Spotlight: Deb and Steve

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Spotlight.

Deb and Steve have been providers with FRN since 2012. Deb and Steve have children of their own to include one adopted child, and decided they wanted to open their doors to change the lives of other children. Deb and Steve have exceptional parenting skills and offer an immense amount of love and patience to every child that walks in their doors. They specialize in the care of infants that can need care for a short period to long.

Deb is a stay at home mom which makes it perfect for the family to have younger children. Their own children are wonderful with the babies and love helping out as much as possible.

Deb and Steve are very valuable members of this team that have truly opened up their entire family’s heart. Thanks for all you do and for making a difference!

Co-Parenting: Little Children, Big Challenges

Posted by & filed under FRN News.

FAMILY RESOURCE NETWORK BRINGS TO YOU….
“Co-Parenting: Little Children, Big Challenges”

Whether you’re divorced, separated or are looking for guidance in co-parenting. The “Co-Parenting: Little Children, Big Challenges” Program is the place for you. While you learn about seeing through your child’s eyes and practical solutions for co-parenting- your child will be engaged in fun activities, learning about regulating emotions and ‘two-hug days’.

WHERE:
5360 N. Academy Blvd. Suite 130 Colorado Springs CO. 80918

PRESENTED BY:
Matt Junglas MA Candidate and Registered Psychotherapist & Heather Timm MA Candidate and Registered Psychotherapist.

TO REGISTER: Please contact Matt Junglas at Matt@Familyresourcenetworkco.com or Heather Timm at Heather@Familyresourcenetworkco.com or call 719-227-7477 x12 or x16

The class is open to all parents. You are encouraged to bring your kiddos (ages 4 and up) to participate, but is not required. We look forward to seeing you!!

Click here to download and print the flyer

Nurturing Parenting Program

Posted by & filed under FRN News.

for you and your children

5360 N. ACADEMY BLVD. SUITE 130, COLORADO SPRINGS CO. 80918

Please join us for a fun and interesting 8-week evidence based class where you will learn about Nurturing Parenting. This is an interactive class for both children and their parents. You will learn how to:

  • Identify and handle feelings
  • Communicate needs
  • Be empathetic
  • Empower parents with new discipline techniques
  • Take charge of one’s own behavior
  • Handle stress and anger
  • And so much more!

You will be given the skills to make your lives more peaceful and empowering, at the same time building positive memories with you and your child.

For more information contact: heather@familyresourcenetworkco.com or matt@familyresourcenetworkco.com or call 719-227-7477 EX16 OR X12

Click here to download the flyer

Recipe of the Month: Slow Cooker Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Recipes.

Prep time – 20 mins
Cook time – 4 hours
Total time – 4 hours 20 mins

The best loaded baked potato soup that is made right in your slow cooker.

Author: Alyssa
Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 4 cups peeled and diced potatoes (about 3-4 large russet potatoes)
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 3 cups chicken broth
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup flour
  • ¼ cup sour cream
  • 1½ cup heavy cream (half and half will also work)
  • salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings:

  • Bacon, cooked and crumbled
  • 1½ cups cheddar cheese
  • green onions

Instructions

  1. Add potatoes, diced onions and chicken broth to your slow cooker. Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 3-4 until potatoes are tender.
  2. About 30 minutes before it is done. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in flour and cook until bubbly. Slowly add heavy cream, sour cream. The mixture should be thick. Add this to the soup and stir. Continue to cook in slow cooker for 20-30 minutes.
  3. Serve with toppings, or you can also stir them all into the soup. Enjoy!

Spotlight: April Lazare

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Spotlight.

April Lazare has been an amazing foster parent for the last 15 years. During this time, she has provided care to many children, as well as provided respite services. She has three children and is very committed to their growth and wellbeing. She has done a remarkable job with each child she has accepted into her home and genuinely cares for each one of them. April has welcomed many teen girls into her home with high needs, and though they have struggled at times, she continues to move forward and not give up on them. April’s goal is to help each child toward reunification or emancipation. April maintains support to many children after they have left her home, often for many years. This family loves to stay busy, enjoying the outdoors; parks, shopping, movies, going out to eat, etc. The kids seem to love the environment in which they live and take pride in being a part of this family. Past foster children often return as they feel very connected.

