October 2024

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

Caregiver Strategies for Holidays and Celebrations – Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 5:00 p.m. 
Fostering Across Race, Ethnicity, and Culture – Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10:00 a.m. 
Grief and Loss in Your Fostering Journey – Tuesdays, Oct. 1 & Oct. 8 at 7:00 p.m. 
Parenting Teens – Monday, Oct. 21, Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:00 p.m. 
Practical Parenting Skills for Caregivers – Thursdays, Oct. 3 & Oct. 10 at 6:00 p.m. 
Using Storytime for Connection and Support – Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 5:30 p.m. 
TBRI Book Club: The Connected Parent – Mondays, Oct. 7 – Nov. 4 at 5:30 p.m. 

Local Events

Moses Lake: Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Ellensburg: Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. (Early Learning Coalition Event) 
Yakima Valley: Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Mt. Vernon: Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Seattle: Sunday, Oct. 20 at 2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Vancouver: Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Vancouver: Thursday, Oct. 17 at 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

Addressing Child/Youth Hygiene Issues with TBRI
Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Sherry Colomb

Children rely on their parents to help keep them clean and safe. As children get older, hygiene practices will become increasingly important to learn and manage on their own. Talking to kids about hygiene issues using Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) principles can be very effective. Join us for a conversation on approaching this topic through a TBRI focus built on trust and connection. 

Family Team Decision Making Meetings (FTDM)
Thursday, Oct. 10 at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Speaker: Melissa Hoogendoorn

Family Team Decision Making (FTDM) meetings are used to engage the family and others who are involved with the family to participate in critical decisions regarding the removal of children from their home, placement stabilization and prevention, and reunification or placement into a permanent home. Come find out more about FTDMs at this informational event. 

Wellness Resource Wednesday: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES)
Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Speaker: Nathan LaChine

This training explains the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) study and identifies all 10 ACEs. All childhood experiences have an impact on people as they mature. This training explores the long-term effects that adverse childhood experiences have on physical and mental health. Preventative measures, resiliency, and how to address the needs of children with a high ACEs score are all discussed.

Story Time & Craft: Be Kind/Kindness is My Superpower
Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Speaker: Shelby Hayes

The craft for this event will be rock painting! Last day to sign up for craft is October 18th. Feel free to join us for story night Oct. 23, from 6:30-7:30 pm. Zoom link: https://washington.zoom.us/j/95633288306 

Region 1

Moses Lake Community Group
Saturday, Oct. 19 at 10:00 a.m. 
CaRES and CaRES Community Connector, Lori, host 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.  

This ongoing support group meets regularly on the Third Saturday of every month. Meet us at 10am on Saturday, October 19th 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.  

Please let Lori know if you plan to attend breakfast by emailing moseslakecares@gmail.com or by texting her at 206-850-4464.

Lori is always planning fun events and activities for caregiving families to get together, so watch this newsletter and the CaRES Facebook Page for other things happening near you!  

Region 2

Kittitas County Community Group 
Wednesday, Oct. 2 at 3:30 – 6:00 p.m. 
The Early Learning Coalition’s monthly events begin again this month!! 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.  

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 October 2nd, between 3:30pm – 6:00pm. 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. 

We want to know how to support you best! If you live in the Ellensburg area and have an idea for an event or gathering for foster and kinship families, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to Heidi at ellensburgcares@gmail.com 

Yakima Valley Community Group 
Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. 
Your local CaRES Community Connector and fellow foster parent, Ashley, invites you to enjoy a fall-filled afternoon at Bale Breaker Brewing Company. Join in the fun on Sunday, October 27th from 2-4pm. Bring the whole family for FREE pumpkin “picking” and painting and a chance to relax and meet other families like yours.

The brewery will be open, but no purchase is required to attend the event. There will also be a food truck on-site. The brewery allows outside food for those who want to bring their own.

This event 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. Being part of a supportive community can make this journey easier, and we’re here for you. We hope you’ll join us.

