Foster Change is the official Foster Parent Association of Southern Nevada.
We exist to support foster parents, kinship caregivers and adoptive parents.
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Well hello there again, friends. Welcome to 2023.
If you are like me, I'm sure you need an entire vacation, alone, to recover from the last month. That won't happen for most of us, yet we still have to show up and be productive, to parent, to work, to be relational, to create, to cure, to be all the things for all the people. After spending time in the constant chaos of the holidays, I think I'm currently of the opinion that my efforts will best be spent by showing up for myself. Period. Then, and only then, will I be able to show up for others.
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While I've been closed up in a home full of LOUD children, with no plans and no schedule and no routine, I kept finding myself emotionally unregulated and really asking myself why I am the way I am. Introspection. All the way back to my early childhood. Why I react and respond the way I do. Why I get triggered by certain things. Why my thoughts are what they are. Why my expectations are what they are. Why I keep allowing toddlers and dysregulated tweens and broody teenagers to dictate my own mood. I know all the tools I'm supposed to be using. I know TBRI, gentle parenting, how to regulate myself, and how to help co-regulate my children...I've learned and have learned well. However, putting it into practice is harder than just the knowing. I believe, without a doubt, my childhood and teens and early adult years have built me and I continue to focus on spending my middle years trying to untangle all the damage, so that I don't pass it along, unintentionally. I believe it will be a lifelong journey.
Over the next months, Foster Change, as a whole, will be spending time doing this same sort of thinking. Why we are the way we are, how it affects us now and how we want to move forward.
I came across this poem to share and I'm sure you've seen it, too.
You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and accidentally bumps you
and shakes your arm, making you spill coffee everywhere.
Why did you spill the coffee?
Because someone bumped into you, right?
Wrong answer.
You spilled the coffee because coffee was in the cup.
If tea had been in it, you would have spilled tea.
Whatever is inside the cup is what will come out.
Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you,
whatever is inside of you will come out.
So each of us has to ask ourselves..... what's in my cup?
When life gets bumpy, what spills over?
Joy, gratefulness, peace, and humility?
Or anger, bitterness, harsh words, and reactions?
We choose what's in our cup!
Today, let's work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation to ourselves and others, kindness, gentleness, and love!
I'm headed into this new year pursuing clarity of where I lack, where I struggle, where I haven't quite fully healed...and acknowledging it so that I can move past those things and on to a better 2023 for me and for my family. I hope you'll come along with me.
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Love, Cindy
P.S. I hope you like the freshened up format of this newsletter! As well as the newest addition, seen below, which is a new space to hear from each other, instead of just me.
I'm looking for those of you who like to write and share, to please go here to submit your thoughts, stories, journeys, etc: Submit HERE to be included in future issues!
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Thank YOU for taking time to provide RAVE reviews!
What an encouragement it is to us ALL to elevate the work of
supportive and attentive social workers:
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Starting on January 17th and for the first half of 2023, we will be using our support group time to discuss our way through the book What Happened to You,
co-written by Dr. Bruce Perry and Oprah Winfrey. (graphic below:)
Please understand that you will NOT have to own the book to participate. However, if you'd like a copy, you can order one here:
This time will be used to consider how our past affects our present, how it affects the choices we make, our personal triggers and how we parent.
We will be sending out free materials to use before each group.
If you would like to sign up to show us your interest, receive updates, as well as the materials, please fill out this google form, linked below, so I can create a separate email list just for the purposes of this study.
*You do not have to be a member to join in with us. Professionals also welcome.
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Foster Parent Night Out
Friday, January 20, 2023, 6–9pm
Lone Mountain Campus - Youth Building
Open to all foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin).
Please make sure to register yourself and each child that will be participating.
Registration closes on Monday, January 16 or once all slots are filled.
What Do You Get Out of It?
Being a Foster Parent is a tremendous responsibility and help to our community. We understand that with the increased responsibility it is difficult to find regular respite care. On the third Friday of every month, from 6p - 9p. Canyon Ridge Christian Church would like to serve the foster parents of our community by providing free respite care. During that time, we will provide your children and your foster children a fun, safe and nurturing environment so that you can take some time to rest, catch a movie, go out with your spouse and more! Space is limited to a first come, first serve basis. Please drop off your children between 6:00p - 6:30.
Fill out the registration form to sign-up today!
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Important Topical QPI Trainings:
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) that affect us as adults.
Researchers determined that 10 specific traumatic childhood experiences, or ACEs, could be linked to a higher likelihood of health challenges later in life, and that the likelihood of these negative effects increased with the number of “ACEs” a child experienced.
Click here to view a QPI training video about ACEs:
(Find out Your Own ACEs Score by clicking HERE)
I've heard a lot of people are experiencing freezing/buffering videos. Here are some tips I found on the QPI Website: Click link below:
I've heard that contacting their IT through email is is extremely helpful and very responsive!
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Meet Waiting Children in the Nevada Heart Gallery: Click HERE
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Raise the Future offers:
TBRI® Trainings
In-Home and Virtual Coaching
Implementation & Connection Groups
Professional Consultations
Specialized Trainings
Professional Parenting Pre-service Training
Lending Library
Personalized Help Finding Resources
Clark County Practitioners:
KENDAL SARNECKY (EXT. 121)
TAYLER WIESE (EXT. 344)
702-436-6335
NVFamilySupport@raisethefuture.org
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Foster Change Lending Library |
Visit the Foster Change Lending Library and check out books for FREE!
for more information!
While supplies last, all families who use the library get a gift bag full of great things and tickets to The Discovery Museum or SeaQuest!
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This month's featured book:
Rising Strong
When we deny our stories, they define us. When we own our stories, we get to write the ending.
