Foster Kinship has pulled together some information on local childcare and summer activities. All the information is taken directly from the organizations website and consolidated here for your convenience. Please contact the organization directly for applications and questions. Many places will offer discounts or free childcare depending upon your financial circumstances.

Clark County Library (http://www.lvccld.org/):

The library is a great place to take the kids. Check for storytimes and other free activities offered by your local branch.

Get the kids reading all summer long by signing them up for Club Read: Registration for Club Read, our free program designed for kids and teens to read, earn prizes and have fun, begins Saturday, June 1 and continues through Saturday, August 3. Stop by any library branch to pick up a reading log or register online.

Children from birth to 11 years of age have one log, and teens in grades six and up have a different log just for them. Kids and teens can earn prizes by keeping track of their reading. Every child who signs up for Club Read will get a membership card and a special wallet to put it in!

All participants earn a Book Buck for every five books that are read aloud to them or they read on their own. They can exchange the Book Buck at any Library District Foundation Used Bookstore for a book of their choice. After they read 20 books, they’ll earn a special prize!

Entertaining programs throughout the District will help toddlers, children and teens enjoy the summer, such as a theatrical adaptation of The Secret Garden, a Fratello Marionettes performance of Aladdin, Tony Daniels magic show, storyteller Jim Cogan, storytimes, music, yoga and more.

Call (702) 734-READ to find your local branch and for more information.

Las Vegas Urban League Child Care Subsidy Program (http://www.lvul.org/childcare.html):

The Las Vegas Urban League’s Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to income eligible families who struggle with the high cost of child care.  We work to empower parents to make the choices that will lead to self-sufficiency.  Our program is contracted through the Division of Welfare and Supportive Services (DWSS) with the purpose of connecting our families to a variety of quality child care programs at an affordable cost.

Administrative Offices:
2470 N. Decatur
Suite 150
Las Vegas, NV  89108
(702) 473-9400

For your convenience, we have provided an application for child care subsidy.

Application for Childcare Subsidy Program (.doc)

Application for Childcare Subsidy Program (.pdf)

YMCA (http://www.lasvegasymca.org/):

Sizzling Summer Pass: Enjoy everything the Y has to offer for 4 full months!

• $99 for individuals, only $199 for families
• Access to pools, water parks, wellness centers, group classes and more
• Full member benefits at all four Y locations
• Good for 4 full months from date of purchase

OFFER EXPIRES JUNE 30, 2013

Summer Day Camps: It’s the Summer to Shine! Registration is now open for all of the Y’s Summer Day Camps.

• June 10-August 23, 9am-4pm
• FREE CAMPER CARE 7-9am & 4-6pm
• Traditional camp and tons of speciality camps and field trips
• Financial assistance available

For Summer Day Camp information and schedules, select from the location below:

Heinrich YMCA Day Camp Schedule
Durango Hills Community Center YMCA Day Camp Schedule
Centennial Hills Community Center YMCA Day Camp Schedule
SkyView YMCA Day Camp Schedule

Boys and Girls Clubs (http://www.bgclv.org/):

Join the fun! Becoming a Boys & Girls Clubs of Las Vegas member is easy. The Club offers more than 100 fun-filled, value-based programs that include arts and crafts, games, team sports, homework help, and so much more. Visit your local Clubhouse for a tour and to pick up a membership application.

1. Find a Club that is near your home, school, or place of employment.
2. Download a membership form click here. You will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to view the PDF file. Download it free here.

3. Bring this membership form along with your membership fee to the Club and you are ready to have fun and learn new skills.

For more information about hours and fees please call (702) 367-2582 or email at info@bgclv.org

Child Care Assistance (CCA): No child is ever turned away for economic reasons. Free Child Care Assistance is available at all Clubhouses for all fee-based programs. Your Program Administrative Assistant will be happy to provide the necessary paperwork.

If you would like your child to join a Club, please complete a Membership Application and submit the application and membership fee  of $20 (*5-12) or $10 (Teens) to the Clubhouse nearest you upon registration.

