Foster Care Training

Embark on a journey of understanding and empowerment with Shoshana Phoenixx in this four-hour virtual training session. Explore the intricate connection between child development stages and the grief process, gaining insights into how to effectively support system-involved youth. Learn to apply creative and artistic activities that facilitate emotional expression and communication, fostering healing and connection.

This training will offer foundational practices to connect with the land, body, elements, and breath derived from Indigenous, Buddhist, and Taoist traditions including qigong, mindful awareness, pranayama, and psychological tools for well-being. Using and teaching these techniques regularly within efforts to support system-involved youth can increase day-to-day resiliency, as well as enhance capacity to cope with challenges that arise. These strategies can also help those who support system-involved youth to prevent and/or manage vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue.

Providers working at the Assessment Center are at the forefront of youth experiencing trauma and undergoing crisis. As a result of the nature of this work, providers and caregivers are particularly vulnerable to experiencing secondary and vicarious trauma. Providers attending this training will explore and discuss how they are impacted by the work. This training focuses on strategies for how to remain sustainable while working with foster youth and practice techniques for practicing self-care.

Somatic movements are important for system-involved youth (SIY) because they offer a trauma-informed approach that helps youth reconnect with their bodies and promote healing. Somatic movements aid in emotional regulation, empowering youth to identify, express, and regulate their emotions effectively. By developing body awareness, system-involved youth gain a sense of empowerment and make informed decisions regarding their well-being. Engaging in somatic movements also builds resilience, enhances coping skills, and provides a non-verbal mode of self-expression and communication for youth who may struggle with verbal expression. In this training, participants will be guided through a sequence of learning discussions to explore and understand somatic movements. Learning activities will include lecture with […]

This training explores how creative art modalities can support grieving system-involved youth, including those facing the death of family members, caregivers, and peers. Participants will examine how to engage and support the layered grief that emerges from disrupted attachments, forced separations, loss through trauma, and silenced disenfranchised grief across foster care, residential care, and probation settings. The session focuses on accessible, art-based strategies designed to be used and taught by affirmed non-artists and creatives alike.

The training will utilize arts-based strategies to foster self-regulation among youth. The training will include experiential exercises to assist the youth in improving mindfulness, emotional awareness, and stress management. This training provides participants with creative materials for youth to use as tools to manage their anxiety, thereby building confidence in their relationships with others and their connection to self. The training assists participants by fostering compassionate education, which is designed to build the youths’ emotion regulation skills, and the confidence they need to succeed. To register please email Human Resources at [email protected]

The training will utilize arts-based strategies to foster self-regulation among youth. The training will include experiential exercises to assist the youth in improving mindfulness, emotional awareness, and stress management. This training provides participants with creative materials for youth to use as tools to manage their anxiety, thereby building confidence in their relationships with others and their connection to self. The training assists participants by fostering compassionate education, which is designed to build the youths’ emotion regulation skills, and the confidence they need to succeed.To register please email Human Resources at [email protected]

System-Involved youth of incarcerated parents often fall through the cracks of traditional philanthropic resources and societal support systems. This interactive training will assist participants with enhancing the life outcomes and well-being of CIP by educating participants on ways to create emotionally and physically safe environments where system-involved youth can find community, self-discovery, and vital life and leadership skills. To register please email Human Resources at [email protected]

This training is an introduction to implementing behavioral support strategies with children who present with a variety of challenging behaviors. It includes a discussion of basic principles of behavior modification, behavioral assessment, functional assessment and support methods.

Supporting system-involved youth (SIY) and especially those that are perpetrating violence, requires extra supports to transcend their negative past experiences and “acting out” that comes with it. SIY with sociopathic tendencies to meet their basic vital needs (Maslov Theory) may not respond to dopamine releasing praise from a caregiver or service/support provider. In order to guide these youth to find their way to build a rewarding, productive life with healthy relationships, will need structured guidance to heal their emotional wounds with empathy, (so they may have empathy for others), opportunities to make restitution, network support towards socially acceptable occupations and hobbies, along with strengths based life skills coaching to be […]

This course will focus on why it is important to recognize symptoms of ADHD and to understand how those symptoms impact daily life, decision-making, and work with youth who have ADHD diagnoses. Participants will learn ways to differentiate ADHD from Autism Spectrum Disorders. Participants will learn how ADHD and Autism Spectrum Disorders can look similar and how they are different, and how it can be helpful to teams to have an accurate diagnosis. This is especially complicated when youth have life histories that include trauma as well, as system-involved youth do. We will examine case studies to help participants understand how to differentiate and apply learned assessment skills.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 15-24. It’s crucial for social service providers to learn how to assess suicide, assess suicide, know what to do if a youth endorses suicidal ideation, and how to foster protective factors. This course will provide participants with overall knowledge about the prevalence of suicide and groups at heightened risk for suicide. Participants will learn how to assess suicide and be able to practice assessing suicidal ideation with each other. The course will also cover suicide contagion and safety planning with someone who is suicidal.

