One way the Center for Youth and Family Solutions supports foster parents is to make sure they are prepared for the joys and challenges of caring for a child who has been abused or neglected. We believe training is not a onetime event, but an ongoing process, blending shared knowledge with hands-on experience.
Foster PRIDE
All foster parents must complete the Department of Child and Family Services Foster PRIDE training. This training is 27 hours and provides the basics of caring for children in the foster care system. The PRIDE curriculum focuses on preparing foster parents so that you:
- Can be prepared to protect and nurture children in a safe, healthy environment
- Meet the developmental and emotional needs of the children
- Maintain and promote a child’s connection to his or her own family
- Protect and promote the child’s cultural identity and heritage
- Work toward a permanent home for children
Nuts and Bolts of CYFS Foster Parenting Orientation
In addition to the DCFS required training, CYFS requires foster parents to participate in a two-hour Nuts and Bolts of Foster Care Orientation. This orientation provides an opportunity for foster parents to get to know more about CYFS and our foster care team. It gives foster parents and foster care staff a chance to get to know each other. Together, they can prepare for the children who will be entrusted into their care.
Relative Foster Parent Training
When a family member needs your help to care for their child, you may become a relative foster parent. Becoming a licensed relative foster parent has many advantages and can enrich the overall experience for both the caregiver and the child.
All Relative Foster parents are required to participate in 6 hours of parent trainings through the Department of Children and Family Services. To make sure they have all of the support necessary to be a successful relative caregiver, CYFS relative foster parents participate in a Relative Caregiver Training. This training is facilitated by both a CYFS licensing worker and a CYFS foster care family worker so that relatives can become more familiar with the staff on their local foster care team. When available, a current relative caregiver is also a part of this training team.
Specialized and Medically Complex Parent Training
Foster families who accept children served in our Specialized or Medically Complex Programs must complete additional training designed to help meet the special needs of these children. 16 additional hours are required each year for foster caregivers in the Specialized/Medically Complex Programs. CYFS has a parent trainer and nurse who can provide training tailored to help you meet the needs of the children in your home. These trainings can be done individually or in a group setting.
Parent Skills Training
CYFS has certified trainers who provide the Parent Skills Training. This training, authored by Brad Bryant and Michael Johnan from People Places, is available to all foster families. Foster parents who wish to assist children in the Specialized Behavior Program are required to successfully complete this 9-week program.
Crisis Prevention Behavior Management Training
All foster caregivers receive the Crisis Prevention Behavior Management training. This training addresses non-violent crisis intervention, and details the levels of crisis development. Understanding how to de-escalate a situation and redirect the child is very important to families who are helping children who have experienced trauma.
Beyond these initial trainings, CYFS assists foster caregivers in receiving training specific to the needs of the children placed in their home. Ongoing training opportunities are available throughout the year in classes or workshops facilitated by CYFS, as part of the CYFS support group and in conjunction with other community agencies or DCFS.
The foster caregiver recruiter/educator is available to assist in providing individual trainings, which can be done in the foster caregiver’s home.
To find out more about these and other trainings, talk with your licensing worker or visit our events calendar.