DECEMBER 2023 • ISSUE 10 • VOLUME 3
Wow, I can’t believe we are already sending out our last newsletter of 2023! I hope it's been a good year for you and your family. Take time to enjoy some fun photos from our North Pole Christmas Party included in this month’s issue. We’re happy to report that Santa was able to join us with some festive Ho-Ho-Hos to ring in the holiday season! This event would not have been possible without the generosity and support of our community partners.
This issue is packed with helpful dates, resources, and tips. We also highlight Weld County’s need for more therapeutic foster homes. We are committed to working toward a future where every Weld County youth and child, regardless of the complexity of their needs, can be cared for within their own community in a trauma-informed family setting. You might be in the position to help make that happen! Anyone can become a therapeutic foster parent with the necessary experience and training. Therapeutic foster care certification requires an additional twelve hours of specialized training and bi-weekly visits from their support team. Make sure you check out the video spotlight of the Berrelez family to hear more from them about their journey to therapeutic foster care. Also be sure to reach out to us if you are interested in learning more. Finally, as we finish the year and celebrate the holiday season, we celebrate all of our fantastic foster, kinship, and adoptive families who provide much-needed care and support for Weld County children, youth, and families. You make our community stronger.
Happy holidays to you and yours!
-Kristy
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Check out these great photos from this year's North Pole Christmas parties!
We want to express a big thank-you to our community partners who made our North Pole Christmas party a great success! We are grateful for so much community support and generosity for our kinship and foster families.
Sponsors this year included: Chevron (PDC) Legacy, First FarmBank, Foster Source, Gyrath Realty Group, Mark Hutton, Megastar Financial Corp, Northern Colorado Youth for Christ, Our Lady of the Valley, Quilts for Kids, Realities for Children, Rocky Mountain Christian Church, Sears Real Estate, Serve 6.8, Timberline Church, Tina O'Connell, Toys for Tots, White Fields Community Church, Crossfit Endure, and Crafting for Change.
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, December 13, 2023: 4:30-6 p.m., virtual via MS Teams.
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Wednesday, January 10, 2023: 4:30-6 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 1 (Friday/Saturday) Intensive
Saturday, January 20, 2023, 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. at Rez Church
(6502 E. Crossroads Blvd.) in Loveland
Friday, January 26, 2023, 5 - 9:30 p.m. via Zoom
Saturday, January 27, 2023, 8:30 a.m.- 6:30 p.m. at Rez Church
(6502 E. Crossroads Blvd.) in Loveland
Cohort 2 (Tuesdays, Greeley In-Person & Zoom Hybrid)
Meets Tuesdays, February 6 - March 26, 5:30 - 9 p.m. Classes 1, 2, and 8 will be in-person at Greeley Vineyard Church (1015 9th Ave, #4013); classes 3 - 7 will be virtual via Zoom.
Consider Becoming a Therapeutic Foster Home
Currently, there are approximately 400 children and youth in Colorado, and about 10 in Weld County alone, 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.
We are committed to working toward a future where every Weld County youth and child, regardless of the complexity of their needs, can be cared for within their own community in a trauma-informed family setting. Check out this video spotlight of Weld County’s Berrelez family to hear about their journey to therapeutic foster care. Be sure to reach out to us if you are interested in learning more!
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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.
Booster Training - Burnout to Resilience
December 11, 8 - 9 p.m.
For Larimer & Weld County
Foster & Kinship Providers
Join Colorado Kids Belong and Kim Johancen with Clear View Counseling as we discuss burnout and resilience in foster care.
Virtual meeting: register here.
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Weld County Foster, Adoption, and Kinship Support Group
Upcoming Dates: Thursday, January 18
Meets the third Thursday of the month, 6 - 7:30 p.m.
@ Dept. of Human Services, 315 N 11th Ave, Bldg. 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! Childcare and dinner 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.
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.
Tip Sheet on Social Media Use and Mental Health for Youth
This resource discusses the benefits of social media and provides tips for youth on how to use social media in support of mental health.
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.
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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