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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Four Colorado Foster Families Recognized for Outstanding Commitment

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Tuesday, May 19, 2015   

DENVER - Four families were honored at the Governor's Mansion over the weekend for their contributions as foster parents to Colorado kids: Jennifer and Alex Rodriguez from Roggen; Kim and Jesse Moses from Calhan; Julie Ellis and Malibu James from Aurora; and Kurt and Jennifer Walker from Windsor.

Beverly Gmerek, recruitment and retention specialist with the Colorado Department of Human Services, says one thing all four families had in common was keeping families together.

"They've worked really hard at keeping siblings together," says Gmerek. "We want siblings to be together and be raised together and to keep those connections because that sibling relationship goes on for the rest of your life."

The Rodriguezes have a full house with 10 kids; six are under 8 years old. In addition to their four biological kids, they care for one foster child and have adopted five more children, several of which are biological siblings.

The Moses family has given a home to 22 kids over 8 years, and have managed to keep kids connected with their biological parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Each year they host a "family reunion" for their former and current foster children and their biological families. Gmerek says they have inspired neighbors and even one of their former foster kids to become foster parents.

"We have more than 2,000 certified foster parents in Colorado today, but we always need more," she says. "When you're thinking, 'Gee, is there something I can do for kids in Colorado?' this is definitely something you can do."

The Ellis-James family focuses mostly on older kids, all of whom are active in a choir for at-risk children. The Walkers, both neonatal intensive-care nurses, have a specialized medical home where they care for drug-addicted newborns.


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