JANUARY 2022 •  ISSUE 1• VOLUME 3

A Word From Your Foster Care Recruiter

Happy New Year!   I hope you have had a wonderful holiday season! As we head into a new year, I am excited to continue connecting with our foster families, our workers, and our Weld County community members to build up supports and opportunities within our program to benefit kids and families alike.   In this issue, I hope you’ll take note of the things we have to celebrate as well as the ways we can take good care of ourselves and others this winter season. There are lots of opportunities and resources. And, if you’re not yet fostering, be sure to check out your next steps for certification!   -Kristy

Mark Your Calendars

Weld County Foster-Kinship-Adoption Support Group

Thursday, January 20 and Thursday, February 17

6 - 8 p.m. 

Human Services Dept. Bldg. A

315 N 11th Ave, Greeley, CO.

A Parent Café model support group to strengthen families by building protective factors: resilience, relationships, knowledge, support and communication.

Dinner and childcare are provided. For more information, call the Post Adoption line at (970) 400-6707.

Foster Care Roundtables - Leading with Legal

Thursday, January 27

5:30 - 7:30 p.m.

The Greeley Vineyard Church

1015 9th Ave. Greeley, CO 80631

Tate Coustin, Weld County Assistant County Attorney, will go over court processes, definitions, terminology, and responsibilities of those in the courtroom. Roundtables are ongoing training and skills-building, plus an opportunity to connect with other foster families. Childcare is available (max. 25) and snacks are included. 

Questions and discussion welcome!

RSVP to Kelly at krausekc@weldgov.com. 

Family Highlight

Meet Krissondra and Lucas!   With two kids already, Lucas and Krissondra hadn’t planned on growing their family when they took in Lucas’ niece Kaitlin and her half-brother Tanner in 2015. But, just one year later, the half siblings’ adoption was finalized and the family moved into a larger home in Greeley. Just this year, they finalized the adoption of Kaitlin and Tanner’s younger half-brother, 9-year-old Colton. Lucas and Krissondra have watched the children grow and excel in their home, but they have also overcome many challenges together as a family. The hard parts, Krissondra and Lucas say, are what make them a stronger family.    To watch their video and hear their story, click here.

Community Shout Outs

We are grateful for our community’s support for our children, youth, and families!

We had so much fun at the Frozen Winter Wonderland holiday party. Check out some of these highlights!

Read about this event in our December issue of County Roots —  the official Newsletter of Weld County Government, by clicking here. 

Tip of the Month

The PLAYBook!   As a trusted adult in a young child’s life, what can you do?  Can the time you spend with young children help to ensure their healthy growth and development?  And if so, how?  You may be thinking it would be helpful if there was a quick way to find the answers to those questions. Even better would be having a manual that not only answers those questions but also provides simple, engaging activities to do with the children in your life. And it would be best if you knew the activities were not only fun for the kids but full of opportunities for them to learn and build new skills, too. Well, good news- the Colorado Office of Early Childhood recently created the PLAYbook to do all that!    Click here to download your free PLAYbook today!

Become a Foster Parent Today

Interested in fostering? Register for orientation to learn more about foster care and the certification process.

Upcoming orientations:

You’ve already attended orientation? Your next step is to submit the pre-application and sign up for pre-certification training.

Upcoming pre-certification training options:

Questions? Contact Kristy DeAnda deandakr@weldgov.com or 970-400-6849

Referral incentives Don’t forget! Weld County foster parents can refer a family, up to five per calendar year, and receive $100 upon placement (more for families who take in teens). Referred family must name you at inquiry or by their orientation. Have your friends and family visit www.weldgov.com/go/fostercare for more information and to register for orientation.     

Realities for Children & Weld Foster Care

Weld County is proud to partner with Realities for Children, a 501(c)3 charitable organization, to collect monetary and item donations for our children and teens in foster care. Your gift provides emergency funding to Weld County youth who have been abused, neglected or are at-risk. All donations are tax deductible, and 100% of your donation goes directly to help our children and teens in foster care. Click here for more information.

For more information about foster care in Weld County,

visit our website.