Child Welfare Workforce Development Month:
Let’s hear it for our DFS team!
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Last month, the Clark County Commission shined a well-deserved spotlight on our hard-working department by presenting several DFS employees with a proclamation in honor of September – Child Welfare Workforce Development Month. This was an exceptionally proud moment for leadership and employees, alike!
The child welfare workforce is one of Clark County’s most important assets and the essential link to improved outcomes for children, youth, and their families. Some of our team’s most notable accomplishments in 2020 include:
- The child abuse and neglect hotline received more than 27,000 phone calls.
- Employees conducted approximately 12,000 assessments of child abuse and neglect.
- Child Haven staff provided a safe and healthy shelter for more than 1,200 children.
- Across all department program areas, our DFS team served nearly 30,000 children.
Our department’s achievements rest on the outstanding partnerships we have with caregivers and community partners, and our commitment to the Quality Parenting Initiative or QPI. QPI is a national movement for foster change made up of a network of states, counties and private agencies committed to ensuring that all children in care have excellent parenting and lasting relationships so they can thrive and grow.
We’re grateful to our tremendous staff, foster and kin parents, birth parents, youth, and others involved in the child welfare system who work tirelessly to empower and equip children, youth, and their families to overcome a variety of challenges.
I’m proud to work with such a dynamic group of employees and caregivers. Each of you are key members of the agency. Thank you for your advocacy and dedication. Every day your commitment to children helps us attract the families who can and will provide excellent parenting in safe, secure, and supportive homes.
Sincerely,
Tim Burch
Clark County Administrator of Human Services
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Register for the 2021
Angel Tree Celebration
This year, gift distribution will take place at Cashman Center on Saturday, December 11, 2021 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Please bring the child(ren) with you as this will be a festive occasion with holiday surprises. This is a drive-through event, so you can fully participate from the comfort of your own vehicle.
The wish list deadline is Friday, November 19, 2021 and all registrations are due by Friday, December 3, 2021.
Gift registration/distribution is only available for children under DFS care and children who have been adopted since July of 2021.
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What is a CASA Volunteer?
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children in foster care. In some states, CASA volunteers are also referred to as a guardian ad litem (GAL).
CASA volunteers conduct an independent evaluation of their case and make recommendations to the court about what is in the best interest of their assigned child(ren). CASA volunteers visit regularly with the child(ren) and advocate for their needs in and out of court. They also help identify resources and services while monitoring their case for progress. CASA volunteers are people who have passion and desire to make a life-long difference in the lives of children in the foster care system.
For additional information, contact the CASA program at:
Phone: 702.455.4306
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Peggy's Attic
Thanks the Youth Group from Church of Latter Day Saints who volunteered their time this month and help to sort items.
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Peggy's Attic Is in need of donations.
Please call 702-455-5424 for an appointment to drop of your gently used children's clothing.
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Independent Living Corner |
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The FAAYT leadership team has been meeting regularly with the focus on recruitment of members and officers for the 2021-2022 year. The next FAAYT meeting will take place on October 28, 2021 from 4pm-5pm. Any youth ages 14+ who would like to know more about FAAYT are welcome to attend and participate. Youth who are interested in more information about FAAYT can ask their IL worker for more information. Their IL worker can add them on the RSVP list if they would like to attend.
Ongoing recruitment efforts will continue for FAAYT. If you have youth interested in joining please refer them to their IL worker to sign up!
The Independent Living team has men’s suits available to provide to any youth that would like one for formal interviews! Any youth that is interested in obtaining a suit can request one from their IL worker. We have suits in limited number.
For youth attending college please be informed of the following deadlines for filing your FAFSA.
Academic year FAFSA open date Federal FAFSA deadline
2021-22 Oct. 1, 2020 June 30, 2022
2022-23 Oct. 1, 2021 June 30, 2023
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CHILDREN'S SERVICES GUILD |
Hello everyone,
With just a little over a month away, excitement is abounding for us at CSG about this incredible, fun event. Please come with your family and friends plus spread the word about our fundraiser and the work we do for the children in SO. NV touched by the Family and Juvenile Justice Courts. Click on the link to see pictures of some of the handmade holiday items made by our wonderful members and friends. We hope to see you there with bells on!
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DFS EDUCATION CORNER
The First Quarter of the 2021-2022 School Year ends on Friday October 8th. You made it through ¼ of the year! Congratulations! Now is the best time to check in with your child’s school to make sure he/she is on track to pass classes and make plans to make up any missing/failed work! Check Infinite Campus/Canvas Parent Information to view your child's First quarter Grades, Counselor, learning Strategists, Foster Care Advocates (FCAs) and Safe school Professionals (SSPs)/Social Workers are available on campus to help your child be successful in school.
OCTOBER 5th is WORLD TEACHER DAY !
Shout out to all Clark County Teachers
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NORMALCY
RESPITE REIMBURSEMENT
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We received funding to reimburse normalcy respite providers that are identified by foster parents. Funding will be available starting today and will be offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, until the funds are depleted. This funding will ONLY be offered for normalcy respite to strongly encourage the use of familiar caregivers or peer-to-peer support versus stranger care.
Click HERE for more information.
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Canyon Ridge Supports Caregivers
Open to all foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin) Please make sure to register your register yourself and each child that will be participating. Registration closes once all slots are filled. Must register no later than Monday, October 11, 2021. Night out is Friday, October 15 2021
What Do You Get Out of it?
Foster Parent Night Out -
Friday October 15,2021
Being a Foster Parent is a tremendous responsibility and help to our community. We understand that with the increased responsibility it is difficult to find regular respite care. In the third Friday of every month, from 6p - 9p. Canyon Ridge Christian Church would like to serve the foster parents of our community by providing free respite care. During that time, we will provide your children and your foster children a fun, safe and nurturing environment so that you can take some time to rest, catch a movie, go out with your spouse and more! Space is limited to a first come, first serve basis. Please drop off your children between 6:00p - 6:30p as the doors will closed after that time for safety purposes. Fill out the registration form to sign-up today!
Please note - feed your children before drop-off (we will provide snacks, but not dinner).
Open for children ages birth - 5th grade.
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Foster Kinship Respite and Support Groups |
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OMBUDSMAN SERVICES
The Mission of the Clark County Ombudsman for the Department of Family Services and Clark County Social Service is to review, resolve, track and report complaints in an effort to add increased accountability and facilitate systemic improvements to the local child welfare and Social Service systems.
For more information, call
702.455.1046.
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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.
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What is Quality Parenting Initiative? |
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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
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