CAFCA Happenings

October 2005

CAFCA Annual Meeting
Don’t wait—send in your RSVP ASAP. CAFCA’s Annual Membership Meeting is scheduled for Friday, November 18^th 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. at Maggiano’s in Denver. The keynote, “Thriving in Times of Personal & Professional Change,” delivered by Gary Copeland and based on the best-selling book, Who Moved My Cheese?, should be applicable to all. Seating is limited, and a discount is offered for those sending three or more people from the same agency. All CAFCA members and Child Advocate Affiliates are invited to this annual event. Get your reservations in early so you are not left out.  The annual business meeting will include a vote on changes to the CAFCA bylaws.

CAFCA Announces New Deputy Director!
We will be introducing CAFCA new half-time Deputy Director at the Annual Meeting. Susannah Carroll became CAFCA’s first Deputy Director effective November 1^st. We are delighted that she has joined our staff. Susannah is a graduate student at Denver University and has a background in public policy and research. Come meet Susannah and welcome her to this great organization. 

Business Coalition for Children Fall Breakfast Series
A big THANK YOU to all who attended the fall Colorado Business Coalition for Children breakfast meetings, featuring Colorado legislators and others speaking about the current political landscape and what it means for Colorado’s most vulnerable children.  The Business Coalition for Children was established several years ago. Its purpose is to educate and engage the business community in advocacy activities on behalf of Colorado’s most vulnerable children and families.

DON’T FORGET TO CHECK THE CAFCA WEBSITE FOR IMPORTANT MEMBER INFORMATION, INCLUDING THE CALENDAR OF MEETINGS—BOARD, COMMITTEE AND SPECIAL EVENTS:

WWW.CAFCA.NET

(Let us know if you need the user name and password.)

Committee Notes

Adoption, Kurt Olsson, Chair
Carol Lawson has served the Adoption Committee as Chair for the past two years and done an extraordinary job—THANK YOU, CAROL! She recently volunteered to fill the Vice President vacancy on the CAFCA board. Kurt Olsson volunteered to serve as interim chairperson pending elections at the Annual Membership meeting. The Adoption Committee is considering three potential pieces of legislation for the 2006 session involving dual licensing, cradle care families and potential adoptive parents who have a past conviction. Next meeting: November 10th, 9:30-11:00 a.m., Adoption Dreams Come True, 405 Canyon Avenue in Ft. Collins. Cindy Sarai will host this meeting.

Foster Care Committee, Keith Hughes, Chair
The committee is working on legislation to permit professional foster parents and has begun planning efforts to analyze the potential impact of the Medicaid changes on all forms of foster care—treatment, therapeutic and general foster family care. CAFCA members continue to complete training on the SAFE tool for home studies. Reminder: Nominate your foster parents for Foster Parent of the Month through CSFPA!!!  It’s a great way to recognize and honor your families. Next meeting: Tuesday, November 22, 10:30 AM - noon at the Starbucks in REI, I -25 and 20^th.

Children’s Treatment Services (CTS), Patty Erjavec, Chair
The RTC Services and Financing Redesign Group has established three subcommittees: the PRTF subcommittee, which will be analyzing the requirements to become PRTFs (Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities) under Medicaid statute; 2) the fee-for-service subcommittee , which will be analyzing the billing structure, requirements and fees eligible for Medicaid reimbursement; and 3) the Continuum of Care Subcommittee, which will look at the impact of the Medicaid changes on all child welfare providers as well as the BHOs. All subcommittees must have proposed models completed by January 1, 2006. A subgroup of the CTS committee has developed a draft letter to the SOMB and has also initiated a dialogue with SOMB member Keri Fitzpatrick to discuss concerns regarding implementation of the Juvenile Standards for Sex Offenders. No November meeting scheduled due to conflict with Annual Meeting. Next scheduled meeting: Friday, December 16^th, 10:30 – noon. Location TBD.

Public Policy, Cyndi Dodds, Chair
CAFCA’s Public Policy Committee will be reviewing the Public Policy Strategic Plan on November 2^nd, the day AFTER the election on C & D, to discuss needed modifications. The 2006 Legislative session and Legislative luncheon will also be on the agenda.   Next meeting, Wednesday, November 2nd, noon-2:00 at 1120 Lincoln St.

Training Committee, Renee Johnson, Chair
The committee members are working on CAFCA’s 2006 annual conference and quarterly trainings. New members are welcomed to join them. The 4^th quarter 2005 workshop will be conducted by Juvenile Court Judge Chris Melonakis of the 17^th Judicial District, and will be held on December 13th.  Next Meeting: Wednesday, November 16th, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m., at Peaberry Coffee, Colorado Boulevard & Leetsdale.

The Bulletin Board: Information, Trainings and Other Opportunities

Turning Point Center in Fort Collins has announced its training schedule for 2006.
Offerings include:

v       Certified Addictions Counselor I, II, III

v       Non Profit Management Workshops

v       Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certification

v       Restorative Justice Group Conferencing Training

v       Qualified Medication Administration Person (QMAP)

For a complete schedule and information about registering, visit their website: www.turningpnt.org.

CDHS Annual Child Welfare Conference: Call for Papers

“Building Bridges: Connecting Colorado Children & Youth to Their Past and Their Future,” the 15th Annual Colorado Child Welfare Conference, has issued a Call for Papers. The focus of the conference will be on supporting child welfare professionals in their efforts to help children understand and embrace their past while moving ahead towards a safe and promising future. The event is scheduled for May 31 – June 2, 2006 at the Keystone Resort and Conference Center. To learn more about the Call for Papers or to submit a proposal online, go to: www.cdhsconf.com.