Foster Care Training

This training explores the use of the social and emotional learning framework to support youth in care to develop self-awareness, self-management and interpersonal skills. Participants will gain insights into how these skills help youth in care build resilience and establish healthier relationships. We will introduce creative arts-based strategies for enhancing well-being. Through discussion, reflection and hands-on activities, participants will learn how SEL principles can be integrated into everyday practices to support physical and emotional regulation. We will provide practical methods to calm the mind and body, with a focus on the role of creativity in physical and emotional regulation. Participants will be guided through creative exercises that can be used […]

Somatic movements are important for system-involved youth 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 concrete […]

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.

Expressive arts and mindfulness practices significantly benefit emotional health and trauma recovery; however, without trauma-informed practices, they can inadvertently trigger distress in individuals with trauma histories. This training provides foundational understanding and hands-on experience in trauma-informed expressive arts and mindfulness, teaching participants practical tools specifically adapted for supporting system-involved youth (SIY), their families, and support staff. Participants will gain immediate, actionable skills to introduce expressive arts and mindfulness practices within trauma-informed environments safely. By attending this training, participants will be better equipped to promote trauma recovery and resilience in system-involved youth.

This course offers a focused look at how grief shows up in the early stages following significant loss or removal, specifically for youth in foster care. Participants will explore the first three months of grief through a trauma-informed lens, identifying ways grief can be masked, delayed, or misread as defiance or disinterest. We will examine cultural, developmental, and systemic factors that shape early grief responses, and practice tools that support recognition, language, and connection during this critical window. Participants will engage with interactive reflection, narrative prompts, and relational strategies designed for practical use with youth navigating disrupted placements or sudden loss. The training also includes creative activities that help channel […]

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 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 placed on how to use […]

Dive deep into the world of neurodiversity and autism spectrum disorders with this dynamic training opportunity tailored for professionals working with system-involved youth.

This training is designed to give resource parents and other caregivers an enhanced perspective of the many factors to individual wellbeing and strategies to support youth wellness, in each of the eight dimensions of wellness. Resources and regulations specific to foster-involved youth are included herein, as well as links to resources for parents/caretakers and youth overall. Register Here

This training introduces professionals to a wide range of somatic and movement-based practices that support emotional regulation and healing, especially for youth impacted by trauma, disability, or system involvement

This course will provide a basic understanding of autism and creative support strategies for working with system-involved youth on the autism spectrum. Participants will explore the core challenges of autism, including social interaction, communication, sensory processing, and behavior. Through didactic, collaborative, and interactive learning, they will become familiar with strength-based creative strategies for supporting autistic children and youth in care. We will also discuss arts-based strategies that can be used with system-involved youth with autism and their benefits.

In this workshop, we will demonstrate through theory, case studies, and practice how the sandtray can be a powerful tool to use for children and adolescents and their family members.

Given the increasing awareness of neurodivergence, it’s important that social service providers are aware of neurodiversity in order to provide neurodivergent affirming care. This training will provide an overview of neurodivergence in children and teens. The training will also discuss strategies to effectively support neurodivergent system-involved youth. This training will be provided in English and Spanish for bilingual social service providers. (This is a 2-day training; 1 registration link for both days) Register Here

It is essential for social service providers and others who serve/support system-involved youth to build strong relationships. In this training we will explore how the power of restorative relationships can be transformative in youth’s lives. We will discuss several approaches including being resiliency focused. Lastly, we will discuss the impact of trauma on system-involved youth and how to build relationships with youth using a trauma informed perspective.

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 […]

Restorative justice principles have become increasingly popular amongst juvenile justice and social service providers. The focus is on repairing and restoring relationships with system-involved youth and teaching them tools to repair relationships in their personal lives. This course will provide an overview of restorative justice principles as well as strategies to implement them when working with youth in care.