Mental health providers working with system-impacted youth and families frequently navigate complex relational, ethical, and systemic pressures that can strain professional boundaries. Trauma exposure, power imbalances, cultural considerations, crisis-driven needs, and multi-system involvement often blur roles and increase the risk of boundary erosion, provider burnout, and relational harm. This course provides mental health professionals with practical, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive strategies for establishing, maintaining, and repairing boundaries in work with youth and families impacted by child welfare, juvenile justice, education, immigration, and behavioral health systems. Participants will explore how trauma, attachment, systemic inequities, and historical mistrust influence boundary expectations and behaviors. Through real-world scenarios, guided reflection, and applied tools, participants […]

In the first segment of this training, we will discuss the concept of ‘preferred self’, a concept from Narrative Therapy also known as how we express our values around caring for youth and families while we are at work. This course will discuss the two major reasons that professionals working with youth and families don’t always live up to our preferred self: crisis and burnout. Participants will have an opportunity to discuss prevention plans for both barriers, including developing a self-control plan for times of crisis and a self-care plan during times of burnout.

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 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.

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.

SPECIAL LOGISTICS, PLEASE READ: This course is hybrid. Pre-requisite solo online work [1.5hrs] followed by live instructor-led course via Zoom [9a-4:30p]. Instructors will email you in advance of the course date with additional details to complete pre-requisites online prior to live course date. This course is co-facilitated by Stella Sheldon and Angelina Jimenez, Certified Mental Health First Aid Certification Instructors Mental Health First Aid is a certification course that teaches you how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges 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 […]

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

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

Implementing play strategies and play-based techniques in the school settings can be challenging. Together, we will explore designing play-based curriculums for individual and group sessions to support the healthy development of social-emotional-behavioral competence. Techniques shared can be incorporated into your MTSS program. We will also address the value of teacher consultation.

This webinar will explore play & art-based activities and techniques for engagement, rapport building, and assessment with children ages 6-17. We will review the goals & concepts of attunement, attachment, co-regulation, assessment, and the importance of the therapeutic relationship. Participants will learn child & adolescent friendly ways to explore important content areas during the assessment phase of services, including: activities & interests; school; friendships & peer relationships; self-awareness & feelings; home situation & family relationships. Participants will have the opportunity to explore many of these play & art-based assessment activities experientially. Workshop content will be applicable to social workers that work with children & families in the child welfare system […]

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

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

Supporting system-involved youth (SIY) requires extra supports to transcending their negative past experiences and “acting out” that comes with it, to effectively engaging them towards building a life that is constructive, brings value, provides income, inspires joy, and promotes success in social settings, academics, and career related activities, and brings about a feeling of security in the individual that leads to healthy engagement with community. Children and youth with anxious or avoidant spectrum relationship attachment styles may not respond to dopamine releasing praise from an adult. In order to guide these children and youth to “find their way”, a suggested approach would be to utilize restorative actions and strategic core […]

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) refers to intentional self-inflicted injury to oneself without suicidal intention. NSSI if often seen in system-involved individuals for a variety of reasons, including a history of trauma/traumatic experiences. Through didactic lecture, large and small group discussion and case examples, participants will understand who, how, and why people self-harm. Participants will list ways that youth and adults self-injure. Short and Long-term effects will be discussed at length, and treatment options will be shared and practiced.

This training will present characteristics of neurodevelopmental differences that impact underserved youth via determining internalization vs externalization of stress, and how that impacts varied domains including mental health, behavior, pragmatic development and academic pursuits.To register please email Human Resources at [email protected]

We are far from the “”simple”” parenting challenges of the 2Oth century. These days, the 21st-century family must confront a complex array of problematic dangers stemming from digital and mobile technologies that include online pornography and social media, as well as excessive information and communication technology (ICT) use. ICT includes sexting, cyberbullying, and other inappropriate and harmful uses of can’t-live-without-it tech. Family Play service providers are increasingly seeking to assist families in managing these issues and balancing the positives technology can offer. This workshop will provide an overview of technology-related behaviors that can increase the risk of victimization, conflict, and overuse issues, utilizing an Attachment Play-based approach. Participants will learn […]

This 3-hour professional course provides a comprehensive, practical overview of anxiety disorders in system-involved youth through a developmental, trauma-informed, and family systems lens. Participants will learn how anxiety presents differently across developmental stages, how family dynamics and caregiver accommodation can maintain anxiety, and how cultural context influences symptom expression and engagement in care. The course introduces evidence-informed screening tools (GAD-7, SCARED), differential diagnosis strategies (distinguishing GAD, OCD, trauma-related anxiety, and ADHD), and concrete tools staff can teach system-involved youth and caregivers. Case vignettes, role-plays, and caregiver-focused guidance—including Spanish-language resources and school refusal inserts—support immediate application to real-world practice.

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.

In this training, participants will learn how to enhance their capacity to support system-involved youth (SIY) by exploring how using Motivational Interviewing (MI) techniques to support engagement during all phases of cognitive change facilitates receptivity to coaching and can redirect energy towards emotional development and wellbeing, as well as foster resilience and healing from traumatic events. Practicing and sharing the methods outlined by this workshop will allow participants to deepen their effectiveness with system-involved youth and families through helping them avoid risky behaviors and supporting them towards healthier lifestyles.

This training will focus on differentiating causes for youth’s emotional distress, including attachment disruptions, trauma, and possible psychosis. Recommendations for stabilizing mental health will be incorporated.

