Foster Care Training

This training focuses on helping professionals and youth learn to develop strong communication skills and express themselves confidently through storytelling and public speaking. Participants will explore how storytelling techniques can be used to help youth develop skills of resiliency, strong support tools, empower youth, enhance mentorship, and create spaces where young people feel heard. Podcasting will be utilized as a platform where professionals and youth can share their experiences, hear their own voices, and refine their storytelling skills for greater impact. This training helps youth-service providers develop tools to help youth improve their communication skills, grow in confidence, course correct, and develop more effective public speaking techniques.

This training will support emotional regulation for autistic children and youth in care. Through hands-on interactive activities and dynamic discussion, participants will learn strategies to address perspective-taking, sensory, executive functioning, and problem-solving. This training will discuss and explore the concept of emotional regulation and how using creative tools can calm the mind and body, increase self-control, teach flexibility, and build healthy social connections. Through interactive, hands-on, arts-based activities, participants will discover practical techniques that promote physical and emotional regulation and reduce the frequency and duration of emotional dysregulation.

Many system-involved youth struggle to regulate their emotions, particularly anger. Youth often acknowledge their need for anger management skills. This workshop will provide you with strategies to talk with youth about anger management and how to support them. Register Here

System-involved youth can engage in risky behaviors such as running away, using substances, involvement in the commercial sex industry, etc. and not be ready to stop engaging in those behaviors. If social service providers try to pressure youth into changing their behaviors before they’re ready, we can experience a lot of resistance. The Stages of Change Model and Motivational Interviewing help social service providers better assess where one is at in their change process and how to support them on identifying goals and steps to achieve those goals. Register Here

This training will focus on supporting youth in care to grow healthy relationships. This training will provide an overview of attachment and how attachment trauma impacts relationships. This course will discuss and explore the concept of self-soothing and how using creative tools can calm the mind and body, thus creating opportunities for building healthy connections. Through interactive, hands-on, arts-based activities, participants will discover practical techniques that promote collaboration, repair, restoration, and strengthening of relationships, while also developing resilience and compassion.

This training will help participants understand the basics of healthy communication. They will learn about skills needed to communicate assertively and set healthy boundaries. They will also learn how the brain responds to anger and how to identify signs that anger is escalating. Participants will learn communication strategies as well as long term communication skills which can be taught to system-involved youth to help prevent anger outbursts and promote health communication and relationship outcomes for system-involved youth. Finally, participants will learn what behaviors and dynamics hinder healthy communication so that these can be addressed within affected system-involved youth and their families.

This training presents the agency’s model for understanding the experience of children presenting severely dangerous or disruptive behaviors. This training focuses on the importance of recognizing the underlying needs that drive crisis behavior and recognizing how developmental level plays into crisis response. This training also explores the how relational disruption impacts foster youth/youth in care. Didactic presentation, group discussion and small group exercises are utilized.

This training will challenge participants to describe their core beliefs and philosophies when working with youth and to discuss how those beliefs impact their interactions with the children they serve. The training will provide participants with opportunities to review counseling frameworks that could improve safety, and connectedness of youth while supporting them in learning new skills that will be sustainable and translatable to any environment.

[This course is from 9AM-4:30PM] This is a live instructor-led remote course, with pre-requisites to complete before the course date. Instructors will email you in advance of the course date with additional details to complete pre-work online. Mental Health First Aid is a certification course that teaches you how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. This training gives you the skills you need to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. The content is applicable for supporting any person, however special emphasis will be […]

This training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, aims to equip those who support system-involved youth and families with the knowledge and skills of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its application in the context of the Stages of Change. Participants will learn how to effectively engage, support and empower system-involved youth and families at different stages of change, especially within the process of identifying strengths and needs and well as service and support planning efforts. Through interactive exercises, case studies and role-plays, participants will enhance their ability to apply MI techniques and facilitate positive behavior change in this unique population. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, […]

This course offers professionals a comprehensive understanding of Motivational Interviewing (MI) principles and their practical application in supporting individuals experiencing depression within system-involved populations. With a specific focus on youth navigating systems such as the criminal justice system or foster care, participants will delve into the unique challenges these individuals face and learn how MI can serve as a powerful tool for fostering motivation and change. Throughout the session, participants will explore the core principles of MI, including empathy, discrepancy, resistance, and self-efficacy, tailored to the context of working with depressed, system-involved youth. Through interactive discussions, case studies, and role-playing exercises, participants will gain hands-on experience in applying MI techniques […]

This training will explore the effects of trauma and stress and strategies for regulation. As helping professionals we see how dysregulation can impact a youth’s ability to learn, have healthy relationships and be their best selves. This training will review the neurosicence behind the stress/trauma response including explanations of hyperoursal, hypo arousal and the window of tolerance. The trainer will provide tools to explore the importance of developing emotional vocabulary and sensory awareness with youth in order to identify the regulation tools that will be effective for them. Multiple strategies for increasing regulation will be shared. Strategies will be shared that can be used with youth and families to explain […]

This course supports providers in deepening their understanding of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and provides them with tools to help these youth regulate and interact in socially appropriate ways. Providers will define important terms related to ability, neurodiversity, & see how ADHD fits into these frameworks, as well as embody helpful tools to use with youth. We will explore self-regulation, mindfulness, focusing, & destigmatizing tools to support youth with ADHD in each provider’s individual context.

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.

