Bakersfield College

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Training Schedules

Entrenamientos en Español


Resource Family Approval Orientation

Address: Kern County Department of Human Services: Columbus Center-Orientation Room
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Pre-Register: Call the Registration Line to (661) 631-6204

Schedule: Orientation is offered the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (only the 2nd Thursday in November and December)
Spanish Foster Care orientation is the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

For more information on becoming a Resource Parent please call (661) 631-6204 or visit the Kern County Department of Human Services website.


Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training

Resource Family Approval Training is a training series for participants interested in becoming a Resource Family (Foster Parent, Relative Caretaker or Non-Related Extended Family Members). This training fulfills the Kern County Department of Human Services training requirements. The training is a 12-hour series broken into four sessions and will be offered twice a month. For further information, please contact 661-395-4991.

Pre-Register: Call the registration line at 661-395-4991.

RFA trainings are currently being offered virtually through Zoom and In-Person.

Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training Schedule

Download or print the RFA Training Schedule (forthcoming).

Class #1
Location: Online(Zoom)
Instructors: Barbara Reifel, LCSW; Valerie Tovar, MSW; Angie Valdez (4)
Session Date Time
1 Tuesday, January 10, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
2 Thursday, January 12, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Tuesday, January 17, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Thursday January 19, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Class #2
Location: In-Person, Kern County Department of Human Services (3711 Columbus St. Bakersfield CA 93306)
Instructors: Becky Colaw, M.S. (1&2); Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW; Angie Valdez
Session Date Time
1 Saturday, January 14, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
2 Saturday, January 14, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
3 Saturday, January 21, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
4 Saturday, January 21, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm

Class #3
Location: Online(Zoom)
Instructors: Valerie Tovar, MSW; Yolanda Covian; MSW, Angie Valdez (4)
Session Date Time
1 Tuesday, January 31, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
2 Thursday, February 2, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Tuesday, February 7, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Thursday, February 9, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Class #4
Location: In-Person, Kern County Department of Human Services (3711 Columbus St. Bakersfield CA 93306)
Instructors: Becky Colaw, M.S.; Barbara Reifel, LCSW (1 & 3); Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW (2 & 4); Angie Valdez (4)
Session Date Time
1 Saturday, February 18, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
2 Saturday, February 18, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
3 Saturday, February 25, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
4 Saturday, February 25, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm

Class #5
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Monday, March 6, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

In-Person
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW

Angie Valdez

2 Wednesday, March 8, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Monday, March 13, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Wednesday, March 15, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Class #6
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Saturday, March 18, 2023 9 am - 12 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Alejandra Torres

Monica Fitzgerald, MSW

Angie Valdez (4)

2 Saturday, March 18, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
3 Saturday, March 25, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
4 Saturday, March 25, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
Class #7
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Tuesday, March 21, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Online (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW (1-3)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Angie Valdez (4)

2 Thursday, March 23, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Tuesday, March 28, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Thursday, March 30, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Class #8
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Tuesday, April 4, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Monica Fitzgerald, MSW

Angie Valdez (4)

2 Thursday, April 6, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Tuesday, April 11, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Thursday, April 13, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Class #9
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Saturday, April 15, 2023 9 am - 12 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Becky Colaw, MS

Barbara Reifel, LCSW (1 & 3)

Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW (2 & 4)

Angie Valdez (4)

2 Saturday, April 15, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
3 Saturday, April 22, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
4 Saturday, April 22, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
Class #10
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Monday, April 17, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Online (Zoom)

Alejandra Torres

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Angie Valdez (4)

 

2 Wednesday, April 19, 20232 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Monday, April 24, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Wednesday, April 26, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Class #11
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Angie Valdez (4) 

2 Thursday, May 11, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Tuesday, May 16, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Thursday, May 18, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Class #12
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Saturday, May 13, 2023 9 am - 12 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW

Alejandra Torres

Angie Valdez (4)

2 Saturday, May 13, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
3 Saturday, May 20, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
4 Saturday, May 20, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
Class #13
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Monday, May 15, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Online (Zoom)

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Angie Valdez (4) 

2 Wednesday, May 17, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Monday, May 22, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Wednesday, May 24, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Class #14
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Saturday, June 3, 2023 9 am - 12 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Cherilyn Haywaorth, MSW, LCSW

