Foster Care Training

Many youth in the child welfare and juvenile justice systems experience anger and aggression related to prior abuse or neglect and exposure to violence. This course provides participants with an overview of how to work effectively with youth on anger and aggression issues. Background information on these youth is presented to understand how anger develops including the impact of trauma and loss, learned behavior, poor coping skills, mental health and substance use issues. Anger as a symptom of depression will also be discussed. The behavior change process and how to initiate behavior change with youth is reviewed. How to help youth evaluate anger and aggression and counseling messages about anger will be provided. The course provides specific cognitive and behavioral approaches for working with youth on anger and aggression. Techniques reviewed including monitoring anger, identifying triggers, changing negative behavior patterns, revising negative beliefs, anger reducers, self-talk to reduce anger, thinking errors, assertive communication, relaxation techniques, and thinking ahead to consequences. Self-regulation anger management skills will be discussed including physical, emotional, and cognitive techniques. Guidelines for teaching youth social skills that support them in managing their anger will also be reviewed. A behavior change plan to help youth manage anger and aggression will be provided.

Objectives

1. To understand the backgrounds of child welfare and juvenile justice youth and how anger and aggression develops.
2. To review the behavior change process with youth including how to evaluate and initiate change in managing anger and aggression.
3. To increase skills for providing cognitive and behavioral approaches for working with youth to reduce anger and aggression.
4. To provide self-regulation activities for youth to manage anger including physical, emotional, and cognitive techniques.
5. To provide guidelines for teaching youth social skills to support them in managing anger.