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A Letter of Introduction from MRPA President James L. Craig, Jr.
To: Resource Parents of Maryland
From: James L. Craig Jr. President, Maryland Resource Parents Association (MRPA)
Subject: Introduction
Greetings to the hardest working people I know. As the new President for the Maryland Resource Parents Association (MRPA), I want to Officially introduce myself.
My name is James L. Craig Jr., and I’ve been a foster parent for 19 years. I have served as President and Vice President for the Prince George’s County Resource Parents Association for 14 years. I truly enjoy the responsibility of being a Resource Parent. I cannot think of a more important Job than to be able to provide Care and Love for the children in whom we are entrusted.
I look forward to working with you and making Maryland’s Resource Parent Association the best it can be.
I request you consider becoming a member of your local Jurisdiction as well as becoming involved with the MRPA. Working together we can do greater things for the Foster Care Program in Maryland.
To get involved with the MRPA, visit our home page and discover the ways you can get connected, including taking part in Training opportunities, signing up to receive our Blog posts, following us on Facebook, and more. Please consider joining your local Jurisdiction’s Resource Parents Association.
I can be contacted at j721lc@gmail.com. My cell phone is 202-360-2012. I’m located in Upper Marlboro Maryland, 20772.
If at any time you have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to contact me by one of the means listed above.
Thank you all for what you do as Resource Parents. I look forward to visiting each Jurisdiction as I can schedule my time. If you have a need for me to visit before I can schedule a visit, please send me a request to come to your location.
Sincerely,
James L. Craig Jr.
President, MRPA
MD Students Attending In-School Instruction No longer Eligible for Pandemic EBT Benefits
Click here to read more!
The MRPA does not have formal membership.
There are no fees of any kind to enjoy our resources. They are freely available to all Resource Parents! You are welcome to attend our Zoom sessions and to utilize anything you find on our website. We’re glad you found us and look forward to assisting in your journey as a Resource Parent.
So…. how do you get involved? There are many options!
Blog Notifications
Sign up to receive our Blog posts and notifications by email HERE.
First Tuesday
Attend a First Tuesday session. Schedules are right below!
Download Library
Review docs we’ve made available to our audience to find resources you need.
Still Have Questions?
Contact us by email, we’d be happy to assist.
Resource Parent Training Opportunities
Watch here for notifications of our webinar series called ‘First Tuesday’, where we will host a special learning seminar on the first Tuesday evening of each month at 8pm. Make plans to join us each month, and watch our website and Facebook for notifications of that month’s topic!
MRPA Trainings & Webinars
Video and handouts from past sessions are found HERE.
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June '22 First Tuesday, Reunification with Guest Chauncey Strong, Strong Training and Consulting
Learn more about our guest at: https://strongfamilytraining.com/
Register Here
When: Jun 7, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAsfuuqqj8uE9ZYazpTOTLLTBU5VbvlFc4q
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Our Guest
Chauncey Strong, originally from Newark, NJ, earned his BA degree in Social Work from Elizabeth City State University, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, in 1991 and his MSW from Norfolk State University Norfolk, Virginia, in 1993.
Chauncey is a child welfare advocate with 27 years of extensive experience in child welfare administration in the private and public sectors specializing in foster care and adoption training and consulting. He recently worked for eight years as a Foster Care Supervisor with the Fairfax County Department of Family Services in Fairfax, Virginia. He has also served as an administrator, manager, supervisor, child welfare worker, mentor, and community organizer.
Chauncey is currently the Executive Director of Strong Training and Consulting, LLC, where he provides training and consulting in child welfare. He is presently consulting with The Capacity Building Center for States, The Virginia Department of Social Services, and several local and national child welfare agencies.
Chauncey has served on several national boards, including the Board Chair of Foster Care Alumni of America. He is currently on the board of Lutheran Family Services of Virginia. Chauncey is a motivational speaker and a committed advocate for children and families. He has dedicated his career to improving the outcomes of children and families involved in the child welfare system.
