Foster Change is the official Foster Parent Association of Southern Nevada.
We exist to support foster parents, kinship caregivers and adoptive parents.
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March.
Cheerios, Connection and striving for > 30%:
During our most recent support group, we talked about Chapter 3 in the book What Happened To You. Most of what resonated with me was the story about Cheerios. So, I wanted to briefly share it here because I think it will matter to those of you worried about the long term impact you are having with your children in your care.
Oprah shares about a child she interviewed once named Kate, who was aged 11. Kate shared about losing her mother a few months before and how, leading up to her mom's last days, the family decided to use the time to go on a lot of family vacations, in order to store up memories. Oprah asked Kate what one of her favorite memories had been. The answer surprised her.
"One day when I came back from swimming," Kate told me, "my mom was in bed. She said, 'Kate, would you get me a bowl of cereal?' I said, 'Sure.' Then, one week before she died, I was in my parents' room. I said, 'Mom, would you wake me up if you go downstairs to get a bowl of cereal?' She said she would. So at 2:00 in the morning, we had a bowl of cheerios together."
Out of all the extra vacations, money and time spent trying to store up extra special memories, this intimate, everyday moment is what Kate recalls as "the best." Dr. Bruce Perry calls this an example of "glue love." The kind of love we feel when we know the person we are with is totally present, connected and engaged with us. He reminds us that these small, brief moments of connection are more powerful than even hours spent together, if we are not focused on connection.
Does this "cheerios" story give you any hope that you are doing enough? If you are present with your children in these small moments, you ARE creating the memories that you worry so much about. Especially those of you that have loved and reunified children and I hear your heart cries of "I hope I did enough. I hope they will remember my love."
I grew up in a home with very limited financial means. We didn't take vacations. So memories were built (or not built) outside of the ability to BUY them. Most of my childhood memories are not great but the ones that are, are all small and feel quite like the cheerios story. I'll share two.
Memory #1 - My father was a carpenter in his free time. One summer he carved he and I both a golf club out of scrap wood. We dug holes in our dirt backyard and then, well played "golf." Memory #2 - a few times over my young childhood, my father, who otherwise paid me zero attention, would wake me up around 5am on a weekend morning and he and I would go to the local hotel that served a breakfast. Nobody else in my home ever knew or was invited. It felt like an out of body experience because it was so unlike him.
During group, other cheerio stories were shared. One friend shared about how her mom was late to work one day because she was so wrapped up in playing a video game with her. She felt so special that her mom chose ten more minutes with her, even though there would be a consequence.
All of this to say, connect. connect. connect. Be present. Get off your phone. Let the laundry pile. Find moments in the everyday ordinary and make them silly, special, or surprise them by being spontaneous. If you can do this, you are winning. As another friend shared in group, TBRI teaches that if you get it "right" at least 30% of the time, the children will turn out ok.
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Love, Cindy
(the mom who needs to get off her phone and connect more!)
P.S. I'm looking for those of you who like to write and share, to please go here to submit your thoughts, stories, journeys, etc. : Submit HERE to be included in future issues and on our website!
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March Enneagram Highlights 2 and 8 |
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Thank YOU for taking time to provide RAVE reviews!
What an encouragement it is to us ALL to elevate the work of
supportive and attentive social workers:
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March is National Social Work Month! Can you give a heartfelt thank you this month to the workers who are in your life?
National Social Work Month, observed throughout March, uplifts the social workers of our country and celebrates their constant contributions to our society. These professionals use psychology and sociology to solve social issues and improve individual lives – and it’s no easy feat! Social work can be emotionally draining, require long hours, and pay entirely too little, yet still, these superhumans strive every day to improve many people’s quality of life and advocate on their behalf. Take some time out this month to recognize social workers and the great things they do.
