A Family For Every Child Adoption Agency Family Orientation

A Family For Every Child Adoption Agency holds orientations for families interested in starting the home study process at various locations throughout Oregon on a monthly basis. If you would like to attend to learn about how we can help you with your home study, please contact adoption@afamilyforeverychild.org to RSVP, obtain the parent packet. and get directions to the meeting location. The next scheduled Orientations are:

  • On request
  • Please call 541-343-2856 to make a reservation and get directions to the orientation meeting location!

A Family For Every Child Adoption Agency holds an Adoption Information Session for families interested in starting the home study process at various locations throughout Oregon. By registering for an upcoming meeting in your area you will receive a copy of our Parent Packet to review, a confirmed seat in the session, and a reminder phone call before the meeting. Upcoming information nights are scheduled for:

  1. Information Nights (Eugene Office)

    Are you interested in taking your first step towards adoption?! Please join us for our adoption information night! This is where you can learn about the general process of adoption and get all of your questions answered! There are a couple options every month!

    Come into our Eugene Office for an friendly in-person Information meeting! Please RSVP for more information!
    Information Nights are 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00pm to 7:30 pm – this is in our Office
    Look for the red balloons on our door!

    Upcoming Dates RSVP
    A Family For Every child
    1675 W 11th Avenue
    Eugene, OR 97402

To register for one of the in person information nights, please email adoption@afamilyforeverychild.org with the date you would like to attend and the number of people attending. Space is limited, so be sure to register now.

If you need assistance with a home study, or prefer to speak over the phone, please call our Adoption Coordinator at 541-343-2856.


  • DCYF Training Requirements
    Training, both pre-service and ongoing training is available from the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families.

DSHS Orientation

Provider / Title Description Location Upcoming Orientation Phone
Choice Adoptions US Digital Outreach Center
1400 NE 136th Avenue STE 201
Vancouver WA 98684
1-800-335-7146
In-Person Orientation Attend an orientation session in person where an overview of the foster/adoptive process is reviewed and you have the opportunity to ask questions. You are required to take the DSHS orientation in addition to an orientation with A Family For Every Child Adoption Agency. You must attend the DSHS orientation before you can complete your Caregiver Core Training classes. Varies by Region
See below
Varies by Region.
See below
Varies by Region
See below
Online
Orientation
This orientation provides the information you need in order to be approved for foster/adopt. While you can complete the orientation online, in person orientations give you an opportunity for personal questions to be answerd. Families who choose to work with A Family For Every Child Adoption Agency can skip steps 2 and 4 in the online orientation.      
Keep the Beat CPR & First Aid Training Keep the Beat is a required 8–hour free training that all potential foster and adoptive parents must take. The training will cover CPR, first aid, HIV⁄AIDS, and blood–borne pathogens. Click the link to the left to learn more. Click on one of the links to the right to sign up for a class in your area. Varies by location. Use links at the left to find an upcoming training class in your area. Varies by location. Use links at the left to find contact information for training providers in your area.

Alliance Caregiver Training, Region 3 — February 2017

CAREGIVER CORE TRAINING

Caregiver Core Training is mandatory for caregivers to become licensed.

The 24-hour Caregiver Core Training is made up of eight sessions (each three hours long) and a break for a field experience at the mid-point.

The sessions are designed to help you understand how the system works, what your role is as a member of the team, how to effectively work with birth families in order to best support the child, how caregiving may impact your own family, child development and the impact of trauma, all about attachment, how to incorporate and honor a child's culture into your own family, and more. The sessions include the voices of former foster youth, current caregivers and birth parents who have been involved with the system.

Length :
24 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

INTRODUCTION TO THE INDIAN CHILD WELFARE ACT (ICWA) FOR CAREGIVERS

This 3-hour In-Service level training provides Caregivers with an introduction to the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), tribal sovereignty and the impacts on foster parenting. The Indian Child Welfare Act obliges child welfare agencies and caregivers to take certain steps to protect and preserve the rights and cultural and familial connections of children covered by the act. For non-Federally recognized tribes (and in other circumstances), Washington State enacted policy related to Local Indian Child Welfare Advisory Committees (LICWACs) to staff tribal cases and these impacts and supports are also discussed.