Some system-involved youth demonstrate impulsive and aggressive behaviors. This training will provide an overview of disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disruptions including their prevalence and what these behaviors look like. Participants will learn how to support youth experiencing impulse control and conduct disruptions as well as to work with caregivers to best support them. Register Here

This 6-hour course provides attendees with a foundational understanding of Motivational Interviewing. Attendees will learn to assess client/family motivation around change and examine how to use Motivational interviewing open-ended questions, affirmations, reflections, and summaries (OARS) to further enhance or consolidate this momentum. Attendees will leave with the ability to differentiate between sustain talk, discord, and change talk, resulting in increased treatment planning efficacy. The day will culminate with practice creating change plans. *Please note: there will be a 30 minute lunch*

Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders have been on the rise in children and teens in recent years, particularly system-involved youth. This 3 hour course will examine the wide range of diagnoses covered under those two disorder groupings. Through didactic lecture, handouts and large group discussion, participants will look at differential diagnoses, causes, triggers and treatment options.

The word accountability is used a lot today, especially in the context of relationships. The practice of accountability, often seemingly only called in when hurt or harm has occurred, can be activating to our nervous systems. What does accountability actually mean? How might we shift our body and brain’s historical orientation to accountability in order to build capacity around being in accountable practice? This course provides an introduction to defining accountability and uses a somatic lens to help individuals better show up in their relationships with system-involved youth and families through connecting to their own personal histories and understanding the conditions they need in order to successfully be in accountable […]

This seminar will discuss some of the central issues surrounding community-based services and give participants the opportunity to discuss the benefits and challenges about seeing youth in a wide range of community settings. It will provide discussion about using an expanded frame to provide services to foster children and families in the home, school, community centers, parks and other non-traditional settings. In addition to all the complexities, delivering community based services can provide a new way of working with foster youth that can allow a more expanded way of engaging and creating relationships with youth and foster families.

Increase and improve providers with varying responsibilities to identify skills and/or strategies to engage with youth who AWOL having challenges in placement and/or comprehending the benefits of prosocial behaviors. Encourage and empower providers to identify existing and/or create strategies that work with difficult to engage youth. Identify what are the oppositions that youth have while in care. Identify what are implicit and explicit biases that accompany work between providers and youth.

As professionals we are often invited to slip into conversations about the people who consult us when they are not present. This training will focus on the real and possible effects of these second, or dual, dialogues. Participants will read and discuss a brief article written by Johnella Bird (“Professional Talk”) that outlines the dangers of this dual dialogue.

Providers for foster youth are exposed to direct and indirect instances of trauma and conflict. In this training, participants will engage in activities that promote relationship-building and skills for addressing vicarious and secondary trauma reactions. Participants will learn how to build healthy relationships with caregivers, youth and service providers. This training will promote collaboration to enhance service delivery.

This course provides an overview of racial bias within school systems and ways to address it. Participants will gain an understanding of what racial bias is, how it manifests in schools, and its impact on students. They will also learn strategies for addressing racial bias in school systems and advancing racial equity. The workshop will emphasize the importance of cultural competence trainings for educators. Overall, professionals working with system-involved youth will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to address racial bias within their school systems and create a more inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, […]

There is a large need in California for serving monolingual Spanish Speaking LatinX families through service delivery. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough bilingual providers to meet the growing need. Therefore, it is imperative to build on our knowledge and skills in working with translators and interpreters in the field while remaining therapeutic and culturally responsive. In this workshop, we will review the best practices that the literature addresses when providing linguistically appropriate and culturally responsive services with the use of translators and interpreters.

This training is a reflective and interactive session designed to help program staff support youth in service delivery by exploring core concepts of culture, identity, and ethnicity. Through identity mapping, real-life scenarios, and culturally responsive tools, participants deepen their self-awareness and learn how to engage youth with cultural humility. Techniques include group dialogue, role-play, and guided reflection—grounded in principles of cultural humility and inclusion.

In this course, participants will gain a basic understanding of trauma as well as the basic principles of Trauma Informed Care. We will discuss how trauma, including historical, intergenerational, and individual levels of trauma, play a role for youth in becoming involved in gangs/gang activity. Participants will also explore ways to conceptualize and apply trauma informed care principles and interventions to this population while delivering supportive services, such as mental health or social services. While exploring ways to understand gang involvement through a trauma informed perspective, other important aspects related to gangs will also be reviewed, such as typical characteristics of gangs, the psychosocial and individual risk factors to becoming […]

Cultural competency training was the focus of many providers who were serving increasingly more diverse population, with the idea that if they could become more culturally sensitive or competent, that they could provide better care for their patients. While the intention was a good one, the dynamic it often set up was that they were still the expert, the client was “the other,’ and ultimately that the providers knew better than the clients and what the clients’ experience was and needs were. Through a process of self-reflection, identifying our different locations of identity, which parts have been historically excluded and which parts of our identity have been historically included, participants […]

It is important for social service providers to have ongoing dialogue with system-involved youth about dating, boundaries and sex. Without these conversations, system-involved youth are left to navigate these topics on their own or with their peers. This course will equip providers working with system-involved youth to have these crucial conversations to ensure the health and safety of their clients.

It is important for social service providers to have ongoing dialogue with system-involved youth about dating, boundaries and sex. Without these conversations, system-involved youth are left to navigate these topics on their own or with their peers. This course will equip providers working with system-involved youth to have these crucial conversations to ensure the health and safety of their clients.

