APRIL 2023 • ISSUE 4 • VOLUME 3
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month.
Child Welfare goals are child safety and keeping families together whenever possible. Every situation is different but a youth’s ability to cope and move forward, their level of resiliency, is what helps them to work through their past experiences for healthy development. Dr. Bruce Perry says, “The more healthy relationships a child has, the more likely he will be to recover from trauma and thrive. Relationship are the agents of change, and the most powerful therapy is human love.”
Join us for the Sidewalk Chalk event this month in honor of Child Abuse Prevention Month, and, if you’re not already fostering, consider taking your next steps today!
-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, April 26, 2023, 4:30-6 p.m., virtual via MS Teams.
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Wednesday, May 10, 2023, 4:30-6 p.m., at the Weld County Department of Human Services Bldg. A. (315 N. 11th Ave. Greeley, CO 80634).
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.
What is Complex Trauma? (Source: NCTSN)
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) developed this Resource Guide for youth who have experienced, or know someone who has experienced, Complex Trauma. Older youth, adolescents, and young adults can explore the information in this guide on their own to help make sense of their experiences and understand themselves better. Clinicians, caregivers, and other adults can use this guide to have conversations—sometimes hard, but often freeing—with young adults, teens, pre-teens (and even some curious 7–9-year-olds).
To access the Complex Trauma Guide, click here:
https://adoptionsupport.org/nti/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Complex-Trauma-Guide-for-Youth-and-Those-Who-Care-About-Them-1.pdf
Monthly Support Group
Join us to connect with other foster parents, kinship caregivers, adoptive parents, childcare providers, and family childcare (FCC) home providers. This support group provides participants the opportunity to share parenting strategies, successes and struggles with those who can relate!
We focus on support around parenting and caregiving issues using a nationally recognized, research-based framework for keeping children safe and families strong.
Upcoming dates:
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April 20, 2023
- May 18, 2023
- June 15, 2023
Please go to Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Support Group – Weld County and complete the form to RSVP for the support group.
Groups will be held on the third Thursday of the month from 6 - 8 p.m. at the Weld County Department of Human Services located at 315 N. 11th Ave. Bldg. A. Greeley, CO 80631. Childcare and dinner will be provided. For more information or questions, contact John at (970) 400-6239.
Spring Booster Trainings via Zoom
Colorado Kids Belong is hosting online trainings for Weld County foster care providers. To join, visit the zoom link: amkidsbelong-org.zoom.us/j/84896675922.
Upcoming dates:
- April 17, 2023, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- May 15, 2023, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Click here for more information!
Parent’s Night Out
Saturday, April 22, 2023
4-7 p.m.
reBALANCE, Youth for Christ
134 11th Ave, Greeley, CO
Drop off your kids and enjoy a night off. This event is for youth ages 11-19 years old. Dinner is included! Youth will enjoy a fun night out with obstacles, skate games, pool tables, gaming, music studio, instruments, and a ninja course. Kids are welcome to invite friends! Click here for more information.
Sign up form and waiver must be submitted for ALL attendees by April 15.
Sign up here: https://forms.gle/3acH3gxopAFwWvTv6.
Parents must also fill out this waiver to sign up: https://waiver.smartwaiver.com/w/615da8d74efc8/web/.
Curious about what ReBALANCE is? Check out this informational videos for both parents and kids.
Parents: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7pAhCPeSG4&t=10s
Kids: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khdxp_kM_2c
Hope for the Journey Conference (formerly Empowered to Connect)
Saturday, May 6, 2023
8-4 p.m.
Timberline Windsor Church
360 Crossroads Blvd., Windsor, CO
Hope for the Journey is coming to northern Colorado to encourage and equip parents and caregivers to meet the everyday needs of children impacted by adoption and/or foster care. This one-day event is a great way for foster, adoptive, kinship families, and professionals who work or volunteer with vulnerable youth to be refreshed, trained, and connected with others who share the same experiences. Continued education hours are available. Only $20/person or $30/couple.
Childcare will be provided through Finally Home’s Superhero Academy. Superhero Academy is $10/child.
Scholarships are available for families in need. For more information, click here.
Annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Event
Southwest Weld Complex: April 26, 2023, from 5-7 p.m.
4209 County Road 24 1/2 Firestone, CO
Greeley: April 27, 2023, from 5-7 p.m.
822 7th Street Greeley, CO
Hosted by Department of Human Services in conjunction with Child Abuse Awareness Month, the annual sidewalk chalk art event aims to celebrate families, while also providing resources and education on child abuse prevention. There will be a balloon artist and face painting available as well as light refreshments. Click here for more information!
Summer Voucher Program
Receive $175 for summer fun! This program is designed as a way for eligible youth to receive up to $175 vouchers they can use for a variety of summer recreation and educational activities and programs through partnering vendors. Eligible youth are under age 18 and families with youth receiving TANF or food assistance, are in foster care, or have been adopted. This is a great way that Weld County supports our foster and adoptive parents!
Click here for more information or contact SVP@weldgov.com.
Operation Foster Hope (Foster Closet)
Operation Foster Hope provides clothing, shoes, diapers, nursery items, furniture, strollers, car seats, school supplies, hygiene products, safety equipment and other needed items to families free of charge.
For more information, email operationfosterhopecloset@gmail.com.
UMPS CARE Scholarship
The UMPS CARE Charities All-Star College Scholarship is for youth adopted at or after the age of 13. This scholarship gives students up to $10,000 per year. To learn more about the eligibility visit our scholarship page. Here is the application which can be saved and returned to at a later date. The deadline for submission is May 12, 2023. Please share with those who might be interested!
Meet Julie Rudley!
Welcome Julie Rudley to Weld County Child Welfare! Julie is the Resource Manager, overseeing Foster Care, Kinship Care, Mental Health and Support Services, and the Family Support and Visitation Center. Julie holds a Master’s in Social Work from CSU and, most recently, worked for 11 years at Larimer County. “I started as an intake caseworker, then a foster care coordinator, and the last seven years I was the foster and kinship supervisor.” Julie’s prior experience also includes working at residential treatment facilities. Julie is married with two kiddos, a 7-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy. “We like to spend time outside, checking out local parks and also enjoy board games and trivia nights.” We’re excited to have Julie, and she is excited for the opportunity to work here at Weld County and to be a part of the great work happening here!
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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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