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For the first half of 2023, Foster Change will be using our support group time to discuss our way through the book What Happened to You,
co-written by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. (graphic below:)
Please understand that you will NOT have to own the book to participate. However, if you'd like a copy, you can order one here:
This time will be used to consider how our past affects our present, how it affects the choices we make, our personal triggers and how we parent.
We will be sending out free materials to use before each group.
If you would like to sign up to show us your interest, receive updates, free materials and the zoom link, please fill out this google form, linked below, so I can add you to the email list.
*You do not have to be a member to join in with us. Professionals also welcome.
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Fostering Life @ Canyon Ridge Church Presents:
Foster Parent Night Out
Friday, March 17
Lone Mountain Campus - Youth Building
6pm - 9 pm
Open to all foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin).
Please make sure to register yourself and each child that will be participating.
Registration closes on Monday, March 13th or once all slots are filled.
What Do You Get Out of It?
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. On 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 - 6:30.
Fill out the registration form to sign-up today!
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Free Childcare Opportunity from Shadow Hills Church:
If you are a Foster Parent, we are providing FREE babysitting for any kids in your house from 3 month to 5th grade.
This event will take place on Saturday, March 11th from 9am to Noon at Shadow Hills Church. 7811 Vegas Drive 89128
You must RSVP every kid that will be dropped off so we can make sure to have enough snacks and workers available.
Every worker/volunteer will be background checked.
If your kid has an allergy please let us know. We will put a colored bracelet on them to make sure they will not be given out the snacks we provide. If there is an allergy, you will need to bring your own snacks.
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A new update from
Hannah's Closet SOUTH:
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It has been such a JOY to walk alongside you through your foster/adoptive/kinship journey! Can you believe that this is the 4th year Hannah’s Closet South has been in our current location?! WILD. In the last few months, our team has tried to identify ways to better serve you and we’ve landed on this….MEMBERSHIP! Yep. You heard it here first. Costco won’t be the only place that gives you a cool members only card.
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So, what does membership to Hannah’s Closet mean?! Starting March 1st, EVERYONE will need to bring in their current placement letter or adoption decree. Sadly, if you don’t have these items with you, you won’t be able to shop. We will be setting up your free membership and you get to leave with a shiny new card. Why membership, you ask? Our goal at Fostering Hope (the parent organization of Hannah’s Closet) is to create community. So, when you come in monthly to shop, you will be given GRACE points.
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GRACE stands for Giving Regular Appreciation for Constant Engagement. These are the points you get for being a foster parent and walking through the door. With these GRACE points, you will still be able to receive 5 full outfits, a pair of pajamas, and a pack of diapers per child but items above the basics will require extra points to shop for those items. How will you earn those extra points? SO glad you asked! Engagement! Community! Every time you attend an in person or virtual support group, every time you take a QPI class, every time you attend a Fostering Hope event, you earn points! You can then use those bonus points to purchased things like additional diapers, hair care products, large baby items, etc. Don’t worry about needing to figure out all the details now, we’ll help you with that next time you come in.
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Here is what you need to know for now: Next time you come into Hannah’s you need to bring your placement letter and/or adoption decree and we’ll take it from there. Just don’t forget to sign up for an appointment!! (you can do that here: https://app.vomo.org/project/need-hannahs-closet)
Our team is so excited about this next level of community engagement!
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Important Topical QPI Trainings:
This section is to highlight great trainings that you may never watch otherwise:
Click titles to view QPI training videos:
Training Description
This training will show you how managing time well isn’t just about making lists, it’s about understanding the priorities that comprise your daily routine. You will discover how acting on your values factors into your daily success and making the time for this training could just be the difference to creating enough time for you…to do what is important.
Training Description
Kentucky Autism Center presents a training on importance of teaching social skills. Participants will learn what skills to teach, how to determine skill deficits vs. performance deficits, and methods to teaching these skills.
I've heard a lot of people are experiencing freezing/buffering videos. Here are some tips I found on the QPI Website: Click link below:
I've heard that contacting their IT through email is is extremely helpful and very responsive!