May '22 First Tuesday, After Adoption Care with Debbie Riley, CEO of CASE (Children's Adoption, Support and Education)
Learn more about our guest at: https://adoptionsupport.org/about-us/the-c-a-s-e-team/debbie-riley-ceo/
When: May 3, 2022 08:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYpcO-trD0pGder0-oPwK1AYyv2AxYZOmXu
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
April '22 First Tuesday, Sleep Health for Foster Care Children with Dr. Amy R. Wolfson
Sleep Health for Foster Care Children
Emerging research conducted by our and other research teams reveals high rates of sleep problems among children in foster care, yet science, education, practice, and policy have largely ignored sleep health in this vulnerable group. To address this gap, our overarching goal is to create a sleep health education program for foster-care parents and foster care agency personnel on the importance of sleep health for children exposed to early adversity, including strategies to support children and foster caregivers. In this session we (Dr. Amy Wolfson and Loyola seniors, Ms. Maddie Valentine & Ms. Josie Nogales Morales) will discuss sleep basics, sleep health strategies, and typical pediatric sleep problems; share results of our research; and plans for the development of our curriculum for the foster care community.
Amy R. Wolfson
Amy Wolfson, a clinical psychologist, has been a Professor of Psychology at Loyola University Maryland since 2014, after 22 years in the Psychology Department at the College of the Holy Cross in Massachusetts. She has been studying sleep, circadian rhythms in children and adolescents for over 30 years. Her scholarship largely focuses on developmental changes in sleep patterns over the course of childhood and adolescence and the implications for daytime functioning, including mood, academics, and substance use. Dr. Wolfson’s work has also examined preventive interventions for parents of young children and adolescents’ themselves and delaying school start times as countermeasure for improving adolescents’ sleep health. Most recently, her community-engaged scholarship has turned to sleep-health disparities, including social class, sleep health for youth residing in juvenile justice facilities, and foster care. Undoubtedly, Dr. Wolfson’s research to date provides her with a strong foundation for developing sleep health interventions for the foster care community.
Register Here
When: Apr 5, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwvdOirqj0vGNdH0dnRKXLv5wENVtJSZBPr
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
March '22 First Tuesday, US Federal Adoption Tax Credit with Josh Kroll of NACAC
Participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2021, but will also cover applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2018. Presenter Josh Kroll will explain what parents need to do to take advantage of the credit. Key points include that the credit is not a refundable credit for 2021 and that parents who adopt children who receive adoption assistance/adoption subsidy benefits do not need to have adoption-related expenses to claim the credit. The session will focus on families who adopted children with special needs from foster care but will be applicable to all adoptive families as well.
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Mar 1, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUocu2gqT8sGd1qFSnv_x54kNH83Nyp8rHV
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
February '22 First Tuesday, Maryland's Human Resources Staffing Shortage
Reference Article: https://www.marylandmatters.org/2022/02/03/human-services-staffing-shortage-is-at-an-an-all-time-high/
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Feb 8, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvcu2hpz0jG918lUHNPq9cgcFbT_uFbPUL
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
January '22 First Tuesday, Maryland's Integrated Practice Model & Other Topics with Host Arnie Eby
REGISTER HERE
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jan 11, 2022 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUqdemprzgtHNWIwT840mvZPJiGOHG0bUIe
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
December '21 First Tuesday, 'Finding Hope: The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt & Sorrow' with Author Amber Jewell
August '21 First Tuesday 8/3/2021: Open Discussion
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0lc-2sqzooH9GSi9k4rbhx6p7m1Cef1xAS
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
July '21 Third Tuesday Q&A 7/20/21: Promoting Partnerships Between the Family of Origin & Resource Parents
Special Guest Facilitator Becky Rice, LCSW-C, Frederick Co DSS and Erika Ford, LCSW-C and Faculty Field Instructor with Family Connections Baltimore.
This session is designed to offer processes for engaging the Family of Origin and creating partnerships that improve the outcomes for the children being fostered, and for the families involved. Becky will offer ideas for effective comfort calls, icebreakers to get the discussion started, and more.
Note that the session will be recorded. The chat feature will not be published publicly in any way. Any chat comments submitted are used only as information for the presenters, and for the team at the MRPA to follow up appropriately with responses or future trainings & resources.
When: Jul 20, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAkdumqpj0iGNd9xAZSj064greX650ObQdH
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
July '21 First Tuesday 7/6/21: Promoting Partnerships Between the Family of Origin & Resource Parents
Special Guest Facilitator Becky Rice, LCSW-C, Frederick Co DSS
This session is designed to offer processes for engaging the Family of Origin and creating partnerships that improve the outcomes for the children being fostered, and for the families involved. Becky will offer ideas for effective comfort calls, icebreakers to get the discussion started, and more. A followup Q&A session will be held on July 20th.
