Foster Care Training

This course is designed to impress upon participants the importance of providing youth with a solid foundation of supports, activities, and resources within their community. The course will identify different types of community resources that are appropriate for youth to be aware of and in contact with as well as a process for introducing youth to these programs taking into account safety, confidentiality, cultural appropriateness and age and developmental readiness.

System-involved youth often face challenges that leave their personal milestones unrecognized or uncelebrated. This course equips child welfare professionals with the tools to design and implement rituals that honor achievements, foster self-worth, and create meaningful connections. These rituals of renewal not only celebrate accomplishments but also provide opportunities for youth to mark transitions, build resilience, and affirm their identities. Participants will explore the unique needs of system-involved youth and learn how to design rituals that celebrate a wide range of milestones, such as reunifications, program completions, birthdays, or personal growth moments. By emphasizing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate approaches, this training ensures rituals are meaningful and inclusive for the […]

System-involved youth often face challenges that leave their personal milestones unrecognized or uncelebrated. This course equips child welfare professionals with the tools to design and implement rituals that honor achievements, foster self-worth, and create meaningful connections. These rituals of renewal not only celebrate accomplishments but also provide opportunities for youth to mark transitions, build resilience, and affirm their identities. Participants will explore the unique needs of system-involved youth and learn how to design rituals that celebrate a wide range of milestones, such as reunifications, program completions, birthdays, or personal growth moments. By emphasizing culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and developmentally appropriate approaches, this training ensures rituals are meaningful and inclusive for the […]

*This training will be presented in Spanish* Collaboration is highly valued in the service delivery field. It is highly important to collaborate with other professionals when providing services to family, but it is even more beneficial for families that we treat them as partners throughout this process and remain collaborative with them. Sometimes, in bilingual service delivery, families lose their voice and ability to advocate due to language barriers and bias, therefore, it is imperative that we work towards engaging in effective practices to maintain this partnership and empower the families we serve. In this workshop, participants will review effective case planning in bilingual service delivery. Participants will practice how […]

Based on the EBP Professional Assault Crisis Training (Pro-ACT), this training takes some of the most effective and important principles from the 16-hour curriculum and distills it down to 3 hours. Attendees will learn about their role in reducing client escalation through assertive communication, having an effective self-control plan, understanding the level of danger and the appropriate response, and the crisis communication model. Register Here

Based on the EBP Professional Assault Crisis Training (Pro-ACT), this training takes some of the most effective and important principles from the 16-hour curriculum and distills it down to 3 hours. Attendees will learn about their role in reducing client escalation through assertive communication, having an effective self-control plan, understanding the level of danger and the appropriate response, and the crisis communication model. Register Here

Based on the EBP Professional Assault Crisis Training (Pro-ACT), this training takes some of the most effective and important principles from the 16-hour curriculum and distills it down to 3 hours. Attendees will learn about their role in reducing client escalation through assertive communication, having an effective self-control plan, understanding the level of danger and the appropriate response, and the crisis communication model. Register Here

Sandtray allows for clients to express themselves and get some insight into their own internal world. This is the fourth and final part of the four-part introductory training for therapists, counselors, social workers, and others who are interested in learning how to integrate sandtray in their clinical work with youth and families in the child welfare or probation systems. This training will go a step beyond the basics with a focus in discussing trauma. The aim for this training is to provide participants with experiential activities in order to provide effective play-based learning of the interventions and how to process them with youth and families in the child welfare and […]

This lecture style interactive training focuses on behaviors as a child’s way of communicating with the outside world. In this training we focus on Emotional regulation and self-regulation which is the ability to monitor and modulate which emotions one has, when you have them, and how you experience and express them. Learning to self-regulate is a key milestone in child development – whose foundations are laid in the earliest years of life. Register Here

In this course, participants will gain a generalized concept of MI. Participants will be introduced to the spirit of MI, Righting Reflex, and OARS (open-ended, affirmations, reflections, and summary). Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups, engage in various activities, and receive tangible examples to use during their work with system-involved clients. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

Trainees will gain knowledge and ability to implement a client-centered discussion collaboratively with a child, youth or adult that leads them toward their own motivations for positive change by exercising OARS: Open-ended questions, Affirmations, Reflections, and Summarizing. Register Here

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer; the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR prepares you to know what to do if you suspect someone is contemplating suicide. Participants will know how to persuade someone to not commit suicide and how to refer this person to professionals that can begin treatment.  Register Here

QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer; the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. QPR prepares you to know what to do if you suspect someone is contemplating suicide. Participants will know how to persuade someone to not commit suicide and how to refer this person to professionals that can begin treatment.  Register Here

This training invokes effective narrative practices to improve and deepen engagement. More specifically, it speaks to the identification and utilization of “Intentional Strengths” as a foundational piece of the engagement and relationship building process. This training speaks to the differentiation between the identification of internal strengths and intentional strengths and identifies the additional benefits of determining the intentional aspects of strengths while providing guidance as to process of enriching strengths discussions.