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Meet Waiting Children in the Nevada Heart Gallery: Click HERE
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On Demand Learning:
(this is for summer but it will work for Spring Break, too!)
Click title to start:
Summer (think Spring Break!) is coming! This training offers sensory ideas and tips to support regulation when your kids have “nothing to do.” While we all look forward to the downtime that summer brings, let’s face it — it is HARD to keep a smooth-running household when your children are bored or dysregulated! This webinar will give a brief overview of why childhood trauma is so intricately woven with sensory processing behaviors, give you some great ideas to put into your toolbox to help ease the dreaded summer doldrums, and hopefully give some tips to prevent them at all!
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Clark County
Parks & Rec
is offering day camps during Spring Break!
Spots are limited!
Don't wait!
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REGISTER for Spring Break Day Camps by clicking HERE!
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It's almost that time again!
Mark your calendars and RSVP!
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This event was incredible last year. Join me there!
All details on flyer.
It will ask you if you are a Foster Change member when you register. PLEASE understand that if you click yes, it WILL be verified. You must be a current member to access those added privileges of membership, if you check this box. If you need to sign up or renew, please do that BEFORE registering. www.fosterchangecc.org/join
Find me at my booth and let me know you saw this advertised in the Foster Change newsletter and get a free Foster Change vinyl sticker!
Please note that all children in the care of DFS are invited to attend, regardless of the family's membership to Foster Change.
SEE YOU THERE!!
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For Spring Break Fun With Your Children: |
This father and his children teach simple follow along drawings and origami crafts. They are SO fun to watch! All you'll need is printer paper, a sharpie and maybe some crayons! |
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Click Title to go to Tutorial Video!
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Don't forget to visit our local libraries during Spring Break! They have AMAZING resources! FREE!
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Join Us for a
Yogurtland Party!
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Meet up with your friends on March 20th for a Yogurtland Party!
Anytime between noon and 8pm!
Only at the
Yogurtland at 7290 W Lake Mead!
PLEASE RSVP! If you log your plans to attend at the link below, they will give back a portion of your purchase price to Foster Change!
Even if you THINK you might go, please RSVP below:
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Foster Change Lending Library |
Visit the Foster Change Lending Library and check out books for FREE!
for more information!
While supplies last, all families who use the library get a gift bag!
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This month's featured book:
ACTIVITY BOOKS!
Our Lending Library is packed full of activity books for young readers and journaling prompt books for older readers!
Many in English and Espanol!
Come stock up before the break!
Small Amount of Personal Journaling Books available to KEEP until supplies run out!
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Birthday BAGS!
In pursuit of their Bronze Award Project, Girl Scouts Troop 143 have created a Birthday Party in a Bag project, offering children experiencing foster care a special bag full of cake baking supplies and assorted party items. Now that it is established, the birthday bag project will be continued to be provided through the Rotary Club Las Vegas - Red Rock. Please come to the office during open hours to get a bag, if a child in your home is having a birthday this month!
Just ask at the front desk!
3925 W Cheyenne Ave Suite 401
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9 AM–7 PM and
Friday-Saturday, 8 AM–4 PM.
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Hannah's Closet North - No Appointments Required
Hannah's Closet South - Appointments Required (find on website)
Klothes 4 Kids - Clothing resource for foster children
Project 150 - Programs and Resources for teens (high school ID required)
Marcie's Heart Donation Center at Foster Kinship
Boys Town
Reclaimed Recovery through the HUB LV
- The Reclaimed Recovery Program is an outpatient recovery program for teen girls 12-17 who are either high risk for sex trafficking or are identified survivors of sex trafficking.
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Referral Link for Services: CLICK HERE
The Harbor
Families and youth in need of counseling, tutoring and other support services over the summer are reminded the Harbor juvenile assessment program is here to help.
