Foster Care Education: VACFSS

Upcoming Training

Foster Parent Caregiver Education Program

Click here for calendar in .pdf form: May – June 2011 Caregiver Education Training Calendar

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VACFSS FOSTER CARE EDUCATION

Session 1 – Cultural Awareness & Aboriginal Children in Care (6 Hours )
Participants will learn the history of Aboriginal people and the affects of assimilation and colonization on children and families today. Participants will learn the importance of cultural identity integrated it into their home.

Session 2 – Caring for Children (3 Hours)
Provides an overview of the training program with an emphasis on Aboriginal children in care.

Session 3 – Effects of Caregiving / The Child’s Family (3 Hours)
Participants will explore the possible impacts of caregiving on the foster family and on self. Emphasis on the importance of family to the child and the goals of inclusive fostering will be discussed.

Session 4 – Child & Youth Development (6 Hours)
This session will help caregivers understand how children and youth develop and grow, and explore potential influences on their development. This session will introduce ways of understanding and guiding behaviours using a child/youth-centered approach.

Session 5 – When Children Experience Abuse & Neglect (3 Hours)
Participants will explore how to recognize the symptoms and indicators of abuse and neglect and the effect on children. Emphasis will be placed on learning ways to deal positively with reactions and feelings about child abuse and how to identify and respond to the child’s needs.

Session 6 – Observing, Recording & Reporting (3 Hours)
This session addresses the importance of communicating succinct, accurate and relevant information to the child’s worker and other professionals involved with the child.

Session 7 – Health & Wellness of Children in Care / Communication & Self Awareness (6 Hours )
This session addresses complicated life experiences that may create places of anxiety and stress for Aboriginal children at risk of mental health issues. It will also cover effective communication skills with children in care.

Session 8 – Attachment, Separation & Loss (6 Hours )
In this session, participants will focus on understanding attachment and loss of attachment. Participants will also address healthy attachments to the children/youth in their care.