September 2017
September Newsletter
Happy to September to all our Foster Change family. By now you are in the flow of children being back at school and we are enjoying the many joys of doing homework packets with our kids or finding a good tutor. School can be so challenging - especially if your kids have any special needs. We've included some educational resources for you! And we join with the state of Nevada to recognize kinship caregivers this month, hope to see you at the party!
Happy Labor Day!
The first Monday of September is a yearly celebration to the hard working Americans who contribute so much to our economic workforce.

As you celebrate this Monday September 4th with your friends, family or neighbors, we just want to remind you to stay safe.

Educational Resources

You got the kids off to school last month, now the hard work of learning begins! Stay on top of things by checking out Nevada Academic Content Standards .

Vegas PBS has lots of education resources for children and parents in Clark County School District.

Khan Academy offers free online learning modules to help your child stay ahead of the class!

Does your child have an IEP or do you think they might need one? Read Understanding the IEP Process. Learn more about IDEA, 504 plans, IEP, and getting a referral for services, and advocating for your child's education by reviewing the Legal Aid of Southern Nevada's Education Advocacy Program.

Did you know, most schools in the Clark County School District now have School Based Foster Care Advocates (FCAs). If you are caring for children in foster care, please contact the school's principal or his/her secretary to determine who the FCA is on campus. FCAs should be used as the first point of contact for any foster care related issue at school.
The State of Nevada Proclaims September as Kinship Care Month!
This month is a big deal for Kinship Families. September is now recognized as Kinship Care month in Nevada. Read the complete proclamation !

31,000 kids in Nevada are being raised by relatives.

Sandy Vargas, the Foster Change Program manager and Foster Kinship Family Advocate, reflects, "In the almost two years I have been working at Foster Kinship, I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of our caregivers. They come to Foster Kinship in a moment of frustration and needing some guidance and understanding on what their current situation is and how to locate resources."

Foster Kinship is hosting a Kinship Care Celebration on Tuesday September 12th at 6pm. All Foster Change members and supporters are welcome to attend!
Foster Community

Join us each third Tuesday of the month for dinner and conversation with other foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Childcare provided for up to 8 children.

Our next meeting is:
Tuesday, September 19th from 6-7:30 PM.

4344 W Cheyenne, 89032.
Free CPR and Car Seat Safety Training

Training dates remain available in 2017 for Car Seat Safety and CPR/ First AID and AED training. Remember, these trainings are FREE for Foster Change members! Click on the links to sign up by clicking on the links below. If you do not know your member number or you want to become a member for just $20/annually email sandy@fosterkinship.org.


Spotlight - Thank you to Kinship Families

"It is so exciting that September is Kinship Care month in Nevada. I am so thrilled to be able to honor kinship families. Kinship care keeps 90% of children who can't be with their parents with their families and out of the foster care system. As a foster and adoptive parent, I am so grateful for the selfless acts of so many family members. I am inspired by your dedication to your families and to keeping children safe and connected to who they are. We celebrate you! "

-Ali Caliendo, Foster Change Board Member and Director of Foster Kinship.
Foster Change | (702) 970-4546 | Sandy@fosterkinship.org| FosterChangeCC.org