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Welcome
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in helping with the vital work we do!
At our core, Kids At Heart provides various forms of respite care. Respite is a service that offers a rest or break period for those in need. Our respite programs, like Fundango, give caregivers a rest while providing children with the chance to build relationships with other children in adoptive, foster and kinship families, as well as a way to participate in meaningful activities that increase their skills and resources. Respite care is a key part of the post-placement services often needed by adoptive, foster, and kinship families that help support placement stability and permanency.
At our core, Kids At Heart provides various forms of respite care. Respite is a service that offers a rest or break period for those in need. Our respite programs, like Fundango, give caregivers a rest while providing children with the chance to build relationships with other children in adoptive, foster and kinship families, as well as a way to participate in meaningful activities that increase their skills and resources. Respite care is a key part of the post-placement services often needed by adoptive, foster, and kinship families that help support placement stability and permanency.
Respite...Promotes healthy families
Respite...Promotes healthy families
When children are removed from their home it’s very traumatic. If a child is removed from several placement homes, it compounds the trauma. Up to 50% of Foster Families quit in the first year because they feel unsupported, and never get a break (NCSL). Foster, adoptive and kinship parents often manage behaviors that are unique to kids in the foster care system. Sometimes these parents need a short break. The opportunity for a date night, grocery shopping or running errands while the kids participate in meaningful and fun activities gives parents a chance to relax, recharge and renew. This helps keep the children in those homes for longer periods of time, leading to better success in the long term.
Fundango respite program
Fundango respite program
Fundango is interactive for kids & teens!
We support 50 to 80 kids and 15 to 25 families* for the twice per month Fundango–our signature respite program. Parents have 4 hours of respite.
Kids at Heart’s trained staff engage children in age appropriate fun, educational and active experiences like art, STEM, reading books, dinner and more.
*During and after the pandemic our attendance is closer to 35-40 kids.
What does volunteering look like?
What does volunteering look like?
All volunteers are paired with a staff member who is the Group Leader for a cohort of up to 10 kids. Our age ranges are 1-3 years, 4-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-12 years and teens. If you feel comfortable with a particular group age, just let us know.
Volunteers are encouraged to support the leadership of the Group Leader and help kids have fun and stay safe while participating. Our Volunteer Manual covers all of the details.
The time commitment is 5 hours from 2:30 pm to 7:30 pm on a Saturday of a scheduled Fundango.
By spending just some of your time with our kids, you will be providing significant benefits to the kids and their families.
All volunteers participate in a multi-step screening and registration process.
All volunteers participate in a multi-step screening and registration process.
We make it as easy as possible. The steps are:
We make it as easy as possible. The steps are:
Register
Register
Let the Kids at Heart staff know when you would like to volunteer. Once your fingerprints are completed and Background check, we will schedule you to attend.
Complete Background Investigation Form
Complete Background Investigation Form
The State of Colorado requires all volunteers who work with kids to complete a Background Investigation Unit Form.
Follow these steps:
Visit this link.
Complete the form.
Turn-in to Kids at Heart via email or printed copy. We pay the fee and submit to the State.
Fingerprint Background check
Details and instructions for the fingerprinting process are here.
Follow these steps:
Review the Volunteer fingerprint setup at the link above.
Setup an account.
Schedule an appointment.
Go to fingerprint appt. with correct identification.
Kids at Heart will automatically receive your report.
Once your fingerprints are completed and Background check, we will schedule you to attend.
Once your fingerprints are completed and Background check, we will schedule you to attend.
You did it! The only thing that is left is to
Attend Volunteer Orientation
This 30 minute session immediately before the Fundango event teaches our volunteers how to work with kids who have experienced trauma.
Our kids generally behave like all other children but occasionally some tips are helpful.
Thank you!
Questions? Contact Ethan Dexter, Executive Director, at 970-529-8222 or email ethan@kidsatheartco.org.
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