The Children’s Aid Society has a legal responsibility to provide care for children who, for a variety of reason are unable to live with their birth family. The preferred arrangement for most of these children is to live temporarily within a foster home and work towards the reunification of the family. A respectful working relationship between the foster parents and birth parents can provide an essential ingredient in the reunification process. This workshop explores practical ideas on how foster parents can facilitate healthy outcomes for children and their families. (3 hours)
There is no sharp dividing line between “normal” mood swings of adolescence and depression. Parents are the key people to recognize signs of depression and recognition is the first step toward getting help.(3 hours)
This workshop clearly explains:
- what depression is
- how to recognize it (it’s more than moody)
- how common is it
- the difference between depression in adults and young people
- the risk factors
- the warning signs
- survival tips for the family
- dealing with discipline and conflict
- what parent’s can’t do
- what is bipolar, schizophrenia
- the nightmare of suicide
- treatment options
- what does the future hold
This full day or 2 evening workshop will introduce you to the skills, techniques and strategies required to assess and control a wide range of behaviour problems (example: aggression, destruction, non-compliance, swearing, school problems, tantrums, sibling quarreling, etc). You will learn how to determine the underlying causes of the inappropriate behaviours, develop logical interventions and establish a monitoring system to evaluate progress. Suitable for parents, teachers, day care, social workers, etc.
This sanity-saving workshop explores the bewildering years of a teenager. What forces turn many delightful, talkative 11 year olds into moody, hormone-infused, self absorbed teenagers? What forces lead some of them “over the edge” into choices that include drugs, sex, booze, skipping school and crime? This workshop presents a philosophy and strategies that can help parents help their teens make the right choices. (formally “Teens in Trouble”).(6 hours)
“Fostering has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life. It is also one of the most difficult . I’m not sure I can keep this up much longer”. (quote from a long time foster parent) Balancing the demands placed on foster parents is no easy task and not a job for the faint of heart. This workshop explores valuable insights into the “real world” of fostering – the good, the bad and the ugly. It provides practical steps foster parents can take to manage the stresses inherent in sharing your home and family with a child in need.
