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Are you interested in learning more? Register for orientation to learn more about foster care and the certification process.
Upcoming options:
Wednesday, Sept. 10, 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, Oct. 8, 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
 Have you already attended orientation? Register for pre-certification training by contacting your foster care coordinator or Kristy at deandakr@weld.gov.
Upcoming pre-certification training options: Complete one of the following cohorts to meet the 24 hours of training required for foster care certification.
October 2025 Cohort
Saturday, Oct. 4, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (in person, Foundations Church - 1159 Main St., Windsor)
Tuesday, Oct. 7, 6 to 9 p.m. (virtual via Zoom)
Tuesday, Oct. 14, 6 to 9 p.m. (virtual via Zoom)
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 6 to 9 p.m. (virtual via Zoom)
Tuesday, Oct. 28, 6 to 9 p.m. (in person, Foundations Church - 1159 Main St., Windsor)
Note: The last session will be 4 hours of online training, on your own.
November 2025 Cohort
Friday, Nov. 14, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. (in person, Dayspring Christian Church - 8005 Highland Meadows Pkwy., Fort Collins)
Saturday, Nov. 15, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (in person, Dayspring Christian Church - 8005 Highland Meadows Pkwy., Fort Collins)
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (virtual via Zoom)
Thursday, Nov. 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m. (virtual via Zoom)
Note: The last session will be 4 hours of online training, on your own.
Kids at Heart
Kids at Heart is a non-profit organization encouraging the success of children and families through respite events and programs meant to support foster, adoptive families, and kinship families. Programs include the Fundango Saturday evening respite program, summer camps and trips, and Teen Connect for youth who are 13 to 17 years of age.
Look for a collaborative respite event in Weld County coming this fall and be sure to check out the “Mark Your Calendar” section below for opportunities this month. For more information, visit the Kids at Heart website.
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Anyone can become a therapeutic foster parent with the necessary experience and training. Therapeutic foster care certification requires an additional 12 hours of specialized training and bi-weekly visits from their support team. Contact Kelly Krause at krausekc@weld.gov for more information.
Meet Richard, age 14!
Visit Weld County’s Waiting Kids for more information about children and youth waiting for a foster adoptive family.
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How to Keep Children Safe While Adults Play Video Games, adapted from CO4Kids Blog
Video games are often immersive and extensive, resulting in a parent or caregiver being less responsive and tuned into a child's needs. Here is how to get your game time in while ensuring that children remain safe and supervised.
- Time it right: Play while your children are asleep, napping, or during times when they’re least likely to need attention.
- Learn and practice the ABC’s of safe sleep: If you choose to play video games while an infant is sleeping, always place them in a crib with a firm mattress, wearing appropriate sleeper or sleep-type pajamas and free of blankets and toys. This practice will reduce the risk of fatal accidents.
- Choose the right game: Choose a video game that allows you to pause the game so you can do frequent checks on the child.
- Use a monitor or camera: Keep a monitor or camera next to you and ensure that it gives loud alerts in case the child wakes up or an emergency occurs.
It's important to be mindful of the strong emotions or change in headspace that video games can stir up. Remember to take care of you — take a moment to pause and reset when a child needs care or discipline.
- Breathe deeply to calm yourself.
- Reflect that your frustration or heightened emotion may be due to the game and not the child.
This moment of mindfulness can make a big difference in helping children feel safe and supported.
The Learning Source Training Opportunities
Two Homes, One Goal: Collaboration for Kids
When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual, with live Spanish interpretation available.
When children enter foster care, two families often stand on opposite sides of a difficult journey. But what happens when those families choose to work together? In this powerful session, biological mom Heather and former foster mom Natalei share their real-life story of moving from court dates and case plans to mutual trust and friendship.
Supporting Whole-Child Development in Vulnerable Populations
When: Saturday, Sept. 13, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m.
Where: Virtual, with live Spanish interpretation available.
This training aims to better answer the question, "Is it trauma or developmental?" The session will highlight the critical role of speech, occupational, and physical therapy in fostering whole-child development — addressing sensory, motor, communication, cognitive, and social-emotional needs in an integrated way.
Visit Foster Source to register for upcoming sessions. Two training hours will be earned for each session attended.
Kids at Heart - Teen Connect Outdoor Grounding Program
The outdoor Teen Grounding program focuses on creating a safe, fun environment for teens (ages 13 to 17) to develop a sense of community with each other and connection to themselves.
Upcoming dates: Sept. 12, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26
Time: Drop off at 4 p.m. Pick up at 7 p.m.
Cost: $20
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The Ambassador Project – Morning at the Movies
Join in on this morning at the movies event just for foster and kinship families in Weld County.
When: Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 a.m. (doors open at 9:45 a.m.)
Where: Metropolitan MetroLux 12 Theatres @ The Promenade Shops at Centerra, (6085 Sky Pond Dr, Loveland)
Movie info: Gabby's Dollhouse (G)
Cost: Free
Kids get a snack pack with popcorn and a small drink to enjoy during the show! RSVP is required, so don't miss out on an opportunity to connect with other families and meet your local ambassadors, Candice and Esther.
Weld County Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Support Group
Upcoming date: Sept. 18
When: Third Thursday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Department of Human Services (315 N. 11th Ave., Building 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! We focus on support around parenting and caregiving issues using a nationally recognized, research-based framework for keeping children safe and families strong. Dinner and childcare are provided.
Register for an upcoming Foster, Adoption and Kinship Support Group.
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Longmont Foster and Kinship Appreciation Event
Attention, South Weld County families — this one is for you! Colorado Kids Belong is hosting a free community event to show appreciation and support to the foster and kinship families. Join in on the fun — food trucks, bounce houses, gift bags for caregivers and more.
When: Saturday, Oct. 4, 4 to 6 p.m.
Where: Left Hand Beer Garden (1245 Boston Ave., Longmont)
Foster and kinship families must register and show your Foster Friendly Discount Card to receive a gift bag and voucher for the food truck at the event. Get started on your registration now!
Resources
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
The Colorado Behavioral Health Administration (BHA) and 988 Crisis Hotline Enterprise proudly announce the launch of a campaign to increase awareness and utilization of the 988 Colorado Mental Health Line (988). The service connects people in Colorado to trained crisis specialists offering compassionate mental health, emotional, and substance use support via call, text, and chat.
For foster parents, this could serve as an alternative to contacting law enforcement in crisis situations which do not include imminent risk of danger, preventing unnecessary exposure to police interaction. Be sure to add this to your emergency contacts and an accessible place in your home in case it’s needed!
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.
Donations
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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.
Visit the Weld County website for more information.
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