February 2025
At Alliance CaRES, we believe caregivers thrive when connected to each other, practical resources, and the broader community.
Below you will find all CaRES’ offerings for next month. Beyond the initial summary are in-depth explanations of each program or event.
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
Big, Baffling Behaviors Book Club: Continuing – beginning Monday, Jan. 27 at 5:30 p.m. and going through Feb. 3, 10, and 24 at 5:30 p.m.
Fostering Across Race, Ethnicity, and Culture – Monday, Feb. 24 at 6:00 p.m.
Fostering While Parenting, Supporting our biological and adopted children – Tuesday, Feb. 4 & 11 at 6:00 p.m.
Grief & Loss in Your Fostering Journey – Wednesday, Feb. 12, and Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 p.m.
Living in Limbo: Awaiting permanency in foster care – Thursday, Feb. 27 at 1:00 p.m.
Navigating Fostering as an LGBTQIA+ Caregiver – Thursday, Feb. 6 at 11:00 a.m.
Parenting Teens – Monday, Feb. 17, Tuesday, Feb. 18, and Wednesday, Feb. 19, at 4:00 p.m.
We Hear You!: A CaRES Podcast Club – Tuesday, Feb. 11 at 6:00 p.m. (Podcast episode: Robyn Gobbel, Grief and transition in foster care).
Local Events
Moses Lake: Saturday, February 8th from 10:00 a.m. – Noon
Spokane: Wednesday, February 26th from 5:30 – 7 p.m.
Ellensburg: Wednesday, February 12th from 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. (Early Learning Coalition Event)
Yakima Valley: Sunday, February 9th from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Tri-Cities: Thursday, February 13th from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Seattle: Sunday, February 16th from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Pierce County: Friday, February 21st from 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Clark County: Thursday, February 20th from 5:30 – 7:00 p.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.
Special Events
Special Events: Caregivers – Internet Safety & Warning Signs of Online Grooming
Monday, Feb. 10 at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Ready access to smartphones, tablets, and computers has created a whole new world of challenges for caregivers. Easy access to devices means that youth do not need to leave their bedrooms to be introduced to risky situations. This training provides a basic overview of commercial sexual exploitation of children, framing the extent of the problem and discussing technology interventions, terminology, pathways, warning signs, and prevention. Participants will receive tools and techniques to manage resistance to boundaries and restraints of technology use.
Special Events: Caregivers – Understanding & Treating Neurodivergence
Wednesday, Feb. 19 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Adverse experiences re-wire brains, especially those of developing youth. How can we understand this and other types of neurodivergence, including the wide range of sensory processing, cognitive, and affective differences we may see? In this discussion, we hope to bring a strength-based approach to support and teach practical management skills to our children, no matter how their brains may process and respond to information.
Special Events: Caregivers – Yearning to be a Young Adult: Teen Resources
Tuesday, Feb. 25 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Youth in foster care face many barriers to daily living and successful outcomes. By partnering with teams who offer existing support’s in a youth’s life, you can help resolve some of those barriers and learn of resources available for the youth in your care. Treehouse offers many services to youth and will be sharing about their Driver’s Assistance Program, their Educational Advocate Program, Launch Success and Graduation Success programs. We will also be hearing from DCYF on the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program, which is a voluntary program established to support eligible youth ages 18 through 20 in a successful transition to independence.
Region 1
Moses Lake Caregiver Breakfast
Saturday, Feb. 8 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, February 8th for breakfast at Red Door Cafe in Moses Lake, located at 202 W 3rd Avenue. Red Door has graciously offered regular use of their private room for the group. 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.
Region 2
Yakima Valley Self-Care Support Group
Sunday, Feb. 9 at 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
In February, take an afternoon to show yourself to some self-love! Your local CaRES Community Connector and fellow foster mom, Ashley, invites you to join other foster, adoptive and kinship parents to gather and provide support with one another. There will be treats, snacks, hot beverages to enjoy and a discussion on how you plan to love yourself this year!
Grab a sitter and join us for a relaxed, adults-only meet up. It’s happening on Sunday, February 9th from 2-4pm at Heights Church in Yakima located at 101 Butterfield Rd. Ste C.
