Caregiver Courier - May 2022 | |
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May is National Foster Care Month
Dear Caregivers,
May is National Foster Care Month! This year’s theme is: “Relative and Kin Connections: Keeping Families Strong.”
This special month is an initiative of the Children’s Bureau which seeks to increase national awareness of foster care issues. Each May, it’s critical for us to take time to recognize child welfare professionals such as you, foster parents, family members, volunteers, mentors, policymakers, and other members of the community who help children and youth in foster care find permanent homes and connections. This is a great moment for us to renew our commitment to ensuring a bright future for our children and youth in foster care and celebrate those who make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Nationally, we are paying increased attention to the important role that relative and kin caregivers play in the child welfare system. It’s more important than ever for communities to work together in identifying the right mix of supports to establish meaningful connections for children and youth in care. National Foster Care Month focuses on how to strengthen these connections and the role of family and youth engagement at every stage. There are several important messages that highlight how child welfare and legal professionals can prioritize foster care as a service to families. Those messages include the following:
• There are more than 407,000 children and youth in foster care and 34 percent were placed with relatives.
• The term kin encompasses both relatives (those related by blood or marriage) and fictive kin (those who are unrelated but have such a close emotional relationship that they are considered like family to children and youth).
• When children cannot remain safely in their home, placement with kin – both formally through the child welfare system and informally through family arrangements – can increase stability, reduce trauma and help children maintain a sense of family, belonging and identity.
• Investing in culturally appropriate services and supports for kin caregivers may help reinforce a child’s cultural identity and traditions.
• The inclusion of kin and extended family members in case planning expands placement and permanency options for children and youth when in-home care is not feasible.
• Relational permanency is fundamental to the well-being of children and youth. Maintaining relationships with kin can help provide a sense of belonging for young people in care.
The success of National Foster Care Month depends on our efforts to engage wonderful people like you in the community and raise awareness about the need to invest in the lives of children and youth in foster care. Every step we take to help raise awareness can make a difference. Please consider helping to communicate messages that aim to encourage thousands of caregivers to open their hearts and homes to provide stability for children and youth. Tell your followers and friends about National Foster Care Month via social media! If you are interested in helping to further raise awareness on your personal social media platforms, here are a few sample messages for your consideration:
• Help raise awareness during National Foster Care Month. Follow @childwelfaregov and #NationalFosterCareMonth to share resources and tools that support partnering with relatives and kin to strengthen families. #NFCM2022 https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/
• Kinship care in its various forms has become increasingly important in meeting the needs of children involved in the child welfare system. This #NationalFosterCareMonth, learn about the value of partnering with relatives and kin. https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/
• When children cannot remain safely with their parents, kinship care can minimize the trauma of family separation, and it helps maintain meaningful connections and cultural traditions. https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/
Thank you for your love and commitment to our children and their families. Kinship care provides kids with stability and consistency. Every day you take the necessary steps to help strengthen and preserve family bonds.
We appreciate everything that you do. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Tim Burch
Clark County Administrator of Human Services
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Commissioner McCurdy, Spring Celebration a huge success!
Special thanks goes to Commissioner McCurdy, Judge Frank Sullivan, Children Service Guild, Freeman, Olive Crest, Legal Aid Society and all the volunteers that made this day a wonderful experience for the children.
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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, May 16, 2022.
Click here to register
What Do You Get Out of it?
Foster Parent Night Out -
Friday May 20th ,2022
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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Save the date
Foster Parents Night out
May 6, 2022
Being a Foster Parent is Tremendous responsibility and help to our community. We understand that with the increased responsibility it is difficult to find regular respite care.
On the first Friday of every month, Grace Point church serves the foster parents in our community by providing free respite care from 6p to 9p.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER
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RESPITE REIMBURSEMENT -
We support you
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The Department of Family Services supports and encourages caregivers taking foster children in their care on family vacations and trips. We are committed to support quality care and to making these opportunities for the foster children a reality.
Respite is a tool that when used effectively can make foster children a priority and focuses on normalcy for the child. The message we don't want to give children is that "we need a break from you"
To further support children and families that care for them DFS is offering reimbursement to our caregivers who use normalcy respite, need support for safe key, spring break or summer camps.
for more information.
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May is Foster Care Month
Watch for upcoming events in May. Movie in the park and art installation. We thank you and acknowledge you for all you do for the children.
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Canyon Ridge
Support Groups
- Foster Parent Support Group
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1st , 2nd , 4th Fri Friday of the month
- 6:30 pm - 8:45 pm
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For May, instead of usual support group, there is a Foster Parent Dinner on the 2nd Friday, May 13 from 6 pm - 8 pm on May 13 (need to register by May 9 for childcare/dinner count)
- registration link for the Foster Parent Dinner is
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https://canyonridge.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/1250808
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Foster Kinship Support Group
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2nd Tuesday of the month
- 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
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Comedy Magician Farrell Dillon Celebrates 100th Las Vegas Performance
with Ticket Giveaway to 100 Foster Families
Farrell Dillon reached a performance milestone as the comedy magician celebrated his 100th show on April 3rd at The Magic Attic inside Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. To commemorate this landmark occasion, Dillon is giving away show tickets to 100 Nevada foster families.
