DECEMBER 21, 2010 During this special time of year, IFAPA would like to thank all of the foster, adoptive and kinship families who have made a space in their hearts and home to care for children in need of their love, compassion, dedication and stability. In 2011, IFAPA will strive to offer even more great The 12th annual A Home for the Holidays program will air on CBS on Wednesday, December 22, at 7:00 pm CST. A trainings, helpful resources and most of all the Home for the Holidays seeks to raise awareness about the support you need to be the best parent you can be. number of children in foster care who are in need of a forever family. This year, Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, Ricky With graditude, Martin, Nelly, and Katy Perry will help create awareness Your Friends at IFAPA about this incredibly important cause. Presenters include Mira Sorvino and hosts of The Talk: Julie Chen, Sara Gilbert, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Leah Remini and Marissa Jaret Winokur. The next issue of the Weekly Word will arrive to your inbox the week of January 3rd. A Home for the Holidays is sponsored by the Children’s Action Network, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, CBS & Wendy’s. This is the perfect time of year to spend time inside your cozy house working on the following items… 1. Creating a lifebook for your foster/adoptive child. Visit the following link (www.ifapa.org/resources/IFAPA_Lifebook_Pages.asp) to find out the benefits of a lifebook to a foster/adoptive child. 2. Creating a welcome book for a new child entering your home. Visit the following link (www.ifapa.org/resources/IFAPA_publications.asp) to learn about how a welcome book can ease the transition for a child entering a new foster or pre-adoptive home. 3. Completing scholarships applications for high school seniors. The IFAPA website (www.ifapa.org/resources/transitioning_to_adulthood.asp) contains a list of scholarships that are specific to foster/adoptive youth. Many deadlines are March 31st or sooner. 4. Catching up on reading. Visit the link (www.ifapa.org/resources/IFAPA_publications.asp) has many online publications helpful to foster, adoptive & kinship parents. I 6864 NE 14th St., Suite 5 - Ankeny, IA 50023 I 800.277.8145 I 515.289.4567 I www.ifapa.org Meet Rebecca - age 14 Rebecca is a happy girl who likes to help others. She enjoys school, walking, going to church, playing games, going to camp, and listening to music. She especially loves to do crafts and play board games. Rebecca would love to be part of a family that has both a mom and a dad and would really like to have older siblings. She wants to live on a farm with horses or a place where she can ride her bike, and she would enjoy walking, biking, playing games, and going out to eat with her adoptive family. Rebecca thrives on attention and would benefit from being the youngest child in a family with no boys. Due to some developmental issues, she would also benefit from patient parents who would help her make good choices, listen to instructions and stay on task. She appears older than she is, so she should be encouraged to enjoy being a child. Mostly, though, Rebecca wants a family to love and accept her. For more info on Rebecca, contact Iowa KidsNet at 800-243-0756. Sign up for a class today! Date & Time Name of Training Hours Location Sat., Jan. 8 Beyond Consequences...Helping Children with Severe Behaviors 6 hours Cedar Rapids 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDBeyondConsequences.pdf Best Western Longbranch Sat., Jan. 8 People of Color - Skin & Hair Care with a Familiar Twist 6 hours DeWitt (near Clinton, IA) 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDSkinHairCare.pdf Community Center Sat., Jan. 8 Darkness to Light...Child Sexual Abuse Prevention 3 hours Johnston 1pm-4:15pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDDarknesstoLight.pdf Johnston Library Sat., Jan. 15 The World of Attachment, Trauma & Bonding: Knowledge is the Key 6 hours Sioux City 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDWorldofAttachment.pdf Briar Cliff University Sat., Jan. 15 Generations X, Y & Z - The Toxic Culture of Teens 6 hours Fort Dodge 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDGenerationsXYZ.pdf IA Central Comm. College Sat., Jan. 22 CPR & First Aid - please visit the IFAPA CPR & First Aid web page for the 4 hours Cedar Falls 12pm-4:15pm registration form: www.ifapa.org/training/CPR_first_aid.asp To be announced Sat., Jan. 22 Darkness to Light...Child Sexual Abuse Prevention 3 hours Cedar Rapids 9am-12:15pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDDarknesstoLight.pdf Best Western Longbranch Sat., Jan. 22 Teen Anger: How to Regulate Your Home (Teens can attend w/parent) 6 hours Des Moines 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDTeenAnger.pdf Holiday Inn NW Sat., Jan. 22 CPR & First Aid - please visit the IFAPA CPR & First Aid web page for the 4 hours Dubuque 12pm-4:15pm registration form: www.ifapa.org/training/CPR_first_aid.asp To be announced Sat., Jan. 29 Managing Your Child’s Behavior: 7 Ways to Foster Love, Respect & Comm. 6 hours Ames 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TD7WaystoFosterLove.pdf Country Inn & Suites Sat., Jan. 29 Beyond Consequences...Helping Children with Severe Behaviors 6 hours Council Bluffs 9am-4:30pm Read bio @ www.ifapa.org/pdf_docs/TDBeyondConsequences.pdf IWCC REGISTER VIA PHONE - Call IFAPA at 800-277-8145 ext. 1 / REGISTER ON OUR WEBSITE - Complete our online registration form: www.ifapa.org/training/training_registration_form.asp. IFAPA will follow-up within two business days to confirm your enrollment. I 6864 NE 14th St., Suite 5 - Ankeny, IA 50023 I 800.277.8145 I 515.289.4567 I www.ifapa.org .