Supporting Children in Foster Care: Tips for Social Workers
This collection of resources is designed to help child welfare professionals better support foster youth and their caregivers. Curated with handouts, videos, and online trainings, this collection uses evidence-based behavior management strategies and resilience-promoting parenting skills that help reduce placements for children in LA County’s welfare system, while also promoting family and individual development.
Reducing Racial and Ethnic Bias in Child Abuse Reporting
This seminar will strengthen the child abuse reporting skills of staff members and administrators in their work with families of color. This seminar will work toward that goal through a brief history of child protective services and its role in society, review of legal obligations and ethical standards related to child abuse reporting, examination of racial/ethnic disparities in the child welfare system, the role of culture in parenting practices, and assessment of how implicit and explicit bias may impact child abuse reporting decisions. Recorded on: 9/10/2020
Understanding the Adolescent Brain and Behavior in the Context of Foster Care/Adoption
Trauma can have a substantial impact on brain development. Learn how histories of trauma, grief, and loss can impact the therapeutic process and gain tools to work with teens in the foster care and adoption population. Recorded on: 12/11/2018
LGBTQ+ Youth in Foster Care: Where Are Their Resource Families?
The disproportionate number of LGBTQ+ youth lingering in foster care is a longstanding issue in the child welfare system, both locally in Los Angeles and nationally across the country. This video will increase attendees' understanding of why resource parents are not intentionally stepping up to care for LGBTQ+ youth and include a review of the subsequent health disparities facing LGBTQ+ youth with prolonged involvement in the child welfare system. Results will be presented from a mixed-method project examining factors impacting prospective resource parents' willingness to ...
Understanding a Baby's Cry: How to Support Caregivers
Anyone who has spent time caring for a baby knows that they cry, but some babies may cry more than others. Although this can be a normal part of their development, it can become overwhelming for caregivers. Providers can use this tip sheet to help caregivers feel more informed and confident when caring for a frequently crying baby.
Quick Tips: Trauma Sensitive Communication
As a provider, the way we communicate with clients is foundational in building trusting and stable relationships. Using trauma and resilience informed skills helps engage individuals in ways that empower them and provide connection. This guide outlines the elements of trauma sensitive communication and gives examples of how to implement it in practice and daily life.
Normative Sexual Development
Sexual development is a normal process in human development, and one of the ways in which children and youth experience the world around them. Despite being a normal part of development, it can also be a difficult topic for caregivers to talk about. This guide can help support caregivers in feeling more comfortable having these conversations with their young people by providing discussion tips and information about sexual development milestones.
Ask the Expert: Trauma Sensitive Communication
As a provider, the way you communicate with clients is foundational in building trusting and stable relationships. Using trauma and resilience informed skills helps engage individuals in ways that empower them and provide connection. Watch this video to learn why trauma sensitive communication is important and how to implement it professionally and personally.
Ask the Expert: Crying
Anyone who has spent time caring for a baby knows that they cry, but some babies may cry more than others. Although this can be a normal part of their development, it can become overwhelming for caregivers. This video outlines key tips and strategies caregivers can use to feel more prepared to care for a crying baby.
Tips on Addressing Bedwetting
Bedwetting, also known as enuresis, is a frequent occurrence among school-aged children and is the result of interactions between genetic, biological, and psychosocial factors. Navigating bedwetting can often become an overwhelming experience for caregivers. This video will explore some of the common causes of bedwetting and provide strategies for addressing it.
Tips on Understanding Normative Sexual Development
Sexual development is a normal process in human development, and one of the ways in which children and youth experience the world around them. Despite being a normal part of development, it can also be a difficult topic for caregivers to talk about. Watch this video to gather some helpful tips and information to help build the confidence to have these conversations.