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25 Days of In-service

25 Days of In-service

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
25 days of in-service is coming your way!

We’re making a list, checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s completed or behind
25 days of in-service is coming your way!

We see your training notes in Optima
We know it’s easy to forget
So here’s our way to help
So check these out for goodness sake

You better watch out, you better not cry
You better not pout, I’m telling you why
25 days of in-service is coming your way!

 

Monday, November 27th:
Childhood experiences, both positive and negative, have a tremendous impact on future violence victimization and perpetration, and lifelong health and opportunity. As such, early experiences are an important public health issue. Much of the foundational research in this area has been referred to as Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs). Learn more here!

Online research- Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/acestudy

Tuesday, November 28th:
The KIDS COUNT Data Book provides an annual snapshot of how America’s children and families are faring in every state across the nation. Learn where Texas ranks in childhood well-being! 2017’s Kids Count Data Book: State trends in childhood well-being, developed by Annie E. Casey Foundation

Wednesday, November 29th:
Interested in viewing some of CASA’s in-service trainings that have been offered throughout the year that you may have missed? No worries! Check out CASA of the South Plains YouTube channel to catch up! Topics include: Preparation for Adult Living, Attorney Panel, Psychotropic Medications, etc.

CASA YouTube in-service videos https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCoUqhzuH2yQYB4HSwKcBoQ

Thursday, November 30th:
The CASA College LMS is the home for Texas CASA’s e-learning courses and other online training materials for local CASA programs in Texas. It allows you to access our trainings and resources online, when and where you need them, on any type of computer or mobile device. https://texascasa.org/casa-college-e-learning/

Friday, December 1st:
Victim Assistance Online training: https://www.ovcttac.gov/views/TrainingMaterials/dspOnline_VATOnline.cfm. Includes information that all victim service providers must know, including victims' rights and the justice systems, which provides a foundation for victim services. Select from over 43 total hours of training in a variety of topics ranging from 30 mins – 1 hour each.

Saturday, December 2nd:
2017 DFPS Foster Care Needs Assessment: By Texas DFPS, produced annually in an effort to more strategically build Texas’ foster care capacity. This assessment includes an analysis of two years of historical foster care placement activity to understand how the system has performed in the past, along with a forecast of foster care placement demand for fiscal year 2017-2018.

Sunday, December 3rd:
Online research- Texas Child Protection Services: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/child_protection/. Learn about CPS investigations, family services, when children are in state care, data/statistics, state laws and CPS policies.

Monday, December 4th:
Online Training- Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of a Child: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Training/Reporting/default.asp

In Texas, anyone who suspects that a child is being abused or neglected has a legal obligation to report it. Professional reporters are required to report suspicion of abuse or neglect within 48 hours.

A Professional Reporter is anyone licensed or certified by the state or works for an agency or facility licensed or certified by the state and has contact with children as a result of their normal duties. By law, professionals may not delegate their duty to report to another person such as a coworker or family member.

This training seeks to provide school staff with the following:

  • Abuse and neglect definitions.
  • Introduction of two realistic abuse/neglect reporting scenarios.
  • A walk-through of the web-based online reporting system.
  • Guidance on commonly asked questions.
  • Approximate Time to Complete Course: 1 hour.

Tuesday, December 5th:
Online Training- Psychotropic Medications (2 hours): https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Training/Psychotropic_Medication/default.asp This training explains Child Protective Services’ expectations for the safe and effective use of psychotropic medications by children in DFPS conservatorship. Talk to your child's doctor about any specific questions you may have about the medications your child is taking.

Wednesday, December 6th:
Online Training- Trauma Informed Care (2 hours): https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Training/Trauma_Informed_Care/default.asp The Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) recognizes the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences such as child abuse and neglect. The need to address trauma is increasingly viewed as an important component of effective service delivery. The impact of trauma is experienced by children, families, caregivers, and the social service providers who serve them.

DFPS is providing this training opportunity to assist families, caregivers and other social service providers in fostering greater understanding of trauma informed care and child traumatic stress. We hope this will help you understand the effects that trauma can have on child development, behaviors, and functioning, as well as recognize, prevent and cope with compassion fatigue.

Thursday, December 7th:
Foster Care Transition Toolkit: developed to help youth currently in foster care and young adults who have aged out access the resources needed to successfully transition into adulthood and pursue college and career opportunities. Currently there are over 400,000 children and youth in our Nation’s foster care system and every year, more than 23,000 individuals “age out” of the foster care system. The passage to adulthood is challenging for anyone, but for youth in foster care it can be especially lonesome, confusing, and uncertain. Despite facing significant challenges, youth currently or previously involved in the foster care system demonstrate extraordinary courage, determination, and resilience. It is important to provide these youth, and the supportive adults who work with them, the resources and assistance needed to achieve stability and independence.

