PNW Post Adoption Resources: August 2014

Hello Everyone!

I know many of you have found my blog to be helpful for families here in the Pacific Northwest. Please let me know at pcaswell@bethany.org if you have feedback or topics/resource areas you would like our team to address. I wanted to share with you all some of my favorite online resources as many of your kids are returning to school this week:

Parenting Today’s Teens: http://www.heartlightministries.org/parentingtodaysteens/
Mark Gregston does a blog on parenting teens. It is GREAT! It is faith based, but it is also just an awesome resource for anyone. He has some great practical tips on working through issues with your kids.

Beyond Consequences: http://www.beyondconsequences.com/daily.html Northwest parenting resources –you can sign up for a daily parenting nugget email. Health Forbes has some great practical advice and ideas for staying grounded as a parent.

Kid Health http://kidshealth.org/parent/ a parent friendly resource to begin to explore things about your kids and their needs. It is a great place to start learning.

The Center for Adoption Medicine http://adoptmed.org/ this clinic is located at the University of Washington and has some great resources for parents, especially adoptive parents.

Adoption Mosaic http://www.adoptionmosaic.org/resources/ is a local Oregon resource with some great tips and pointers for parenting your adopted child.

NACAC (North American Counsel on Adoptable Children)-Adoption Talk http://www.nacac.org/adoptalk/adoptalk.html NACAC’s Adoption Talk has some great articles on parenting an adopted child…it is also one of the best resources for information on public policy including the adoption tax credit.

Adoptive Family Magazine http://www.adoptivefamilies.com/ a great resources with lots of great articles, a book list and so much more.

Lifelines Magazine http://www.bethanylifelines.org/digital/ an online version of Bethany Christian Services Post Adoption Magazine, which is a great resource for all families.

Team Child http://www.teamchild.org/index.php/resources/ Team Child is a legal firm that advocates for a child’s voice to be heard in school, juvenile court and other areas that may lead to challenges related to social justice. They are an amazing resource for families and kids who are struggling.

Adoption Information & Referral Service http://www.adoptionreferralservice.com/1535.html A Washington State Adoption resource site that works to connect families adopting with the right resources, information and professionals.

Early Learning and Development Guide http://del.wa.gov/publications/development/docs/guidelines.pdf Have you ever wondered if your child is on track developmentally? You can check out this resource to find out.

AdoptUSKids Post Adoption Resources: http://www.adoptuskids.org/for-families/post-adoption-resources

This is absolutely not comprehensive…there are so many amazing resources out there. Feel free to share them in comments below or with me and I can add to the list. These are the ones I find myself going back to often. However, I know there are many more out there. I tried to throw in local ones and national. Wishing you all well as the new school year kicks off!!

Paulette Caswell, LICSW
Branch Director of Pacific Northwest
Bethany Christian Services Of Washington

1501 N. 200^th St. Ste. 103 Shoreline, WA 98133
O – (206) 367.4604 F – (206) 367.1860 Direct (616) 254-7719

www.bethany.org/washington

pcaswell@bethany.org

Regular working hours are Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

True devotion, the kind that is pure and faultless before God the Father, is this: to care for orphans and widows in their difficulties and to keep the world from contaminating us. James 1:27

Did you know that the State of Washington and Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center offer Free Trainings for Relative, Foster and Adoptive Families throughout the state?

You can access the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center trainings/seminars at http://www.orparc.org/training/calendar/

You can access this list of Free Trainings for the State of Washington at The Alliance for Children's Training Catalog (Caregiver Parent Training Starts on Page 26): http://allianceforchildwelfare.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/alliance_training_catalog.pdf
The following are the current classes being offered in Washington by region.

PARENTING PLUS! FOUNDATIONS FOR BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT

This is a comprehensive 36 hour training designed specifically for caregivers. Topics include: self-esteem; cultural sensitivity; grief; child development; sexual behavior problems; discipline; angry and aggressive children; and stress management.

MODULE 1-Self Concept, Culture & Loss

MODULE 2 -Development

MODULE 3-Sexual Behavior Problems

MODULE 4 -Discipline

MODULE 5-Physically Aggressive Youth

MODULE 6-Teaming, Assertiveness & Self

REGION 1 (Eastern Washington)

TO REGISTER: To register for King County Classes email trainingregistrar@gmail.com or call (509) 363-4821. For Moses Lake, Wenatchee, Colville, Omak, contact Nancy Leigh at 509-846-2089 or call 800-876-5195.