Social scientist Brené Brown has ignited a global conversation on courage, vulnerability, shame, and worthiness. Her pioneering work uncovered a profound truth: Vulnerability - the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome - is the only path to more love, belonging, creativity, and joy. But living a brave life is not always easy: We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall...
...Walking into our stories of hurt can feel dangerous. But the process of regaining our footing in the midst of struggle is where our courage is tested and our values are forged. Our stories of struggle can be big ones, like the loss of a job or the end of a relationship, or smaller ones, like a conflict with a friend or colleague. Regardless of magnitude or circumstance, the rising strong process is the same: We reckon with our emotions and get curious about what we’re feeling; we rumble with our stories until we get to a place of truth; and we live this process, every day, until it becomes a practice and creates nothing short of a revolution in our lives. Rising strong after a fall is how we cultivate wholeheartedness. It’s the process, Brown writes, that teaches us the most about who we are.
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Hannah's Closet North - No Appointments Required
Hannah's Closet South - Appointments Required (find on website)
Klothes 4 Kids - Clothing resource for foster children
Project 150 - Programs and Resources for teens (high school ID required)
Marcie's Heart Donation Center at Foster Kinship
Boys Town
Reclaimed Recovery through the HUB LV
- The Reclaimed Recovery Program is an outpatient recovery program for teen girls 12-17 who are either high risk for sex trafficking or are identified survivors of sex trafficking.
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Referral Link for Services: CLICK HERE
The Harbor
Families and youth in need of counseling, tutoring and other support services over the summer are reminded the Harbor juvenile assessment program is here to help.
The Harbor has five locations in the Las #Vegas Valley with hours 8am to 10pm daily to assist families coping with problem behavior and other concerns. Appointments can be made by calling the program’s main number at (702) 455-6912. Walk-ins are accepted. Locations and more information about the program are listed on its website at www.theharborlv.com.
Links to Specialized Organizations and
Higher Level of Care Foster Care Agencies:
The Ombudsman
What exactly does the Ombudsman do?
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Works as an impartial and independent fact finder in reviewing and resolving complaints related to the Family Services and Social Service Departments.
- Click here to access complain form.
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Works as an impartial and independent fact finder in reviewing and resolving complaints related to the Family Services and Social Service departments;
- Explains to clients how department policies, procedures and program rules and regulations work;
- Educates and provides information on how to navigate the local child welfare and social service systems;
- Provides clients with referrals to other resource offices and services in the community; and
- Facilitates complaint resolution between departments and clients.
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Join our Online Community! |
Members of Foster Change are invited to join a private support page on Facebook. Make sure and ACTIVELY take part in an online community of caregivers just like yourself!
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Clark County School District:
Safe-Voice: 1-833-216-SAFE (7233) for anonymous reporting
CCSD Police: 702-799-5411
Mobile Crisis Response Team: 702-486-7865
New Tutoring Service to all K-12 CCSD Students
A new district-wide initiative to provide unlimited, 24/7 virtual tutoring and academic support to approximately 300,000 students in the District.
CCSD recently partnered with Paper, which works with school districts nationwide to provide 1:1 instructional support across more than 200 subject areas in English, Spanish, French, and Mandarin. Paper’s staff of highly trained, background-checked tutors empower students to achieve success with equitable access to academic support. CCSD is funding the Paper partnership using ESSER funds, so the service is free to all K-12 students and families. Student access via their Clever account.
Vegas Strong Academy with Parks and Recreation
- Accepts Urban League- Library locations only
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Community centers- have a separate application for financial aide https://registration.lasvegasnevada.gov/NV/las-vegas-nv/catalog
- Bring financial request to the community center directly
- Yes, for children with special needs, have to toilet and feed themselves.
- Dula community center, 702-229-6307 assist with the financial assistance process and criteria to qualify
Boys and Girls Club
YMCA
- https://www.lasvegasymca.org/y-cares/
- Enrolling Full/Half Day preschool ages 3-5
- Preschool accepts Urban League assistance
- Open M-F Full Day ages 5-15
- Financial Assistance available
- Accepts children with special needs. Must be potty trained and able to feed self
Battle Born Las Vegas Kids and Teens
Imagination Station Early Learning Centers
- 24/7 childcare center with a strong commitment to Early Childhood Education and Quality Care.
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We serve local families with a need for daytime, overnight, weekend, or drop-in childcare. We care for infants from 6 weeks of age, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children through age 12.
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Contact by email: info@imstation247.com or visit online by clicking HERE.
Locations:
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2488 E. Russell Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89120
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3799 S. Las Vegas BLVD.
Las Vegas, NV 89109
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4185 Vegas Valley Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89121
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1310 W. Warm Springs Rd.
Henderson, NV 89014
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2750 S. Rancho Dr.
Las Vegas, NV 89102
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Join Foster Change and make sure your voice is heard: |
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Advocate locally by wearing branded merch:
Foster Change Merch Shop
There are MANY styles to choose from...go get yours now!
#advocacy #youbelonghere #bettertogether #fosterchange
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Advocate locally by engaging in social media:
Visit, Follow, and Interact with Foster Change on our two social media pages:
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Advocate for Yourself and the children in your care: |
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Advocate for all foster parents and all children in care at a National Level:
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Thanks to the following organizations for being advocates by serving on our Board of Directors!
Click on each to learn more:
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SUSPECT CHILD ABUSE or NEGLECT? |
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If someone is having thoughts of self-harm,
please call 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
National Suicide Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
or
Nevada Crisis Line: 775-784-8090
OR
CALL or TEXT 988
Please call 911 for an immediate emergency situation.
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