April 2025
At Alliance CaRES, we believe caregivers thrive when connected to each other, practical resources, and the broader community.
Support groups that fit your schedule! Find a calendar of CaRES’s events plus a map with your local events on our website: AllianceCaRES.org
All groups, trainings and events are open to all families under the umbrella term of “Caregiver.” Whether you are a relative (also called kinship), foster, fictive kin, guardianship, or adoptive parent, we are here for you.
Statewide Events
Peer Support + Caregiving Skills (TSGs) Support Groups with Training Hours
Boundaries of Self Care – Monday, April 14th at 6:30 p.m.
Fostering Across Race, Ethnicity, and Culture – Monday, April 21st at 1:00 p.m.
Fostering While Parenting: Supporting our biological and adopted children – Thursdays, April 3rd & 10th at 6:00 p.m.
Grief & Loss in Your Fostering Journey – Saturday, April 26th at 9:00 a.m.
Littlest Lives and Their Big Needs: Parenting 0-2 – Wednesdays, April 2nd, 9th, and 16th at 5:30 pm
Parenting in the Digital Age (at the Vancouver Community Group) – Tuesday, April 15th at 5:30 p.m.
Practical Parenting Skills for Caregivers – Monday, April 14th & Tuesday, April 15th at 3:00 pm
Supporting LGBTQIA+ Youth in Foster Care – Monday, April 7th and Tuesday, April 8th at 4:00 p.m.
Local Events
Community Groups are a way for you to gain support, build networks, feel heard, solve problems, and learn from others who share this unique parenting experience. You might even leave with new connections for respite care!
Spokane: Thursday, April 24th from 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Moses Lake: Saturday, April 12th from 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Wenatchee: Friday, April 11th from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Wenatchee: Sunday April 27th from Noon – 1:30 p.m.
Ellensburg: Wednesday, April 2nd from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. (Early Learning Coalition Event)
Tri-Cities: Thursday, April 10th from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Yakima: Sunday, April 13th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Arlington: Saturday, April 19th from 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
Clark County: Thursday, April 15th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Grays Harbor: Saturday, March 1st from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
E-Learning & Webinars
Find our extensive catalog of E-Learnings and webinars for kinship and foster parents at RiseWithTheAlliance.org.
CaRES Mentors are always available to provide peer support. Request a Mentor contact at AllianceCaRES@uw.edu.
Statewide Events
Topic Support Group (TSG)
Caregivers say they wish they could get training credit for talking with other kin caregivers and foster parents. CaRES Topic Support Groups are the answer! Caregivers participate in a topic-based conversation guided by a CaRES Mentor. There are a wide range of topics to help caregivers build the skills and strategies they need through peer experience and Mentor guidance. All topic support groups provide an Alliance training certificate. Find all TSGs here.
Special Events
Cultural Care and Connections
Wednesday, April 2 at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Speaker: Nathan LaChine
This training explains the importance of cultural differences when caring for a child of a different race or culture. It provides insight on how the caregiver can recognize different values, beliefs, behaviors, communication variations and potential barriers, including personal care. Additionally, this training addresses the need to keep children connected to their culture of origin.
TBRI: “Handling setbacks”
Tuesday, April 8 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Sherry Colomb
As parents, it’s easy to feel inadequate or doubt our parenting skills when we face a setback in a child’s life. Join us to learn more about a TBRI approach to connect with your child in learning how to identify triggering situations, minimize obstacles, and implement learned techniques during a setback which will help to strengthen the emotional well-being of both parent and child.
The Infant Development Follow-up Clinic (IDFC) at UW Medical Center provides care for children from birth to age 5 who are at high risk for developmental problems due to prematurity, low birth weight, or prenatal exposure to drugs. The goal is to provide early identification and referral for early intervention for children at risk for neurodevelopmental and neurobehavioral problems. A team of experts work together to assess each child’s health and development and connect families with resources if problems are found.
How to Talk to Kids about Sex Stuff
Monday, April 21 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Camille Hereth
Sexual development is a normal and natural occurrence for everyone. In this workshop, we will review the sexual developmental milestones from birth up to adult years to help normalize typical behaviors and stages children go through, as well as some key components for teaching children how to keep their body safe, and about consent. We will also address how to navigate when kids question their gender identity, and how to talk with them about their friends and peers going through this.
Region 1
PlayGrounds Coffee Date for Wenatchee Area Caregivers
Friday, April 11 at 10:00 a.m.
