Our young people need understanding, support, and a sense of belonging. Securing lifelong connections for children, both legally and emotionally, is a critical factor in determining their future achievement, health, and well-being. Thank you for stepping up for our children by taking the time listen to them. It’s important for us to urge our adolescents to be highly engaged in their own permanency planning because they are the experts of their own lives.

We know the challenges facing Clark County’s foster care system can’t be solved through a government approach alone. Partnerships with remarkable caregivers, foster parents, child welfare staff, and public and private child-serving organizations, ensure that our children’s voices are heard. Let’s continue to support our youth every step of their foster care journey, including helping young adults successfully transition to independence.

The Clark County Commission and the Department of Family Services enthusiastically recognizes our caregivers and foster parents during National Foster Care Month. Thank you for your never-ending support of our families in the valley.

Sincerely,

Jill Marano, Director

Clark County Department of Family Services

If you are interested in helping to further raise awareness about National Foster Care Month on your personal social media platforms, please share these messages:

Mental health is an essential component of overall health and well-being. Join National #FosterCareMonth in recognizing the importance of prioritizing conversations about mental health to support children, youth, and caregivers. https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/

May is National Foster Care Month! Join us in working to help children and youth exit care with strengthened minds, holistic supports, and stable families. #FosterCareMonth https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/

Culture, identity, and lived experience must always be a part of the conversation about mental health and finding the right care. Learn more during #FosterCareMonth https://www.childwelfare.gov/fostercaremonth/resources/

NOW HIRING FOSTER PARENTS

Department of Family Services is looking to expand our team of Foster Parent Champions. These are flexible part-time positions for current or recent foster parents.

Empower other foster parents by sharing your experience!

If you are interested in providing resources and support to foster families, recruiting at community events for new foster families, or helping out at Peggy's Attic, we encourage you to apply!



Meet JAELA!

Jaela is a charismatic and sweet 5th grader. She loves to sing, eat pizza, and watch Disney movies!

If you are interested in adopting a specific child or sibling group from Clark County, please email [email protected]. Please note we cannot answer questions about children who are not in the custody of DFS.

CHILD PASSENGER SAFETY TRAINING

2-Part Training for Foster Caregivers

A Foster Parent is REQUIRED to learn the best practices to keep your child riding safely in your vehicle and complete the successful installation of a Child Passenger Safety Seat for a foster child ages 0-6 years old (or 60 pounds).

Schedule an appointment with:

Laura Steeps, Senior Family Services Specialist

702-455-1211 [email protected]

Bedtime. Naptime. Babies should always sleep on their backs.

Every year, around 3,500 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly while they're sleeping. Most of these tragic deaths are due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or accidental deaths from suffocation or strangulation.

Clark County Department of Family Services has teamed up with the American Academy of Pediatrics, Nevada Chapter to spread awareness about Safe Sleep and the simple steps you can take to protect your baby.

www.clarkcountynv.gov/safesleep

The Therapeutic Solution is the new supervised visitation provider for Clark County Department of Family Services. Supervised visitation is to help families in separation remain connected, continue or develop bonds, and remain hopeful for reuniting. 

Foster parents play a critical role in helping children heal. You show children stability and teach them life lessons that last a lifetime—and potentially affect future generations.

In the past, the foster parent’s role was often seen as a temporary one. But now we know that foster parents’ influence has a lifelong impact on the children they foster. Even though it remains true that approximately half of the children who enter foster care are reunified with their birth parents.

Foster parents are frequently asked to support these efforts—including facilitating visitations and attending court appearances—and must always be prepared to accept the loss of a child who returns to birth parents or is placed with another relative when that is found to be in his or her best interest. For this, we want to acknowledge your efforts, sacrifices, and influence on our future!! Happy Foster Care Appreciation Month!!

From our family, The Therapeutic Solution

Camp to Belong | Nevada APPLY TODAY

Camp Dates: June 20 – June 24

Eligible Youth:

• Separated Siblings ages 8 to 18 are the highest priority
• Siblings residing in the same home who may benefit from this camp will be considered for candidacy

If you have questions about eligibility, please email [email protected] or text NV2023 to 347.737.0152

If you are a parent, CASA or agency staff submitting an application:

Camp to Belong Nevada Camper Application

If you are a DFS Caseworker submitting an application

Camp to Belong Nevada Camper Application DFS

Foster Change membership is now free and includes ANY family with a current and/or ongoing relationship with child welfare. This includes currently licensed families and formerly licensed families who have achieved permanency through adoption.

