Training

Every child entering foster care has experienced some amount of trauma—if nothing else, removal from his or her home and placement into foster care is itself traumatic. In most cases, children in the child welfare system have multiple experiences with trauma, often referred to as complex trauma. Parenting a child who has been separated from… More

In an adoption world where disruption looms all too often, this session offers a positive approach for workers and families. Here is a way to make sense of (and deal with) some of the negative feelings that adopted children can make their parents feel. Understanding this dynamic, as well as other key parent-child interactions which… More

Children who have been prenatally exposed to drugs, particularly alcohol, can have significant challenges with learning and behavior. When parents or foster caregivers understand the underlying causes and the impact on the brain from prenatal exposure, they can develop therapeutic parenting and teaching strategies that allow both parent and child to experience success! Presented by… More

Children do best when they know the truth about their lives. But sharing difficult information with children is not easy. This webinar will give participants the tools to discuss the most challenging situations (abuse, parental incarceration, death, HIV, incest, termination of parental rights) with children of all ages. Please bring your own challenging questions to… More

Research is revealing that the typical youth brain is not capable of true adult functioning until 20+ years of age – information that has critical implications in terms of cause and effect understandings, critical thinking skills and maturation. For youth who have experienced foster care and adoption, this developmental process can be significantly affected. This… More

Parenting a hurt child calls for innovative, creative, and nurturing ideas. Too often, parents can’t understand why techniques used to successfully parent other children simply have no effect. This session will explore which parenting tools do not work and why, and help parents retire those tools without guilt. Parents will then learn new ways to… More

All children, particularly those who have experienced trauma, need help and support learning to express and manage a wide array of emotions in order to feel and be safe. Once they learn to safely express feelings ranging from excitement to sadness to anger and confusion, their behavior will often improve. However, teaching children specific strategies is… More

Many children in adoptive and foster families come to us with challenging behaviors. Parents and caregivers need to have the knowledge, skills, and understanding of where these behaviors come from, and how to deal with them. This is one of the most common topics in support groups. Join us as we discuss and explore ideas… More

This webinar is about YOU. Child advocates; kin, foster, and adoptive caregiver leaders; child welfare staff; and youth advocates—we all share the same characteristic. We are always taking care of other people, without always taking care of ourselves. Presented by Maris Blechner, internationally known motivational speaker and trainer, and co-founder of Family Focus Adoption Services. 2014… More

The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) governs foster care and adoption placements across the U.S. It is estimated that states explore ICPC placements for nearly 100,000 children each year, but persistent challenges remain in the implementation of the compact. In 2013, the American Public Human Services Association and its affiliate, the AAICPC… More

Learn about an innovative program currently operating in Missouri that has the potential to revolutionize mental health treatment for kids in the child welfare system who have suffered extreme trauma. Designed by an adoptive parent whose children were in residential care but not getting better, this program is based on her personal approach to “What I need… More

This webinar discusses creative solutions for a support group that is struggling. We offer suggestions and strategies to keep members coming, create connectedness, build community. listen to the group’s needs, and laugh together. Presented by Diane Martin-Hushman, NACAC’s parent group coordinator (retired), who has helped create and enhance hundreds of support groups around the US… More

This session is for individuals and agencies who need to raise the necessary funds for expansion and program development. The trainers will help you identify and access funding opportunities that fit your group, learn the components of writing a successful grant proposal, share templates of successful fundraising events, and help you to identify good funding sources. Presented… More

Are you new to support group leadership? Is your group in need of new energy? Or are you ready to take the next step in your development? If so, this webinar on starting, nurturing, and maintaining support groups for adoptive, foster, and kinship families will provide you with tools and ideas. Presented by Kim Stevens… More

This session is for individuals and agencies looking to expand their advocacy and public awareness efforts in partnership with true experts – the youth who have experienced foster care, kinship care, and/or adoption. Learn the basics of development, promotion and maintenance of public speaking team(s) of adopted/foster/kin youth. Engaging youth and young adults in such a “team”… More

The Preventing Sex Trafficking & Strengthening Families Act, which became law in September 2014, provides financial opportunities for states to fund post-adoption services. The law reauthorized the Adoption Incentives Program at $43 million and will calculate increases in adoption by rate rather than number of adoptions. It also increases the incentive for adolescent adoptions and… More

What child doesn’t want to play on a Little League team, go on a school field trip or sleep overnight with friends? What teen doesn’t dream of getting a driver’s license, earning money at a part time job and attending the prom? Many of us can remember how foundational these and similar experiences were in… More

This informative webinar is designed for anyone parenting or providing services for LGBTQ children and youth in foster care, adoption, or relative care. Included is an overview of what we know about: LGBTQ youth in out of home care the impact of family rejection their struggle for inclusion and safety when in care lack of… More

In the late 1990s child welfare leaders began to challenge the belief that attaining permanent families for preteens and teens was an impossible goal, and model specialized youth permanency services were developed across the country. Sadly many of the projects fell into disuse as initial funding sunset. In many cases, counties and states failed to… More