The Caregiver Courier
November 2016
National Adoption Month: #JustAskUs About Adoption

November is National Adoption Month. Clark County Department of Family Services and its partner organizations are helping to raise awareness about the need for adoptive families for older youth in foster care.
 
Every year, more than 100,000 children and youth in the U.S. foster care system seek permanent families. Having permanent family connections are critical for older youth to have legal and emotional support as they transition into adulthood and strive for achievement, growth, and well-being.
 
Click here to learn more about adoption. You can also visit AdoptEx.org to view profiles of children in DFS care who are looking for their forever families.
It's Beginning to Look a lot Like...

Registration is now open for the annual Angel Tree Celebration, presented by DFS, the CASA Foundation and Breakthru Beverage (formerly Wirtz Beverage). Join us on Saturday, Dec. 10 for games, activities, food, fun and even a visit from Santa Claus! Best of all, all children in DFS care will receive gifts.
 
What: 2016 Angel Tree Celebration
When: Saturday, Dec. 10, 2016
Where:  Breakthru Beverage, 1849 W. Cheyenne Ave., North Las Vegas
 
Pick from one of three time slots (10 - 11:30 a.m., noon - 1:30 p.m. or 2 - 3:30 p.m.) to attend and don't forget to make out your Wish List for the children you register to attend. In addition to games, gifts and meeting some of your favorite holiday characters, attendees will be treated to lunch!

Before You Register, a Few Reminders
  • Please register the names and ages of ALL children you are bringing
  • The Wish List is for children in DFS care ONLY!
  • Any biological children in your home (who are not in DFS care) are welcome to attend the Angel Tree Celebration and enjoy the games, activities and food; they will not be eligible for gifts.
  • Please limit Wish List items to toys and games. The total dollar value for all three Wish List items not to exceed $50.
  • Gift cards will be given to children under two years old and 12 or older.

 
From Fostering to Adoption: One Parent's Story on the Joys-and Challenges-of Blending the Family

The journey of adoption is not without its share of ups and downs. The bond between a parent and a child who wants and needs the love, stability and guidance of a forever family ultimately realizes itself. The ties that bind a family together take time and patience, but it's totally worth it, according to Beth Howard. 

This month, in honor of National Adoption Month, she tells us her firsthand account of adoption, which wasn't the first choice for her and her husband Jeremy.
 
"All of our plans changed when we were made aware of a seven-year-old girl who needed an adoptive family," Beth said. "I will never forget the day that our daughter came home to us."
 
Click here to read more.

'Tis the Season... for Stress!

Shopping, decorating, traveling...the holidays can be wonderful AND stressful! It's enough to make any parent reach his or her breaking point.
 
Licensed Clinical Social Worker Anne-Mare Abruscato of Mojave Adult, Child and Family Services provides some great tips for foster parents to have a memorable, happy and stress-free holiday season.
 
Click here to read more. 
Heart Gallery Opening Showcases Kids Looking for Forever Families

DFS staff, prospective adoptive parents, children and other invited guests joined "Jimi Hendrix," "Madonna" and several other celebrities for the Adoption Exchange's annual Heart Gallery opening, held Oct. 13. No, the real celebrities weren't there, but their lifelike wax figures were never far away, as the event took place at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas at the Venetian Las Vegas. KLAS-8 News Now Anchor  Dave Courvoisier emceed the event.
 
The Heart Gallery showcases children in DFS care who are legally free for adoption and pair them with adoptive resources. Several local photographers donated their services to photograph the children for their online profiles. The gallery will travel throughout Clark County over the next year, giving people an opportunity to get to know these children who are looking for a forever family.

8 News Now's Dave Courvoisier served as emcee of the Heart Gallery Opening at Madame Tussauds Las Vegas.
 
Merlin's Magic Wand Foundation was on hand to create unique wax figures for children in attendance.

Attendees took advantage of the displays to capture memories.

Invitees viewed profiles of children available for adoption at the annual Heart Gallery opening.

WARNING! NVPartnership4Training.com is Shutting Down Nov. 10

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Nevada Partnership for Training (NPT-UNLV) website is going to be retired by Thursday, Nov. 10. If you have completed a class at any time through NPT, your training records may be purged.
 
If you have training records at NPT's website, please follow these steps to ensure your records are not lost.
  1.  Go to http://NVPartnership4Training.com
  2.  Enter your login/password
  3.  Go to the My Account Page
  4.  Go to  "View Classes that you have completed"
  5.  Print the screen listing all your trainings
 
If you have any questions, please contact DFS training at DFSTrainingTeam@ClarkCountyNV.gov.

Fall into Fall with Family Fun

As the days get shorter and nights get cooler, fall and winter activities throughout Clark County are being scheduled. Don't miss out on these great, family-friendly experiences.
 
Click here for a list of upcoming activities.
A Haunting Good Time at the Halloween Carnival

A gathering of superheroes, fairy princesses, scary monsters, spooky skeletons and much more converged on the Juvenile Justice Gymnasium on Oct. 29 for an afternoon of fun at the annual Halloween Carnival. 

Sponsored by the Through the Eyes of a Child Foundation, the Halloween Carnival is held exclusively for families in DFS care to enjoy games, win prizes and, of course, trick-or-treating.




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What is QPI?

Making sure every child living in foster care is cared for by a caregiver (foster, relative, fictive and/or adoptive) who provides skilled, nurturing parenting while helping the child maintain connections to his or her family. 

Enhance Your Skills

Various trainings are offered in the community to help enhance caregivers' capacity to parent. Please click on the links below to learn more about exciting training opportunities from which you can benefit.  
The QPI Nevada Brand

Foster parents nurture children who have experienced trauma and provide a safe, loving and healing environment in which the children can thrive. They are parenting partners who honor and support family relationships. Foster parents are dedicated, informed and committed advocates for children. They are instrumental and fully supported members of the child and family team. Great foster parents make a difference for children and families in our community.
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