Foster Parent Spotlight
Esther Dennis and Michael Grigsby, 2026 Realities for Children Foster Parents of the Year
Esther Dennis and Michael Grigsby were nominated by Weld County DHS for the Foster Parents of the Year award, presented annually by Realities for Children to caregivers who go above and beyond for children who need it most. We are pleased to announce that Esther and Michael were selected for this honor and recognized during Realities for Children's Pinwheel Gala. Over the past 10 years, they have opened their home to approximately 30 children and youth, serving with unwavering energy, compassion, and dedication. Congratulations, Esther and Michael! Weld County is proud to recognize you both for this well-deserved honor.
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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.
Upcoming options:
Wednesday, April 8, 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, May 6, 4:30 to 6 p.m., Weld County Human Services, Building A, 315 N. 11th Ave., Greeley
 Already attended orientation? Register for pre-certification training by contacting your foster care coordinator or Kristy DeAnda.
Upcoming pre-certification training options: Choose one cohort to meet training requirements
May 2026 Cohort - Intensive
Friday, May 1, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 2, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, May 8, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location for all three sessions: Weld County Training Center, 1104 H St., Greeley
July 2026 Cohort - Intensive
Friday, July 17, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Saturday, July 18, 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Friday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Location for all three sessions: Weld County Training Center, 1104 H St., Greeley
Care that doesn't clock out
For case workers at the Weld County Department of Human Services (DHS), advocacy doesn’t end when the workday does — and it doesn’t stop just because the county line does either. In the latest edition of County Roots, learn how DHS is strengthening foster care and ensuring children and teens receive consistent, compassionate care wherever they are. Read the story and subscribe to County Roots.
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Meet Tisha, age 16!
Visit Weld County’s Waiting Kids for more information about children and youth waiting for a foster adoptive family.
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Mark your calendar for opportunities for learning, connection with other families, and respite opportunities!
No Ordinary Liz: When a Child Becomes the Advocate
Saturday, April 11, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., virtual live event
What happens when a child becomes the one who calls for help? As a young girl living in an abusive home, Liz made a decision that would change the trajectory of her and her siblings’ lives. She reported the abuse herself, stepping into a role no child should have to carry: advocate. In this powerful and deeply personal session, Elizabeth Sutherland — author of "No Ordinary Liz" and contributor to "Growing Up in the Care of Strangers" — shares her lived experience of entering foster care, navigating sibling separation, and holding onto hope for reunification.
For more information and to register, visit Be the Source.
Foster, Adoption and Kinship Support Group
Join Weld County 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.
Upcoming Dates: April 16
When: Third Thursday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Department of Human Services (315 N. 11th Ave., Building B, Greeley)
Childcare and dinner are provided, so all you need to do is come as you are. Ready to RSVP?
The Ambassador Project: Weld County Area Event
Foster and kinship families are invited to enjoy free admission, snacks, and time to connect with other local families. This event is open to all families in Weld County and surrounding communities, even if you do not currently have an active placement.
Kids will be able to climb, jump, run obstacle courses, and burn off some energy while caregivers relax, connect, and enjoy a stress-free morning together.
When: Sunday, April 26, 10 a.m. to noon
Where: Rogue Play Trampoline and Ninja Center (5800 W. 18th St., Greeley)
Spots are limited, so please RSVP today.
Hope for the Journey Conference
This 1-day event is an excellent way for biological, kinship, foster, and adoptive families and professionals who work or volunteer with children to be refreshed, invest in trauma-informed training, and connect with people who share a heart for helping children grow and thrive. SuperHero Academy, a fun day of crafts, games, and snacks while learning about communication through trauma-informed programming, is available for children ages 12 and under during the conference.
When: Saturday, May 2, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Foundations Church (1159 Main St., Windsor)
Cost: $20/person or $30/couple; $10/child for Superhero Academy
Visit Project 1.27 for more information and to register.
Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)
Children who have experienced trauma (neglect, abuse, institutionalization) benefit from caregivers who understand the impact of that trauma. TBRI is a training that teaches practical strategies to help children through self-regulation and building trust — and it is backed by neuroscience. In just 20 hours (that’s essentially the time it takes to watch every "Bluey" episode), you will learn how trauma impacts the brain and behaviors, the “why” behind challenging behaviors, strategies you can use right away for connection and regulation, and more! Also, the sessions are virtual, so you can tune in from the comfort of your home. See below for this year’s schedule options and sign up for the session that's best for you.
Summer: Mondays, June 1 through July 27, 5:30 to 8 p.m.
Fall: Tuesdays, Sept. 1 through Oct. 20, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Weld County Foster Care Book Club
Thank you to the foster parents and families that joined and participated in our book club! Please note that the book club is postponed until fall. Keep an eye on this newsletter for updates on the book club's return.
Interested in Specialized Foster Care?
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 our support team. Contact Kelly Krause for more information.
In addition, foster parents can explore providing care for children and youth through the Children’s Habilitation Residential Program (CHRP). Weld County partners with two disability services and support organizations, Mosaic in Fort Collins and Parker Personal Care Homes in Lakewood, to provide foster care services for children and youth who have intellectual or developmental disabilities (IDD) or serious emotional disturbances (SED) and receive services under the CHRP waiver. For more information, contact Kristy DeAnda.
Finally Home - Family Support Scholarships
Finally Home is offering scholarship opportunities for foster, adoptive, and kinship families. These scholarships help families access support they may not be able to afford on their own. Through their Revive and Thrive Mental Health Scholarships and wraparound Family Support process, Finally Home can help cover costs for mental health services, summer camps, ReBalance, and trauma‑informed trainings like Hope for the Journey.
Every family begins with a simple conversation with the Family Support Team, who help identify resources, coordinate with providers, and create a plan that fits each family’s needs. When financial support is appropriate, families can apply for scholarship assistance funded through grants and donors, with a special focus on serving Weld County.
This is a meaningful opportunity for caregivers who need extra support. Families can reach out directly to Linda at Finally Home to begin the process and learn what may be available to them.
Be the Source - The Learning Source
Children deserve to heal, and adults who continue to engage in trauma- and evidence-informed training can be that healing source. The Learning Source offers on-demand training that is free for Colorado foster and kinship parents. Foster care training credits can be earned by completing courses.
Check out and complete training courses at your own pace.
Bridge the Gap Resource Map
Bridge the Gap is a new Northern Colorado nonprofit connecting with individuals, organizations, and churches across Northern Colorado to inspire, equip, and support initiatives that serve children and families impacted by the child welfare system (foster, kinship, adoptive, and bio). Needing support? Check out the Resource Map or contact someone through the website who can help you navigate available help.
988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you need to talk, the 988 Lifeline is here.
This national mental health hotline 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. Help is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Be sure to add this to your emergency contacts and keep in an accessible place in your home in case it’s needed!
For more information, visit 988lifeline.org.
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.weld.gov/go/fostercare for more information and to register for orientation.
Help Kids in Foster Care – Donate Today
Weld County is proud to work with Realities For Children, a nonprofit group that helps kids and teens in foster care. Your donation gives emergency help to local youth who have been abused, neglected, or are at risk.
All donations are tax-deductible, and 100% of your gift goes directly to Weld County foster care.
Visit the Foster Care webpage for more information.
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