2007

Time:	All day event
Summary:	New Year's Day
Description:	January 1

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Martin Luther King Jr.
Description:	3rd Monday of January

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Groundhog Day
Description:	February 2

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Lincoln's Birthday
Description:	February 12

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Valentine's Day
Description:	February 14

Time:	All day event
Summary:	President's Day
Description:	3rd Monday of February

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Washington's Birthday
Description:	February 22

Time:	All day event
Summary:	St. Patrick's Day
Description:	March 17

Time:	All day event
Summary:	April Fools Day
Description:	April 1

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Daylight Savings +1 hr
Description:	1st Sunday of April

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Secretaries Day
Description:	Wednesday of last full week in April

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Mother's Day
Description:	2nd Sunday of May

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Armed Forces Day
Description:	3rd Saturday of May

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Memorial Day
Description:	Last Monday of May

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Flag Day
Description:	June 14

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Father's Day
Description:	3rd Sunday of June

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Independence Day
Description:	July 4

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Labor Day
Description:	1st Monday of September

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Grandparent's Day
Description:	First Sunday after Labor Day

Time:	12:45 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	Lodestar Family Connections Center
Summary:	*Stepping Stones- Post Placement Workshop Series: For Parents of Tweens and Teens
Description:	This group is specially designed for families that have recently (in the past year) taken placement of a child through adoption, foster care, kinship, or guardianship. Topics include: Child development, Grief & Loss, Attachment, & Discipline. There is no cost to the family and dinner and childcare (for children 7 and younger) are provided. There is a parent group and a youth group (for children 8 and older). We request that families attend all four sessions which will be every Wednesday from September 10th through October 1st. Families will earn 9 hours of advanced training for completing the series. Registration is required. For additional information/registration, please contact Jessica Fisher at 602-930-4413.

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	Lodestar Family Connections Center
Summary:	Meet Arizona’s Children- Foster Care
Description:	The Lodestar Family Connections Center is partnering with DES to offer Meet Arizona's Children. This is an opportunity for foster families to get involved in the placement process at an earlier stage. Families that attend will see video presentations of children who are currently looking for placement and case managers or caregivers are there to answer your questions. Families can then fill out a form so that the child's case manager is notified directly that they are interested in more information or potentially taking placement of that child. The children presented will have current placement in a group home or shelter and DES is looking for a foster home. These children all still have a case plan of reunification, and are not legally free for adoption. If you are a licensed foster parent with room for a child or children in your home, then please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register to attend. Limited child care will be available! Registration is required and space is limited so call soon!

Time:	1:30 AM - 3:00 AM
Summary:	*Adoption or Guardianship:What's the Difference?
Description:	This 90 minute training is designed to help families make informed decisions when considering the possibility of adoption or permanent guardianship. Child care and a meal will be provided at this training! To register please call Corina Aguilar at 602-863-0799 x190.

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Summary:	*What Is It Like To Be a Foster Child with Shannon Clayton
Description:	While we have all received training on the realities of being a foster child, nothing can get us closer to understanding than listening to someone who has experienced it themselves. Shannon Clayton will be here to share her story of being in foster care and offer her recommendations to the families who have foster children in their homes. Registration is required. Please call Amy to register at 602-930-4433.

Time:	12:30 AM - 2:30 AM
Location:	Lodestar Family Connections Center
Summary:	*IEPs and 504s- Understanding Special Education
Description:	Raising Special Kids will offer foster and adoptive parents information about IEPs, 504s including the differences between each and the process for acquiring special education services for your child. Registration is required. Please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register.

Time:	1:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Location:	Lodestar Family Connections Center
Summary:	*Dr. Texidor – Establishing a Home Environment in Which Children Can Succeed
Description:	Dr. Texidor will tell parents how to develop a secure environment in their home to help their children grow and develop. He will also offer additional information on how trauma and attachment issues effects how a child interacts in a family and home environment. Registration is required. Please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register.

Time:	2:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Location:	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel and Convention Center
Summary:	2007 Children Need Homes Conference!
Description:	The Children Need Homes Conference is an annual event sponsored by DES and the Arizona Foster Care and Adoption Coalition. The theme of this years conference is “Kids Need Us; Caring for Children, Families…and Ourselves.” This conference is FREE and will be held at Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel and Convention Center. For information on the workshops and registration go to www.childrenneedhomes.com or contact Karen at 480-946-3767 or questions@childrenneedhomes.com.

Time:	2:30 PM - 11:30 PM
Location:	Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel and Convention Center
Summary:	2007 Children Need Homes Conference!
Description:	The Children Need Homes Conference is an annual event sponsored by DES and the Arizona Foster Care and Adoption Coalition. The theme of this years conference is “Kids Need Us; Caring for Children, Families…and Ourselves.” This conference is FREE and will be held at Phoenix Marriott Mesa Hotel and Convention Center. For information on the workshops and registration go to www.childrenneedhomes.com or contact Karen at 480-946-3767 or questions@childrenneedhomes.com.

Time:	9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Location:	Lodestar Family Connections Center
Summary:	Adoptive Parent Support Group
Description:	This is an ongoing parent support group for parents who have adopted older children. Registration is required. Contact Jill at 602-930-4471.

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Columbus Day
Description:	2nd Monday of October

Time:	12:30 AM - 2:30 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	Meet Arizona’s Children- Adoption
Description:	The Lodestar Family Connections Center is partnering with DES to offer Meet Arizona's Children. This is an opportunity for adoptive families to get involved in the matching process at an earlier stage. Families that attend will see video presentations of children who are in need of a forever family and case managers or caregivers will be there to answer your questions. Families can then fill out a form so that the child's case manager is notified directly that they are interested in more information. The children presented will be legally free for adoption. If you are a certified adoptive parent currently waiting for a child or children in your home, then please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register to attend. Limited child care will be available! Registration is required and space is limited so call soon!

