Foster Care Training

Children and adolescents living in foster care are a vulnerable population. Most have emotional, behavioral, developmental, and health problems that have their roots in the difficult family and environmental circumstances they came from before entering the foster care system. Many have challenging behaviors we must work with. An effective way to explore the origins of these behaviors and make positive change is the “Stages of Change” model. Attendees will consider techniques for changing harmful behavior and review what counts as harmful behavior and reasons why youth may hurt themselves. In addition, the effects of self harm behavior and how self harm behavior can be addictive in nature will be discussed. Participants will learn communication techniques needed as providers and how appropriate role modeling and self disclosure can affect our work. The importance of positive attention for youth and how to best consistently provide this to youth will be explored. Behavior contracts will also be discussed and the positive impact it can have in our work to set limits for youth’s behavior.