FKCE Class Schedule
2024 FALL
Foster and Kinship Care Education Trainings
Fall Office Hours
MONDAY - THURSDAY 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
FRIDAY 8:00 am - 2:30 pm
Registration for trainings!
Please call 909-384-4457 or email fkce@valleycollege.edu
San Bernardino Valley College, as well as the entire community college community, continues to work tirelessly to help students, their families, resource parents, and kinship families get through this crisis as they play a critical role in our state's recovery. Working together and following safety guidelines and procedures, we can help keep our community healthy.
- The FKCE program will only be providing trainings online, with a few in-person classes, to resource parents and kinship caregivers through ZOOM and will require each participant to use a computer and/or phone and to have an email address to participate. (If you don't hae an email, please create one using yahoo.com or gmail.com) Each participant will need to download the ZOOM app on their computer and/or phone.
- Participants can register by calling 909-384-4457 or email fkce@valleycollege.edu confirmation will be sent to emails when done in a timely manner, weekdays 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Please only register for two (2) trainings at a time.
- Participants will be required to complete a registration form online, unless you have taken trainings in the last 90 days; EVERYONE needs to have an email address.
- Participants will receive certificates for attendance only when evaluations are completed, and attendance verified by the trainer; certificates will be emailed to participants by the Senior Student Services Technician.
- Participants not physically involved in the training or leaving early or joining the
meeting more than 10 minutes late (without specific approval by the trainer) will
NOT receive a certificate.
NO CHILDREN or PETS or other distractions are allowed in the training which should take place in a private area to maintain confidentiality. - Thanks for your patience during this challenging time.
Lucy Razo, FKCE Instructional Specialist
For general information regarding trainings, please call (909) 384-4457. All of the trainings listed in this schedule meet the criteria for San Bernardino County’s training for RFA (Resource Family Approval) pre and post trainings and for Los Angeles County’s Special Care Increment rate pre and post training. All training must be selected based on the individual needs of the foster/kinship child. Please discuss any additional training issues with your Children and Family Services (CFS) worker or the Specialized Care Facilitator as needed.
For Specialized Care Rate information for San Bernardino County, contact
Sumreen Chattha at sumreen.chattha@hss.sbcounty.gov
PLEASE CALL 909-384-4457 TO REGISTER FOR TRAININGS OR EMAIL fkce@valleycollege.edu
DISABILITY SERVICES: For disability-related reasonable accommodations, please contact the FKCE Program
office at (909) 384-4457 no later than two weeks prior to the date services are needed.
QUESTIONS: For further information, contact the
SBVC Foster & Kinship Care Education Program office:
San Bernardino Valley College - ADSS 202
701 South Mount Vernon Avenue, San Bernardino, CA 92410
909-384-4457
CLASES VIRTUALES EN ESPAÑOL
LUNES, 21 DE OCTUBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
EMANCIPACIÓN Y VIDA INDEPENDIENTE
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase explora las necesidades de emancipar a los jóvenes de crianza y las formas en que los padres de crianza pueden ayudar a preparar a sus hijos para la vida después del cuidado de crianza.
SABADO, 26 DE OCTUBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
EMANCIPACIÓN Y VIDA INDEPENDIENTE
ENTRENADORA: LUCY RAZO
El Autismo (ASD) impacta al desarrolo normal del cerebro en areas relacionadas con la interaccion de como el nino socializa con la jente y como se comonica a diario. Entre los ninos y adults el autism tipicamente tienen diferente deficienceas en como se comunican verbalmente. Como los cambios de ninos pueden producirle,cireta ansiedad.
LUNES, 28 DE OCTUBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CRIANZA RAZONABLE Y PRUDENTE
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase proporcionará información sobre la aplicación del estándar de padres razonables y prudentes. La clase revisará las políticas y procedimientos que los padres de crianza deben seguir al tomar decisiones para brindarles a niños y jóvenes experiencias normativas, manteniendo al mismo tiempo su salud, seguridad y sus mejores intereses.
