Caregiver Courier
April 2020
DFS COVID-19 Caregiver Resource Guide
COVID-19
Fact Sheet
COVID-19 Don't Spread Germs
If you are unable to reach a DFS employee due to the agency operating at minimum capacity, please hang up and call our main telephone number for assistance. 
That number is 702-455-5444. 
Thank You from the Department of Family Services Leadership Team!
Thank you for taking the time to read this, we’re sure your inbox is already full of updates as we all navigate these uncertain times. First, we’d like to send out a huge thanks to all of you who are on the front lines serving our children and their families who really need you. We value our relationship with you more than we can express.

There’s no doubt that the coronavirus disease is disrupting our work and school routines, causing us to rethink our daily interactions. Although DFS offices are closed to the public, we continue to investigate reports of child abuse and neglect. We are in the process of developing processes for staff to conduct some child contacts via video and/or phone. DFS staff will be contacting you to determine your ability to assist in facilitating video contact when possible. DFS staff will also be checking in with all providers regarding the health and exposure of children and providers in relation to COVID-19.

Thank you for your patience as we work through processes to assist you as you care for our foster children and their families. We urge you to do a couple of things:

  • Please visit our website at ClarkCountyNV.gov where you can get continuous updates on coronavirus developments and resources available to help you manage during the outbreak.
  • All subsidies and foster care payments will not be disrupted and distributed as usual
  • Foster Caregivers can still reach out to their licensing and Permanency/NIA workers for any needed support via email or phone.

We’re in this together. Look out for one another and be well.

Thank you,
Department of Family Services
Peggy’s Attic and Hannah’s Closet are Closed
However they will assist on an as needed basis
Manage Anxiety
Feeling anxious? You are not alone!
Coronavirus Prevention Tips for Southern Nevada
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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
Out of an abundance of caution County facilities will be closed to the public effective until further notice. All trainings and foster care informational sessions are cancelled until further notice.  This includes our annual Spring Celebration. 
Coping with Food Insecurities
Some families and caregivers have reported that children are demonstrating signs of food insecurity during the pandemic. The North American Council on Adoptable Children has created a resource guide to help families reduce food anxiety.

" It is critical to address a child’s initial food anxiety with nurturing, reliable feeding, and allow the child to “overeat” while she learns to trust her cues of hunger and fullness."

Click here to access the guide.
CCSD will continue to provide breakfast and lunch to students during the closure of schools. Student food distributions will be set up at 28 school locations from 8 to 11 a.m., Monday - Friday.

A school-age child must be present for food to be distributed, and a school ID card is not required. The pickup location will be set up outside of the school sites to facilitate distribution.
Parent/Caregiver Guide to Helping Families Cope with the Coronavirus Disease
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network is providing parents and caregivers with a resource guide on #COVID19 and how that might affect families and what can be done to help cope.

Click here to download.
Maintaining Balance in Trying Times
By: Anne-Marie Abruscato, LCSW, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
As a foster parent or relative caregiver, you probably had enough on your plate before this pandemic. Now there are new stressors you never could have expected. Additionally, you may be caring for children that are more anxious, irritable, or bored.

Here are some tips for assisting children, and keeping yourself balanced.
  •  Regulate yourself first
  •  Give facts (briefly!)
  • Set limits
  • Teach relaxation 
  • Find the positive

Tips for adults:
  • Monitor your news intake
  • Stay connected
  • Donate
  • Appreciation
  • Seek help when needed

Lastly, please acknowledge yourself. You are doing an outstanding service by caring for children. Please take a moment to turn gratitude inward, and recognize yourself for what you do for this community.

For detailed information, click here .
Fun, Family Activities that are
Educational and Meaningful
By. Dr. Leslie Strasser Murdock, PhD, JD Educational Liaison DFS
These are unusual times. Many of us are home with our children as never before. While we want to keep a sense of normalcy, these are not normal times so it is perfectly ok to make adjustments and do the best we can! Meanwhile, there are opportunities to do activities with our children that are fun, meaningful, and educational to keep their brains working and even do something different/exciting!

Cli ck here for recommended activities for families to enjoy and learn from. Some activities are more academic and some are more fun but all will help your children’s educational skills! Unless your children are enrolled in an online school, there is no mandatory work for your children do to at this time so pick activities that will engage or interest them.
Lets Get Our Fair Share Nevada

Did you know that 60% of children in foster care are under the age of six? Children under five are the most under counted of all Nevadans. Make sure our kids are counted. Visit the link below to complete the Census!

2020 Payment Calendars -   AB350   and   Foster/Adoption
Family Support Groups

There are a variety of support groups available monthly for foster, kinship and adoptive families.

Foster Change has compiled all these wonderful resources into one useful guide.

You can view the list  here .
What is Quality Parenting Initiative?
Building quality relationships through support and partnership for the well-being and support of our children.

Enhance Your Skills

Various trainings are offered in the community to help enhance caregivers' capacity to parent. Please click on the links below to learn more about exciting training opportunities from which you can benefit. 

The QPI Clark County Values
  • Children do best in families
  • Engaging our community
  • Supporting & strengthening families
Quality Parenting Initiative |[ qpinevada.org ]