Traditional ways of measuring successful outcomes for foster youth and families often have involved metrics that do not connect to the transformational change that they wish to see in their lives. A family-centered approach to examining outcomes and managing decisions related to youth/family care involves the use of data and metrics that reflect the vision that youth/families have for a positive outcome. This training examines ways to measure progress and outcomes within foster youth systems that are more family-centered.

Communities are continually impacted and challenged in addressing complex trauma in their settings. Children may display a range of symptoms and behaviors that are difficult to organize and understand. Teachers, providers and caregivers need frameworks for interpreting behaviors and expanding practices that build a more attuned and responsive environment. This course will offer providers a framework of understanding traumatic impact in terms of arousal and attachment behaviors that can guide response and support improved functioning in the community, participation in tasks required for daily functioning. Facilitated discussion, didactic material, and experiential exercises will be used to discuss the themes and address class objectives

This two-hour introductory training provides service and support providers for system-involved youth with a foundational understanding of the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT), developed by Dr. Bruce Perry and the ChildTrauma Academy. Participants will explore how early life experiences, stress, and trauma shape brain organization and function, and how this understanding informs effective support and relationship-based practice. Through presentation, discussion, and brief experiential exercises, participants will learn to identify the sequential nature of brain development, recognize the impact of developmental disruptions, and apply regulation–relationship–reasoning principles to guide their support for system-involved youth and educational strategies. This session offers practical tools for assessment and case planning that align with the neurobiological […]

This training provides an overview of STAT. STAT is a screening and assessment program for youth in the CWS who have recently changed placements. This training will review the basic care and supervision of children who come to the Alameda Co. Assessment Center after being removed from their family due to abuse or neglect. The screening/assessment procedures of children who come to Alameda County Assessment Center will be reviewed. This training will also cover how to assist children’s transition to and stabilization in the foster home, group home, or placement with relative after they leave the Assessment Center.

This interactive training equips school-based mental health providers with practical, research-informed strategies to design, facilitate, and evaluate group techniques that integrate play and creative methods to support student wellness. Grounded in the principles of play, the workshop highlights how developmentally responsive, experiential approaches enhance engagement, foster resilience, and strengthen peer connection—skills that translate into improved attendance, reduced behavioral concerns, and stronger academic performance. Participants will experience hands-on play activities, explore adaptable group formats for diverse student needs, and engage in collaborative planning to align strategies with school mental health frameworks. Emphasizing ethical, evidence-based, and data-driven practice, this training empowers providers to confidently implement creative group strategies that advance both student […]

This course will provide an overview for attendees on principles and practices of teaming to build a working knowledge and integrate practices from service providers that work with youth in foster care. The course will frame teaming practices from Trauma-Informed Competencies, Community Justice, and Systems Theory to help develop strong professional relationships, as well as growth within service provider teams. This course will deliver a stepwise approach that lays the foundation of these principles for the application and analysis of the practices through a combination of group discussions. Attendees will discuss and practice exercises to expand conceptualization of teaming to benefit youth and families while facilitating an analysis of alliance, […]

Part 3 of the series, join us in learning the crucial stages of communication and language development in children from birth to age five. You will learn about key language milestones, the brain’s role in language growth, and effective strategies for supporting early communication skills, especially in children who may have experienced trauma or instability. We will explore the unique needs of foster and system-involved youth, and how to create supportive environments, including bilingual settings, that foster healthy communication development. Gain practical tools and strategies to nurture young children’s language skills and promote healthy brain development through everyday communication, with a focus on overcoming barriers to learning for these vulnerable […]

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 […]

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

This training will support participants to utilize an anti-oppression lens to respond to identity-based conversations or identity-based harm/bullying with system-involved youth (SIY). Participants will explore and discuss conversations that come up in their work with youth who are system-involved or at high risk of system involvement. Participants will practice responding to identity-based conversations from a non-punitive and liberatory framework.

This training provides the historical context of human trafficking. Participants will learn about the historical oppression and trauma of ethnic groups and how this provides the backdrop of human trafficking. Participants will also learn how to approach youth, families and communities in culturally competent ways. Register Here

This session introduces mindfulness as a practical, trauma-informed approach to helping children and youth in care manage big emotions. Participants will explore the core principles of mindfulness, the difference between coping and avoidance, and why emotional regulation is especially complex for youth who have experienced trauma. Through guided, arts-based experiential activities, participants will learn accessible strategies to calm the mind and body, support self-soothing, and promote emotional awareness and connection. Attendees will leave with practical, evidence-informed tools and a printable activities guide for integrating mindfulness into ongoing care.

This training equips participants with practical strategies to engage disengaged, system-involved youth and their families. Participants will explore systemic and relational barriers to engagement, practice trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, and learn tools to strengthen collaboration with both youth and caregivers. Through case scenarios, role-play, and group activities, providers will gain hands-on experience applying these strategies. By the end of the training, participants will leave with actionable skills to foster trust, promote youth-centered practices, and build sustainable connections across systems of care.

