JANUARY 2023 • ISSUE 1 • VOLUME 3
Happy New Year!
Foster care is a noble and rewarding endeavor. As we head into 2023, I am excited to continue connecting foster families, workers, and community members to support Weld County’s at-risk children, youth, and families through these newsletters. I look at these newsletters as an opportunity to celebrate our collective wins, build up support for our youth and families and, of course, encourage community members to take their first steps in becoming foster parents. Our number one goal is to be able to provide every youth in need with a local supportive home environment until they can safely return to their family.
If you’re not already fostering, this is the year to check it out! Our greatest needs are new foster parents for older children and teens, sibling groups, and youth with special needs. We offer orientations every month for those interested in learning more about fostering and the certification process in Weld County. There’s no commitment required to attend – it’s just a great way to gather more information to make an informed decision about whether foster care is right for you. If you decide to move forward, we ensure you are equipped and supported along the way! The certification process takes about 4-5 months. Check out the roadmap to becoming a certified Weld County foster home below.
Here’s to another great year!
-Kristy
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Are you interested in learning more about foster care? Register for orientation to learn more about foster care and the certification process.
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Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2023, 4:30-6 p.m., virtual via MS Teams.
You’ve already attended orientation? Register for pre-certification training by contacting Kristy at deandakr@weldgov.com.
We hope to see you at one of our upcoming meetings! In the meantime, please reach out if you have any questions. For more information and to register for an orientation, please visit www.weldgov.com/go/fostercare or email Kristy at deandakr@weldgov.com.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) is an attachment-based, trauma-informed intervention designed to meet vulnerable children's complex needs. Young children use their attachment figure as a secure base for exploring and understanding the world around them. The relationship between child and caregiver lays the groundwork for interpersonal connections throughout the lifespan. When an attachment is derailed, children may display confusing behaviors and struggle to trust even loving, safe caregivers. Although this is a sobering reality, there is hope for these children.
Watch this video to understand the importance of attachment needs better. We can help these children begin to trust the adults who care for them.
Virtual TBRI Complete Series through Weld County
Weld County is excited to offer a complete virtual Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI®) training series that will be broken up into eight sessions based on the principles of connecting, empowering and correcting. Each principle is divided into two sessions that will be 2.5 hours long each, with 5 hours required to complete an entire principle.
Trainings will be held via Zoom on Tuesday evenings from 6 - 8:30 p.m. The introduction/overview class is a prerequisite for attending any of the other sessions.
Upcoming introduction/overview classes:
For more information and to register visit, Virtual TBRI -Complete Series – Weld County.
The next Parent's Night Out is Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. To register, scan the QR code below or click here.
Questions? Contact Liz at lbrodzinski@project127.org.
Meet Dylan and Taylor!
Dylan and Taylor were elementary school teachers in Greeley when Dylan made a connection with three of four siblings at his school who were in foster care. When Dylan and Taylor moved to Del Norte in 2020, they stayed in touch with the kids and opened their home when a permanent place was needed for the sibling group. The couple quickly got certified as foster parents with Weld County and the sibling group of four moved in with them in October 2020.
Now ages 12 to 16, Dylan and Taylor adopted the sibling group in a virtual ceremony in November of 2021. They enjoy spending time together at home and traveling together as a family. To watch their video and hear their story, click here.
(Source: CO4Kids.org)
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Realities for Children needs a volunteer to help manage Weld County’s Kind Connect program. For more information, contact Kristy at deandakr@weldgov.com.
KindConnect is a program run through Realities for Children intended to be the connection of kindness between the item needs of children who have been abused, neglected, or are at-risk with community members that have the items they need in northern Colorado.
For more about KindConnect, visit https://www.realitiesforchildren.com/get-involved/kindconnect/.
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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.
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