Presented by: Connie Going
Blocked Care is a self-protective response that can cause foster and adoptive parents to feel emotionally disconnected from their child or struggle to show compassion, often because of trauma-related behaviors. Caregivers may experience feelings of isolation, overwhelm, or shame. During this 3-hour workshop, participants will learn to recognize the signs of Blocked Care, explore its underlying causes, and develop practical prevention and intervention strategies. The session will also highlight the importance of community and permanency team support while providing tools to strengthen caregiver resilience and promote lasting permanency.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify the signs and symptoms of Blocked Care in foster and adoptive families.
- Describe the underlying factors that contribute to Blocked Care, including the impact of trauma.
- Apply practical prevention and intervention strategies to strengthen caregiver well-being and support permanency.
- Recognize the importance of utilizing community resources and permanency team supports to address the needs of both caregivers and children.
Presented by: Alexandra Newcomer and Donya Galen, Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN)
Participants will learn practical strategies for building positive partnerships with birth families, improving communication, recognizing barriers to collaboration, understanding the impact of trauma, and practicing cultural humility to better support reunification and positive outcomes for children and families.
Learning Objectives:
- To identify skills of positive interaction with birth families.
- To summarize communication barriers that may prevent good family-to-family interactions.
- To practice cultural humility when engaging with birth families.
Presented by: Dr. Kurt E. Miller
Special Registration Notice: This workshop is reserved for resource parents only due to limited seating. If openings remain, registration will be offered to other attendees prior to the conference on a first-come, first-served basis.
Based on First-Time Fostering: A Practical Guide for Supporting Kids in Foster Care, this interactive workshop combines practical guidance, real-life experiences, and facilitated discussion to help resource families navigate the rewards and challenges of foster parenting. Participants will explore trauma-informed approaches, building trust and attachment, supporting children through transitions, and caring for themselves throughout the fostering journey. The session will conclude with an engaging Q&A, providing attendees the opportunity to ask questions and gain practical strategies they can apply in their own homes.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify practical strategies for supporting children during placement.
- Describe how trauma impacts children’s behaviors, relationships, and development.
- Apply techniques that promote safety, trust, and healthy attachment.
- Recognize common challenges resource families experience and identify healthy coping strategies.
- Identify practical tools and resources to strengthen their caregiving journey.
Presented live via Zoom by: Laura, The Foster Parent Partner
Facilitated in person by: Jennifer Cleary, Foster parent, PSRFA Board Member, and creator of Fostered & Flustered
This 3-hour workshop explores the complexities of grief and loss experienced by older youth involved in the child welfare system. Participants will examine the stages of grief and the many forms of loss youth may experience, including changes in family relationships, identity, and stability. The session will provide practical, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive strategies to help participants better understand and support older youth as they navigate grief, loss, and healing.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the stages and unique expressions of grief in older youth
- Identify common forms of loss experienced by older youth
- Develop strategies for creating a supportive environment for older youth experiencing grief and loss
- Recognize the importance of Trauma-Informed and Culturally Responsive Practices when interacting with youth experiencing grief and loss
Presented by: Child Welfare Resource Center (CWRC)