This training will provide attendees with information about Awareness and Prevention on the topic of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) in the US and local communities. Attendees will be provided with valuable tools and resources that empowers them to make a difference in the effort to eradicate exploitation of children.  Register Here

This training will provide attendees with information about Awareness and Prevention on the topic of Commercially Sexually Exploited Children (CSEC) in the US and local communities. Attendees will be provided with valuable tools and resources that empowers them to make a difference in the effort to eradicate exploitation of children.  Register Here

This specialized training is designed for professionals who provide care and support to individuals whom exhibit challenging or potentially assaultive behavior. Participants will gain essential skills and strategies for effectively managing high-stress situations and preventing violent behavior. The course covers recognizing early signs of escalation, employing de-escalation techniques, and maintaining control through clear, assertive communication. Emphasis is placed on creating a safe environment for both the system involved youth and the caregiver while fostering mutual respect. Through interactive exercises, role-playing, and real-world case studies, participants will develop practical skills to safely navigate difficult situations, reducing the risk of conflict and ensuring the well-being of all involved. Participants will leave this […]

This specialized training is designed for professionals who provide care and support to individuals whom exhibit challenging or potentially assaultive behavior. Participants will gain essential skills and strategies for effectively managing high-stress situations and preventing violent behavior. The course covers recognizing early signs of escalation, employing de-escalation techniques, and maintaining control through clear, assertive communication. Register Here

This specialized training is designed for professionals who provide care and support to individuals whom exhibit challenging or potentially assaultive behavior. Participants will gain essential skills and strategies for effectively managing high-stress situations and preventing violent behavior. The course covers recognizing early signs of escalation, employing de-escalation techniques, and maintaining control through clear, assertive communication. Register Here

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.

This refresher training revisits key strategies from Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI), focusing on early identification, de-escalation techniques, and non-physical approaches to managing escalating behaviors. Participants will review effective communication skills, physiological responses during crisis, and the guiding framework of Care, Welfare, Safety, and Security. Designed for human service professionals, this session reinforces proven methods for safely navigating crisis situations while maintaining supportive, therapeutic relationships.

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.

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

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

This training provides practical tools and trauma-informed approaches to help caregivers of system-involved youth navigate common caregiving struggles such as emotional dysregulation, behavioral challenges, communication barriers, and caregiver compassion fatigue. Participants will explore the intersection of trauma, attachment, and system involvement, gaining a deeper understanding of how compassion fatigue and adversity affect both caregivers and youth. Through lecture, discussion, and case application, attendees will learn strategies for fostering resilience, improving caregiver–youth relationships, and enhancing stability within caregiving systems. Emphasis will be placed on developing collaborative, strengths-based approaches that support long-term healing and relational growth.

This training will cover who are Mandated Reporters and their responsibilities to report child abuse, types of child abuse and neglect, accidental vs purposeful abuse and what, when and where to report abuse. Protection for reporters and penalties for failure to report. This training is intended for those that work with children and youth within the child welfare system or are at-risk of entering. This includes child welfare workers, resource parents, youth sports coaches, youth mentors, teachers and volunteers/staff working with this population. Register Here

This training will cover who are Mandated Reporters and their responsibilities to report child abuse, types of child abuse and neglect, accidental vs purposeful abuse and what, when and where to report abuse. Protection for reporters and penalties for failure to report. This training is intended for those that work with children and youth within the child welfare system or are at-risk of entering. This includes child welfare workers, resource parents, youth sports coaches, youth mentors, teachers and volunteers/staff working with this population. Register Here

This training will cover who are Mandated Reporters and their responsibilities to report child abuse, types of child abuse and neglect, accidental vs purposeful abuse and what, when and where to report abuse. Protection for reporters and penalties for failure to report. This training is intended for those that work with children and youth within the child welfare system or are at-risk of entering. This includes child welfare workers, resource parents, youth sports coaches, youth mentors, teachers and volunteers/staff working with this population. Register Here

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

Information and worksheets are reviewed to assist resource parents in understanding the importance of medication management and documentation when working with youth in the foster care system. Discussion regarding foster parents and youth recognizing when medication evaluations are need necessary, weighing options for medication use, asking questions about their diagnosis and treatment, taking medication safely and documentation and compliance. This information can be used directly by youth or serve as a discussion tool for resource parents, mentors, and others working with system involved youth.

Information and worksheets are reviewed to assist resource parents in understanding the importance of medication management and documentation when working with youth in the foster care system. Discussion regarding foster parents and youth recognizing when medication evaluations are need necessary, weighing options for medication use, asking questions about their diagnosis and treatment, taking medication safely and documentation and compliance. This information can be used directly by youth or serve as a discussion tool for resource parents, mentors, and others working with system involved youth.

Information and worksheets are reviewed to assist resource parents in understanding the importance of medication management and documentation when working with youth in the foster care system. Discussion regarding foster parents and youth recognizing when medication evaluations are need necessary, weighing options for medication use, asking questions about their diagnosis and treatment, taking medication safely and documentation and compliance. This information can be used directly by youth or serve as a discussion tool for resource parents, mentors, and others working with system involved youth.

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.

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.

