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Donations are used to support Colorado's adoptive families.
In This Issue
Smile & Donate!
Members of Congress
Adoption Data
Food Support Options
Keeping Your Kids Engaged
250 Ways to Stay Sane!
Resources for Teens
Resources for Teens
C.A.S.E. Virtual Resources
Mental Health Assistance
Kinship Family Survey
Zoom Friends Needed!
FREE C.A.S.E. Webinars
Heritage Camps Registration Dates
Support Groups

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.

CLASSROOM

Because of the state-wide stay-at-home order, no classroom courses are currently scheduled.


WEBINARS

Kinship Navigator Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Part 1: Virtual Assistance
Wednesday
April 29, 2020
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

Kinship Navigator Response to COVID-19 Pandemic Part 2: Community-Based Assistance
Wednesday
May 6, 2020
11:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

Restraint and Seclusion - A Survey of the Current Situation in Our Nation's Institutions
Wednesday
May 6, 2020
Noon - 1:30

Managing Stress and Anxiety During COVID-19
Wednesday
May 6, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for info.

Colorado Adoption Information
Tuesday
May 12, 2020
6:00 p.m.
Click here for more info.

Darkness to Light: 5 Steps to Protecting Children
Wednesday
May 13, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for info.
 
Estrategias de Inntervencion en Crisis por las Pandemia de COVID-19
En Vivo; Espanol
Wednesday
May 20, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for 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.

Childhood Trauma and Its Effects on Brain Development
Wednesday
May 27, 2020
11:00 a.m.

Internet Safety Training for Parents
Wednesday
June 3, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for info.
 
Colorado Adoption Information
Tuesday
June 9, 2020
6:00 p.m.

Preventing Child Abuse and Neglect
Wednesday
June 10, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for info.
 
Adoption Options Orientation
Thursday
June 11, 2020
6:30 p.m.

Sexualized Behaviors in Children Part 1
Wednesday
June 17, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for info.

5 Common Emotional/Behavioral Challenges Children Face and Strategies for Addressing Them (part 1)
Thursday
June 18, 2020
Click here for more info.

Conciencia Plena Y Estrategias Para Manejar Estrés
En Vivo; Espanol
Wednesday
June 24, 2020
10:00 a.m. - Noon
Call 303-825-3850 for info.

5 Common Emotional/Behavioral Challenges Children Face and Strategies for Addressing Them (part 2)
Thursday
July 9, 2020
Click here for more info.
CONFERENCES

NACAC 2020
August 27 - August 29, 2020
Toronto, Ontario

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?  

 
This is an unprecedented time in history, and it is stressful for everyone. This newsletter contains links for activities for your kids of all ages. It also has information on a mental health service at a bargain price. And information on food resources. So, while most of it is not adoption related, it is survival related, and surviving is of paramount importance at the moment.
 
Wear your masks. Stay away from others unless completely necessary. Take care of yourself as you take care of everyone else. And with a little help, we hope everyone does survive.
 
Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy!

Colleen Tarket, 
COCAF Board of Directors
Food Support Options 

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If your family is in need of food, please click here to go to an extensive list of Food Bank of the Rockies food resources.

Keeping Your Kids Engaged 

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The GoNoodle website offers hundreds of free movement and mindfulness games and activities!  https://www.gonoodle.com/
 
Switchzoo Animal Games: 
National Geographic Kids videos, games, quizzes, crafts, and brain boosters: 
Suessville games, crafts, activities, and videos: https://www.seussville.com/
ABCya! educational games and puzzles: 
Funbrain animal games and videos: 
PBS Kids games and videos: https://pbskids.org/
Starfall educational games and activities: 
Highlights Kids activities, jokes, and games: 
 
Reading Websites
 
Storyline Online: http://www.storylineonline.net 
Read to Me International: 
International Children ' s Digital Library: 
 
Other resources

 

 

 
MIT OpenCourseWare has videos, lecture notes, and problem sets.