Foster Change - One Voice Town Hall Meeting

May 13, 2023 | 9:30am

Members are invited to join the Foster Change Board of Directors and Advisory Board and to take this opportunity to have your voice heard. Everyone in attendance will have the opportunity to share their concerns, experiences, struggles, along with any questions on current or future policy. The Board will then take what is shared and formally present to the Department of Family Services, with expectation of a response on their behalf.

These meetings will be ongoing, as the mission of Foster Change is to empower families and elevate their voice through advocacy.

Click Here to Join the Zoom Meeting

Zoom Meeting ID: 810 9391 0441 | Passcode: 012654

[email protected]

www.fosterkinship.org

(702) 546-9988

Search Facebook for Nevada Kinship Caregivers

Join Foster Kinship for one of their monthly groups to gain support and share strength with others who are raising their relative's children. All details regarding groups such as log in information and locations, can be found in our closed 24/7 Facebook support group. All in-person groups offer complimentary child care.

Caregiver Corner Market

at Marcie's Heart

Kinship caregivers can shop for household items, teen/adult clothing and shoes, jewelry/accessories, books, gently used toys, and seasonal/specialty items. Everything is free and there is no limit. Items provided for kinship families at the Market can not be sold. Kinship families must have an account with Foster Kinship to shop. 

Canyon Ridge Christian Church is hosting a Foster Parent Night Out MAY 19 from 6pm-9pm.

Register before May 15.

Ages birth- 5th grade.



Snacks provided, but please feed children dinner before the event.

Additional support offered at

Canyon Ridge Christian Church

6200 W. Lone Mountain Rd.

Foster Parent Support Group

4th Friday of the month

6:30pm - 8:45pm

Please contact Foster Connect with any questions by emailing [email protected]

The Hope for the Journey Conference meets parents and caregivers where they are with practical, tangible help, resources, and tools in caring for their children impacted by tough places. Whether you are a parent, caregiver, church, ministry, or organizational leader seeking to support families in your community better, this is for you.

Discover how you can connect with children experiencing a difficult time and help them heal and become all God desires for them to be. The Hope for the Journey Conference is a one-day conference led by the TCU Institute for Child Development for anyone who helps children from hard places find a better life.

ONLINE OPTION AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE 28

Foster Kinship Support Group

For parents and group for teens

2nd Tuesday of the month / 6pm - 7:30pm

Please contact Foster Kinship with any questions by emailing [email protected]

NEW! FREE MEMBERSHIP FOR HANNAH'S CLOSET

Here is what you need to know for now: Next time you come into Hannah’s Closet, bring your placement letter and/or adoption decree and we’ll take it from there. Just don’t forget to sign up for an appointment!! 

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD THROUGH THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SCHOOL

• The last few weeks of school can be stressful on students as they are: leaving seeing their peers and staff members they may enjoy and have gotten used to seeing on daily basis, taking final exams, worrying about their grades, etc. 

• Talk with your child about what they may be stressed about and help them come up with a plan to address their stress

• You can provide your child with some fun snacks or incentives for both final weeks or after school is out to help them make it through the final month!

• Check your Parent Portal through Canvas or Infinite Campus to see your child’s grades. If your child is getting an F or low D in any class, ask your child’s teacher what the most important assignments are to complete and what upcoming assignments your child should focus on to raise your child’s grade in the class for the last few weeks. Teachers may accept late work if you ask and if the child shows initiative to make up work. 

• If a teacher will not work with you or your child on makeup work, please contact your child’s School Foster Care Advocate/Social Worker to assist you.   

