糖心原创

Film Screening & Discussion: McFarland USA

Join us for a meaningful film screening and discussion of McFarland, USA, a story about resilience, mentorship, family, and the power of supportive relationships. Foster parents will reflect on themes of trust, encouragement, overcoming challenges, and how positive connections can help children and youth thrive.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 93311

Gayla Gibson & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Healing & Resiliency

Building self-worth, hope, and managing stress. This training looks at the healing and resiliency component to the trauma-loss-and-grief cycle, shedding light on how healing occurs, and how resiliency is formed igniting the process for lifelong internal supports.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Gayla Gibson & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Social Emotional Development-Effects of Trauma on Peers & Friendships

This class explores how trauma can impact children鈥檚 relationships and social interactions. Participants will learn strategies to support healthy peer connections, strengthen resilience, and create environments that promote emotional safety, trust, and positive relationship-building.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

The Lifelong Impact of Separation: Helping Our Children Heal

The removal of a child from their birth/first family is a seminal event that ripples through every stage of their development. This workshop explores the impact of this primal loss and ways the experience of being "removed" manifests differently in early childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. We will discuss strategies for mitigating loss, helping children integrate their birth history with their present reality, and supporting the development of a healthy sense of self.

Debbie Schugg

Food Insecurity

Participants will learn about the impact of food insecurity on children in foster care, including reasons behind food hoarding and food-seeking behaviors. Participants will learn how food insecurity affects children鈥檚 physical, emotional, and developmental well-being and how to provide supportive, consistent care.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Rocio Garcia, MSW

When the Waiting Ends: The Real Work of Becoming a Family

The time leading up to a child joining a family can be filled with excitement as parents envision life with this new family member. While they may be excited, parents can still often find themselves unprepared for the realities of life after placement and the intentional work required to truly become a family. This workshop, led by Deb Schugg who is an adoption professional and mother of eight (seven of whom were adopted from foster care), will explore what families may experience after their children come home. Participants will gain ideas and specific strategies that can help make the transition from 鈥渨aiting鈥� parent to 鈥減arenting鈥� parent much easier.

Virtual (Zoom)

Debbie Schugg

The Power of Showing Up

This training will be based on the book 鈥淭he Power of Showing Up鈥� by Daniel J. Siegel & Tina Payne Bryson Ph.D. The Power of Showing Up shares stories, scripts, simple strategies, illustrations, and tips for honoring the Four S鈥檚 effectively in all kinds of situations鈥攚hen our kids are struggling or when they are enjoying success; when we are consoling, disciplining, or arguing with them; and even when we are apologizing for the times we don鈥檛 show up for them. Demonstrating that mistakes and missteps are repairable and that it鈥檚 never too late to mend broken trust, this book is a powerful guide to cultivating your child鈥檚 healthy emotional landscape.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Art Therapy & Interpretation

Children's art often reflects their experiences, emotions, and inner world. For children impacted by trauma, creative expression can be a powerful tool for healing and connection. This training will explore how to better understand children's artwork and use art as a supportive, trauma-informed approach to foster healing and resilience.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Cutting & Self Harm

This training provides an understanding of self-harm behaviors, including cutting, the connection between trauma and self-harm, and the reasons some children may engage in these behaviors. Participants will learn how to recognize underlying needs and respond with empathy, support, and safety-focused strategies.

Virtual (Zoom)

Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage

Impact of Trauma on Child Development

Childhood trauma-whether resulting from abuse, neglect, chronic instability, or sudden loss鈥攍eaves a profound imprint on a developing life. This workshop explores how trauma and chronic distress disrupt the trajectory of normative child development. We will examine how ongoing adversity alters brain development and directly impedes a child鈥檚 ability to master critical developmental tasks. This session introduces the powerful concept of developmental re-parenting. Participants will learn how meeting a child at their developmental stage鈥攔ather than their chronological age鈥攃an rebuild foundational neural pathways and lead to genuine, long-term healing.

Virtual (Zoom)

Debbie Schugg

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Rocio Garcia, MSW

Effective Tools for Parenting Kids with Who Have Experienced Trauma

This training provides a foundational understanding of trauma, attachment, the Internal Working Model, and the impact of trauma on the brain, including both the fear response and progressive state of alarm. With that shared understanding established, the focus shifts to identifying the unmet needs which drive behavior and moving from a traditional model of parenting to a trauma-informed, attachment-focused approach. More than a dozen parenting tools/interventions are presented with examples.