LUNES, 4 DE NOVIEMBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CÓMO AYUDAR A LOS NIÑOS Y ADOLESCENTES A LIDIAR CON LA ANSIEDAD SOCIAL
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase analiza la ansiedad social (fobia social), incluidos los signos y síntomas, las causas, las intervenciones terapéuticas y médicas, y lo que los padres de crianza pueden hacer para apoyar a los niños que sufren de ansiedad social.
JUEVES, 14 DE NOVIEMBRE, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
ADICCION A LA MARIHUANA
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase explora el uso de la marihuana entre niños y jóvenes, su efecto en el desarrollo y cómo los padres de crianza pueden comunicarles a sus hijos sobre el consumo de marihuana.
SABADO, 16 DE NOVIEMBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CURSO DE EDUCACIÓN 2: APOYAR TRANSICIONES EXITOSAS DE LA ESCUELA SECUNDARIA A LA UNIVERSIDAD
ENTRENADOR: JORGE RAZO
Este curso está diseñado para cuidadores con jóvenes de 11 ° a 12 ° grado o recién graduados de secundaria. Este curso ayudará a los cuidadores a comprender cómo apoyar a sus jóvenes para que hagan una transición sin problemas de la escuela secundaria a la universidad.
LUNES, 18 DE NOVIEMBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
ATENCIÓN INFORMADA SOBRE EL TRAUMA
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase explora cómo los padres de crianza pueden cuidar a un niño y al mismo tiempo ser sensibles a sus experiencias traumáticas pasadas.
LUNES, 25 DE NOVIEMBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
NIÑOS MÉDICAMENTE FRÁGILES
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase está diseñada para brindar información sobre cómo ayudar a los padres de crianza a manejar, reconocer y comprender las condiciones crónicas y las necesidades especiales de los niños médicamente frágiles.
LUNES, 2 DE DICIEMBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CUANDO EL NINO ACTUA DE MANERA AGRESIVA
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
En esta clase discutiremos sobre niños social y físicamente agresivos, las causas del comportamiento agresivo y cómo ayudar de manera apropiada y efectiva a los niños a controlar su agresión.
LUNES, 9 DE DICIEMBRE, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SÍNDROME DE ALCOHOLISMO FETAL
ENTRENADORA: LEILA MONTIEL
Esta clase explora los efectos de la exposición fetal al alcohol en los niños, los signos y síntomas de la exposición y cómo los padres de crianza pueden ayudar a los niños que estuvieron expuestos al alcohol prenatalmente.
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CLASSES IN ENGLISH ON ZOOM UNLESS MARKED OTHERWISE
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 18, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
HOW TO WORK WITH DIFFICULT PEOPLE WITHIN THE SYSTEM
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
It is important that we see ourselves as intelligent and capable because we are. And when another person within the system begins to give us directions that appear off-base, it is important for us to begin consulting with someone instead of just going along without questioning. The challenge is how to do this without coming across as difficult ourselves. This training will discuss how to do just that from both the training material as well as from other foster parents’ experience. Participants will learn to trust their observations and confront when necessary behavior that is off base. Participants will also learn powerful scripts to employ when confronting other adults in the system.
MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CHILDREN WHO RUN AWAY FACE GREAT DANGER
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
California is experiencing a serious problem with children who run away from home or placement. When these children leave their homes or placement, often it is because of the challenges they face as a gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender or questioning (LGBTQ) youth. In addition, they may have been sexually abused. As runaways, they may 'hook up' with other runaway teens or with total strangers who exploit them sexually, called 'survival sex.' They may also engage in other risky behaviors such as substance abuse, alcohol abuse or prostitution. This training explores all the dangers these youth face and how parents need to be informed in working with children who run away from their homes.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
LEARNING TO HAVE CONVERSATIONS ABOUT DYING
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
At some point in our existence, we ALL leave this earth. This topic is a good area of our own life to look at, explore, and attempt to neutralize our fear of death. We can then pass this on to the kids we love. We need to stop protecting ourselves and them from this reality. Participants will have an opportunity to explore their thoughts and emotions about death, and why they feel or don’t feel comfortable discussing this topic with kids. Participants will also learn simple scripts for this topic with kids.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
UNDERSTANDING SUICIDAL BEHAVIORS
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
This training will help participants identify suicidal youth warning signs and explain the scope and magnitude of the problem. Participants will learn to identify youth who are at high risk. This training will also identify the elements for assessing suicide.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
I’LL ALWAYS LOVE MY MAMA…THE MOTHER’S ROLE IN THE FOSTER CHILD’S LIFE
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
This training focuses on the role of a mother in a foster child’s life. We will define what a mother is and her importance in a child’s life.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE OF ATTACHMENT OBJECTS
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
An “attachment object” is just a fancy term for binkies and stuffed animals and similar objects. We will also question holding on to ours but insisting that the kids we love let go of theirs. Participants will explore the attachment process and look at this process in their own lives as well as in the lives of the children in their care. Participants will also learn the purpose and importance of attachment objects both in the lives of children as well as in the lives of adults.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
LEARNING EVERYTHING, WE CAN ABOUT THEIR BRAIN AND OURS
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Most of us do not have a clear understanding of the difference between our thinking and our feelings. This is the first step. We can then learn about all five parts of our brain and how they can work together to give us sound thinking and healthy processing of our emotions. Mixed in with all of that, we can learn about our survival brain, how it works and how it doesn’t. Participants will learn how the brain works and how to manage the conversation between the thinking brain and the emotional brain, and the role of the survival brain. Participants will also learn to identify their own inability to use their thinking brain to make good decisions.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
BUT I THOUGHT THERAPY WAS FOR CRAZY FOLKS!
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
There are many stigmas associated with mental health therapy. What is mental health therapy? Does It actually work? How do you develop and maintain a good healthy relationship with your child’s therapist? It is important to help children to feel comfortable about therapy. In this training, we will discuss how therapy can be used to help discuss the underlying issues that impact the behaviors of children.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
REMEDIES FOR SLEEPLESS NIGHTS THAT ADDRESS THE CAUSE
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
How much sleep do we need? What is the impact on our body and on our brain? For some, sleep is a breeze and for others, it is a torture and a nightmare! This training will discuss sleep and learn just what it is that sleep does for us and ways to assist ourselves and our kids in falling asleep. Participants will learn scientific sound information regarding sleep and sleep needs. Participants will also learn to identify barriers to sleep and tools to assist one to fall asleep.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
COOPERATION & COMMUNICATION
TRAINER: WANDALYN LANE
Discover the beauty of problems and know how to use the Road to Cooperation and avoid getting into power struggles with child(ren). Participants will practice and explore how to evade communication blocks and putting active communication to work.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CHILDREN WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Depression, paranoia, PTSD, bi-polar, schizophrenia, anti-social, obsessive-compulsive - many foster children may grapple with these mental health issues. Brought on by years of severe physical/sexual/substance abuse, neglect, homelessness and domestic violence, these kids are into full blown personality issues which are very challenging for parents to handle. Most are on medication and those who are not may need to be. Specific treatment is imperative as is a nurturing and understanding foster home. This training reviews these conditions, the meds used to effectively treat them and various forms of treatment in which care givers play a crucial role.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 5, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
LEARNING TO MEET THEIR NEEDS AND OURS IS CRITICAL
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Having our needs met is not only a wonderful experience, but it is also critical to our physical and mental health. But what happens when we are not able to meet our needs, and what do we do with the frustration? Believe it or not, the process is most likely very different for adults than it is for our kids. This training will discuss ALL about needs, ours and theirs. Participants will learn the basic needs for both adults and children. Participants will also learn to read behavior to assess what needs the child is attempting to meet.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
PARENTING STYLES DIFFER FOR CAREGIVERS
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Parents wish to be loved or cared for by their children just like they want to raise children they can care for and love. Caregivers need to achieve balance in parenting recognizing a child's abilities. They also need to set clear expectations about how children are to behave in their homes. This training reviews three specific styles of parenting: Authoritarian, Permissive and Authoritative. Parents will learn how these styles operate and how they can modify their own individual style to better impact their parent and child relationships.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
DO YOU HAVE A SECRET?