Time:	1:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	*Dr. Texidor-Neurodevelopmental Milestones and Attachment
Description:	Dr. Texidor will educate participants on how their child's brain develops, particularly how this development is interrupted by various forms of trauma. This training will help parents understand the interplay of neurodevelopment and attachment. Registration is required. Please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register.

Time:	9:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	Adoptive Parent Support Group
Description:	This is an ongoing parent support group for parents who have adopted older children. Registration is required. Contact Jill at 602-930-4471.

Time:	12:30 AM - 2:30 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	* Understanding and Helping the Grieving Child
Description:	Caryn Kondo, MA Bereavement Specialist and former Program Director of the New Song Center will provide insight to parents and professionals who are working with children who have experienced grief and loss, particularly related to foster care and adoption. Participants will learn about the issues grieving children face and how to parent and help their child cope. Registration is required. Please call Amy to register at 602-930-4433.

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Daylight Savings -1 hr
Description:	Last Sunday of October

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	*Understanding Evaluations
Description:	Kim Yamamoto, a Family Support Specialist with Raising Special Kids will offer this training that will teach parents not only to understand what the evaluation means, but learn useful ways that the information can be utilized in an IEP. The training will be in family friendly language and will use hands-on examples from different areas. Families will be given the knowledge to be equal members of an IEP team. Registration is required. Please call Amy to register at 602-930-4433.

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Halloween
Description:	October 31

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Election Day
Description:	Tuesday after 1st Monday in November

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Veteran's Day
Description:	November 11

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	Meet Arizona’s Children- Foster Care
Description:	The Lodestar Family Connections Center is partnering with DES to offer Meet Arizona's Children. This is an opportunity for foster families to get involved in the placement process at an earlier stage. Families that attend will see video presentations of children who are currently looking for placement and case managers or caregivers are there to answer your questions. Families can then fill out a form so that the child's case manager is notified directly that they are interested in more information or potentially taking placement of that child. The children presented will have current placement in a group home or shelter and DES is looking for a foster home. These children all still have a case plan of reunification, and are not legally free for adoption. If you are a licensed foster parent with room for a child or children in your home, then please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register to attend. Limited child care will be available! Registration is required and space is limited so call soon!

Time:	7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St Phx., Az. 85006
Summary:	Adoption or Guardianship: What's the Differance?
Description:	This 90 minute training is designed to help families to make informed decisions when considering the possibility of adoption or permanent guardianship. Child care and a meal will be provide at this training! To register please call Corina Aguilar At 602-863-0799 x190.

Time:	All day event
Summary:	Thanksgiving
Description:	4th Thursday of November

Time:	12:45 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phx., Az. 85006
Summary:	Stepping Stones- Post Placement Workshop Series: For Parents of children 0-5. Four Sessions Beginning November 28, 2007
Description:	This group is specially designed for families that have recently (in the past year) Taken placement of a child through adoption, foster care, kinship, or guardianship. topics include: Child development, Grief & Loss, Attachment, and Discipline. There is no cost to the family and dinner and child care for children 7 and younger are provided. There is a parent group and a youth group for children 8 and older. We request that families attend all four sessions which will be every Wednesday from November 28th through December 19th. Families will earn 9 hours of advanced training for completing the series. Registration is required. For additional information/registration , please contact Jessica Fisher at 602-930-4413.

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phx., Az. 85006
Summary:	Dealing with Holiday stresses

Time:	1:30 AM - 3:30 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phoenix, AZ 85006
Summary:	*Dr. Texidor- Right Brain Development, Affect Regulation and Attachment
Description:	Dr. Texidor will discuss what happens during the first three years of life and development of the brain. He will explain the effects on affect regulation and attachment. Parents will be give examples of what they need to do to change affective disregulation in their child. Registration is required. Please call Mike to register at 602-930-4451.

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phx., Az. 85006
Summary:	Meet Arizona’s Children- Foster Care
Description:	The Lodestar Family Connections Center is partnering with DES to offer Meet Arizona's Children. This is an opportunity for foster families to get involved in the placement process at an earlier stage. Families that attend will see video presentations of children who are currently looking for placement and case managers or caregivers are there to answer your questions. Families can then fill out a form so that the child's case manager is notified directly that they are interested in more information or potentially taking placement of that child. The children presented will have current placement in a group home or shelter and DES is looking for a foster home. These children all still have a case plan of reunification, and are not legally free for adoption. If you are a licensed foster parent with room for a child or children in your home, then please call Amy at 602-930-4433 to register to attend. Limited child care will be available! Registration is required and space is limited so call soon!

Time:	1:00 AM - 3:00 AM
Location:	2320 N. 20th St. Phx., Az. 85006
Summary:	Loving-Touch Parent-Child Massage Training Karen S. Gillian, LMT, CIMI, CPST
Description:	Karen S. Gillian, LMT, CIMI, CPST is a licensed Massage Therapist and certified instructor of infant massage, in addition to a foster/adoptive parent of six. In this hands-on training, parents will learn the techniques of infant/child massage for their children. Karen will teach the physical benefits of massage, including strengthening of digestive, circulatory and gastrointestinal systems, reduced discomfort from teething, gas or colic, increased circulation and respiration, increased mid-line orientation and increased vocalization. Karen will also include the emotional/psychological benefits including increased bond, relaxation of both parent and child, increased self-esteem for parent and child, and increased ability for the parent to read their child's cues. Karen will address special needs issues, positive vs. negative touch, and protocol for using massage. Please bring your infant/child and a small blanket as this is a hands-on class. Registration is required. Please call Mike @ 602-930-4451.

Time:	All day event
Summary:	New Year's Eve
Description:	December 31