**Check with your local Boys & Girls Club for hours of operation

Lied Memorial Clubhouse

2850 Lindell Rd.
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 368-0317 | Fax (702) 367-9522

Cross Roads: Sahara & Decatur

Donald W. Reynolds Clubhouse

2980 Robindale Rd.
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 614-8550 | Fax (702) 614-8553

Cross Roads: Eastern & Robindale 

Andre Agassi Clubhouse

800 N. Martin Luther King Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89106
(702) 638-1120 | Fax (702) 638-0190

Cross Roads: Washington & Martin Luther King

John D. “Jackie” Gaughan Clubhouse

920 Cottage Grove Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89119
(702) 731-6658 | Fax (702) 731-6682

Cross Roads: Flamingo & Maryland Pkwy.

Downtown Clubhouse

2801 E. Stewart Ave.
Las Vegas, NV 89101
(702) 388-2828 | Fax (702) 388-1326

Cross Roads: Stewart & 28th Street

James Clubhouse

2530 E. Carey Ave.
North Las Vegas, NV 89030
(702) 399-3172 | Fax (702) 649-1952

Cross Roads: North Las Vegas Blvd. & Carey

Ralph and Betty Engelstad Clubhouse

3540 Cambridge St.
Las Vegas, NV 89169
(702) 792-1388 | Fax (702) 792-0505

Cross Roads: Maryland Pkwy. & Dumont

Wet ‘N Wild: http(//www.wetnwildlasvegas.com/):

New this summer! Wet’n'Wild Las Vegas is located in southwest Las Vegas, near I-215 between Sunset Road and W. Warm Springs Road on Fort Apache Road- 7055 S. Fort Apache Road.

There are two great passes on sale at Wet’n'Wild now including the Season Pass and the Gold Pass. Both passes offer you unlimited entry to the park during the season’s public operating days and times, and the Gold Pass provides you with VIP benefits, including FREE parking and discounts inside the park. Passes are assigned to a specific person and are non-transferable.

2013 Pass Pricing (ages 3+)
Season Passes and Gold Passes are both great value and offer you an entire season of unlimited fun. Right now you can save even more with the Family & Friends Deal when you purchase 4 or more passes. This Friends & Family discount is only available when you purchase 4 or more of the same pass type (Season Pass or Gold Pass). Gold Pass and Season Pass combinations are not eligible for the Family & Friends discount. Season Passes can be upgraded individually to Gold Passes at Guest Services, once the park is open for the season. The price to upgrade may vary depending on the price paid for the Season Pass and the advertised Gold Pass price at time of the upgrade.

Fees for parking, food, merchandise, tube and locker rentals, games, special concerts or events are not included in Season Pass or Gold Pass prices, unless otherwise stated.

City of Las Vegas Summer Camps (http://www.lasvegasnevada.gov/find/21337.htm) :

Kids Kamp (ages 6-11)
Teen Kamp (ages 12-15)
Summer Kids Kamp offers children and teens fun, fitness and adventure with age-appropriate activities, including arts & crafts, games, sports, special events and/or field trips, all in a safe, supervised environment.

Camp hours are Monday through Friday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Some camps have extended weeks through August.
Fees are $75 per child per week, $70 each additional child.

Not all camps are held at all locations. Call the individual facility for details.

Cimarron Rose Community Center, 5591 N. Cimarron Road, (702) 229-1607
Doolittle Community Center, 1950 N. J St., (702) 229-6374
Stupak Community Center, 300 N. Boston St., (702) 229-2488
Rafael Rivera Community Center, 2900 E. Stewart Ave., (702) 229-4600

Specialty Camps
$100 per child per week, $90 each additional child

Mirabelli Community Center, 6200 Elton Avenue, (702) 229-6359
Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, (702) 229-1100

Clark County Summer Camps (http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/depts/parks/pages/day-camp.aspx):

(702) 455-8251 – CCParks@ClarkCountyNV.gov

Day Camp is extremely popular and available space in the program fills quickly. Priority for registration will be given on a first come, first serve basis. Mail in registration that is postmarked before the mail in date will be returned. Drop in registration is accepted if space is available.

We provide free breakfast and lunch for all registered participants in our summer camps.
Clark County Parks and Recreation assures the Nevada Department of Education that meals will be served to all children without charge. Acceptance and participation requirements for the program and all activities are the same for all regardless of race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability, and there will be no discrimination in the course of the meal service.

There is no Summer Food Program on June 6 & 7, 2013
The Summer Food Program will start June 10 and go through August 23, 2013

Where is the nearest program?