Given how many immigrants are in the United States it’s important for social service and behavioral health providers to be able to work with immigrant families. This training will provide an overview of immigration issues that can arise in the course of services. Participants will learn strategies to more effectively partner with immigrant families who are system-involved. Register Here

Youth in foster care are often placed in systems where their voices are minimized, their choices are limited, and their rights are unclear or unprotected. Many experience instability, frequent disruptions, and decisions being made about their lives without their input. While legal protections exist, systemic challenges, institutional policies, and decision-making dynamics often make it difficult for youth to advocate for themselves or access the resources they need. This session will explore the rights youth in care are entitled to, the structural challenges that limit their ability to exercise those rights, and the role of professionals and caregivers in either reinforcing or interrupting these patterns. Participants will critically examine how policy, […]

This 4-hour course is designed to provide staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s skills to enhance Pro-Social behavior for staff working with traumatized youth and families. The aim of the course is to assist adults working with System-involved youth and families acquire clarity regarding Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), which has been known as Domestic Violence (DV) through definitions, statistics, symptoms seen in youth and helpful tools for families.

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.

LGBTQ youth in care often face unique challenges that can increase their risk of negative outcomes, including rejection, isolation, and lack of affirming support. This training is designed specifically for caregivers and focuses on how supportive, youth-centered case planning can reduce these risks and promote safety, stability, and well-being. Caregivers will learn practical strategies to affirm the identities and experiences of LGBTQ youth, build trusting relationships, and collaborate effectively with case teams. Through real-life scenarios and guided reflection, participants will leave with tools to create a more supportive and affirming home environment that meets the diverse needs of the youth in their care.

Acceptance and commitment strategies of support is an evidenced based modality that combines mindfulness and acceptance strategies along with commitment and behavioral strategies. Join us to learn more about acceptance and commitment strategies to support system-involved youth and young adults. We will provide an overview of the model and strategies to apply it with youth and young adults on your care plans. Register Here

This introductory training is to support caregivers within learning environments to enhance their advocacy skills. The course focuses on building participants’ knowledge of learning environment services for youth with special needs, including both modified coursework/plans and general support services (counseling, behavioral support and health services). Learn strategies to effectively partner with caregivers and instructors to create a collaborative support system for system-impacted youth. Gain practical tools to help caregivers navigate learning environments, prepare for engagement and advocate for their youth’s needs. Develop strategies for collaborating with instructors to support youth in care in achieving their goals. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, short video clips, group discussion, breakout […]

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

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

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

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 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

Restorative justice principles have become increasingly popular amongst juvenile justice and social service providers. The focus is on repairing and restoring the relationship rather than simply punishment. This training will provide an overview of restorative justice principles as well as strategies to implement them with system-involved youth. Register Here

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.

Given the prevalence of pregnant and parenting system-involved youth, it’s important for social service providers to learn about their unique needs as well as strategies to best support them as they grow in their parenting skills. The training will also discuss best practices for working with pregnant and parenting system-involved youth. 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 can have a challenging time transitioning from breaks back into the academic year. Join us as we discuss common challenges parents, resource parents and natural supports can encounter when an academic year resumes or begins . We’ll also discuss strategies to help system-involved youth successfully transition back into learning environments. Register Here

Understanding child development is important for social service providers to effectively engage with youth, understand neurodivergence and understand the impact of trauma on development. This training will provide an overview of neurotypical development from infancy to adolescence. The better we understand neurotypical development, the better we can identify a youth who has developmental delays as well as better understand the impact of trauma on their development. Register Here

Harm reduction principles have been used in various disciplines, most notably within the substance use field. These principles can be particularly helpful when an individual isn’t ready to quit engaging in a risky behavior. This training will provide an overview of harm reduction principles and how apply them with system-involved youth and young adults engaged in risky behaviors such as running away, substance use, etc. Register Here

As online care becomes part of many providers service provision, it is important that they are aware of the legal and ethical issues related to telemental health. In this class participants will learn: 1) California Telehealth legal codes and Telehealth professional codes of ethics including: informed consent, privacy, working with people out of state, preparing for crisis, and handling technology failure; 2) research on Telehealth and 3) best practicing when providing online health and wellness services.

This course provides foster care professionals and caregivers with essential knowledge, research, and strategies to effectively support individuals impacted by HIV/AIDS, particularly youth involved in systems of care. Participants will gain foundational knowledge of the disease, including transmission, risk factors, and evidence-based prevention strategies.