IMPORTANT DATES

Monday, May 22 – Current Last Day of School

                               End of Fourth Grading Period (44 days)

                               End of Second Semester (91 days) End of School Year (180 days)

Tuesday, May 23 - Third Contingency Day (if needed)

The CCSD Family Engagement Department invites families to join us at our

Family Academy

Saturday, May 13 from 8:00 - 11:30 am

at Canyon Springs High School

Registration is required by May 5, 2023

Families will engage in interactive workshops designed to support summer learning for K-12 students. This event is free and will include a light breakfast, community resource fair, workshops, and prizes. 

Participants may attend sessions for adults ONLY or sessions for families learning together. Childcare for CCSD students will be provided for the adult sessions.

LOW COST EARLY EDUCATION WITH EARLY HEAD START

The Early Head Start and Nevada Ready programs at Sunrise Children's Foundation offer comprehensive child development and family support services to low-income and underserved populations including expecting mothers, infants, toddlers and their families.

Many foster children will qualify for Early Head Start and Nevada Ready programs. We encourage families to take advantage of these early learning opportunities.

For more information about our Early Head Start or Nevada Ready programs, please call 702-631-7130 or email [email protected]

The Independent Living Program assists foster and former foster youth in transitioning to adulthood by providing opportunities to obtain life skills for self-sufficiency and independence. Services are available to youth ages 14+ who are currently in foster care, to former foster youth who aged-out of the system at age 18, and to youth who were adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday.

Click Here to learn how to support a youth transitioning out of care.

• Daily living skills
• Money management
• Decision making
• Housing assistance: youth ages 18+ apply for section 8 housing waitlist until March 27, 2023.
• Substance abuse prevention, nutrition education, smoking prevention, and pregnancy prevention
• Preparation for postsecondary training and education

• Mentors and permanent connections
• Financial assistance with college or vocational schools  
• Medical insurance
• Counseling
•  Assistance in obtaining the GED and higher education
• Workforce/Employment readiness 
• Food Handler’s Card 

OPPORTUNITIES FOR FOSTER TEENS

Do you want to get fit over the summer, join the gym, Planet Fitness is offering FREE memberships https://www.planetfitness.com/summerpass/coming-soon

CSN TECH and TRADE Programs

Interested in a career in the Tech fields or Trades? CSN has over 130 technical programs and 26 Apprenticeship programs for Trades, Ready to Work programs, HiSet and GED programs. They also have grants that you can qualify for to pay for your education. Contact your IL worker for more information.

Independent Living High School Graduation Celebration

June 7, 2023 | 9am-6pm

4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas 89154

UNLV Student Ballrooms B & C

Graduation time is upon us. Please contact your IL worker for if you are graduating from high school in 2023. Our Independent Living Graduation event will be on June 7, 2023 from 9am-6pm. We will be sending out invitations in May to all graduating youth. We will have food, gifts, vendors and community partners at the event to CELEBRATE OUR GRADUATES!

FIND YOUR PROM DRESS OR SUIT AT BEYOND THE ATTIC

If you are still looking for your PROM outfit it is not to late. Please make an appointment and visit Beyond the ATTIC for your attire. Beyond the ATTIC has beautiful clothes for men and women, shoes and accessories to get you to your Prom!

Please call (702) 455-5424 to schedule your appointment

The CASA Volunteer & Caregiver Connection  

CASA volunteers and caregivers are likely to have regular contact, because CASA volunteers are required to have a minimum of monthly face-to-face contact with their assigned child(ren). When first assigned, CASA volunteer will likely have more visits with the child to help build rapport. CASA volunteers depend not only on Department of Family Services (DFS) case managers to provide regular updates about their children, but also need information from caregivers about day-to-day life related to the children.

There are a number of caregivers who have also become CASA volunteers or CASA volunteers who have become caregivers. However, the CASA program does not allow CASA volunteers to become the caregiver of a child whom they are representing simultaneously. They would have to be released first as the child’s CASA volunteer before being allowed to become the caregiver.

While in foster care, children need a safe place to live until permanency can be achieved. The concepts of wellbeing and normalcy are largely dependent upon each child having a safe place to live and caregiver support.

As May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month, the CASA program and volunteers cannot think of a more appropriate time to thank the caregivers in Nevada for opening their homes and hearts to care for children who are in protective custody.  

Website: casalasvegas.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 702.455.2272

Keith Wingate

CASA volunteer since 2020

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