Region 3

Arlington & Mt. Vernon-Area Community Group 
Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. 
Join CaRES team members Sarah and Rae for an evening of learning, support, and play on Tuesday, October 15th from 6-8pm.  Rae will be leading a Topic Support Group for the adults that will confer two hours of training credit. Children can burn off energy while exploring the ball pits, slides, tunnels and climbing walls, thanks to Jungle Playland who has graciously donated their space again for this month’s community support group. Socks are required for children to play. Outside food is not allowed, but snacks are available for purchase. 

 The topic for the evening is Using Storytime for Connection and Support. Reading with your children can do much more than support their academic growth! During this supportive facilitated discussion caregivers will discuss strategies they can use before, during, and after reading to build social-emotional learning with the children in their care. Caregivers will also collaborate to identify techniques they can use to increase attachment with their child through reading and story time. Whether it is picture books, a chapter book or a series, reading with the children in your home can lead to deeper attachment and improved social-emotional skills!  

 For training credit, please register with the Alliance for this topic support group. You can also contact Sarah for questions or to RSVP. caresarlington@gmail.com. 

Topic Support Group: Using Storytime for Connection and Support – 10/15/24 – Jungle Playland – Mount Vernon | UW School of Social Work Professional Education 

Sarah would love to hear ideas for what type of support or activities you’d like to see and what resources would help you participate. You can reach Sarah at: caresarlington@gmail.com or 507-358-1328. 

Region 4

Seattle Community Group  
Sunday, Oct. 20 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. Sunday, October 20th, at Mt. Baker Park Presbyterian Church. 

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 working with 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. Children and teens are welcome with limited childcare available; light snacks will be provided (tell the teenagers we have Takis!). 

Join us when you can on the third Sunday of each month.  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. RSVP is required for childcare: southseattlecares@gmail.com   

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. 

Region 5

CaRES groups and events are coming soon; keep an eye out for email and social media announcements with the date, time, and location. Our website lists activities and resources hosted by partner organizations. Be sure to check them out.  

Region 6

Clark County Cozy Up Support Group Stop and Shop 
Saturday, Oct. 12 at 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 
CaRES and Cloth+Foster are partnering for a drop-in support group on Saturday, October 12th from 10:30am-12:30pm at Crossroads Community Church. Come pick out warm coats, hats, boots and more while connecting with a CaRES Mentor, a CaRES Connector, and other local kinship and foster families. Volunteers will be available to help find sizes. RSVP here. To connect with Aric directly send an email to: caresvancouver@gmail.com

Clark County Community Group  
Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. 
CaRES Connector and foster parent Aric invites you to the CaRES community support group, Thursday, October 17th, 5:30p-7:00p at Crossroads Community Church in Vancouver. (This is a change from last month.) 

This group is open to all relatives, kinship, and foster parents and is a safe space for meeting other families who “get it.”  Come for the support and resources, and leave knowing that you don’t have to do this alone. Dinner will be provided, and children are welcome (No dedicated childcare is available but there is a fun place for children to play safely within view of the parents while volunteers help keep them corralled.)   

Crossroads Community Church is located at: 7708 NE 78th St., Vancouver. 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.  

Aric will continue hosting a variety of events each month (like the very popular event with Home Depot!) so keep an eye on your email and social media! Aric would love to hear what type of support or activities you’d like to see and what resources you need to help you participate. You can reach him at: caresvancouver@gmail.com

Jefferson/Clallam Counties 
CaRES Connector and Relative Caregiver Valerie is busy working on a fun family activity for the Fall season. Keep an eye on your email and the CaRES calendar for more details. If you’d like to connect with Valerie about ideas for events and supports that you’d like to see, you can reach her at: caresjeffersonco@gmail.com

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

The Alliance CaRES offices are closed Monday, September 4th, in observance of Labor Day. Thank you caregivers, social workers, and staff for all you do to care for families, youth, and children!