Family Resource Network

Director’s Chair

Together we had another successful year!! 2017 has been amazing so far. We have added a few additions, foster care and adoptive, as well as staff, that makes our already amazing team even that much better! We hope you have a chance to meet everyone. I feel blessed to have such a terrific team. A team full of devotion, passion, dedication and shear talent and skill. I am blessed to be on your team and I know 2018 will bring even more amazing opportunities and additions :)

I want to shout out to each and every one of you, for being the most amazing part of this agency!! I feel so lucky to be a part of every one of your lives.

We continue with our monthly support groups, and have received a lot of positive feedback about the topics and conversation. If there is something you want us to cover, or have covered in these sessions, please do not hesitate to share. We will make it happen :)

It is so true, that when you love what you do, it feels as though you never have to work a day in your life. You all make me love what I do!!!

Christmas is almost here! Check out the great tips on being a foster parent and foster child during the holiday season.

~Shawntel Tucker, Executive Director

Mission Statement

To provide the best quality care, education, and programs for children and families; and to serve the community in which we live and work!

About Us

Family Resource Network, formally Kids' Resource Network, was founded in 1985, moving into El Paso County area in 1992. Since the beginning it has been our goal to grow gradually and to focus on a solid and stable program. Our outstanding resources are proof of that. Family Resource Network is the exception! We work with many diverse children and families, who all have different and special needs. Our families and staff stand out above and beyond what could possibly be expected and provide an amazing service to the children and families in the community. We work with children from ages 0-18 and sometimes help young adults up to the age of 21 should there be special circumstances. Family Resource Network works to reunify children in a safe and stable family environment. Should a child be unable to return to their biological family, we help to locate and finalize a permanent placement. In addition to Foster/Adoptive services, we also have a host of services that we provide to the community, through our partnership with Kaleidoscope counseling, such as family, couples, individual, and play therapy, life skills, family preservation, parenting groups, foster and adoptive support groups, assessments, evaluations, and interventions and child and family investigations.

The Jennifer & Jillian are truly exceptional foster parents! They have been fostering a sibling group for almost a year and always go above and beyond the expectations of foster families. These moms work together to provide a loving home that supports learning, development, and fun! In the last year they have become very informed on how to parent children who have experienced trauma and they continue to look for new ways to help the children they care for. This family enjoys time outdoors playing sports, going to museums and plays, and learning ways to be creative with arts and crafts. Children would be lucky to have parents like Jen & Jill!

Support Groups December 28th – Holiday Party

STAY TUNED FOR NEW AND

INFORMATIVE TOPICS IN THE NEW

YEAR!!!!!!

Please let us know if there any topics that you would like us to incorporate in our support

groups!

Local Events for the holidays MUSIC

“Songs of the Seasons” — Through December, Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd. For a list of performances, go to chapelhillsmall.com.

“Wintersong - A Celebration of the Season” — Colorado Vocal Arts Ensemble, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 19, 7:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Colorado College, Shove Memorial Chapel, 1010 N. Nevada Ave., donations accepted; cvae.org.

“Christmas Symphony” — The Colorado Springs Philharmonic, 2:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $19-$59; 520-7469, pikespeakcenter.com.

“Solstice Songs and Christmas Carols” — The Band Wassail, 5:30 p.m. Dec. 21, McCabe’s Tavern, 520 S. Tejon St., free; 633-3300, mccabestavern.com.

“Songs of Christmas” — 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 28, Glen Eyrie Conference Center, 3820 N. 30th St., $29-$39; gleneyrie.org.

VISUAL ARTS

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Colorado Gingerbread Village — 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 24, Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd.; chapelhillsmall.com.

Holiday Village — 8 a.m.-4 p.m. through Jan. 4, Liberty Heights Senior Lifestyle Community, 12105 Amassador Drive, free; 481-9494.

Christmas Around the World — Exhibits showcasing traditions from around the world, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 20, Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute Ave., $5 per family; 493-6243.

SHOPPING

The Bob Telmossee Giveaway — Children can choose a gift for themselves, coat/hat/gloves and a gift for child’s caregiver and family is given a food basket, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 20, or while supplies last, Freedom Financial Services Expo Center, 2650 N. Nevada Ave. Children must be present to receive a toy; santa-bob.org.

