Foster Care Training Schedule

PS Class 9: Understanding Primary Families

PS Class 9: Understanding Primary Families

Pre-service class 9 presents a rationale for involvement of foster and kinship caregivers and adoptive parents in promoting connections to primary family members, particularly primary parents and siblings. The training encourages a non-judgmental approach to the caregiver’s or parent’s work with primary families to promote reunification.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 10: The Effects of Caregiving on the Caregiver Family

PS Class 10: The Effects of Caregiving on the Caregiver Family

Pre-service class 10 examines the impact of foster care, kinship care, and adoption on individual members of the caregiving family as well as the impact on their relationships with one another. Participants are introduced to effective coping strategies to prevent against burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Each attendee must register individually.

PS Class 11: Long-Term Separation

PS Class 11: Long-Term Separation

Pre-service class 11 describes the emotions children experience when reunification efforts with the birth parents fail. Feelings of adopted children and children in long-term substitute care placements are explored. Participants will learn about typical triggers of long-term grief.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 12: Post Adoption Issues for Families

PS Class 12: Post Adoption Issues for Families

Pre-service class 12 describes adoption dynamics impacting families. Openness in adoption is addressed as well as stages of adjustment for new adoptive families. Post adoption services including subsidy are also discussed in this module.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 1: Orientation to Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption

Pre-Service Class 1 provides an overview of the child welfare system and examines the differences between foster care, adoption, and kinship care. Participants receive information about the needs of waiting children as well as the process of becoming a foster or kinship caregiver or adoptive parent.

**This training is currently scheduled as a virtual Live Synchronous Webinar and is subject to change. Video is required.

PS Class 2: The Child Protection Team

Pre-service class 2 discusses the history and goals of foster care, kinship care, and adoption and examines the role of foster and kinship caregivers and adoptive parents within the system. Emphasis is placed on the primary care team: the child, the foster or kinship caregiver or adoptive parent, the primary parent, and the agency caseworker. Participants become aware of strategies to use teams effectively to serve children and families.

**This training is currently scheduled as a virtual Live Synchronous Webinar. Times, dates, and location are subject to change.  Video is required.

PS Class 3&4: Child Development and Trauma & Its Effects

** Please note that classes 3 and 4 have been combined into one 3 hour class.

Pre-service class 3 & 4 introduces the core concepts of early childhood development. Participants receive an overview of brain development and gain an awareness of the importance of attachment, self-regulation, and initiative to child development. Factors that enhance development are also addressed. This class helps participants understand how childhood trauma can effect development, including brain development, as well as emotions and behavior.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change..

PS Class 5: Child Sexual Abuse

Pre-service class 5 provides an overview of child sexual abuse and is designed to help prospective caregivers and adoptive parents understand basic facts about child sexual abuse, recognize potential indicators of sexual abuse, and take beginning steps to making their homes safe environments for children who have been sexually abused.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 6: Minimizing the Trauma of Placement

Pre-service class 6 addresses strategies caregivers and adoptive parents can use to help the child feel safe and accepted in their home and community. The importance of gathering background information and maintaining connections is stressed.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 7: Transcending Differences in Placement

Pre-service class 7 helps participants gain awareness of their own diversity in order to better understand the diversity of each child that comes into their home. Participants also consider ways they can prepare their home and community to welcome and provide a safe and nurturing environment for a child.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 8: Helping the Child Manage Emotions and Behaviors

Pre-service class 8 introduces foster and kinship caregivers and adoptive parents to strategies they can use to assist children in learning to manage their emotions and control their behaviors.

**Training is currently happening in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

PS Class 9: Understanding Primary Families

Pre-service class 9 presents a rationale for involvement of foster and kinship caregivers and adoptive parents in promoting connections to primary family members, particularly primary parents and siblings. The training encourages a non-judgmental approach to the caregiver’s or parent’s work with primary families to promote reunification.

**This training will occur as a virtual Live Synchronous Webinar. Video is required.

PS Class 10: The Effects of Caregiving on the Caregiver Family

Pre-service class 10 examines the impact of foster care, kinship care, and adoption on individual members of the caregiving family as well as the impact on their relationships with one another. Participants are introduced to effective coping strategies to prevent against burnout and secondary traumatic stress.

**This training will occur as a virtual Live Synchronous Webinar. Video is required.

PS Class 11: Long-Term Separation

Pre-service class 11 describes the emotions children experience when reunification efforts with the birth parents fail. Feelings of adopted children and children in long-term substitute care placements are explored. Participants will learn about typical triggers of long-term grief.

****This training will occur as a virtual Live Synchronous Webinar. Video is required.

PS Class 12: Post Adoption Issues for Families

Pre-service class 12 describes adoption dynamics impacting families. Openness in adoption is addressed as well as stages of adjustment for new adoptive families. Post adoption services including subsidy are also discussed in this module.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Rules & Policies

This training promotes safety for all foster children and helps foster caregivers to remain in compliance
with state, local, and agency requirements. Updates to state rules and agency policies will be
presented. Normalcy practices in accordance with the reasonable and prudent parent standard will be
reviewed.