Springs Preserve Summer Camps (http://www.springspreserve.org/education/summercamps.html):

Let your kids run wild here! Springs Preserve Summer Adventure Camps offer something for every young explorer, with 11 full-day (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), week-long camps June 10 to Aug. 23 for children ages 6 to 12.

Campers experience new activities each week. Get face-to-face with a Gila monster, make eco-friendly crafts, go on a nature walk or scavenger hunt, explore our museums, climb a 9-foot kapok tree and explore a gorilla’s nest in our exclusive summer Rainforest Adventure exhibit. Ready for more? Act out and get silly (or serious!) with drama pros on our stage and even go for a swim at the nearby Y. Kids have fun and come home knowing more about the world around them, but we won’t let on! Educational experts lead the fun, so skip the day-care and explore more this summer.

Enrollment is $200 per week ($180 for Springs Preserve members). After-hours care is available from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 6:30 p.m. for an additional $25 weekly fee. Register online, at the Springs Preserve ticket office, or by calling (702) 822-7700.

Discovery Children’s Museum Summer Camp (http://www.discoverykidslv.org/summer-camp-july-1-august-2-2013/) :

Come play and learn with us this summer! Bring your curiosity and sense of wonder as you join Museum educators for fun activities that focus on science, art and more. There’s something for everyone at DISCOVERY Children’s Museum!

Sessions will be offered in the morning (8 a.m. to 12 p.m.) and afternoon (1 p.m. to 5 p.m.) Weekly camp sessions are offered for two age groups: 6 to 9 years, and 10 to 12 years.

PRICES: $180.00 per camp session (1/2 day) per week; Museum members receive a 20% discount per camp, per week. Between Care is FREE with purchase of both morning and afternoon camps in the same week (same children); $25 per week with half day camp registration only. Additionally, an add-on lunch (provided daily) option is available for $75.00 per week, per child.

SPACE IS LIMITED, call the museum reservationist at 382-KIDS (5437).

The post Las Vegas Summer Camps, Childcare and Activities for Children appeared first on Foster Kinship Las Vegas.

Just a handful of our amazing donors! Thank you to everyone.

Thanks again to all 205 people who have donated online to Foster Kinship using the Big Give portal! We were overwhelmed with the generosity of all of you and so incredibly thankful for your support.

The following individuals were randomly selected for our prizes:

Mariya G.: $25 Build a Bear Gift Card

Adam R: $10 Starbucks Gift Card

Gerry C.: $50 Zappos Gift Card

Leslie S: $50 Toys R Us Gift Card

Alissa B.: Autographed Frank Caliendo DVDs

James P.: Reach Soundtrack autographed by Martin O’Donnell

Tyler J: Any Martin O’Donnell Soundtrack of choice autographed by Martin O’Donnell and Mike Salvatori

Thank you to Eli W. for being our last donor of the 24 hour giving drive! She won a $10 Starbucks Gift Card.

Thank you also to the individuals who gave via the Frank Caliendo Giveaway. They all received an autographed Frank Caliendo picture donated from Dedicated Managers, Inc.

Dan A.

Jay M.

Chris B.

Philip G.

Nathan P.

Jamie W.

Michael M.

Daryl G.

Shane W.

The post Big Give Giveaway Winners! appeared first on Foster Kinship Las Vegas.

Foster Kinship provides regular support groups, family events, education, advocacy and needed items such as clothing, cribs, beds, food, diapers and car seats to individuals raising relative’s children in Clark County, NV.

As an additional thank you, each donor was entered to win one of several prizes. The winners of our giveaways will be contacted by May 1st and posted to our website here by May 5th. Good luck to everyone!

Keep in touch! Check out our work on our website or stay connected with us via Facebook or Twitter.

From all of us at Foster Kinship, thank you again for helping us help those who “keep home in the family” for some of Clark County’s most vulnerable children.

Alison Caliendo, Founder and Executive Director

Julie Wilson, Vice President, Board of Directors

Alicia Hart, Treasurer, Board of Directors

Terry Caliendo, Secretary, Board of Directors

Stacy Peterson, Board Member

Martha O’Donnell, Board Member

Tina Boag, Advisory Board Member

The post A Big Thank You for Giving Big! appeared first on Foster Kinship Las Vegas.

