Syllabus To Be A Parent

So what does it take to be a Foster Parent, you ask? This is just the basic information of the courses you have to take and be “certified in” to become a Foster Parent. I will refer back to this document from time to time during my ongoing series on the Broken System of Foster Care.

In addition To the course list below, you are required to have:

• Home Health Inspection
• Home Fire Inspection
• Tuberculosis (TB) Test
• FBI Background/Fingerprint Check
• Medical Checkup

Is there anything on the above list of requirements that seems to be missing to you? I find it odd that Foster Parents are NOT required to take a drug test! To date I know of only one local private Foster Care agency that requires their Foster Parents to take a drug test. Considering the fact that drugs are a major contributing factor in the lives of children in Foster Care, I would assume this would be a requirement.

A Tuberculosis test is required, but an HIV test is not required. There are no other medical test/drug tests that are required.

I. PSYCHOTROPIC MEDICATION COURSE
Basic Medication Information
                Five Rights
                Infection Control
                Classification of Medications
Side Effects vs. Adverse Reactions
When To Call The Doctor
What Medications Can Be Cut
When Medication Should Be Given
Who Can I Contact With Questions?

Where Do I Store Medication?

Look At Medications With A Child’s Eye

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
                Increase knowledge of children in foster care
                Increase parenting skills to nurture and protect children
                Develop Abilities as part of a professional team; support permanency for children
                Help you decide on commitment to be a foster or adoptive parent
History of Foster Care In The U.S.
AFCARS Report- Statistics- Adoption & Foster Care Analysis & reporting System (as of September 2005)
AFCARS Report- Statistics
Agency Expectations
Child Abuse & Neglect
Child Abuse & Neglect Statistics
Reporting Child Abuse
How The Brain Develops- Neurobiology
Attachment Theory
Child Development Theories
Effects of Maltreatment on Brain Development
Hierarchy of Human Needs
Stages of Grief
Discipline vs. Punishment
Role of Families
Resiliency
Teamwork
End of Prep 1

V.  PREP COURSE 2 (Parenting Resourced and Education for Permanency Training for Foster/Adoptive Parents)   ALL DAY COURSE
1 Morning Break, Lunch Break, 1 Afternoon Break

Sexual Abuse
Types of Sexual Abuse
Effects of Sexual Abuse

Sexual Abuse Outcry Procedure
Domestic Violence
Domestic Violence Cycle

Effects of Domestic Violence

Drugs and Alcohol

Effects of Parental Use of Alcohol & Drugs on Children

Parental Incarceration

Effects of Parental Incarceration

Parenting Traumatized Children

Six Core Strengths

                Attachment

                Self-Regulation

                Affiliation

                Attunement

                Tolerance

                Respect

Shaken Baby Syndrome

Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Reducing SIDS Risk

Cultural Diversity

Adoption and Safe Families Act

Permanency

Additional Information to Foster/Adopt

                Communication

                New Perspective on Anger

                Anger/Stress Management

                TEAMWORK Foster/Adopt Parents & Children         

PREP Completed

VI.SAMA  (SATORI Alternatives To Managing Aggression)

VII. SAMA COURSE 2 (SATORI Alternatives To Managing Aggression)

VIII. CPR/FIRST AID COURSE

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The Purpose Of  This Series:  Who Hears The Voice Of The Children?

Foster Care: A Broken System- Video