Unfortunately, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and moral distress are common in the social services and behavioral health fields. When individuals don’t intentionally care for themselves, it can lead to burnout, premature departure from an organization and more. It is crucial for providers to recognize these warning signs and are equipped with strategies to address them. This training will provide an overview of vicarious trauma, moral distress and compassion fatigue. We will discuss strategies to mitigate these by creating self-care plans to be more resilient and compassionate. It’s essential for social service providers to prioritize our overall well-being so we can model it to the youth and families we work with. […]

This training will discuss the challenges LGBTQ+ youth experience in out of home placement; Multiple placements due to gender identity or sexual orientation, suicidality, and the risk of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Guidance in affirming and respecting one’s gender identity, as well as the importance of using proper pronouns will be addressed.  Register Here

This training will discuss the challenges LGBTQ+ youth experience in out of home placement; Multiple placements due to gender identity or sexual orientation, suicidality, and the risk of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Guidance in affirming and respecting one’s gender identity, as well as the importance of using proper pronouns will be addressed.  Register Here

This training will discuss the challenges LGBTQ+ youth experience in out of home placement; Multiple placements due to gender identity or sexual orientation, suicidality, and the risk of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). Guidance in affirming and respecting one’s gender identity, as well as the importance of using proper pronouns will be addressed.  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

Trauma impacts many aspects of one’s life. One of those areas is a scholar’s learning path. It’s crucial to understand how trauma impacts youth in care’s emotional and behavioral health and learning performance. The better we understand how trauma presents, the better we can support caregivers and staff to implement trauma-informed learning environments. Register Here

Attendees will learn about assisting clients who have dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, referral information and more. Attendees should leave this training with a solid understanding of how to recognize and treat people with substance-related problems and how to differentiate them from people who use drugs without significant problems. The following sources, Larimer, Palmer, and Marlatt (1999), Srebnik et al. (2013), and Miller and Rollnick (2013), will be used in this training to support best practices and improve outcomes for foster youth and families.

This course provides mental health professionals and caregivers with essential knowledge, research, and intervention strategies to effectively support individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS, particularly youth involved in systems of care.

Attendees will learn about assisting clients who have dual diagnosis/co-occurring disorders, referral information and more. Attendees should leave this training with a solid understanding of how to recognize and treat people with substance-related problems and how to differentiate them from people who use drugs without significant problems. The following sources, Larimer, Palmer, and Marlatt (1999), Srebnik et al. (2013), and Miller and Rollnick (2013), will be used in this training to support best practices and improve outcomes for foster youth and families.

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.

Service and support providers who work directly with at-risk children and system-involved youth (SIY) are mandated reporters of child abuse and neglect. It is critical that mandated reporters and caregivers of system-involved youth are trained to recognize the signs of different types of abuse or neglect. Additionally, a mandated reporter must fully understand how and where to report suspected abuse in accordance with their legal obligation.

This workshop focused on tools that foster care providers can utilize to help stabilize foster youth when transitioning to placement. Participants will gain an understanding of the mental health challenges children and youth face entering into foster care depending on their developmental phase.

This 2-hour training will focus on current research on the reasons youth self-harm and explore evidence−based treatment types to support the decrease in self-harm behaviors, with a special consideration for the unique needs of system-involved youth. Attendees will: -Discuss how to balance risk assessment with client empowerment, taking a harm reduction stance when appropriate. -Review effective means of engaging caregivers whether it involves needing to break confidentiality for safety or supporting clients in voluntarily sharing their selfharm to enhance safety and build a supportive environment. This training is designed to provide practical strategies for clinicians working with diverse youth populations, including those involved in child welfare, juvenile justice, or other […]

This training will support participants to develop common language and frameworks for navigating challenging conversations, practicing accountability, and building a culture of trust on their teams and in their programs to better support system-involved youth. In this session there will be an opportunity for participants to practice preparing for courageous conversations, having courageous conversations, and practice concrete next steps that allow for safe-to-fail opportunities to deepen their skills to navigate conflict and communicate more effectively on their teams. Participants will engage in individual reflection, large group and small group discussions, and somatic activities that will support deeper learning and embodiment of the material for them within efforts to support system-involved […]

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.

Acute, ongoing, and generational trauma has been shown in research to cause very harmful consequences to the speech and language skills of system-involved youth. In this 2-hour training, the presentation will include definitions; research on the impact of trauma on the brain, learning and speech and language skills; and what to do to improve outcomes for system-involved youth who are often negatively affected by barriers in the learning environment. Participants will be guided through a sequence of learning activities to explore and understand the negative impact of trauma on the brain and to gain increased awareness of how to identify, refer to, and learn somatic strategies to support system-involved youth […]

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. 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 […]

Domestic violence/interpersonal violence (DV/IPV) is a growing concern so it’s essential for those who support system-involved youth to understand what it is, how to recognize warning signs and how to support individuals in a violent relationship. This training will provide an overview of domestic violence/interpersonal violence including a history of it in the United States and an overview of groups at heightened risk for domestic violence/interpersonal violence. Participants will learn how to conduct a risk assessment and safety plan for a system-involved youth or caregiver in an abusive relationship and how to support them whether they are still in an abusive relationship or have recently gotten out of one.

