Attendance for both weeks is strongly encouraged.  (Thurs, Sept 19 & 26 from 6:00-8:30pm) Many children with a history of abuse, neglect or other trauma struggle in school.  Whether it is a learning disability, a developmental delay, or an emotional issue, children will often find the academic and social demands of the school environment to… Read More »School Issues

This training acknowledges the complexities associated with caring for children who are related including: divided loyalties, redefining roles and relationships, setting boundaries with parents and other relatives, and the range of emotions including anger, resentment, guilt and/or embarrassment that caregivers can feel. Strategies for how to manage family dynamics and conflicts, identify triggers and effectively… Read More »Kinship Parenting: It’s Complicated!

Classes are open to any youth (13-19) in the Franklin County, Missouri area who are interested in gaining some life skills.  RSVP to Denise.Sprick@courts.mo.gov.

This training helps participants understand the impact of separation and ambiguous loss and the different ways children grieve. Life-long grieving and the importance of providing opportunities for grieving are explored. Strategies to help children deal with grief and loss are identified. Participants will understand loss and fractured attachments with birth family members and previous placements;… Read More »Separation Loss and Grief

Wish you knew more CASA volunteers? Are you feeling isolated and/or stressed? Want to find new ways to balance the demands of volunteering and other life responsibilities?  Join us the last Thursday of every month at 7:00pm.

This training describes parental resilience, why resilience is important, and covers how caring for children who have experienced trauma, separation, or loss can impact a caregiver’s own well-being. This theme also covers the behaviors that foster a protective environment for parents and children. This training helps participants understand the importance of self-care and practical ideas… Read More »Kinship Caregiving: Building Parental Resilience

Classes are open to any youth (13-19) in the Franklin County, Missouri area who are interested in gaining some life skills.  RSVP to Denise.Sprick@courts.mo.gov.

This is a 4-part training taking place every Tuesday from October 1st - October 22nd from 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Forming a family through adoption is different than forming one biologically or being a foster family. While adoption brings great joy and happiness to families, children who have experienced the trauma of abuse, neglect,… Read More »SPAULDING Adoption Training: Making the Commitment to Adoption

This training provides a basic understanding of mental health disorders and conditions that commonly occur in childhood. Content is shared to illustrate that not all ‘survival’ behaviors or symptoms of grief are connected with mental health disorders. Commonly administered psychotropic medications are described and information about how to obtain consistent, adequate and appropriate access to… Read More »Mental Health Considerations

Join us for a training on bridging the gap between birth and foster parents. For years in child welfare a major gap has existed between birth and foster parents. Fueled by fear, mistrust, defensiveness and trauma, this gap in partnership causes children in the foster care system to suffer. Research shows that children thrive under… Read More »Birth and Foster Parent Partnerships: Creating a Caregiving Network

Classes are open to any youth (13-19) in the Franklin County area who are interested in gaining life skills.  Classes are provided by the Juvenile Office. RSVP: Denise.Sprick@courts.mo.gov  

 2 Days: October 9 & October 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 pm Parenting teens who have experienced trauma can bring additional challenges. This training will focus on topics such as rejection, aggression, social media, sex and self-harming. Learn techniques and build skills to navigate difficult situations and create safety plans for your youth. (6 Hours… Read More »Teens: Understanding Challenging Behaviors