For Resource Families
Training for Prospective Resource Families
CRAFFT assists LDSS with increasing the pool of viable family-based placements by providing pre-service training to prospective resource families using a VDSS-approved curriculum that meets the required competencies outlined in Virginia’s Guidance. CRAFFT provides pre-service training using the VDSS preferred curriculums titled Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) and A Tradition of Caring (equivalent of PRIDE for kinship caregivers).
About PRIDE
The PRIDE Model of Practice is designed to strengthen the quality of family foster care and adoption services by developing and supporting resource (foster and adoptive) families as partners in child protection. As a model of practice, PRIDE provides a standardized, consistent, structured framework for the competency-based recruitment, preparation, assessment, and selection of resource families, and for foster parent in-service training, ongoing professional development, support, and retention.
PRIDE Competencies
Integral to the PRIDE Model of Practice is the understanding that protecting and nurturing children at risk and strengthening all their families (birth, foster, or adoptive) requires teamwork among individuals with diverse and culturally responsive knowledge and skills. Together, all families work from a shared vision and toward a common goal. Resource families are essential members of this team. Like caseworkers, resource families require preparation and training to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be effective in their work. The aim of the competency-based approach is to assure that resource families are willing, able, and have the resources necessary to meet the needs of traumatized children and their families fully.
There are five essential competency categories for resource families:
- Protecting and nurturing children.
- Meeting children's developmental needs and addressing developmental delays.
- Supporting children's relationships with their families.
- Connecting children to safe, nurturing relationships intended to last a lifetime.
- Working as a member of a professional team.
Information taken from: https://cwla.org
About A Tradition of Caring
A Tradition of Caring is a comprehensive nine-session curriculum, providing kinship caregivers with 27 hours of valuable information and support related to kinship care. Sessions are designed to facilitate interaction and the sharing of experiences and support among participants. Meetings use a task-based, strengths-oriented approach to learning. During the course of this program, each participant develops a comprehensive individualized action plan for assessing needed resources and meeting identified family needs.
Modules focus on key concerns, including:
- General kinship care issues
- Supporting healthy child growth and development
- Accessing needed resources
- Addressing changes in family dynamics
- Promoting children’s needs for lifelong connections
- Understanding and navigating the formal child welfare system.
Information taken from: https://www.cwla.org
Length of PRIDE and Tradition of Caring Pre-service Training
Both PRIDE and Tradition of Caring are comprised of 27 hours of information that is delivered in nine sessions (3 hours each). Training is usually offered during weeknights or on Saturdays and if other times are needed to accommodate the agency or family's schedule, the CRAFFT Coordinators will work with the agency to devise a more convenient plan.
Additional Pre-service Training Requirements
In addition to the competencies addressed in the VDSS approved pre-service curriculums, prospective resource families must also receive training on the topics listed below. CRAFFT and LDSS collaborate to ensure that all topics are addressed as required during pre-service training.
Topics:
- The Children’s Services Practice Model and Implication for Practice.
- Virginia’s Family Partnership Meetings: The Purpose and Process.
- Rate Structuring and the Provider's Role in the Process (VEMAT)
- The Foster Home Agreement: Code of Ethics and Mutual Responsibilities.
- The Adoptive Home Placement Agreement.
- Standards of Care for Continued Approval.
- Shaken Baby Information.
- Any additional LDSS requirements.
Training for Currently Approved Resource Families
CRAFFT assists LDSS with ensuring that currently approved resource families receive opportunities for annual in-service training. In-service training provides an opportunity for resource families to review and learn additional information relevant to the care of children placed in foster care or an adoptive home. It also provides an occasion to engage in discussions related to child safety, permanency, and well-being and assess the family’s skill level and need for additional training.
CRAFFT provides in-service training using the PRIDE Core In-service training curriculum and a range of other resources.
PRIDE In-Service (Core)
Information taken from: https://www.cwla.org">
PRIDE In-Service Advanced and Specialized Training
Teens In Care: Supporting Attachment (6 hours)
- How to Survive Trauma and Loss-The Teens' Point of View
- Providing a Nurturing and Healing Home for Teens with Attachment Needs
Caring for Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence (9 hours)
- Overview of Domestic Violence
- How Domestic Violence Affects Families
- How Domestic Violence Affects Children
Preparing Youth for Successful Adulthood (12 hours)
- Empowering Youth Into Adulthood
- Promising Practices Toward Youth Permanence
- The Role of the Foster Parent in Helping the Youth Transition to Adulthood
- Promising Practices Toward Life Skill Development
Working Together to Improve the Educational Outcomes for Youth in Care (9 hours)
- The Foundation for Educational Advocacy and Improving Educational Outcomes for Youth in Family Foster Care
- Strategies for Building Effective Working Relationships and Conveying Expectations
- Achieving Educational Outcomes through the Use of Information, Communication, and Preparation, and by Embracing Educational Success