Unfortunately, vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and moral distress are common in the social services and behavioral health fields. When individuals don’t intentionally care for themselves, it can lead to burnout, premature departure from an organization and more. It is crucial for providers to recognize these warning signs and are equipped with strategies to address them. This training will provide an overview of vicarious trauma, moral distress and compassion fatigue. We will discuss strategies to mitigate these by creating self-care plans to be more resilient and compassionate. It’s essential for social service providers to prioritize our overall well-being so we can model it to the youth and families we work with. […]

When considering the trauma system-involved youth are exposed to, it’s crucial to not only consider individual traumas but it’s also important to consider community violence. Join us as we talk about different types of community violence, its effects on system-involved families and strategies to support them. Without this knowledge, it’s hard to support system-involved youth and families. Register Here

Come to this training on understanding suicidal ideation (SI) with system-involved youth. This is going to be a training within the context of family because we need the larger team to keep system-involved youth safe. We are going to talk about why youth might choose suicide, things to look for, how we talk about it, and ways to keep system-involved youth safe! However, once youth are safe, our focus will shift to how do we keep them alive and having a future outlook that does not include seeing suicide as a viable option for managing their pain. Additionally, we are going to be learning about the pandemic and suicide.

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.

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.

“This training will focus on content themes such as early warning sign recognition, effective crisis response protocols, and fostering a positive school climate. Through engaging training techniques, participants will learn to identify behavioral indicators of potential violence, implement crisis response procedures, and cultivate a supportive school environment. Attending this training is highly relevant to supporting foster youth or system-involved youth as they may face additional challenges in school settings. By recognizing early warning signs, attendees can offer timely support to system-involved youth experiencing trauma or emotional distress. Learning effective crisis response protocols will enable them to act swiftly and protect vulnerable youth during critical incidents. Additionally, fostering a positive school […]

This training focuses on how child welfare professionals can support and effectively advocate for foster children and youth with mental health needs. For youth in foster or kinship care, or court involved youth, these issues are particularly urgent because behavior challenges are often rooted in underlying trauma or disability related needs. We will focus on how the process of requesting support, what common barriers may appear and how to overcome them. What services are available, and what steps caregivers can take to resolve disagreements or problems.

This training provides the historical context of human trafficking. Participants will learn about the historical oppression and trauma of ethnic groups and how this provides the backdrop of human trafficking. Participants will also learn how to approach youth, families and communities in culturally competent ways. Register Here

Trauma impacts many aspects of one’s life. One of those areas is a scholar’s learning path. It’s crucial to understand how trauma impacts youth in care’s emotional and behavioral health and learning performance. The better we understand how trauma presents, the better we can support caregivers and staff to implement trauma-informed learning environments. 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.

AI has already been adopted for many healthcare and mental health care services. Use of AI in these contexts offers many benefits, risks, and unknowns. When working with vulnerable populations in the child welfare system, practitioners have to be especially careful when considering how best to utilize new AI tools. In this course, participants will learn what AI is and is not, ways it can be used administratively and clinically in mental health service delivery, risks and benefits of using AI, and legal and ethical considerations.

Examine the reasons why you chose to work in this field. They can be a “double-edged sword”- by being both the very things that make us excellent at our work and that can also lead to compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma. Explore how our own “stuff” impacts our work with system-involved youth (SIY) and their families and, if you are a supervisor, how to support those you supervise with all of this. Discuss self-disclosure with system-involved youth and families, explore ourselves and countertransference, identify how we know when we are over-involved with those we support, and review ways to address this.

This course explores legal and ethical issues for licensed professionals working in youth and family services and child welfare and different therapeutic modalities. Topics include an overview of liability issues, the sources of procedure in our work, and how to minimize liability.

This series explores best practices for new clinicians working with youth and families in community based, school-based, or residential programs in a cohesive, cohort-based training program. The Unconditional Care Model has been used at Seneca Family of Agencies for over 30 years and outlined in “Unconditional Care: Relationship-Based, Behavioral Intervention with Vulnerable Children and Families” and “Unconditional Care in Context: Engaging with Ecological Adversity” by John Sprinson with Ken Berrick.

This training is designed to strengthen the ability of child welfare professionals and crisis responders to communicate effectively during crisis situations involving children, youth, and families in foster care or adoption. Participants will learn to recognize common reactions to crises, apply trauma-informed verbal and non-verbal communication techniques, and utilize active listening and empathy to de-escalate situations. The training also addresses ethical considerations such as confidentiality and professional boundaries within child welfare practice

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.

This is a mandated reporter training that includes updates to the laws around reporting, general neglect, emphasizing prevention through community support and addressing specific challenges in Solano County.

In today’s complex and emotionally charged child welfare environments, professionals often face high-pressure situations involving children, youth, and families without sufficient tools for emotional regulation, psychological safety, and inclusive communication. This 2-hour session introduces participants to two integrated frameworks—SPARK (Show up, Pause, Ask, Respect, Kindly expect conflict) and AAA (Awareness, Action, Accountability)—designed to strengthen intentional practice during challenging interactions. Through reflection, guided application, and real-world scenarios, participants will develop strategies to enhance collaboration, manage conflict, and promote stability and well-being for families involved in foster care and adoption.

A well-planned outing can be a gateway to joy, connection, and learning—but for autistic and intellectually disabled system-involved youth (SIY), it can quickly become a truly unsafe experience without thoughtful preparation. This training equips participants with the tools to assess, modify, and prepare for outings that meet the needs of the youth they support. Participants will develop emergency contingency plans, practice neuro-inclusive location assessments, and apply a structured discernment process using a grid system to determine which outings best fit a youth’s needs. Using real-world examples—including the Oakland Zoo, Chabot Space & Science Center, Pretend City Children’s Museum, playgrounds, skateparks, and franchise coffee and restaurants with consistent layouts and designs—this […]

Situational awareness—the ability to notice surroundings, assess safety, and respond effectively—is essential for youth in foster care and adoption. Many youth in care, especially those who are neurodivergent or trauma-impacted, struggle with this skill, increasing their risk in everyday environments. This training helps child welfare professionals understand how patterns of hyperawareness and hypoawareness affect safety and decision-making, and provides practical strategies to plan supportive environments, reduce risk, and promote resilience without punitive measures.