Please mark your calendar today to donate $10 or more online to Foster Kinship on April 25^th. You can even log on today and schedule your donation for the 25^th!  Just look for Foster Kinship on the Nevada’s Big Give website and click on the drop-down menu in the “Donate” Box. Select “On a Giving Day”, and your donation will be processed on April 25th!

I founded Foster Kinship in 2011 because I saw first hand how many grandparents, great-grandparents, and others were raising their relative’s children. I saw the incredible strength and love these individuals had for the children, but I also saw the great need these caregivers have for support: emotional, financial, legal and for advocacy and information.  I feel strongly that supporting the family of the children supports the children. Kids being raised by grandparents or other relatives are getting a second chance at long-term success. Research shows keeping children with family members when their parents are no longer able or willing to care for them is the best option.

However, kinship caregivers in Clark County had almost no organized resources available to them. That is where Foster Kinship stepped in, and the phone hasn’t stopped ringing since!

We have designed a set of research-based programs to maximize community synergy and fill the gaps when necessary to help caregivers be the best they can be for the children in their homes. You can read about our services here.

Since we opened our doors we have assisted over 100 kinship families with support groups, resource referrals, cribs, beds and car seats, food vouchers, advocacy information, and fun family events. There are over 19,000 kinship families in Clark County, and we hope to reach many more of them this year.

So here are a few reasons to commit to supporting Foster Kinship on April 25^th:

1. The nonprofits that get the most unique donors will get additional cash for their work, and I want that to be us! This year’s cash prizes will be awarded to those nonprofits with the greatest number of unique donors. It doesn’t have to be a lot of money- but if we can get a lot of people to donate $10 or more we may have a chance to get up to $7500 in additional funding, not to mention some incredible press coverage!!

2. In addition to the cash prizes, NV Big Give will be providing Golden Tickets throughout the day for a randomly selected donor to increase the donation to their charity! Your donation could go even farther to help us with that boost!

3. Foster Kinship wants to thank you for your support as well. For every $10 you donate you will be entered to win one of our great thank you gifts. So if you donate $50, that is five chances to win!  Thank you gifts include: $50 Zappos Gift Card, $25 Build a Bear Gift Card, $25 Toys R Us Gift Card, $10 Starbucks Card (2), A copy of Halo Reach Soundtrack autographed by Marty O’Donnell, an autographed copy of “All Over the Place” by Frank Caliendo.  The drawing will be held Wednesday, May 1^st and winners notified by email.

4. Your donation is tax-deductible. We are committed to financial transparency. You can see our financial statements and other documents online by searching Guidestar for Foster Kinship.

5. Most importantly, your donation goes directly to our mission: Helping Foster Kinship “Help Keep Home in the Family” for some of our most vulnerable children. Because Foster Kinship does not have any paid staff, 100% of your donation goes towards funding the programs for the families we serve.

Please mark your calendar today to donate $10 or more online to Foster Kinship on April 25^th. You can even log on today and schedule your donation for the 25^th!  Just look for Foster Kinship on the Nevada’s Big Give website and click on the drop-down menu in the “Donate” Box. Select “On a Giving Day”, and your donation will be processed on April 25th!

How to Support Foster Kinship:

1. Donate $10 or more on April 25^th or by scheduling your donation for “On Giving Day” by going to the following page: http://nvbiggive.razoo.com/story/Fosterkinship
2. Please share this information with people you believe would connect with our mission.
3. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FosterKinship
4. Watch and share coverage of our work here: or http://www.fosterkinship.org/aboutkinship/in-the-news/
5. If you are local, contact Ali@fosterkinship.org to volunteer to help out at an event, plan a local fundraiser or to donate some gently used clothing or children’s necessities.

Thank you for your support. It means so much to me and together we can do so much more to strengthen families.

Alison Caliendo, M.A.
Executive Director, Foster Kinship
P: (702) KIN-9988 | E: ali@fosterkinship.org
www.fosterkinship.org | www.facebook.com/fosterkinship | www.twitter.com/fosterkinship

The post Give Big on April 25th! appeared first on Foster Kinship Las Vegas.

PLEASE NOTE: Most of this information is taken from the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Welfare and Supportive Services websites (links provided). Foster Kinship is not a representative of DWSS and encourages all relative caregivers to speak to a caseworker at the closest welfare office for specific answers to their particular situation. This information is provided as a starting point only.

