Adoptive Parent Training

Training Provided to Adoptive Families:

1.   Pre-Certification Training

All adoptive families are required to complete two 6-hour pre certification training sessions. The format includes lecture presentations, films, group work and self-evaluating home work. The training is conducted by our Master's level Social Workers. There are no fees for training. Content covers:

• Responses to crisis, anger and frustration

• Exploration of personal parenting history

• Retraining of parenting styles

• Therapeutic process in dealing with fost/adopt children

• Parenting children with history of abuse/neglect

• Dealing with short and long term issues of sexual abuse

• Defining major issues facing fost/adopt children

• Separation and loss issues facing fost/adopt children

• Dealing with the stress of fost/adopt placement

• What families' rights are and how to assess risks

• How to be a foster family when the plan is to adopt

• Characteristics common to successful fost/adopt families

• Type of child parent desires and why

• Extended family relationships

• Involvement with the community

• Meeting needs through relationships

• Resources and support for foster/adopt families

2.   Ongoing Education

These are led by our Masters level staff, or by contracted professionals or through other agency resources. Significant training elements include:

• Family communication listening skills

• Conflict management

• Effective limit setting and consequence enforcement

• Seeing the world through the child's eyes

• Developing appropriate expectations for post trauma children

• Meeting parents' needs

• Bonding/attachment skills

• Family alliances

• Family style and culture

• Family systems

• Networking skills