Training Schedules
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 PM to 8:30
PM (only the 2nd Thursday in November and December)
Spanish Foster Care orientation is the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 PM to 8:30
PM
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
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training is a 12-hour class that fulfills the initial training requirement as part of the approval process to become a Resource Parent. The 12-hour training is divided by four (sessions 1 to 4) three-hour sessions each covering different topics. To complete this training, you must attend all four sessions (1-4).
Pre-Register: Call the registration line at (661) 395-4991 or email: BCFCKE@bakersfieldcollege.edu
RFA trainings are currently being offered virtually through Zoom and In-Person.
Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training Schedule
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Monday, July 15, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
2 | Wednesday, July 17, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
3 | Monday, July 22, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
4 | Wednesday, July 24, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Saturday, July 27, 2024 | 8:30AM-11:30AM |
2 | Saturday, July 27, 2024 | 12:00PM-3:00PM |
3 | Saturday, August 3, 2024 | 8:30AM-11:30AM |
4 | Saturday, August 3, 2024 | 12:00PM-3:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Tuesday, July 30, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
2 | Thursday, August 1, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
3 | Tuesday, August 6, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
4 | Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Monday August 19, 2024 | 6:00PM-9:00PM |
2 | Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | 6:00PM-9:00PM |
3 | Monday, August 26, 2024 | 6:00PM-9:00PM |
4 | Wednesday, August 28, 2024 | 6:00PM-9:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 | Saturday, August 24, 2024 | 8:30AM-11:30AM |
2 | Saturday, August 24, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
3 | Saturday, August 31, 2024 | 8:30AM-11:30AM |
4 | Saturday, August 31, 2024 | 12:00PM-3:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Tuesday, September 10, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
2 |
Thursday, September 12, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
3 |
Tuesday, September 17, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
4 |
Thursday, September 19, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Monday September 23, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
2 |
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
3 |
Monday, September 30, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
4 |
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Saturday, September 28, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
2 |
Saturday, September 28, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
3 |
Saturday, October 5, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
4 |
Saturday, October 5, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Monday, October 7, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
2 |
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
3 |
Monday, October 14, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
4 |
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Tuesday, October 15, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
2 |
Thursday, October 17, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
3 |
Tuesday, October 22, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
4 |
Thursday, October 24, 2024 |
6:00PM-9:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Saturday, October 26, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
2 |
Saturday, October 26, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
3 |
Saturday, November 2, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
4 |
Saturday, November 2, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Tuesday, November 5, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
2 |
Thursday, November 7, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
3 |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
4 |
Thursday, November 14, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Saturday, November 30, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
2 |
Saturday, November 30, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
3 |
Saturday, December 7, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
4 |
Saturday, December 7, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Monday, December 9, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
2 |
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
3 |
Monday, December 16, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
4 |
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 |
5:30PM-8:30PM |
Session | Date | Time |
---|---|---|
1 |
Saturday, December 14, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
2 |
Saturday, December 14, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
3 |
Saturday, December 21, 2024 |
8:30AM-11:30AM |
4 |
Saturday, December 21, 2024 |
12:00PM-3:00PM |
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
Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, July 10, 2024 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together 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. |
Gayla Gibson |
Friday, July 12, 2024 | 10:30AM-12:30PM |
Summer Movie Events FKCE will be hosting Summer movie events at Maya Cinemas. Caregivers will watch a film relevant to foster care with a debrief at the end. |
Maya Cinemas 1000 California Ave Bakersfield CA 93304 |
Angelica Gonzalez, MSW Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Tuesday, July 16, 2024 | 6:00PM-8:00PM |
Trauma Informed Parenting: The Next Level You have probably heard a lot about trauma informed parenting. In this training we are hoping to take it to the next level with specific things you can do to help children with traumatized behavior. This will include things you can do to establish trust and build the relationship,as well as things you can do in response to traumatized behavior. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Barbara Reifel, LCSW Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW |
Monday, July 22, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Self Care for Caregivers Stress can make us ineffective at learning and reacting in ways we want to react. As a resource parent, you are asked to deal with difficult situations and make quick decisions. Research has shown that stress can make these sometimes difficult situations feel impossible. This training teaches you the different types of stress and how each type of stress can impact you. We also cover how to take care of yourself to combat each type of stress, and how to give yourself all the tools you need to take on the daily expectations of foster parenting. This workshop style training will help you in creating your own Self Care plan that works for you! |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Saturday, July 27, 2024 | 8:30AM - 10:30AM |
Visitations This training will be focused on visitations and how to prepare a child for visitation with family and how to deal with the behaviors that might arise. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Angelica Gonzalez, MSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Saturday, July 27, 2024 | 10:30AM-12:30PM |