Note that the session will be recorded. The chat feature will not be published publicly in any way. Any chat comments submitted are used only as information for the presenters, and for the team at the MRPA to follow up appropriately with responses or future trainings & resources.
To download the materials that will be discussed during the session, visit: https://mrpa.org/download/5427/
This will download the documents to your computer automatically.
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZApd-CqqzgtHtG2r7ESrZnxsdlj5rH9mHZp
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
June '21 Third Tuesday 06/15/2021: Maryland's Integrated Practice Model: What is Means for Resource Parents
Hi there,
You are invited to a Zoom meeting.
When: Jun 15, 2021 08:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZ0ocOGurDIrH9AvtJ35q_abNfSg4wv-LhT4
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
DHS Policy Webinar
May '21 Third Tuesday 05/18/21: Q&A Trauma Informed Strategies with Barb Clark, NACAC
About Our Trainer
BIO: Barb Clark is an adoptive parent who has made a ton of mistakes and has lived to tell. She is now passionate about sharing her mistakes with other parents and professionals to make their journey smoother than hers was. Through humor and real life experiences, she shares information about how trauma impacts children’s brains, and how to move away from consequence based strategies and instead use strategies that promote relationship and attachment building. She has a particular passion for educating others on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, trauma informed parenting strategies and parent support networks which she does through her position at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) as well as through her work as an FASD Consultant.
May '21 First Tuesday 05/04/21: Trauma Informed Strategies with Barb Clark, NACAC
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Our Trainer
BIO: Barb Clark is an adoptive parent who has made a ton of mistakes and has lived to tell. She is now passionate about sharing her mistakes with other parents and professionals to make their journey smoother than hers was. Through humor and real life experiences, she shares information about how trauma impacts children’s brains, and how to move away from consequence based strategies and instead use strategies that promote relationship and attachment building. She has a particular passion for educating others on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, trauma informed parenting strategies and parent support networks which she does through her position at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) as well as through her work as an FASD Consultant.
April '21 Third Tuesday 4/20/21: Q&A Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Barb Clark, NACAC
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Our Trainer
BIO: Barb Clark is an adoptive parent who has made a ton of mistakes and has lived to tell. She is now passionate about sharing her mistakes with other parents and professionals to make their journey smoother than hers was. Through humor and real life experiences, she shares information about how trauma impacts children’s brains, and how to move away from consequence based strategies and instead use strategies that promote relationship and attachment building. She has a particular passion for educating others on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, trauma informed parenting strategies and parent support networks which she does through her position at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) as well as through her work as an FASD Consultant.
April '21 First Tuesday 4/6/21: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder with Barb Clark, NACAC
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYkdOippzsuH9fZyewzFdlWp7QnVYtQbZwv
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Our Trainer
BIO: Barb Clark is an adoptive parent who has made a ton of mistakes and has lived to tell. She is now passionate about sharing her mistakes with other parents and professionals to make their journey smoother than hers was. Through humor and real life experiences, she shares information about how trauma impacts children’s brains, and how to move away from consequence based strategies and instead use strategies that promote relationship and attachment building. She has a particular passion for educating others on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, trauma informed parenting strategies and parent support networks which she does through her position at the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) as well as through her work as an FASD Consultant.
March '21 First Tuesday Follow Up Q&A 3/16/21: Birth Family Connections with Kim Stevens, NACAC
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84916698539?pwd=b0g2LzBpTmVzS0pOMllEUzdrMUc0QT09
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Our Trainer
BIO: Kim is a program manager at North American Council on Adoptable Children, where she works on a number of projects that support foster, adoptive, guardianship, and kinship children and families. Her duties include legislative and family advocacy, policy analysis and recommendations, curriculum development, training and capacity building, technical assistance for support and advocacy organizations, and youth empowerment activities. She also contributes to Fostering Families Today and Adoptive Families magazines, as well as NACAC’s quarterly Adoptalk newsletter on a regular basis.
Kim was honored as an Angel in Adoption in 2017.
In her 29 years of child welfare work, Kim has provided training and consultation on child welfare, foster care, adoption, parenting, positive youth development, advocacy and leadership, trauma and recovery, and youth permanency issues both nationally and internationally.
