Training

Foster Parent Ongoing Training Requirements

Licensed Foster Parents are required to attain 12 hours of approved training each year of their two-year licensing period. So that is 24 hours per foster parent every two years. This training can come in many forms. It is also worth noting that foster parenting is a challenging job that requires ongoing special training. Every year more and more is known about the human brain, child development and trauma. Staying up to date on how to work with infants, children, teens and their families in an informed manner will serve those you serve, very well.

Children’s Services offers nine to ten trainings a year (two hours each) in three locations across the State. At this time these trainings take place in Hastings, North Platte and Holdrege. Watch for your Children’s Services’ monthly newsletter for more information. Supper and respite for foster, adoptive and birth children is always provided. Children are entertained with movies, toys and crafts. This is also a great way to network with other foster parents.

Foster Parents often have the opportunity to attend trainings for their job or community position that may also qualify toward their foster parent ongoing training. Trainings such as CPR and First Aid certification or recertification can be used for Foster Parent ongoing training hours. Human trafficking, substance abuse and child development are other areas of training that could be used for the licensing requirement. If in doubt, get a training certificate and turn it in.

Attending conferences pertaining to relevant topics is another way to attaining training hours. Children’s Services sends notices on conferences, workshops and webinars to foster parents via email and/or our private Foster Parent Face Book page. Be sure to turn in copies of all training certificates to your Youth and Family Specialist.

Reading or listening to books and watching videos on pertinent topics are other options to gain knowledge and training hours. To get training credit simply fill out the Foster Parent Learning Summary and turn it into your Youth and Family Specialist. Recommended books and links to videos and articles will be listed under each topic later on this page. If in doubt about a resource counting toward training hours, check with your Youth and Family Specialist or the Children’s Services’ Resource Development Specialist.

Relative and kinship foster parents can become licensed by taking a free, 5 hour online course. That training can be found at: Online Foster Parent Training is for new and existing applicants to provide Relative and Kinship Foster Care.

Required Sexual Abuse Prevention Training

(training approved for Licensing Training Hours or Personal Development)

Click here to access the training site

Steps for enrolling in the Sexual Abuse Prevention Training (please use Chrome for best results)

Section 1

Create a user account:
From the DHHS LearnUpon Portal Sign-In page, click Sign up now.
The Sign Up page displays.
Complete the required fields (user name and password) and click Sign up now.
Complete profile and click save.
This will take you to your dashboard.

Section 2

Selecting Courses
From the Learner Dashboard, click the button View Course Catalog.
The Course Catalog displays.
From the Course Catalog page, navigate to Sexual Abuse Prevention Training Courses and click the button Enroll.
The Confirm dialog box displays. Select Yes.
The course description page displays and the user is enrolled in the Sexual Abuse Prevention Training- Course One.
Return to your dashboard.
The page for the last module accessed will display. Select the button Start.
Course One must be completed before Course Two-Managing Sexual Abuse and Behaviors.
At the end of each course, a knowledge check must be completed and a score of 80% or higher must be achieved to complete each course.
Certificates of Completion for each course, will be available for download from the Learner Dashboard under the Completed Courses tab.

Please turn in your Certificates of Completion to Christine @ cbischoff@scbsne.com

Training Approved for Licensing Training Hours or Personal Development:

Trauma

Learning about and understanding trauma is essential to caring for children in foster care. The first few years of life set people on a path they will likely follow the rest of their lives. The first few years of life are a time when children learn about the world around them and their place in it. Children can grow and develop in a multitude of different family structures and circumstances. Having said that, all children need the basics to develop within social norms that allow for them to reach their full potential. The basics include, having their physical needs met such as adequate food, adequate shelter and adequate healthcare. Children also have a need to feel safe and connected to their caregiver(s). Entering foster care is traumatic to a child. As you probably know, there are many circumstances that can lead to the need for children to enter foster care. Caregiver drug and or alcohol abuse and unmet caregiver mental health needs are the most common factors in children needing out of home care. These factors impede adults’ ability to meet the basic needs of children. Most children who enter foster care have also experienced poverty. Poverty can contribute mightily to the lasting trauma children experience.

Trauma Informed Practice Training – Jeanette Yoffe

Trauma Doesn’t Tell Time

Complex PTSD Preverbal Memories – Dr. Arielle Schwartz

The Effect of Trauma on the Brain and How it Affects Behaviors

Adverse Childhood Experiences – Dr. Bruce Perry

First Impressions: Exposure to Violence and a Child’s Developing Brain

How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime

Understanding Trauma: Learning Brain vs. Survival Brain

Breaking the Silence about Childhood Trauma – Dani Bostick

The Repair of Early Trauma: A Bottom up Approach

NCTSN Learning Center for Child and Adolescent Trauma – click here to register

Child Development