This training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, aims to equip those who support system-involved youth and families with the knowledge and skills of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its application in the context of the Stages of Change. Participants will learn how to effectively engage, support and empower system-involved youth and families at different stages of change, especially within the process of identifying strengths and needs and well as service and support planning efforts. Through interactive exercises, case studies and role-plays, participants will enhance their ability to apply MI techniques and facilitate positive behavior change in this unique population. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, […]

This course is designed for practitioners working with youth in care who would benefit from deepening their exploration around anger. Additionally, this course is also designed to support practitioners wanting to deepen their personal practice with their anger to support their work with system-involved families. Anger often has a reputation as an emotion that needs to be tempered and tamed, leaving it at risk of being repressed and avoided altogether. What if we shifted towards destigmatized frameworks that understand anger to be an emotional messenger that can take care of us by ways of being a survival response? We will identify the difference between anger and aggression, the degrees of […]

With a growing awareness of trauma and its impact on an individual, we are learning that we need to not only consider what has happened in the individual’s lifetime but need to also consider what happened in the lives of previous generations in their families. Working with foster youth can be challenging given the generational patterns of trauma, poverty, incarceration, etc. So, it’s essential for providers to understand generational trauma and how to work with foster youth from a generational perspective. Without this perspective, we can have unrealistic expectations for youth and their families and encounter barriers to engagement. This training will highlight examples of generational trauma amongst Native families, […]

How we begin to form and shape our understanding of ourselves, our surroundings, our values and beliefs are influenced heavily by the people who predominantly raised us, the institutions we attended and the kind of media we were exposed to. This cycle of socialization can be applied to how we think of our gender, our race/ethnicity, culture, etc and the intersectionality of so many identities. This course provides participants with a thorough examination of how we have been socialized in terms of our gender and dissect what is socially constructed. Participants will do self-reflective explorations around their own personal gender story, reflecting on their socialization around gender roles, expressions, influences. […]

This training will provide a basic understanding of neurodiversity and creative support strategies. Participants will explore challenges of neurodivergent youth in care, including social interaction, communication, sensory processing and behavior. Through didactic, collaborative and interactive learning, they will become familiar with evidence-based creative strategies for supporting neurodivergent children and youth in care. Register Here

This training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, provides professionals working with system-involved youth and families with an understanding of the juvenile justice system and how to support youth and families who are involved in the system. Participants will gain knowledge of the laws and navigating the juvenile justice system, and learn best practices for working with system-involved youth and families. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout). Register Here

This training will review the basic principles, techniques, and popular theories related to family centered services. This training is best suited for providers who have an interest in learning more about family centered services, particularly if most of their service delivery has involved individual based models. Through this training, we will review how to engage and conceptualize presenting issues through a family systems lens. We will also discuss cultural considerations, including how presenting issues in families may be a result of sociopolitical factors and their intersection with the identity of individuals of a family. Participants will learn relation skills to work with youth and their families in various situations.

This training is targeted to those who support system-involved youth and their families within community settings such as in the schools and homes. We will focus on understanding unhealthy family relationship patterns and traumatic attachment ruptures via the use of the Pain in the Heart Theory (PITH). For youth in the continuum of care, their lives are very disrupted by these ruptures due to removal from home, losing placements, deportation and incarceration, to mention a few. Once we are able to understand the pain, we will be ready to know where the healing needs to occur so that our youth can start experiencing positive outcomes in all of their settings […]

While the larger human trafficking narrative has focused on child sex trafficking, it’s equally as important to discuss child labor trafficking. This training will provide an overview of child labor trafficking in the United States, including what it is, risk factors, and pathways of entry. Participants will also near about warning signs someone is being labor trafficked and recommendations to support labor trafficking survivors. Lastly, the trainer will discuss labor trafficking with adults and the impact it has on their youth in care. Register Here

Unfortunately, sexual violence is prevalent amongst system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of sexual violence as well as prevention and supportive strategies. This training will equip social service to better support system-involved youth and young adults who have experienced sexual violence. Register Here

Many system-involved youth struggle to regulate their emotions, particularly anger. Youth often acknowledge their need for anger management skills. This workshop will provide you with strategies to talk with youth about anger management and how to support them. Register Here

When caring for and supporting foster youth you can often face challenges of crises, placement instability, or system pressures. These can lead to quick decisions or unintended consequences for youth and families, especially when the needs and strengths of youth are not maintained as a guiding force. This training focuses on the importance of self-reflection, humility and self-care as a means of building capacity to deliver care for foster youth who experience trauma.

Crisis Prevention Interventions focuses on early intervention and non-physical methods for managing disruptive and aggressive behaviors. Trainers will explore effective communication techniques and the physiological responses that occur during moments of aggression, along with the core philosophy of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security, which underpins the training. Human service professionals worldwide have participated in CPI programs to learn proven strategies for safely managing situations involving anxious, hostile, or violent behavior, all while preserving therapeutic relationships with those under their care.

Part 1 of Crisis Prevention Interventions focuses on early intervention and non-physical methods for managing disruptive and aggressive behaviors. Trainers will explore effective communication techniques and the physiological responses that occur during moments of aggression, along with the core philosophy of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security, which underpins the training. Human service professionals worldwide have participated in CPI programs to learn proven strategies for safely managing situations involving anxious, hostile, or violent behavior, all while preserving therapeutic relationships with those under their care.

Part 2 of Crisis Prevention Intervention focuses on building a stronger foundation in Crisis Prevention Interventions. This phase of training will enhance participants’ ability to apply these strategies effectively in real-world situations. The emphasis will be on identifying early warning signs and taking proactive steps to de-escalate potential crises before they turn violent. Additionally, the training will cover advanced communication techniques and strategies for staying calm and in control during high-pressure moments. Participants will also learn how to maintain the integrity of their professional relationships while ensuring the safety of themselves and those they care for. This well-rounded approach prepares human service professionals to effectively navigate the challenges of working […]

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 […]

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 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.

