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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February is my month.
For a lot of reasons but these two are reasons I'll share:
It's the month I was born and it's the month that I started with Foster Change. It feels like it belongs to me...but don't worry, I'll share it with you!
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I recently asked you all to guess what my enneagram number was. Well, the answer is: I am a 2w3. That may not mean anything to you now but it will soon! I am going to be sharing some character traits of the different enneagram types over the next few months. I believe when we have a deeper understanding of who we are, we can make ourselves "make sense." Knowing our enneagram type is just a fun and super easy way to categorize our personality type so that we can easily identify our strengths and areas that can be improved upon. It has been enormously helpful in our own home, in interacting with our children, relationally. If your children are old enough to, go ahead and type them and then learn what makes them tick. In this February issue, I will highlight Types 1 and 9. If that doesn't interest you, no worries, just scroll past to the info that you feel is more relevant to you.
My hope is that through this encouragement section, you will get to know me but also get to know Foster Change. See how this platform of Foster Change can come alongside the life you are living and remind you that you are never alone. You have to do some work, of course, as well. You must let go of your desire to handle it all, to do it all, to always feel like someone else needs the help more than you do. You must engage with Foster Change. With the other members of Foster Change. With me. I am a real person and I really care about you. (My enneagram says so!)
I'd like to share some stats with you. Over the last 6 months, Foster Change has had the joy of training 166 people through CPR, First Aid and Car Seat courses. We have supported 108 people through support groups, we have helped 148 people through the helpline and with referrals, we have served 646 people through family events and we have taken care of 21 children through the respite program. These numbers are real people who have chosen to not go it alone. Join them! This is your community.
I hope you can take time to enjoy the social side of Foster Change. Our website has a fresh face on it, we've added a TikTok page, Venmo and PayPal donation platforms, and we've even updated our logo just a tad! Make sure you are following along with as much as you can and share, share, share! You may never know the huge impact you could have on your friends and family just by sharing posts. It could be the seed that grows into a new family opening up their homes to foster care.
My hope for you for February is that you can learn to sit firmly in the seat that you hold at the table. Your seat is secure because you have already shown up. You've already said "yes." You've already done the hardest part. Now...just continue everyday to strive to be the best version of yourself. Continue to show up everyday for the children in your home. Continue to be a light of hope and optimism in a world that can feel very bleak and hopeless. Continue to believe that the best outcomes are possible. Keep believing and I'll be right here, believing it with you.
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Love, Cindy
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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- I only like rules that actually make sense
- Just because I have high standards for myself doesn't mean that I hold others accountable to those same standards
- I wish other people would plan something every now and then
- Sudden changes in plans stress me out
- Even though I can come across as critical of others, I am mostly critical of myself
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- I really do see all sides even if I don't agree with any of them
- It's important that you listen to me when I am speaking
- It's hard for me to make sudden decisions
- I have opinions, it's just hard for me to share them
- I'm not lazy
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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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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, February 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, January 16 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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Important Topical QPI Trainings:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that affect us as adults.
Researchers determined that 10 specific traumatic childhood experiences, or ACEs, could be linked to a higher likelihood of health challenges later in life, and that the likelihood of these negative effects increased with the number of “ACEs” a child experienced.
Click to view QPI training videos regarding ACEs:
and
(Find out Your Own ACEs Score by clicking HERE)
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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TBRI® Caregiver Training: Complete Series (In-Person)
February 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th | 9:00am - 3:00pm
Child Haven Campus
701 N Pecos Las Vegas, NV 89101
NV Webinar: How to Talk About Difficult Birth Histories (4-part series)
4 Part Series on February 2nd, 9th,16th & 23rd from 1pm-2pm PST
Family Support Workshop: Attachment (Virtual)
February 7th
11:00 am-12:00pm (Caregivers)
12pm-1pm (Professionals)
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This month's featured book:
I Love You Rituals
I Love You Rituals offers more than seventy delightful rhymes and games that send the message of unconditional love and enhance children's social, emotional, and school success. Winner of a 1999 Parent's Guide Children's Media Award, these positive nursery rhymes, interactive finger plays, soothing games, and physically active can be played with children from infancy through age eight. In only minutes a day, these powerful rituals:
- Prime a child's brain for learning
- Help children cope with change
- Enhance attention, cooperation, and self-esteem
- Help busy families stay close
- Affirm the parent-child bond that insulates children from violence, peer pressure, and drugs, and much more.
Easy to learn and especially effective in stressful situations, I Love You Rituals gives parents, grandparents, caregivers, and teachers inspiring tools to help children thrive.
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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 #lovedoes #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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