This course provides an overview of strategies and observations to strengthen engagement with families affected by parental substance use disorders (SUDs) involved in child welfare. Learning Objectives: - Recognize how language can perpetuate stigma about substance use - Identify engagement strategies that build on family strengths for successful outcomes and family recovery - Understand the effect of parental substance use disorders (SUDs) on child risk and safety - Identify safety, risk, and protective factors for parents with a substance use disorder - Identify the importance of collaboration with collateral contacts

For DCFS Staff - This training provides a high-level overview of the Family Team Meeting (FTM) and explains how engagement efforts connect with the PIP.

Children reared in homes without their fathers are at greater risk for negative outcomes when compared to children of a two-parent household, with an engaged father. Even more depressing, these children are also more likely to end up abused, neglected, and/or exploited. Studies showed Child Welfare workers who received training on father engagement and how to locate fathers, were more likely to search for and contact the father, develop a case plan, and provide services. This course will explore some of the negative outcomes for children without an engaged father and the benefits of having an engaged father. It will also some of the challenges workers face in trying locate and engage fathers of the children they are working with. This course will help prepare workers to better engage fathers on their caseloads.

Foster Care in Louisiana training was designed to educate staff, stakeholders and community partners on the development of the Extended Foster Care Program, the criteria, services and policies and procedures associated with the program. Learning Objectives: Develop an understanding of why Extended Foster Care was created. Develop an understanding of the eligibility criteria. Develop an understanding of the services offered to young adults in the program. Develop an understanding of policies and procedures associated with the program.

F.O.R.E.C.A.S.T. is a trauma-informed intensive simulation. This training session introduces and builds important concepts and skills for helping children impacted by trauma, abuse, neglect, and loss. During the Foundational Introduction to FORECAST Class, the primary concepts and important tools were introduced, practiced, and applied. This course builds on the knowledge, skills and principles covered in the introductory class. By participating in this simulation process participants will: Discuss the basics of traumatically informed care. Discover strategies for practicing self-care. Review and apply key elements introduced in the Foundational Introduction to FORECAST. Learn to review professional documentation and extract information that would contribute to investigation planning. Practice critical thinking skills to generate hypotheses pertaining to available case information. Demonstrate the ability to interview family members, caregivers and others involved in child abuse and neglect in a role-play-based simulation. Identify anticipated child protection processes relevant to the case. Help staff identify, understand, and prepare for the potential impact of secondary traumatic stress.

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) is an umbrella term describing the range of effects that can occur in an individual exposed to alcohol in the womb. These effects may include physical, mental, behavioral, and/or learning disabilities with lifelong implications. This training, through the Human Development Center at LSU Health New Orleans, will provide in-depth discussion of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) including the factors affecting accurate prevalence rates, effects of prenatal exposure on the brain, and signs and the signs and symptoms of FASD along with the primary and secondary disabilities caused by FASD. It will also provide information on prevention and awareness, destigmatization and family support, treatment and services, screening and diagnosis, and challenges with the legal system in regards to FASD. The objectives of this training is for participants to: ? Understand the brain differences in FASD and the impacts to learning and health. ? Explore practices in the field to support prevention, policy, awareness, and family support for FASD. ? Understand best practices and supports for the home, school, and community environment for those affected by FASD.