Child Welfare Academy
Western Maryland Resource Parent Training Opportunities
Saturday, March 24, 2018
Allegany Co. DSS, 1 Frederick St, Cumberland, MD 21502
Strengthening Attachment Among Resource Parents and Children in Foster Care
9:00am-12:00pm (3 training hours)
This interactive training will allow participants to gain a comprehensive understanding about the attachment process, and how involvement in the child welfare system can cause disruptions in healthy relationships. Participants will learn ways to support children in the foster care system, and identify specific tools to implement to strengthen resource parent/child attachment.
Realities of Reunification
1:00pm-4:00pm (3 training hours)
Reunification is the first and most common goal for children in the foster care system, which resource parents learn early in their initial training, but the challenges of doing the work to support a child and family towards reunification, along with the emotional realities of loving a child and having to let go, can be harder to manage in real life. Learn how to face the challenges and process the realities with a former resource parent who has experienced it first hand and who professionally specializes in attachment and trauma.
Register for the March 24 Sessions
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Garrett Co DSS, 12578 Garrett Highway, Oakland, MD 21550
Navigating the Birth Parent Relationship
9:00am-12:00pm (3 training hours)
The relationship between foster/adoptive and birth parents is at once complicated, challenging, and highly gratifying. It is only natural for foster/adoptive parents to worry about how to build and sustain a mutually rewarding connection that keeps the best interests of the child at the forefront. This seminar will explore several critical issues related to communicating with birth parents such as establishing clear boundaries up front, different levels of contact, what to do and say during meetings, preparing children for visits, and managing personal biases and feelings regarding birth parents. The topic of search and reunion will also be addressed. Being informed and prepared is the first step toward alleviating anxiety and establishing a healthy foundation for your child.
Discipline: Finding Children’s Strength in the Oddest Places
1:00pm-4:00pm (3 training hours)
Do you have a love/hate relationship with discipline? Do you question whether you’re doing it “right”? If so, then you are a normal parent! It is very easy to fall into the trap of focusing on negative behaviors and what is not going right. Join the discussion that will leave you feeling inspired and with tangible skills and ideas on how tackle situations from a different perspective.
Register for the April 21st Sessions
SPRING RESOURCE PARENT CONFERENCE
ON MARCH 3, 2018
8:30AM-4:00PM
AT CHESAPEAKE COLLEGE
1000 College Circle, Wye Mills, MD 21679
Looking forward to seeing you there!!