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.
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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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QPI Calendar of Events & Foster Parent Support Meetings
Click here for a listing of upcoming events, meetings and other activities of foster care support organizations throughout Clark County.
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Today is the Last Day to Register for Back to School! Back to Basics!
Today is your last chance to RSVP for next week's Back to School! Back to Basics! event. Don't miss out on these great giveaways for your school-age children:
Backpacks and school supplies for kids!
Important information about the school year every parent needs!
And much more!
What: Back to School, Back to Basics
When: Thursday, August 13, 2015
Where: Juvenile Justice Gymnasium,
651J N. Pecos Road, Las Vegas
To RSVP, call 702-455-7400 or email [email protected]. If you are a licensed caregiver through a private agency, please RSVP with your agency.
This event is presented by Peggy's Attic, Foster Connect, Fostering Southern Nevada, Three Square and DFS.
Click here for other Back to School events scheduled throughout the Valley in August.
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The First Day of School is Aug. 24
Are You Ready?
We're just a few short weeks away from the new school year. Over the past year, DFS has worked to create a partnership with the Clark County School District (CCSD) to help children maximize their education potential.
 DFS's educational liaison Dr. Leslie Strasser Murdock has some advice and important information to help you stay "in the know" and support your child in school.
Click here to read more.
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Spotlight on Quality
Quality Foster Care Team Member: YOU
Each month the Foster Parent Champion Program highlights a caregiver, case manager, or other foster care team member who exemplifies the quality of care that we strive for as a community focused on the needs of children.
 This month the Spotlight is on YOU! Thank you for all that you do for children and families in Clark County. We'd like to hear from you this month.
In 25 words or less, what advice would you give to a brand new caregiver or foster parent?
Click here to share your great ideas and suggestions!
Do You Know a Quality Caregiver, Case Manager or Other Foster Care Team Member?
To nominate a caregiver, case manager or other foster care team member that you believe demonstrates quality care, please email your nomination to
[email protected] or call us at 702-455-1149. The Foster Parent Champion Program is available Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
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Child Focus:
Providing Important Bonding Activities for Siblings in Care
Children separated from their siblings while in care often have limited time for visitation. In many cases, these children require advocacy to ensure visitation arrangements are being met. By offering engaging events, Child Focus assists in healing and nurturing the family bond during this difficult chapter in our children's lives.
Child Focus is a program of St. Jude's Ranch for Children and serves children in the foster care system. It offers Sibling Preservation events - monthly outings that promote sibling bonding through memorable and fun activities. Additional programing includes Art Expression classes and Youth Leadership Opportunities.
To learn more about enrolling a child in a Child Focus program, contact Kevin Nelson at [email protected]. Child Focus also accepts donations. To donate, contact Jose Mercado at [email protected].
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Caregiver Video of the Month:
Help for the Hurting
 Length: 37 minutes
Training Hours: ½ credit
Rating: ★★★★★
Celebrations occur all year long. Birthdays, holidays, even going back to school can be cause for celebration! Children in foster care may experience these events differently due to their sense of loss.
The objective of this training is to help caregivers prepare for events, such as holidays, that may be particularly stressful to children in care. The training presents information on the reasons the celebrations can be hard on children in care and the stages of grief they will experience.
The audience learns how to recognize the symptoms of ambiguous loss and grief and how to empathize with children experiencing these emotions. At the end of the training, the audience will be able to successfully navigate celebrations and holidays and minimize the stress it causes for children in their care.
Click here to view the QPI Nevada Training Video: Help for the Hurting
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Education, Social Programs Now Available for LGBTQ Youth
- QVolution: The Center's youth program, provides a supportive and affirming space for LGBTQ youth and their allies.
Tuesday evenings feature activities and discussions that, while open to all youth ages 13 - 24, are more lighthearted and intellectually accessible to junior high and high school aged youth. Thursday evenings feature discussions and activities open to all youth ages 13 - 24, but more oriented to older teens and young adults.
- The Youth Drop-In Center, open Monday - Thursday from 3 - 6 p.m., is open for youth 13 - 24 to drop in and work on homework, surf the Internet, play games and socialize with friends.
- Social CirKish takes place every Thursday from 4 - 6 p.m. (fall sessions will be 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. from Sept. 8 - Dec. 19). In partnership with the John C. Kish Foundation, The Center hosts acrobatic performance and social skill development summer classes for youth ages 13 - 19. The education series instructs youth in circus arts and also teaches valuable lessons in social skills, etiquette and manners. Youth interested in participating should contact Shannon Pates Xhola at [email protected].
- Comprehensive Sex Ed Class is a series of free classes from the Personal Responsibility Education Program (PREP). It covers sexual education including contraception, consent, identity formation and understanding HIV/STI prevention.
For more information, go to the Center's website at www.TheCenterLV.org.
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School's (Still) Out?!?!
There's Still Time for Summer Fun
 Monday, Aug. 24 is less than three weeks away. Cram in as much summer fun between now and the first day of school!
Click here to check out the great, family-friendly events and activities in and around the Vegas Valley. Summer camps, movies, water parks and much more!
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