The training provides for participants to:

• be able to make informed decisions about fostering/adopting for their family;
• understand their important roles and commitments as a member of the Department of Children and Family Services professional foster care team;
• be prepared to navigate the foster care system;
• be prepared to provide quality parenting;
• offer normal childhood or youth experiences and trauma-sensitive care to the foster children and youth in their home; and
• participate in the mutual selection and assessment process.

 

This training consists of 8 units. Each Unit consists of 2 different types of content:

1. Learning Together:
3 hour live zoom module, including interactive teaching, videos, and activities. Engagement is a key component of this part of the course, and is monitored by your participation in the chat and polls. This module is followed by a post-test/quiz, which will be available at the end of the zoom module. Participants must complete each zoom module and pass each quiz with at least 80% accuracy to continue in the course. If a live session is missed, participants will be able to make up the session the following day by watching the recorded video (Please note, a maximum of 2 sessions can be “made up” by watching the recording). Watching the video and taking the quiz must be completed prior to the start of the next unit. Participants must attend at least 6 out 8 training sessions “live,” though 8 out of 8 is preferred.

2. Independent Learning
0.5-1 hours per unit, to be done individually after each zoom module, and prior to the start of the following unit.

Completion of this course is a prerequisite for foster parent certification, and all course sessions, quizzes, and independent learning must be completed in order to receive credit for this training.

 

Course Schedule:

Unit	Zoom date (and time)	Independent Learning
1. Understanding DCFS	Monday 1/6 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	1/6 - 1/12
2. Understanding the Impact of Stressful Experiences	Monday 1/13 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	1/13 - 1/26
3. Understanding Attachment and Mindfulness	Monday 1/27 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	1/27 - 2/2
4. Caregiving and Engagement Strategies	Monday 2/3 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	2/3 - 2/9
5. Cultural Humility in Caregiving	Monday 2/10 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	2/10 - 2/16
6. Sexual Development, Disruption, & Healing	Monday 2/17 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	2/17 - 2/23
7. Empowering Principles: Physiological & Ecological Strategies	Monday 2/24 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	2/24 - 3/2
8. Correcting Principles: Proactive & Responsive Strategies	Monday 3/3 (6:00pm - 9:00pm)	3/3 - 3/10

Registration Fees

There are no registration fees required for this course