She and her husband, Buddy have six children, four of whom were adopted as older children from the public foster care system.
Her Role at NACAC: I provide numerous training sessions, webinars, and consultation sessions for parents, youth, and professionals on children welfare related topics, aimed to support families and increase positive outcomes for children.
March '21 First Tuesday 3/2/21: Birth Family Connections with Kim Stevens, NACAC
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMocuGqqT4pHtRudWYyORIBIp1hxCoKToe6
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
About Our Trainer
BIO: Kim is a program manager at North American Council on Adoptable Children, where she works on a number of projects that support foster, adoptive, guardianship, and kinship children and families. Her duties include legislative and family advocacy, policy analysis and recommendations, curriculum development, training and capacity building, technical assistance for support and advocacy organizations, and youth empowerment activities. She also contributes to Fostering Families Today and Adoptive Families magazines, as well as NACAC’s quarterly Adoptalk newsletter on a regular basis.
Kim was honored as an Angel in Adoption in 2017.
In her 29 years of child welfare work, Kim has provided training and consultation on child welfare, foster care, adoption, parenting, positive youth development, advocacy and leadership, trauma and recovery, and youth permanency issues both nationally and internationally.
She and her husband, Buddy have six children, four of whom were adopted as older children from the public foster care system.
Her Role at NACAC: I provide numerous training sessions, webinars, and consultation sessions for parents, youth, and professionals on children welfare related topics, aimed to support families and increase positive outcomes for children.
February '21 First Tuesday 2/2/21: Discuss Maryland DHS, Social Services & MRPA Survey
Click HERE for presentation files.
The survey results are found HERE. This link will download the results.
During this Zoom meeting, Moderators: MRPA President Rob Huddler and Executive Director Arnie Eby will discuss the findings and encourage discussion with resource parents about the results.
Register for the Zoom call here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZwrdu6hrD0jHtyYOL4WIBwv4bEoJz-lonOp
If you have a particular question for the moderators about the survey and results, submit them here in advance of the session:
Questions to consider before the session….
These emerged as questions and themes in the survey results. If any of these are of particular interest to you, ask about it on the survey for the session!
- Is there a need for more localized resources that are specific to your jurisdiction?
- Do you know folks locally? If not, would you like to network more with those in your area?
- What ideas do you have for connection during these times of social distancing?
- Is there information that you wish was on the MRPA website that is not present currently?
- Is there anything currently preventing you from getting involved with the various support organizations?
- Are there resources we can offer to help build relationships with the family of origin? Trainings, helpful ideas, etc.?
- In what ways would you like for us to communicate with you?
- Would you like for your information to be available to other Resource Parents?
- In what ways would you like the MRPA to advocate for you and your children?
- If you are a kinship parent, what unique needs would you like us to address for you?
January '21 First Tuesday 1/5/21: Josh Kroll of the NACAC - Adoption Tax Credits: What Adoptive Parents Need to Know
Click HERE for presentation files.
Zoom Webinar
On January 5, 2021 the MRPA will host a webinar with Josh Kroll with the NACAC, the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Learn more about this organization here.
Topic
Josh will share his expertise in the area of tax credits – what exists, how to set them up, and how to gain the most benefit from them as an adoptive parent.
Participants will learn the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus will be on filing for 2020, but will also cover applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2017. Presenter Josh Kroll will explain what parents need to do to take advantage of the credit. Key points include that the credit is not a refundable credit for 2020 and that parents who adopt children who receive adoption assistance/adoption subsidy benefits do not need to have adoption-related expenses to claim the credit. The session will focus on families who adopted children with special needs from foster care but will be applicable to all adoptive families as well.
When & Where?
- January 5th, 8pm – 9:30pm
- Via Zoom, call info will be emailed to you after registration.
Mr. Kroll’s photo courtesy of LinkedIn.
December '20 12/15/20 Q&A with Josh Kroll of the NACAC - Submit YOUR Questions Here!
Zoom Webinar
On 12/15 the MRPA will host a webinar with Josh Kroll with the NACAC, the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Learn more about this organization here.
Topic
As a follow up to the December 1st session on the state laws around adoption, subsidies and financial support available to Maryland’s Resource Parents, Josh will return to answer your specific questions on the topic!
Submit your question below. Your name and contact info will not be shared, that is just being gathered so we have it in case follow up is needed. Your questions will be entirely anonymous.
