June is National Reunification Month!
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QPI Training Videos: Working with Birth Families
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One of the most challenging but important role's foster parents play is to be a co-parent and work as a reunification partner with the child's family.
We have collected some great resources that support partnership with birth families and reunification.
Can we highlight your work as a reunification partner in Clark County? Please email Sandy@FosterChangeCC.org with your story so we can share and inspire others!
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Covid-19 has taken over 2020 and turned our lives a little upside down, and we were so sad to cancel our annual Spring Event.
We will be making it up to you with a family event for a free "Grab and Go" Kona Ice at the Foster Change office!
Details and the RSVP will be sent out soon, so please watch your email!
The sign up will be limited to Foster Change Members Only, stay tuned!
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Kona Ice is refreshing and just the perfect amount of sweet for a hot day. We look forward to seeing you soon.
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We are actively working on bringing back in person classes. We want to keep everybody as safe as possible. We will be following Social Distancing guidelines. The class will have a limit of 10 people to per class and there will be no childcare available at this time. Information will be emailed and posted to Facebook soon.
Guidelines:
-Wear a mask
-Temperature check at the door
-Hand-washing as you walk in
-Hand Sanitizer use during class
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I have always been an advocate for being honest with children as part of helping them process and work through trauma.
For our family, that has meant having difficult, at times painful, conversations about foster care, adoption, birth parents, trauma, and brain differences. This past week I was reminded not to neglect speaking openly about racism.
I intend to keep this critical conversation going with my 7-year-old, who always understands more than I tend to give him credit for.
Here are some tools that I am finding helpful, and I hope you will all share yours with us as well.
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Ali Caliendo, Foster Change Board Member
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Yes, this really is a kids book about racism. Inside, you’ll find a clear description of what racism is, how it makes people feel when they experience it, and how to spot it when it happens.
This is one conversation that’s never too early to start, and this book was written to be an introduction for kids on the topic.
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Resources for Raising Anti-Racist Children:
Please share other resources we can pass along by emailing Ali@fosterkinship.org
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CASA Foundation-How to Seek Special Needs Assistance
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Foster Change board member Dr.Ali Caliendo sits down with Lorrie Curriden, President of the LV CASA Foundation, to discuss what the CASA Foundation can do to help with requests for tutoring, activities, and other special needs for children in foster care! To learn more and apply, go to www.casafoundationlv.org .
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Technoference and It's Impact on Our Children
By Morgan Couchman (Foster Change President)
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Let's be honest. Since the start of quarantine, most of us have been utilizing technology more than ever with our children and with ourselves as parents. Some of this has been necessary. For instance, having Zoom meetings for work or online classes for our children. However, most of us are utilizing it now more than ever just to get a break from having our children home 24/7. Personally, my family has been watching more Nick Jr. and Disney movies than I normally would have allowed! But when does this use of technology start to impact our children and our relationship as parents with them? That's where the word Technoference comes in.
Technoference can be defined as relational interference caused by technology (phones, tv, etc.). New research has shown that technology may actually be CAUSING our kids to have poor behavior. Think about it. When our focus is on our phone, our children have more trouble getting our attention and we miss cues from them that we would normally see. This can then lead to big behaviors and outbursts. Another interesting finding is that our phones may be causing us as parents to react more harshly to our children. Thus, not only is technology negatively impacting our children's behavior, but could also be impacting the quality of our parenting.
Now, I'm not calling for a ban on technology because that would be absolutely crazy! But there are some things that we can do as parents to better engage our children and limit distractions such as being more mindful of our own tech use and having "no tech allowed" times. We all want our children to grow up with healthy attachments and relationships. Our children from hard places especially struggle with this! Check out the two articles linked below for further information about technoference and how to get the most out of screen time!
Click Below to View
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Hannah's Closet Curbside Assistance
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If you have a new placement or are needing immediate assistance with clothing, Hannah's Closet North and South are here to help!
Both locations have their own operating hours, please contact them directly for more information.
Hannah's Closet South:
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Do You Need Support? (Online)
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Clark County Department of Family Services is now offering VIRTUAL information Sessions!
Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested in learning more about becoming a Foster Parent- we need you!
Upcoming Information Sessions (Traditional Foster Care)
Tuesday, June 2 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 6 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 9, at 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 13 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 16 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 20 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 23 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, June 27 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, June 30 at 4 p.m.
Tuesday, July 7 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 11 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, July 14 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 18 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, July 21 at 4 p.m.
Saturday, July 25 at 9 a.m.
Tuesday, July 28 at 4 p.m.
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Online Trainings: Relicensing Hours
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If you are working on your license (kinship caregivers who have children with an open DFS case), there are two required QPI videos that you have to watch for licensing:
Normalcy
and
Emergency Preparedness
. We have created study guides for the required videos licensed caregivers much watch for re-licensing hours.
Click here
to view our available study guides.
We continue to offer our computers for you to use at our office in order to complete videos required for licensing and re-licensing, please call to request an appointment (702) 970-4546.
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If you are a licensed caregiver and it is time time to renew, you will be required to complete 12 hours of online training through QPInevada.org. There are six hours of training's you are required to take, and the rest you can choose.
We have created study guides for the required training's and nine more we recommend that will equal 12 hours. Click
HERE
for the study guides, or give us a call and we'd be happy to provide it for you!
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❤❤Car Seat Class- Now Online ❤❤
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Foster Kinship/Foster Change is pleased to now offer an online car seat safety education course! Kinship caregivers who are in the licensing process with DFS with children 0-6 will need to complete a car seat safety course as part of the process.
We look forward to helping families continue the licensing process during this challenging time.
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Did you Know: The Adoption Exchange has a Library of
AMAZING Online Trainings!