The purpose of this training is to increase a provider’s competency in verbal crisis de-escalation strategies when working with systems impacted youth. Participants will learn to utilize the philosophy of Care, Welfare, Safety and Security, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches when responding to a person in distress. Participants will learn and discuss understanding behavior and its risk, the CPI Crisis Development Model, integrated experience, supportive communication skills, responding to defensive behaviors, safety interventions and supporting a youth post-crisis.

The purpose of this training is to increase a provider’s competency in verbal crisis de-escalation strategies when working with systems impacted youth. Participants will learn to utilize the philosophy of Care, Welfare, Safety and Security, person-centered, and trauma-informed approaches when responding to a person in distress. Participants will learn and discuss understanding behavior and its risk, the CPI Crisis Development Model, integrated experience, supportive communication skills, responding to defensive behaviors, safety interventions and supporting a youth post-crisis.

Shame is a demonized emotion – it has been used to categorize certain people or ourselves as ‘bad’. Shame can also be a barrier to accountability – the stories we tell ourselves and our bodily responses when experiencing shame can keep us away from returning to moving with integrity. How do we bring shame out of the shadows in order to heal it and work with it? How do we use it to support being in accountable relationships with others, break cycles of harm, and help us build a world that does not binarize people as “good” or “bad” and instead allows for seeing each other in fullness, which includes […]

This training will equip attendees with foundational knowledge about how to best understand and support children with ADHD, autism & other learning differences. Register Here

This training equips resource families with essential knowledge and practical strategies to advocate effectively for system-involved youth within educational settings. Participants will explore key themes, including the unique educational challenges faced by foster youth, understanding legal rights, and building collaborative relationships with schools. Through case studies, role-playing, and actionable tools, attendees will develop skills to navigate school systems, address academic and behavioral concerns, and create advocacy plans tailored to the needs of the youth in their care. By attending this training, resource families will gain confidence and tools to ensure system-involved youth receive the educational support they need to thrive. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video […]

Participants will discuss several different categories of behavior support strategies to use with youth including individual and group support strategies as well as crisis communication techniques. Participants will learn how to prepare youth to support themselves and work toward their goals when they are no longer in care. Didactic presentation, group discussion, art and visualization exercises are utilized.

This training is designed to introduce prospective Resource Families to the Child Welfare System and the role of a resource parent. Participants will receive an overview of the steps to becoming a resource parent with Alternative Family Services.

This training reviews youth’s personal rights and clarifies the differences between youth and non-minor dependent’s. This training also covers the caregiver’s role and responsibilities to ensure that youth in out of home care rights are protected. Register Here

Attendees will understand Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Rights for youth in foster care. These rights ensure young people in foster care age 10 and older, including non-minor dependents, have access to education, information, and services about their sexual and reproductive health. Attendees will understand the sexual and reproductive health rights of youth in foster care and the duties and responsibilities as a caregiver as well as those of the case worker, how to engage with youth about sexual and reproductive wellness. Register Here

Attendees will understand Sexual and Reproductive Wellness Rights for youth in foster care. These rights ensure young people in foster care age 10 and older, including non-minor dependents, have access to education, information, and services about their sexual and reproductive health. Attendees will understand the sexual and reproductive health rights of youth in foster care and the duties and responsibilities as a caregiver as well as those of the case worker, how to engage with youth about sexual and reproductive wellness. Register Here

In this training, participants will gain a generalized understanding of MI and its benefits for youth and families who are system involved or at high risk of system involvement. Participants will be introduced to the spirit of MI, Righting Reflex, and OARS (open-ended, affirmations, reflections, and summary). Participants will have the opportunity to work in small groups, engage in various activities, and receive tangible examples to use within their efforts to support youth and families who are system involved or at high risk of system involvement. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

This training is designed to prepare resource families to work with youth in the foster care system. Participants will receive a better understanding of the foster care system structure and explore how to provide a well-planned, safe, and secure environment designed to meet children’s individual and unique needs, and how to create an environment that promotes children’s social emotional, cognitive, and physical development. Participants will continue to review; Interim Licensing Standard, Child Growth and Development, Medication Guidelines, Discipline, Working with Biological Families and understanding the Effects of Trauma.

If you’ve decided to become a foster, kin, and/or adoptive parent (all under the title “Resource Parent”) and have some basic understanding of what that means, then this two part training is a next step for you. The Resource Family Pre-Approval Training will help participants understand many aspects of supporting a “youth in care”, or in the foster care system, and it will furnish you with vital information about the youths who come into the foster care system. This class boosts your knowledge and confidence to meet the challenge of taking youth into your home and to be sure you are ready to follow through on the commitment.

The Resource Family Pre-Approval Training helps you to understand the many aspects of supporting a youth “in care” in the foster care system, and it will furnish you with vital information about the youths who come into the foster care system. This class boosts your knowledge and confidence to meet the challenge of taking youth into your home and to be sure you are ready to follow through on the commitment.

This training is a component of SB 89 implementation and aims to educate caregivers about the sexual and reproductive rights of foster youth, their responsibilities and obligations, contraceptive options, and available resources for care and information. Foster youth have the right to access age-appropriate, medically accurate information.

