Foster Care Training

A basic Harm Reduction principle is that people use drugs for a reason. A main psychosocial developmental task for young people is identity formation. Part of how that occurs is through risk taking which can include substance use. Another task is to learn to navigate relationships. Young people who don’t have much, if any, family support have not learned relationship skills or may have past trauma. They may use substances as a way to have relationships. Traditionally, young people have been treated for substance mis-use using the disease model.  Most young adults reduce heavy drinking and drug use as they learn their limits and begin to assume other responsibilities. Harm Reduction can help keep youth safe and help them make informed decisions regarding their substance use. Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change can guide providers in helping young people solidify their goals with regard to their substance use as well as sexual behavior. In this training, participants will learn about Harm Reduction, specifically Motivational Interviewing and the Stages of Change as they relate to use with TAY.