Children in care need loving and skilled foster parents to help them face difficult challenges on a daily basis. It is therefore important our caregivers continue to have the opportunity to increase their knowledge in order to maintain the high quality of foster care in B.C.

Training Project Updates

January 2018
In the Fall of 2017, program ownership for the Caregiver, Kinship and Resource Worker trainings was transferred to 2 provincial divisions – Learning & Development, and Guardianship, Adoption & Permanency.  BCFFPA continues to work with both divisions on the completion and roll-out of the 3 trainings.

PRIDE pre-service training is well underway with monthly cohorts being offered for new caregivers.  PRIDE in-service is undergoing final edits.  While training for Kinship/Out-of-Care caregivers is currently in the final stages of completion, Resource Worker training is undergoing a bit more revision prior to completion. More Info .

In support of foster families throughout the province, the Ministry of Children and Family Development and the B.C Federation of Foster Parents Associations are pleased to offer a standardized education program. The British Columbia Foster Care Education Program is designed for approved foster parents who have a family care home agreement with the Ministry of Children and Family Development.

All foster parents and their spouses/partners are required to complete the program within two years.

The British Columbia Foster Care Education Program consists of training on a range of foster care subjects, presented in 14 modules. Participants can register for all modules in Series 1 and 2 or specific modules. Taking the modules in sequence maximizes the participant’s learning experience.

Training Modules

SERIES 1

OVERVIEW OF BC FOSTER CARE EDUCATION PROGRAM – ( S1-1 ) 3 HOURS
Overview of the program with emphasis on Ministry of Children and Family Development Guardianship Model, concept of teamwork, and the roles and responsibilities of those providing care to children.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND SELF AWARENESS – ( S1-2 ) 3 HOURS
Introduction to how effective communication skills are foundational to caregiving relationships with children, youth, families and members of the care team.

THE EFFECTS OF CAREGIVING – ( S1-3 ) 3 HOURS
Exploring the possible impacts of caregiving on the foster family and its relationship with neighbourhood and community.

THE CHILD’S FAMILY – ( S1-4 ) 3 HOURS
Emphasis on the importance of family to the child and promotes the understanding of the child’s family.

OBSERVE, RECORD AND REPORT – ( S1-5 ) 3 HOURS
Learn the benefits and purposes of observing and reporting daily progress to ensure quality of care.

CHILD & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT – ( S1-6 ) 3 HOURS
Assist caregivers to understand how children and youth grow and develop, as well as the potential influences on their development.

ATTACHMENT, SEPARATION AND LOSS – ( S1-7 ) 6 HOURS.
Understanding issues around attachment and loss. Learners will address how they can promote healthy attachments in children/youth in their care.

WHEN CHILDREN EXPERIENCE ABUSE AND NEGLECT – ( S1-8) 6 HOURS
Focus in on how to recognize the symptoms and indicators of abuse and neglect. Emphasis on learning ways to deal positively with reactions and feelings about child abuse, and how to identify and respond to the needs of the abused and neglected child.

GUIDING BEHAVIOUR OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH – ( S1-9 ) 6 HOURS
Introduce ways of understanding and guiding behaviors that are child/youth-centered approaches.

SERIES 2

CULTURAL RESPONSIVENESS – ( S2-1 ) 3 HOURS
To understand culture and cultural differences.

ABORIGINAL CHILDREN IN CARE – ( S2-2 ) 3 HOURS
Explore the importance of understanding and integrating the child’s aboriginal culture in ways that promote and enhance the well being of aboriginal children in care.

SUBSTANCE MISUSE – ( S2-3 ) 3 HOURS
Assist in recognizing indicators and possible contributing factors of substance misuse. Participants will learn to assist and support a child or youth who misuses substances.

FAE/FAS/NAS – ( S2-4 ) 3 HOURS
Understanding the implications of caring for children in care who may be influenced by these medical conditions.

SUICIDE AWARENESS – ( S2-5 ) 5 HOURS
Emphasis will be placed on warning signs to look for, risk assessment, how to respond and when to get help.

PRIOR LEARNING ASSESSMENT

Presently everyone who wants to foster must take the BC Foster Parent Education Program. Prior Learning Assessment offers an alternative way for people to receive credit. The prior learning assessment process identifies and assesses what a person knows and can do; then, grants credit towards program. Alternative ways to receive credit include education (certificates, diplomas, degrees); training (in-service, conferences workshops, seminars); employment; specialized volunteer work that relates to foster care; involvement in family conferencing and case management; involvement in continuing care plans.

If you are interested in obtaining the Prior Learning Assessment package or have any questions please contact us.

ONLINE TRAINING

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

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.