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Children face many difficulties today. Parents must take a more active role in protecting our children. We must provide a safe environment for children to communicate regarding their safety. When this is provided, they will develop the necessary skills to be active participants in maintaining their own safety. In this training, we will discuss ways to stimulate dialogue and instill with the children under your care regarding good secrets and those necessary to disclose. We will also discuss the children’s book, “Do You Have A Secret?” by Jennifer Moore-Mallinos.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
WHEN DO WE PIREPARE KIDS FOR EMANIPATION?
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Age three is the time to begin preparing to leave home. Three is that stage of development when we move from being COUNTER dependent, rebellious, to INDEPENDENT. The skills we learn during this time period will plant the healthy and lifegiving desire to venture out fifteen years down the road to live successfully on our own. There may be many cultural variations and we will look at these. Participants will learn simple scripts and dialogues to use with kids three years old and up. Participants will also increase their consciousness of all the things we say that are predictors of failure rather than success.
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCIPLINE
TRAINER: WANDALYN LANE
I desire for my foster child to take responsibility for his/her actions and be accountable for his/her own behavior; stop blaming others. Participants will learn positive communication skills, polite requests, ‘I messages’ and firm reminders. They will also learn the responsibility equation and logical and natural consequences.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
YES, THERE IS A YES BRAIN!
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
We will learn that our yes brain is characteristically open, flexible, conscious, creative, and desires connection. It is the key when it comes to relationships and just plain living. There is also a No brain which, on the other hand, tends to be defensive, angry, and focused solely on survival even when survival is not an issue. Yes, we want to learn to switch back and forth and model that skill for our kids. Participants will learn the major parts of our brain and their functions. Participants will also learn specific methods for responding to different parts of their kids’ brains to maximize their effectiveness as parents, as well as ways to respond to the different parts of their own brain to enhance their physical and mental health.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
HELPING CAREGIVERS AND THEIR CHILDREN COPE WITH BIO-PARENTS WHO ARE DEALING WITH SUBSTANCE ABUSE
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Many children that are in foster placement have experienced living with parents that have substance abuse issues. These issues do not go away just because they have been removed from the home. These experiences are often very traumatic for the children as they have witnessed their parent’s substance abuse. How should this be discussed with the children? Should it be discussed? How much information should we disclose about their parent’s substance abuse? How should this be done effectively?
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
BIO PARENTS CAN BEHAVE LIKE REAL MONSTERS
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Locked in a closet with no food and a bucket for a toilet...chained to a bed... shot with a B B gun in the groin...forced to eat defecation...flung against the wall as an infant...When these inflictions occur, what feelings and behaviors do these abuses invoke in children? This training explores the absolutely MONSTROUS behaviors children are forced to endure and what they internalize as a result of how they are treated. Caregivers learn how kids develop all kinds of negative behaviors. And more importantly, what resource parents can do to assist these children in dealing with these feelings and behaviors.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
HELPING CHILDREN WITH MAKING CHOICES
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Everyone makes choices. Even babies make choices. Often, we do not make good choices. Children must be taught how to make good choices. This training will discuss strategies to assist your children with making choices.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
WHAT TO DO WHEN WE FEEL POWERLESS
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
We often feel powerless and then erroneously conclude that we are, when, in fact, our power is just waiting for us to recognize it and pick it up! By thinking “I AM POWERFUL” it can completely cancel out feeling powerless. Participants will learn to connect with our own internal source of power that can impact the children we serve in a very lifegiving way. Participants will also learn specific scripts to elicit cooperation and movement toward behavior change.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SEXUAL EXPLOITATION OF FOSTER CHILDREN
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
A MAJOR issue in our society, girls enter into illegal sexual activity by criminal 'rings,' especially if they have run away from home and are living on the street. With low self-esteem and a need to please others, foster kids who run away are easily victimized by sexual exploitation. They engage in 'survival sex' for food and shelter. This training looks at these SERIOUS phenomena which is now even more pronounced due to ease of access to the internet and social media sites by our kids where sexual exploiters 'troll.' Join training attendees in discussing how dangerous the issues of sexually exploited children can become.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SOCIAL WORKER
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Ultimately, it is critical that we and the social worker work together as a team. However, as long as the social worker insists upon being our boss, there can be no team. We can preclude this happening by letting the social work know who we are right from the very start. One way to do this is by asking very important questions PRIOR to placement, and then holding the social worker accountable for their answers. It is not a game. It is just about us, as foster parents, taking our “work” seriously and knowing we need certain information so we can provide the best of care for our kids. Participants will explore ways to end their identity of being at the mercy of the system. Participants will also develop a list of reasonable and important questions to ensure the success and safety of placement.