Angie Valdez (4)

2 Saturday, June 3, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
3 Saturday, June 10, 2023 9 am - 12 pm
4 Saturday, June 10, 2023 1 pm - 4 pm
Class #15
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Tuesday, June 13, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Monica Fitzgerald, MSW

Angie Valdez (4) 

2 Thursday, June 15, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Tuesday, June 20, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Thursday, June 22, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
Class #16
Session Date Time Location Instructor
1 Monday, June 19, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

Online (Zoom)

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Angie Valdez (4) 

2 Wednesday, June 21, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
3 Monday, June 26, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm
4 Wednesday, June 28, 2023 6 pm - 9 pm

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In-Service Training

Trainings are recommended for Resource Families, Group Home Staff, and other professionals working with children.

Resource Families will fulfill training hours for licensing.

Child Care? No. Sorry, child care is not provided.

Pre-register: Call the registration line (661)-395-4991

Walk-ins? Yes! Walk-ins are also welcome!

Download or Print the In-Service Training Schedule (forthcoming).

In-Service Training Schedule July - December 2022

Date Time Session Location Facilitator
Monday, January 9, 2023 6-8 p.m. Connecting Through Play
Participants will learn about different methods of play and how important it is for the child's development.
Virtual (Zoom)

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Wednesday, January 11, 2023 6-8 p.m Caregiving Together Support Group Meeting
Monthly support group for resource parents. Come learn meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited.

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

*Translation

Gayla Gibson

Monday, January 16, 2023 6-8 p.m Understanding Children's Mental Health Challenges
Frequently foster children are diagnosed with a variety of mental health diagnosis, from depression and anxiety to Bipolar disorder. These diagnoses can be stigmatizing for the child and confusing for the resource family. This training will focus on increasing understanding about mental health diagnoses and what you, as the resource family, should expect and how to have effective conversations about mental health.
Virtual (Zoom)

Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW

Wednesday, January 18, 2023 6-8 p.m.

Establishing and Maintaining a Work/Life Balance
In this workshop, we will do self-assessments on your stress level and how well you are doing in self-care. We will discuss the impact of stress on physical health, emotional health, and relational health. We will learn many self-care strategies to help get achieve a work/life balance.

Virtual (Zoom)

Perla Davis

Saturday, January 21, 2023 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.

Concurrent Planning
In this training you will learn about the goals of the Kern County Department of Humans (DHS) and how it comes to planning for different outcomes for children. It's going to talk about the importance of concurrent planning and how you can prepare yourself and how to prepare the children.

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Saturday, January 21, 2023 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Self-Care for Kids
As a society, we have finally realized that adults function significantly better when they take the time to decompress and relax.  It allows us to be better versions of ourselves, which benefits everyone around us!!  What we fail to realize is that self-care for kids is just as important.  Kids have a multitude of responsibilities each day and kids deal with a lot of demands and stress each day. It is up to us as parents and caregivers to teach them how to find a proper balance.

In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Tuesday, January 24, 2023 6-8 p.m. In the Trenches: Managing Your Secondary Traumatic Stress
The condition has numerous names: secondary traumatic stress (STS), vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue. Many foster caregivers recognize the cumulative stressors that they faced in raising traumatized children, but often do not realize that the symptoms they may experience are a common reaction to working with traumatized children — and that these symptoms have a name. This training will focus on recognizing how STS affects you and your family, ways to mitigate the effects of STS, and developing a plan to deal with burnout.
Virtual (Zoom) Becky Colaw, M.S.
Friday, January 27, 2023 10 a.m.- 12 p.m. Film Screening & Discussion: Christmas Princess
Against the backdrop of Christmas in Southern California comes Christmas Princess, a heart-warming story inspired by true events about one brave high school girl who overcomes her difficult past to become one of the elite princesses in the world-renowned royal court of the Tournament of Rose Parade.
In Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306

Gayla Gibson

Rocio Garcia

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 6-8 p.m. Internet Safety
Resource parents will learn Internet/social media safety while maintaining foster youth personal rights. Learn tips, tricks, and dangers of the Internet and your responsibilities as resource parents.
Virtual (Zoom) valerie Tovar, MSW

Date Time Session Location Facilitator
Thursday, February 2, 2023 6-8 p.m. Suicide Prevention
In this training we will discuss the taboos of suicide, look at the various reasons why teens attempt to commit suicide and or succeed in committing suicide. We will discuss various issues surrounding this delicate and scary subject as well as looking into the various organizations that are available to help prevent suicide or help us go through the grieving process.