When & Where?
- December 15th, 8pm – 9:30pm
- Via Zoom, call info will be emailed to you after registration.
Mr. Kroll’s photo courtesy of LinkedIn.
Register in advance for this meeting here:
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctfuuqqToiGdSmMpwdcHh_yv6B78Huf6EU
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email from Zoom containing information about joining the meeting.
Submit Your Question Here
December '20 First Tuesday 12/1/20: MRPA Adoption Assistance with NACAC's Josh Kroll
Click HERE for presentation files.
Zoom Webinar
On 12/1 the MRPA will host a webinar with Josh Kroll with the NACAC, the North American Council on Adoptable Children. Learn more about this organization here.
Topic
Josh is an expert on the state laws around adoption, subsidies, and financial support available to Maryland’s Resource Parents. He’ll share vital information with the group, and will be available for Q&A.
When & Where?
- December 1st, 8pm – 9:30pm
- Via Zoom, call info will be emailed to you after registration.
Mr. Kroll’s photo courtesy of LinkedIn.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Online Training Opportunities
Prior trainings will be left in this list even after the data has passed for reference, and to make past resources available (i.e. videos of the sessions). Please see each training link for details.
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Promoting Healthy Behaviors for Kinship Caregivers 9/21
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DIGITAL DIALOGUE – REGISTER NOW!
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Promoting Healthy Behaviors for Kinship Caregivers
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Wednesday, September 21 2:00-2:45 p.m. Eastern Time |
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Kinship caregivers often prioritize their children’s needs before caring for their own, often delaying their own medical appointments and medication to purchase shoes for children, transportation, and food. Learn more about kinship caregiver health and an approach to working with kinship caregivers that emphasizes self-compassion and self-care. Created by a multi-disciplinary team of doctors and social workers, the Time for Me Toolkit helps peer navigators to support and provide psychoeducation to caregivers around six pillars of health management (Healthy Eating, Being Active, Healthy Sleep, Healthy Coping, Medical Adherence, and Self-Monitoring).
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Guest Speaker |
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Dr. Kerry Littlewood holds a master’s degree (2003) and a doctorate (2008) in Social Work (UNC). Dr. Littlewood is an instructor at the University of South Florida and President of AAJ Research & Evaluation, Inc. Dr. Littlewood specializes in program evaluation, community-based participatory research, randomized control trials, and using mixed methods approaches to better understand at-risk children, families and kinship caregivers. Dr. Littlewood has two decades of expertise in designing and evaluating programs to support kinship families.
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Child Welfare Academy Full Fall Schedule 2022
Child Welfare Academy Full Summer Schedule 2022
Child Welfare Academy Summer Online Trainings
Register HERE for Workshops
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Child Welfare Academy Spring Virtual Resource Parent Conference April 2, 2022
Learn more about this upcoming virtual conference and register today!
Conference Date: April 2, 2022, from 8:45am to 3:30pm
Conference Info: https://theinstitute.umaryland.edu/our-work/ruth-young-center-for-maryland/child-welfare-academy/conference/
Registration Link: https://theinstitute.myabsorb.com/?KeyName=Resource_Parent_Conference_Spring_2022
Conference Agenda, as found on the Information page provided above.
April Conference Agenda
Saturday, April 2, 2022
| 8:45 – 10:00 a.m. | Welcome and Keynote: Erica Moltz, MA, NCC, Adoptions Together “What Does “Normalcy” Even Mean, and How Will We Ever Get Back There?” |
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| 10:00 – 10:30 a.m. | Transition Break / Virtual Lobby (10:10-10:25 a.m.) |
| 10:30 a.m – 12:30 p.m. |
Morning Breakout Sessions (choose one of the following)
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| 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. | Lunch Break / Virtual Lobby (1:00-1:25 p.m.) |
| 1:30 – 3:30 p.m. |
Afternoon Breakout Sessions (choose one of the following)
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National Adoption Month Webinar: Every Conversation Matters 9/30 @ 2pm
This year, National Adoption Month will focus on teen adoption and engaging youth in permanency planning. The theme for the 2021 initiative, “Every Conversation Matters,” recognizes that authentic youth engagement depends on building solid relationships, which can begin with a single conversation.
On September 30th at 2:00 PM, a 90-minute webinar will provide child welfare professionals with tips to incorporate youth engagement in daily practice.
