51成人动漫

Barbara Reifel, LCSW & Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Barbara Reifel, LCSW & Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Barbara Reifel, LCSW & Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Barbara Reifel, LCSW & Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Understanding Noncompliance

This series address the spectrum of cooperation and noncompliance , with a focus on how trauma and trauma histories affect the child's ability to cooperate.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

Conflicting Parenting Styles 鈥� When Parents Parent Differently

This workshop explores how differing parenting styles impact both children and adult relationships in the home. Caregivers will learn how mixed approaches can create confusion, stress, or behavioral challenges for youth, as well as strain communication between adults. The session also highlights the risks of triangulation and offers guidance on building consistency, collaboration, and healthier family dynamics.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Navigating the Teenage Mood

Adolescence is one of the most difficult transitional periods a person will encounter. We will discuss how teens experience the various transitions associated with adolescence, how trauma may impact those transitions, and how you as a parent can help support them. We will provide tips and techniques to defuse escalated teens and approaches to take when dealing with high risk situations, such as running away, cutting and potential suicidality.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW

Understanding Peer Influence and Bullying

This training explores how peer pressure and bullying affect children and teens, especially those in foster care. Resource families will learn how to recognize the signs, understand the impact these behaviors can have, and support youth with healthy strategies to cope and build confidence.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Becky Colaw, MS

Partnering for Success: Working with Birth Parents

This training builds on the co-parenting section of pre-service training. By now, many of you have had the opportunity to work with birth parents and may have gained new insights, encountered new questions, or faced new challenges. During this session, we will address these experiences and provide space to process strategies for managing challenges鈥攁lways with the best interest of the children in mind.

Becky Colaw, M.S. Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Understanding Children's Mental Health Challenges

Foster children are often diagnosed with a range of mental health conditions, from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder. These diagnoses can feel stigmatizing for the child and confusing for the resource family. This training will help caregivers better understand mental health diagnoses, what to expect, and how to have supportive and effective conversations with children about their mental health.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW
Rocio Garcia 

Fentanyl & Beyond: Understanding Drug Risks for Teens

This workshop helps caregivers understand the risks of fentanyl and other substances that teens may encounter. Participants will learn about warning signs, the effects of various drugs, and strategies for having open, supportive conversations with youth. The session also provides tools to help teens make safer choices and stay protected from dangerous substances.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW
Rocio Garcia 

Caregiving Together 

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Rocio Garcia, MSW

Parenting Autistic Children: A Strengths-Based Approach

As resource parents work towards building trusting and loving relationships with the children in their care, understanding the perspectives of the children and the underlying reasons for their behaviors will help parents provide the right supports. Children with Autism are at an increased risk of entering the child welfare system and experiencing multiple placement disruptions.  To help resource parents build their awareness about Autism and to support placement stability, this training provides insight and tools necessary for working with this population of foster children.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

Advocating for Foster Youth Rights

This training equips resource families with the knowledge and skills to support foster youth. Participants will learn about legal rights, recognize common barriers, and apply trauma-informed practices to promote safety, trust, and well-being.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW Alejandra Torres, MSW

Sensory Processing and Trauma impact

This workshop explains how sensory processing and trauma can influence a child鈥檚 behavior. Caregivers will learn why some children react so differently to sounds, touch, movement, and other sensations, and how these responses connect to their past experiences. The session also explores the range between sensory-seeking and sensory-avoidant behaviors and offers guidance on understanding and supporting youth with these needs.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Protecting Youth in the Digital World

This workshop helps caregivers understand how to keep children and teens safe while using the internet, social media, and digital devices. Participants will learn about common online risks, safe online habits, and practical tools to guide youth in making responsible digital choices. The session also covers how to set healthy boundaries and maintain open communication to support safe and positive online experiences.

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW 

Preparing for the Emotional Journey: A Resource Parents Toolkit

Resource Parenting is an emotional commitment that comes with both challenges and rewards. Prepares resource parents for the highs and lows of foster care, offering guidance on self-care and stress management. Foster families learn how to set realistic expectations, cope with attachment-related challenges, and build a strong support system. These skills help parents remain resilient and emotionally available for the children in their care.

