All Courses

Browse our courses on a variety of topics curated just for Foster, Adoptive and Kinship Resource Parents. On-demand so you can learn anytime, anywhere.

Foster and Adoptive Parent Recruitment and Retention (2 Hours)

Adoption Assistance (1 Hour, 25 Minutes)

Josh Kroll of NACAC is an expert on the state laws around adoption, subsidies, and financial support available to Maryland’s Resource Parents. He shares vital information with the group, and conducts a Q&A with the participants.

Finding Hope: The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt & Sorrow, a Discussion with Author Amber Jewell (1 Hour, 20 Minutes)

A lively and educational discussion on Ms. Jewell’s book.

Maryland’s Integrated Practice Model (2 Hours 15 Minutes)

This session is designed to offer processes for engaging the Family of Origin and creating partnerships that improve the outcomes for the children being fostered, and for the families involved.

US Federal Adoption Tax Credit (55 Minutes)

Participants learned the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus was on filing for 2021, and covered applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2018. Important! This material was presented as a guide for tax year 2021, and should be considered as reference only for subsequent tax years. Consult your tax preparer for the current guidelines.

Sleep Health for Foster Care Children (1 Hour, 5 Minutes)

Trainers will discuss sleep basics, sleep health strategies, and typical pediatric sleep problems; share results of our research; and plans for the development of our curriculum for the foster care community.

Supporting and Celebrating Reunification of Parents and Children (1 Hour)

As part of the celebration of Reunification Month, the MRPA hosted a discussion with Chauncey Strong of Strong Family Training, former Executive Director Arnie Eby, and Jenny Jumbelick, Ombudsman for the State of Maryland.

Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from a Trauma Lens (1 Hour)

Parenting a child with a disorder on the fetal alcohol spectrum can present many challenges for foster and adoptive families. It is vital for these families and the professionals who support them to understand the reasons behind the learning and behavioral challenges so they, together, can “try differently.”

Steps Toward Change: Replacing Trauma Bond with Healing Relationships (1 Hour)

This training will allow participants to understand better the links between childhood trauma and neglect, the child welfare system, and sexual exploitation.

More than Sad: Suicide 101 (1 Hour)

Using their research and national numbers, this training helps caregivers identify ways to start the conversation of suicide with professionals and youth, know the warning signs, and be able to develop crisis plans for the youth they encounter.

Supporting Your Child During Cutting and Self-Harm Episodes (10 Minutes)

Cutting behavior is not uncommon among teens and pre-teens in general populations and among foster kids, who have suffered trauma of some kind, it may be even more prevalent.

Making Time For Your Marriage During Foster Care (15 Minutes)

When you are looking after a child from foster care 24 hours a day, every day, every week, every month, it can be a time consumer and leave little time for you, and your spouse or partner. Let’s talk about ways to stay connected.

Scared: The Beginning of a New Family Member (12 Minutes)

Being removed from family and arriving in foster care is a very frightening time; one filled with fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. It is a time where even the bravest of children become scared.

Family To Family: A Panel Discussion with Dr. Jerry Milner, DSW (1.5 Hours)

This session was recorded on Wednesday, June 24, 2020, as the final session of our four-part Family To Family series hosted by Cate Hawks, MA, Board of Directors, the National Foster Parent Association.

Discussing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders (20 Minutes)

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs) are a group of conditions that can occur in a person whose mother drank alcohol during pregnancy.

Not Taking It Personally (10 Minutes)

Foster parenting can be difficult. There are those times when the children we care for in our homes and living with our families may say things to hurt us. We'll discuss why it's important to not take these personally.

Why You Need to Say “No” as a Foster Parent (12 Minutes)

It's okay to say “No,” once in a while as a foster parent. It is okay for you to take time for yourself, your spouse, and your family. It is okay to re-charge those batteries.

The 3-Anchor Rule (7 Minutes)

Talking to Your Children about COVID-19 presents an overview of COVID-19 while highlighting supportive resources. The training reviews preventive measures designed to help keep families safe and also examines practical strategies for supporting mental and emotional health needs.

Summertime Activities 101 (9 Minutes)

“What are we going to do today?” For the next 10 minutes, Damon will offer some simple and family-friendly activities that will help the family engage one another, nature or their inner selves.

In this rescue, we will answer the daily question— “What are we going to do today?”

Before You Throw In The Towel: Assessing Your Future in Fostering (10 Minutes)

No one said fostering would be easy, but we also know that there are days you question your future as a foster parent.

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