During the webinar, professionals and young people who have experienced care will:
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Share how youth engagement is essential to achieving permanency for teens
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Discuss how to authentically listen to and engage young people
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Describe how to incorporate youth voice into practice
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Provide information about resources and materials available from Child Welfare Information Gateway, AdoptUSKids, and Children’s Bureau grantees.
This National Adoption Month webinar is a collaboration of AdoptUSKids and Child Welfare Information Gateway, held on behalf of the Children’s Bureau.
CHILD WELFARE ACADEMY Effective Mental Health Treatment Through a Trauma-Informed Lens
Welcome! We are excited to announce our newest resource parent training which will meet the Medication Management training requirement. Dates are scheduled through the end of 2021. Registration will open for each date a few weeks prior.
Please encourage your families to register as soon as each date opens,
as space is limited for each session, and we will need to train 1600+ parents across the state.
Effective Mental Health Treatment Through a Trauma-informed Lens
“This training seeks to provide parents and caregivers with tips on how to be effective consumers of child psychiatry services. Included will be a general review of diagnostic evaluations, outcomes and evidence-based care, informed consent/assent, treatment adherence, medication side effect and safety issues, and tips when treatment is not working. There will also be an overview of commonly prescribed psychiatric medication classes – stimulants, SSRI antidepressants, and SGA antipsychotic medications.
Discussions will illustrate points about medication adherence, monitoring, and outcomes. This training will center around Trauma-informed treatment, recognizing trauma and its impact on children and families. Families will learn how to integrate trauma informed care in comprehensive treatment, and the importance and benefit of trauma psychosocial services.”
Our training is provided for licensed Maryland Resource Parents or Kinship Caregivers.
Currently workshops are ONLINE ONLY via Zoom at the designated date and time.
Participants can access Zoom via computer, tablet, or smart phone.
All trainings are FREE.
** First time users must contact Laura Teetermoran for registration access:**
lteetermoran@ssw.umaryland.edu or (410)706-0721
Registration is required at https://theinstitute.myabsorb.com/
Dates Available
Monday, May 24 – 6:00-8:00pm
Tuesday, June 15 – 12:00-2:00pm
Thursday, July 22 – 6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, Aug 7 – 9:00-11:00am
Saturday, Sept 18 – 9:00-11:00am
Monday, Oct 25 – 6:00-8:00pm
Monday, Nov 15 – 6:00-8:00pm
Saturday, Dec 4 – 9:00-11:00am
* Indicates training that meets the Discipline/Behavior Requirement
**Indicates training that meets the Medication Management Requirement
NFPA 50th Education Conference, FORWARD June 24-26
Registration Is Now Open for the Forward 50th Education Conference.
<< BE SURE TO REGISTER BY SATURDAY 6/26 FOR THE BEST PRICING FOR THE CONFERENCE!! >>
$99 Registration Through June 26, 2021 and then
$119 for On-Demand Learning Through September 30, 2021
FORWARD is the perfect conference for busy foster parents, kinship caregivers, adoptive parents, and all those who work so hard to support these amazing families.
An on-demand virtual conference means registrants for the conference will be able to take each day’s courses whenever you have the time. You can join the conference with us over the three days or at your own pace over the next three months!
Complete all 12 courses, by September 30, 2021, and then print out your training certificate!
REGISTER HERE
Child Welfare Academy Spring Virtual Resource Parent Conference Sat 4/17
Just a quick note to let you know that our Spring Virtual Resource Parent Conference will be on Saturday April 17, 2021 from 8:30am-3:30pm (5 hours of training credit, 2 Behavior/Discipline workshops offered).
Registration is now open! Attached is the flyer with details around the Keynote, and breakout sessions. Parents must have an account in our new system in AbSorb to register, so I can help them if they have not set that up yet. Each licensed resource parent much register separately, even if they plan to watch together on one device. Informal Kinship Providers are also welcome to attend, and must create a family account as well.
Here is the website for the conference:
I am happy to answer any questions you may have!
Laura Teetermoran, LCSW
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Resource Parent Training Program Manager
Child Welfare Academy
The Institute for Innovation and Implementation
University of Maryland, School of Social Work
P| (410)-706-0721 E| lteetermoran@ssw.umaryland.edu
525 W. Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201
https://theinstitute.umaryland.edu
Having technical difficulties? Email The Institute HelpDesk
Spring 2021 Child Welfare Academy Parent Training Calendar (PDF)
Download the schedule here.
