National Day of Racial Healing
2023-01-17
Click here to learn more about National Day of Racial Healing

Life After High School: The 2 Year System
2023-01-18 18:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
In this workshop, participants will learn all about the Community College System.
100’s of Associates Degrees, Associate Degrees for Transfer, Certificates, Licenses, courses that lead to Careers and most recently 15 Bachelor’s Degrees are now offered!

Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year (Year of the Rabbit)
2023-01-22

Parent Support Group
2023-01-23 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-01-30 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-06 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-13 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-20 15:30 - 17:00, 2023-02-27 15:30 - 17:00
What: Support and resource group led by para professionals with lived experience being involved with CFS and successfully reunifying with their children.
When: Mondays, 3:30-5pm
Where: Held virtually via Zoom
RSVP: Please contact Janel, (805) 978-2073

International Day of Education
2023-01-24
Click here to learn more about International Day of Education

Drug Exposed Infants- Review Part 1/Explore Part 2
2023-01-26 10:30 - 17:00
Maternal substance use may consist of any combination of drug, chemical, alcohol, and tobacco use during the pregnancy.
While in the womb, a fetus grows and develops due to nourishment from the mother via the placenta. However, along with nutrients, any toxins in the mother’s system may be delivered to the fetus. These toxins may cause damage to the developing fetal organs. A baby also may become dependent on substances used by the mother.

International Holocaust Remembrance Day
2023-01-27

Donation Drive & Volunteer for Share the Love Event
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-22
Donation Drive for our Share the Love Event
February 25th in Ventura
Free event for foster/resource, kinship, adoptive, & birth families served by Kids & Families Together. Caregiver appreciation event providing a gift card, treats, donations, music, & more!
The donation deadline is Wednesday, February 22, 2023.
Donations Needed for 100:

Self-care items for treat bags:
shower steamers
lip balm
hand lotion
herbal tea

To Donate:

Click here to purchase from our Amazon wishlist
Drop items at our office by making an appointment

For more information on donation or volunteering, please contact:
Jeni Futvoye or Carrie McAuliffe Sandoval at (805) 643-1446 ext. 108/131. jfutvoye@kidsandfamilies.org/cmcauliffe@kidsandfamlies.org or visit www.kidsandfamilies.org/giftaway-events

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Black History Month
2023-02-01 - 2023-02-28

Rosa Parks Day
2023-02-05
To learn more about Rosa Parks, please visit our JEDI page!

Tu BiShvat
2023-02-05 - 2023-02-06

Nurturing Connections: Support and Training in Becoming a Therapeutic Parent
2023-02-08 17:00 - 18:30
Nurturing Connections: Support and Training in Becoming a Therapeutic Parent
Who Should Attend: Foster/kinship resource parents, adoptive parents, legal guardians
Description: Support and training, led by a therapist, in a safe and supportive environment where participants can share their experiences as a foster or adoptive caregiver. Participants have a chance to explore their own attachment histories and strengthen their therapeutic parenting skills. Learn about attachment, trauma, development, self-care, and more. Resource parents can earn training hours!
2023 Training Dates/Topics:

Jan. 11th: Staying Connected with
Birth Families
Feb. 8th: Making Sense of Your
Attachment History
March 8th: Ambiguous Loss
April 12th: Transracial Adoptive
Families
May 10th: Vicarious Trauma and
Self-Care
June 14th: Building Resilience in

When & Where: Every 2nd Wednesday of the month from 5-6:30pm, Currently offered via Zoom.
English/Spanish: Group is in English with live Spanish interpretation!
Cost: Free for foster/kinship resource, adoptive, and legal guardian caregivers within the Ventura County Child Welfare System.
Register: Click Here to Register
Contact: Please contact us at 805-643-1446 Ext. 180 or referrals@kidsandfamilies.org with questions.

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Abraham Lincoln's Birthday
2023-02-12

Valentine's Day
2023-02-14

Susan B. Anthony's Birthday
2023-02-15

Happy Birthday, Charles!
2023-02-15 17:00 - 20:00 | Bright Spark Brewing, 4561 Market Street, Ventura, CA, 93003, United States
Kids & Families Together’s beloved therapy dog and favorite staff member is turning 7 years old! Come celebrate with us!
Join us on Wednesday, February 15th from 5pm-8pm at Bright Spark Brewing- 4561 Market Street, Ventura!