Length :
3 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS TO HELP CHILDREN HEAL

This 6-hour focused topic training for caregivers provides an in-depth exploration of the emotional trauma that children in out-of-home care have been through and how it can impact them. The training focuses on strategic and practical skill building for caregivers to foster healing and resiliency in the children for whom they care. The takeaway from this training is how to identify and address the emotional wounds of the children in your care so healing can begin.

Length :
6 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

HEALTHY ENGAGEMENT WITH CHILDREN OF TRAUMA

This course is designed to help foster parents and caregivers gain a better understanding of our interaction with trauma and adversity in the children we serve.

Length :
6 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

DLR/CPS ALLEGATIONS: AN OVERVIEW OF THE INVESTIGATION PROCESS FOR CAREGIVERS

This 3-hour in-service training will provide foster parents, caregivers, relatives and fictive kin with information about DLR/CPS and how DLR/CPS works with caregivers and the community to ensure child safety. Participants will learn about mandated reporting, definitions and differences between allegations of abuse and/or neglect and licensing infractions, the flow of the investigative process when allegations are received, outcomes of investigations, and how caregivers can take steps to protect themselves in the process.

Length :
3 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

YOUTH MISSING FROM CARE FOR CAREGIVERS

This 3-hour in-service course is designed to provide caregivers with the information needed to identify, support, and intervene with youth who are living in care and are at risk of running away. Caregivers will learn the characteristics associated with youth who are at risk for running away, and key strategies to reduce the likelihood of them running. Legal and procedural requirements are presented so caregivers can successfully partner with Social Service Specialists and understand what steps to take when a youth is missing from care, and when they return. Caregivers will learn how to participate with youth and Social Service Specialists in the development of a Run Prevention Plan for youth identified as being at risk of running, and a Returning Child De-briefing to assess the youth's immediate needs upon their return to care.

Length :
3 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT TOOLS FOR FOSTER PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS

This 6 hour focused training for caregivers provides a foundation for understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES) and challenging or escalating behavior among children in out-of-home care. The training provides specific behavior management skills for caregivers to deescalate and manage behavior including trauma informed caregiving, authoritative parenting, therapeutic environments, engagement, and more.

Length :
6 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

TALKING WITH CHILDREN ABOUT RACE

In this workshop we will explore how children and youth learn and practice racism and privilege. Participants will learn strategies to for acting on teachable moments and ways to create counter narratives.

Length :
6 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

PAPER TRAIL: DOCUMENTATION TRAINING FOR CAREGIVERS

This training will cover:

  • Procedures and paperwork
  • Miscellaneous information
  • Ways to minimize the risk of an allegation
  • Documentation and reporting
  • How best to survive the allegation process

Length :
3 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

SO YOU HAVE A NEW PLACEMENT…NOW WHAT?

This 3 hour in-service training for caregivers is intended for those who are ready for, or have received their first placement, or have a new placement after some time without placements. The course focuses on understanding and planning for new placements. The course addresses both the emotional elements to new placements and the practical details of requirements, paperwork, forms and expectations.

Length :
3 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

KINSHIP 101: INFORMATION FOR RELATIVES AND SUITABLE OTHERS

The financial, legal, and emotional issues of raising a relative’s child can be challenging. Services and support when raising a relative’s child can be a lifesaver. Kinship caregiving in all of its forms is becoming increasingly common. Recent WA State child welfare data (Partners for Our Children-1/1/2015) show that 41 percent of children in out of home care are living with a relative. Many more children are living with relatives or other close family friends informally, without the ongoing supervision of the state’s foster care system.

Length :
2.5 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

CAREGIVING FOR CHILDREN WITH SEXUAL BEHAVIOR CONCERNS (FORMERLY SEXUALLY AGGRESSIVE YOUTH)

This 6 hour in-service training for caregivers provides a foundation for caregiving and behavior management for children in out-of-home care who struggle with sexual behaviors. Participants will explore values and beliefs before reviewing typical child development and the impacts of trauma, abuse, and neglect on development. Participants will then explore in-depth how sexual abuse specifically can impact various development domains, as well as the child’s self-image, and the household supporting them. Sexual development is explored throughout childhood including what is typical, what may be “red flags”, how some experiences can lead to sexual behavior problems, and how to intervene and respond safely. Caregivers will learn about their role in promoting healthy sexual development, positive messaging, suggestions for prevention education, the importance of establishing house rules, and other ideas to maintain safety while also helping to prevent false allegations in their home.

