Foster Care Training
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Foster Care Training - Public and Private
AFS provides free, comprehensive foster care training to public and private agencies and individuals on a variety of topics related to foster care, mental health and family support. Contracted by Chabot-Las Positas Community College District, every class is led by certified personnel who conform to best practices.
Examples of training subjects include:
- pre-service training for adoptive and foster parents
- working within the child welfare system
- foster and adoptive parent orientation
- trauma-informed parenting
- de-escalation techniques
- First Aid/CPR
- cultural competency
- compassion fatigue
FAQs on Training for Resource Families and Professionals
Who are these service trainings open to?
Trainings are primarily open to current and applying foster and adoptive parents (Resource Parents), kinship caregivers, mental health and child welfare service providers, staff at accredited foster family agencies and individuals in need of continuing education and requisite training hours (CEUs).
Where are training sessions located?
Training classes are available in the following counties: Alameda, Contra Costa and Solano. Please see below for our training calendar and to register for an upcoming session.
How often does service training occur?
We aim to provide training sessions at least once a month, if not more frequently. For specific dates and information about classes and training sessions coming up, please see below for our detailed training calendar.
Get in Touch
Interested in learning more about service training and upcoming foster care training sessions and classes? Contact us via email at traininginfo@afs4kids.org o
Helpful Links
To learn more about foster care, mental health and the Resource Parent application process, be sure to check out these helpful links:
- Foster Care Training website for Chabot-Las Positas Community College District.
- How to Become a Resource Parent through AFS
- Resource Parent Application
- All About the AFS Adoption Process
- Current Job Openings with AFS
Training Calendar
Sign up for any class via email at: traininginfo@afs4kids.org
Please include the training, date and city in the subject line.
Supporting Youth With Educational Challenges
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
8/23/2023
5:30PM - 8:30PM
Trainers will demonstrate thru power point and downloadable hand-outs: Introduction - It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that students in foster care have a meaningful opportunity to meet the challenging academic achievement standards to which all students in the state are held. Educators, social workers, probation officers, caretakers, advocates, and juvenile courts must work together to serve the educational needs of students in foster care. EC 48850.
Trainers will remind participants of these Guiding Principles - Students in foster care must have access to the same academic resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all students. All educational and school placement decisions are made by the educational rights holder in consultation with other parties, must be based on the child’s best interests and must consider, among other factors, educational stability and the least restrictive educational setting necessary to achieve academic progress. EC 48850(a)(1), 48853(h); WIC 361(a)(6), 726(c)(2).
Resource parents are expected to be an advocate for their youth’s education rights and support their educational endeavors.
Trauma Informed Parenting- " Parenting in Oz " Part 2
Trauma Impact
DISTANCE LEARNING
8/26/2023
10:00AM - 1:30PM
“Parenting In OZ!” is an experiential, memorable, trauma-informed, parenting curriculum designed to help parents and staff understand and respond therapeutically to the acting-out behaviors often exhibited by children who have experienced the trauma of neglect, abuse, and loss. Utilizing the vivid imagery from “The Wizard of OZ” and the emergency room, this unique training is an entertaining, multi-sensory approach to working with trauma that both professionals and parents cannot help but remember and integrate into their work. Trauma informed parenting is a paradigm shift for many parents who have often been trained to utilize tools designed to bring external controls to address or remediate problematic behaviors within a particular environment.
ABC’s of Parenting Teens
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/6/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Trainer led discussion of the reason resource parents should consider working with teens. Among other things, teens come with some desirable qualities: They sleep through the night. They keep up on the latest fashion. They can help you around the house. They want to learn from you. They are tech savvy; you are going to need their help at some point! They will move out sooner and then visit. Through lighthearted activities, participants will understand the great need for homes where teens can grow and thrive.
Resource Family Pre Approval Training - Session 1&2
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/9/2023
10:00AM - 4:00PM
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.
Exploring Foster Care and Adoption
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/14/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
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.
Exploring Foster Care and Adoption
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/21/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
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.
ABC’s of Parenting Teens
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/27/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
Trainer led discussion of the reason resource parents should consider working with teens. Among other things, teens come with some desirable qualities: They sleep through the night. They keep up on the latest fashion. They can help you around the house. They want to learn from you. They are tech savvy; you are going to need their help at some point! They will move out sooner and then visit. Through lighthearted activities, participants will understand the great need for homes where teens can grow and thrive.