Vegan Holiday Pop-up Market — Food vendors, live music and more, noon-3 p.m. Dec. 20, Epicentral Coworking, 415 N. Tejon St.; tinyurl.com/plcv9zz.

STAGE

“Nutcracker” — Colorado Youth Ballet, 7 p.m. Dec. 22, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Dec. 23, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $18-$35; 520-7469, pikespeakcenter.com.

“Kids First Series: The Last Christmas Tree” — Saturdays and Sundays, through Dec. 21, The Millibo Art Theatre, 1626 S. Tejon St., $12; 465-6321, themat.org.

“Winter Wonderland” — Thursdays-Sundays, through Dec. 28, Butte Theater, 139 E. Bennett Ave., Cripple Creek, $12-$18; thinairtheatre.com.

“T‘was the Night Before Christmas” — Madam’s Renegade Cabaret, 2 p.m. Dec. 21, 6:30 p.m. Dec. 23, The Mezzanine, 20 N. Tejon St., back alley entrance, $10-$15; 428-6974, themezzcos.com.

Junie B. in “Jingle Bells, Batman Smells” — 4 p.m. Dec. 27, Pikes Peak Center, 190 S. Cascade Ave., $23-$33; pikespeakcenter.com.

KIDS AND PETS

Santa’s Village — Bring the little ones for a visit with Santa, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 24, Santa takes breaks 1-2 p.m. and 5-6 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 2:30-3:30 p.m. Sundays, Chapel Hills Mall, 1710 Briargate Blvd.; chapelhillsmall.com.

Family Fun - Mrs. Clause Tells Stories — 3 p.m. Dec. 19, Manitou Springs Community Library, 701 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, free; ppld.org.

Holiday Storytime — “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and “The Night Before Christmas,” 7 p.m. Dec. 19, Barnes & Noble, 795 Citadel Drive East; 637-8282, barnesandnoble.com.

Storytime — “Here Comes Santa Cat” by Deborah Underwood, 10:30 a.m. Dec. 19 and 20, Barnes & Noble, 795 Citadel Drive East; 637-8282, barnesandnoble.com.

Family Fun - Mrs. Claus Tells Stories — 10:30 a.m. Dec. 20, Rockrimmon Library Branch, 832 Village Center Drive, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 20, Ruth Holley Library Branch, 685 N. Murray Blvd., free; ppld.org.

Caroling and Cookies — 11 a.m. Dec. 20, Manitou Springs Community Library, 701 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs, free; ppld.org.

Showing of “Elf” — 3 p.m. Dec. 20, Sand Creek Library Branch, 1821 S. Academy Blvd., free; ppld.org.

Nature Hike with Santa — 10-11:30 a.m. Dec. 20, Fountain Creek Nature Center, 320 Peppergrass Lane, Fountain, $4. Reservations: 520-6745.

Pictures with Santa — 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 20, 21 and 24, Bancroft Park, 2408 W. Colorado Ave., $10, $5 for each additional photo; shopoldcoloradocity.com.

Family Fun - Reindeer Dog Stories — With Denise and Sienna, 1:30 p.m. Dec. 21, Sand Creek Library Branch, 1821 S. Academy Blvd., free; ppld.org.

Gingerbread House Decoration — 4:30-5:30 p.m. Dec. 22, High Prairie Library, 7035 Old Meridian Road, Falcon, free; ppld.org.

Cool Science Kid’s Mini Fruitcake Toss — For children in kindergarten-grade 8, 10 a.m. Jan. 3, Imagination Celebration, The Citadel, 750 Citadel Drive East, free. Registration: tinyurl.com/kop48un.

OTHER STUFF

Holiday Nights - 3D Light Show Spectacular — 5:30-9 p.m., at 15-minute intervals, through end of year, Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum, 215 S. Tejon St., free; tinyurl.com/meklot4.

Electric Safari — Over one million glittering lights and more than 40 animated light sculptures illuminate the Zoo, 5:30-8:30 p.m. through Jan. 1, except Dec. 24, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, 4250 Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Road, call or go online for admission prices: 424-7847, cmzoo.org.

Many Lights of Christmas Drive Through — 6-9 p.m. Dec. 19-22, Springs First Church of the Nazarene, 4120 E. Fountain Blvd.; springsfirst.org.