Join a group of area foster and kinship caregivers for coffee and connection on Friday, April 11th at 10am at Sage Hills PlayGrounds Cafe. Your local CaRES Community Connector and foster and adoptive mom, Jenny, will be there to welcome you. We’re meeting here so that if you have littles in tow, you can still join us! This event is open to all caregivers of DCYF-involved children including kinship and licensed foster families and post-permanency families. If you are licensed with a CPA or tribe we’d love to have you, too. Come, grab some coffee, and be reminded you’re not in this alone.
RSVP is appreciated, though not required. You can reach Jenny at careswenatchee@gmail.com or texting her at 509-670-9411. We hope to see you!
Moses Lake Caregiver Breakfast
Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m.
CaRES Community Connector, Lori, hosts a monthly breakfast for caregivers across Central Washington to gather, socialize, and support one another. This group is open to all caregivers of DCYF-involved children including kinship and licensed foster families. If you have finalized guardianship or adoption, we’d love to have you, too! The group is ever evolving, so feel free to drop in for one month, or many.
Meet us at 10am on Saturday, April 12th for breakfast at The Drip, 121 W 3rd Ave. We ask that only adults attend and plan to pay for their own coffee or meal, although a purchase is not required to attend. Please let Lori know if you plan to attend breakfast by emailing moseslakecares@gmail.com or by texting her at 206-850-4464.
Exclusive Gym Access for Spokane-Area Foster & Kinship Families
Thursday, April 24 at 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
On Thursday, April 24th from 6:00pm-7:30pm CaRES invites you to join us for an open-gym evening! Get exclusive access to the Evergreen Elementary gymnasium where your kids can run, yell and play with others. Parents will be able to get to know one another, play with their child(ren) and take home a car full of tired kids. Your local Community Connector and fellow foster mom, Sarah, will be there to open the gym and help support you in your role as a caregiver. Evergreen Elementary is located at 215 W Eddy in North Spokane. RSVP is appreciated but not required. RSVP by emailing Sarah at caresspokane@gmail.com or texting her at 509-495-1523.
Apple Blossom Free Kid’s Day in Wenatchee
Sunday, April 27 at 12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
Washington’s Apple Blossom Festival is full of family fun, and we want to see you there! Sunday, April 27th is FREE youth day at Memorial Park. Come enjoy bounce houses, face painting, music, dancing and a festive atmosphere, all for free! Your local foster mom and Community Connector, Jenny, will be there to welcome local caregiving families for an enjoying afternoon together. Meet her at Noon on the grass by the library book-drop. Jenny will be at the event from Noon-1:30pm. She will be wearing a bright blue CaRES T-shirt. If you’d like to chat with Jenny about the event or connect so that she can plan on finding your family, reach out to her at wenatcheecares@gmail.com or 509-670-9411. Learn more here: Apple Blossom Free Youth day.
Region 2
Kittitas County Books & Connection for Caregivers
Wednesday, April 2 at 3:30 – 6:00 p.m.
The Early Learning Coalition hosts free activities and books for Parents & Children 0-5 years (older siblings welcome). There will be lots of great activities, free books, and educational tools. This month’s theme is ‘Bugs.’ CaRES Community Connector, Heidi, will be attending and would love to meet you at this event. Heidi is a foster parent and offers support and connection to other foster, kinship, adoptive and guardianship families just like yours. Located at Hal Holmes Community Center in Ellensburg on Wednesday, April 2nd between 3:30pm – 6:00pm. Drop in at your convenience. If you’d like to connect with Heidi about this event email her at: heidin5@uw.edu.
Actividades gratuitas para los padres y los hijos de 0-5 años. Los Hermanos mayores son bienvenidos. El primer miérocoles de cada mes. Abierto entre las horas 3:30pm-6:00pm.
Tri-Cities Caregivers’ Meet-Up
Thursday, April 10 at 7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Join CaRES Community Connector and fellow foster mom, Rebecca, at 7:30pm on Thursday, April 10th for building community and conversation about all things fostering. This group is open to all caregivers of DCYF-involved children including kinship and licensed foster families. If you are licensed with a CPA, we’d love to have you, too. The group is ever evolving, so feel free to drop in for one month or many. In the interest of attendees’ time, the group ends no later than 9pm. The group meets at Yoke’s Deli in Richland, located at 454 Kenne Rd. We ask that only adults attend, although bringing babies along is welcome. Let Rebecca know you’re coming by emailing carestricities@gmail.com or by texting her at 509-492-2185.
