Attachment, Separation and Placement
This module outlines normal, healthy attachment and the impact of attachment on children's separation from primary families. The parent/provider will explore how children's developmental levels affect their understanding of, and reactions to, out-of-home placement. |
Cultural Issues in Placement
This module explores how our own cultural perspective can affect the development of relationships with children and families from different cultural backgrounds. The parent/provider will learn how to incorporate elements of a child's cultural heritage into family practices. |
Diffusing Crisis Safely & Sanely - Sessions 1 & 2
This workshop helps participants understand anger as an unmet need, identify the stages of a developing crisis and build corresponding de-escalation skills. They will build their confidence about dealing with angry individuals. Participants will learn to recognize the role of body language and personal space in diffusing tense situations. They will assess how their values, expectations, responses to anger and personal temperament can diffuse a situation or contribute to even greater escalation.
This is a 6 hour workshop. Participants must attend both sessions.
Prerequisite: Session I needs to be completed before attending Session 2. |
Discipline
This module examines the importance of discipline based on the child's age, developmental level, past experiences and current situation. It also explains the rationale for statutes and rules on physical punishment in alternative care homes. |
Effects of Caregiving on the Family
In this module the parent/provider will learn to recognize signs of family stress and know the importance of developing and using support systems to prevent a family crisis. Procedures will be outlined that are required, if allegations of maltreatment are made. Health, hygiene and nutritional issues will be explored. |
Family Systems and Abuse and Neglect
Participants will begin to identify the characteristics of families where maltreatment occurs and the role of parents in preventing abuse and neglect. They will explore the contributing factors to maltreatment and learn how abused and neglected children continue to be at increased risk for abuse and neglect, even after being placed in foster, adoptive or kinship care. Impact of Abuse and Neglect on Child Development. This module provides an overview of normal childhood development and the impact of abuse and neglect. It also explains how to recognize developmental delays or challenges. |
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Impact of Abuse and Neglect on Child Development
This training provides an overview of normal childhood development and the impact of abuse and neglect. It also explains how to recognize developmental delays or challenges.
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Introduction to FASD (Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders) for Resource Families CSP 9339 (3 hours)
Participants will learn how Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (FASD) can impact emotional, behavioral and physical development from infancy to adulthood. They will learn the differences in brain development and the importance of early assessment and intervention. Participants will explore daily challenges at home and in school and discover effective strategies to address the emotions and behaviors of the children.
Trainer: Deonne Pansch, M.S.W., L.G.S.W.
Ms. Pansch is a member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. She received her B.A. in History from the University of Minnesota (U of M), Morris, and went on to earn her Masters in Social Work (MSW) from the U of M, Duluth. Ms. Pansch is a licensed graduate social worker (LGSW); her current employment is with the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe as the Director of Mental Health. Ms. Pansch is an adjunct geography instructor at the Leech Lake Tribal College. Her specialty is in the area of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) and infant and early childhood mental health. Ms. Pansch has presented at numerous conferences and workshops across the state.
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Introduction to Mental Health
This course provides and introduction to a number of common mental health diagnoses that foster and adoptive children often present within the child welfare system. Each diagnosis is discussed in terms of origins, symptoms, behaviors, treatment, interventions, and cultural considerations. It also includes information and helpful tips about common co-occurring or dual diagnoses.
Trainer: Lori Mitchell, MSW, LICSW -
Ms. Mitchell currently is employed with Hennepin County Human Services and Public Health Department. Lori's experience and expertise is in grief and loss, children's mental health, maternal and child health, crisis and gerontology. Lori received her Bachelor of Arts, Human Development from California State University Hayward and a Masters in Social Work from the University of St. Thomas and University of St. Catherine's. Lori also has a graduate psychology certificate in grief specialization from John F. Kennedy University. Lori is a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid and Psychological First Aid.
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Kinship
This training will review current and relevant research studies of Minnesota's kinship families and will address family relations and family roles unique to kinship families including paternal relationships. The benefits of kinship care will be explored from several perspectives including the biological parents, kinship providers, and the child. Implications of intervention and the interactions between social workers and providers and strategies for effective engagement and support services for families will be highlighted. |
Permanency Issues for Children
Participants in this training will learn the unique aspects of becoming a permanent home for a child who will not be returning to their biological parents. They will begin to understand how post-placement issues such as loss; identity and loyalties can be complicated for these children and begin to prepare for them. Caregivers will explore the supports for parents and children in their community.Caregivers will explore the supports for parents and children in their community. |
Permanency Issues for Families
This training helps the parent/provider recognize the long-term adjustments to adoption for the parent and the child. This includes dealing with grief, loss, identity, control, divided loyalties and fertility issues as well as the fantasy of being a “dream family”. |
Primary Families
This training helps the parent/provider to understand the grief process of a birth parent whose children have entered substitute care and the importance of involving the birth family in case planning, daily decision-making and other activities to support reunification. |
Sexual Abuse
This training examines the definition and dynamics of child sexual abuse. The parent/provider will learn that sexual abuse is a complex problem and that children who have been sexually abused may have a hard time adjusting to a new home. Additional training and resources to successfully care for these children and teens will be discussed. |
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Supporting Children Exposed to Domestic Violence
A basic training session for Resource Families on the dynamics of domestic violence, the impact of exposure to domestic violence (DV) on children, and strategies for supporting children who have been exposed to DV. The training describes some of the specific needs of children exposed to domestic violence and how to respond effectively. The training promotes resiliency in children who have been exposed to domestic violence and supports the development of their positive coping strategies.
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Team Building
This training emphasizes the role of parent/provider as an advocate for the child and a collaborative member of the social service team. It focuses on accessing appropriate and available services to help achieve protection and permanency. |
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