Free Online Safety Workshops - Preventing Child Abuse
There has been a staggering increase in online child sexual abuse and exploitation in the U.S. and other countries since the beginning of the pandemic:
- “Tips to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the clearinghouse for such information in the United States, nearly doubled from 6.3 million in the first half of 2019 to 12 million through June of this year. Reports of online enticement similarly spiked during that timeframe, from 6,863 to 13,268.” in The Herald News
- “Through Oct. 9, New Jersey had received 5,251 reports of online child exploitation, a 75% increase from 2,996 at the same point last year, said Lt. John Pizzuro, commander of the state police’s Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.” in North Jersey.com
- “Alarmingly, the report notes a rise in the amount of self-produced CSAM online, created by children who are spending more time online as a result of the lockdown.” In Info Security Magazine
- “In the Philippines, cases of online child sex abuse have tripled amid the pandemic. Officials and activists told the media that the problem worsened during the country’s lockdown period as families struggled to earn a living while children have been out of school and spending more time online.” in The Asean Post
Child sexual abuse is a preventable public health problem.
Educating parents, caregivers and trusted adults to the risks, and giving them tips on how to protect the kids in their life is a simple step we can take to address the issue. Our Maryland Essentials for Childhood partner, No More Stolen Childhoods is providing free online trainings to educate adults to the risks and sharing action steps for parents and other caregivers to take to prevent child sexual abuse before it occurs. Please share the online safety webinars with parents, providers, and other community members who can learn themselves and help to get the word out to others. You can use the provided flyers or simply share the link to the website page.
NMSC is providing 4 sessions scheduled in early November, let’s fill them!
Register for these online classes HERE.
Flyers – Click to View or Print
Resource Parent Training Website
Access the Resource Parent Training Website HERE
We are excited to announce that the new Resource Parent Training website and catalog are now available!
Workshops from July ’20 onward are continually being added, so check back regularly to see which are open for registration.
Create Your Account
If you are a resource parent and you have not yet created an account in the Ideas@theInstitute LMS (Learning Management system):
- Please use the link below to create your new profile. Upon clicking the link, participants will be asked to complete the sign-up form associated with the link which designates that you are Approved Status for Resource Parent training access.
- Please create profiles for each individual if you are part of a couple. Only one account can be created per email address.
- Click here to create your new profile: https://theinstitute.myabsorb.com?KeyName=ResourceParents
Already Have An Account?
Instructions for resource parents who ALREADY created a new account in Ideas@theInstitute
- If you already have an account set-up in Ideas@theInstitute, please contact the help desk by email or chat to have your Resource Parent status verified and added to your profile. After this process has been completed, you will then have access to Resource Parent trainings.
- Email the Help Desk at theinstitutehelp@ssw.umaryland.edu and put Resource Parent Approved Status in the subject line and make sure your name and work email are included in the body of the email.
General Instructions
Once you are logged into the website, you will first be asked to complete an initial “course” which is simply an introduction to the program.
Once that is completed, you will see this screen below. The catalog will be available by clicking the link on the right hand side under RESOURCES:
If you need assistance you can email the Help Desk at theinstitutehelp@ssw.umaryland.edu or you can contact the Help Desk by LIVE CHAT. The Help Desk is available Monday – Friday from 9am to 5pm ET.
Access the Resource Parent Training Website HERE
Maryland KISS (Kids in Safety Seats)
Sign up for Video car seat assistance to help you with getting car seats installed correctly.
Visit this link to find a time.
Keeping Resource Parents In the Know
MRPA Community News
Family Works Together – Maryland Post-Adoption Program and Book Club
Download the flyers to learn about these valuable networking and learning opportunities! https://mrpa.org/download/6403/ https://mrpa.org/download/6408/
New Resource! Maryland Adoption Agencies Directory
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The MRPA Mission
Our Mission is to provide support service to all Resource Families in the state of Maryland. Membership in the Association shall be open to all Resource Parents.
MRPA supports foster, adoptive, kinship and guardianship parents all across the state of Maryland.
Whether you are a current resource parent, a prospective resource parent, or a child welfare professional, MRPA is there to support you.
We realize it takes all of us working together to give children in need a stable, loving family.
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