Exploring Foster Care and Adoption
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/28/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
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.
Trauma Informed Parenting- " Parenting in Oz " Part 2
Trauma Impact
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/30/2023
10:00AM - 1:30PM
“Parenting In OZ!” is an experiential, memorable, trauma-informed, parenting curriculum designed to help parents and staff understand and respond therapeutically to the acting-out behaviors often exhibited by children who have experienced the trauma of neglect, abuse, and loss. Utilizing the vivid imagery from “The Wizard of OZ” and the emergency room, this unique training is an entertaining, multi-sensory approach to working with trauma that both professionals and parents cannot help but remember and integrate into their work. Trauma informed parenting is a paradigm shift for many parents who have often been trained to utilize tools designed to bring external controls to address or remediate problematic behaviors within a particular environment.
Resource Parent Pre & Post-Adoption Support Group- Preparing for Permanency
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
8/22/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
These groups are designed to support Resource Parents with training and resources to make informed decisions regarding permanency planning. Post Adoption support services and resources will be shared throughout the sessions. Sharing is Caring: We look forward to your attendance and welcome your stories, concerns, questions, resources and solutions.
Exploring Foster Care and Adoption
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
8/24/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
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.
Supporting Youth With Educational Challenges - SPANISH
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
8/25/2023
10:00AM - 1:00PM
In Spanish, trainers will demonstrate thru power point and downloadable hand-outs: Introduction - It is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that students in foster care have a meaningful opportunity to meet the challenging academic achievement standards to which all students in the state are held. Educators, social workers, probation officers, caretakers, advocates, and juvenile courts must work together to serve the educational needs of students in foster care. EC 48850.
Trainers will remind participants of these Guiding Principles - Students in foster care must have access to the same academic resources, services, and extracurricular and enrichment activities that are available to all students. All educational and school placement decisions are made by the educational rights holder in consultation with other parties, must be based on the child’s best interests and must consider, among other factors, educational stability and the least restrictive educational setting necessary to achieve academic progress. EC 48850(a)(1), 48853(h); WIC 361(a)(6), 726(c)(2).
Resource parents are expected to be an advocate for their youth’s education rights and support their educational endeavors.
Exploring Foster Care and Adoption
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/7/2023
6:00PM - 8:00PM
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.
ABC’s of Parenting Teens
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/14/2023
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Trainer led discussion of the reason resource parents should consider working with teens. Among other things, teens come with some desirable qualities: They sleep through the night. They keep up on the latest fashion. They can help you around the house. They want to learn from you. They are tech savvy; you are going to need their help at some point! They will move out sooner and then visit. Through lighthearted activities, participants will understand the great need for homes where teens can grow and thrive.
Resource Family Pre Approval Training - Session 3&4
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/16/2023
10:00AM - 4:00PM
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.
Trauma Informed Parenting- " Parenting in Oz " Part 1
Trauma Impact
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/23/2023
10:00AM - 1:30PM
“Parenting In OZ!” is an experiential, memorable, trauma-informed, parenting curriculum designed to help parents and staff understand and respond therapeutically to the acting-out behaviors often exhibited by children who have experienced the trauma of neglect, abuse, and loss. Utilizing the vivid imagery from “The Wizard of OZ” and the emergency room, this unique training is an entertaining, multi-sensory approach to working with trauma that both professionals and parents cannot help but remember and integrate into their work. Trauma informed parenting is a paradigm shift for many parents who have often been trained to utilize tools designed to bring external controls to address or remediate problematic behaviors within a particular environment.
ABC’s of Parenting Teens- SPANISH
For Caregivers
DISTANCE LEARNING
9/29/2023
10:00AM - 12:00PM
Trainer led discussion of the reason resource parents should consider working with teens. Among other things, teens come with some desirable qualities: They sleep through the night. They keep up on the latest fashion. They can help you around the house. They want to learn from you. They are tech savvy; you are going to need their help at some point! They will move out sooner and then visit. Through lighthearted activities, participants will understand the great need for homes where teens can grow and thrive.