Bonnie Holt, MSW

Healing Neen

Healing Neen follows the healing journey of Tonier 'Neen' Cain that included a lifetime of abuse, incarceration, and drug addiction. Neen shares her story and discusses all of the people and events that led to her success. Neen is now a nationally recognized motivational speaker and author and she shares her vulnerable truth so the impact of abuse and neglect can be seen through the eyes of a survivor. Afterwards, we will discuss how this powerful story impacts your work as a resource parent. WARNING: Some adult language and content are discussed in this movie.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Barbara Reifel, LCSW 

Prudent Parenting

When caring for another person鈥檚 child, it is very important to know the decisions you, as the Resource Parent, can make for the child in your care. Using Prudent Parenting Standard鈥檚, you are allowed to make some of the decisions about the child鈥檚 activities, childcare, and implementing your family rules with the child in care. This training will cover what could fall under Prudent Parent Standards.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Educational Advocacy for Foster Youth

Educational advocacy is essential for foster youth because it ensures they receive the individualized support and resources they need to succeed academically, even while navigating the challenges of foster care. This class will explain what educational advocacy is and why it matters, review key California education laws and the rights of foster youth, and cover transition planning to help caregivers support youth as they move beyond high school.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Alejandra Torres, MSW

Self-Harming Behavior

Self-harm is often an immediate solution to bigger and more complex issues, but it can also have serious or even tragic outcomes. For those who work with children or youth who engage in self-harm, not knowing how to respond appropriately can cause tremendous stress.  This training foundational to the resource parents toolkit.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

Caregiving Together 

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Rocio Garcia, MSW 

Film Screening & Discussion: The Ride 

Participants will watch the film The Ride, the inspiring true story of a BMX champion who overcame an abusive childhood through the love and guidance of his interracial foster family. Following the screening, there will be a facilitated debrief and discussion, exploring the themes of resilience, mentorship, and the impact of supportive foster care.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.
Gayla Gibson

Emotional Intelligence

In this training we will talk about helping children who suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress symptoms, which is a lot of our children. They have all experienced trauma, and usually the trauma has been chronic and complex, lasting a long time. They have developed many fears and unhealthy coping mechanisms. We will talk about what anxiety my look like in terms of behavior and then talk about things you can do to help your child manage the anxiety they are experiencing.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.
Gayla Gibson

Hyper Independent 鈥� Parentification 

This workshop focuses on hyper-independence and parentification, which occur when children take on adult responsibilities or act as caregivers for siblings. Participants will learn how parentification often develops in foster care, why some youth appear overly independent, and how these patterns can affect their ability to form healthy relationships. The session also offers guidance on recognizing these behaviors and supporting youth in feeling safe, supported, and appropriately cared for.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Teen Trends: Behavior, Challenges, and Growth

This workshop helps caregivers understand the behaviors, challenges, and developmental changes common in teens, especially those in foster care. Participants will learn why teens may act out, withdraw, or test boundaries, and explore practical strategies to guide, support, and foster positive growth during this critical stage.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Becky Colaw, M.S.

Dealing with Depression in Children

Depression can be hard and scary when we are caring for a child who suffers from it. In this in-service we will talk about children who suffer from depression. We will define depression, identify symptoms for you to look for in children, and talk about things you can do to help a child who is depressed. We will also talk about suicide and suicidal ideation and what you can and should do when you have a child experiencing this.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Honesty vs. Untruth

Explores the reasons behind children's not being honest, how to respond empathetically, and how to encourage honesty through positive communication.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

A Hands-On Approach to Mindfulness

This training will educate on the importance being mindful as a parent and helping children to be mindful. The busyness in our lives often takes our attention away from the present, even in our parenting. Many are multi-tasking even when we are trying to redirect children鈥檚 behavior or trying to help them when they are experiencing emotional dysregulation. Being present is such an important part of parenting, and it is important to model to our young people. We will look at mindfulness exercises that you can engage in and mindfulness exercises you can teach children.

Virtual (Zoom)

Perla Davis, MFT

Fentanyl & Beyond: Understanding Drug Risks for Teens

This workshop helps caregivers understand the risks of fentanyl and other substances that teens may encounter. Participants will learn about warning signs, the effects of various drugs, and strategies for having open, supportive conversations with youth. The session also provides tools to help teens make safer choices and stay protected from dangerous substances.

Virtual (Zoom)

Claudia Martinez, MSW
Rocio Garcia

Caregiving Together 

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Rocio Garcia, MSW 

Book Review: 鈥淩eclaim Compassion: Overcoming Blocked Care" by Lisa Qualls & Melissa Corkum

Oftentimes, new resource parents have well meaning intentions of what it will be like when they first bring a foster youth into their home, but then realize how quickly their fostering journey turns out differently then they imagined. Many times, resource parents feel ashamed and worried about their lack of compassion when in reality they are experiencing 鈥淏locked Care鈥�. Blocked Care is a
self-protective mechanism in our nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with a child and maintain compassion due to various factors. In this course, we will discuss what causes Blocked Care, and how to heal accordingly with compassion again, utilizing a holistic brain, body, and spirit approach.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Becky Colaw, M.S.