Virtual (Zoom)

Claudia Martinez, MSW. ASW
Wednesday, February 8, 2023 6-8 p.m. Caregiving Together Support Group Meeting
Monthly support group for resource parents. Come learn and meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Gayla Gibson

Friday, February 10, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. QPI - Quality Parenting Initiative and its Role in Kern County
 
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Gayla Gibson

Monday, February 13, 2023 6-8 p.m. Drug Awareness & Prevention Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Wednesday, February, 15, 2023 6-8 p.m. Reducing Family Stress Virtual (Zoom)

Perla Davis

Tuesday, February 21, 2023 6-8 p.m. Psychotropic Medications Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW

Thursday, February 23, 2023 6-8 p.m. Discover Natural Highs - Find Your Child's Spark Virtual (Zoom)  
Saturday, February 25, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Film Screening & Discussion: Disney's Inside Out In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW

Saturday, February 25, 2023 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Emotional Intelligence
Most people understand intelligence as “how smart a person is,” but there are actually several types of intelligence. Emotional intelligence is one of those types and is defined as “the ability to understand the emotions of yourself and others, show empathy, understand social relationships and cues, and regulate your own emotions and respond in culturally appropriate ways” (Parker, Saklofske, & Stough, 2009). In this class we will talk about emotional intelligence and how to develop it in for ourselves and children.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW

Monday, February 27, 2023 6-8 p.m.
Practicing Mindfulness in Parenting
This training will educate on the importance being mindful as a parent and helping children to be mindful.  The busyness in our lives often takes our attention away from the present, even in our parenting.  Many are multi-tasking even when we are trying to redirect children's behavior or trying to help them when they are experiencing emotional dysregulation.  Being present is such an important part of parenting, and it is important to model to our young people.  We will look at mindfulness exercises that you can engage in and mindfulness exercises you can teach children.
Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Date Time Session Location Facilitator
March 2, 2023 6-8 p.m. Discover Natural Highs - Find Your Child's Spark
Find what "Sparks" your child. Help them discover what motivates and excites them. Intentional strategies to support your child's likes and passions.
Virtual (Zoom) Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Monday, March 6, 2023 6-8 p.m.

Understanding & Supporting the Anxious Child
Anxiety is something that we often times discuss as being a problem or an issue that children face. In truth, anxiety is normal. It’s adaptive. It keeps us safe in a lot of different situations. Anxiety is our body’s way of telling us when we’re in danger. There are many situations where children need to be attentive to danger and it’s healthy that their bodies are giving them an indication that danger is around. However, when children are chronically anxious, even the most well-meaning parents, not wanting a child to suffer, can actually make the youngster’s anxiety worse. It happens when parents try to protect kids from their fears or don’t adequately address the anxiety at hand.

 

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Wednesday, March 8, 2023 6-7:30 p.m.

Caregiving Together Support Group Meeting
Monthly support group for resource parents. Come learn meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited.

In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Gayla Gibson
Friday, March 10, 2022 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Supporting Normalcy
Children in foster care need to feel normal.  They want to be treated just like all the other children.  They want to wear the same clothes, style their hair the same as others, socialize like others, etc.  How can we as Resource Parents help them to feel more normal.  This class will give tips on creating normalcy in your home.
Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Gayla Gibson

Wednesday, March 15, 2023 6-8 p.m. Filling your Children's Bucket
If we want our children to reach their potential, we must fill their buckets. All parents and caregivers want the children in their homes to overcome their past and reach their full potential. Correcting negative behaviors is not going to make this happen if we do not also build their self-esteem and self-confidence and show them unconditional love. Filling their buckets refers to the nice things we say and do for and with them, including praising them, rewarding them, and just doing nice things because we love them.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Perla Davis, MFT

Saturday, March 18, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Parenting with Love & Logic
This is a parenting curriculum developed many years ago by Foster Cline and Jim Fay that teaches parents how to use natural and logical consequences to help children grow into self-confident, responsible young people who have self-motivation. It teaches how a parent can establish healthy limitations and boundaries without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles. In this two-part training, we will talk about why this parenting strategy works and how to implement it.

