JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 • ISSUE 1 • VOLUME 4
Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed your holidays and you’re ready for a fresh new year. Take some time to see what’s coming up and access resources in this issue meant to strengthen your journey as a foster parent.
What’s new this year? As a recap, Kelly Krause, Foster Care Supervisor, has sent out the following information about “icebreakers” rolling out this February:
Children need families, even when those families aren’t perfect. Putting a child into foster care disrupts the parent/child relationship which can deeply affect identity, trust, and self-esteem, but sometimes it’s necessary. Building alliances between birth and foster families is important for the well-being of the child/youth. Our most successful stories have come from parents/caregivers and foster families working together for the best interest of the child.
To help facilitate this, icebreakers will begin to roll out February 1, with assistance from the Family Time Center (FTC) staff (formerly Family Services Visitation Center). An icebreaker is a facilitated conversation that provides an opportunity for parents/caregivers and foster parents to meet each other and talk about the needs of the child. Staff will set up a planned icebreaker meeting after the initial 48-hour visit, and will then share a questionnaire with the biological and foster families to fill out and bring with them to the icebreaker meeting. Current foster parents can access more information, including an in-depth presentation, in an email dated 1/18/24 from Kelly Krause. Thank you for all you do to care for children, youth, and families in our community. We appreciate you.
If you’re not yet fostering, consider taking 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, Feb. 7, 2024: 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams.
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Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Weld County Human Services, Building A, 315 N 11th Ave., Greeley.
 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 to Meet Training Requirements)
Cohort 2 (Tuesdays, Greeley In-Person & Zoom Hybrid)
Meets Tuesdays, February 6 to March 26, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Classes 1, 2, and 8 will be in-person at Greeley Vineyard Church (1015 9th Ave, #4013); classes 3 to 7 will be virtual via Zoom.
Cohort 3 (Wednesdays, Windsor In-Person & Zoom Hybrid)
Meets Wednesdays, March 6 to April 24, 5:30 to 9 p.m. Classes 1, 2 and 8 will be in-person at Windsor Community Church (700 Automation Drive); Classes 3 to 7 will be virtual via Zoom.
Consider Becoming a Therapeutic Foster Home
Currently, approximately 400 children and youth in Colorado, and about 10 in Weld County, are receiving care in a congregate care setting, such as a residential treatment center or group home. Weld County is currently recruiting therapeutic foster families to provide similar levels of treatment but in a family setting. Our goal is to meet the needs of all our youth right here in Weld County and in a family setting. For more information, contact deandakr@weldgov.com or visit this website.
Meet this fantastic duo! 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.
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Weld County Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Support Group
Upcoming Dates: Thursday, February 15
Meets the third Thursday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Department of Human Services, 315 N 11th Ave., Building A, Greeley
Join us to connect with other foster parents, kinship caregivers, adoptive parents, child care providers, and family child care (FCC) home providers to share parenting strategies, successes and struggles with those who can relate! Child care and dinner are 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.
reBALANCE Parent’s Night Out Respite Opportunity
Saturday, February 24, 4 to 7 p.m.
Northern Colorado Youth for Christ, 123 11th Ave, Greeley
Save the date for this Parent's Night Out for foster, kinship, and adoptive families! Youth, ages 10 to 18, will enjoy an obstacle course, skate games, pool tables, gaming, music studio, instruments, and a ninja course. Dinner is included. Register here by February 17!
TBRI Caregiver Training 2024:
Intro and Overview Presented by Raise the Future
Saturday, February 10, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weld County Training Center, 1104 H Street, Greeley
Parenting is challenging, particularly when you are parenting a child from a hard place. Children from hard places include children who were born prematurely, have been abused and neglected, have been adopted internationally, and have special needs. This training will provide an in-depth look at Connection and Attachment and how to help these children (and your family) heal. Participants will learn tools they can put into action with their children immediately.
Register on the Eventbrite website.
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.
“But What About My Children?":
A Helpful Guide on Fostering Together as a Family
 Colorado Kids Belong’s Courtney Williams talks about navigating foster care with your whole family. Read more on the America's Kids Belong website.
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. The 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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