Separation, Grief, Loss and Transitions - complex grief process in foster and kinship care

This training provides an overview of how children experience grief at different developmental stages, why grief often reoccurs throughout the foster care journey, and practical ways caregivers can support youth as they process loss and navigate emotional triggers.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

The Love Tree

This training is inspired by the children鈥檚 book The Love Tree by Katie Biron and incorporates discussions on adoptive families and family trees.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Barbara Reifel, LCSW 

Grandparents As Parents

If you鈥檙e among the millions of grandparents raising your grandchildren today, you need information, support, and practical guidance you can count on to keep your family strong.  Learn effective strategies to help you cope with the stresses of parenting the second time around, care for vulnerable grandkids, set boundaries with the often-troubled parents, navigate the maze of government aid, court proceedings and special education.  Wise, honest, moving stories show how numerous other grandparents are surviving and thriving in their new roles.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Barbara Reifel, LCSW 

Healing and Resilience

Building self-worth, hope, and managing stress.  This training looks at the healing and resiliency component to the trauma-loss-and-grief cycle, shedding light on how healing occurs, and how resiliency is formed igniting the process for lifelong internal supports.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

College Readiness for Foster Youth: A Caregiver鈥檚 Guide

Join us for a workshop hosted by the NextUp Program at 51成人动漫. Caregivers will learn how to support foster youth as they start and move through college. We will cover financial aid, campus resources, and common challenges students face. Participants will leave with helpful tools and information to guide youth toward college success.

Presented in partnership with the NextUp Program at 51成人动漫.

Virtual (Zoom)

NextUp Educational Advisor

Bridging the Gap & Between Resource Parents & Birth Parents

The purpose of foster care is to retain the connection between children and families so that children can be reunited with their birth families with minimal trauma. 鈥� Bridging the Gap鈥� is the process of building and maintaining relationships and communication between the birth and foster families. This also includes the concept of foster families and birth families communicating with respect and sharing information about the child in care. Good communication benefits the foster parents, parents, and the children, while supporting family reunification or another permanency plan.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Becky Colaw, M.S.

California Car Seat Laws & Regulation's

Overview of California's car seats laws and regulations. Information about safe transportation for children and how to properly install your child's safety seat in your vehicle. You will also have the opportunity to schedule a safety seat inspection by a trained child passenger safety technician.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Film Screening & Discussion: The S Word

THE S WORD is a powerful feature documentary that puts a human face on suicide, a topic that has long been stigmatized and buried with the lives it has claimed. Capturing personal revelations and surprising moments of humor, it opens a door on this most taboo of subjects through the eyes of the people who have been there and are now committed to preventing others from getting to that edge.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Yolanda Covian, MSW
Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW 

Strategies for Navigating Smooth Daily Transitions - Solutions to Meltdowns During Transitions

Participants will explore how many transitions children face each day, what commonly triggers stress during these moments, and why transitions can be especially challenging for youth in care. The session also offers practical, easy-to-use strategies to support successful and calmer transitions throughout the day

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Advocating for Foster Youth Rights

This training equips resource families with the knowledge and skills to support foster youth. Participants will learn about legal rights, recognize common barriers, and apply trauma-informed practices to promote safety, trust, and well-being.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Alejandra Torres, MSW

Substance Abuse Infants

Training for resource parents on substance-exposed infants (SEIs) covers effects of prenatal exposure (NAS, FASD), symptoms (withdrawal, developmental delays),parenting strategies (beyond basics). Training will include information on how to best support infants and toddlers who have experienced en-utero drug exposure, through advocacy and beyond.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Rocio Garcia, MSW 

Non-Suicidal Self Injury

Understanding the complexities and underlying reasons and behaviors for non-suicidal self harm in foster youth.

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

The Value of Affirmation

In this training we will talk about ways that we can affirm children and how to make this a priority. Affirmations typically refer to words being said about the child, either from someone else or through teaching the child to say those things about themselves, usually some of both. It also includes positive interactions.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Becky Colaw, M.S.

