Training Schedules
Resource Family Approval Orientation
Address: Kern County Department of Human Services: Columbus Center-Orientation Room
3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield CA 93306
Pre-Register: Call the Registration Line to (661) 631-6204
Schedule: Orientation is offered the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 5:30 PM to 8:30
PM (only the 2nd Thursday in November and December)
Spanish Foster Care orientation is the 3rd Thursday of the month from 5:30 PM to 8:30
PM
For more information on becoming a Resource Parent please call (661) 631-6204 or visit the Kern County Department of Human Services website.
Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training
The Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training is a 12-hour class that fulfills the initial training requirement as part of the approval process to become a Resource Parent. The 12-hour training is divided by four (sessions 1 to 4) three-hour sessions each covering different topics. To complete this training, you must attend all four sessions (1-4).
Pre-Register: Call the registration line at (661) 395-4991 or email: BCFCKE@bakersfieldcollege.edu
RFA trainings are currently being offered virtually through Zoom and In-Person.
Resource Family Approval (RFA) Training Schedule
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monday, January 6, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| 2 | Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| 3 | Monday, January 13, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| 4 | Wednesday, January 15, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 8:30AM-11:30AM |
| 2 | Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 12:00PM-3:00PM |
| 3 | Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 8:30AM-11:30AM |
| 4 | Saturday, January 25, 2025 | 12:00PM-3:00PM |
| Session | Date | Time |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuesday, January 21, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| 2 | Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| 3 | Tuesday, January 28, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
| 4 | Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 5:30PM-8:30PM |
In-Service Training
Trainings are recommended for Resource Families, Group Home Staff, and other professionals working with children.
Resource Families will fulfill training hours for licensing.
Child Care? No. Sorry, child care is not provided.
Pre-register: Call the registration line (661)-395-4991
Walk-ins? Yes! Walk-ins are also welcome!
Download or Print the In-Service Training Schedule (forthcoming).
In-Service Training Schedule
| Date | Time | Topic | Location | Trainers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, January 8, 2025 | 6:00PM - 7:30PM |
Caregiving Together Monthly support group for resource parents. Come meet other caregivers while also sharing resources amongst each other. Guest speakers in the community will be invited. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Gayla Gibson Rocio Garcia |
| Monday, January 13, 2025 | 6:00PM-8:00PM |
Maintaining Relationships After Emancipation Many foster youth who emancipate from the foster care system find themselves without a strong support system, and statistics on this population are rather concerning. Just because one reaches adulthood, whether they leave care at 18 or 21, does not mean they can survive without a family. Young people who have been in foster care need families who are going to stay connected and remain a part of their life throughout adulthood. This training will address the concerns for foster youth who do not have a support system and provide strategies and encouragement for developing and maintaining a relationship with the young people you raise. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Becky Colaw, M.S. Barbara Reifel, LCSW |
| Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 8:30AM-10:30AM |
A hands-on approach to Mindfulness This training will educate on the importance being mindful as a parent and helping children to be mindful. The busyness in our lives often takes our attention away from the present, even in our parenting. Many are multi-tasking even when we are trying to redirect children’s behavior or trying to help them when they are experiencing emotional dysregulation. Being present is such an important part of parenting, and it is important to model to our young people. We will look at mindfulness exercises that you can engage in and mindfulness exercises you can teach children. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Perla Davis, MFT |
| Saturday, January 18, 2025 | 10:30AM-12:30PM |
The 5 Love Languages of Children Every one of us has a primary language of love, a way that fills our “love tank” better than any other. In this class series, we will utilize the best-selling book The 5 Love Languages of Children in our care. There are 5 ways children (indeed, all people) speak and understand emotional love. They are physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts, and acts of service. |
In-Person Kern County Department of Human Services 3711 Columbus St. |
Perla Davis, MFT |
| Tuesday, January 21, 2025 |
Monthly Book Club for Resource Parents: "It Didn't Start With You" by Mark Wolynn "For our next book club we’re exploring ""It Didn't Start With You: How Inherited
Family Trauma Shapes Who We Are and How to End the Cycle"" by Mark Wolynn. |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Perla Davis, MFT |
|
| Thursday, January 23, 2025 | 6:00PM-8:00PM |
Working with the System "The child welfare system can often be viewed as big and complex. However, research indicates that everyone working together as part of the foster care team results in the best outcomes for children. This training will focus on helping foster parents understand how the different parts of the system work together. We will focus on helping foster parents learn how to navigate this complex system, while engaging in their role on the foster care team. The role of the courts, as well as techniques to increase the effectiveness of the Child Family Team meeting, will be discussed as well." |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Yolanda Covian, MSW |
| Thursday, January 30, 2025 | 6:00PM - 8:00PM |
Strategic Planning for Chronic Behavior |
Virtual (Zoom) |
Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage |
Get Started
Today.