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Maha Shivaratri
2023-02-18

President's Day- K&FT Offices Closed
2023-02-20
Kids & Families Together will be closed on Monday, February 20th in observance of President’s Day.

World Day of Social Justice
2023-02-20
World Day of Social Justice
The World Day of Social Justice is an annual observance established by the United Nations in 2007 to promote and raise awareness of issues related to social justice, including poverty, inequality, and discrimination. The day is celebrated on February 20th each year, and is an opportunity to governments, organizations, and individuals to take-action and work towards a more just and equitable society.
One of the main focuses of the World Day of Social Justice is addressing poverty and inequality. According to the United Nations Development Program, over 700 million people still live in extreme poverty, and the gap between the rich and poor continues to widen globally. This is not only a moral issue, but also a hindrance to sustainable development and economic growth. In addition, discrimination and marginalization of certain groups, such as women, minorities, and people with disabilities, also contribute to poverty and inequality.
In order to address these issues, the United Nations has called for the implementation of policies and programs that promote social inclusion and empowerment, such as access to education, healthcare, and decent work. Additionally, it is important to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality, such as lack of access to land, credit, and technology, as well as discrimination and marginalization.
On the World Day of Social Justice, governments, organizations, and individuals are encouraged to take-action and make a commitment to promoting social justice. This can include raising awareness about issues, volunteering, or supporting organizations that work towards social justice.
In conclusion, the World Day of Social Justice is an important observance that raises awareness about the ongoing issues of poverty, inequality, and discrimination. In order to address these issues, it is crucial to implement policies and programs that promote social
inclusion and empowerment, and to address the structural causes of poverty and inequality.

Ash Wednesday
2023-02-22

Conexión Padre-Hijo Positiva / Positive-Parent Child Connection - Spanish Training
2023-02-23 18:00 - 19:30
Kids & Families Together en colaboración con los Servicios para Niños y Familias del Condado de Ventura, presenta una nueva capacitación: Conexión positiva entre padres e hijos: capacitación en español.
Esta capacitación es una capacitación en español y la interpretación en vivo en inglés estará disponible a través de Zoom.
Por favor haz click aquí para registrarte.

Kids & Families Together in collaboration with Ventura County Children & Family Services, presents a new training- Positive-Parent Child Connection – Spanish Training
This training is a Spanish Training and live English interpretation will be available via Zoom.
Please click here to register.