The Harbor has five locations in the Las #Vegas Valley with hours 8am to 10pm daily to assist families coping with problem behavior and other concerns. Appointments can be made by calling the program’s main number at (702) 455-6912. Walk-ins are accepted. Locations and more information about the program are listed on its website at www.theharborlv.com.
Links to Specialized Organizations and
Higher Level of Care Foster Care Agencies:
The Ombudsman
What exactly does the Ombudsman do?
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Works as an impartial and independent fact finder in reviewing and resolving complaints related to the Family Services and Social Service Departments.
- Click here to access complain form.
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Works as an impartial and independent fact finder in reviewing and resolving complaints related to the Family Services and Social Service departments;
- Explains to clients how department policies, procedures and program rules and regulations work;
- Educates and provides information on how to navigate the local child welfare and social service systems;
- Provides clients with referrals to other resource offices and services in the community; and
- Facilitates complaint resolution between departments and clients.
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Join our Online Community! |
Members of Foster Change are invited to join a private support page on Facebook. Make sure and ACTIVELY take part in an online community of caregivers just like yourself!
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Clark County School District:
Safe-Voice: 1-833-216-SAFE (7233) for anonymous reporting
CCSD Police: 702-799-5411
Mobile Crisis Response Team: 702-486-7865
New Tutoring Service to all K-12 CCSD Students
A new district-wide initiative to provide unlimited, 24/7 virtual tutoring and academic support to approximately 300,000 students in the District.
CCSD recently partnered with Paper, which works with school districts nationwide to provide 1:1 instructional support across more than 200 subject areas in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Paper’s staff of highly trained, background-checked tutors empower students to achieve success with equitable access to academic support. CCSD is funding the Paper partnership using ESSER funds, so the service is free to all K-12 students and families. Student access via their Clever account.
Vegas Strong Academy with Parks and Recreation
- Accepts Urban League- Library locations only
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Community centers- have a separate application for financial aide https://registration.lasvegasnevada.gov/NV/las-vegas-nv/catalog
- Bring financial request to the community center directly
- Yes, for children with special needs, have to toilet and feed themselves.
- Dula community center, 702-229-6307 assist with the financial assistance process and criteria to qualify
Boys and Girls Club
YMCA
- https://www.lasvegasymca.org/y-cares/
- Enrolling Full/Half Day preschool ages 3-5
- Preschool accepts Urban League assistance
- Open M-F Full Day ages 5-15
- Financial Assistance available
- Accepts children with special needs. Must be potty trained and able to feed self
Battle Born Las Vegas Kids and Teens
Imagination Station Early Learning Centers
- 24/7 childcare center with a strong commitment to Early Childhood Education and Quality Care.
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We serve local families with a need for daytime, overnight, weekend, or drop-in childcare. We care for infants from 6 weeks of age, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children through age 12.
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Contact by email: info@imstation247.com or visit online by clicking HERE.
Locations:
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2488 E. Russell Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89120
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3799 S. Las Vegas BLVD.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
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4185 Vegas Valley Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89121
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1310 W. Warm Springs Rd.
Henderson, NV 89014
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2750 S. Rancho Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
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Join Foster Change and make sure your voice is heard: |
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Advocate locally by wearing branded merch:
Foster Change Merch Shop
There are MANY styles to choose from...go get yours now!
#advocacy #youbelonghere #bettertogether #strongertogether #luckyone #fosterchange
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Advocate locally by engaging in social media:
Visit, Follow, and Interact with Foster Change on our social media pages:
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Advocate for Yourself and the children in your care: |
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Advocate for all foster parents and all children in care at a National Level:
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Thanks to the following organizations for being advocates by serving on our Board of Directors!
Click on each to learn more:
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SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE or NEGLECT? |
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If someone is having thoughts of self-harm,
please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
National Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
or
Nevada Crisis Line: 775-784-8090
OR
CALL or TEXT 988
Please call 911 for an immediate emergency situation.
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