Trainings and ProgramsCalendar

STARS preservice training is required of any individual wishing to be licensed as a foster parent through the state of Missouri.

For further information and registration, please contact Tonya Williams (Tonya.Williams@dss.mo.gov) at Children’s Division.

As foster parents begin their work, many have unspoken worries about abuse allegations, elopement, or dealing with sexual abuse; the list could go on! Jokes about these topics during STARS class disguise the underlying tension regarding these difficult subjects. This class will help foster parents disarm their fears by giving them a sense that they can navigate challenging situations and come through in one piece. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

The experience of adoption creates a unique and lasting emotional and psychological impact on the lives of all who are touched by it. This class gives participants a chance to consider various perspectives of those linked to one another through adoption, including birth parents, adoptive parents, and adoptees, including extended family members. The focus will be on deepening the insight, awareness, empathy, and practical ways to care for all members in the adoption circle. This class is designed for anyone who cares for children at any point along the adoption journey. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

The holidays often bring much excitement and celebration for families. But for children who have experienced the disruption in their lives of being separated from their families, the holidays can be a time of great emotional upheaval. The stress level can become intolerable. This class will help parents see the holidays through their child’s eyes and give tips on how to navigate this wonderful time of year! To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

Developing nurturing parenting routines with children of any age is the foundation for good attachment. Learn how simple nurturing habits help build a child’s sense of trust, empathy, and personal power while cultivating positive self-esteem and self-concept. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

This series of classes takes a closer look at the six core strengths required for healthy child development, focusing on how parents can facilitate these strengths after a child has experienced a traumatic beginning. Attachment is the foundation for all other strengths, including self-regulation, affiliation, attunement, tolerance, and respect. This is an excellent refresher course after taking FamilyForward’s Parenting KIDS. Attachment is the focus of the first class. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

Self-compassion has become a popular term these days. What does that mean? Self-compassion is an essential trait that caregivers must learn to practice to sustain themselves through the long, challenging job of parenting. Understand that being kind to yourself is not selfish but rather a gift you need to give yourself to prevent compassion fatigue. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

This series of classes takes a closer look at the six core strengths required for healthy child development, focusing on how parents can facilitate these strengths after a child has experienced a traumatic beginning. Attachment is the foundation for all other strengths, including self-regulation, affiliation, attunement, tolerance, and respect. This is an excellent refresher course after taking FamilyForward’s Parenting KIDS. The second class in the series focuses on attunement, affiliation and self-regulation. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org

When a child is abused or neglected, it can impact every aspect of the child’s development: physical, emotional, social, and psychological. A video will kickstart the discussion, focusing on the reasons for delays and challenges based on the neurobiology of brain development. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network's Core Concepts of Traumatic Stress are covered. This course incorporates mandatory reading material essential for resource parents and offers a comprehensive introduction to the topic of trauma. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org.

From the catalog of the National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) Right Time Training, this discussion will emphasize the importance of self-care for parents who are fostering or adopting, along with practical ideas on how to incorporate it into their daily routines. We will unpack ways to help parents understand why maintaining their own mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being is crucial when caring for children who have experienced trauma, separation, or loss. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org.

From the catalogue of the National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) Right Time Training, this theme provides an overview of the common skills that youth will need to effectively navigate as an adult and provide strategies on how families who are fostering or adopting can prepare youth to successfully transition into adulthood. The theme highlights the variance that can exist between chronological and developmental age for children who have experienced trauma, separation and loss and how this can impact the transition to adulthood. Some of the challenges that youth may face during this transition are highlighted. To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org.

This training will give caregivers a deeper understanding of brain development from conception to maturation. The impact of early childhood trauma on the brain’s organization will be explored through a small group activity utilizing The Brain Architecture Game. Will your team be able to build a brain that stands up to toxic stress? To register, call 314.968.2350 ext. 7234 or email intake.dept@familyforwardmo.org.