Dillon’s decision to distribute complimentary tickets to foster families came after the entertainer and his wife, Amanda, worked at a transitional home for young adults during the height of the COVID pandemic.
“While we waited for the Vegas entertainment industry to recover from pandemic-related shutdowns, my wife and I decided to devote our time to a transitional home for young adults. We didn’t know much about this type of work, but we both decided to give it a shot and we are so thankful we did. As my wife and I developed genuinely loving relationships with these young people, and became an enriching part of their daily lives, the experience at the home instilled in us a renewed sense of gratitude and appreciation for our own family,” Dillon said.
National Foster Care Month in May, Dillon decided to celebrate the 100th show of his Bally’s residency by treating 100 foster families to a complimentary performance.
To get your tickets call 702-455-5424
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Summer is coming !
Here are four summer camps available for the children.
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Potosi Pines - Summer Camp for Children in Foster Care
Thanks to generous donations from Children’s Service Guild of Las Vegas, limited funds are available for full camperships for foster children to attend Potosi Pines Camps. Please fill out this form, one form per camper. Questions, please call Tracey (702) 875-1980 or email director@potosipinescamp.org To qualify for Children’s Guild Campership, the camper must currently be in the foster care system, the application below must be filled out clearly and completely, signed by the case worker and guardian. -Applications will be considered on a first come basis.. -After you receive approval, you will then need to register your camper through potosipinescamp.org -Please choose the “pay by check” option and indicate that you have been approved for a Guild Scholarship and the funds will be applied to your account. Requests will only be considered if they are received at least 2 weeks before the start of the chosen camp.
docs.google.com
Click here to apply
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Our mission is and always will be the children and their many needs whom are touched by the family and Juvenile Justice courts. Find out more about our summer camp sponsorship and the Annual Easter Egg Hunt.
Click here to read
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Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) National Conference
May 24-26, 2022
Register Today
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Call 702-546-9988 to register | |
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May 11th, 12th and 13th
May 18th , 19th and 20th
9am-12:30pm
NV TBRI Complete Series
Register Here
May 25th, 2022
6:00pm-7:00pm PST
NV Webinar: Embracing Religion and Spirituality of Youth
Register Here
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Other DFS profiles click here:
Clark County website:
https://www.clarkcountynv.gov/residents/family_services/divisions/adoption_program/index.php
-Search Adoption Profiles
Raise the future website:
https://www.raisethefuture.org/
-Click children we serve
-Click meet waiting children
-search Nevada
ADOPTUSKIDS website:
https://adoptuskids.org/
-search Nevada
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The CASA program has a radio show with 88.1 KCEP, hosted by CASA Volunteer Coordinator, Vickie Wilson. Hear them live every second and forth Monday of the month, during the Change a Child’s Story Show, where they have conversations with CASA volunteers. The May dates are:
Monday, May 9, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
Monday, May 23, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.
You can also join the conversation by calling in at 702.647.3688 during the show.
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Please contact the CASA office at casa@clarkcountycourts.us with specific questions about the CASA volunteer assignment process.
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Independent Living Corner | |
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Attention Graduating Seniors!
Please contact your IL worker to assure they have provided your information for our graduation festivities for 2022. Look out for a flyer with more details. The event will be held June 15, 2022.
We need your name, email, phone number and school. You can also email DFSIndependentLiving@ClarkCountyNV.gov or call Nicole Smith 702-455-0602, to verify you are registered.
The Independent Living Program is designed to assist and prepare foster and former foster youth in making the transition from foster care to adulthood by providing opportunities to obtain life skills for self-sufficiency and independence. Program services are available to youth 14 and older who are currently in foster care and to former foster care youth who aged-out of the foster care system at age 18. Independent Living services are also available to youth who were adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday. Some of the services provided through the Independent Living Program include:
· Daily living skills
· Money management
· Decision making
· Housing assistance
· Substance abuse prevention, nutrition education, smoking prevention, and pregnancy prevention
· Preparation for postsecondary training and education https://nshe.nevada.edu/initiatives/foster-youth/
· Mentors and permanent connections
· Financial assistance with college or vocational schools ETV@ClarkCountyNV.gov
· Medical insurance
· Counseling
· Assistance in obtaining the GED and higher education
For more information on transitioning out of care: https://www.fosterclub.com/foster-parent-training/course/using-fosterclub-transition-toolkit
For information on STEM training programs for career preparation: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1W5fSCe1sRF3-u0opmHdQC7xZmrhU2W1S/view?usp=sharing
For information on job readiness program, paid internships, monetary assistance with work clothes, training and assistance with job placement click on the following links;
One Stop Career Center onestopyouth@nvcareercenter.org; Employ NV Youth Hub www.employnvyouthhub.org
One Stop will hold an IL information Session on May 11, 2022 at 3pm. Only 20 spots available to attend. For those interested in working over the summer, job training, internships and career planning contact your IL worker or email DFSIndependentLiving@ClarkCountyNV.gov or call Nicole Smith 702-455-0602.