Somebody's Someone: A Memoir Book Discussion

Oftentimes, new resource parents have well meaning intentions of what it will be like when they first bring a foster youth into their home, but then realize how quickly their fostering journey turns out differently then they imagined. Many times, resource parents feel ashamed and worried about their lack of compassion when in reality they are experiencing 鈥淏locked Care鈥�. Blocked Care is a self-protective mechanism in our nervous system that makes it difficult to connect with a child and maintain compassion due to various factors. In this course, we will discuss what causes Blocked Care, and how to heal accordingly with compassion again, utilizing a holistic brain, body, and spirit approach.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Film Screening & Discussion: Somebody's Child

This movie is based on the book titled 鈥淪omebody鈥檚 Someone鈥� written by Regina Louise, and is a memoir about the author鈥檚 life in and out of the American foster care system. Regina grew up living in more than thirty foster homes, group homes, and psychiatric facilities. Along the way, she missed many years of formal education and went through several dangerous withdrawals from inaccurately prescribed medications. Both the book and movie describe the plight of foster youth within the United States and highlights the importance of one caring adult in a foster youth鈥檚 life.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Barbara Reifel, LCSW

The Myth of Normal book by Gabor Mat茅, MD

FKCE Trainer Perla Davis will share insightful information on this book explaining how society became a vortex of mental illness. How we live is intimately intertwined with our health, disease, and addictions.

Perla Davis, MFT

Specialized Medical Needs of Medically Fragile Children

A medically fragile child is one who has a serious, ongoing health condition that requires daily skilled nursing care, monitoring, or life-sustaining medical equipment. These children often qualify for specialized programs that help them receive care at home. This training provides insight into caring for children with specialized medical needs to ensure best outcomes for children in care.

Bonnie Holt, MSW

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Rocio Garcia, MSW

The Colors of Grief

The Colors of Grief addresses children's shattered lives and expectations and the stages through their developmental phases, to provide practical application to support them after a significant loss, which can include the death or removal of a parent or caregiver. This is such a chronic experience of foster youth that it is important to understand that their emotional journey is one of many colors-colors of love and sadness, courage and fear, strength and confusion. Some of these colors are brilliant, some dull, some dark, and some bright. The goal of this training is to help a child's color's shine bright- including their colors of resilience.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.
Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Filling your Children's Bucket

If we want our children to reach their potential, we must fill their buckets. All parents and caregivers want the children in their home to overcome their past and reach their full potential. Correcting negative behaviors is not going to make this happen if we do not also build their selfesteem and self-confidence and show them unconditional love. Filling their buckets refers to the nice things we say and do for and with them, including praising them, rewarding them, and just doing nice things because we love them.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Becky Colaw, M.S.
Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Levels of Care

Discussion of the changes to the SCI Policy and how it affects caregivers. Discussion of causes of Emotional/Behavorial issues and what behaviors you may want to see, why the children display these behaviors, and what you can do to help children develop better coping mechanisms to replace the unhealthy behaviors. Informal and formal supports will be identified within the community for the child and family.

Virtual (Zoom)

Gayla Gibson

The importance and Impact of Modeling - Social Learning Theory

This workshop explores the importance of modeling and how children learn through observation, based on Social Learning Theory. Caregivers will learn why children often learn best by watching others, how trauma can interfere with social learning, and how to recognize maladaptive behaviors or learned helplessness. The session also provides strategies to support positive modeling and healthy skill development in youth.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage 

Caring for Traumatized Children and Self Care

A comprehensive look at secondary trauma, the impact that secondary trauma in the helping role,  and ways to ensure self-care is a regular part of your daily routines to manage stress and well-being. 

Virtual (Zoom)

Bonnie Holt, MSW

De-escalation and Harm Reduction Basics for Resource Parents

Youth who have experienced abuse and neglect often learn different ways to cope with the impact of their trauma. Some of these behaviors, such as drug use or running away can put children at further risk. What can a resource family do to help build a relationship with a traumatized approach, that helps keep children engaged while they learn safer alternatives to their coping behaviors. This training is especially geared towards parents of commercially sexually exploited youth; however all resource families are welcome and can learn new tools that may be helpful in managing behavior.

Virtual (Zoom)

Valerie Tovar, MSW
Becky Colaw, M.S.

QPI-Quality Parenting Initiative & it's Role in Kern County

The Quality Parenting Initiative (QPI) is a national movement for foster care change, made up of a network of states, counties and private agencies committed to ensuring that all children in care have excellent parenting and lasting relationships so they can thrive and grow. We will be sharing Kern Counties鈥� efforts in using this initiative with local caregivers and thus positively impacting foster care.

Virtual (Zoom)

Gayla Gibson