This training is a component of SB 89 implementation and aims to educate caregivers about the sexual and reproductive rights of foster youth, their responsibilities and obligations, contraceptive options, and available resources for care and information. Foster youth have the right to access age-appropriate, medically accurate information.

This training is a component of SB 89 implementation and aims to educate caregivers about the sexual and reproductive rights of foster youth, their responsibilities and obligations, contraceptive options, and available resources for care and information. Foster youth have the right to access age-appropriate, medically accurate information.

Meeting appropriate standards is foundational for the provision of competent child and youth care. Many dimensions of these standards are clear and have remained constant over the years, yet others continue to evolve. Care and service providers routinely confront complex and ambiguous situations requiring important decision-making. The purpose of this training is to give child and youth care providers an opportunity to renew and sharpen their ability to engage in knowledgeable and effective ethical decision-making, and understand and apply such standards to challenges inherent in their work with youth, adolescents and families in care. The course also has the goal of assisting participants in better managing the risks of youth […]

This training focuses on the meaning of culture and the importance of preserving the cultural identity of Native American youth in foster care. The training will provide participants with knowledge and tools to support Native American youth in foster care while respecting and honoring their culture, beliefs, and rights.   Register Here

This training focuses on the meaning of culture and the importance of preserving the cultural identity of Native American youth in foster care. The training will provide participants with knowledge and tools to support Native American youth in foster care while respecting and honoring their culture, beliefs, and rights.   Register Here

System-involved young adults experience many challenges. As a result, they experience trauma and adversity from these experiences. Some transitional age youth are labeled as being dramatic or displaying erratic behaviors early on in their life. So, it’s crucial for social service providers to have an accurate understanding of dispositions in order to support them in the most effective manner. This training will provide an overview of those with dramatic and erratic dispositions with a focus on strategies to support someone struggling with one. Register Here

In the first segment of this training, participants will discuss how to identify when crisis communication is needed and how to utilize a self-control plan to remain calm in crisis. This training will also review key principles of crisis communication such as using short sentences, focus on the desired behavior, use of voice tone, and the importance of body language.

With the rise in opioid-related deaths across the nation, an informed community response is needed now more than ever. This training will cover the essential components of opioid overdose care and intranasal naloxone (NARCAN) administration in youth. During an interactive presentation, attendees will learn about what causes opioid overdose through a medical lens as well as how to identify and treat overdose victims as community bystanders as well as while working with youth and families. This training will also cover community harm-reduction resources and places to obtain free NARCAN. The training culminates with a group quiz on the topic covered.

As incidents of childhood bullying increase across the country, adults must learn and gain skills to recognize bullying behavior and to support those who feel the need to engage in bullying behavior. This workshop focuses on defining bullying behavior, types of bullying, and the factors that may influence and contribute to the development of bullying behavior. Participants will explore how childhood development (social, cognitive) and brain development influences negative behaviors. In addition, concepts and activities related to bullying prevention will be discussed.

This training is designed to provide those who support system involved youth in any setting with practical strategies to address the increasing issue of school refusal among students. Participants will gain a deep understanding of the causes and impact of school refusal, learn to identify signs and symptoms, and explore evidence-based approaches to support students in returning to school. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and practical exercises, participants will leave with the knowledge and tools necessary to support and implement individualized strategies for system involved youth exhibiting school refusal. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout).

There are numerous legal and ethical issues specific to working with system involved youth in community-based organizations and school settings including privacy, consent to treatment, mandatory reporting and dual relationships. Through case vignettes, discussions and lecture, participants will explore the intricacies of these issues.

While male sexual abuse is fairly common, the predominant dialogue is about sexual abuse of women and girls. This course will equip social service providers of needed knowledge about male sexual abuse. The workshop will provide information about the prevalence of childhood male sexual abuse, myths of sexual abuse, impact of male sexual abuse and strategies to support males in the child welfare system who have experienced sexual abuse as minors.

Created by an RCS Licensed Clinician, this training focuses on attachment theory, how a disrupted or damaged attachment can affect a child’s development and physical & mental health. It also covers the effects of stress and trauma on a child’s body and brain. Register Here

This 1-day training will provide an overview of the intersection of shame and trauma. Trauma survivors carry heavy burdens of shame that impact all aspects of life. Despite how prevalent shame is amongst foster youth, it’s rarely discussed. This training will focus on strategies to heal shame with system involved youth and young adults who have experienced trauma. Participants will also learn about self-compassion and strategies to practice self-compassion when supporting system involved youth and young adults who have experienced trauma including Foster Youth and Commercially Sexually Exploited Children.

Given the prevalence of trauma, it’s important for caregivers to learn about trauma and how to best support their youth in care. Youth may turn to maladaptive coping skills such as self-harm or substance abuse. They may struggle in learning environments and even behaviorally. They may withdraw or exhibit many other behaviors. It can be hard to make sense of their emotions and behaviors in the wake of trauma. This training will better equip you to talk with caregivers about their child’s trauma and how best to support them. Register Here