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 introductory training is designed to equip caregivers working with youth, particularly those involved in the child welfare and probation systems, with critical knowledge and practical tools to prevent human trafficking. Participants will explore the definition and scope of human trafficking, including California-specific trends, and understand its profound impact on youth, families and communities. The training delves into how historical trauma, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and environmental factors increase vulnerability, particularly among system-involved youth and families. Using trauma-informed and culturally responsive approaches, caregivers will learn to identify red flags, strengthen protective factors and implement prevention strategies at individual, family and community levels. The material will be delivered by PowerPoint presentation, […]

The goal of this presentation is to describe Seeking Safety specifically as it is implemented for adolescents. Seeking Safety teaches present-focused coping skills to help clients attain safety in their lives.

Given the chronic toxic pressure exposure in systems, it’s imperative social service providers, foster parents and natural supports understand how strain is stored in our bodies, not just in our minds. Often, the approach is to “talk it out” or refer the youth to talk remedy. While this is helpful, it’s essential to address how trauma impacts the body. The training will provide an overview of somatic strategies and ways providers can utilize them with system-involved youth and transitional age youth when they struggle with depression, anxiety and PTSD. Register Here

Unfortunately, many families of system-involved youth experience toxic strain and as we’ve grown in our knowledge about trauma, we know that toxic pressures can have negative implications on one’s physical and emotional health. Join us as we talk about toxic hassle and how it impacts families of system-involved youth. We’ll also discuss strategies to lessen the effects of toxic burdens. Register Here

Distress tolerance skills and interpersonal effectiveness skills are essential skills for system-involved youth and young adults to master. Distress tolerance skills can help individuals tolerate demanding situations. These skills are crucial as they help individuals manage their emotions and impulses in crises. Interpersonal effectiveness skills can help individuals who struggle to understand, build and maintain relationships. This workshop will provide an overview of distress tolerance skills and how to teach system-involved youth skills to help them tolerate their challenging situations. The training will also equip you with the skills and knowledge to increase system-involved youth’s interpersonal relationships. Register Here

Not only is sexual abuse quite common, but youth with disabilities are at heightened risk of sexual abuse. This training will provide an overview of sexual abuse amongst youth with disabilities as well as risk factors. The training will also discuss strategies to prevent and mediate with youth with disabilities are sexually abused. Register Here

This training is designed for those that support system-involved youth (SIY), focusing on strategies to recognize, address, and support young individuals experiencing teen dating violence (TDV). Participants will gain insights into the dynamics of TDV, its impact on youth, and effective strategies for supporting youth experiencing TDV. The training will incorporate interactive discussions, case studies, and role-playing exercises to enhance understanding and practical skills.

Suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth aged 15-24. So, it’s crucial for social service providers to learn how to assess suicide, know what to do if a system-involved youth or young adult endorses suicidal ideation and how to foster protective factors. The training will provide practical strategies to assess suicide and create a safety plan for system-involved youth and young adults who express suicidal ideation. Register Here

This training will focus on the importance of social service providers’ ability to identify and understand unconscious emotional reactions common in working with trauma survivors, the signs and causes of compassion fatigue, burnout and factors that contribute to vicarious trauma and resilience. Through didactic, collaborative and interactive learning, participants will explore self-care and why it is essential to develop a self-care plan for health professionals. Identify the six domains of professional self-care. Learn how creative arts-based tools can be integrated into a self-care plan that teaches self-compassion, develops greater insight and connection with ourselves, and improves physical and emotional well-being. Register Here

With a growing awareness of neurodiverse youth, it’s important for social service providers to learn effective strategies to support them. Some neurodiverse youth are prone to wandering, which can come with many safety concerns. Join us as we talk about wandering with some neurodiverse youth to learn strategies to prevent it and how to support families of system-involved youth when their child wanders. Register Here

This full-day workshop equips community-based providers, social workers, and allied professionals with the tools to identify, understand, and address school refusal through a culturally responsive and trauma-informed lens. Participants will explore the root causes of school avoidance—such as anxiety, trauma, community violence, systemic inequities, and family stressors—and learn to differentiate it from truancy and other behavioral concerns.

As social services case planning, mental health treatment, and general support has become more commonly provided via telehealth, it is important that those who support system-involved youth are aware of the legal and ethical issues related to services and support provided via telehealth. In this class participants will learn: 1)  California Telehealth legal codes and Telehealth professional codes of ethics including: informed consent, privacy, working with people out of state, preparing for crisis, and handling technology failure; 2) Research on Telemental Health and 3) best practices when providing online support for system-involved youth.

