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MAY 2024 • ISSUE 3 • VOLUME 4
May is National Foster Care Month, an opportunity to celebrate foster and kinship families and to recognize their role in keeping children safe and families together. We want to express our sincere gratitude for our foster and kinship families who have invested in Weld County children and youth. Our kinship and foster families help ensure children and youth in need of child welfare services can be cared for within their own community and can experience healing in a safe family setting. And, if you’re not yet fostering, let today be the day you take your next step!
-Kristy
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In acknowledgement of children and youth in foster care, as well as the family members, foster parents, volunteers, mentors, child welfare professionals, and policymakers who help them find permanent homes and connections, the board of county commissioners proclaimed May as Foster Care Month at their meeting on Wednesday, May 1.
Foster Care Month is a time to raise awareness of issues related to foster care and to acknowledge those in the community who do whatever is necessary to help children and youth in foster care achieve permanency. Foster parents provide critical investments in the well-being, safety, and sense of stability that is essential for children and youth when they need it most.
 See the official Weld County Government Facebook and Twitter pages throughout May for more highlights on Foster Care Month, including spotlights on some of the amazing case workers and foster families in the Weld County community!
 From top, moving clockwise: the Bushaw/Kiefer family;
Alexandra Moran Ayres, Foster Care Coordinator;
Michele Cervantes, Foster Care Coordinator;
Jamee Martin, Permanency Worker; the Dunn family.
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, May 8, 2024: 4:30 to 6 p.m., Weld County Human Services, Building A, 315 N 11th Ave., Greeley.
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Wednesday, May 22, 2024: 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams.
 You’ve already attended orientation? Register for pre-certification training by contacting Kristy at deandakr@weldgov.com. The schedule for these trainings
is below.
Upcoming Pre-Certification Training – (Choose One)
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 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.
Cohort 6 (Wednesdays, Windsor, In-Person and Zoom Hybrid) -
24 Hours of NTDC Training
Meets Wednesdays, June 5 through July 31, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes 1, 2 and 8 will be in-person at Windsor Community Church (700 Automation Drive); Classes 3 through 7 will be virtual via Zoom.
Cohort 7 (Tuesdays, Firestone, In-Person and Zoom Hybrid) -
24 Hours of NTDC Training
Meets Tuesdays, July 9 through August 27, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Classes 1, 2 and 8 will be in-person at Carbon Valley Lutheran Church (10916 Cimarron Street in Firestone); Classes 3 through 7 will be virtual via Zoom.
Colorado Kids Belong (CKB) equips Foster Friendly communities to dramatically improve the experience and outcomes of kids in foster care. CKB's Foster Friendly app connects kinship and foster families with valuable support. Foster parents, download CKB’s free Foster Friendly app today!
Thank you for standing in the gap with vulnerable kids. Colorado stands with you and businesses, faith communities, and civic organizations are working hard to make Colorado a Foster Friendly state.
The Foster Friendly App was created to connect with Foster Friendly businesses and faith communities.
- Foster Friendly businesses create special offers and discounts to appreciate and support foster families.
- Foster Friendly faith communities commit to being welcoming, trauma aware and supportive places for kinship, foster and adoptive families.
Therapeutic Foster Care Coffee
Thursday, May 23
2 to 3 p.m.
Aunt Helen's Coffee House
800 8th Avenue, Greeley
Join us to learn more about therapeutic foster care.
No commitment required!
RSVP by emailing krausekc@weld.gov.
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Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Support Group
A Parent Café Support Group to Strengthen Your Family
Upcoming Dates: May 16 and June 20
Meets from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Department of Human Services, Bldg. A, 315 N. 11th Ave, 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 for one of the dates.
For information, call (970) 400-6707 or email hs-postadoptionsupport@weld.gov.
Summer Sports Camps
Week long camps are running all summer long with both indoor and outdoor options for children ages two to 14. Visit the Greeley Recreation website for more information and to register.
Summer Reading
Most libraries provide summer reading programs and/or book challenges to keep kids entertained and reading throughout the summer. Check out your local library for more information!
Kids Bowl Free
Families can register each of their children to bowl two free games every day during the summer! Families can also purchase a pass at a bargain price that allows the adults to bowl two free games each day as well. Visit the Kids Bowl Free website for more info.
Youth Employment and Training
Youth employment and training programs provide eligible individuals with opportunities for education, training, and work-based learning through several activities, services, and programs which can assist youth with job readiness and preparation for the workforce. For more information, visit the Weld County website.
2024 SEVA Community Brain Camp
Monday, June 3 to Friday, June 7
9 to 11 a.m.
SEVA House, 602 23rd Avenue, Greeley
Enjoy fun interactive activities with your children, ages 1 to 6. Brain Campers ages 7 to 11 may come with younger siblings. Fun activities for older campers will also be provided. Older campers must have a younger brother or sister attending Brain Camp. Each participating child will receive a “Brain Bag” of learning activities containing books, toys, puppets, and more. There is no cost, but space is limited.
Contact Terri at (970) 302-9539 or terri.pappas7@gmail.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.
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. For more information visit the Weld County website.
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