NNRC TANF Summary

Most children living apart from their parents- including those living with family members- are eligible for cash assistance through TANF, even if the family member they are living with is not eligible.

As a non-parent relative, you may apply for assistance for your child only OR for your child and yourself. Before beginning to apply for any of the TANF programs, it is wise to obtain a copy of the application and the requirements to qualify.

There is great confusion out there about how grandparents and other relatives apply for aid for the children in their care and how that aid is determined. If your relative is eligible for assistance, don’t let misinformation deprive him/her of it.

In Nevada, if your relative’s children are living with you and the biological parents are not, and you are providing full time care for the children, you should consider applying for Non-Needy Relative Caretaker (NNRC)TANF.

Nevada TANF Benefits are managed by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services: Division of Welfare and Supportive Services:https://dwss.nv.gov/

Full-time relative caregivers do not need legal custody or guardianship to apply for assistance on the child’s behalf.

IMPORTANT: WRITE NNRC/CHILD ONLY on the TOP OF YOUR APPLICATION!! This will hopefully help avoid any mistakes where your application is rejected because it is unclear you are not asking for assistance for yourself.

Non-Needy relatives can receive a small cash stipend each month to provide for the care of the children. Your household income cannot exceed 275% of the poverty guideline (versus 130% of poverty for regular TANF programs). So even if you have applied for assistance for yourself in the past and been rejected you may be eligible for NNRC TANF now.

Once your household has qualified for NNRC TANF, only the CHILD’S INCOME IS COUNTED TO DETERMINE BENEFITS. For example, some children may have income if they receive SSI.

 Description of Program (https://dwss.nv.gov/pdf/EP_Man_A-1000.pdf):

A Non-Needy Relative Caregiver (NNRC) is a relative, other than a legal parent, not requesting assistance for themselves and only requesting assistance for a relative child(ren).  The NNRC must be a relative of specified degree and the child must be living in the home of a specified relative.

The child(ren) must be living with the individual applying for assistance on their behalf that provides care and supervision and is the child’s (not all inclusive):

• Father, mother, sister, brother, grandfather, grandmother;
• Uncle, aunt, nephew, niece, first cousin; OR
• Stepfather, stepmother, stepsister, stepbrother

NNRC TANF is a Child only program (TANF-CHILD) – These are households with no “work eligible” adults, is considered assistance; and time limits do not apply.  This program is designed for households not having a work eligible individual.  No adults receive assistance because the caregiver is a non-needy relative caregiver.

Income Test and Payment Amounts (https://dwss.nv.gov/pdf/EP_Man_A-1000.pdf, https://dwss.nv.gov/TANFFacts.html#DWSSincome):

The gross income test is 275% of the Federal Poverty Level.  This test will be applied to all NNRC households at initial eligibility, when a change of countable income is reported, at the Review of Eligibility if new or increased countable income is reported or a new household member who is related to the child(ren) and has countable income is reported.

The countable gross earned and unearned income will be determined according to current TANF policy of all adults and children in the household with a relationship (by blood or marriage) to the child(ren) for whom assistance has been requested.

● Earned income disregards and work expense are not applied and TANF assistance is exempt

All adult household members whose income is countable in the gross income test, who did not sign the application form, are required to sign an Interface Consent, Form 2179-EE, allowing DWSS to interface with other federal and state records for eligibility and income verification.

If the total countable gross income is below the 275% income test, only the child(ren)’s, income and resources are used to determine the TANF Kinship Care eligibility and payment.  If the child has no income, you should receive the maximum payment per child.
The following table provides a guide to income levels and maximum payment amounts. A maximum payment is issued when there is no countable income.

Health Insurance for Children (https://dwss.nv.gov/TANFFacts.html#DWSSans-02):

Household’s who apply for TANF and are also interested in medical assistance, must also apply for TANF-Related Medicaid (TRM).

Medical coverage through other Medicaid programs such as Children’s Health Assurance Program (CHAP) is available to minor children and pregnant women.

The state also offers the Nevada Check Up Program to children who do not qualify for CHAP.

