Foster Parent College

Foster Parent College is an online training program from the Connecticut Department of Children and Families that allows individuals to receive post-licensing training within their own homes. Foster Parent College is for any DCF-licensed home. Foster Parent college is not available to “Private Agency” licensed homes.

Why is the State of Connecticut interested in FosterParentCollege.com?

They want to provide their foster, adoptive, and kinship parents 24/7, with parenting skills using effective high quality in-service training classes.

FosterParentCollege.com courses are research-based, topic-specific training delivered as self-paced courses on the internet. 

Courses available at FosterParentCollege.com explore practical parenting strategies, behavior problems, and emotional disorders in children. 

 Benefits for Parents 

Whether resource parents are coping with family challenges or meeting in-service training requirements, FosterParentCollege.com courses are there for them 24/7. All courses are self-paced and provide parents the trauma-informed skills they seek. 

“We really enjoyed the classes they were very informative and understandable. We have taken 4 classes and plan on taking more. It is very convenient for us to take the course in the evening because our days are so busy.” 

— Mr. & Mrs. Boyles, Foster Parents 

Benefits for Agencies 

FosterParentCollege.com courses can be a valuable supplement to personal visits and help you retain resource parents and avoid disruptions for children in care. 

You will be able to assign, monitor, and communicate with your resource parents through the online management system. Our customer service team can help you get started and support you as needed. 

“When I started this I really thought [my staff] would not want the extra work, or they’d be afraid of the [online management system]. I have had a wonderful response. They love it and are so surprised at how easy it is for them to administer.” 

— Marlene, Regional Trainer, Oregon 

The following Foster Parent College courses fit DCF guidelines for Trauma Informed and Crisis Intervention

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Note: Up to three modules of online training can be used toward the six required Post-licensing modules within a 12-month period.

Trauma Informed

Caring for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused Explores the emotional and behavioral effects of child sexual abuse on children in care and offers strategies to help overcome the challenges foster parents face. 

Child Abuse & Neglect A pre-service course designed for individuals interested in caregiving which focuses on child maltreatment. Learn about the characteristics, symptoms and reporting standards for child maltreatment. 

Children Entering Care: Mental Health Issues Explores commercial sexual exploitation of children, what it is and how parents can recognize signs that a child is being sexually exploited. 
 
Children Entering Care: Physical Health Issues Explores common physical health issues of children entering care & how parents can collaborate with health care & community providers to support medical needs.
 
Grief & Loss in the Care System Discusses grief & loss as it impacts foster children, birth parents and foster caregivers. 

Safe Parenting Workshop explores safe parenting issues. Such as safety plans; children’s health, safety, and security interests; a child’s actual versus developmental age; trauma history; treatment plans, etc. They provide concrete information for caregivers on strategies and regulations. 

Trauma-Informed Parenting Explores how parents can care for a child while being sensitive to his or her past traumatic experiences. 

Understanding Behavior in Foster Children Explores problematic behavior in foster children and how foster parents can better understand the purpose of a child’s behavior through careful observation. 
 

Trauma and Crisis

Understanding Sex Trafficking Explores commercial sexual exploitation of children, what it is and how parents can recognize signs that a child is being sexually exploited. 

Crisis Intervention

Anger Pie This course examines the ABCs of behavior as a tool parents can use to understand their child’s anger: Antecedents, bias/behavior, positive & negative consequences and healthy anger. 

Advanced Parenting Workshop on Self Injury Explores non-suicidal, self-injury & other forms of self-injurious behavior. With Dr. Delaney & teaching assistant, participants use the Trauma-Sensitive Review Form to understand the children’s behavior and develop an action plan. 

Advanced Parenting Workshop on Problematic Sexual Behavior Workshop addresses problematic sexual behavior in children in care. Participants learn how to determine whether a child’s sexual behavior is problematic and how to respond. 

Escalating Behavior Unwrapped Explores escalation, its causes, and strategies for de-escalation. *Before taking this course, it is strongly recommended that trainees take Trauma-Informed Parenting.

Non Compliance & Defiance Examines the spectrum of cooperation and noncompliance, from fearful cooperation to defiance, including the zone in the middle of the spectrum called self-assertion. 

Running Away This workshop explores reasons children run away from caregivers, five types of runaway behavior are examined and discusses warning signs of running away. Also the development of a safety plan. 

The Role of Mandated Child Abuse Reporters This course discusses the challenges and responsibilities mandated reporters face and provides strategies to help ensure the investigation process is not compromised. 

If you need an account set up or have any questions please contact your area CAFAF Liaison who will help you find the answers you need. 

Administrators for Foster Parent College