"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. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Angelica Gonzalez, MSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Wednesday, July 31, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Impact of Drugs Participants will learn how substance interfere with the hormones necessary for healthy fetal development and how that impacts children in their later life. Focusing on the basics and effects of the drugs: marijuana, alcohol and opiates and methamphetamine. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Aspiranet Reach |
Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tuesday, August 6, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Sibling Bonds In this training we will be covering sibling relationships and the importance of maintaining and fostering siblings’ connections during the court dependency process. This includes keeping siblings together in placement when feasible and abiding by sibling court-ordered visitations. We will discuss ideas for maintaining sibling connections when siblings are not able to be placed together. In addition, we will be discussing the importance of continuing to support sibling bonds after a permanency plan has been established with a child. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Thursday, August 8, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Navigating the Teenage Mood Adolescence is one of the most difficult transitional periods a person will encounter. We will discuss how teens experience the various transitions associated with adolescence, how trauma may impact those transitions, and how you as a parent can help support them. We will provide tips and techniques to defuse escalated teens and approaches to take when dealing with high risk situations, such as running away, cutting and potential suicidality. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW |
Friday, August 9, 2024 | 10:30AM - 12:30PM |
Summer Movie Events FKCE will be hosting Summer movie events at Maya Cinemas. Caregivers will watch a film relevant to foster care with a debrief at the end. |
Maya Cinemas 1000 California Ave Bakersfield CA 93304 |
Angelica Gonzalez, MSW Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Monday, August 12, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Human Trafficking: Commercial Sexual Exploited Children (CSEC) This is an introductory training to commercial sexual exploitation. We will define it and describe how children in foster care are impacted by CSEC. We will share statistics and information from our own community, and talk about things to look for in order to prevent children from being trafficked and to support those who may have been affected by it already. We will look at the importance of a supportive relationship between you and the youth in your care. We will also discuss and define harm reduction, a practice that has shown success in helping individuals who have been addicted to substances. We will talk about how harm reduction can be helpful in working with youth who have been trafficked. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Angelica Gonzalez, MSW |
Wednesday, August 14, 2024 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together 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. |
Gayla Gibson |
Wednesday, August 21, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
How to Handle/Deal with Peer Pressure Friends and classmates greatly influence decisions, especially during the adolescent and teenage years. This training will help resource families identify the different types of peer pressure and the effects it has on children placed in their home, as well as how to deal with it in healthy ways. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Saturday, August 24, 2024 | 8:30AM-10:30AM |
California Car Seat Laws & Regulation's 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. |
Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Saturday, August 24, 2024 | 10:30AM - 12:30PM |
Internet Safety & Privacy 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. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Tuesday, August 27, 2024 | 6:00PM-8:00PM |
Book Discussion "Somebody's Someone: A Memoir Book Discussion" Oftentimes, new resource parents have well meaning intentions of what it will be like when they first bring a foster youth into their home, but then realize how quickly their fostering journey turns out differently then they imagined. Many times, resource parents feel ashamed and worried about their lack of compassion when in reality they are experiencing “Blocked Care”. Blocked Care is a self-protective mechanism in our nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with a child and maintain compassion due to various factors. In this course, we will discuss what causes Blocked Care, and how to heal accordingly with compassion again, utilizing a holistic brain, body, and spirit approach. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW |
Thursday, August 29, 2024 | 6:00PM-8:00PM |
Understanding Trauma Responses Trauma affects us all different. There are 4 trauma responses that can dictate behaviors and interactions. Understanding trauma informed responses can help parents guide, connect and empower kids. Learn ideas to help kids cope with their trauma responses in a positive way. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage |
Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Wednesday, September 4, 2024 |
6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Harm Reduction Toolkit for Resource Parents Youth who have experienced abuse and neglect often learn different ways to cope with the impact of their trauma. Some of these behaviors, such as drug use or running away can put children at further risk. What can a resource family do to help build a relationship with a traumatized approach, that helps keep children engaged while they learn safer alternatives to their coping behaviors. This training is especially geared towards parents of commercially sexually exploited youth; however all resource families are welcome and can learn new tools that may be helpful in managing behaviors. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Monday, September 9, 2024 |
6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Routines That Calm Chaos Do you want a more peaceful home, less stress, less chaos? Nancy Thomas has found the answers! This method to organize your time and help your children learn to be responsible is all spelled out for you in this training and IT WORKS! When children get into healthy habits your day will breeze by with more time for fun stuff and lots more energy for laughter! Join us to learn how to get kids up in the morning, to bed at night, helping clean up after meals, toothbrushing and even TOILET FLUSHING!! It can all be smooth and peaceful in your home! Join us! |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Nancy Thomas |
Wednesday, September 11, 2024 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together 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. |
Gayla Gibson |
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 8:30AM - 10:30AM |
TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Series: Part 1 Introduction and Overview 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 |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 10:30AM-12:30PM |
TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention) Series: Part 2-Connecting Principles 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. |
Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM |
TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention): Part 3-Empowering Principles This is the third in a series of four trainings. It can stand alone if you have not attended the other trainings. In this training you will learn tools to help children feel safe, such as keeping children properly hydrated, as well as encouraging nutritious food. We will look at understanding sensory processing and some of the challenges children who have experienced trauma have with this as well as how to address it. You will learn how to help children identify what they feel like when they are not self-regulated and specific things they can do or you can do with them to help them regulate. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Saturday, September 14, 2024 | 3:00PM - 5:00PM |
TBRI (Trust-Based Relational Intervention): Part 4 Correcting Principles This is the fourth in a series of four trainings. It can stand alone if you have not attended the other trainings. The main idea behind correcting principles is to teach children social and behavioral competence through proactive strategies and responsive strategies. Correcting principles are guides for changing behavior, but it is important that we remember that even in correcting, we can remain connected to our children. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Monday, September 16, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
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. We will talk about why this parenting strategy works and how to implement it. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Friday, September 20, 2024 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM |
Parenting the Sexually Abused Child It takes a lot of 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 impacts 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. |
Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Friday, September 20, 2024 | 12:00PM - 2:00PM |
Dealing with Difficult Relationships Often times as resource families you will deal with others that you might find challenging to work well with. In this training we will go over ways to deal with others in an effective way. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Gayla Gibson Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Wednesday, September 25, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Sibling Bonds In this training we will be covering sibling relationships and the importance of maintaining and fostering siblings’ connections during the court dependency process. This includes keeping siblings together in placement when feasible and abiding by sibling court-ordered visitations. We will discuss ideas for maintaining sibling connections when siblings are not able to be placed together. In addition, we will be discussing the importance of continuing to support sibling bonds after a permanency plan has been established with a child. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Monday, September 30, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
The Body Keeps the Score This is a training based on the book, which is summarized here: “Trauma is a fact of life. Veterans and their families deal with the painful aftermath of combat; one in five Americans has been molested; one in four grew up with alcoholics; one in three couples have engaged in physical violence.... Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, one of the world’s foremost experts on trauma, has spent over three decades working with survivors. Based on Dr. van der Kolk’s own research and that of other leading specialists, The Body Keeps the Score exposes the tremendous power of our relationships both to hurt and to heal—and offers new hope for reclaiming lives.” |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. Valerie Tovar, MSW |
Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Sunday, October 5, 2024 | 8:30AM - 10:30AM |
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. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Sunday, October 5, 2024 | 10:30AM - 12:30PM |
In the Trenches: Managing Your Secondary Traumatic Stress The condition has numerous names: secondary traumatic stress (STS), vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue. The symptoms are similar in some ways to post-traumatic stress disorder: withdrawing from friends and family, feeling unexplainably irritable, having difficulty focusing, always feeling pressured to get things completed, and feeling hopeless and isolated. Many foster parents 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 |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Wednesday, October 9, 2024 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together 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. |
Gayla Gibson |
Monday, October 14, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Parenting After a History of Trauma This In-service training will address how one's own trauma affects their parenting. It will include being more aware of your own trauma history and how it might impact the way you parent your children, as well as how the child's trauma may trigger your own residual feelings from the trauma you experienced. This is a common challenge for resource parents. This training will look into strategies for how to address the difficult feelings and build and maintain connections to children in care. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Thursday, October 17, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Fun Activities That Build Relationships and Trust A full dozen fun, family activities guaranteed to bring back the laughter to a pooped, stressed family! Join in and chuckle with other parents as you learn some great ways to lighten up the heavy hearts and down faces in your house. Let’s fill our homes with the good stuff while we help heal broken hearts and broken trust! Nancy Thomas will share the most important activities that have used to save children for over 20 years at camp. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Nancy Thomas |
Monday, October 21, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
The Power of Words-Changing Labels of Foster Youth Foster youth carry a stigma. Help stop the labeling of foster youth. Change the labels and empower our youth. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage |
Wednesday, October 23, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Psychotropic Medications Learn about psychotropic medications and how to support and advocate for children in your care about medications. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW |
Friday, October 25, 2024 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM |
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. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Gayla Gibson Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Friday, October 25, 2024 | 12:00PM - 2:00PM |
Levels of Care Will be covering the changes to SCI Policy and how it affects you as a caregiver. We will discuss the causes of Emotional/Behavioral issues in children to warrant these increments. We will give you tools to address the Emotional/Behavioral issues and what behaviors you may see, why the children may display these behaviors, and what you can do to help children develop better coping mechanisms to replace the unhealthy behaviors. We will also help to identify the formal and informal supports within the community for the child and the family. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Gayla Gibson Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Tuesday, October 29, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Film Screening & Discussion: Unseen Many caregivers for children or adults who are disabled or medically complex are exhausted