The foods we eat impact not only our physical health but also our emotional health. This training will provide an overview of how food impacts one’s overall health so providers are more equipped to have conversations with system-involved youth about their nutrition. Register Here

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

Some caregivers of system-involved youth have struggled or are struggling with substance use. It’s important for providers, foster parents/resource families and natural supports to understand the impact caregiver substance use has on youth in care’s development. This training will provide an overview of how caregiver substance use impacts youths’ physical development, social development, academic development and emotional development. Providers, foster parents/resource families and natural supports will learn strategies for how to support system-involved youth when caregiver substance use is prevalent. Register Here

This training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, aims to equip those who support system-involved youth and families with the knowledge and skills of Motivational Interviewing (MI) and its application in the context of the Stages of Change. Participants will learn how to effectively engage, support and empower system-involved youth and families at different stages of change, especially within the process of identifying strengths and needs and well as service and support planning efforts. Through interactive exercises, case studies and role-plays, participants will enhance their ability to apply MI techniques and facilitate positive behavior change in this unique population. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, […]

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. Issues specific to sexual exploitation of youth, including the difficulty in identifying youth at risk, can make the provision of appropriate services a challenge for systems that serve the youth. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

The speaker discusses the many risks that youth especially those in foster care may encounter in their communities, schools, churches, on social media, and at public events, with a particular focus on the threat of commercial sexual exploitation. Foster parents will gain practical strategies to help keep youth safe, including how to talk with them about these dangers, teach them to recognize warning signs, and ensure strong, consistent supervision. The session also emphasizes the importance of building trust and maintaining open communication to help youth feel supported and protected.

The speaker discusses the many risks that youth especially those in foster care may encounter in their communities, schools, churches, on social media, and at public events, with a particular focus on the threat of commercial sexual exploitation. Foster parents will gain practical strategies to help keep youth safe, including how to talk with them about these dangers, teach them to recognize warning signs, and ensure strong, consistent supervision. The session also emphasizes the importance of building trust and maintaining open communication to help youth feel supported and protected.

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.

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.

Eating disruptions are becoming more prevalent with youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of eating disruptions, available care possibilities and strategies to engage youth and young adults who have with one. The training will also cover how family members can support a youth with eating disruptions. Register Here

Codependency can occur in the aftermath of trauma so it’s crucial for social service providers to understand what codependency is. This training will provide an overview of codependency and its relationship with trauma. The training will also focus on strategies to support system-involved transitional age youth who demonstrate codependent tendencies. Register Here

This training will provide an overview of factors contributing to commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) and why it is such a longstanding area of criminal activity. This training will also explore the impacts of complex trauma on the brain, body and psychological functioning and how this related to CSEC. Finally, the training will offer a foundational understanding of trauma informed care and introduce strategies for supporting and serving exploited youth.

With a growing awareness of trauma and its impact on an individual, we are learning that we need to not only consider what has happened in the individual’s lifetime but need to also consider what happened in the lives of previous generations in their families. Working with foster youth can be challenging given the generational patterns of trauma, poverty, incarceration, etc. So, it’s essential for providers to understand generational trauma and how to work with foster youth from a generational perspective. Without this perspective, we can have unrealistic expectations for youth and their families and encounter barriers to engagement. This training will highlight examples of generational trauma amongst Native families, […]

This training provides an introductory overview of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) including: basic definitions, significant laws and legislation, and a discussion on risk factors that contribute to a child’s vulnerability to be recruited or groomed into exploitation. This training also describes how complex trauma can create vulnerabilities for youth at risk for exploitation, providing trainees the opportunity to learn about trauma informed care practices.

This training provides an introductory overview of commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC) including: basic definitions, significant laws and legislation, and a discussion on risk factors that contribute to a child’s vulnerability to be recruited or groomed into exploitation. This training also describes how complex trauma can create vulnerabilities for youth at risk for exploitation, providing trainees the opportunity to learn about trauma informed care practices.

Some system-involved youth demonstrate impulsive and aggressive behaviors. This training will provide an overview of disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disruptions including their prevalence and what these behaviors look like. Participants will learn how to support youth experiencing impulse control and conduct disruptions as well as to work with caregivers to best support them. Register Here

Some foster youth exhibit loss of reality features whether they experience auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoia or other delusions. It’s important for social service providers working with system-involved youth to understand the different circumstances associated with neurosis and how to effectively support them. This training will equip you with skills to work with youth suffering from complexes. Register Here

Attachment is greatly influenced by one’s caregiving. Given the amount of trauma system-involved youth and transitional age youth experience, it’s important to understand attachment. It’s also important for social service providers to understand how attachment patterns impact relationships as youth age. Join us as we talk about how early attachment affects relationships later in life. Register Here

This training will provide a basic understanding of neurodiversity and creative support strategies. Participants will explore challenges of neurodivergent youth in care, including social interaction, communication, sensory processing and behavior. Through didactic, collaborative and interactive learning, they will become familiar with evidence-based creative strategies for supporting neurodivergent children and youth in care. Register Here

When youth display dramatic presentations, it can carry a lot of stigma and make it challenging for providers working with these individuals. This training will provide an in-depth discussion of what borderline personality disruption is. Providers will learn common challenges to supporting someone with a dramatic presentation and how to effectively support someone with these traits. Register Here

