Foster Parent Month Proclamation
 The Weld County Board of Commissioners proclaimed May as Foster Care Month at a recent board meeting. Child welfare professionals, foster parents, and community partners were in attendance to recognize the important work of ensuring child and family safety in Weld County. Esther Dennis and Michael Grigsby’s contribution as foster parents over the past 10 years was recognized by Department of Human Services Director Jamie Ulrich. Esther and Michael were also recently named Foster Parents of the Year by Realities for Children.
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, June 3, 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
 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
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
August 2026 Cohort - Mondays and Wednesdays
Monday, August 3, 5 to 9 p.m., Weld County Training Center (1104 H St., Greeley)
Wednesday, August 5, 6 to 9 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
Monday, August 10, 6 to 9 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, August 12, 6 to 9 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
Monday, August 17, 6 to 9 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams
Wednesday, August 19, 5 to 9 p.m., Weld County Training Center (1104 H St., Greeley)
Meet James, age 11!
Favorite subject: Math
Favorite color: Brown
Fun fact: James loves teaching himself new languages
Visit Weld County’s Waiting Kids for more information about children and youth waiting for a foster-adoptive family.
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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). These children and youth and receive services under the CHRP waiver. For more information, contact Kristy DeAnda.
Join us for a CHRP Info Meeting
When: Wednesday, June 17, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
Where: Weld County Human Services, Building A, 315 N. 11th Ave., Greeley
What makes a good CHRP provider?
We welcome diverse families, working professionals, parents whose children have grown up and moved out, and
individuals who are patient, committed, and ready to make a meaningful impact.
We invite you to attend an information meeting to learn more! Contact Kristy DeAnda to sign up.
Can't make it this time but still interested? Send an email to Kristy DeAnda for upcoming information sessions.
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Mark your calendar for opportunities for learning, connection with other families, and respite opportunities!
Child Welfare Town Hall: The Power of We - Supporting Kinship and Foster Caregivers for the Benefit of Families
Thursday, May 14, 3 to 4 p.m., virtual live event
Join Be the Source and the Division of Child Welfare Recruitment and Retention staff in a National Foster Care Appreciation Month town hall about how every person's role in child welfare can have a positive impact on the support of kinship and foster parents across our state. Supporting caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care is essential to ensuring stability while reunification efforts are made and permanency options are explored. We can all do something to support this goal and to ensure that kinship and foster caregivers have what they need to support children and youth.
No registration required! Tune in virtually to the video call or call into 385-999-6265 and enter PIN: 286 800 373#
Foster, Adoption and Kinship Support Group
Upcoming Dates: May 21; June 18
When: Third Thursday of the month, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Department of Human Services (315 N. 11th Ave., Building B, Greeley)
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.
Childcare and dinner are provided, so all you need to do is come as you are.
Ready to RSVP?
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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, 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.
Be the Source Foster and Kinship Support Groups: Mental Health Conditions
When: Sundays, 3 to 4 p.m.
Where: Virtual; link provided by NAMI
A support group for foster and kinship parents supporting youth with mental health conditions and/or who themselves have a mental health condition. This support group is provided in collaboration with the National Alliance on Mental Illness and Colorado Recovery Friendly. Interested in joining? Email courtney@namicolorado.org.
Foster Friendly App:
Discounts and Support for Foster Families
The Foster Friendly app offers valuable, practical discounts on products and services from local businesses to meet the special needs of foster families, from food and family entertainment to personal care and educational support. The app also connects families with local faith communities and nonprofits that offer hands-on support services. Download the app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store to access these resources and supports.
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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.
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 that 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 it 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.
To make sure your tax-deductible donation goes to our local foster care program, choose "Weld County" in the box that says “My donation is for”.
Visit the Foster Care webpage for more information.
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