RSVP is appreciated but not required. If you’d like to be in touch about this, or other Yakima events, email Ashley at yakimacares@gmail.com or text her at 509-572-6924.
Kittitas County Books & Connection for Caregivers
Wednesday, Feb. 12 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 all about Dinosaurs!
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, February 12th, between 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. Drop in at your convenience.
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.
If you’d like to connect with Heidi about this event email her at: ellensburgcares@gmail.com.
Tri-Cities Caregivers’ Meet-Up
Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
CaRES is bringing in-person support to caregivers across the Columbia Basin! Join CaRES Community Connector and fellow foster mom, Rebecca, for a monthly meet up. 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.
This ongoing support group meets regularly on the second Thursday of every month. Join Rebecca at 7pm on Thursday, February 13th for community and conversation about all things fostering. In the interest of attendees’ time, the group ends no later than 9pm. The group meets at the 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.
Region 3
Community Connector, Sarah, hosts fun events throughout the year. There is no meeting in February but check out CaRES social media announcements and the webpage for regional and statewide happenings: Regional Support – Region 3 – Alliance CaRES
Region 4
Seattle Caregiver’s Support Group
Sunday, Feb. 16 at 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Join adoptive parent and CaRES Lead Mentor Lisa for support and connection from 2:30-4:30 p.m. on Sunday, February16th, at Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church (directions here).
We know that driving across the city can be a daunting task, and we think you’ll feel rewarded by the time spent surrounded by others who “get it” and can help you through the challenges of raising kids and navigating the system. This group meets monthly and is open for all kinship, relatives, and foster families to come together in a safe and supportive environment. Foster parents awaiting placement are also welcome. Light snacks will be provided. Children and teens are welcome, but RSVP is required to confirm childcare availability. Contact Lisa about this support group by emailing her at southseattlecares@gmail.com.
Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church is located at: 3201 Hunter Blvd. South, Seattle. Please enter through the door on the west side of the building, on 37th Avenue S. While the church has graciously provided space for this event, the group has no religious affiliation, and all families are welcome to attend.
Region 5
Pierce County Caregivers’ Tea
Friday, Feb. 21 at 10:00 – 11:30 a.m.
Tea and snacks await you at this month’s gathering of area foster and kinship caregivers. Join your CaRES Community Connector and foster parent, Dorris, to meet other families like yours, share resources, and get support from one another.
Meet us on Friday, February 21st from 10am-11:30am inside “Lorainne’s Place” located at 3819 100th St. SW in Lakewood. This is a chance to share your fostering experience with others who ‘get it’ and to be connected to the information and resources you need to thrive in your journey. There is no childcare at this time, but hope that you can sneak away during the school day to meet us. We hope to see you!
Let Dorris know you’re coming, or just drop in. If you’d like to connect with her about this event or other things happening in your community, reach out anytime at carestacoma@gmail.com.
Region 6
Clark County Support Group
Thursday, Feb. 20 at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m.
Welcome back, Clark County families! Monthly support group begins again this month. CaRES Connector and foster parent, Aric, invites you to join us on Thursday, February 20th from 5:30-7:00p. at Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver, located at 7708 NE 78th St.
This group is open to all relatives, kinship, and foster parents and is a safe space for meeting other families who “get it.” CPA licensed homes, families awaiting placement and post-adoptive families are also welcome. Leave knowing that you don’t have to do this alone. Dinner will be provided, and children are welcome. Parents should note there is no dedicated childcare available but there is a fun place for children to play safely within view of the parents while volunteers help keep them corralled.
While the church has graciously provided space for this event, the group has no religious affiliation and all families on this invitation are welcome to attend. Reach out to Aric about this and other local events for families like yours by emailing him at caresvancouver@gmail.com.
Grays Harbor Support Group
We have a new Community Connector who will be hosting community groups and events soon in the Grays Harbor County area. Keep an eye out for email and social media announcements with the date, time, and location or check out other happenings on the web.
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 January 2025 CaRES Newsletter here.