While the larger human trafficking narrative has focused on child sex trafficking, it’s equally as important to discuss child labor trafficking. This training will provide an overview of child labor trafficking in the United States, including what it is, risk factors, and pathways of entry. Participants will also near about warning signs someone is being labor trafficked and recommendations to support labor trafficking survivors. Lastly, the trainer will discuss labor trafficking with adults and the impact it has on their youth in care. Register Here

Unfortunately, sexual violence is prevalent amongst system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of sexual violence as well as prevention and supportive strategies. This training will equip social service to better support system-involved youth and young adults who have experienced sexual violence. Register Here

Many system-involved youth struggle to regulate their emotions, particularly anger. Youth often acknowledge their need for anger management skills. This workshop will provide you with strategies to talk with youth about anger management and how to support them. Register Here

System-involved youth can engage in risky behaviors such as running away, using substances, involvement in the commercial sex industry, etc. and not be ready to stop engaging in those behaviors. If social service providers try to pressure youth into changing their behaviors before they’re ready, we can experience a lot of resistance. The Stages of Change Model and Motivational Interviewing help social service providers better assess where one is at in their change process and how to support them on identifying goals and steps to achieve those goals. Register Here

The purpose of this training is to create a renewed and heightened awareness of boundary issues in work with foster youth. Having boundaries is not just a matter of being professional. Appropriate boundaries are a key ingredient in providing the children in our care with the highest quality of care, which often times requires us to build trusting and healing relationships with them. Frequently the relationships we build with clients can have ambiguous boundaries, making it important to develop an awareness of possible danger signs for boundary issues that might result in poor practice or which might be red flags for potential exploitation of clients.

The purpose of this training is to create a renewed and heightened awareness of boundary issues in work with foster youth. Having boundaries is not just a matter of being professional. Appropriate boundaries are a key ingredient in providing the children in our care with the highest quality of care, which often times requires us to build trusting and healing relationships with them. Frequently the relationships we build with clients can have ambiguous boundaries, making it important to develop an awareness of possible danger signs for boundary issues that might result in poor practice or which might be red flags for potential exploitation of clients.

In this training, we will discuss the challenges and opportunities in safety planning with youth & families in the community. The class will review key principles and best practices, and then have an opportunity to apply those to vignettes in small groups, with feedback from the trainer.

The foods we eat impact not only our physical health but also our emotional health. This training will provide an overview of how food impacts one’s overall health so providers are more equipped to have conversations with system-involved youth about their nutrition. Register Here

This training is for child welfare professionals and will build confidence around connecting with a youth exhibiting sexualized behavior, acknowledging connection to social support is essential in promoting prosocial behavior, boundaries, harm reduction, and building safety for the youth. The training will bring an understanding of what drives sexualized behavior, and how to build rapport with youth to better understand their trauma history, triggers and individual experience surrounding their sexuality to provide individualized support. Participants will have a better understanding of stigma and bias surrounding sexuality, sexual abuse and sexuality in children and youth.

Some caregivers of system-involved youth have struggled or are struggling with substance use. It’s important for providers, foster parents/resource families and natural supports to understand the impact caregiver substance use has on youth in care’s development. This training will provide an overview of how caregiver substance use impacts youths’ physical development, social development, academic development and emotional development. Providers, foster parents/resource families and natural supports will learn strategies for how to support system-involved youth when caregiver substance use is prevalent. Register Here

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is an evidence-based course developed by the National Council for Mental Wellness that teaches people how to identify, understand and respond to signs of mental illnesses and substance use disorders. The training will give participants skills needed to provide initial support to any system-involved youth or their family members who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis and connect them with the professional support they need for recovery and long-term wellness. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, and self-reflection. To increase participant engagement and content retention, presenter will also utilize the chat box, reaction […]

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.

This training explores the foundations of healthy relationships and digital citizenship, focusing on the values, boundaries, and communication skills that system-involved youth (SIY) need to navigate online spaces safely and ethically. Participants will engage in mindfulness activities, courageous dialogue, and scenario-based role plays that reflect real-life online interactions system-involved youth may face. Given the lack of comprehensive digital literacy education in schools, this session offers practical tools to build the social-emotional competencies that foster youth need to thrive both online and offline. Attending this training will help participants better support youth in developing self-awareness, resilience, and respectful online behavior.

Many girls and young women struggle with the relationship they have their bodies. For those who have experienced sexual trauma, the relationship with one’s body can be that much more complicated. Many girls and young women are dissatisfied with their bodies and have a negative relationship with it. This training will discuss strategies to help girls and young women increase their relationship with their bodies. Register Here

Eating disruptions are becoming more prevalent with youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of eating disruptions, available care possibilities and strategies to engage youth and young adults who have with one. The training will also cover how family members can support a youth with eating disruptions. Register Here

Many system-involved struggle with anxiety and mood disruptions so it’s crucial for social service providers to understand the different types of anxiety and mood disruptions and know how to effectively support system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of different types of anxiety and mood disruptions as well as practical strategies social service providers can use to support system-involved youth and young adults struggling with them. Register Here

Many system-involved youth self-injure themselves and providers can struggle to know how to effectively support them. This training will provide you with a better understanding of non-suicidal self-injury. You will be able to identify the reasons for the behavior as well as strategies to support youth hurt themselves. Register Here

This three-hour course reviews the concept of the suicide assessment and prevention when working with youth in care and provides opportunities for participants to discuss and practice strategies to increase comfort with talking about suicide as well as means of assessing risk and determining how to develop a safety plan.

During this training, participants will review their roles in assessing and intervening to prevent suicide as defined by professional organizational ethics and legal statutes. Participants will deepen their knowledge and understanding about the drivers to suicidal ideation and what they can do when they are working with a client with suicide risk.