In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW

Becky Colaw, MS

Saturday, March 18, 2023 12:30 - 2:30 p.m.

Parenting with Love & Logic
This is a parenting curriculum developed many years ago by Foster Cline and Jim Fay that teaches parents how to use natural and logical consequences to help children grow into self-confident, responsible young people who have self-motivation. It teaches how a parent can establish healthy limitations and boundaries without anger, threats, nagging, or power struggles. In this two-part training, we will talk about why this parenting strategy works and how to implement it.

In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW

Becky Colaw, MS

Tuesday, March 21, 2023 6-8 p.m.

Film Screening & Discussion: The Martian Child
In this training participants will watch the movie “Martian Child”, a film about a science-fiction writer, recently widowed, considers whether to adopt a hyper-imaginative 6-year-old abandoned and socially rejected boy who says he’s really from Mars. Participants will join in a discussion about trauma and how resource parents can help children heal. 

 

In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Gayla Gibson

Rocio Garcia

Wednesday, March 22, 2023 6-8 p.m. How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk
Based on a classic parenting book that addresses the parent-child communication as an effective parenting strategy.
Virtual (Zoom)

Becky Colaw, MS

Friday, March 24, 2023 9-11 a.m. Teen Personality Risk Factors
In this training, we will identify children’s potential risk factors. Participants will understand vulnerabilities and predictable behaviors that could lead to risky behaviors.
Virtual (Zoom) Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Friday, March 24, 2023 12-2 p.m. Let's Talk - Drugs, Alcohol, Vaping and Fentanyl
In this training, we will cover why kids are at bigger risk than ever with drugs and the facts about drug and alcohol use in teens.
Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 6-8 p.m. Keeping a Close Watch While Respecting Privacy
The desire for more privacy is a natural part of adolescence. This training will provide an overview to finding a balance between a teen’s need/right for privacy, and a parent’s need/right to know what’s going on. In addition, resource parents will be given the tools to monitor a teen successfully in practical ways, while learning how to handle breaches of trust as they arise.
Virtual (Zoom)

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Thursday, March 30, 2023 6-8 p.m. The Power of Showing Up
This training will be based on the book “The Power of Showing Up” by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Ph.D. The Power of Showing Up shares stories, scripts, simple strategies, illustrations, and tips for honoring the Four S’s effectively in all kinds of situations—when our kids are struggling or when they are enjoying success; when we are consoling, disciplining, or arguing with them; and even when we are apologizing for the times we don’t show up for them. Demonstrating that mistakes and missteps are repairable and that it’s never too late to mend broken trust, this book is a powerful guide to cultivating your child’s healthy emotional landscape.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Date Time Session Location Facilitator
Wednesday, April 5, 2023 6-8 p.m. The Myth of Normal by Gabor Mate
FKCE Trainer Perla Davis will share insightful information on this book explaining how society became a vortex of mental illness.  How we live is intimately intertwined with our health, disease, and addictions.
Virtual (Zoom)

Perla Davis, MFT

Monday, April 10, 2023 6-8 p.m. Supporting a Dependent Teen Parent in Your Care
This training will cover information regarding some of the nuances of providing care to a teen who has their baby in their care. These situations can be challenging because you are not actually the caregiver of the infant, only of the parent; yet that parent likely needs a lot of support in how to provide loving and nurturing care for their baby. We will review the different roles and responsibilities that you have as the caregiver of the teen and that the teen has as the caregiver for their baby. We will also include steps you can take to provide support and guidance to a teen parent including how to create boundaries and limitations. Caring for a teen parent provides a great opportunity for you to help break the cycle of abuse and/or neglect that has been a part of their life. This training will provide relevant and applicable information on how you can make this impact.
Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Becky Colaw

