December 2019
Welcome Morgan Couchman -
New Foster Change President!

The Board of Directors for Foster Change is thrilled to welcome Morgan Couchman as the new president for the year 2020, and also thanks Audrey Rosenstein for her years of service to the organization as President. Audrey will stay on the board as a director.

Here is a bit about Morgan for those of you who don't know her:

"Hi! My name is Morgan and I'm originally from a small town in Iowa. Growing up, I rode horses, dirt bikes and went camping with my family. I was both public schooled and homeschooled and later attended college in Kansas. I have a bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Music. God brought me out to Las Vegas over two years ago to direct a ministry/non-profit called Foster Connect. I am passionate about helping vulnerable children and encouraging families that are on the foster care/adoption journey! I have been a foster parent in Clark County for just over a year, having 8 placements rotating through my home during that year. I am currently single parenting 3 children who are in foster care and trying to survive all the germs that are going around! I look forward to getting to know your families and looking for more ways to support you on this amazing yet terrifying journey!"

The 2020 Foster Change Board of Directors:
Morgan Couchman, representing Foster Connect, President
Carly Souza, representing Fostering Hope, Secretary
Ali Caliendo, representing Foster Kinship, Treasurer
Audrey Rosenstein, representing Peggy's Attic, Director
Jessica Roe, representing The Adoption Exchange, Director
Donna Smith, representing the Foster and Adoptive Coalition of Nevada, Director
Sandy Vargas, Foster Change Program Manager (non-voting member)
Events
You are invited to the 4th annual Foster Change Holiday Party!

We will have pictures with Santa, hot chocolate, cookie decorating, and toys for the kids. All children currently living in your home are welcome to attend regardless of foster care status.

The event is mainly outdoors so please bundle up!



Date: Tuesday, December 10th
Time: 6 PM- 7:30 PM
Location: Peggys Attic (across from Positively Kids on Pecos/Bonanza)

Please sign up each child currently living in your home who will be attending.

RSVPs will be limited to the first 150 children.

Questions, please call 702-970-4546.

Happy Holidays!



Respite Volunteers Needed
Help Out One Another
elbow-children-line.jpg
Foster Change would like to put together a respite list for members that have adopted children and are not eligible for services through the Department of Family Services. Every now and then I hear caregivers wanting to get away for a weekend or they need a few hours of self-care. If you are willing to provide assistance to your fellow caregivers, please let us know by filling out this form with your information. Your participation is greatly appreciated. Not only are you helping another caregiver take a break, but you are connecting kids so they can make lasting friendships. If you are interested, please take a minute to fill out the interest form.   

Click Here: Interest Form
Respite Opportunities

Canyon Ridge Christian Church is in the middle of transitioning to a new database. Please use the link below this month to reserve your spot for Parents Night Out. Thank you for your patience!

Foster Parent Night Out
When: Fri, Oct 18, 6p-9p,
Where: Canyon Ridge Christian Church
Lone Mountain Campus - Youth Building
6200 West Lone Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89130
Who: All foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin)
Registration closes on October 14 (or once all slots are full):

Grace Point Church Church provides free respite care every first Friday of the month. Grace Point Church appreciates the opportunity to help Foster Parents take a little break to catch a movie or go do something fun with their significant other. For more information please contact:

YMCA Family Night
  If your family is a member of the YMCA, there are great activities and events to consider.
Events include Family's Night Out, Parents Night Out and much more. Some events and activities require memberships and some are offered at a low cost. Check the YMCA in your area for more details. Below is an informational flyer specific to the Centennial Hills YMCA.

Training


Available dates for Car Seat Safety Training
Friday 12/6 from 2 pm-5 pm
Tuesday 12/17 from 6-9 pm
Friday 12/20 from 2 pm- 5 pm

Please bring your car seat to class, if you have one available.

There is no childcare available for this class.
Please call 702-970-4546 to register.
Last Class of 2020!

Available dates for CPR/First Aid/AED Training
Sunday 12/15 from 10 am-2 pm
There is no childcare available for this
class.
Please call 702-970-4546 to register.
If you are working on your license (kinship caregivers who have children with an open DFS case), there are two required QPI videos that you have to watch for licensing:  Normalcy and  Emergency Preparedness. We have created study guides for the required videos licensed caregivers much watch for re-licensing hours.  Click here to view our available study guides.

We continue to offer our computers for you to use at our office in order to complete videos required for licensing and re-licensing, please call to request an appointment (702) 970-4546.
Required QPI Videos for Re-licensing - NEW STUDY GUIDES
If you are a licensed caregiver and it is time time to renew, you will be required to complete 12 hours of online training through QPInevada.org. There are six hours of trainings you are required to take, and the rest you can choose.

We have created study guides for the required trainings and nine more we recommend that will equal 12 hours. Click  HERE for the study guides, or give us a call and we'd be happy to provide it for you!
Adoption Exchange - Online Training
The Adoption Exchange offers free online training for Foster and Adoptive Parents. Please register first to gain access to online learning. If you already have an account with The Adoption Exchange please log in and take advantage of the free training.


The Adoption exchange also offers a lending library which is an excellent post-adoption service. Please click on the link below for more information.

SAFY offers a Sex Education class for children an
if you would like more information contact SAFY at 702-385-5331. SAFY also provides services such as Intensive Family Intervention Services
  • Trauma
  • Anxiety and Depression*
  • ADHD*
  • Conduct Issues*
  • Transition and Adjustments*
Parenting classes by CPLC count for Re-licensing hours. Call thedirectly for days and times 702-207-1614!
Fire Extinguisher Service
Fire Extinguisher Services
These two companies have very affordable rates if you need your fire extinguisher recharged.

301 W St Louis Ave
(702) 384-1546
Open ⋅ Closes 4PM
Discounts for Foster Families
SeaQuest offers the opportunity for children in Foster Care to enjoy SeaQuest free of charge. Please take your placement letter with you.

Children's Discovery Museum offers a reduced fee of $3.00 per person (up to four guests) if you show an EBT, WIC, SNAP card or foster care license.
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Merlin's Magic Wand
Merlin's Magic Wand offers the opportunity to apply for a travel grant to places such as Legoland and Madame Tussauds. The travel grant can cover the cost of tickets and parking.
For more information on how to apply please click below.
Support
There will be no support group in November for Foster Change
Need Support? Do you know that there are support groups for Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship families across Las Vegas? We have recently compiled a list of groups and hopefully you will find one that meets your needs!

Family Fun Around the City
Family Fun!
Purchase your Pogo Pass for this year and get access to some great activities for all ages. For more information please click on the link below.


Vegas Family Guide Website
If you are looking for stuff to do or resources, Vegas family guide is a great site to check out. They have information on resources and
Kids Need Good Caregivers!
Nevada is in desperate need of good foster parents, who better to recruit than a family who has already begun the journey.

Sandy Vargas | Foster Change | 702-970-4546 | |sandy@fosterchangecc.org | www.fosterchangecc.org