During this training, participants will review their roles in assessing and intervening to prevent suicide as defined by professional organizational ethics and legal statutes. Participants will deepen their knowledge and understanding about the drivers to suicidal ideation and what they can do when they are working with a client with suicide risk.

During this training, participants will review their roles in assessing and intervening to prevent suicide as defined by professional organizational ethics and legal statutes. Participants will deepen their knowledge and understanding about the drivers to suicidal ideation and what they can do when they are working with a client with suicide risk.

Many system-involved youth struggle with attention deficit and/or hyperactivity. So, it’s important for social service providers to understand these issues in order to best support them. This training will provide an overview of attention deficit and hyperactivity traits and how they can present at home and school. The training will also discuss strategies to support youth with attention deficit and hyperactivity. Register Here

Domestic violence is one of the top health concerns in our country today; many youth and adults involved in the mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems have been exposed to it. Domestic Violence (DV) can have a devastating impact on children, families, and our communities. Learn how to best recognize symptoms and behaviors related to Domestic Violence and how to best work with children, families, and adults (though the training will primarily focus on work with children and families) affected by DV.

Domestic violence is one of the top health concerns in our country today; many youth and adults involved in the mental health, child welfare, and juvenile justice systems have been exposed to it. Domestic Violence (DV) can have a devastating impact on children, families, and our communities. Learn how to best recognize symptoms and behaviors related to Domestic Violence and how to best work with children, families, and adults (though the training will primarily focus on work with children and families) affected by DV.

Some system-involved youth demonstrate impulsive and aggressive behaviors. This training will provide an overview of disruptive, impulse-control and conduct disruptions including their prevalence and what these behaviors look like. Participants will learn how to support youth experiencing impulse control and conduct disruptions as well as to work with caregivers to best support them. Register Here

This training will help those who support system-involved youth gain a better understanding of the different kinds of eating disorders and the reasons people turn to eating disorders to help them cope. Once that is understood, participants will learn about resources within the community which support recovery as well as how they can help those struggling. They will also learn preventive techniques to stop eating disorders from developing.

Some foster youth exhibit loss of reality features whether they experience auditory or visual hallucinations, paranoia or other delusions. It’s important for social service providers working with system-involved youth to understand the different circumstances associated with neurosis and how to effectively support them. This training will equip you with skills to work with youth suffering from complexes. Register Here

This training will provide a basic understanding of neurodiversity and creative support strategies. Participants will explore challenges of neurodivergent youth in care, including social interaction, communication, sensory processing and behavior. Through didactic, collaborative and interactive learning, they will become familiar with evidence-based creative strategies for supporting neurodivergent children and youth in care. Register Here

When youth display dramatic presentations, it can carry a lot of stigma and make it challenging for providers working with these individuals. This training will provide an in-depth discussion of what borderline personality disruption is. Providers will learn common challenges to supporting someone with a dramatic presentation and how to effectively support someone with these traits. Register Here

In this workshop, we will demonstrate through theory and practice how play therapy can help enliven, sharpen, and make more authentic the therapeutic encounter in a school setting.

This course explores legal and ethical issues for licensed professionals working in youth and family services and child welfare. Topics include an overview of liability issues, the sources of procedure in our work, and how to minimize liability. Liability issues specific to youth and family services will be reviewed including consent, confidentiality, and mandated reporting laws. Ethical practice issues in working with youth and families will be discussed. The NASW and CAMFT Codes of Ethics will be reviewed with attention to relevance in youth and family services.

This interactive training provides those that support system-involved youth with a comprehensive overview of California-specific legal and ethical standards for delivering services and support via telehealth. Through real-world scenarios, case vignettes, and applied best practices, participants will deepen their understanding of informed consent, confidentiality, and appropriate telehealth use with vulnerable populations. Emphasis will be placed on the unique needs of foster youth and system-involved youth, including how to assess telehealth suitability, ensure continuity of care, and navigate consent and emergency protocols across systems. This training equips providers to ethically and effectively use telehealth as a tool for access and equity in supporting system-involved youth with complex behavioral health needs.

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. Often their involvement in foster care becomes a risk factor for victimization. Issues specific to sexual exploitation of youth, including the difficulty in identifying youth at risk, can make the provision of appropriate treatment and services a challenge for systems that serve the youth. This training will address the importance of early identification and will present the Commercially Sexually Exploited Identification Tool (CSE-IT) as a method of screening and identifying of commercially sexually […]

This training focuses on how child welfare staff must work together with other staff, the youth and family, outside professionals, extended family, and friends, as well others in order to provide coordinated support for youth in out-of-home care and their extended network.

Participants in this training will be able to define and understand caregiving youth through a trauma informed care, harm reduction and positive youth development lens. This training will utilize strength based, culturally humble and trauma informed philosophy in order to best mitigate substance use, dependency and abuse. Participants in this training will learn to respond to substance use in a way that leverages youth strengths, relationships, community resources and support that lead to the best outcomes for young people.

This training explores the root causes and current realities of homelessness in the U.S., with a special focus on system-involved and foster youth who face increased risks of housing instability. Participants will examine evidence-informed strategies for prevention and response, including trauma-informed care and cross-sector collaboration. Interactive activities, real-life case scenarios, and practical tools will support attendees in applying concepts to their direct work with system-involved youth. By the end of the session, participants will be better equipped to recognize risk factors, connect youth to stabilizing resources, and advocate for systems-level change.

