Caregiver Training Resources
Foundations training series of online and in person classes designed for Vermont kinship and foster caregivers. All licensed kinship and foster caregivers are required to take Foundations.
FOUNDATIONS Online:
From the comfort of your own home or community library you will learn at your own pace. Learning modules will help you to better prepare for your new role as a kinship or non-relative foster parent.
Required topic areas include:
- Residential Licensing and Special Investigations (RLSI)
- Your New Role
- Respecting Difference
- Trauma
- Tools for Working with Children and Youth
- System/Permanency
- Kinship Awareness—for the kinship caregiver
FOUNDATIONS Learning Networks:
After you complete Foundations Online, you’ll be enrolled in an in-person or online/virtual Foundations Learning Networks. In this learning opportunity, you will join with others across the state to deepen your trauma-informed learning and caregiver skills. This is an excellent time to network with other kin and foster caregivers while sharing experiences and learning. You have one year from the date of licensure to complete this course, although you are strongly encouraged to complete it as soon as you’ve completed Foundations Online.
Training Requirements for Licensed Caregivers
The Vermont Child Welfare Training Partnership will guide you on your journey to becoming a kin or foster caregiver. Select the infographic for a downloadable version o the requirements.
We offer two distinct classes for people who are considering adoption through the state of Vermont:
- Fostering to Forever– For foster or kinship (relative) caregivers who are adopting or transitioning to permanent guardianship after foster care.
- Families Forever– For caregivers who are adopting or transitioning to permanent guardianship after a CCO (Conditional Custody Order).
(1) FOSTERING TO FOREVER
“Fostering to Forever” is a 3½ hour long class about the unique challenges and special rewards of adopting through the Vermont foster care system. It reviews important topics, such as:
- Preparing for the Transition
- Connecting with state and local resources
- Lifelong Issues in Adoption or Guardianship
- What’s DIFFERENT & What’s the SAME??
- Talking about Adoption
- Working with your child’s birth family
- Claiming the newest member of your family
The class is strongly recommended for any caregiver who hopes to adopt through the state of Vermont. The class is REQUIRED if you will be requesting an Adoption Assistance Agreement, and the class must be completed before your agreement can be submitted to the state for approval.
In-person and virtual classes are held multiple times throughout the year in various locations throughout the state. Contact Emma Baird at ebaird@uvm.edu or 802-656-3376 to enroll. Please note that email enrollment for this course is strongly preferred!
Alternative Online Option:
Taking the class in person is preferred as it allows you to meet local providers, get your questions answered directly, meet and learn from other class participants, as well as share your own knowledge. However, if it is not possible for you to take the in-person class, you may take the online version of the class. Following are instructions for taking the online class:
Online Instructions:
- Go to this website: training.vermontcwtp.org
- Register for an account (or login if you already have one)
- Enroll in “FOSTERING TO FOREVER” with enrollment key: F2forever
For video tutorial about enrolling in online courses, go to:
https://youtu.be/WNPGhU9VW_Y
(2) FAMILIES FOREVER
This online (only) class is designed specifically for families that are adopting a child or youth after the Conditional Custody Order (CCO) process OR who are moving from CCO to Permanent Guardianship. It takes between 3 and 4 hours to complete and covers the following topics:
- Preparing for the Transition
- Connecting with state and local resources
- Lifelong Issues in Adoption or Guardianship
- What’s DIFFERENT & What’s the SAME??
- Talking about Adoption
- Working with your extended family and the child’s birth parents
- Claiming the newest member of your family
This class is strongly recommended for any CCO caregiver. It is REQUIRED if you will be requesting an Adoption Assistance Agreement, and the class must be completed before your agreement can be submitted to the state for approval.
Online Enrollment Instructions:
- Go to this website: training.vermontcwtp.org
- Register for an account (or login if you already have one)
- Enroll in “FAMILIES FOREVER”
- Use the enrollment key: FFcwtp
For video tutorial about enrolling in online course, go to:
https://youtu.be/WNPGhU9VW_Y
Why is a Mentoring Program So Important For Caregivers?
Foster parenting is exciting, fulfilling and comes with many challenges! The most vulnerable time in a foster care placement is within the first six months. During this critical time foster parents decide whether or not to stay with the work, in part based on the amount of support they receive in caring for children or youth. Mentoring matches new and experienced foster parents together to provide the extra support needed in the early days of navigating the child welfare system. Foster parents who feel supported and confident are more likely able to maintain placement stability for children and youth.
For more information about the Foster and Kin Care Mentor Program go to:
https://dcf.vermont.gov/foster/mentor-program
Or contact:
Foster and Kin Care Manager:
Joan Rock
280 State Drive
Waterbury, VT 05676
Joan.Rock@vermont.gov
802-760-0594