THE FOLLOWING SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY



SESSION D (8:00AM-10:00AM)


D1  Helping Children Become Thoughtful Decision Makers
Defiance and compliance are two reactive states that become engaged whenever adults try and get children to “do what they’re told.” Learning to help powerless people become mature, thoughtful and self-responsible is a profoundly difficult challenge. It demands a true willingness on the part of parents to not just try and make children behave but, instead, enter into more equal and healing partnerships with them. Participants will learn how to establish clear distinction between good and right decisions and thoughtful decisions, how to internally build self esteem as oppose to externally inlay “other” esteem and finally see the vast implications for being helpful without being helpful.  Trainer: Jeff Cotton

 D2  40 Developmental Assets
The Developmental Assets are 40 common sense, positive experiences and qualities that help influence choices young people make and help them become caring, responsible, successful adults. Because of its basis in youth development, resiliency, and prevention research and its proven effectiveness, the Developmental Assets framework has become one of the most widely used approach to positive youth development in the United States. The 40 Developmental Assets represent everyday wisdom about positive experiences and characteristics for young people. Search Institute research has found that these assets are powerful influences on adolescent behavior—both protecting young people from many different risky behaviors, and promoting positive attitudes and actions. Through this course, parents will learn about the assets and how to apply them in everyday family life.  Trainer: Bobbie Jo Sheridan

 D3  Autism Spectrum Disorders: Facts for Families
Participants will be able to identify the core symptoms and behaviors normally observed in children and teens with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD’s) and understand the difference between ASD’s and other commonly diagnosed childhood mental health conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive compulsive disorder, and mood disorders.  This workshop will also review the empirically supported therapies for ASD’s and share ideas and methods that families can  teach children at home to better manage their anxiety, anger and stress, and increase their ability to manage transitions and “surprises” in their daily routine.  Trainer: Dr. Warren Phillips

 D4  Trauma and Stress: The Emotional Challenges Faced by Foster Children, Birth Families and Foster Parents
This session will focus on emotional challenges, difficulties, and trials that foster children, biological family members, and foster parents all face.   During the presentation, participants will learn about the realities of stress, trauma, loss and grief for all involved when dealing with displacement and reunification, as well as become equipped with strategies designed to best address the stress that comes with this time of loss for children in foster care.  Trainer: Dr. John DeGarmo

 D5  From Spray Paint to Twitter: The Evolution of Gang Violence
Like all types of groups and organizations gangs have evolved over time.  Spray paint used to signal gang activity, but in this world of social media, Twitter, Facebook and You Tube have now become communication methods of choice.  Learn how gangs are operating in both urban and rural settings, why they are attractive situations for children and how to recognize and protect children who are potential recruits in this much more modern world of social media. Understanding the history of gang violence as well as the role social media plays in the perpetuation of these groups can help parents protect the vulnerable children in their care.  Trainer: Mike Stueckrath

 D6  Taking Care of the Taking Care of the Caring: Parenting Self-Care for Foster and Adoptive Parents
This workshop will briefly explore and acknowledge multiple stressors experienced by foster and adoptive families.  While understanding this stress is significant, the workshop will be solution-focused, with emphasis on strategies to build coping and resilience in the folks who do the hard work of caring for children who have experienced trauma and separation from their families of origin.  This workshop is appropriate for foster and adoptive parents as well as those professionals who support them as they deal with the stress of helping children heal.  Trainer: Betsy Keefer Keefer Smalley

 
SESSION E (10:15AM-12:15PM)

E1  The Power of High Expectations & Planning for Adult Living, Learning & Working
Transitioning to adulthood is difficult for any teen, but a teen with disabilities may find the process even more challenging.  This course will discuss the importance of having high expectations for youth with disabilities, how to connect those expectations to IEP goals in the areas of living, learning and working as well as how the special education transition planning process works and how to effectively participate.  Transition affects all of us…let’s explore ways to help youth with disabilities be successful living, learning and working!  Trainer: Lori Moore

 

 E2  Communication Anchored in Truth
Learning to speak with children and families in a thoughtful heartfelt and direct manner demands a great deal of wisdom and empathy on the part of caregivers.  Because children and adults grew up in chaotic, abusive, and abandoning environments their first response to being engaged is more reactive than reflective. Participants will learn to recognize and distinguish between passive, aggressive and assertive communication styles as well as develop an understanding of how to communicate with oppositional children.  Trainer: Jeff Cotton

 

 E3  I’m Not Gonna Do It & You Can’t Make Me: Oppositional Defiant Disorder
Participants will be able to identify the core symptoms and behaviors of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and understand the difference between ODD and other commonly diagnosed childhood mental health conditions including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety and mood disorders.  This workshop will also review the empirically supported therapies for ODD and share information, ideas, and methods that families can use with children at home to curb their defiance and increase trust and respect.  Trainer: Dr. Warren Phillips

 

