September 2024 • ISSUE 7 • VOLUME 4
We are so fortunate and grateful to have a strong community of support and collaboration around at-risk children, youth and the families who have stepped up to help through foster or kinship care. Check out this month’s issue for some recent examples.
If you’re not already fostering, now is a good time to check it out! We offer orientations every month for those interested in learning more about fostering and the certification process in Weld County – see upcoming options below. There’s no commitment required to attend – it’s just a great way to gather more information to make an informed decision about whether foster care is right for you. If you decide to move forward, we ensure you are equipped and supported along the way! The certification process takes about four to five months.
-Kristy
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A big thank you to City Lights Church! This year was the fourth year City Lights has supported Weld County kinship, foster and adoptive families with a super fun and FREE respite event for kids 0 to 17 years old. This event took 40 to 50 background-checked and trained trauma-informed care volunteers. The kids enjoyed bounce houses, laser tag, designing their own trucker hats, video games, a dog named Scout, dinner, shaved ice and more! One comment from a foster parent was, “We’ve brought our kids to this every year. They love it and can’t wait to get back!”
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In August, following some recruitment at the Beef and Bean festival, we held a special foster care orientation in Milliken as part of the town’s new Foster Friendly initiative. We had an amazing turnout with six families, so far, intending to move forward with the licensing process! Weld County foster parents and Milliken residents, Scott and Amanda Nix, hosted and co-facilitated orientation, Tracee Rudd with Colorado Kids Belong talked about the Foster Friendly initiative and Culver’s in Johnstown provided everyone with dinner. Teamwork makes the dream work!
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Thank you, Windsor Community Church and Timberline Windsor Church for supplying backpacks for our foster, kinship and outreach families who went back to school in August. We appreciate the thoughtfulness, generosity and organization that it takes to do this each year for our children and youth!
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On Sept. 7, Weld County Foster Care celebrated National Hispanic American Heritage Month with musicians and Mexican dancers at Fiesta en la Plaza at Centennial Village Museum. This event, which was put on by the Mexican American History Project Greeley (MAHPG) and the museum, was a lot of fun and a great way to connect with Weld County families about fostering. We’re already looking forward to next year!
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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, Sept. 25, 2024, 4:30 to 6 p.m., virtual via Microsoft Teams.
Wednesday, Oct. 9, 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.
Upcoming Pre-Certification Training – Choose One
Cohort 10 (Tuesdays, Greeley, In-Person & Zoom Hybrid)
24 Hours of National Training and Development Curriculum Training
Meets Tuesdays, Oct. 1 to Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Classes 1, 2 and 7 will be in-person at Zoe’s in Greeley; classes 3 through 6 will be virtual via Zoom.
Cohort 11 (Wednesdays, Loveland, In-Person & Zoom Hybrid)
24 Hours of National Training and Development Curriculum Training
Meets Wednesdays, Nov. 6 to Dec. 18, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Classes 1 and 6 will be in-person location to be determined; classes 2 through 5 will be virtual via Zoom.
Medication Management Virtual Training Presented by Mandee Harshorn, RN, MSN, with Hartshorn DBA Creative Nursing, LLC.
Oct. 1, 2024, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. via Microsoft Teams
During Medication Management, foster and kinship families will learn how to read prescriptions, how to maintain a log for records and how to discuss concerns with physicians.
Please RSVP to Kelly Krause at krausekc@weldgov.com. Microsoft Meeting
Meeting ID: 263 408 693 790. Passcode: 2suqYC.
Training hours: 1.5
Spotlight on Transitions: A Foster Parent and Caseworker Panel Presented by CHAMPS/WCDHS and facilitated by Renee Bernhart with Foster Source.
Oct. 23, 2024, from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Chase Building, third floor northwest conference room (entrance doors on west side of building).
The panel features Weld County foster parents and caseworkers, who will share their experiences transitioning children between placements. You'll hear what worked and what didn't and come away with a renewed commitment to child-centered, trauma-informed and collaborative transitions.
Register/RSVP to krausekc@weld.gov. (There will be a virtual option. Check your emails for information to come.)
Training hours: 2
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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. Be sure to add this to your emergency contacts and an accessible place in your home in case it’s needed!
Foster Friendly App - Discounts and Support for Foster Families
The Foster Friendly App offers valuable, practical discounts from area businesses on products and services your family needs to adapt and thrive as you care for children. And it connects you with Foster Friendly faith communities and non-profits that will come alongside your family with hands-on support. Download today on the App Store or Google Play.
Youth Employment and Training Youth employment and training programs provide eligible individuals with various opportunities for education, training, and work-based learning through several activities, services, and programs which can assist youth with job readiness and prepare youth for the workforce. Visit https://www.weld.gov/Government/Departments/Human-Services/Employment-Services/Youth-Programs/Youth-Employment-and-Training for more information.
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.
Whale Respite Center “We care for kids of all abilities so you can take care of yourself.” Whale Respite Center is daycare and respite services with specially trained staff, including after school and holiday daycare for students with disabilities. They are accepting CCCAP. Visit www.whalerespite.org for more information.
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.
Realities for Children and Weld Foster Care
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 areat-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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