This training focuses on the importance of self-compassion in healing for foster youth or system-involved youth. Given our nature as mammals, our connection to emotional warmth and touch is critical for our ability to thrive. In the absence of nurturing caregivers during childhood, we are left to meet these basic human needs ourselves. With a blend of research, practice, and connection, we will explore how we can strengthen system-involved youth (SIY) and/or caregiver capacity to give and receive self-compassion, as a powerful path towards healing.

This training will focus on screening youth across a broad range of areas. Coping, emotional experience, intensity of stress, and interpersonal functioning are areas of focus. Attendees will receive guidance in rapport building with traumatized youth, collaboration with youth during the screening of their needs, and techniques for emotional struggles that are challenging for youth to verbalize.

This training will focus on screening youth across a broad range of areas. Coping, emotional experience, intensity of stress, and interpersonal functioning are areas of focus. Attendees will receive guidance in rapport building with traumatized youth, collaboration with youth during the screening of their needs, and techniques for emotional struggles that are challenging for youth to verbalize.

This 3.5-hour interactive training explores the five senses not just as tools for learning—but as bridges for connection, communication, and healing. Grounded in trauma-informed care and disability justice, this workshop invites participants to move beyond words and consider how sensory input shapes emotional safety, understanding, and relationship-building with system-involved youth and families.

This course will provide an overview and introduction to the basics of Supervision for those who may be new to (or preparing to step into) the role. We will begin with an overview of legal and ethical responsibilities of supervisors and best practices in the structure and approach to supervision. Participants will then have an opportunity to discuss some of the most common challenges for new supervisors, including creating a coherent supervisory approach, assessing supervisees areas for growth, and navigating challenges in the supervisory relationship. Participants will end the day with an opportunity for self-assessment and creating a professional development growth plan for continued learning.

Power dynamics and privilege can be barriers to both establishing and maintaining a relationship with system-involved youth and their families. It’s crucial for social service providers to acknowledge the privilege they have and how it can affect their work. Without this awareness, we may not fully understand the challenges and obstacles system-involved youth and their families have and are experiencing. Youth and their families may also passively go along with our recommendations because we hold the power in the relationship. Join us as we explore power and privilege in working with system-involved youth and their families. Register Here

This course will review the definition and science regarding Implicit Bias. The training will provide participants with a firm understanding of Implicit Bias, it’s definition, impact, and ways of addressing it in order to keep it from having a negative impact on youth in care.

This training provides a comprehensive overview of California-specific laws and ethical standards relevant to working with youth. Participants will explore core legal mandates, common ethical dilemmas, and emerging issues such as telehealth, mandated reporting, and boundary management—all through the lens of working with foster and system-involved youth. Using case scenarios, interactive discussions, and exam-aligned practice questions, attendees will enhance their confidence in navigating high-risk legal and ethical situations. This training directly supports service/support providers in making sound decisions that protect youth, uphold legal standards, and strengthen alliances in child welfare settings.

This training, facilitated fully in Spanish-Language, provides professionals working with system-involved youth and families with an understanding of the juvenile justice system and how to support youth and families who are involved in the system. Participants will gain knowledge of the laws and navigating the juvenile justice system, and learn best practices for working with system-involved youth and families. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout (small group) discussions and participant workbook (handout). Register Here

When social service providers experience resistance with system-involved youth, it can be frustrating and we can easily run into roadblocks with supporting them. This training will discuss why resistance occurs to better understand it and to adapt our support strategies. Without understanding the resistance experienced with a client, we can increase our frustration and create a further divide with the client. Register Here

The experience of loss and secondary trauma for service providers, caregivers, and others who work with foster youth can at times impact quality care that is offered. This training looks at how vicarious and secondary trauma may impact those who work with system involved youth. This is an opportunity to explore the trauma that exists at micro and macro levels, and how these dynamics influence and are influenced by the direct dynamics within families and teams. Participants learn strategies to mitigate the effects of secondary trauma and strategies of sustainability for those who work long term with foster care.

Youth impacted by commercial sexual exploitation present with a unique set of needs, requiring a specialized approach to engagement and support. The CSEC 102 training will provide an advanced and comprehensive curriculum on best practices for serving youth that are commercially sexually exploited. In this 16-hour training, we will build on the skills and concepts learned in CSEC 101, including but not limited to: an exploration of common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. We also discuss how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited, as […]

During this session participants will explore the common dynamics when serving and supporting commercially exploited youth and how these dynamics impact the work and the providers. participants will also engage in discussions on how the trauma of exploitation impacts the behavior, health, help-seeking, general engagement, and healing of youth who have been exploited.

While the larger human trafficking narrative has focused on child sex trafficking, it’s equally as important to discuss child labor trafficking. This training will provide an overview of child labor trafficking in the United States, including what it is, risk factors, and pathways of entry. Participants will also near about warning signs someone is being labor trafficked and recommendations to support labor trafficking survivors. Lastly, the trainer will discuss labor trafficking with adults and the impact it has on their youth in care. Register Here

Unfortunately, sexual violence is prevalent amongst system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of the different types of sexual violence as well as prevention and supportive strategies. This training will equip social service to better support system-involved youth and young adults who have experienced sexual violence. Register Here

When caring for and supporting foster youth you can often face challenges of crises, placement instability, or system pressures. These can lead to quick decisions or unintended consequences for youth and families, especially when the needs and strengths of youth are not maintained as a guiding force. This training focuses on the importance of self-reflection, humility and self-care as a means of building capacity to deliver care for foster youth who experience trauma.