Parenting Plus Classes are being offered in Spokane, Moses Lake, Walla Walla & Richland/Yakima—consult guide for dates and times.

REGION 2 (King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan & Whatcom Counties)

TO REGISTER: To register for classes in King County email region2s@wa.edu or call (509) 363-4821.

Parenting Plus Classes are being offered throughout King County—consult guide for dates and times.

REGION 3 (South Western Washington and the Peninsula)

TO REGISTER: To register for classes in Tacoma email caregiver.training.tacoma@gmail.com, For Vancouver cm39@uw.edu and Olympia mpen300@uw.edu

Parenting Plus Classes are being offered in Vancouver, Tacoma & Olympia.

Other Classes

REGION 1 (Eastern Washington)

Grief Recovery–Outreach Program

Presented by Patty Orona

The Outreach Program will guide those who wish to resolve their Loss Issues and move beyond their grief to a richer quality of life. This Program is affiliated with, and endorsed by the Grief Recovery Institute, and taught by Patty Orona, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist. The program is 12 weeks long – two hours a week.

DATES

August 26-November 11, 2014 Tuesday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. Richland DSHS

August 28-November 13, 2014 Thursday evenings 6 to 8 p.m. DSHS 4406 W. Nob Hill Blvd., Yakima

Becoming a Behavior Detective

Presented by Jan Hinkle, J.D.

This class will teach you the importance of discovering and understand a child’s:

• Level of Development

• Sources of Grief

• Essential Connections

•Needs

As well as give you the tools to engage in Effective Communication with your children.

DATE

October 11, 2014 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ellensburg DSHS

November 15, 2014 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Yakima DSHS

REGION 2 (King, Snohomish, Skagit, Island, San Juan & Whatcom Counties)

Drugs, Drugs & More Drugs!: Marijuana, Crack, Cocaine, Meth, Alcohol, Huffing and more...Presented by Ernestine Rambouts,LICSW, MAC, CDP andVance Newton, MSW, MAC, CCJS, CDP

This training/workshop will provide the following information:

•The Basics about drug & alcohol abuse

•Current Trends in Drug and Alcohol Abuse

•What are the new, popular and existing drugs

•What You Really Want to Know About Adolescent Substance Abuse

•How Substances Affect the Mind/Body/Spirit

Drug Information Overview -addiction process, drug families, duration/effects, withdrawal o Most Serious/Hazards Drugs

DATE August 20^,2014

TIMES 9:30 to 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION

Kent DCFS,1313 West Meeker Kent, WA

Working with Drug Impacted Children

Presented by Sean Maloney, M.A.

This workshop will address: Characteristics of drug exposed infants; Factors influencing effects of prenatal exposure; Childhood symptoms; Interventions.

DATE September 15, 2014 Bellingham, St. Luke’s Health Education Center

TIMES 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

REGION 3 (South Western Washington and the Peninsula)

How You Can Become an Effective Educational Advocate for your child!

Presented by Treehouse Educational Advocacy Coordinators

Perhaps more than any other population, foster children are in desperate need of high-quality public education. Unfortunately, most foster youth do not receive that needed education. They are frequently moved from home to home, and consequently from school to school. In this class, caregivers will learn how to be an effective educational advocate by learning how to navigate through the world of Special Education. This workshop covers the basics regarding the processes around special education issues and Individual Education Programs (IEPs). Topics include requests for evaluation, evaluation for services, eligibility determination, special education program, behavior and discipline, and dispute resolution

DATE: September 9, 2014

TIMES: 5 to 7 P.m.

LOCATION

Community Youth Services (CYS) Office

711 State Avenue NE, Olympia

or (360) 485-8146

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RSVP for childcare with Meghan Reichard at mreichard@communityyouthservices.org Limited childcare available–must RSVP for childcare.

Positive Discipline! (Training and potluck-Bring a dish to share)

Presented by Penny Michel, Child Welfare Trainer

Are You Feeling Challenged? •by your child’s power struggles? •by their whining or attitude? •by their lack of follow through?•with bedtime and morning routines?•by your buttons being pushed? Come and learn Respectful and Effective tools to replace shouting, nagging, bribing and punishing. This class is based on Positive Discipline techniques. Positive Discipline is for parents who are looking for long-term parenting skills that will encourage their children to think for themselves, become more responsible and have a greater respect for themselves and others. Positive Discipline can offer non-punitive, respectful methods that will incorporate kindness and firmness into parenting, help parents get to the core of their child’s mis-behavior, bring more joy into the home and give parents the sense of accomplishment. This class is for parents and caregivers of children ages 0-18.