April…Thank you for all that you do. You truly are an exception and make a profound difference in the lives of the kids and families that you touch. You have a heart of gold.

From the Director’s Chair – Winter 2016

Posted by & filed under FRN News.

Together we had another successful year!!

2015 was wonderfully amazing. We have added a few additions, foster care and adoptive, as well as staff, that makes our already amazing team even that much better! 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 2016 will bring even more amazing opportunities and additions 🙂

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 🙂

Speaking of trainings, we have a first aid CPR instructor with us, so if you are in need … please let us know so we can keep you posted on training opportunities.

It’s hard to believe with the New Year is here, and the yearly audits are nearing. Please take a peek at your files, or ask one of us to give it a review, so we are able to maintain our impeccable reviews.

As we enter this new year, and review all of the challenges and accomplishments, let’s plan for how together we can make this year one full of memories, full of life, love, and full of happiness. Together… we are truly the exception!

Spotlight: Anthony and Megan

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Spotlight.

Megan and Anthony have been providers with FRN since March 2015. Megan and Anthony have been married for 8 years. The couple would love an opportunity to foster care or adopt a boy or girl or even a sibling group, with the hope of possibly adopting and building their family. The Brands are experienced parents who have worked through challenges of their own with their daughter, 5 year old Hailey who was born with several health issues.

Anthony is currently an auto mechanic at Midas. Megan is currently in school to become a CNA. Anthony and Megan state they enjoy cooking with each other, dirt bike riding, shooting, video games, walking the dogs, going to the park and watching movies (Disney and Marvel comic movies).

Megan and Anthony have been nothing but committed to the children that have been place in their home. They are very valuable members of FRN and we love the difference they are making to children in need.

“It’s not about the money, house, or cars, it’s about the difference I have made in a child’s life.” ~Megan Brand

Recipe of the Month: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Muffins

Posted by & filed under FRN Corner, Recipes.

“You’ll be glad you made this recipe for pumpkin muffins with a cream cheese filling and a streusel topping.”

Ingredients

  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 4 1/2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 5 tablespoons white sugar
  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3 tablespoons butter
  • 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 1/3 cups canned pumpkin
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease and flour 18 muffin cups, or use paper liners.
  2. To make the filling: In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until soft. Add egg, vanilla and brown sugar. Beat until smooth, and then set aside.
  3. For the streusel topping: In a medium bowl, mix flour, sugar, cinnamon and pecans. Add butter and cut it in with a fork until crumbly. Set aside.
  4. For the muffin batter: In a large bowl, sift together flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. Make a well in the center of flour mixture and add eggs, pumpkin, olive oil and vanilla. Beat together until smooth.
  5. Place pumpkin mixture in muffin cups about 1/2 full. Then add one tablespoon of the cream cheese mixture right in the middle of the batter. Try to keep cream cheese from touching the paper cup. Sprinkle on the streusel topping.
  6. Bake at 375 degrees F (195 degrees C) for 20 to 25 minutes.

Charity Spotlight with the Sky Sox

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Sky Sox BaseballJoin us for a night of fun as we honor our foster families!

When: Saturday, September 6 @ 6:05 pm

SKY SOX vs. New Orleans Zephyrs

Where: Security Service Field, 4385 Tutt Blvd, Colorado Springs, CO 80922

Tickets: $8 per person
*Free hot dog and drink for all FRN foster kids*

Sky SoxSecurity Service Credit Union will be giving away at least 9 used cars and 9 $100 bills! All you have to do is sign up at the front gate of Security Service Field.

Tickets are discounted and must be purchased through Family Resource Network

Contact Tara at tara@familyresourcenetworkco.com or 719.227.7477 x. 10 for more information or to purchase tickets!