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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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Childhood Sexuality: Understanding the Continuum of Sexual Behaviors in Children
Wednesday
March 6, 2019
8:30 a.m. - Noon
Denver Police Dept District 3
1625 S University Blvd
Denver, CO 80210
Suicide: Children in Crisis
Tuesday
March 12, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Longmont Hub
515 Coffman St, Room 112
Longmont, CO 80501
Empowered to Connect Simulcast
Friday & Saturday
April 5 & 6, 2019
10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Ken Caryl Church
8395 W Ken Caryl Ave
Littleton, CO 80128
Call 303.973.1700 to register.
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2019 TBRI® Caregiver Training
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TBRI® Intro & Overview
Full Day
March 15, 2019
May 1, 2019
September 18, 2019
November 13, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
May 3, 2019
September 20, 2019
November 15, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Empowering Principles
Addressing Physical Needs
May 10, 2019
September 27, 2019
November 22, 2019
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
May 17, 2019
October , 2019
December 6, 2019
GREELEY
TBRI® Caregiver Training: Intro & Overview - A TBRI® Primer
March 6, 2019
9:30 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
March 6, 2019
Noon
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Empowering Principles
Addressing Physical Needs
March 7, 2019
9:30 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
March 8, 2019
9:30 a.m.
LAMAR
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Correcting Principles
Addressing Fear-Based Behaviors
March 78, 2019
9:30 a.m.
TBRI® Caregiver Training
Connecting Principles
Addressing Attachment Needs
March 27, 2019
11:30 a.m.
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WEBINARS
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Effective Facilitation of Parent Support Groups
Available on YouTube
Free
Lifting Up Youth Voices to Promote Permanency for Older Youth
Colorado Adoption Information Class
Tuesday
March 12, 2019
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Developing & Supporting Families in Transitioning from Foster Care to Adoption
Tuesday
March 19, 2019
1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Foster Care Adoption Orientation
Wednesday
March 20, 2019
6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Colorado Health Insurance Buy-In (HIBI)
Wednesday
April 17, 2019
10:00 a.m.
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| CONFERENCES |
8th Annual Strengthening Families Summit
Monday
April 1, 2019
Concord, NH
Click here for more info.
Wrightslaw Conference: Effective Advocating for Your Child
Northern Colorado
Thursday
April 25, 2019
8:00 a.m. - 4:30
Preregistration required.
Click here for more info.
2019 National Children of Incarcerated Parent Conference
Arizona State University Center for Child Well-Being
Sunday - Wednesday
April 14-17, 2019
Phoenix, AZ
Click here for more info.
26th Annual National Foster Care Conference
Wednesday - Friday
May 15-17, 2019
St. Petersburg, FL
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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Childhood trauma isn't something that just goes away. Sometimes we forget that. I was recently talking to an 89-year old woman. She was placed in the Denver orphanage as a young child. She remembers that boxes of old donated shoes would be brought in and dumped out in front of the girls, and each girl got to pick a pair. She always picked the prettiest pair, and invariably, they were too small for her feet, but she would still shove her feet into them and insist they fit. She would then have to live with those shoes until the next box arrived. But this became her "normal." To this day, she still wears shoes that she knows are too small for her feet - because she thinks the right sized shoes make her feet look too big.
So, when you're frustrated that your child isn't "over" the trauma now that they're in a better situation, know that without the proper therapy and a lot of time, they cannot get over the trauma. As the parent, you have to be in this for the long haul. Patience, therapy, more patience, and even more therapy are the best chance your child has.
Wishing you peace, love, and no calamities in 2019,
Colleen Tarket,
COCAF Board of Directors
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What Is COCAF Working On?
Many adoptive families have been told that if they have both private health insurance and Medicaid for their children, that a non-Medicaid provider (say an adoption-competent therapist) can't take the private pay.
COCAF has received clarification on this rule, and here is the example that we were provided:
Providers can take the primary insurance and collect from the primary insurance. What it means if the patient has Medicaid secondary is that they cannot balance bill or accept any additional monies from the patient.
Let's use this example:
The patient has primary insurance for the service, which is also a Medicaid covered service, and the provider doesn't bill Medicaid by choice.
The family has a $4,000 deductible so for the first 4 visits, the provider gets paid zero dollars, since the primary insurance is telling them to get the money from the family.
If the family has Medicaid secondary, the provider cannot get the money from the family since they could be paid if they chose to bill Medicaid.
The provider basically chooses to write off that care.
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New Resources on Adoption & Guardianship for Children in Kinship Foster Care
With the support of the Dave Thomas Foundation, Generations United has released a new issue brief and comparison chart designed to help kinship foster parents understand and compare adoption and guardianship. View, download, and share the
issue brief and
comparison chart.
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Helping Adopted Children Cope with Grief & Loss
From the Children's Information Gateway
Many children in foster care have experienced traumatic separations and losses. The emotions elicited by these traumatic experiences are rooted in underlying grief, which may complicate their adjustment to the newly formed adoptive family unit. Children's response to grief may vary, depending on their age and stage of development. A child's grief may be internalized as anxiety, depression, and/or guilt, or it may be externalized in acting-out behaviors that negatively affect day-to-day functioning and relationships. Validating the reality of loss in adoption and creating a safe space for children to express their feelings are some of the first steps that adoptive parents can take to guide them through a healthy grieving process.
Many adoptive parents can navigate the grief journey with their children and help them overcome any specific adoption-related challenges during childhood and adolescence. To enhance parents' efforts, research has long recognized the benefits of adoption-competent services to address the effects that abandonment, abuse, separation, and trauma may have on children and youth who have been adopted. Accordingly, child welfare professionals play a critical role in helping children gain an understanding of their history and process it through grief to form safe attachments to their adoptive families. The following resources highlight specific examples of services and practice approaches aimed at supporting adopted children and strengthening adoptive families.
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Postadoption Contract Agreements
From the Child Welfare Information Gateway
Postadoption contact agreements are arrangements that allow contact between a child's adoptive family and members of the child's birth family after the child's adoption has been finalized.
These arrangements, sometimes referred to as cooperative adoption or open adoption agreements, can range from informal, mutual understandings between the birth and adoptive families to written, formal contracts. Topics covered include the contents of agreements; parties to agreements; the court's role; and enforcing, modifying, and terminating agreements.
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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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EVENTS
A Night of Celebration: Connecting Community
A fundraiser for Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families
Saturday, April 6, 2019, 5:30 - 9:00 p.m.
History Colorado Center
1200 Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
Individual tickets $115
Reserved tables of 10 for $1,150
Join the Heritage Camp staff for a festive evening of flavorful food, unique cultural entertainment, and silent and live auctions.
If you can't attend, you can still buy a raffle tickets to support the camp of your choice.
There are two different raffles:
New Orleans Getaway Package:
Enjoy a luxurious getaway to "The Big Easy" during any time of the year - no date restrictions! Package includes $500 voucher on Southwest Airlines, $600 voucher to JW Marriott New Orleans, $200 gift card to the renowned Restaurant R'evolution, $100 to GW Fins for their jazz brunch or any meal you'd like. Valued at $1,400.
Camp package OR Amazon gift card:
Win camp fees for a family of four, plus $150 voucher towards accommodation at camp! Valued at up to $692. Or you can choose a $400 Amazon gift card.
$25 per raffle ticket - Buy Now
A Day for Wednesday's Child
Wednesday, April 10, 2019
More info to come.
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.
More info coming soon.
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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
[email protected]
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
For more information, contact Tim Paxton at 970-691-5737 or by email at [email protected].
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected]. 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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