Caregiver Courier -

October 2022

Dear Caregivers,

October is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death Awareness Month

Dear Caregivers,

October is Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) Awareness Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, SUID is the sudden and unexpected death of an infant younger than one year old in which the cause was not obvious and often happens during sleep or in the infant’s sleep area. About 3,400 babies in the United States die suddenly and unexpectedly each year.

Clark County management and DFS leadership are proud to partner with parents, relatives, and caregivers who care about the lives, health, and well-being of our youngest children.  This month and every day, we encourage childcare providers to learn more about infant safe sleep practices and to follow the ABCs of Safe Sleep: Alone with no blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals; on their Back; and in a safety-approved Crib with a firm and flat sleep surface in the same room as their parent or caregiver, but not in the same bed.

For helpful information about how we can help babies sleep safer, I urge you to check out the Cribs for Kids website: http://www.cribsforkids.org

The Cribs for Kids Program in Nevada is funded by the Title V Maternal Child Health Block Grant, supervised by the Maternal and Infant Health Program Coordinator, and implemented by the Regional Emergency Medical Authority (REMSA). Cribs for Kids targets underserved communities through an educational campaign promoting safe sleep conditions for infants. Additionally, caregivers are encouraged to attend all well-visit appointments and stay current on infant related matters.

Thank you for always going the extra mile to care for our children and their families. We appreciate everything that you do to ensure they remain whole, supported, and successful in all aspects of their lives.

Sincerely,

Tim Burch

Clark County Administrator of Human Services

WATCH YOUR EMAIL IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS FOR THE HOLIDAY REGISTRATION

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocate. CASA volunteers are appointed by judges to advocate for the best interests of abused, neglected and abandoned children in the foster care system. CASA volunteers conduct an independent evaluation of their case and make recommendations to the court and team about what is in the best interest of their assigned child(ren).

CASA volunteers are screened, trained and supported by CASA program staff. CASA volunteers form a one-on-one relationship with a child and meet with others on the child’s team, to obtain a full picture of the case. CASA volunteers are people who have passion and desire to make a life-long difference in the lives of children in the foster care system.

When a CASA volunteer is assigned, research has shown children are more likely to find a safe and permanent home, more likely to succeed in school and less likely to reenter the child welfare system. The proportion of reentries is consistently reduced by half.

Judges depend on CASA volunteers for critical information to help them make the most well-informed decisions. Judges report the impact of CASA/GAL volunteers is most pronounced in “promoting long-term wellbeing,” followed by “appropriate services to child and family and psychological wellbeing.”

Eighth Judicial District Court CASA program is honored to have nearly 400 CASA volunteers. Many more are needed to support the over 3,000 children in protective custody. To learn more, visit CASALasVegas.org or call 702.455.CASAQuick Q&A with the CASA program

Please contact the CASA office at casa@clarkcountycourts.us with specific questions about the CASA volunteer assignment process. 

GRACE POINT VEGAS CHURCH

Will have several fall events, Click here for their website link to register for their events like the Annual fall Festival on October 31st, 2022. 

INDEPENDENT LIVING CORNER

The Independent Living Program is designed to assist and prepare foster and former foster youth in making the transition from foster care to adulthood by providing opportunities to obtain life skills for self-sufficiency and independence. Program services are available to youth 14 and older who are currently in foster care and to former foster care youth who aged-out of the foster care system at age 18.

Upcoming IL Workshops: Click on the links to join virtually.

College 101 for Nevada Students in Foster Care September 29, 2022, 3pm-5pm. https://nshe-nevada-edu.zoom.us/j/96914774759?pwd=SlBlRGJXaVZodHZqdllyeFg4NFNLUT09.

College 101 for Nevada Students in Foster Care October 6, 2022, 3pm-5pm. https://nshe-nevada-edu.zoom.us/j/91061003164?pwd=VnVCYlBOYWt0WnpXMURYc2o2RWM3Zz09

FAFSA workshop for Clark County Students in Foster Care October 13, 2022, 3pm-5pm. In person at 2900 Torrey Pines, Building B.

For all upcoming events: If you would like to register please email DFSIndependentLiving@ClarkCountyNV.gov or call Nicole Smith 702-455-0602. You can also ask your IL worker to register you!

For more information on transitioning out of care: https://www.fosterclub.com/foster-parent-training/course/using-fosterclub-transition-toolkit

For information on job readiness program, paid internships, monetary assistance with work clothes, training and assistance with job placement click on the following links;

One Stop Career Center onestopyouth@nvcareercenter.org; Employ NV Youth Hub www.employnvyouthhub.org

Independent Living services are also available to youth who were adopted from foster care on or after their 16th birthday. Some of the services provided through the Independent Living Program include:

·        Daily living skills

·        Money management

·        Decision making

·        Housing assistance

·        Substance abuse prevention, nutrition education, smoking prevention, and pregnancy prevention

·        Preparation for postsecondary training and education https://nshe.nevada.edu/initiatives/foster-youth/

·        Mentors and permanent connections

·        Financial assistance with college or vocational schools ETV@ClarkCountyNV.gov 

·        Medical insurance

·        Counseling

·        Assistance in obtaining the GED and higher education

  Important Educational Updates from DFS

September 2022

CLICK HERE

CCSD Education Update - Back to school Guide

CAREGIVER TRAINING CORNER

Click Here

Click Here

REGISTER HERE for Family ECHO: Autism

Click Here  (to see trainings)

ADOPTION CORNER

Meet Makayla

Training title: How to help children recognize their emotions

Trainer: Lauren Fishbein

Date: Wednesday October 5^th, 10am-11am PST

Description: This workshop will explain how to help children identify their emotions. As humans, we mainly learn through observation, which means that it is essential that our parents and caregivers know how to model their own emotions. Learning how to do this usually does not come naturally and there are specific tools when it comes to modeling behavior, especially when we are navigating intense emotions such as anger. Sometimes, naming emotions causes even more stress and dysregulation, we will explore another way to work with these challenging moments. 