Application Process (https://dwss.nv.gov/TANFFacts.html#DWSSans-03):

Apply online or at the office closest to you- if you do not go to the right district office staff will inform you of the correct office location- so call first to confirm. If you ask, staff will accept your application and forward it to the correct office.

IMPORTANT: WRITE NNRC/CHILD ONLY on the TOP OF YOUR APPLICATION!! This will hopefully help avoid any mistakes where your application is rejected because it is unclear you are not asking for assistance for yourself.

Belrose District Office
700 Belrose Street
Las Vegas, NV 89107
(702) 486-1646 – (702) 486-1628 (fax)

Flamingo District Office
3330 Flamingo Road, Suite 55
Las Vegas, NV 89121
(702) 486-9400 (main) – (702) 486-9401 (fax)
(702) 486-9540 (fax)

Henderson District Office
520 Boulder Highway
Henderson, NV 89015
(702) 486-5000 – (702) 486-1270 (fax)

Nellis District Office
611 N Nellis Blvd
Las Vegas, NV 89110
(702) 486-4828 – (702) 486-4737 (fax)

Owens District Office
1040 W Owens Avenue
Las Vegas, NV 89106
(702) 486-1899 – (702) 486-1802 (fax)

Pahrump District Office
1840 Pahrump Valley Road
Pahrump, NV 89048
(775) 751-7400 – (775) 751-7404 (fax)

Documents Needed for Application (https://dwss.nv.gov/TANFFacts.html#DWSSans-16):

You need proof of the information provided, so it’s very helpful to bring as many of the following items as you can:

1. Proof of residency (lease agreement, rent receipt, mortgage, utility bills).
2. A Nevada driver’s license or other identification (ID).
3. A social security card or proof you have applied for one.
4. Proof of birth for all persons applying for assistance.
5. Proof of citizenship for all household members.
6. Marriage and/or divorce decree.
7. Proof of school attendance for school age children.
8. Proof of income received, such as pay stubs or a statement from your employer, Social Security Administration, child support payments, loans, etc.
9. Latest bank statements and proof of other assets such as vehicles, property.
10. Verification of household composition (who lives in the home and their relationship to the child(ren)).
11. Verification of subsidized housing assistance.

Child Support Enforcement (https://dwss.nv.gov/TANFFacts.html#DWSSans-12):

All cases for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and medical programs where the adult and child(ren) receive Medicaid must be referred for Child Support Enforcement. : The responsible relative caregiver who is applying for or receiving TANF NEON or Child Only cash assistance must cooperate with the  Child Support Enforcement Program (CSEP) requirements by:

1. Surrendering and endorsing all support and/or medical support payments to the state after TANF NEON or Child Only cash benefits are approved.
2. Providing information on the non-custodial parent (NCP);
3. Participating in efforts to locate the NCP (absent parent);
4. Establishing paternity when necessary;
5. Establishing a child support order;

Failure to cooperate without good cause, will result in the denial or termination of TANF NEON, Child ONLY and/or TANF-Related Medicaid (TRM) for all household members. Medicaid from another program will be considered for the child(ren). If the responsible adult is a pregnant woman, she will continue to receive pregnancy related Medicaid coverage during her pregnancy.

The relative caregiver has the right to claim “good cause”, and request a determination of its validity, for not cooperating with CSEP.

Questions?

If you have general questions for Foster Kinship please call 702-546-9988 during our helpline hours 2-5 PM  PST on Tuesdays, or email info@fosterkinship.org.

For questions regarding qualification, your specific family circumstances, or application specific questions please contact your welfare office.

The post Non-Needy Relative Caretaker (NNRC) TANF in Nevada appeared first on Foster Kinship Las Vegas.

Kinship caregivers and their entire families enjoyed free BBQ, Shave Ice from Real Kine Shave Ice, an Easter egg hunt with over 900 eggs, egg decorating, pictures with the Easter bunny, face painting, games and prizes. 150 children received Easter Baskets at the conclusion of the event. Foster Kinship also announced the expansion of services to caregivers at the event.

The event was made possible by the community outreach volunteers from the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living and generous donations from CareMore, American West Development, Ebunny, and Real Kine Shave Ice.

Foster Kinship was founded in December 2011 to help relatives who have taken on the difficult job of creating safe, loving homes for vulnerable children when the parents are no longer able or willing to do so. It is the only organization in NV dedicated to providing support and resources to the over 19,000 kinship caregivers raising 35,000 children in Clark County.

