Court 101 is designed to be viewed with your foster youth. The training aims to familiarize both you and the youth in your care to the court system. You will be introduced to several people you will meet during the court process while learning about their roles. You will also learn about the types of court hearings a foster child will be a part of including: the Continued Custody Hearing; Adjudication; Disposition; Case Review Hearing; and the Permanency Hearing. The role of a foster caregiver is also discussed as well as their rights and responsibilities. Learning Objectives: - Understand what is meant by "Child in need of care" or CINC - Define the court process and what to expect - Define the different types of court hearings - Recognize the role and responsibilities of the different parties involved in court hearings - Identify steps you can take to be prepared for the court process - Indicate the third parties the child can contact with their questions and concerns

This course will prepare workers to become effective witnesses in court hearings by offering 3 hours of live virtual presentation and discussion and one full day of in-person simulation learning in a real-life courtroom with real-life judges. At the completion of this course, participants will be able to: - Demonstrate an understanding of why testifying in court is an important aspect of DCFS work. - Demonstrate an understanding of how worker testimony can impact outcomes for the child and family. - Demonstrate an understanding of the hearing process when the worker is on the stand. - Demonstrate an understanding of the qualities of an effective witness. - Demonstrate an understanding that preparation for court testimony is essential. - Demonstrate an understanding of different ways to prepare for court. - Demonstrate insight into personal growth areas for effective court testimony, including preparation and witness skill

Building on the topics covered in the "Helping the Grieving Child" course, this program is designed for both caregivers and their children aged eight and older. It aims to engage participants in understanding and processing feelings through journaling, writing, and art-making exercises, all within a safe space for self-expression. Caregivers and children are encouraged to attend together; children must attend with an adult. It is strongly recommended for caregivers to first attend the "Helping the Grieving Child" for a deeper understanding of the grief process and the complexities of loss related to separation from biological parents. LEARNING OBJECTIVES: Learn how to openly discuss grief and loss in age-appropriate ways. Learn creative art exercises designed to help grieving children. Discover how to use storytelling and writing to help express grief.

What role does implicit bias play in our everyday lives? How does this impact the services provided to youth in foster care? This session provides attendees with eye-opening strategies to increase cultural compassion and address implicit biases we all have. This training is broken into two sections. Each section contains reflective exercises that allow you to consider the material presented. Objectives for both modules are: - Share 10 exercises which improve capacity to provide culturally compassionate care to foster children. - Identify and address implicit biases - Understand and address ethnocentrism - Understand components of culture - Learn to navigate differences between cultures

What role does implicit bias play in our everyday lives? How does this impact the services provided to youth in foster care? This session provides attendees with eye-opening strategies to increase cultural compassion and address implicit biases we all have. This training is broken into two sections. Each section contains reflective exercises that allow you to consider the material presented. Objectives for both modules are: - Share 10 exercises which improve capacity to provide culturally compassionate care to foster children. - Identify and address implicit biases - Understand and address ethnocentrism - Understand components of culture - Learn to navigate differences between cultures

Working in the field of child welfare requires staff to be able to work effectively with children and families of diverse backgrounds. The Department of Children and Family Services serves families regardless of their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation/gender expression, or socioeconomic background. This course will assist child welfare professionals in understanding the importance of engaging families through the lenses of cultural humility in order to effectively assess for the safety, permanency, and well-being of children. This course will also provide effective strategies for working in a way that encourages mutual respect and trust and acknowledges families as experts of their lives. Many new child welfare staff may be familiar with the concept of cultural competence however, the term cultural competence can imply that full proficiency in another culture is an achievable goal and runs the risk of suggesting those who share culture have identical experiences. On the other hand, cultural humility assumes that others are experts in their own culture, culture is multifaceted, there are structural factors that influence people differently, and people hold multiple cultural and social identities. Course Objective: At the completion of this course, participants will be able to: - Define, self-reflect and demonstrate cultural humility, ensuring personal biases are not impacting engagement and assessment.