Length :
6 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

WHY CHILDREN LIE

This training will address lying on several levels. Attitudes, values, beliefs and societal norms are examined and discussed. The caregiver will learn about factors which motivate children to lie. Suggestions will be offered to assist caregivers in responding to children when this behavior occurs and how to prevent its occurrence in the future.

Length :
3 Hours
Prerequisite :
None
Locations :
See Information
Dates :
See Information
Class Information

Caregiver Core Training

In order to sign up for training Washington foster parents now need to register through the Alliance Website.
For more information on the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence click here.
For a link directly to the registration form please click here.

Module One:  Awareness   Field Experience   Module Two: Knowledge & Skills

Provides the participant with information and insight to determine if becoming a caregiver is a good choice for themselves and their family.  Module One is designed to provide an awareness of foster  parents and foundational information.  This training includes the following:  introduction to the child welfare system, the effects of trauma, grief and loss, attachment, cultural team work and advocacy and the effects on the care-giving family.
 
Information and Resources will be provided at class. This experience is for the potential foster parent, relative/kinship caregiver and/or foster adoptive to connect with the foster parents and may include attending a support group, talking to another foster parent, connecting with their Fostering Together liaison, completing on-line learning, etc.
 
Module Two is designed to provide and give the participant a foundation of knowledge and skills for their tool box be successful a caregiver/parent.  Training includes the following:  engaging families, the impact of trauma on child development, behavior management and ultimately getting prepared to take a child(ren) into their home and hearts.

There is no cost to take the training, but space is limited so YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER by providing your name(s), mailing address, phone and e-mail address (if applicable).  If you need special accommodations, please notify the trainer at least two weeks in advance.  Neither childcare or food is provided for these classes, so please make prior arrangements if necessary. If  unable to attend the class for which you have registered, please call and cancel as soon as possible.

Provider / Title Description Location Upcoming Orientation Phone
Washington
Pre-Service Training
The state of Washington requires families who wish to foster or adopt to complete 27–hours of Caregiver Core Training (formerly known as PRIDE). This training is free. Caregiver Core Training is broken up into two modules, and Module 1 must be taken before Module 2. Click the Washington Pre–Service Training link to the left to be taken to the UW Alliance Training Catalog for a list of upcoming training dates in your county. Scroll to page 2 of the training catalog, and click on your region next to "Caregiver Core Training". You should email or call the contact listed on those pages to register for the training. Varies by Region
See below.
Varies by Region.
See below
Varies by Region
See below
Fostering Together Fostering Together provides information and links to DSHS Orientation, Caregiver Core Training classes, and Keep the Beat CPR & First Aid classes in a user–friendly format. Select the region you live in to find classes near you. Varies by Region
See below.
Varies by location. Click the Fostering Together link at left to find upcoming trainings near you. Varies by location. Click the Fostering Together link at left to find contact information for training providers in your area.


Additional Online and In–Person Training

Foster Parent College
Foster Parent College (FPC) offers affordable research-based training for foster, adoptive, and kinship parents.  Using the World Wide Web, this self-driven online foster parent training is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
UW Alliance Online Training Videos
UW Alliance offers caregivers free training videos on a variety of adoption topics, including behavioral challenges, FASD, ADHD, working with physically aggressive your, and more.
Adoption Learning Partners Webinars
Adoption Learning Partners offer webinars for a small fee to foster and adoptive families. Families can receive training credit hours for each webinar they complete.
Foster Care and Adoptive Community training
Foster Care and Adoptive Community Training offers online training courses for foster and adoptive parents for a small fee. Certificates with training credit hours are issued upon completion of the training course.
UW Alliance In–Service Training
Upcoming free trainings hosted by DSHS for foster and adoptive parents. A list of upcoming training classes starts on page 29.
UW Alliance Focused Training
Upcoming free trainings hosted by DSHS for foster and adoptive parents.


County DHS Orientations by Region

Region 2 Region 6 Region 3 Region 4 Region 5 Region 1
Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 3 | Region 4 | Region 5 | Region 6