and isolated. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday, November 4, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Book Discussion: "A Land Called Grief" This training will be based on the children’s books called: 'A Land Called Grief' which is a story that helps little and big kids alike understand the emotions that show up when we navigate through the stages of grief. Although grief can be heavy, A Land Called Grief, helps us understand that our grief can be turned into something beautiful. A beauty that can heal. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW |
Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 8:30AM - 10:30AM |
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. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Barbara Reifel, LCSW Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Saturday, November 9, 2024 | 10:30AM - 12:30PM |
Maintaining Relationships After Emancipation Many foster youth who emancipate from the foster care system find themselves without a strong support system, and statistics on this population are rather concerning. Just because one reaches adulthood, whether they leave care at 18 or 21, does not mean they can survive without a family. Young people who have been in foster care need families who are going to stay connected and remain a part of their life throughout adulthood. This training will address the concerns for foster youth who do not have a support system and provide strategies and encouragement for developing and maintaining a relationship with the young people you raise. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Barbara Reifel, LCSW Becky Colaw, M.S. |
Tuesday, November 12, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Let's Help Kids Grow Appreciation Would you like to have a child with a healthy heart? How about one with an attitude of gratitude? Appreciation is one of the keys to healthy relationships like keeping friends and having happy parents! Join Nancy Thomas as she shares the keys to helping a child build this part of their heart stronger and more powerful. They will thank you for it! |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Nancy Thomas |
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together 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. |
Gayla Gibson |
Thursday, November 14, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Rupture & Repair-The 5 Apology Languages Resilience for foster youth required relationship. Rupture without repair causes disconnect. Understanding the dynamics of an apology. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage |
Monday, November 18, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Book Review: “Reclaim Compassion: Overcoming Blocked Care by Lisa Qualls & Melissa Corkum" Oftentimes, new resource parents have well meaning intentions of what it will be like when they first bring a foster youth into their home, but then realize how quickly their fostering journey turns out differently then they imagined. Many times, resource parents feel ashamed and worried about their lack of compassion when in reality they are experiencing “Blocked Care”. Blocked Care is a self-protective mechanism in our nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with a child and maintain compassion due to various factors. In this course, we will discuss what causes Blocked Care, and how to heal accordingly with compassion again, utilizing a holistic brain, body, and spirit approach. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Wednesday, November 20, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
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 |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Thursday, November 21, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Teen Personality Risk Factors Factors making teens susceptible to dangerous behaviors. Understanding dangerous and
self-destructive behavior. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage |
Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
---|---|---|---|---|
Monday, December 2, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Dealing with Holiday Triggers & Embracing Holiday Traditions Holidays can be difficult on children; they can’t be with their families to celebrate, or the holidays can further be a trauma trigger for them. What can you do as a resource parent to support children through the holidays? Learn of ways you can make the holidays easier to get through by incorporating traditions (the child’s and even some of yours), and some mindfulness activities to help destress during this sometimes-hectic time. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Valerie Tovar, MSW Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW |
Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 8:30AM - 10:30AM |
The Myth of Normal book by Gabor Maté, MD This training is based on information on the book "The Myth of Normal" explaining how society became a vortex of mental illness. How we live is intimately intertwined with our health, disease, and addictions |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Perla Davis, MFT |
Saturday, December 7, 2024 | 10:30AM - 12:30PM |
A Hands-On Approach to Mindfulness 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.. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Perla Davis, MFT. |
Monday, December 9, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
How To Save Your Sanity With a Child Who Drive You Bonkers! Do you want to know the SECRET Ingredient to Being an Outstanding Parent!? The Hidden Truth to How Parents Succeed? The Number ONE Way Parents Change their Families? Join us as Nancy Thomas shares the best of the best of parenting. Nancy is internationally known for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats and laughing out loud as they get empowered, educated and elevated to be the best they can be! If you are ready for some new tools and a fun filled training, sign up here. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Nancy Thomas |
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together 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. |
Gayla Gibson |
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 10:00AM - 12:00PM |
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. |
Gayla Gibson Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Friday, December 13, 2024 | 12:00PM - 2:00PM |
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. |
Gayla Gibson Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
Tuesday, December 17, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
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) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. Yolanda Covian, MSW |
Wednesday, December 18, 2024 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens This training is based on the best-selling book written by Sean Covey. This training will cover the seven basic habits that will help teens become more independent and effective. Help your teens in foster care gain skills that will help them become highly effective adults as they navigate the challenging waters of adolescence. This skill building approach is designed to help build attachment while preparing teens for their future selves! |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Cherilyn Haworth, MSW, LCSW Becky Colaw, M.S. |