(Posted 2023 April)
We know that sometimes it can be hard for our foster parents to find the time for training hours – even though you know it’s important, and more importantly, mandatory.
When you’re struggling to get your annual 10 hours done, remember that continuing education will help you develop skills to face the unique challenges of foster parenting. These new skills and strategies can help prevent burnout along this journey.
In case you need some options to get these hours done, look no further!
County Training
The county offers a variety of highly relevant sessions throughout the year. Not only are these great learning opportunities on timely topics, but they’re also a good way to get to know some of your fellow foster parents and to engage with county staff. These are found in the training section of this newsletter and the training website.
Foster Parent College
In addition, each month, the Foster Family Newsletter features a highlight from Foster Parent College. As a certified foster parent in the county, you can access any of these online self-paced classes through a login provided by the county. If you can’t locate it, contact your resource worker. There are a variety of topics covering common issues in foster parenting.
VDSS Northern Regional In-Service Trainings
These are available through Zoom for foster families in Fairfax County and other Northern Virginia jurisdictions. These two-hour sessions are available Thursday evenings at least once a month and cover topics unique to foster parenting such as trauma-informed parenting and working with a child’s family. These real-time trainings allow you to interact with other foster parents as well. Contact CRAFFT Coordinator, Katie Lo Monaco, for more information.
Local Non-Profits
There are non-profit organizations that provide education for foster and adoptive families, and many of these trainings can count toward your mandatory annual hours. Check out these two local organizations:
Formed Families Forward offers training throughout the year on a variety of education, disability, mental health, and other topics relevant to foster, adoptive, and kinship families. Some options are listed in this newsletter each month, but for a full schedule see their events calendar for their upcoming trainings.
Center for Adoption Support and Education (C.A.S.E.) provides post adoption support and adoption-related training and education to parents who have finalized an adoption from foster care in Virginia at no cost to you. The Virginia Department of Social Services provides the funding for this as well as training, therapy, and conferences for adoptive families.
It’s never too late to start being more consistent in doing your training hours. Each month, you can check the Training and Conferences section of this newsletter for the dates of upcoming training opportunities relevant to your needs.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
Learn about what the Foster Care and Adoption program has planned for foster families - stay on top of trends, participate in trainings and learn about policy changes.