Learning is for everyone!

Not just students are in need of more information! When we provide care for children from hard places and support foster and adoptive families it is essential that we have an understanding of what children experience and what the family might truly need.  Sometimes we help others in the way that WE think is best and it isn’t actually beneficial for the child or family. The best plan of action is to always ask the family what we can do to be a blessing to them.

There are many trainings offered in Colorado and all around the country that teach us about trauma, how to relate to teenagers, build attachment, and effectively support developmental and mental health disorders. If there is a topic that you think would help you better understand the family you serve, please explore the following resources for trainings, blogs, and books that will equip you in loving foster and adoptive families well.

TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

• Adoption Exchange Training
• Empowered to Connect website - videos and articles
• Beyond Consequences Institute
• THRIVE Center
• Beckoned Retreat for women passionate about children from hard places 

BLOGS AND PODCASTS

• Confessions of an Adoptive Parent
• Focus on the Family  
• Jason Johnson
• Mark Vatsaas
• The Adoption Connection
• Lisa Qualls and Jennifer Isaac
• Post Institute

BOOM RECOMMENDATIONS

• Tough Guys and Drama Queens:  How Not to Get Blindsided by Your Child’s Teen Years by Mark Gregston  
• Protecting the Gift:  Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe (and Parents Sane) by Gavin de Becker 
• How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk by Adele Faber and  Elaine Mazlish
• The Connected Child: Bring Hope and Healing to Your Adoptive Family by David Cross, Karyn Purvis and Wendy Sunshine
• The Out-of-Sync Child Has Fun, Revised Edition: Activities for Kids with Sensory Processing Disorder by Carol Stock Kranowitz
• Trying Differently Rather Than Harder: Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders by Diane Malbin

By contacting a local Child Placement Agency or county Human Services Department, you may learn about additional learning resources outside of Colorado.