Event Photos:

The post Foster Kinship’s Easter Picnic a Success! appeared first on Foster Kinship Las Vegas.

Kinship Families, please RSVP here: www.fosterkinship.org/rsvp

Free Souper Spring Egg Hunt (ages walking-13)
Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to noon.
Dula Gym, 441 E. Bonanza Road, (702) 229-6307.
Bring a canned good or non-perishable food item and receive an extra ticket to win a prize egg.
Donations will be delivered to Three Square Food Bank. Children will be released at listed times in
designated areas of Dula Gym to search for eggs filled with treats and discoveries. Tots ages walking-4,
gym floor 9:30 a.m.; ages 5-6, dance room 9:50 a.m.; ages 7-8, fitness room 10 a.m.; ages 8-9,
computer lab 10:10 a.m.; and ages 10-13, gymnasium floor 10:20 a.m.

Ward 2 Spring Egg Hunt Eggstravaganza (all ages)
Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to noon.
Free and open to the public.
Veterans Memorial Leisure Services Center, 101 N. Pavilion Center Drive, (702) 229-1100.
Bring the family to enjoy DJ music, photos with Easter Bunny, egg hunts, craft projects, games, face
painting, jump houses and raffle drawings.

Eggstravaganza 2013: A FREE Easter Celebration
Saturday, March 30, 10 am – 12 pm
Keller Middle School, 301 Fogg St., Las Vegas
Come and Join us for FREE games, food, music and much more!
This will be our 6th annual Community Egg Hunt. Egg hunts are separated by age group so that kids of
all ages can enjoy the festivities. We hope that you can come out and join us for the fun! Pre-
registration is available up until March 25th at gracebaptistlv.org. We recommend registering
beforehand so you can spend more time enjoying the fun! Don’t forget your Easter Basket and see you
there!

View more here: http://www.vegas4locals.com/lasvegasevents.html

Town Square Park Hop & Shop Easter Egg Hunt and Family Festival – Easter egg hunt
Town Square Park, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd South, Las Vegas, NV 89119. Phone: (702) 269-5000. Event date and time: Saturday, March 30, 2013, from 10 am to 5 pm.  Families can visit Town Square Park for a free Hop & Shop Easter event with a variety of activities for children to enjoy. Free Easter egg hunts take place every 20 minutes during morning and afternoon sessions for children ages one to 10 years old. Egg hunts will be divided by age groups 1-3 years, 4-6 years and 7-10 years. Registration will be located in Town Square Park and is required for participation. Egg hunts will be limited to 80 kids per hunt. The Easter Bunny will be on hand for photos. Please have children bring their own baskets to carry their treats. See their website for the morning and afternoon Egg Hunt Schedules.

First Henderson United Methodist Church Easter Egg Hunt – Easter egg hunt
First Henderson United Methodist Church, 609 E. Horizon Drive, Henderson, NV 89015. Phone: (702) 565-6049. Email: hendumc@aol.com. Event date and time: Saturday, MArch 30, 2013, at 11 . The church will host an Easter egg hunt Event date and time: See their website for the 2013 date. There will be a special toddler area for children ages 0 to 5th grade. The egg hunt will have more than 1,000 eggs.

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The Canadian Press and Terry Pedwell, The Canadian Press Mar 26, 2013 12:12:26 PM 

OTTAWA – Betty Cornelius gets choked up when she recalls the day nearly two decades ago when she was given a stark choice — take over care of her grandchild, Asheleigh, or see her go into foster care.

Cornelius chose to look after her granddaughter, who had special needs after being abused.

But it would mean drastic changes in the life of retirement that she and her husband had been preparing.

“We had to sell our home, we had to move to our unfinished cottage, and our retirement 55 plan has now become a work ’til you die plan,” she said at an Ottawa news conference Tuesday, her voice cracking.

“That might sound fun, but it isn’t fun when you’re watching your 62-year-old husband come home exhausted.”

Cornelius had to quit her job. And because she quit, she didn’t qualify for Employment Insurance benefits.

A New Democrat MP is aiming to changed that, to give benefits to grandparents who suddenly find themselves caring full time for their grandchildren.