This training is required once per license period for every BAPC foster family.

****This training will occur as a virtual Live Synchronous Webinar. Video is required.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

June: Foster Parent Support Meeting

This training is an elective credit and the topic of discussion will change monthly.  It is a chance for Beech Acres families to gather together, discuss relevant topics, and encourage each other.  (open only to Beech Acres affiliated attendees)

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

Super Saturday Training Event!

Super Saturday: A Virtual Foster Parent Training Event!

All attendees welcome – training certificates provided as needed after the event.

Attend for a chance to win door prizes awarded throughout the day!

Please reserve one ticket per attendee regardless of how many sessions you will attend.  Registered attendees will be able to select individual sessions during the event.  Video required, same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

Questions? Contact Sarah or Ryshel: fctraining@beechacres.org, for more information.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

9:00 AM – Welcome & Opening Remarks

9:15 AM – DEI Workshop Part 1

10:00 AM – Break

10:15 AM – Morning Workshops

12:15 PM – Lunch

12:45 PM – Guest Speaker

1:00 PM – DEI Workshop Part II

1:45 PM – Break

2:00 PM – Afternoon Workshops

4:00 PM – Panel Discussion

4:45 PM – Closing Remarks

July: Foster Parent Support Meeting – Healing from Food Insecurity

Whether a child is 15 days or 15 years old, feeding and nurturing through shared meals is a powerful way to deepen attachment. But the family table is not always an easy place for children in adoption and foster care. Unfortunately, conflict and concerns around food, weight, and eating habits are common. Join your peers for a discussion on how to help children in your home heal from food insecurity. 

This training is an elective credit and the topic of discussion will change monthly.  It is a chance for Beech Acres families to gather together, discuss relevant topics, and encourage each other.  (open only to Beech Acres affiliated attendees)

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

Back To School Tips

Periods of transition can be difficult for children who have experienced trauma. Back-to-school time can be trying for children in foster care, especially if they are starting a new school! Join us to learn tips for a successful transition back to the classroom environment and ways to advocate for the children in your home.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

Communicable Diseases

Communicable Diseases

Because children are exposed to a variety of environments, it is imperative that caregivers have the ability to identify common concerns quickly in order to stop the spread of disease processes and help keep their families healthy. In addition to signs and symptoms, you will review best practices in preventing the further spread of illness.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

REFRESHER: A Trauma Informed Approach to Understanding and Supporting Behaviors in Crisis

Planning for the Future: Moving Forward After a Crisis is Over

*Reminder* This is an abridged refresher course that is only open to current BAPC foster parents who have previously completed NCI Initial or equivalent course.  This can replace NCI Refresher as a required training.  If you are uncertain if this is the class you need, please contact fctraining@beechacres.org, prior to registering.

After a behavioral crisis occurs with a child there is an opportunity to learn from the crisis and plan for future behaviors as well as our response to the crisis.  The goal of planning for the future is to reduce the intensity of behaviors and improve both child and parent responses to the crisis.   This training will help you to develop a plan for moving forward in a way that supports learning and growth for the parent and child.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

August: Foster Parent Support Meeting – Responding To Tantrums

Temper tantrums are among some of the most challenging behaviors for foster parents to manage. Join your fellow foster parents for a discussion on how to effectively address tantrums and help identify underlying needs or concerns. 

This training is an elective credit and the topic of discussion will change monthly.  It is a chance for Beech Acres families to gather together, discuss relevant topics, and encourage each other.  (open only to Beech Acres affiliated attendees)

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

A Trauma Informed Approach to Understanding and Supporting Behaviors in Crisis

*Reminder* This initial course is required for all foster parents prior to taking the crisis refresher course. If you are unsure if you need to take this class, please reach out to fctraining@beechacres.org.

When working with a foster child in crisis, you need to have a specific plan for supporting your child. Because behavior is communication, you can help to effectively de-escalate crisis situations by responding in intentional, strength-based, and mindful ways.  This training will help you to better understand your child’s behavior, identify different stages of a behavioral crisis, and provide tools for intentional, strength-based, mindful interventions.

This class will include a 30 minute lunch break at approximately 12pm.

PLEASE NOTE: This class satisfies the required Crisis Intervention/De-escalation training topic and can be substituted for NCI or NCI Refresher.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.

Medication Management

Join us for a discussion on medication management for children in foster care. This training will address a basic overview of administering and monitoring children’s medications, developing an understanding of safe storage & disposal of medications, identifying & responding to side effects or adverse reactions, and psychotropic medications.

**Training is currently occurring in a virtual environment. All dates and locations are subject to change as Covid-19 restrictions are lifted.

Please reserve one ticket per attendee. Video required for training credit. Same-household attendees may attend on one or multiple devices.