Walk and Talk for Yakima Valley Caregivers
Sunday, April 13 at 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Join your local Community Connector and fellow foster mom, Ashley for a relaxing Walk and Talk activity on Sunday, April 13th from 2-4pm. We will meet at Volunteer Park in Selah (116 Merinda Dr) Families can connect, share experiences, and receive support. Load up the bikes, wagons and strollers and build community while we get our bodies moving and enjoy the outdoors. Fostering is no walk in the park, but together we can get through it! RSVP is appreciated but not required. Reach out to Ashley at yakimacares@gmail.com or 509-572-6924 to let her know you’re coming.
Region 3
Arlington Area Foster Chat
Saturday, April 19 at 1:00 – 3:00 p.m.
CaRES Community Connector, Sarah, welcomes your family to The Creamery Co, located at 1206 State Ave in Marysville, on Saturday, April 19th from 1-3pm to talk about all things fostering. Sarah is an experienced foster and adoptive mom who can help support you in your caregiving journey. Whether you are a foster, relative or newly licensed caregiver, treat yourself to a coffee or pastry and connect with others who “get it.” Your 1624 Representative, Shannon Anderson, will also be there to share. Kids are welcome to join, though there is no childcare. RSVP is appreciated but not required. Reach out to Sarah at caresarlington@gmail.com or 507-358-1328 to learn more about this gathering or future activities.
Region 4
CaRES Mentor Lisa and Community Connector Aer host events for kinship and foster caregivers throughout the year. There is no gathering this month but check out the support groups page for statewide happenings.
Region 5
Community Connector, Dorris, hosts events for kinship and foster caregivers throughout the year. There is no gathering this month but check out CaRES social media announcements and the Region 5 webpage for statewide happenings.
Region 6
Grays Harbor Caregiver Coffee
Saturday, April 12 at 10:00 a.m.
This month, join your local CaRES Community Connector, Mauri, and other local caregivers for coffee and support! Mauri is an experienced foster mom who is bringing in-person support and activities to all caregivers involved with the DCYF system, past and present. This includes foster and relative caregivers as well as families licensed with tribes or CPAs. The group will meet at Starbucks in Aberdeen (1202 E Wishkah St) at 10am on Saturday, April 12th.
We ask that only adults attend and plan to pay for their own coffee, although no purchase is required to be part of the group. We hope you’ll join us and share your voice in a conversation about the joys and challenges of fostering.
RSVP is appreciated but not required. You can reach out to Mauri about this, or any event happening in the area. Email her at graysharborcares@gmail.com or text her at 253-392-7223.
Clark County Support Group
Tuesday, April 15 at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
CaRES Community Connector and fellow foster and adoptive parent, Aric, welcomes you to attend the Clark County Support Group. Join us on Tuesday, April 15th from 5:30pm-7:00pm at Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, located at 7708 NE 78th St. There will be training and a time for connecting with other parents just like you!
Nathan LaChine, a CaRES Mentor, will be facilitating the Topic Support Group “Parenting in the Digital Age.” During this session, you will talk with fellow caregivers about the challenges of parenting in the digital age. You will learn some warning signs of when a child’s internet usage has become unsafe and potentially dangerous. You will discuss basic internet programs, apps, geo-tracking data, dangers of sharing pictures, videos, and personal information online. You will also have the opportunity to practice having a conversation about internet safety with your pre-teen or teen. This Topic Support Group is primarily targeted to caregivers of pre-teen and teenage youth but, as well all know, children grow up (fast!). Come get the information you need to be a prepared parent.
Dinner will be provided, and children are welcome. Please RSVP so we can plan enough food for everyone. While dedicated childcare is not available there is a fun place for children to play safely within view of the parents while volunteers help keep them corralled. RSVP to Aric at: caresvancouver@gmail.com.
This group is open to all relatives, kinship, and foster parents as well as CPA & tribal licensed homes, families awaiting placement, and post-adoptive families. While the Crossroads Church has graciously provided space for this event, the group has no religious affiliation and all caregiver families are welcome to attend.
We believe caregivers thrive when connected to each other, practical resources, and the broader community. Refer a caregiver for a personal Mentor contact at AllianceCaRES@uw.edu.
Find the March 2025 CaRES Newsletter here.
