This course began out of the necessity to address the evolving COVID-19 crisis in 2020. Over the following 2+ years, much has changed with respect to this pandemic, and still today we are experiencing the ever-changing aspects–mentally, socially, and physically. We created this follow-up module to our initial 2020 "Responding...
Navigating the child welfare legal system is perhaps one of the greatest challenges for foster parents, birth parents, and caseworkers. Because legal systems vary significantly depending on county, state, and federal laws, navigating these judicial labyrinths can be disorienting, frustrating, humbling, and at times, deflating. When a child’s wellbeing and...
**This is part 2 of a 2 part series. Please complete "Improving the Child Welfare System: Part 1" prior to this course.** The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (aka Family First) transforms federal child welfare financing streams to allow funding for services to families whose children may be...
The Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (aka Family First) transforms federal child welfare financing streams to allow funding for services to families whose children may be at risk of entering foster care. It includes the most significant changes to federal child welfare finance structures since the establishment of...
**This is part 2 of a 2 part series. Please complete "Supporting Higher Education Success Part 1" prior to this course.** Youth in foster care need supportive adults, mentors, and other higher education advocates to help them realize educational goals and pursuits. While many youth in/from foster care want to...
Youth in foster care need supportive adults, mentors, and other higher education advocates to help them realize educational goals and pursuits. While many youth in/from foster care want to attend college. The rates of actual enrollment and completion don't match desire. 85 percent of foster youth aspire to attend college,...
Foster parents play a vital role in maintaining connections between children and their birth parents. These relationships can be confusing and chaotic for children and youth and require special care and handling. Helping a young person maintain or strengthen connections to birth parents can be challenging. Learn how foster parents...
Children and youth in foster care are at a higher risk for medical and mental health problems than those not in care. This is often a direct result of their childhood trauma, making it extremely important that they receive high-quality, coordinated health care. In addition, health care is often court-ordered...
Preparation is key when welcoming a new child or young person into your home. The arrival can be a time of excitement, as well as anxiety, especially for the child coming into your home. It is often a time of questions, and being ready to answer these questions with both...
Placement in care often brings complicated feelings of shame, relief, or guilt for children and youth. In order to effectively serve and provide for their needs, we need to help children and youth recognize their grief and meet them where they are in their grieving process. Through this module, you...