Claude Gravelle’s private-member’s bill would qualify grandparents to receive EI benefits to raise a grandchild under five.

It also proposes changes to the Income Tax Act to let grandparents claim child-care deductions that are currently only available to a low-income spouse.

Both measures, he said, are cost neutral because they would mean a transfer of benefits, not an increase.

“The EI portion of the bill is tied to the child,” he said. “One person is going to get the EI, not two.”

The number of grandparents raising their own grandkids has grown dramatically over the last two decades, said Gravelle.

The 2011 census indicated at least 75,000 children were being raised by their grandparents, a 20 per cent jump from 2006.

Private-member’s bills rarely pass through the House of Commons to become law.

And Cornelius, who is the founder of a group called CANGRANDS Kinship National Support, knows that all too well.

The MacArthurs Mills, Ont., woman has seen five grandparent support bills introduced since 1997, both provincially and federally, only to watch them fail.

But she’s not giving up, because, she says, it’s just the right thing to do.

“I believe we’re saving the government and doing a great service for our country,” she said.

“When you look at the foster care costs, versus me taking a year off working and nurturing (my granddaughter), you have to look at the results.”

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•  Advocating for Children in Foster and Kinship Care by Mitchell Rosenwald and Beth Riley: “A guide to getting the best out of the system for caregivers and practitioners.”
• Raising Our Children’s Children by Deborah Doucette-Dudman.
• Raising Your Children’s Children: Help for Grandparents Raising Grandkids by Martha Evans Sparks.
• Grandparents as Parents: A Survival Guide for Raising a Second Family by Sylvie de Toledo and Deborah Edler Brown.
• The Sacred Work of Grandparents Raising Grandchildren by Elaine K. Williams.
• Relatives Raising Children: An Overview of Kinship Care edited by Joseph Crumbley and Robert Little.
• Kinship Foster Care: Policy Practice and Research edited by Rebecca L Hegar and Maria Scannapieco.

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Published: 2:00 AM – 03/24/13 in recordonline.com

“There is a quiet, enduring strength about the grandparents, aunts and uncles who suddenly find themselves raising children who aren’t their own. The kinship parenting trend they are a critical part of has grown to substantial proportions — and it has done so largely off the radar.

One of every 11 children in New York state will be raised at some point during their developmental years by someone who is not their parent. In Orange, Ulster and Sullivan counties, there are 6,500 adults raising someone else’s kids. Most of them are grandparents or other close relatives.

Circumstances ranging from the death of a parent to addiction or physical abuse are among the reasons why parents are no longer able — physically, psychologically or legally — to raise their sons and daughters. But the newest factor to accelerate the trend appears to be the sluggish economy.

Public funding for programs that support kinship parenting is dwindling.

The official who heads the statewide organization, Kinship Care Navigator, which provides information, support and referral services for relatives acting as parents, says many local programs have fallen victim to decreased government funding — even as the need for such programs as the Relatives As Parents Program increases. Jerry Wallace notes that at one point, there were more than 100 programs such as those in Orange and Ulster counties throughout the state.

Today, Wallace says, less than 10 have a chance of continuing.

The funding needs go well beyond the monthly compensation some receive for basic foster child care. Also critical are programs that help these new guardians navigate a full spectrum of difficult, life-changing issues — particularly for those who have never raised children of their own.

This is a complex playing field. Attempting to find your way through the maze of legal, health, financial and educational issues facing kinship parents is overwhelming.

And what about the emotional issues for both the children and the nontraditional parents?

About 60 percent of these nonparents are grandparents. They are not likely to be well equipped to understand the cultural, psychological and social dynamics that drive the lives of their grandchildren. Same for the children in reverse. They need help. They need to connect with others facing the same challenges. They need coping tools. They need access to the professional and peer-to-peer advice programs that RAPP and others provide.”

While these programs have had multiple funding sources during the years, many of those sources have ceased or reduced funding. Orange County RAPP, for example, is funded by various sources, but when a funding source backs out, others historically have followed. And this September, it is expected to lose its state funding. When that happens, RAPP will no longer be able to offer legal consultations or mental health services for caregivers under 55 years old (those 55 and older are covered under an Office for the Aging grant).

These programs need the support of local foundations and charitable groups during an era when state funding grows more scarce.”

Read the rest of the article here.

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