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
FROM BAD GRADES TO A GREAT LIFE! UNLOCKING THE MYSTERY OF ACHIEVEMENT FOR YOUR CHILD
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
In this training, we will discuss why character and personal responsibility form the foundation of lasting academic and occupational achievement. We will discuss such topics as, “What’s more important? Getting great grades or becoming a great person? Does your child have gifts? Can you underachieve grow up and have a great life?
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
METHODS FOR CAREGIVERS TO DEAL WITH RAGEFUL CHILDREN
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Children who are harmed physically, emotionally, sexually and through substance abuse become angry children. Kids who have witnessed extensive domestic violence, homelessness and severe neglect can experience PTSD. These circumstances which children face from ignorant and often criminal families of origin can create a very negative mindset towards life. This training focuses on extremely angry, or rageful, children due to how they have been treated. Extreme acting out, severe aggression and hurting themselves are just some examples of how they demonstrate their rage. This training explores what care givers can do to assist them in handling their anger and rage.
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
FOSTER CHILDREN AND SEXUALIZED BEHAVIORS
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
This training will explore how foster children may exhibit sexualized behavior. Through discussion, participants will examine how abused children may display behaviors that can raise questions about their sexualized behavior toward others. Participants will be able to recognize these behaviors and will gain knowledge of how to better this situation.
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
ADOLESCENT BOYFRIENDS AND GIRLFRIENDS
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Why don’t we kindly say, “I want to meet your boyfriend/girlfriend?” And why don’t we ask our LGBTQ foster kids, “I want to meet your boyfriend/girlfriend?” Why don’t we want to have the maximum influence we can have during this critical time in their lives when they are so desperately searching for acceptance and love? In addition, they may be unaware of replaying family patterns of domestic violence in those relationships? Participants will explore their hesitancy to involve themselves in this part of their foster youths’ lives. Participants will also learn to separate out their personal issues from providing support to their foster youth.
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
RAISING A 'TWEEN' IS TENFOLD CHALLENGING
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Using cell phones until midnight…wanting to dress like they’re 18 instead of twelve…texting friends at all hours of the day and night…insisting they be allowed to wear make-up…asking to be dropped off a block from school…. are some of the many behaviors from this age group called ‘tweens’. These ‘children’ are kids aged 8 - 12 but are rapidly approaching adolescence. They want to 'hurry up' their growth and show fierce independence. This training discusses how caregivers can encourage 'tweens' to enjoy their childhood while preparing to make mature and responsible decisions in adolescence.