This training will discuss the implications of fathers of children in the system being deprived parental rights and involvement through the child welfare, juvenile justice and education systems. Paternal figures have been historically disenfranchised by systems of care. This trend has lasting impacts on youth development and eventual outcomes.

This training is designed to assist professionals working with foster youth to connect to stories of themselves within the work that are fulfilling and sustaining.

An important question that many who support system-involved youth ask is: “What supports improved outcomes for system-involved youth? Is success based on the use of specialized techniques or do other factors account for the change? Luckily there is an evidence-based practice (EBP) called PCOMS (Partners for Change Outcome Management System) that fosters youth-directed and outcome-informed processes which promote partnering with system-involved youth and getting their feedback to develop and sustain healthy, productive relationships. In this training we will explore how PCOMS can support understanding of the individualized needs of system-involved youth and the development of a relational alliance that leads to improved success and positive outcomes for system-involved youth and […]

Service providers working with system involved children, youth, and families are held to many local, state, and federal expectations. Among these expectations include adhering to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), privacy practices (including confidentiality), and mandated reporting. This course will provide a comprehensive overview of HIPAA, protected health information (PHI), confidentiality, and mandated reporting requirements for service providers. Due to the ever changing nature of how we communicate with children, families, and other services this training will include how to ensure electronic communications adhere to the requirements as well. Mandated reporting will cover child and elder abuse reporting practices. This course has been customized for ABW staff and […]

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma can have a profound impact on the lives of system-involved youth and families, but resilience can be nurtured through intentional, trauma-informed practices. This training focuses on key themes for most effectively supporting system-involved youth, including trauma-informed care, resilience-building, and understanding the unique challenges these youth face. Through breakout sessions and group interactions, participants will learn effective strategies and techniques such as active listening, de-escalation strategies, and methods for fostering trust. The training emphasizes practical skills that can be directly applied in interactions with system-involved youth to create supportive, safe, and stable environments.

System-Involved Youth (SIY) continually face the challenge of processing non-death losses that lack clarity, definition, and finality. These Ambiguous Losses also lack official or social verification, and often complicate grief for SIY and their caregivers. This training will educate participants about ambiguous loss and provide education on how to effectively support system-involved youth and their families living with the pain and uncertainty of non-death loss. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, self-reflection, learning activities, coping strategies, break out room sharing, guided participant discussion, and Questions & Answers.

While there is a growing awareness about sexual abuse in regard to prevention and intervention, system-involved youth with disabilities are often left out of the conversation. This is problematic because system-involved youth with disabilities are at heightened risk for sexual abuse. This training will provide an overview of the prevalence of sexual abuse of system-involved youth with disabilities, risk factors, prevention, and strategies to support them.

This training will focus on differentiating causes for youth’s emotional distress, including attachment disruptions, trauma, and possible psychosis. Recommendations for stabilizing mental health will be incorporated.

This course was designed for supervisors of youth professionals and will begin with a review of some of the best practices in trauma treatment for youth and families. As we review a general description of the 3 stages (creating safety & connection, building resilience skills, creating meaning & connection), participants will look at strategies for supervising and coaching supervisees in working with youth and families who have experienced trauma to ensure that each youth has the connections needed for adequate support and appropriate referrals are made.

This training describes the need for contextualized assessment in working with foster youth and community systems. The origin of psychological assessment at WestCoast Children’s Clinic required a unique framework for assessment that was different from a traditional model that originated in a standardization sample that did not reflect youth and families in the community. The assessment model in this training is characterized by: a historical and contextualized approach, transparency of the process, collaboration between provider and client, and therapeutic intervention. The history of psychological assessment in the last 35 years will be presented as crucial to working systemically.

This highly interactive 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. The group will look at several tools and techniques to circumvent the most challenging aspects of compassion fatigue and to be able to regain a state of neuro-physiological (mind-body) regulation, recovery and resilience.

Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) 101 is a 1-day course that provides a comprehensive overview of CSEC. The course will discuss CSEC by looking at the victimization of youth as well as the demand side of exploitation and how this impacts system-involved youth. The trainers will discuss risk factors and pathways of entry for all those involved in CSEC. The trainers will highlight populations that are disproportionately impacted by CSEC such as the Native American population, LGBTQ youth, youth in foster care, and many others. Lastly, the trainers will discuss identifying system-involved youth involved in CSEC and needs they have.

Trauma does not occur in isolation—it is shaped by culture, identity, and community context. This session examines how cultural beliefs, values, and historical experiences influence the way youth and families understand, express, and heal from trauma. Participants will deepen their cultural humility and learn practical tools for integrating culturally responsive, trauma-informed care when working with foster and justice-involved youth from diverse backgrounds.

This workshop focused on tools that foster care providers can utilize to help stabilize foster youth when transitioning to placement. Participants will gain an understanding of the mental health challenges children and youth face entering into foster care depending on their developmental phase.