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. Caregiving Together Support Group Meeting
Monthly support group for resource parents. Come meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Gayla Gibson
Saturday, April 15, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)​ Part 1
TBRI is an intervention designed for children from hard places, but it is an approach for all caregivers to use. This session is an introduction to a four-part series that will walk caregivers through the three main principles of connecting, empowering, and correcting. Each of the three sessions to follow the introduction will cover these principles in more detail.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Becky Colaw, M.S.
Saturday, April 15, 2023 12:30-2:30 p.m. Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI)​ Part 2
This is the second in a series of four trainings. It can stand alone if you have not attended the other trainings.This training talks about the importance of attachment and strategies you can use to develop an attachment with children who have been harmed. In addition, this training discusses engagement strategies that include touch, eye contact, voice quality, behavior matching, and playful interaction.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306  
Becky Colaw, M.S.
Wednesday, April 19, 2023 6-8 p.m. Talking to Your Children About Adoption
An important task for resource/adoptive parents is to help a child understand their life story. Because the children in our lives have had difficult experiences, resource/adoptive parents have a responsibility to share that history in a compassionate manner that helps a child come to understand and heal from their history. Many parents struggle with how to share a child’s story with them and this training will help prepare parents for this conversation. This training is also appropriate for professionals working with resource/adoptive families, to learn how to support parents with these conversations.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306 

Aspiranet REACH Program

Tuesday, April 25, 2023 6-8 p.m. How to Build Resiliency in Ourselves & Our Children
This training focuses on ways resource parents can help to develop resilience in children. We will look at what resilience is and at the risk and protective factors and then talk about what caregivers can do to help children during the time that the child is in their home.
Virtual (Zoom) Perla Davis, MFT
Friday, April 28, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Preparing Teens for Launch
This training will help you understand the “launching” process for teenagers, what parenting styles can do to sabotage teen success and discover the dynamics of today’s world of why kids struggle to launch.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Friday, April 28, 2023 12:30-2:30 p.m. Advocating for Children in the Classroom
Come learn about your child’s educational rights and understand your role as a resource parent in education and how to voice for your child in school.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Date Time Session Location Facilitator
Friday, May 5, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Caregivers & the Foster Youth Bill of Rights
Learn about the role, functions, limitations, and the laws that govern the California Office of Foster Care Ombudsperson (OFCO)
  • Learn about the OFCO Complaint Process
  • Learn about the California Foster Youth Bill of Rights
  • Learn about how to identify potential foster youth violations and uphold their rights
Virtual (Zoom) Gayla Gibson
Tuesday, May 9, 2023 6-8 p.m. Tear Soup Book Training
This training will be based on the book Tear Soup A Recipe for Healing After Loss. This story is about dealing with grief & loss which Children in foster care and adoption suffer many losses. The main character, Grandy, is going through a period of deep grief and gives tips on how to make tear soup. Grandy’s recipe takes a while to come together, but through the process, she learns how to live with loss and what like looks like after a tragedy.
Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Becky Colaw, MS

Wednesday, May 10, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. Caregiving Together Support Group Meeting
Monthly support group for resource parents. Come learn and meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Gayla Gibson

Thursday May 11, 2023 6-8 p.m. Dealing with Depression in Children
Depression can be hard and scary when we are caring for a child who suffers from it. In this in-service we will talk about children who suffer from depression. We will define depression, identify symptoms for you to look for in children, and talk about things you can do to help a child who is depressed. We will also talk about suicide and suicidal ideation and what you can and should do when you have a child experiencing this.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306 

Angelica Gonzalez, MSW

Saturday, May 13, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Navigating Healthy relationships with TEENS
In this training, we will define a healthy relationship and discuss how to engage in conversations with your teenager about dating and how to help them recognize and put limits on unhealthy relationships. We will also discuss the importance on modeling healthy boundaries and limits.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306 
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Saturday, May 13, 2023 12:30-2:30 p.m. Helping TEENS Navigate Unhealthy Relationships
In this training, we will go in depth on unhealthy relationships and how to support your teenager who might have gave gotten into one. Learn how to empower your teen with the skills to keep themselves safe. You will understand the process and progression from unhealthy relations to exploitation and the media influence.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Thursday, May 18, 2023 6-8 p.m. Car Seat Training
Attention Parents: 90% of child safety seats are used incorrectly! Attend this training to get information about safe transportation for children and how to properly install your child's safety seat in your vehicle.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Tuesday, May 23, 2023 6-8 p.m. Talking to your Children About Adoption - Looking Different than your Parents
When is the best time to inform children that they are adopted?  How do we tell them that they are adopted?  How do we explain the family’s differences in appearance?  How do we explain the differences in the family’s cultures?  This training should give some helpful tips to answer questions.
Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Gayla Gibson

