Foster Change is the official Foster, Kinship and Adoptive Family Association of Southern Nevada.
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November is traditionally a month where we hyper focus on thankfulness. We literally celebrate with a day called Thanksgiving. Do you feel more joyful during November? If so, why do you think that might be the case?
It seems that the time surrounding Thanksgiving is mostly a time of hearing conversation that sounds like "I'm so thankful for my friends and family. I'm so thankful for our health, for our employment, for our freedoms. I'm so thankful for our home, the roof over our head and the warmth within these walls, and for the provision of this meal we are about to eat." You know what I mean. If you don't, just open up Facebook on Thanksgiving day. Thankful and content. People express it. On Thanksgiving, we appreciate what we HAVE and not what we don't have. It is the picture of contentment...for that moment.
But what about the day after Thanksgiving? What about the other days of the year? Why is it so hard to feel that same level of thankfulness on the days that aren't so picturesque. Not to mention the days that are so hard that we'd like to throw in the towel. Do you ever feel afraid to feel joy? To feel thankful? Do you feel that if you express your joy or thankfulness in one moment, that it will only be overshadowed by the next hard thing, so why even bother?
Brené Brown talks about joy and thankfulness as having an additive property. That we can store it up. That when hard times come, we can access our reservoir of joy by practicing gratitude DURING the hard moments. That instead of taking up residence in our frustration and self pity, what if we stop and take a deep breath in and then say to ourselves "well, I guess it's time to practice my gratitude. This situation sucks but what is happening right now that I can profess my thankfulness for?"
It may feel incredibly cliche and vulnerable to do so, but speaking the words out loud can magnify their impact. For instance, you might tell your partner "thank you." But what if you paused and stopped what you were doing, made it a whole moment, and looked them in the eyes before saying it? "Thank you. I REALLY appreciate you." What if you made sure they really heard you and it wasn't just a passing comment. That will have so much more of an impact on them and also, on you. It is practicing vulnerability by showing your gratitude out loud. Our kids call it being a "bucket filler." You are filling your own bucket, your "joy reservoir," so that you can recall your own proclamations when you're in a time where joy is nowhere to be found.
By sharing thankfulness, some kind of weird science happens to cause the thankfulness to multiply and your joy reservoir becomes a little bit more full! I love this quote from Brené Brown in her book Braving the WIlderness, "A wild heart can beat with gratitude and lean into pure joy without denying the struggle in the world."
To continue on this discussion, please join us at our monthly zoom support group where the topic will be this: How to Find Thankfulness in Difficult Seasons of Life.
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Important Topical QPI Trainings:
Click here:
I've heard a lot of people are experiencing freezing videos or so much buffering that it makes it miserable. Here are some tips I found on the QPI Website: Click link below:
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FOSTER CHANGE
SUPPORT GROUPS & UPCOMING EVENTS:
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2022 GIFT REGISTRATION:
PLEASE READ CAREFULLY TO MINIMIZE CONFUSION OR FRUSTRATION:
For CURRENT Foster Change members:
Read the below requirements to see if you are eligible to register:
1) Do you have at least one current placement of a child in active foster care?
2) Have you finalized an adoption through DFS on or after July 1, 2022?
If you answered YES to either one of these questions, you are eligible to register
every minor child in your home for gifts.
This is ONLY for the children that live in your home, no extended family members are allowed to be registered.
Your Foster Change membership MUST be current. It WILL be checked for confirmation.
If you are ready to register your children,
we welcome you to do so by clicking HERE.
(Make sure and check the box inside registration that says "Foster Change.")
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Olive Crest is generously allocating 20 Thanksgiving Meal Boxes for Foster Change members!
If you are not receiving a meal box from any other organization and would love to receive the blessing of one, please click HERE to email me your request!
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Free Haircuts for Foster Change Children! |
A new partnership with One40 Beauty Lounge is allowing us the opportunity to reserve free appointments with 4 stylists on one dedicated day a month.
Please understand once all reservations have been claimed, there will be no more to choose from. If that happens, please look for next month's opportunities to be announced!
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Meet Waiting Children in the Nevada Heart Gallery: Click HERE
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TBRI® Training From
Raise the Future:
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Webinar: The Importance of Proper Haircare and Cultural Considerations
November 2nd | 5:00pm-6:00pm
Webinar: Representation for Young Black Children
November 9th | 5:00pm-6:00pm
Virtual TBRI® Caregiver Full Series
November 14th-18th | 10:00am-2:30pm
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NEWEST SUPPORT GROUP OPTIONS: |
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This is a virtual workshop where you will get support, encouragement, strategies, and tips to deal with everyday challenges at home or school.
Learn what's working NOW from Jeff Noble and other FASD Parents with over 800 combined years of experience.
The Caregiver Kick Start! FASD Workshop begins
Sunday November 6th!
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Wobble Before You Gobble 1Mile/5k |
November 24th starting at 8am at
Kellogg Zaher Park
7901 W Washington Ave
Las Vegas, NV US 89128
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Las Vegas Turkey Trot 2022 |
November 24th, 2022 @ 7:30am
Historic Railroad Trailhead
Boulder City, Nevada 89005
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FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2022 AT 3 PM – 6 PM
Silverton Casino Tree Lighting
Silverton Casino
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CURRENT LICENSING REQUIREMENTS: |
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Foster Parent Night Out
Friday, November 18 - 6pm-9 pm
Lone Mountain Campus - Youth Building
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, November 14.
Click to REGISTER HERE
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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Shout Outs and Spotlights: |
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School & Community Resources: |
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NEW!!! 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
SMUNA- Southern Nevada Urban Micro Academy
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 self-feed
Battle Born Las Vegas Kids and Teens
Lifetime
Boys Town
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.
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Hannah's Closet is a free clothing resource for foster families in the Las Vegas Valley. It offers clothes and shoes for ages 0-17, toys, and limited hygiene items, depending on availability. To shop, you will need to bring your placement letter, guardianship papers, or adoption decree. There are two locations, one north and one south, and both are available for once a month visits, as needed. For more information and hours of operation, see location specific contact information below. Business hours vary, as this is a volunteer-run resource.
Hannah's Closet North - No Appointments Required
Hannah's Closet South - Appointments Required - find on website:
Crisis Support Resources Through 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
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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SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE/NEGLECT? |
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While supplies last, all families who use the library get a gift bag full of great things and tickets to The Discovery Museum or SeaQuest!
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Foster Change Lending Library |
Don't forget about your newest FREE resource! Visit the Foster Change Lending Library and enjoy books for FREE! Use just as you would a public library- checkout policies are printed at the bookshelf and online!
for more information!
This month's featured book:
This first introduction to the world's celebrations make for a party on every page! Includes the following holidays: Lunar New Year, Passover, Valentine’s Day, Cherry Blossom Festival, Holi, Easter, St. Patrick’s Day, Eid, Day of the Dead, 4th of July, Hanukkah, La Tomatina Festival, Christmas, Halloween, and Kwanzaa.
Series: Shine-A-Light
Shine a flashlight behind the page or hold it to the light to reveal what is hidden in and around different places and things. Discover a world of great surprises!
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Want to Join Foster Change? |
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Foster Change has an online
T-Shirt Store Now!
There are MANY styles to choose from...go get yours now!!!
As an organization, we are honored to serve you but - we also ARE you! Together, as a community of families, we are proud to BELONG to each other. Grab your shirt and wear it with pride! #youbelonghere #bettertogether #fosterchange
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Thanks to the following organizations for serving on our Board of Directors!
Click on each to learn more:
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