Resources From Prior Sessions
You’ll find video, handouts, etc, from past First Tuesday events here!
First Tuesday: Sleep Health for Foster Care Children
First Tuesday April 5, 2022Facilitator: Dr. Amy R. Wolfson, Loyola University
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.
First Tuesday: US Federal Adoption Tax Credit
First Tuesday March 4, 2022Facilitator: Josh Kroll, NACAC
Participants learned the steps they need to take to file for the U.S. federal adoption tax credit. The focus was on filing for 2021, and covered applying for the credit for adoptions as far back as 2018. Presenter Josh Kroll explained 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 focused on families who adopted children with special needs from foster care but will be applicable to all adoptive families as well.
First Tuesday: Maryland's Human Resources Staffing Shortage
First Tuesday February 4, 2022Facilitator: Arnie Eby
Join Arnie for a discussion on the topic of the current deficit in social worker staffing in our State, and how it’ s impacting the Case Workers, the lives of children, and those who care for them.
Maryland's Integrated Practice Model & Other Topics
First Tuesday January 11, 2022Facilitator: Arnie Eby
Followed by an Open Forum discussion.
Held on the 2nd Tuesday of January due to the Holiday.
First Tuesday with Amber Jewell, LMSW
First Tuesday December 7, 2021Facilitator: Amber Jewell, LMSW
Join us for a lively and educational discussion on Ms. Jewell’s book, ‘Finding Hope: The 12 Keys to Healing Hardship, Hurt & Sorrow’.
Video: Promoting Partnerships Between the Family of Origin and Resource Parents
First Tuesday July 6, 2021
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. PowerPoint Presentation is available HERE.
Video: Maryland's Integrated Practice Model: What it Means for Resource Parents
Third Tuesday Q&A June 15, 2021Facilitator: Kim Parks-Bourn, Program Manager for Practice Innovation, DHS
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.
This MRPA presentation references a TedTalk video (there is a placeholder where this was viewed on the session). We are unable to include it in our presentation video due to copyright, so have provided it for you below.
Video: What IS the MRPA? Services, Support & Advocacy
First Tuesday February 02, 2021
Facilitator: Bob Huddler, MRPA President & Arnold Eby, MRPA Executive Director
Special Guests: Katie Fitzsimmons, Anne Arundel CO & Kristy O’Neal, Frederick Co
Join us for a discussion of the services and guidance offered by the Maryland Resource Parent Association. Also covered are the results of the Maryland DHS, Social Services and MRPA Survey. View the results HERE.
Video: Adoption Tax Credits: What Adoptive Parents Need to Know
First Tuesday January 05, 2021
Facilitator: Josh Kroll of the NACAC
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.
Video: Adoption Assistance
First Tuesday December 1, 2020
Facilitator: Josh Kroll of the NACAC
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.
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