Friday, December 8th:
The National Court Appointed Special Advocate Association, together with its state and local member programs, supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every abused or neglected child in the United States can be safe, have a permanent home and the opportunity to thrive. List of advocacy resources on topics like child welfare, educational advocacy, adoption, foster care, working with children, parents, older youth, and child welfare professionals, substance abuse, domestic violence, cultural competency, and much more. http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.5301325/k.B550/Advocacy_Resources.htm

Saturday, December 9th:
Suggested book list from National CASA http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.7799943/k.9FEB/CASAGAL_Book_List.htm

Sunday, December 10th:
Suggested movie list from National CASA http://www.casaforchildren.org/site/c.mtJSJ7MPIsE/b.9168955/k.9B6F/CASAGAL_Film_List.htm

Monday, December 11th:
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network was established to improve access to care, treatment, and services for traumatized children and adolescents exposed to traumatic events. https://learn.nctsn.org/

Tuesday, December 12th:
***WARNING EXPLICIT LANGUAGE*** 2016 Children's Summit | Thursday Plenary Speaker "How Foster Care Renders Youth More Vulnerable for Sex-Trafficking" PRESENTED BY: T. ORTIZ WALKER PETTIGREW Withelma “T” Ortiz Walker Pettigrew is a Survivor Leader and nationally recognized policy consultant as well as professional moderator. Previously, she specialized in developing strategies to end domestic child sex trafficking, reforming the child welfare, juvenile justice and mental health systems and implementing policies and practices to ensure that all vulnerable children have an opportunity to thrive. Furthermore, T uses her story and experiences to highlight themes of wellness, empowerment, self-discovery, self-esteem building and personal fulfillment. https://youtu.be/5PSRh3w_utg

Wednesday, December 13th:
After surviving a childhood of abuse and neglect, Tonier “Neen” Cain lived on the streets for two nightmarish decades, where she endured unrelenting violence, hunger and despair while racking up 66 criminal convictions related to her addiction. Incarcerated and pregnant in 2004, treatment for her lifetime of trauma offered her a way out...and up. Her story illustrates the consequences that untreated trauma has on individuals and society at-large, including mental health problems, addiction, homelessness and incarceration. Today, she is a nationally renowned speaker and educator on the devastation of trauma and the hope of recovery. https://vimeo.com/15851924

Thursday, December 14th:
Permanency for youth in foster care should include a permanent legal connection to a family, such as reuniting with birth parents, adoption, kinship care, or legal guardianship. However, when these options are less likely, workers can help youth pursue physical or relational permanency. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/enhancing.pdf

Friday, December 15th:
This factsheet is designed to help kinship caregivers—including grandparents, aunts and uncles, other relatives, and family friends caring for children—work effectively with the child welfare system. Resources, such as links to more detailed information or places to find help, are included. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/f_kinshi.pdf

Saturday, December 16th:
Article-Reunification: Bringing Your Children Home From Foster Care https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/reunification.pdf

Sunday, December 17th:
Article-Supporting Successful Reunifications https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/supporting_reunification.pdf

Monday, December 18th:
This tip sheet provides child welfare professionals with a framework for how to talk with older youth about permanency and offers tangible tips and suggestions on ways to make these conversations more effective and meaningful. https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubPDFs/talking.pdf

Tuesday, December 19th:
Adoption books and resources http://www.emkpress.com/adoption.html

Wednesday, December 20th:
Engaging Kinship Caregivers

http://www.aecf.org/blog/engaging-kinship-caregivers-with-joseph-crumbley/

As the number of kinship caregivers increases for children in foster care and more child welfare jurisdictions adopt a “kin first” placement practice, the need to provide specialized support for relatives is becoming even more crucial. These relatives are doing what families have always done — caring for their own. However, with the added complexity of child welfare system involvement, financial stress and multigenerational loyalty binds, these families deserve assistance from professionals trained to meet their unique needs.

To support systems and caseworkers in this work, the Foundation developed a five-part video training series: “Engaging Kinship Caregivers: Managing Risk Factors in Kinship Care.” Led by Joseph Crumbley, the training sessions strengthen the skills of child welfare professionals in supporting families to improve outcomes for children. The series includes a discussion guide to help program directors, supervisors and trainers lead group sessions to deepen the learning experience.

Thursday, December 21st:
Children of Incarcerated Parents, the Caregiver's Guide. http://www.reentryroundtable.net/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/2-COIP-Caregiver-Guide3-23.pdf

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