By Director of Training, Victor Frederickson
Now more than ever, foster children need safe and loving homes. If you or someone you know has wondered what training you need to become a foster parent, look no further.
The entire foster parent training course is approximately 13 days, excludes weekends, and each day includes 4-hour segments of class, with some days extending up to 6 hours. The classes are all conducted differently, and they vary in subjects. This shifting of format guarantees that classes are rich in learning and full of excitement. Training is provided at no cost to you.
Below you will find a breakdown of the necessary foster parent training, so you know how we prepare new foster parents to provide a safe haven for youth in their community.
MAPP Training – 5 days, 4 hours each
MAPP is an acronym for Model Approach to Partnership in Parenting. All 50 states require this training for anyone who seeks a foster or adoptive parent license. In this course, you will learn all things foster care and how children end up in the system. You will also learn what to expect from those who are dealing with the effects of trauma caused by loss, separation, or grief.
First Aid, CPR, and AED – 1 day, 6 hours
Why not learn how to save a life and become someone’s miracle in an emergency? CPR, first aid, and AED training will teach you a particular set of techniques designed to help infants, children, and adults in emergency situations such as choking or difficulty breathing. This training is a must for anyone dealing with children, but in reality, it is a skill set that everyone should have. Knowing how to conduct CPR correctly can make all the difference between life and death, and lucky for you, we’ve got you covered.
Parent Skills Training (PST) – 5 days, 4 hours each
All parents can use some pre-parenting guidance, but this is especially true for parents of children in the foster care system because they have specific experiences and needs. The PST training focuses on how to make children feel safe and nurtured, how effectively communicate, how to best meet the child’s needs and your role as part of the team caring for the child. You’ll learn how children develop from birth to adolescence and what developmental patterns you can expect for the children in your care. No matter how experienced you are, the PST training will improve your skills and enhance your approach to parenting.
Therapeutic Crisis Intervention – 1 day, 2 hours
This workshop explores how to best intervene when a child experiences a crisis triggered by feelings of anger or fear. Techniques to resolve conflict through win/win, rather than win/lose negotiation, will be presented and practiced. Participants learn strategies to prevent a crisis from developing and learn methods to de-escalate a crisis, if necessary while keeping all family members safe. Knowing how to best respond in crisis situations can be critical in the growth and development of children, no matter what their age or background.
UC Training (Only for specific foster parents) – 1 day, 6 hours
Unaccompanied minors or UCs are children who arrive at the US-Mexico border and are not in the care of a biological parent or responsible adult. This training teaches you all you need to know about the immigration system that cares for UCs and your role in helping this vulnerable population. In this training you learn how to navigate cultural differences and fully understand the experiences of unaccompanied minors. Some of these minors have been victims of sexual assault, abuse, and neglect and in-depth training is necessary to meet their needs.
Here at Cayuga Centers, we have a diverse set of trainers with different teaching styles. From fun activities to interactive courses, our training team is here to guide you through different scenarios you might experience as a foster parent and to help you with any doubts or concerns you might have along the way. Remember – no question is a dumb question, and no answer from our staff will ever leave you wondering what to do next.
Whether you’re already a parent or new to the journey, these courses and what you will learn with us will help you throughout your entire life.
Want to learn more? Read about overcoming fear of attachment, how to prepare for a home study or what the qualifications to become a foster parent look like.