 E4  Caring for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender & Questioning Youth in Foster Homes
LGBTQ youth are present within many foster homes and yet, because they are socialized to hide their orientation they are often invisible to the foster parents who care for them.  Most foster parents have inadequate practice knowledge about this population and as such may rely on myths or stereotypes to guide them.  Child welfare systems are now seeking ways to build competency in this area and improve practices and policies that effect LGBTQ youth.  In a non-threatening, affirming environment, this workshop will provide information, tools and strategies to build competency to care more effectively with LGBTQ youth in foster families. Trainer: Gary Mallon

 

 E5  How Trauma Affects Infants and Toddlers: A Closer Look into the Workings of a Traumatized Brain
Participants will explore the works and research of Dr. Bruce Perry, Bryan Post and others who are on the cutting edge of infant/toddler trauma education.  This vital information will give caregivers a better understanding of the “whys” of challenging behaviors in very young children who have experienced adverse conditions, possibly even in the womb.  Video clips will be utilized along with lecture and small/large group discussions to build a theoretical foundation for the behavioral techniques needed to help these children heal through their developmental milestones.  Trainer: Kim Combes

 

 E6  Telling the Truth to Your Adopted Child: Making Sense of the Past
This workshop will equip parents with the knowledge and tools needed as they communicate with their adopted child about the complex, troubling, and often painful aspects of his fragmented past.  The workshop will answer such questions as: How do I share difficult information about my child’s adoption in a sensitive manner?  When is the right time to tell my child the whole truth?  How do I find further information about my child’s history?  Parents will leave the workshop with knowledge of how to make sense of the past for adopted children of all ages.  Trainer: Betsy Keefer Smalley

 

 


 SESSION F (2:00PM-4:00PM)

 

F1  Exploring and Preparing for Work as an Adult
Planning for the future can be a challenging task for families but for youth with disabilities it is very necessary.  Parents’ and caregivers’ participation in the planning of youth’s transition from adolescence to adulthood is one of the most important ways they can help pave the way to a successful life.  This workshop will examine ways youth with disabilities can explore the world of work and strategies those who support them can help them prepare.  Because “work” looks difference for everyone, a variety of work experiences and environments will be considered.  Participants will increase their understanding of the importance of work and how it effects the other aspects of adult living and how to incorporate work expectations and goals into a student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP).  Trainer: Lori Moore (ASK Resource Center)

 

 F2  Breaking the Addiction to Being Helpful
We live in anxious and uncertain times.  Almost everyone is affected in some way or another; whether it is from our own personal involvement or the secondary co-traumatization of people we know and love.  As long as we are convinced the external “world” situation is causing our anxiety, there will be no escape from fear. Learning to develop a more balanced inner stance, one that is non-reactive and non-enmeshed, allows us to witness situations in a new light; one where solutions are possible. This training is about how to thoughtfully cultivate that non-reactive lens.  Trainer: Jeff Cotton

 

  F3  Hair and Skin Care for African American and Biracial Children
For children of all ethnicities, it is essential to a child’s sense of identity and self-esteem that they are given the opportunity to look like they are well-cared for and groomed. How children look can shape the conclusions outsiders draw. Children notice others’ assessments and often interpret them as evidence of their own inadequacy. For foster/adoptive parents of African American or biracial children who are of a differing ethnicity, the hair and skin care practices necessary to maintain health and beauty may be totally different from their own. This training will provide participants with the fundamental knowledge and skills needed to care for the skin and hair of children who are African American or biracial, focusing on providing easy techniques, product recommendations, as well as discussion around common hair and skin dilemmas.  Trainer: Janiece Alford

 

 F4  When a Foster Child Leaves: Dealing with Loss & Grief
This session will focus on the transition of a foster child from his foster home during a time of reunification, or into another home.   During the presentation, participants will learn about the realities of loss and grief for both foster parent and child associated with reunification/displacement, as well as become equipped with strategies designed to best address the stress that comes with this time of loss.  Trainer: Dr. John DeGarmo

 

 F5  Four Frustrating Pieces of the Puzzle
Having a child or teen with a trauma history can be particularly challenging especially when you are attempting to put together the many pieces involved in their care. This session will address four pieces of the trauma puzzle that when put together correctly, will help to clarify the “trauma care” picture.  Marty will address what works and doesn’t work in therapeutic parenting, how to work with schools more successfully, how to set up and use therapeutic respite and finally what therapies are available for traumatized children and adolescents.  Trainer: Marty Wallace

 

 F6  Changing Hats: Foster to Adopt
The phenomenon of foster parent adoption is increasing as more and more agencies recognize the tremendous value of a child’s foster family when an adoptive placement is under consideration. This workshop will explore the benefits of foster parent adoption and present tools for foster parents to use in making a sound decision regarding permanency.  Strategies to help a child cope with the transition from foster care to adoption will be presented.  Trainer: Betsy Keefer Smally