Wild Winter Christmas Celebration — 9-10 a.m. Dec. 21, Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center, 4729 Twin Rocks Road, Divide $25, free for ages 12 and younger. Reservations: 687-9742, wolfeducation.org.

Holiday Fun Ideas for the Family

Ten Tips TO GET THROUGH THE

HOLIDAYS

1. Reach out to family and friends Mail a holiday card to a loved one or DM them on social media, or just make an old-fashioned

phone call. Maintaining those meaningful relationships helps to focus on the things that matter most during the holidays 2. Ask for visits Let your foster parents and caseworker know how important visits are to you during the holidays. Do what you can to help arrange the visits, whether that means being flexible with your schedule or helping to make the arrangements with those you wish to visit. 3. Let ‘em wag If you’re a dog lover, throughout the holidays, the Humane Society often needs help in adopting out animals. This rewarding work allows you to walk and bathe dogs, teach them new tricks, and help them find good homes. 4. Connect at church If you belong to a church, check into all the holiday activities that might be going on and join in! Activities around the holidays might include social gatherings, caroling, volunteer efforts, and extra services. If you do not belong to a church, the holidays can be a fun time to get involved. 5. Write on If you like to write, keep a daily journal for the holiday season. Use your writing as a way to vent feelings, work through anxiety and worries, and to reflect on the true meaning of the holidays. 6. Be kind, be yourself Chances are you’ll naturally be meeting and running into lots of people during the holiday season. The simplest things can connect you to someone, and one of the easiest places to get started is by being yourself and showing kindness. 7. Lend a hand Volunteering can unite people with similar values. Offer to help the Salvation Army or local soup kitchen with their Christmas dinner. If you’re uncertain where to start, ask your foster parent, caseworker or a neighbor to help you research the possibilities. 8. Do it Yourself Everyone appreciates a homemade gift. Consider making holiday ornaments, knitting scarves, or crafting bookmarks. Search the internet for ideas and instructions about making inexpensive

holiday crafts. Most everyone loves homemade cookies or candies wrapped in pretty boxes. 9. Visit others who may feel alone Older people in a nursing home may be away from loved ones during the holidays. Check with them to find out if there are people who would enjoy having company during the holidays. Consider bringing a favorite holiday story to read aloud or load your iPod with a favorite Christmas song(s). 10. Connect at FosterClub.com Be sure to visit the FosterClub message boards at www.fosterclub.com and connect with your peers who may be feeling the same way. Post your feedback on FosterClub. Let us know how you spend the holidays and give your own ideas about how to find your own joy during the season.

12 ideas for supportive adults to help their young person through the holiday

Prepare the foster youth in your care for the holidays in your home Have a discussion with the young person about your family’s holiday customs. Do you celebrate over multiple days, or is there one “main” celebration? Are there religious customs? Will gifts be exchanged? What should they wear? Who will they meet? What preparations need to be done in advance? Will there be visitors to the home? Will they be taken on visits to the homes of other family or friends? And in all of these events, will your youth be expected to participate? Knowing what to expect will help to decrease anxiety around the holidays. Avoid surprises and you will decrease seasonal tensions.

Prepare friends and family before you visit Let people know in advance about new family members in your home. Surprising a host or hostess at the door with a “new” foster youth may set up an awkward situation — such as a scramble to set

an extra place at the table — making the young person feel like an imposition right from the start of the visit. Your preparation of friends should help cut down on awkward, but reasonable questions such as “who are you?” or “where did you come from?”

Remember confidentiality You may receive well intended but prying questions from those you visit with over the holidays. If your young person is new to your home, it is natural that family members ask questions about your youth’s

background. Understand that questions are generally not meant to be insensitive or rude, but simply come from a place of not knowing much about foster care. Think in advance about how to answer these questions while maintaining your youth’s

confidentiality. Use the opportunity to educate interested family and friends. Discuss with your young person how they would like to be introduced and what is appropriate to share about their history with your family and friends. (Remember, they have no

obligation to reveal their past.)