 Register Here

Training title: Working with triggers in the moment

Trainer: Lauren Fishbein

Date: Wednesday October 12^th 10am-11am PST

Description: In this workshop, you will explore the triune brain and learn how to tell which part of the brain your child/client is in. You will gain a better understanding of how to approach a triggered child and how to stay regulated yourself. We will discuss real-life moments where you find it difficult to know how to respond in the moment.  

Register Here

In-Person TBRI® Caregiver Training: Introduction and Overview

October 15th 

9:00am-3:00pm

Raise the Future Office 

2500 North Buffalo Dr. Ste 140

Las Vegas, NV 89128

Register Here

Title: The Importance of Proper Haircare and Cultural Considerations

Date of Training: Wednesday, November 2, 2022 at 5 pm-6pm PST

Register Here

Description:

Caring for children is not an easy task; there are so many variations and factors to consider. What happens when there’s a gap in education related to hair types and styles? This training will outline the importance of proper haircare and cultural considerations to help bridge the gap between parents and “Black hair”. This training will provide education about hair types, cultural considerations, mental health effects, and resources to help improve and empower parents/guardians to make necessary changes to support healthy haircare habits.

Title: Representation for Young Black Children

Date of Training: Wednesday November 9, 2022 at 5 pm-6pm PST

Description: There are so many ways for our children to be affected by what they watch. By increasing a parent’s understanding of representation through media sources, we can help guide our children towards shows that include positive images of them. This training will discuss the importance of representation through media sources, identify the mental health benefits of representation, and provide available resources to encourage, educate, and empower parents to incorporate media options that align with representation.

 Register Here

Canyon Ridge Supports Caregivers

Open to all foster caregivers (licensed, unlicensed, relative, fictive kin) Please make sure to register your register yourself and each child that will be participating.

Registration closes once all slots are filled. Must register no later than Monday, October 17, 2022. 

Click here to register

What Do You Get Out of it?

Foster Parent Night Out -

Friday October 21, 2022

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. In 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 - 6:30p as the doors will closed after that time for safety purposes. Fill out the registration form to sign-up today!

Please note - feed your children before drop-off (we will provide snacks, but not dinner).

Open for children ages birth - 5th grade.

Save the date

Foster Parents Night Out

October 7, 2022

There will be no Foster Parents Night Out in November and December.

Being a Foster Parent is Tremendous responsibility and help to our community. We understand that with the increased responsibility it is difficult to find regular respite care.

On the first Friday of every month, Grace Point church serves the foster parents in our community by providing free respite care from 6p to 9p.

Click Here TO REGISTER

RESPITE Opportunities for

Therapeutic Children

To better serve caregiver families providing foster care or placement for children through DFS, we have established an additional respite option with The Therapeutic Solution. This respite option provides therapeutic-focused respite services to our children and youth requiring a higher level of care during respite needs. And also, respite services for the standard level of care requests referred by DFS; a higher level of need for behavioral care is not necessary to utilize respite services through The Therapeutic Solution. Respite is available for both planned and emergency respite requests. Services are open from 10 am-10 pm Monday through Friday. Weekend respite is available upon request and is provided as needed. 

To access this service please contact the DFS Case Manager with the requested respite timeframes. The DFS Case Manager will coordinate and ensure respite availability and provide you with confirmation and guidance.

RESPITE REIMBURSEMENT -

We support you

Support Groups

FOSTERING HOPE SUPPORT GROUP 

Fostering Hope support group meets every Wednesday from 6:00-8:00pm at Hope Church 850 E Cactus Ave. Childcare is provided just please email to RSVP for child care carly@thehublv.com

HANNAH'S CLOSET SOUTH

Hannah’s Closet South is open to shop go www.fosteringhopelv.com  to Sign up for a shopping slot

After having gifted guitars and offered music lessons to foster children over the last year,  The Tone Guild was encouraged and set up a formal organization. 501(c)(3)  This service organization mission is dedicated to spreading music to foster children and at-risk youth. 

To make it easier to identify and distribute musical instruments/lessons,  A  form was developed to nominate potential recipients. 

Submit nominations using this form: 

Tone Guild Student Nomination 

Comedy Magician Farrell Dillon Celebrates 100^th Las Vegas Performance

with Ticket Giveaway to 100 Foster Families



Farrell Dillon reached a performance milestone as the comedy magician celebrated his 100^th show on April 3^rd at The Magic Attic inside Bally’s Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. To commemorate this landmark occasion, Dillon is giving away show tickets to 100 Nevada foster families.

Dillon’s decision to distribute complimentary tickets to foster families came after the entertainer and his wife, Amanda, worked at a transitional home for young adults during the height of the COVID pandemic. 

“While we waited for the Vegas entertainment industry to recover from pandemic-related shutdowns, my wife and I decided to devote our time to a transitional home for young adults. We didn’t know much about this type of work, but we both decided to give it a shot and we are so thankful we did. As my wife and I developed genuinely loving relationships with these young people, and became an enriching part of their daily lives, the experience at the home instilled in us a renewed sense of gratitude and appreciation for our own family,” Dillon said. 

National Foster Care Month  in May, Dillon decided to celebrate the 100^th show of his Bally’s residency by treating 100 foster families to a complimentary performance.

To get your tickets call 702-455-5424