Employee of the Month

Posted by & filed under Employee of the Month, FRN Corner.

Shelby Zamora

My goal is to help create an environment in which families and children can thrive. We accomplish this through working towards the family’s goals, allowing them space to grow, and aiding them in making changes toward their best life. I do so with compassion, keeping an open mind, and creating a safe space for clients. I am currently working towards my master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health in pursuit of my LPC.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not” – Dr. Suess

May: Foster Care Awareness Month

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Thank you to all our amazing foster families, and all you have done for children in our community! We are so thankful for you! Becoming a foster parent is not an easy job; your sacrifices and love for these children do not go unnoticed.

If you’re wondering what foster care is all about, we would love to connect with you! There is a huge need for foster parents right here in Colorado, as so many children need a safe home right now. While becoming foster parents is a big decision, we are here to support you through the entire process.

Maybe you interested in helping foster children and families in need but aren’t ready to take the plunge to become a foster parent yourself. That’s okay! There are so many ways you can support your local community and foster families. Check on your neighbors, offer to babysit, provide a meal, or start a carpool; organize a playgroup with kids in the neighborhood or donate clothing and furniture to another family or local agency. For more ways to help those in your community, visit: co4kids.org.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent, give us a call at 719-227-7477. We would love to hear from you!

LGBTQIAP+ Resources

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Resources:

Free Foster Parent Book

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Children in Foster Care and Disorders written by Dr. John DeGarmo at The Foster Care Institute offers a quick, easy-to-read overview of many disorders that foster children often suffer from due to trauma. Please check it out, click on this link for the book if you are curious about diagnoses that are common for children in foster care.

https://files.constantcontact.com/3ce3eda2501/06e1ec7b-9e74-48f7-a1aa-e094513d105c.pdf

May Day – May 1st

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May Day is a celebration with a long and varied history, dating back millennia. Throughout the years, there have been many different events and festivities worldwide, most with the express purpose of welcoming in a change of season (spring in the Northern Hemisphere). Celebrate the day with a fun craft you can make and keep for your front door give to a neighbor! Create this May Day craft paper plate basket with flowers or create other May Day crafts at Fun Family Crafts.com:

https://funfamilycrafts.com/tag/may-day/

In the 19th century, May Day took on a new meaning, as an International Workers’ Day grew out of the 19th-century labor movement for worker’s rights and an eight-hour workday in the United States. May Day 2020 is celebrated on May 1, 2020. For a continuation from History.com access this link:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/history-of-may-day

Lunch & Learn: Finding Meaning during this Pandemic

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner.

Exploring grief and finding meaning are wonderfully discussed by Brené Brown & David Kessler in a podcast that is shorter than your lunch hour! Discussing the grief, we are all experiencing in light of this pandemic is something we should all recognize and work through.

Brené and David have an open and thoughtful discussion about grief and finding meaning in a world of judgement and pain. Listen to this to get another perspective on how the meaning can be found in each of us. They explore the premise behind David Kessler’s new book Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief

  1. Listen to the podcast here: https://brenebrown.com/podcast/david-kessler-and-brene-on-grief-and-finding-meaning/
  2. Fill out a training form to get 1 hour of training credit once you send to your home supervisor.

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese Sandwiches

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Recipes.

Tomato Soup:

Sauté:

  • 4 finely dice garlic cloves
  • 1 cup finely diced Vadalia onion
  • 2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Add:

  • 2 cans diced tomatoes, 28 ounce size
  • 3 cups chicken stock / “No Chicken” broth (vegan version)
  • ½ tsp basil
  • 2 ½ Tbsp sugar
  • 4 Tbsp half n half
  • 2 Tbsp grated parmesan cheese
  • Pepper and sea salt

Sauté above ingredients for approximately 5 minutes over medium heat. Add remaining ingredients and heat over medium heat for 15-20 minutes. Use a hand-held blender to remove chunkiness, or use a regular blender. Blend to desired texture. If serving kids, they may prefer a very smooth consistency.

Grilled Cheese Hearts:

  • Oatmeal bread slices
  • Mozzarella slices
  • Butter

For each sandwich, start with two slices of bread. Either hand-cut a “heart” shape or use a heart-shaped cookie cutter. Butter bread slices on one side. Set one buttered slice in pan over medium heat, set cheese slice on top and then top off with second slice of bread, butter side up. Flip sandwich once first side is lightly browned. Lightly brown second side.

Grilled Cheese Hearts

Photo courtesy of ZiggityZoom.com

From the Director’s Chair: Winter 2017

Posted by & filed under FRN News.

This month the Family Resource Network clinical team has grown to include two new interns and a therapist.

Dawn is a Colorado native who is joining us for her practicum after having worked as a behavior analyst. For 15 years Dawn worked with children with autism. She is currently a graduate student at Adams State University. Diana is also starting her practicum and is a graduate student at Capella University. Her previous experience includes teaching middle school and high school Spanish in Missouri where she is originally from.

Rob is our new therapist. Rob has a degree in mental health counseling from Denver Seminary and has worked in developmental trauma, intensive in-home therapy, and had his own private practice. He also enjoys focusing on cross cultural issues as he lived in South Africa for 17 years and has experience with adjusting to new cultures.

I hope you’ll come in to meet them soon.

Spotlight: Jessica & Eric

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Spotlight.

At the end of September 2016, Jessica and Eric were welcomed into the Family Resource Network family of providers. Jessica and Eric have three children and two adopted pets named Teddy and C.J. This family has so much love to give that they have opened their hearts and home for children who need a forever home.

Jessica and Eric are prime examples of parents who can provide a loving, nurturing, and safe home to more children. Becoming a foster parent was a lifelong dream for Jessica which is now a reality! The family is eager to provide a stable and loving home for a child in need of a forever home. This family lives in an area with ½ acre of land for the kids to run and play. Both, Jessica and Eric have a professional background that would be highly beneficial to caring for children who have had a rough beginning in life.

Family Resource Network is lucky to have such a high caliber family as a foster to adopt family! Thank you for all you have done to become licensed providers, we feel privileged to be on this journey with you!

Recipe of the Month: Broiled Pineapple Sundaes

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Recipes.

Pineapple SundaeThis sundae also makes a great breakfast parfait – just substitute plain Greek yogurt of your choice for frozen!

Author: Kate
Serves: 4

Ingredients

  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 3 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 1/2teasponns honey
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground ginger
  • 2 cups coarsely chopped fresh pineapple
  • ¼ cup macadamia nuts (or a nut of your choosing) optional
  • 2 cups vanilla frozen Greek yogurt

Preparation

  1. Preheat broiler to high.
  2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add pineapple; toss to coat.
  3. Spread pineapple mixture in a single layer on a foil lined pan. Broil 5 minutes or until bubbly.
  4. Place nuts in a skillet; cook over medium heat 3 minutes or until lightly browned, shaking pan frequently. Spoon ½ cup yogurt into each of 4 dessert bowls. Top each serving with about ¼ cup pineapple mixture and 1 tablespoon nuts.

Enjoy!