Traditional ways of measuring successful outcomes for foster youth and families often have involved metrics that do not connect to the transformational change that they wish to see in their lives. A family-centered approach to examining outcomes and managing decisions related to youth/family care involves the use of data and metrics that reflect the vision that youth/families have for a positive outcome. This training examines ways to measure progress and outcomes within foster youth systems that are more family-centered.

Via an interactive lecture style this class is designed to look at trauma from a different angle which is the same and different from what our current knowledge about trauma and behavior is. Through the lens of neurobiology, we look at the physical effects of trauma on the developing brain and how this manifests the behaviors we see with children who have lived with constant trauma.  Register Here

This presentation will help participants understand the benefits of enhancing skills and resources for those that work with foster youth. Participants will learn strategies for navigating complex feelings often associated with child welfare professionals: isolation, lack of support, lack of efficacy, time and work-life balance. They will have tools for increasing professional impact, prioritizing never-ending workloads, and making progress on youth goals that sometimes feel unattainable.

We can’t know how to develop plans to support system-involved youth if we don’t understand fully the youth’s context including family relationships, historical trauma, and intergenerational influences. Learn how the history of the biological families of system-involved youth impacts their current functioning and how a family’s life cycle developmental challenges are intricately related to a youth’s own developmental challenges and attachment issues. We will review the importance of creating family trees and timelines with families in order to learn about their life experiences and other important values. This information guides our case planning and service provision of all kinds. Without context, we cannot possibly understand what the behaviors of youth […]

This training will focus on specific strategies that can be used with grieving students while noting the different types of losses which impact our youth. Information will be provided regarding how to initiate a conversation, what to say and how to check for a child’s understanding of death. The trainer will facilitate dialogue regarding the importance of cultural sensitivity and how to be culturally responsive in your grief support with a family. School specific strategies will be explored such as offering academic support proactively, preparing students to manage grief triggers and supporting transitions between grades and schools. Participants will engage in vignettes and a grief sensitive activity to deepen awareness […]

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 4 hour course is designed to provide staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s the skills to enhance Pro-Social behaviors strategies when working with traumatized youth and families. The aim of the course is to assist adults helping severely emotionally disturbed youth and families have some clarity about how working with trauma creates trauma.

This 4-hour course is designed to provide staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s the skills to enhance Pro-Social behaviors strategies for working with traumatized youth and families. The aim of the course is to assist adults helping severely emotionally disturbed youth and families to have some clarity about how working with trauma creates trauma.

Communities are continually impacted and challenged in addressing complex trauma in their settings. Children may display a range of symptoms and behaviors that are difficult to organize and understand. Teachers, providers and caregivers need frameworks for interpreting behaviors and expanding practices that build a more attuned and responsive environment. This course will offer providers a framework of understanding traumatic impact in terms of arousal and attachment behaviors that can guide response and support improved functioning in the community, participation in tasks required for daily functioning. Facilitated discussion, didactic material, and experiential exercises will be used to discuss the themes and address class objectives

Implicit bias is present in society as well as in social services, learning environments, health and many other institutions. It’s important that social service providers understand implicit bias, ways it shows up and how it impacts recommendations, care and ability to build relationships with system-involved youth and young adults. This training will provide an overview of ways implicit bias is present in social services, learning environments and healthcare and how it impacts system-involved youth and young adults and what we can do to address implicit bias when it shows up. Register Here

There are many challenges that providers will face when engaging foster youth in the early stages of service. For providers who have never worked in homes or communities, this may present challenges for knowing ways to provide a structure and supportive framework for care and services. Attention is paid to helping providers develop strategies for engaging youth in services and with systems of care. Participants learn strategies to learn how to overcome dilemmas and barriers to accessing or engaging youth in treatment.

This training is focused on working collaboratively with system related providers on behalf of youth in care. We will facilitate a conversation with providers on how to exercise professionalism when difficult situations present themselves in the work. Further, the training will explore how to navigate difficult conversations related to providers on behalf of youth in care. This training will encourage and empower providers to explore where their biases are and how they may impact youth in care and the effectiveness of engaging youth in their services.

This training provides an overview of STAT. STAT is a screening and assessment program for youth in the CWS who have recently changed placements. This training will review the basic care and supervision of children who come to the Alameda Co. Assessment Center after being removed from their family due to abuse or neglect. The screening/assessment procedures of children who come to Alameda County Assessment Center will be reviewed. This training will also cover how to assist children’s transition to and stabilization in the foster home, group home, or placement with relative after they leave the Assessment Center.

Providers working at the Assessment Center are at the forefront of youth experiencing trauma and undergoing crisis. As a result of the nature of this work, providers and caregivers are particularly vulnerable to experiencing secondary and vicarious trauma. Providers attending this training will explore and discuss how they are impacted by the work. This training focuses on strategies for how to remain sustainable while working with foster youth and practice techniques for practicing self-care.

Providers at the Alameda County Assessment Center work with youth to prepare them as they transition into a new placement within the foster care system. Often youth that have been in foster care will refuse to go to their placements. This training invites providers with the opportunity to open up dialogue about the challenges they encounter and reasons youth refuse placement. Providers will explore and discuss strategies for encouraging challenging youth to transition to their next placement.