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. Often their involvement in foster care becomes a risk factor for victimization. Issues specific to sexual exploitation of youth, including the difficulty in identifying youth at risk, can make the provision of appropriate treatment and services a challenge for systems that serve the youth. This training will address the importance of early identification and will present the Commercially Sexually Exploited Identification Tool (CSE-IT) as a method of screening and identifying of commercially sexually […]

This seminar will discuss some of the central issues surrounding community-based services and give participants the opportunity to discuss the benefits and challenges about seeing youth in a wide range of community settings. It will provide discussion about using an expanded frame to provide services to foster children and families in the home, school, community centers, parks and other non-traditional settings. In addition to all the complexities, delivering community based services can provide a new way of working with foster youth that can allow a more expanded way of engaging and creating relationships with youth and foster families.

This training is designed to address the self-care needs of those serving children, youth and adults facing and impacted by traumatic life events. Participants are encouraged to verbalize their understanding and connectedness to the multiple aspects of compassion fatigue. By taking a self-inventory, participants will see first-hand, the levels of stress they experience.

Increase and improve providers with varying responsibilities to identify skills and/or strategies to engage with youth who AWOL having challenges in placement and/or comprehending the benefits of prosocial behaviors. Encourage and empower providers to identify existing and/or create strategies that work with difficult to engage youth. Identify what are the oppositions that youth have while in care. Identify what are implicit and explicit biases that accompany work between providers and youth.

This training explores the purpose of actively working with youth in care to help them meet preferred behaviors. The training highlights four things to think about in any given situation before choosing how to support youth: your personal state, the desired outcome, the situation and environment, and which approach to use. Didactic presentation, group discussion, art and visualization exercises are utilized.

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

This training was designed to help educators, group home staff and other providers to have a clear understanding of how trauma impacts youth and how to best respond. Participants will learn strategies and techniques that can be applied to support youth who have experienced trauma and systemic processes that can be revisited in ways that support youth who have trauma in their history. The trainer will provide information around the impact of trauma on child development, as well as behavior modification and de-escalation skills. Participants will be able to apply these abilities and information in their work with youth in out of home care.

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a well-established psychological concept that describes how people may experience meaningful development in the aftermath of trauma. This training explores how PTG applies to the lives of system-involved youth, including those navigating foster care, juvenile justice, immigration, and family disruption, who are often expected to recover quickly without the tools or support to make sense of what they’ve lived through. Participants will examine how grief, disability, identity, and behavior show up after trauma, and how to recognize growth even when it doesn’t look like healing.

Develop a better understanding of the importance of fathers to the youth with whom we work in our systems of care. This epidemic of the often-absent father doesn’t mean that the father doesn’t fulfill an important role in the system-involved youth and family’s life. We often leave the paternal side of the youth’s family completely out of planning with youth in out-of-home care even though the father is very much a part of the youth’s “picture” and impacts their day-to-day functioning. Remember, the pain of the missing father is a big reason for the behaviors that we are trying to ameliorate so we can’t forget this area of pain if […]

Resource parent orientation brings an overview to the Child Welfare System and Aldea’s role in serving and protecting children who are foster youth in California. Included in this training are the caregiver’s responsibilities, Aldea’s approval process, competencies for Resource family approval, the application process and home health and safety inspections and making your home ready for receiving a foster youth.

Child sexual exploitation is a major child protection issue for communities across the country. Hidden from view and often unnoticed, vulnerable young girls and boys are recruited, groomed and then abused, leaving them traumatized and without support. Issues specific to sexual exploitation of youth, including the difficulty in identifying youth at risk, can make the provision of appropriate services a challenge for systems that serve the youth. This training is a framework for engaging with sexually exploited youth and will offer suggestions for talking with youth.

This training will provide information on the EMbracing Progress & Opportunities, We Rise (EMPOWR) Program.The EMPOWR program aims to empower transition aged youth (TAY) with foster care experience by collectively identifying and amplifying strengths, coping skills, stabilizing housing and employment, increasing community support and embracing resilience in multiple life aspects. This program consists of a holistic treatment approach that is participant-led and delivered from a multidisciplinary team. The whole person is addressed by acknowledging the systems in which they function and the interconnected aspects that contribute to their wellness, including mind, body, spirit, identity and community connection. The team provides community-based therapy, case management and care coordination, and peer and […]

Providers for foster youth are exposed to direct and indirect instances of trauma and conflict. In this training, participants will engage in activities that promote relationship-building and skills for addressing vicarious and secondary trauma reactions. Participants will learn how to build healthy relationships with caregivers, youth and service providers. This training will promote collaboration to enhance service delivery.

This training delves into the multifaceted impact of trauma across various stages of life, from infancy to late adulthood, and how to best support system-impacted youth and families. This training will cover: understanding trauma across the developmental stages, system-involvement and trauma, culturally responsive care, and practical tools for providers. This training will explore trauma’s pervasive effects on mental, emotional, and physical well-being on youth and their families. This training will equip providers with the knowledge and developmentally appropriate tools needed to effectively support clients of all ages, enhancing their ability to foster resilience and promote healing through the lifespan. This training will feature real world case studies, interactive discussions, and […]

This training delves into the multifaceted impact of trauma across various stages of life, from infancy to late adulthood, and how to best support system-impacted youth and families. This training will cover: understanding trauma across the developmental stages, system-involvement and trauma, culturally responsive care, and practical tools for providers. This training will explore trauma’s pervasive effects on mental, emotional, and physical well-being on youth and their families. This training will equip providers with the knowledge and developmentally appropriate tools needed to effectively support clients of all ages, enhancing their ability to foster resilience and promote healing through the lifespan. This training will feature real world case studies, interactive discussions, and […]