Women's History Month
2023-03-01 - 2023-03-31

Irish American Heritage Month
2023-03-01 - 2023-03-31
March is Irish American Heritage Month! The earliest recorded celebration of Irish Americans in the United States dates back to 1762 with the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City. The parade became an annual event, with President Truman attending in 1948. Irish heritage is strong in America: More than 31.5 million residents claim Irish ancestry, second only to German (43.0 million). When it comes to U.S. presidents, including current President Joe Biden, exactly half (23) trace some of their roots to Ireland.
In October 1990, Congress passed a public law establishing March 1991 as Irish-American Heritage Month. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush issued the first proclamation designating March as Irish American Heritage Month. Each year since the president has made a proclamation regarding Irish American Heritage Month. In 2022, President Biden made a proclamation on March 3rd where he stated, “The story of Irish Americans has always been one of strength and perseverance through adversity. Many Irish immigrants arrived on America’s shores to escape the Great Famine, only to face discrimination, prejudice, and poverty. Despite these hard times, they embraced their new homes in every corner of America—from the Atlantic to the Pacific, across the Midwest and through the Rocky Mountains—and helped build and fortify our Nation into what it is today.” He went on to discuss the ties that Ireland and the United States have to one another and encouraged all Americans to honor the journey and perseverance of the Irish immigrants who have helped shape America. Read President Biden’s full proclamation here. On February 28, 2023, President Biden’s proclamation included an acknowledgment of his great-grandparents’ hopes and dreams upon arriving in this country and the “grit” they showed. He stated, “Ireland and the United States are forever bound together by our people and our passion. Everything between runs deep.”
People from Ireland started immigrating to America while it was still a colony of Great Britain. The first Irish arrivals in the 1600s were mainly indentured servants or redemptioners, whose passage was paid in return for a certain number of years of work. By the 1700s, Protestants, Catholics, and Quakers were coming to the United States to start new lives without religious discrimination and the draconian laws against the Celtic heritage of the Irish.
While many of the Irish immigrants in the early 1800s were skilled workers, by the middle of the century, most were simply fleeing the famine and poverty of their homeland. Not enough land and the Great Famine of the 1840s resulted in millions coming to the United States in search of a better life. Instead of finding farms in their new country where they had lived in their former homeland, many settled in big cities, including Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. These unskilled workers were part of the foundational workforce for increasing industry and manufacturing in the United States. They also helped build roads and canals throughout the country, such as the Erie Canal in New York.
As conditions in Ireland improved, the new immigrants tended to be more skilled, and the schools, charitable societies, workers’ organizations, and social clubs established by earlier Irish immigrants smoothed their entry into American society. While some discrimination against these immigrants lingered, having the support systems in place allowed the new families to prosper and succeed more quickly in their new homes.
Along with contributing their backbreaking work in building much of the country’s infrastructure and manufacturing plants in the 1800s, Irish immigrants brought their strong social structures with them to support each other and the Americans around them. America continued to be the country of choice for many young Irish people wanting to improve their lot throughout the 20th century.
Did you know that Irish immigrants were involved in the Mexican-American War of the late 1840s? They switched sides during the war as Irish immigrants faced discrimination for their Catholic faith in a mainly Protestant country. Many chose to support Mexicans who were from a predominantly Catholic country during this war. Those Irish immigrants were among the captured and died by hanging. Although Mexico lost this war, the Irish who fought along with them are perceived as heroes of the St. Patrick’s Battalion (El Batallón de San Patricio). If you’re interested in reading more about this piece of Irish immigrant history, click here.
Another part of Irish immigrant history involves how this immigrant group moved up the socioeconomic ladder after experiencing hardship and discrimination in their homeland and in America. Irish immigrants competed with Black Americans for low-paying jobs, often refusing to work alongside Blacks, and at times terrorizing them. Eventually, Irish Americans gained privileges that other whites had. Learn more about this experience here.
Today, it is estimated that 38% of Black Americans have Irish heritage, including Barack Obama, Beyoncé, and Colin Powell. There are organizations recognizing the shared culture and heritage, such as the African-American Irish Diaspora Network to strengthen identity and connection.
March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Although this holiday originated as a religious holiday, St. Patrick’s Day has evolved into a celebration of all things Irish.
Resources/Events

County Ventura St. Patricks Day Parade | (venturastpatricksdayparade.com)
Smithsonian- Irish American History and Heritage
The United States Census Bureau
A Grand Celebration of Irish American History and Culture
During the Mexican-American War, Irish-Americans Fought for Mexico in the ‘Saint Patrick’s Battalion’ | History| Smithsonian Magazine
How Irish Immigrants Overcame Discrimination in America (thoughtco.com)
African American Irish Diaspora Network (aaidnet.org)

Zero Discrimination Day
2023-03-01
Yesterday, March 1, 2023, was known as Zero Discrimination Day by the United Nations and other international organizations. It was started in 2013 with the goal to challenge prejudice against people with HIV/AIDS and move toward equality and fair treatment. The theme was “Save Lives: Decriminalize.” There exist a number of nations that continue to criminalize this vulnerable population and violate human rights. “In fact, today there are 134 countries explicitly criminalizing or otherwise prosecuting HIV exposure, non-disclosure or transmission; 20 countries criminalize and/or prosecute transgender persons; 153 countries criminalize at least one aspect of sex work; and 67 countries now criminalize consensual same-sex sexual activity, according to UNAIDS. In addition, 48 countries still place restrictions on entry into their territory for people living with HIV, while 53 countries report that they require mandatory HIV testing, for example for marriage certificates or for performing certain professions. 106 countries report requiring parental consent for adolescents to access HIV testing.” To put this into perspective, currently, there are approximately 5.8 million people living with HIV worldwide.
On Zero Discrimination day 2023, people around the world will come together to raise awareness and act to eliminate discrimination based on race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, disability, or any other factor. The day serves as a reminder that everyone deserves to be treated with respect and dignity, and that discrimination only serves to divide us. By promoting tolerance, acceptance, and understanding, we can create a world where everyone is valued and free from discrimination.
Resources

Zero Discrimination Day Details: Zero Discrimination Day 2023: Everything you need to know – The Economic Times (indiatimes.com)
Zero Discrimination Day 2023 theme – Save lives: Decriminalise | UNAIDS Asia-Pacific (unaids-ap.org)

Social Work Month
2023-03-01 - 2023-05-31