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
SELF INFLICTED VIOLENCE AND SELF HARM ARE SERIOUS FORMS OF SELF EXPRESSION
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Pulling out hair by the roots, self-burning, self-body piercing, self-carving, cutting, nail biting that results in bleeding and head banging are all examples of how children hurt themselves physically. Known as self-inflicted violence, self-injurious behavior, self-destructive behavior, self-harm and self-mutilation, these behaviors can be very dangerous and certainly do physical and psychic harm to the child. This behavior illustrates how abused and neglected children demonstrate their anger inward with potentially deadly consequences. In this training, resource parents see what causes children to self-injure and learn ways to assist children in coping with self-harming behaviors.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
'SMART' PHONES CAN 'DUMB DOWN' CHILDREN
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Our society and culture have seen a dramatic increase in cell phone use but this growth has occurred especially in our childhood populations. Even ten-year-old children are insisting they have the absolute newest smart phone with facial recognition. Teens see this form of technology as absolutely essential to their daily lives. Unfortunately, this huge uptick use in mobile devices is also demonstrating a surge in teen depression and online bullying. Join this training on smart phones dumbing down our kids where an ongoing conversation occurs about this technology.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
ARE LGBTQ TEENS REALLY DIFFERENT?
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
We can offer teens or younger children with other-than-straight sexual orientation the exact same “offerings” we have for every other foster child: a welcoming, an unconditional love and acceptance, affection, guidance, support, advocacy, and an openness to learning their experience of themselves and life in general. It is very easy to do if we just see them as kids with the same dreams, desires, and needs that we also had when we were kids and teenagers. Participants will learn to “see” their LGBTQ foster youth as “sexual beings” just like ourselves. Participants will also learn a definition of human sexuality that transcends both gender and orientation.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
(RFA)THERE’S A VOLCANO IN MY TUMMY!
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Learning to express anger appropriately can reduce stress levels. Many children have not learned how to do this and parents get frustrated with their behaviors. In this training, caregivers learn creative ways to help children deal with anger issues. Participants discuss and learn creative discipline. This workshop will discuss how to help children to handle their anger in a positive way.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
RESOURCE PARENTS: WAYS TO MINIMIZE STRESS
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Caregivers raise children who have been in many placements, bear emotional scars, can't communicate and show anger, sometimes bordering rageful. Frustration, irritation, lack of respect and not being listened to are all stresses with which caregivers must contend. Their understanding, genuine concern, and compassion are all put to the test and can create toxic stress. And this is on top of everyday stressors, some of which can be positive or even tolerable. In this training, caregivers discuss their own experiences and learn how to manage their own stressors, which can be Positive, Tolerable or Toxic.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
UNDERSTANDING MENTAL ILLNESS
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Participants will learn to recognize the common characteristics of mental illness. Participants will also examine and discuss how mental illness impacts the lives of foster youth. We will also look at the difference between mental health and mental disorders.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
CELEBRATING THEIR LIVES
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Celebrating birthdays, holidays, and other significant moments, like graduation or sporting events, are just one piece of the bigger picture of celebrating life, and in particular, celebrating their life, an experience that many foster kids do not know much about. They tend not to see their life as worth celebrating and we can add to that missing piece by tying presents and gifts to their behavior and what they have earned. In this training, we will learn how to give them an experience of celebrating their life because their life is, indeed, worth celebrating no matter how awful their behavior might be. Participants will explore what celebrations mean in their own personal lives.
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
BUILDING COURAGE & SELF-ESTEEM
TRAINER: WANDALYN LANE
I have a loving and supportive home; my child seems to self- sabotage, make excuses for poor behavior and not accept the positive values that we try to instill in our child(ren). The participants will learn the importance of developing character and self-esteem, and understand consequences as a means of discipline and character-development. Participants will learn what Values Collisions are and how to handle them.
MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
HOW KINSHIP PROVIDERS PROVIDE FOR FOSTER CHILDREN
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
Family members who are related to the foster child, called Kinship providers, are playing an even larger role in raising their relative children. Kinship caregivers can be older siblings, grandparents or aunts/uncles. And since they already KNOW the children involved, these family members often have more knowledge and may offer more insight into how to best assist children in dealing with the traumas their bio parents inflicted upon them. It is now estimated that approximately 40% of all caregivers in the system of care are kinship providers. All resource families are invited to this training but especially kinship providers where benefits of kinship families are discussed.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
HEALING TRAUMA DEMANDS A STORY
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
The simplest but most effective way for a child or an adult to heal trauma is to tell their story in ALL its gory details. Telling the story and perhaps even writing the story on the computer with pictures and music added is one of the simplest ways to move trauma into our memory so that we know the trauma is OVER. This training will discuss how to walk our children or teens through this marvelously healing process. It may open the door for us to heal our own trauma! Participants will learn how our brain processes and protects us from trauma. Participants will also learn how a narrative can shift the brain’s protective shield now that the trauma is over.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
STAND IN MY SHOES…TEACHING CHILDREN ABOUT EMPATHY
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
“Empathy is a skill that plays a significant role throughout our lives. It serves as a basic foundation for nurturing positive caring, compassionate relationships and emotional being”-Bob Sorenson. In this training, we will discuss ways to help children understand the benefits of empathy, while providing realistic examples of words and actions that reflect empathetic behavior. We will also read and discuss Bob Sorenson’s children’s book,” Stand in My Shoes”.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
CHILDHOOD TRAUMA LASTS A LIFETIME
TRAINER: DAN CRAIN
The multitude of traumas bio parents wreak on their children have long term consequences throughout a child's life. Substance abuse, alcoholism, domestic violence, homelessness, sexual abuse and severe neglect all create an environment in which a child learns behaviors that have a direct impact on their future wellbeing and health. The neural pathways created by this type of childhood can lead to very serious negative behaviors which may become criminal in nature. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study looks at the childhood of children as to where the child will head as he/she grows into adolescence and adulthood and looks at ways to help these children.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
WHAT IS COMPASSION FATIGUE?
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
What is compassion fatigue? Do you have it? Family members who make sure their loved ones’ needs are met give the gift of caring every day. Caregivers shop for groceries, prepare meals, pick up prescriptions, assist with bathing and grooming—you name it, they do it. Caregivers make it their mission to do everything they can to make a loved one more comfortable at the end of life. Unfortunately, caregivers often times burn the candle at both ends and develop compassion fatigue.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
THE ART OF SHEER LISTENING TO THEIR STORIES
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
Perhaps the stories are just too gory, or there is a lot of sexual content that we just don’t want to hear. Maybe we cannot believe that their own parents or family members would treat them so abusively, so we end up protecting them by keeping the stories “off the record.” Maybe we haven’t told our own story yet, and listening to theirs triggers too much emotion for us. Whatever the reason, this training will cover how to leap over these hurdles and LISTEN! Participants will fearlessly explore their resistance to listening to their stories.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
ADDICTIONS: THEIRS AND OURS!
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
It is painful for us to look at our own addictions. It is much easier to focus on the kids’ addictions. But we have to dig up the courage and humility to do so. The road to recovery is the same road down which we want to take our kids. Participants will have an opportunity to assess and explore their own addictions and addictive behaviors. Participants will also have an opportunity to explore options for addressing and healing their addictions and letting go of their addictive behaviors.
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 5:30 PM – 8:30 PM
WHAT IS YOUR PARENTING STYLE?
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Parents wish to be loved or cared for by their children just like they want to raise children they care for and love. Sometimes their parenting is overly protective, too strict or lax which can create miscommunication and anger. Caregivers need a balance in recognizing children for their abilities, but also setting clear expectations for the child’s behavior.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 19, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
BURNOUT PROTECTION: A SURVIVAL TOOL FOR FORSTER PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS
TRAINER: WANDA COOPER
Participants will learn what burnout is, what causes burnout, assess their own susceptibility to burnout, and learn about the actions and attitudes that prevent or reverse the burnout process.
Participants will discuss the different communication personalities and styles. Participants will also determine what their style of communication is and how to use it effectively.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 9:00AM – 12:00PM
REASSESSING OUR STRENGTHS AND OUR LIMITATIONS
TRAINER: VERN BRADLEY
This is a follow-up training. The end of this training semester is a good time to look at what we have learned in the last five months and where we have made significant changes as well as acknowledging when we are stuck in our familiar ways when it comes to our parenting style. And it is important to bring some humor to this assessment. Participants will be supported in creating three goals for the up-coming training semester.