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Applications are officially open!
The Howard Hughes Corporation, Community Scholarship will award three renewable $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors living in or around eligible areas of New York, Maryland, Texas, Nevada, Hawaii, or Arizona. Applicants must plan on full-time undergraduate study in an eligible major; the scholarship is renewable for up to three years. One recipient who has been or is in foster care will be selected. '
Click here to apply.
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Important Educational Updates from DFS
May 2022
Last Month of School! Yay! You’re in the home stretch!
Important Dates to Know
· Friday, April 8th – End of Fourth Quarter/Second Semester/School Year
Support Your Child Through the Last Few Weeks of School/Final Exams
· The last few weeks of school can be stressful on students as they are: leaving seeing their peers and staff members they may enjoy and have gotten used to seeing on daily basis, taking final exams, worrying about their grades, etc.
· Talk with your child about what they may be stressed about and help them come up with a plan to address their stress
· You can provide your child with some fun snacks or incentives for both final weeks or after school is out to help them make it through the final month!
· Check your Parent Portal through Canvas or Infinite Campus to see your child’s grades. If your child is getting an F or low D in any class, ask your child’s teacher what are the most important assignments to complete and what upcoming assignments your child should focus on to raise your child’s grade in the class for the last few weeks. Teachers may accept late work if you ask.
· If a teacher will not work with you or your child on makeup work, please contact your child’s Foster Care Advocate/Social Worker to assist you.
Check with Your Child’s School for On-Campus Summer School Options
· CCSD will be offering summer school for:
o (1) enrichment (no credit classes to provide extra support for learning or learning extension activity classes) and
o (2) credit retrieval (classes to obtain credit for classes the child failed or needs to promote to the next grade/needs to graduate)
· Summer School is offered for free this year which is a great opportunity to take advantage of to help children make up any failed class or get a higher grade in a class!
· Check with your child’s school if you would like your child to attend summer school
· Online Summer School classes are also available through Nevada Learning Academy at www.nvlearningacademy.net
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If Your Child has an IEP, Find Out if Your Child has or needs Extended School Year (ESY) Services During the Summer
· ESY is an IEP related service for children to continue to meet their IEP goals during times that school is out (i.e. summer, big breaks). It is accessed through the child's IEP. There is a box checked on the IEP if the child is to receive ESY services.
· ESY services are optional. Families may choose to send or not send their children to ESY.
· Parents/Caregivers of children who have ESY services in their IEPs should be receiving an email or text asking them to opt into ESY and sign up for transportation
· For more information on CCSD’s ESY or if you have not received any information on ESY and would like their child to attend, please contact your child’s school or the ESY Office at 702-799-7455
If Your Child was RPCed, Suspended, or Recommended for Expulsion, Check to See if a Restorative Justice Plan was Created and if a Determination was Made that the Incident was not Related to Being in Foster Care
· Schools must create Restorative justice Plans after a child has been removed from school for any disciplinary action (RPCs, Suspension, or Expulsions). Restorative Justice Plans outline actions taken by the school to support the student for the possible reasons the child may be in disciplinary procedures.
· Parents have the rights to appeal a suspension or expulsion recommendation from a school.
· A child in foster care who is at least 11 years of age may be suspended or expelled from school only if a determination is made that the behavior that led to the suspension or expulsion was not caused by being in foster care. It shall be presumed that the behavior was caused by being in foster care unless an advocate for child in foster care or the school counselor of the pupil determines that the behavior was not caused by being in foster care.
· You can ask your child’s school for your child’s restorative justice plan if they have been removed at all from school. You can inquire whether the plan has been followed/enacted.
· If you disagree with your child’s suspension or expulsion, please let your administrators know of your disagreement and ensure they document it. Follow up with your school’s Foster Care Advocate and Principal if your child was not given a Restorative Justice Plan or if it was not determined that the behavior used as the basis of the suspension/expulsion was not caused by being in foster care and you disagree with that determination.
· For additional help and support, please contact your child’s caseworker and CCSD’s Foster Care Department at 702-799-1196
or at fostercaretransrequest@nv.ccsd.net
We at DFS thank you for all you are doing to help your child succeed!
Please contact your DFS Representative for any assistance you need.
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Important Educational updates from DFS
Click here to read
Great Resources from Clark County
Click here
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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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What is Quality Parenting Initiative? | | |
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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