 
Project Gutenberg is a library of over 60,000 free eBooks. 

 
For older kids, SparkNotes is a good place to start for literary analysis.

 
Duolingo is a free language learning app.

 
Elementary math: Watch fun full episodes at the Cyberchase website.

 

Brilliant.org: math and science problems for high school

Kidsoutandabout.com keeps an updated list of virtual events happening daily.

Milehighonthecheap.com also has a virtual events calendar with daily online events such as Broadway shows and the MET Opera. 
250 Ways to Stay Sane! 

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For ideas for family fun that do not involve interacting with lots of people:  250+ Creative Ways to Keep Your Family Sane During the COVID-19 Crisis

 
Resources for Teens from the NY Times 

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5 Ways to Help Teens Manage Anxiety About the Coronavirus:
Adults can help by making sure adolescents don't overestimate the dangers or underestimate their ability to protect themselves.

 How to Make College Decisions When Campuses Are Closed:
With coronavirus closings, tours for admitted students are off the table. Here are some workarounds in this time of social distancing.

 Classic Board Games With a Touch of Tech:
How to use video conferencing to play traditional, real-life board games with people who are sheltering in different places.

 Quaranteenagers: Strategies for Parenting in Close Quarters:  Because of coronavirus, teenagers are missing out on major rites of passage. Offering compassion paves their way toward feeling better.

 
Virtual Camps 

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Join Trackers Earth Guides for awesome camp adventures, right from home. Whether it's Rangers Wilderness Survival to Cooking with Cowboy Sam, from Martial Arts to the Art of Nature, there's fun for everyone. Parents can trust that Trackers Online classes and camps are led by background checked, trained and approved teachers and guides. These affordable, interactive courses feature a small student-to-teacher ratio, offering individual attention and engagement.

Oceans Initiative: With so many public schools closed, marine biologists are hosting an online Q&A about killer whales (orcas) and salmon. Join them live on Facebook and Instagram (@oceansinitiative) every Monday and Thursday at noon.

While the Cincinnati Zoo is closed and kids are home from school, let us help make your children's hiatus from school fun and educational. Join us for a Home Safari Facebook Live each weekday at 1:00 p.m. where we will highlight one of our amazing animals and include an activity you can do from home. Don't have access to social media? No worries! All videos will be posted on our website and to our YouTube channel shortly after the Facebook Live ends. The at-home activities will all be posted here.


Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) Virtual Resources 

To support families and professionals during this new virtual-only world, C.A.S.E. has compiled a list of virtual resources. Click here to go to their resources.
Mental Health Assistance 

Thirty-minute mental health sessions are available through the Animal Assisted Therapy Programs of Colorado. These short-term sessions are available to provide extra support right now. A $20 donation is encouraged, but the fee can be waived or reduced if the suggested donation if needed. Call Lexi at 720-266-4444 ext 0 or email lbaca@atpc.org to get started.
 
Kinship Family Survey 

If you are a kinship family, please take 3 minutes (or less!) to complete this survey about the fall kinship conference. Click here to go to the survey.  
Zoom Friends Needed! 

If you have a pre-K daughter who would benefit from a "Zoom friend" during this pandemic, please email Jessica at virginiaspangled@gmail.com.

And if you have daughters interested in Girl Scouts, contact Jessica about this special group.



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.

Heritage Camps Registration Dates

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, please contact Heritage Camps to see if your camp will be conducted as planned. 




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 --  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!



 
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

Zoom support group for parents of adoptees ages 18-30
First Monday of the month; 10-11 am
Please email for reservation and minimal paperwork (and any questions);
$10 per person per meeting. Scholarships are available!


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.
 
Zoom support group for parents of adoptees ages 18-30
First Monday of the month; 10-11 am
Please email for reservation and minimal paperwork (and any questions);
$10 per person per meeting. Scholarships are available!


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