minimize the impact. Supporting children's relationships with birth family members and other important connections may help to lessen and/or resolve the feelings of grief and loss and reduce the trauma of separation.
Maintaining children's connections is especially important when permanency is achieved outside of the birth family. When children are first placed into foster care, professionals should emphasize the importance of openness and maintaining family, community, and cultural connections to mitigate losses and increase children's sense of belonging. Foster and adoptive parents should be prepared to develop open communication in addressing children's questions and concerns about their past, their birth family, permanency, and other issues related to their identity. This type of communication and helping children strengthen new and fractured relationships will create a healing environment that promotes attachment and positive identity formation. When children are not given these opportunities, they may struggle to form new relationships; display behaviors based on anger, anxiety, or fear; and feel shame about what has happened. Children who are adopted greatly benefit from relationships with both their birth and adoptive families that allow them to integrate all pieces of their life experience into their identity, develop a sense of belonging, and improve their feelings of self-worth. The resources below provide additional information about the value of a sense of belonging as well as tips to facilitate connectedness:
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Camp to Belong
Camp To Belong Colorado, a five-night, six-day summer camp for siblings who have been separated through foster care and other out-of-home placements, is accepting pre-registrations for the 2019 session, August 4-9, 2019 at YMCA Camp Shady Brook in Deckers, Colorado.
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Support for Spanish- Speaking Families
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway
Spanish-speaking families and caregivers can get the information they need on kinship care and working with the child welfare system by clicking here. Find out how to access services and what to expect as a relative or friend providing temporary care to children and youth
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Guardianship as an Option
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway
Guardianship can benefit older youth who are unwilling to be adopted. Learn what you need to know if you are considering becoming a legal guardian of a child under your care by
clicking here.
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Adoption & Foster Parent Information
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway
The process to become a foster or adoptive parent can be overwhelming. Get information on state requirements and an overview on the process, the grounds for disqualification, and more by
clicking here.
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Equine Camps
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.
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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
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Outdoor Adventure Camp
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.
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Spark Club
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Summer Camps
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
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
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.
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
.
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."
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EVENTS
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.
Art from the Heart
Thursday, September 26, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus
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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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