NOVEMBER 2023 • ISSUE 9 • VOLUME 3
Weld County is such a culturally rich environment! Last month, I had the distinct pleasure of recruiting at the Greeley Multicultural Festival at the University of Northern Colorado. Since 2017, the Greeley Multicultural Festival has celebrated the diverse cultures embedded in the fabric of our community. This family-friendly festival engages all five senses, leaving participants feeling awe and wonder at the creativity and richness of our diverse populous. I had a great time connecting with people interested in learning more about foster care in Weld County.
I hope you enjoy this month’s newsletter where you’ll find community partners, recaps of events, resources, and invitations. Foster parents, be sure to RSVP to our annual Christmas Party. We can’t wait to celebrate the upcoming holiday season with you, the kiddos, and Santa!
Also, if you’re not yet fostering, why not take your next step 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, November 15, 2023: 4:30-6 p.m., virtual via MS Teams.
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Wednesday, December 13, 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. Schedule below.
Upcoming Pre-Certification Training – (Choose One)
Cohort 1 (Friday/Saturday) Intensive
Saturday, January 20, 2023, 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. at Rez Church
(6502 E. Crossroads Blvd.) in Loveland
Friday, January 26, 2023, 5 - 9:30 p.m. via Zoom
Saturday, January 27, 2023, 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. at Rez Church
(6502 E. Crossroads Blvd.) in Loveland
Cohort 2 (Tuesdays, Greeley In-Person & Zoom Hybrid)
Meets Tuesdays, February 6 - March 26, 5:30 - 9 p.m. Classes 1, 2, and 8 will be in-person at Greeley Vineyard Church (1015 9th Ave, #4013); classes 3 - 7 will be virtual via Zoom.
We want to express a big thank you to Finally Home for providing a Family Strengthening event in October for foster, kinship, and adoptive families in Northern Colorado! At these events trained instructors present a research-based curriculum to the adults, which qualifies for parent continuing education units (CEUs). While adults receive their training, children and youth attend therapy-informed SuperHero Academy and Solid Rock Students programs. Due to the diversity of programs, participants can attend as a whole family, removing the need to find specialized childcare. Find out more about Finally Home here.
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November is National Adoption Month
In solidarity with the Children’s Bureau initiative, which seeks to increase national awareness of adoption issues, bring attention to the need for adoptive families for children and teens in the U.S. foster care system, and emphasize the value of youth engagement, the Board of Weld County Commissioners has proclaimed November Adoption Month. Read more at https://www.weld.gov/Newsroom/2023-News/November-proclaimed-Adoption-Month.
 Visit Weld County's Waiting Kids for more information about children and youth waiting for a foster adoptive family.
Please note, only families who already have a home study are eligible to adopt from Weld County. If you are interested in our waiting kids, you can learn about them and the adoption process by emailing macdonje@weldgov.com or by calling (970) 400-6472.
Foster and Bio Parent Relationship Building
(Importance of Icebreakers)
Thursday, November 9, 1:30-2:30 p.m. (Virtual)
An exciting virtual training is scheduled on November 9 that will go over a new icebreaker procedure. These icebreakers are in regards to the initial meeting between birth and foster/kinship parents upon placement. This training will briefly go over that new procedure and the bulk of the time will be spent hearing from panel members, which will include birth & foster parents, a permanency caseworker, and a family childcare (FCC) worker. Attendees will receive 1.5 training hours.
Please RSVP to Kelly Krause, krausekc@weld.gov, if you'd like to attend.
Join Zoom meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81660331646?pwd=Vm1HWnJ1Q1RYczRpdzIxMnZsSzZEdz09
Meeting ID: 816 6033 1646
Passcode: 173408
North Pole Christmas Party
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Thursday, December 7,
5:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Island Grove Exhibition Hall
525 N 15th Ave., Greeley
Join us for a festive holiday celebration with gifts, giveaways, carnival games and more! Dinner is provided by Tacos "El No Se Que."
Foster parents, RSVP with your name and guest count by Wednesday, November 22 to Brent at millerba@weldgov.com.
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Booster Training - Burnout to Resilience
December 11, 8 - 9 p.m.
For Larimer & Weld County
Foster & Kinship Providers
Join Colorado Kids Belong and Kim Johancen with Clear View Counseling as we discuss burnout and resilience in foster care.
Virtual meeting: register here.
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Weld County Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Support Group
Upcoming Dates: Thursday, November 16
Meets the third Thursday of the month, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
@ Dept. of Human Services, 315 N 11th Ave, Bldg. A, Greeley
Join us to connect with other foster parents, kinship caregivers, adoptive parents, childcare providers, and family childcare (FCC) home providers to share parenting strategies, successes and struggles with those who can relate! Childcare and dinner provided. We focus on support around parenting and caregiving issues using a nationally recognized, research-based framework for keeping children safe and families strong. RSVP here.
On-Demand Training Resources for Foster Parents
For Larimer & Weld County
Foster & Kinship Providers
"Thriving as a Foster Parent"
Access this one-hour Colorado Kids Belong webinar recording that features a diverse panel of foster parents, former foster youth, and child welfare experts.
1. Watch the video.
2. Email cwilliams@cokidsbeong.org to answer two questions.
3. Get your certificate.
Click here to view the video.
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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.
Foster Parent College
If you’re a Weld County foster or kinship parent, you can get free access to Foster Parent College for online training for foster, kinship, adoptive, and non-certified kinship care. Foster Parent College includes over 70 courses! To access Foster Parent College, reach out to your family childcare (FCC) worker.
Referral Incentives
Foster parents are the best recruiters! Weld County foster parents can refer a family, up to five per calendar year, and receive $100 upon placement. 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.
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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