COLORADO
Adopt Colorado Kids was established in 2013 to address the foster care crisis in Colorado. Through strategic partnerships with the State and other organizations, Adopt Colorado Kids helped hundreds of waiting children and youth found their forever homes. In 2015 Adopt Colorado Kids helped launch America’s Kids Belong to start tackling this same issue in other states. In late 2016, the Board of Directors for the “sister” organizations voted to consolidate the two operations into one organization. By streamlining and sharing resources, the result is an organization that is laser focused on the shared mission both in Colorado and across the U.S. As of January 1 2017, they merged into one organization with America’s Kids Belong as the surviving parent organization with a national focus. America’s Kids Belong-Colorado is the business name to represent the Colorado chapter of where we work as America’s Kids Belong.
MEETING THE NEEDS OF COLORADO CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE
TOGETHER
Colorado’s Kids
Our state has well over 3,000 children who are in the foster care system through no fault of their own. Of these children, on any given day nearly 300 are legally-free for adoption and are waiting for their forever family. The rest of the children need a loving, safe, and supportive foster family to care for them while they wait to go home to their biological families.
When children age-out of the system at 18 without a family, they are significantly more likely to experience homelessness, crisis pregnancy, unemployment, incarceration, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Trafficking.
The Solution Is…
YOU
COLORADO PROGRAMS
With a wide-variety of influencers on board, we can combine a number of our proven methods to help meet needs within the foster care system. Since beginning work in Colorado, alongside numerous faith leaders, government workers, foster advocates, artists & creatives, as well as a host of generous donors, we’ve already seen amazing things happen:
I Belong Project ™
The I Belong Project ™ started as a Colorado initiative and has become one of America’s Kids Belong signature programs in other states. The I Belong Project™ uses high quality videography to give children in foster care a face and a voice. These videos serve as individual recruitment tools for foster children who are legally-free for adoption and are waiting for their forever family.
America’s Kids Belong Colorado is contracted with Larimer county to recruit and support foster and adoptive families for Larimer County’s waiting children and youth.
Dream Makers Project
Over 26,000 teens age out of foster care each year in the United States. In 2015 America’s Kids Belong Colorado launched Dream Makers as a way to inspire and empower teens by giving them an opportunity to dream about their future. This program started in Colorado and is now operating in multiple states. These dreams may be an internship that connects them with an opportunity for the future, a practical gift to launch them towards their next step, a gift to learn a new skill, or an experience to gain confidence. In any case, it’s their dream, and we want to inspire these kids to dream big!
Dream Makers connects businesses, groups, and individuals to care for these kids needs and their dreams. When you become a Dream Maker, you have the opportunity to let one of these teenagers know that someone cares and they are not alone. Your support can give them the confidence they need to change their future. Learn more DreamMakersProject.org.
FOSTER & ADOPT
Prospective Parents
Every day we meet more individuals and families who are considering taking the leap to become foster parents. We know you probably have a lot of questions and would need more answers before committing. That’s normal.
Just don’t let the fear of the unknown stop you from moving forward. Call your Colorado County Human Services Department today. They will walk you through the process, help answer any of your questions along the way, and assist you in determining if becoming a foster parent is a fit for you.
Together we can give every child a face and a voice. Together we can show each child that they are precious, seen, and worthy of belonging.
Next Steps
Become a Foster Parent
While you may foster or adopt from any county or through a child placement agency, a good place to start the process is by calling your local county department. The button below will take you to the State web page that lists all Colorado Counties and Agencies.
Become a Foster Adoptive Parent
Visit the Colorado Heart Gallery
or use the button below to contact your county or a Child Placement Agency for more information about waiting children and youth.
Contact Us
If you would simply like to know more about the Colorado arm of America’s Kids Belong, or for general questions about foster care and foster care adoption – we welcome your interest, and will help as we can. Please use the button below to contact Kristy DeAnda.
JOIN THE STORY
Discover Your Role Today!
Not everyone is called to foster or adopt. But everyone can make a difference in the life of a child in foster care.
What is Your Sphere of Influence?
Faith
- Dedicate a sermon or sermon series to educate & engage your congregation around the needs of foster care
- Host a county orientation at your church for prospective foster parents
Government
- Champion legislation that improves outcomes for children in foster care
- Partner with the child welfare system to improve outcomes for children in foster care
Business
- Engage your workplace in the movement
- Make your business “foster friendly” (think Military Discounts for Foster Families!)
- Become a Corporate Sponsor for Dream Makers
Creative
- Use your unique voice and platform to create awareness and serve as an advocate for children in foster care
- Partner with us in writing stories, creating films, or be a part of a benefit concert, recruitment event, etc. to help us bring this issue to light
- Follow and share our stuff on social media and help spread the word
Together we can give every child a face and a voice.
Together we can show each child that they are precious, seen, and worthy of belonging.
Will You Join Us?
EVENTS
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OUR TEAM
Brian Mavis
President
Julie Mavis
Co-Founder & State Director
Laurie Zauche
Operations Manager
Lori Bruegman
Dream Makers Project Director
Jaalah Neerhof
I Belong Project™ Director
Kristy DeAnda
Larimer County Recruiter
I Belong Project Manager
Mimi Salonen
Events & Marketing
Joy Wineman
Community Involvement
RESOURCES
Books:
Parenting the Hurt Child by Gregory Keck & Regina Kupecky
Parenting Adopted Adolescents by Gregory Keck
The Connected Child by Dr. Karyn Purvis and David Cross
No Drama Discipline by Daniel Seigel and Tina Bryson
The Whole-Brain Child by Daniel Seigel and Tina Bryson
Twenty Things Adopted Kids Wish Their Adopted Kids Knew by Sherrie Eldridge
Beyond Consequences, Logic, and Control by Heather T. Forbes
Help for Billy by Heather T. Forbes
The Lucky Few by Heather Avis
The Body Keeps the Score by Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk
SOCIAL MEDIA
