CHAMPS Colorado
Launched in May 2020 in partnership with Foster Source, CHAMPS Colorado works to ensure quality parenting for all children in foster and kinship care. CHAMPS Colorado strives to ensure vulnerable kids are safe and thriving by promoting foster and kin families as a vital component of the child welfare system.
BACKGROUND
Federal legislation, the Family First Prevention Services Act, encourages states to move more kids in foster care from residential treatment to family-based settings. This requires more highly trained and committed foster parents to meet the need. Currently there are approximately 4,700 youth in care in Colorado, and approximately 1,600 certified foster/kin families.[1] It is also estimated that 70 percent of certified foster parents do not remain foster parents beyond the second year. CHAMPS Colorado works to fill this need and ensure all kids have an adequate family-based placement when they enter into care.
COUNTY ENGAGEMENT
CHAMPS Colorado works with counties to address the need for well-equipped foster and kin families to support the children in the child welfare system. Areas of focus include: Certification and On-Going Training, Mentorship, Foster/Kin Family Support Groups, Recruitment and Retention Strategies, Advisory Councils and Collaboration with Foster and Kin Family Support Organizations.
STATE ENGAGEMENT
CHAMPS Colorado also engages at the state level with the Colorado Department of Human Services providing a foster and kin family voice in implementation of child welfare policies. All decisions within child welfare should be informed by the population impacted by the changes.
LEADERSHIP
Natalie Bergstrasser is a dedicated social worker who draws from her lived experience as a kin caregiver and former foster youth to advance systems change work in child welfare and community prevention efforts. She specializes in implementing innovative programs that center the individuals and families who are directly impacted, including trauma-responsive community engagement, grant development, program design, and facilitating co-designed solutions with diverse stakeholders.
Natalie is deeply committed to supporting foster and kinship caregivers, recognizing their vital role in nurturing children and strengthening the family system. Through her practical, trauma-responsive strategies, she equips organizations and communities to transform systems and improve outcomes for children and families.
Hannah Dickes is a proud native Minnesotan but married a Coloradan in 2009 and has been here ever since. She has three active sons who have been a significant part of the family’s ability to foster. Her family has fostered with Boulder County since 2016. Her experiences with some of the kids in her care lead her on a path to better understand how to equip and advocate for caregivers in order to improve case outcomes. She founded the Boulder County Foster Alliance, serves on the Colorado Child Welfare Family Advisory Council, and shares her experiences and knowledge with new caregivers through the Child Welfare Training System.