Thursday, May 25, 2023 6-8 p.m. Bridging the Gap Between Resource Parents & Birth Parents
The purpose of foster care is to retain the connection between children and families so that children can be reunited with their birth families with minimal trauma. “Bridging the Gap” is the process of building and maintaining relationships and communication between the birth and foster families. This also includes the concept of foster families and birth families communicating with respect and sharing information about the child in care. Good communication benefits the foster parents, parents, and the children, while supporting family reunification or another permanency plan.
Virtual (Zoom) Valerie Tovar, MSW
Wednesday, May 31, 2023 6-8 p.m. Creating Bonds and Strengthening Relationships
For children who have experienced trauma, healing occurs through relationships. Children’s history often makes it difficult for them to form bonds and relationships. Because the most important bond was never formed or broken. What can caregivers do to develop bonds with children who resist? This training will cover the ways we can build relationships with the children and youth in care.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Becky Colaw, MS

Date Time Session Location Facilitator
Friday, June 2, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Film Screening & Discussion: The Mask You Live In
In this training participants will watch The Mask You Live In documentary which follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America’s narrow definition of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peer group, and even the adults in their lives, our protagonists confront messages encouraging them to disconnect from their emotions, devalue authentic friendships, objectify and degrade women, and resolve conflicts through violence. These gender stereotypes interconnect with race, class, and circumstance, creating a maze of identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become “real” men. Participants will join in a discussion about societal issues presented.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306 

Rocio Garcia

Gayla Gibson

Monday, June 5, 2023 6-8 p.m. When an Investigator Knocks
Caregivers will learn what to expect when an allegation is reported against them and about the general investigative process of when an allegation of abuse and neglect is reported to CPS.
Virtual (Zoom) Angie Valdez
Wednesday, June 7, 2023 6-8 p.m. Learning Disabilities & How to Advocate for Your Child
Learning disabilities affect both a child’s success in school and in daily living. This workshop covers a variety of learning disabilities and the treatment/services that Resource Parents can use to help a child be more successful in school and at home. IEPs and school resources are also discussed
Virtual (Zoom) Perla Davis. MFT
Saturday, June 10, 2023 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Parenting the Sexually Abused Child
It takes many different tools to parent a child who has experienced trauma, and many of the children in foster care have experienced one of the worst forms of trauma – childhood sexual abuse. This training will assist foster parents in identifying traumatic signs of possible sexual abuse, as compared to normative sexual development. We will also discuss how childhood sexual abuse affects the child’s worldview and how that impact results in a variety of maladaptive behaviors in the home. Finally, we will talk about some tools to help manage the child’s behavior while supporting their process of dealing with the trauma.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Saturday, June 10, 2023 12:30-2:30 p.m. How to Talk to Children About CSEC
There are some things that as parents or caregivers we dread having to talk to our children about, but these topics are also critical to keeping them safe and helping them to make good decisions. With children in foster care being targeted by human traffickers, it is even more important that we educate them on the potential risk. Open, candid conversations with our children are important. In this training we will talk about how to talk to kids in your home about CSEC, including things they can do to protect themselves. For children who may already be involved in CSEC, we will model for them that we are willing to openly discuss these topics and that nothing they can tell us is too big for us to handle. We want them to know that they can be open and honest with us, and we will still love them unconditionally.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Wednesday, June 14, 2023 6-7:30 p.m. Caregiving Together Support Group Meeting
Monthly support group for resource parents. Come meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited.
In-Person:
Kern County Department of Human Services
3711 Columbus St
Bakersfield CA 93306
Gayla Gibson
Thursday, June 15, 2023 6-8 p.m. Mindfulness
Mindfulness-based stress reduction has been shown to be an effective tool in dealing with stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. Engaging in regular mindfulness practice has been shown to significantly reduce psychological stress and appears to prevent associated physiological changes that happen as a result of that stress. This training will focus on building a tool box of exploring feelings, thoughts, and actions; mindfulness meditation, and body awareness.
Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Claudia Martinez, MSW, ASW