DATE September 18, 2014

TIMES 5 to 9 p.m.

LOCATION

Crossroads Church, 707 Commercial St, Raymond, WA 98577

Gangs 101

Presented by Gabe Morales This workshop will provide information to help us understand youth violence Issues, gang risks & assessment tools. Gabe Morales, trainer, will assist foster parents set goals for discipline and nurturing children and use intervention strategies to reduce risk and conflict.

DATE September 20, 2014

TIMES 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION Camas Library

Dynamics of Attachment, Separation and Placement

Presented by Linda Falcocchio, MSW and Scott Hanauer

Workshop focuses on attachment theory and the impact of placement

DATE September 20, 2014

TIMES 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCATION

Tacoma DSHS, Rm 1995

As A Caregiver the Very Best Thing You Can Do for Those Who Depend on You is to Take Care of Yourself! (Working Lunch/Lunch Provided)

Presented by Luanne Hawley, Foster Parent Co-trainer

Caregivers are expected to welcome children who have been traumatized into their homes; invest emotionally and physically in that child, then separate gracefully when the time comes for them to move on. The responsibilities and personal sacrifices involved in caregiving can challenge even the best and most experienced Care Provider. This class will examine burnout, stress, self-care, setting good boundaries and how to process some of the difficult emotions associated with the job of caring for these children.

DATE September 27, 2014

TIMES 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION

Centralia DSHS Office 3401 Galvin Road, Centralia

Books For the Brain/Raising A Reader

Presented by Fran Williams/Raising A Reader Coordinator Come learn about the Raising A Reader Program and how you and your child can be a part of the program. Find out about the many ways there are to read aloud to children. Come hear a presentation by Fran Williams on Books and the Brain. Fran will cover amazing research about the brain, and what adults can do to actually shape the architecture of children’s brains which helps with social interactions and preparation for school.

DATE September 30, 2014

TIMES 6 to 8 p.m.

LOCATION

Tumwater DSHS Office, 6860 Capitol Blvd. Tumwater

My Drug Exposed Infant is Growing Up, Now What?

Presented by Sean Maloney, MA. Director of Clinical

Training for Catholic Community Services University a program of Catholic Community Services of Western Washington.

A training for caregivers parenting pre-school, elementary, middle school and high school drug affected children and youth. Below are some things to look forward in this training/workshop:• Newborn risk factors of infants exposed prenatally to drugs.• Focus on behavioral characteristics that are often present in older children. • Intervention strategies for difficult behaviors will also be discussed.

DATE October 11, 2014

TIMES 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

LOCATION

Tumwater DSHS Office, 6860 Capitol Blvd. Tumwater

Crisis Intervention for People Working with Youth

Presented by Nanci LaMusga, MA

LMHCA Crisis Clinic Director, The Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason Counties This class will offer general information on crisis intervention for people working with youth.

DATE October 14, 2014

TIMES 5 to 7 p.m.

LOCATION

Community Youth Services (CYS) Office, 711 State Ave NE, Olympia

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RSVP for childcare with Meghan Reichard at mreichard@communityyouthservices.org Limited childcare available – must RSVP for childcare.

Why Children Lie

This 3-Hour training will address lying on several levels. Attitudes, values, beliefs and societal norms are examined and discussed. 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 it occurrence in the future.

DATE

October 14, 2014 Kelso DSHS

October 28, 2014 Vancouver DSHS

TIMES 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

Working with Drug Impacted Children

Presented by Sean Maloney, M.A.

This workshop will address: Characteristics of drug exposed infants; Factors influencing effects of prenatal exposure; Childhood symptoms; Interventions.

DATE

October 27, 2014 Aberdeen DCFS

October 28, 2014 Port Angeles DCFS

TIMES 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

PNW Post Adoption Resources

Thursday, August 28, 2014

From Survival to Serenity: Attachment Disorder Chart

Some Favorite online Adoption Resources

Monday, August 18, 2014

Free Adoptive Parent Seminars/Trainings Throughout Oregon & Washington State