Arrange meeting your family in advance, if possible The hustle and bustle of the holidays can make it particularly chaotic for your young person to participate in your family traditions. Anxiety may run high for young people already, and the stress of meeting your relatives may be a lot to deal with. If possible, you can arrange a casual “meeting” in advance of “main events.” If it is not possible or practical to meet beforehand, make a list of names of some of the people they’ll meet and their connection to you. You can also encourage a quick call from relatives you plan to visit to deliver a personal message of “we are excited to

met you” so that your youth knows they will be welcome.

Have extra presents ready to help offset differences It should not be expected that all relatives purchase presents for your youth. Be prepared with other small gifts and for those family members that express concern over not having brought a gift,

offer one of your “backups” for them to place under the tree. Extra presents may be addressed “from Santa”, even for older youth, to help offset a larger number of gifts other children may receive at the same time. Children often keep count of the

number of gifts received (right or wrong) and use it to compare with other kids, so sometimes quantity is important.

Facilitate visits with loved ones The holidays can be a busy time for everyone including foster parents and caseworkers. But it is especially important during this time of year to help your young person arrange for visits with loved ones. Don’t allow

busy schedules to mean the postponement of these important visits. Try to get permission for your youth to make phone calls to relatives (if long distance charges are an issue, ask if calls can be placed from the foster care agency or provide a local business or

individual to “donate” by allowing the use of their phone). A youth may wish to extend holiday wishes to relatives and friends from an old neighborhood, but may need your help getting phone numbers together. Use the opportunity to help the youth

develop their own address book.

Help them make sure their loved ones are okay Young people may worry that their family members are struggling through the holidays. If homelessness has been a regular issue, the winter season may bring cold weather and extreme hardship. Your

youth may experience guilt if they feel a loved one is struggling while they, the youth, are living in comfort. Knowing that a biological parent or sibling has shelter from the cold or has their other basic needs met may ease a young person’s mind through

the always emotional holidays.

Extend an invitation If it is safe and allowed by your foster care agency, consider extending an invitation to siblings or bioparents through the holidays. It need not be an invitation to your “main” holiday event, consider a “special” dinner for your

youth to celebrate with their loved ones. If this not a possibility to do within your home, consider arranging a visit at a local restaurant (ask the caseworker is it would be appropriate for the visit to be unsupervised or if your supervision would suffice).

Extending an invitation to their loved ones need not signal to a young person that you support their bio-family’s lifestyle or choices — rather it tells a young person that you respect their wish to stay connected to family. You will also send a message to

the youth that that aren’t being put in a position to “choose” your family over their bio-family and that it is possible to have a relationship with all the people they care about.

Understand and encourage your youth’s own traditions and beliefs Encourage discussion about the holiday traditions your young person experienced prior to being in foster care, or even celebrations they liked while living with other foster families.

Incorporate the traditions the youth cherishes into your own family celebration, if possible. Use the opportunity to investigate the youth’s culture and research customary traditions. If the young person holds a religious belief different from yours, or if their

family did, check into the traditions customarily surrounding those beliefs.

Assist in purchasing or making holiday gifts or in sending cards to their family and friends Allow young people to purchase small gifts for their relatives, or help them craft homemade gifts. Help send holiday cards to those that they want to stay

connected with. The list of people that your youth wishes to send cards and gifts to should be left completely to the youth, although precautions may be taken to ensure safety (for example, a return address may be left off the package, or use the

address of the foster care agency) and compliance with any court orders

Understand if they pull away Despite your best efforts, a young person may simply withdraw during the holidays. Understand that this detachment most likely is not intended to be an insult or a reflection of how they feel about you, but rather is their own coping mechanism. Allow for “downtime” during the holidays that will allow the youth some time to themselves if

they need it (although some youth would prefer to stay busy to keep their mind off other things — you will need to make a decision based on your knowledge of the young person). Be sure to fit in one-on-one time, personal time for your youth and you

to talk through what they are feeling during this emotional and often confusing time of year.

Call youth who formerly lived with you The holidays can be a particularly tough time for youth who have recently aged out of foster care. They may not have people to visit or a place to go for the holidays. In addition, young people commonly struggle

financially when they first leave foster care. A single phone call may lift their spirits and signal that you continue to care for them and treasure their friendship. Be sure to include these youth on your own holiday card list. A small token gift or gift basket of

homemade holiday goodies may be especially appreciated.