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 our 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 […]

This session will support participants in exploring the impact that fatphobia and beauty standards have had on their lives and the lives of the young people they support. Through the work of Sonalee Rashatwar and Sonya Renee Taylor, participants will grapple with content related to how bodily hierarchy exists in our society in the ways we deem some bodies superior and others disposable. Participants will utilize journal reflection, media examples, discussion prompts, and videos to deeply reflect on how these standards show up in their work with youth and in their communities.

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

This training invokes effective narrative practices to improve and deepen engagement. More specifically, it speaks to the identification and utilization of “Intentional Strengths” as a foundational piece of the engagement and relationship building process.

This training teaches how to understand family dynamics from a relational perspective that supports the development of plans for system-involved youth using a strength-based lens with the Pain in the Heart (PITH) healing questions. These questions were developed to utilize evidence-based elements from structural & attachment-based family theories in an applied way for youth who have experienced multiple serious trauma & attachment ruptures. We will explore the link between past trauma, current feelings about the past trauma, & fear of what might happen in the future. Since system-involved youth can act out traumas in their behavioral symptoms, it is important to be able to understand these from their perspective so […]

*This six-hour training is required every two years for those supervising ACSWs, AMFTs, APCCs, and Psych interns.* Clinical Supervision is an important tool used to enrich the relationship between providers and clients in child welfare. This six-hour training shows providers supporting youth in foster care how clinical supervision is performed, and how that performance directly effects clients in care. It discusses how clinical supervision courses are required every two years for those supervising MFTis, LPCCis and Psych interns. Topics covered will include effects of paperwork in supervision, exploration of supervisory styles and choices, as well as challenges and obstacles encountered in supervision. Time will be allowed for questions, cases and […]

With a growing awareness of relational wounds system-involved youth and young adults experience, it’s important to consider one’s attachment. Understanding attachment helps service and support providers better conceptualize youth and develop plans of support accordingly. This training will provide an overview of attachment styles and how they can impact system-involved youth and young adults throughout their lifetime. The training will also highlight ways to foster a healthy attachment style with system-involved youth and young adults.

Emotion coaching is an evidence-based strategy for helping youth to understand the different emotions they experience, why they occur, and how to handle them. It is a method that can help system-involved youth (SIY) navigate everyday interactions and has been linked to better health, positive social relationships, higher academic achievement, improved behavior, and greater resilience. This training is based on the book “Emotion Coaching with Children & Young People in Schools” and will equip participants with the information needed to apply the practice of “Emotion Coaching” in education and community settings with SIY. Participants will be informed through presenter instruction, a slide presentation, learning application, breakout room sharing, and guided […]

Shame often accompanies trauma and can delay one’s ability to disclose their abuse which can delay one’s healing journey as well as create barriers to utilizing one’s support system. It is crucial for social service providers to understand the connection between shame and trauma. We will talk about how shame presents in services and what to do to combat shame. One of the strategies that will be highlighted is self-compassion. Register Here

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.

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.

When helping people who have experienced trauma in their lives we tend to focus only on the effects of the trauma. Although this can be important work, it can also trap people in a story of how they have been victimized.

Trauma can impact one’s understanding and experience of intimacy and given the high rates of sexual abuse amongst foster youth, it’s important that social service providers are equipped with the skills and knowledge to talk about relationships, dating and sex after sexual abuse. Despite how common this can be amongst sexual abuse survivors; it is often not addressed in services. Trainer will discuss how trauma impacts one’s relationship with sex and how to support transitional age youth in developing a healthier understanding and experience of sex. Register Here

This 4 hour course is designed to provide staff serving in Group Homes and STRTP’s skills to enhance Pro-Social strategies for staff working with traumatized youth and families. Participants will explore three specific areas where mental health professionals can become triggered when working with emotional disturbance.

Given the prevalence of domestic violence with transitional age youth as well as teens, it’s crucial social service provider, foster parents and other natural supports know how to create safety plans with those impacted by domestic violence. This training will provide an overview of safety planning within the framework of harm reduction. Participants will learn how to safety plan for clients still in violent relationships as well as individuals you are ready to leave them or those who have recently left them. Register Here