March 2019
Welcome Spring!!
Spring is here! Do not forget to set your clocks forward this weekend. Daylight Saving Time begins Sunday, March 10th at 2:00 am and ends Sunday, November 3rd.

To acclimate, try setting your clocks forward a day before, or put your children to bed a little earlier the rest of this week to help them adjust. Remember, good sleep equals better health.

And look on the "bright" side of losing an hour of sleep- more daylight to take your children out on a bike ride, to the park or to get some exercise!

We are excited to welcome Spring with several great opportunities for Foster Change families. We hope to see you at a group or family event in the two months!
Community Connections
We are very excited to offer you the opportunity to hear from Holly Summers and Dr. Beasley from the UNLV Ackerman Center, which specializes in diagnosing Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS).

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) are brain damage caused by prenatal exposure to alcohol affects many children in foster care. it is often an invisible disability and can show up in many ways, including learning differences and challenging behavior. In many cases there is no way to tell just by looking at a child. A child may have some facial features that may indicate FAS but the only way to know for sure is through professional assessment.

When: Tuesday, March 19th
Time: 6 PM
Location: Foster Change Training Room, 4344 W Cheyenne, 89032

Dinner and limited childcare provided. Reserve your childcare spot today by emailing sandy@fosterchangecc.org.
Foster Change, in partnership with Through the Eyes of a Child and The Department of Family Services, would like to invite you to this years Spring Celebration. Egg hunt, bounce houses, resources, and easter baskets will be provided for your family.

When: Thursday April 18th from 2-4 pm
Location: Links for Life Park at Child Haven

Directions:
-Park by Peggy's Attic
-Walk to the Positively Kids Gate to enter Links for Life park

RSVP:

Foster Change Members: C all 702-970-4546 or email sandy@fosterchangecc.org to register any children who do not currently have an open case.
Need Support? Do you know that there are support groups for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship families across Las Vegas? We have recently compiled a list of groups and hopefully you will find one that meets your needs!

Respite Opportunities
Canyon Ridge Christian Church hosts Parents Night Out every third Friday of the month from
6-9 pm. For safety purposes, the door closes at 6:30 pm.

Please make sure your children are fed before they are dropped off. Or for a small price you can have family dinner together at the church.
Please click below to create an account if you are interested.

Grace Point Church Church provides free respite care every first Friday of the month. Grace Point Church appreciates the opportunity to help Foster Parents take a little break to catch a movie or go do something fun with their significant other. For more information please contact:

YMCA Family Night
If your family is a member of The YMCA, there are great activities and events to consider.
Events include, Family's Night Out, Parents Night Out and much more. Some events and activities require memberships and some are offered at a low cost. Check the YMCA in your area for more details. Below is an informational flyer specific to the Centennial Hills YMCA.

Have you Heard of TBRI?
“When you connect to the heart of a child, everything is possible.”
– Dr. Karyn Purvis
Empowered to Connect
If you would like to learn more about Trust Based Intervention (TBRI), register to attend the Empowered to Connect Conference which will be simulcast at Canyon Ridge Church. The conference will be help on April 4th and 5th and free childcare is provided.

Please click on the link below if you are interested in registering.

The cost is only $20.00 to attend for both days and scholarships are available!

About TBRI
TBRI is attachment based, trauma informed intervention.This interesting approach to parenting is geared to vulnerable children who have experienced abuse and neglect. Connecting with your child and building trust can make a huge difference. Learn more about TBRI by watching this video.
Training
We have the following dates available for CPR/First AID and AED training:

Friday 3/29/2019 from 2-6pm
Monday 5/6/2019 from 5-9 pm

There is no childcare available for this class.

Please call 702-970-4546 to register or Email sandy@fosterchangecc.org
Available dates for Car Seat Safety Training:

Friday 4/19/2019 from 2-6 pm
Tuesday 7/30/2019 from 6-9 pm

Please bring your car seat to class, if you have one available.

There is no childcare available for this class.
Please call 702-970-4546 to register.
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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.
Required QPI Videos for Re-licensing - NEW STUDY GUIDES
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 trainings you are required to take, and the rest you can choose.

We have created study guides for the required trainings 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!
Adoption Exchange - Online Training
The Adoption Exchange offers free online training for Foster and Adoptive parents. Please register first to gain access to the 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.

SAFY offers a Sex Education class for children an
if you would like more information contact SAFY at 702-385-5331. SAFY also provides services such as Intensive Family Intervention Services
  • Trauma
  • Anxiety and Depression*
  • ADHD*
  • Conduct Issues*
  • Transition and Adjustments*
Foster Change Welcomes New Board Member Carly Souza- Representing Fostering Hope!
Carly Souza was born and raised in Las Vegas and has a passion for seeing change come to her city through strengthening her local foster care system. She is a mother to seven children, five of which her and her husband adopted through foster care. She is the Director of Fostering Hope, the foster care and adoption ministry at Hope Church. She spends most weekends on the soccer field with her kids and when it’s not soccer season, she loves traveling with her family and eating good food. Carly can be reached
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Discounts for Foster Families
SeaQuest offers the opportunity for children in Foster Care to enjoy SeaQuest free of charge. Please take your placement letter with you.

Children's Discovery Museum offers a reduced fee of $3.00 per person (up to four guests) if you show an EBT, WIC, SNAP card or foster care license.
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Merlin's Magic Wand
Merlin's Magic Wand offers the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to to places such as Legoland and Madame Tussauds. The travel grant can cover the cost of tickets and parking.
For more information on how to apply please click below.
Fire Extinguisher Service
These two companies have very affordable rates if you need your fire extinguisher recharged.

301 W St Louis Ave
(702) 384-1546
Open ⋅ Closes 4PM   

Sandy Vargas | Foster Change | 702-970-4546 | |sandy@fosterchangecc.org | www.fosterchangecc.org