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The Adoption Exchange offers free online training for Foster and Adoptive Parents. Please register first to gain access to online learning. If you already have an account with The Adoption Exchange please log in and take advantage of the free training.
The Adoption exchange also offers a lending library which is an excellent post-adoption service. Please click on the link below for more information.
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The Adoption Exchange- June Training
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Mindful Movement - Trauma Recovery Yoga (T.R.Y.)
Free virtual yoga classes for adults and youth
Yoga for Adults: Tuesday, June 2, 2020, 10:00am - 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time
Yoga for Youth: Tuesday, June 9, 2020, 10:00am - 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time
Mindful movement is a science-based yoga practice that emphasizes four key themes: experiencing the present moment, exercising choice, taking effective action, and creating internal rhythms and positive affirmations. The T.R.Y. method emphasizes an individual’s choice to experience yoga at their pace and to their comfort level.
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Playful Parenting: A Three-Part Webinar Series
Thursdays: June 4th, 11th, and 18th
10:00am - 11:00am Pacific Daylight Time
Being a parent isn't easy. Finding time to play with our children is often challenging when balancing careers, the busyness of modern life, and the unique challenges that accompany parenting kids with histories of abuse, neglect, and trauma. This webinar series, led by Allison Cooke Douglas, explores the effects of trauma in early childhood, including the impact on the brain, body, and relational capabilities of children. Join us to discover how and why play can support your child's healing journey.
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Implicit Memory & Brain Activation
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
11:00am - 12:30pm Pacific Daylight Time
In this workshop, Lauren Fishbein delves into implicit memory and how experiences in the womb through the first two years of life create a blueprint for a child, which in turn impacts the brain and behavior across the lifespan. As a transracial international adoptee, Lauren will speak from her own experience and her perspective as an adult adoptee who also currently works with adoptees. We will explore brain activation (the triune brain model) and nervous system activation (hyper- versus hypo-arousal) and the role they play in behavior. Participants will also learn a technique to support themselves as the caregiver and their child(ren): "Connect and Redirect" (created by Dr. Daniel Siegel and Dr. Tina Bryson).
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UMC now has drive-through Covid-19 testing in the parking garage of the Orleans. The testing is by appointment only. Appointments may be made through this link:
There is no charge and no restrictions on who can be tested. The test being provided is a throat swab test so there was minimal to no discomfort during the collection. Appointments are currently available 7 days a week.
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Virtual Conference Opportunity
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We are excited for this new opportunity even though the decision to cancel our in-person event was a painful one. This smaller virtual conference will enable our community of parents, professionals, and others touched by child welfare to hear from some of the best speakers on key topics in adoption, permanency, and foster care!
We are still in the planning stages for the virtual event—which will be held August 26 to 29—and will post more information as it’s available. For the latest updates, follow NACAC on
Facebook
.
We hope you will join us this August!
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Food Banks and Families First Information
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Food Banks
There are many locations in Nevada where families can get free and reduced food.
Clark County Food Resources
Three Square offers an interactive website which matches your zip code to food banks and provides the food bank’s days and times of operation.
Phone: (702) 644-3663
Just One Project offers free groceries for individuals and groups. Below is a quick snapshot of what they offer and a link to their site.
- The Mobile Food Market is: A mobile community market in Southern Nevada called Pop Up & Give at various locations. There are no requirements to be served.
- The Senior Food Market is: Open weekly on Monday's and Friday's BY APPOINTMENT ONLY to serve seniors 60+ in need of food. To make an appointment call the office. The pantry is stocked with specialized foods for proper senior nutrition. The Just One Project welcomes all senior individuals and groups. There are no requirements to receive groceries and no lines to wait in. Seniors are welcome to attend the pantry once a month for grocery needs.
- The Senior Grocery Delivery is: Grocery delivery made available for seniors Monday through Friday. Schedule BY APPOINTMENT ONLY.
- Emergency Assistance is: FREE Groceries for Families. The Just One Project pantry is open weekly BY APPOINTMENT ONLY to serve families in need of emergency food assistance. To make an appointment call the office. They welcome all individuals and families in need. There are no requirements to receive groceries and no lines to wait in.
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Phone: 702-462-2253
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Families First COVID-19 Toolkit
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Crisis Support Resources Through Clark County School District
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Safe-Voice: 1-833-216-SAFE (7233) for anonymous reporting
CCSD Police: 702-799-5411
Mobile Crisis Response Team: 702-486-7865
National Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
or
Nevada Crisis Line: 775-784-8090
If someone is having thoughts of self-harm, please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255). Please call 911 for an immediate emergency situation.
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A very special thank you to Foster Kinship, who have put together fun and easy activities to do at home. "The Very Hungry Caterpillar is part of the Foster Kinship Childcare Curriculum and is a favorite of students who participated in the class. Today, Michelle Pulido, who is also a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician and a CPR Instructor for Foster Change.
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Part 1 Reading the Book:
Read the book to your child in a fun way, such as using funny voices to make this more enjoyable.
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Part of the fun in creating a caterpillar is letting your creativity take over.
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Part 2-
What you will need:
1:Egg Crates
2 Paint or Watercolors
3:Paint Brushes
4:Pipe Cleaners
5:Glue
additional items:
Glitter, googly eyes, pom poms, yarn.
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Part 3-Finishing the Caterpillar:
By now your caterpillar should be dry and you can add the finish touches.
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Thank you so much for joining us for this activity. We will bring you another one next month. We hope you had as much fun as we did. "Ta,Ta for now" (Tigger)
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Remember to Always Wash Your Hands
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Foster Change
|702-970-4546| www.fosterchangecc.org |Disclosure:Foster Change does not own the rights to the pictures and videos in the newsletter.
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