Online Training & Educational Resources

Finding time to attend training opportunities and conferences can be a challenge for foster parents, yet continuing education and development is important.

Vancouver Coastal Region Foster Care Education Online Training

The 53-hour foster care training program is now available

On Line!!!!!

Hollyburn Family Services, in conjunction with MCFD, has modified the 53 hour training program to make it available to those caregivers who cannot make it into the classroom. This highly interactive on line program places you into a group with 5 or 6 other foster parents and creates opportunities for discussion on the 14 required topics.

The requirements to join this training opportunity are:

· Permission from your resource worker

· A good working knowledge of your computer and how to navigate a web site

· The ability to find the time in your busy schedule to come on line three times a week to both read and complete the exercises by posting your comments to your small group. (Please note that on line does not mean work at your own speed. It means creating your own flexible schedule to meet the weekly requirements.)

This online experience takes two weeks to complete each module therefore the entire program requires a commitment of 7 months to complete the entire course.

There are two new groups starting this fall: September 21 st and October 19 th . If you are interested in completing your foster care training from the comfort of your own home and are a caregiver from either the Vancouver Coastal Region or Fraser Region please contact Lori Rose at [email protected] and register to be part of this on line experience.

Once you are registered the on line facilitator will contact you to explain the program in detail.

To check out the online training site please go here: http://www.bcfosterparentseducation.ca/

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES / VIDEOS/ LINKS TO OTHER TRAINING RESOURCES

There are several websites available that offer online training on a multitude of subjects as well as educational resources. These are US based websites, so NO certification is given towards completion of the 53 Hour Foster Care Education program. Please note that all videos, training and links are currently US based, and procedures and policies may differ than those here in BC. If you have any questions, please consult with your Resource Social Worker. We are provding the links for reference purposes only.

Foster Parent College (FPC)

http://www.fosterparentcollege.com/index.jsp offers affordable research based training for foster, adoptive and kinship parents. The self-driven training is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  FPC has conducted more than 40,000 online training sessions since 2005. The programs are built using ‘visual learning techniques’, FPC courses are fun, easy and effective. Designed by nationally recognized experts in the fields of parenting, pediatrics, psychology, psychiatry, and education, FPC courses are sought after by foster care agencies and praised by caregivers.

FPC offer two types of in-service courses:

  • Self-Paced Courses provide
  1. visual instruction
  2. printable handouts
  3. question & answer sessions with immediate feedback
  • Advanced Parenting Workshops offer
  1. extended in-depth three-week courses
  2. 24/7 access for participants for the duration of the course
  3. community discussion board to interact with the group
  4. tested problem solving approaches

FPC offers training for as little as $8 per course. Parents only need access to a computer with sound, and an Internet connection.

The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, USA , offers FREE online video training.

Go to their website to watch videos: http://www1.dshs.wa.gov/ca/fosterparents/onGoingVid.asp

Back on Track, a film for and about youth in care (34 min).

Behavioral Challenges in Foster Care with Gary Benton. Learn about handling challenging behaviors in children. (59 min)
Behavior Management ages 11-18 with Wendy Warman,MSW.) This video deals with behaviors of children experiencing emotional distress. (2 hrs 27 min)
Brain Development and Nurturing Children’s Growing Minds with Victoria Tennant. Learn how the brain works and how you can enhance the growth of a young mind. (5 hrs 20 min)
Bright Futures in Preventative Mental Health with Mickey Kander, MSW, MPH. This is a curriculum developed by the University of Washington to address the mental health of children in care. (4 videos, 3 hrs 38 min total)
Clinical Issues for the Relative Caregiver with Dr. Joseph Crumbley. Dr. Crumbley is a noted expert in the field of Kinship Care. His valuable insights are delivered with compassion and humor. (2 hrs 4 min)
De-escalation Techniques in Foster Care with Gary Benton. In this workshop, Gary Benton helps us to develop skills to bring the tension down with children in care. (59 min)
Educational Summit, Aberdeen WA, Fall ’07 . Learn about the impact of Complex Trauma on the developing brain. Learn about strategies to help children overcome the impact of abuse and neglect on their education. Gain knowledge about laws that protect children in need of special help in the public school environment. (3 hrs 56 min)
Effects of Multiple Placements on Youth in Care with Dinah Martin, MSW Multliple placements can lead to a lack of bonding on the part of a child in that circumstance. Learn how to prevent multiple placements. (2 videos, 4 hours total)
Extreme behavior and associated mental health issues with Sharon Young, LMFT. This workshop will help you understand mental health issues that can impact youth. (4 videos, 3 hr 43 min total)
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) and Fetal Alcohol Related Conditions with Carolyn Hartness and Julie Gelo. Learn how to structure your home to accommodate the needs of children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders. (4 hrs 30 min)
Fire Safety for Young Children Learn how to keep young children safe in a fire with Ed Burgado (9 min). Part of keeping kids safe is making sure that they know what to do in a fire. This video should be viewed, not only by you, but by the children in your home. It could save their life! En Espanol
Giving Our Youth Wings to Fly with Robert Danzig. Mr. Danzig, retired CEO of the Hearst Corporation, talks with youth in care about succeeding in life. Mr. Danzig should know as he grew up in foster care and learned valuable lessons that helped him in his business and personal life. (55 min)
Keeping It Real. A film about the importance of cultural connections for African American children in non African American homes.
Love and Logic with Jonathan English, LMFT. Become a Love and Logic Parent. Learn how to work with your child for positive behavior change. (4 hrs 30 min)
“Make It Happen” Foster Parents learn about this unique pre-college experience for your youth in care.(7 min)
Relative Placement Through DCFS . The best place for a child is with their family. This panel discussion touches on the benefits and challenges of parenting a grandchild or other relative. (44 min)
Sexually Aggressive Youth – Learn what you need to know to create a safe and nurturing home for children who have displayed sexually acting out behavior (1 hr 13 min)
Success Stories of Youth in Care – See what a difference you can make in the life of a young person in out-of-home care. Children need to know that they can reach for the stars, regardless of their early life circumstances. Learn about four very resilient youth, who, with the support of mentors, have succeeded! (28 min)
Trauma and Children with Ross Dawson, MSW and Dr. Harry Kramer. Learn about trauma and how it effects children, especially in the post 9/11 era. (1 hr 25 min)
We are GLBTQ. What you should know about the care and support of youth who are Gay, Lesbian, Transgender or questioning their sexual identify. (42 min)
Working with ADHD and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders with Randi Hankins. Randi is a dynamic speaker who delivers information with humor and compassion to those dealing with ADHD and FASD. You will learn a great deal in this workshop on how to improve the environment for children with these issues. (4 videos, 5 hrs 5 min total)
Fostering Perspectives
Is a website based in North Carolina, USA, which provides views on foster care and adoption in the North Carolina area. However, there are great resources here for all foster and adoptive parents to benefit from. Go to their site to browse through the many publications available: http://www.fosteringperspectives.org/index.html