Virtual (Zoom)

Debbie Schugg

California Car Seat Laws & Regulation's

Overview of California's car seats laws and regulations. Information about safe transportation for children and how to properly install your child's safety seat in your vehicle. You will also have the opportunity to schedule a safety seat inspection by a trained child passenger safety technician.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Building Resilience in Teens

This training focuses on ways resource parents can help to develop resilience in teenagers. We will look at what resilience is and at the risk and protective factors and then talk about what caregivers can do to help teenagers during the time they are in their home.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Yolanda Covian, MSW

Understanding Trauma and Creating Opportunities for Healing

When a child with a history of trauma joins a family, behavior can leave parents perplexed, frustrated, and exhausted. Sabotaging, lying, and stealing don鈥檛 seem to make sense and it may appear that the child doesn鈥檛 care, doesn鈥檛 try, or maybe doesn鈥檛 even want to be in the family. Through a trauma-informed lens, we can look at the behavior from the inside, addressing the underlying needs and bringing about real change. By understanding the roots of your child鈥檚 behavior, you can parent in ways that help your child heal and your family thrive.

Virtual (Zoom)

Debbie Schugg

The Deepest Well

Studies have shown that two-thirds of humans have experienced at least one adverse childhood experience, from different experiences such as bereavement and divorce to abuse and neglect. In the book "The Deepest Well" Dr. Nadine Burke Harris reveals the science behind childhood adversity and offers a new way of understanding the adverse events that affect us throughout our lifetime. Based on her clinical work and public leadership, Dr. Burke Harris shows us how to disrupt this cycle through interventions that help retrain the brain and body, foster resilience, and help children, families, and adults live healthier, happier lives.

Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

No Drama Discipline

This training will be based on the book "No Drama Discipline" by Danel J Siegel, MD & Tina Payne Bryson, PhD. The whole brain way to calm the chaos & nurture your child's developing mind.

Virtual (Zoom)

Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW Alejandra Torres, MSW

The 5 Apology Languages: The Secret to Healthy Relationships

This in-service training is based on the book The 5 Apology Languages: The Secret to Healthy Relationships and explores how understanding different apology styles can strengthen relationships, rebuild trust, and promote healthy communication.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

The Power of Kindness

What is kindness and what are the benefits of kindness? Our children may not have experienced a lot of kindness in their lives at home or in other environments. Therefore they may not behave very kindly either. In this training we are going to talk about how important and powerful kindness is. We will discuss what kindness looks like it and how to behave more kindly. We will talk about modeling kindness to our children and teaching them how to be kind when it might be challenging.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Rocio Garcia, MSW

What Every Parent Should Know About Talking to Kids About Human Trafficking

There are some things that as parents or caregivers we dread having to talk to our children about, but these topics are also critical to keeping them safe and helping them to make good decisions. With children in foster care being targeted by human traffickers, it is even more important that we educate them on the potential risk. Open, candid conversations with our children are important. In this training we will talk about how to talk to kids in your home about CSEC, including things they can do to protect themselves. For children who may already be involved in CSEC, we will model for them that we are willing to openly discuss these topics and that nothing they can tell us is too big for us to handle. We want them to know that they can be open and honest with us, and we will still love them unconditionally.

Virtual (Zoom)

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Fentanyl & Beyond: Understanding Drug Risks for Teens

This workshop helps caregivers understand the risks of fentanyl and other substances that teens may encounter. Participants will learn about warning signs, the effects of various drugs, and strategies for having open, supportive conversations with youth. The session also provides tools to help teens make safer choices and stay protected from dangerous substances.

Virtual (Zoom)

Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW & Rocio Garcia, MSW

Turning Dreams into Degrees

This course will help caregivers understand how to support their youth to make a smooth transition from high school to college. Caregivers will learn about the benefits of college and the different pathways available to better support youth in making a plan. Caregivers will also learn about the key steps youth must take in the junior and senior year of college, and the supports and resources that exist to help youth along the way.

Virtual (Zoom)

Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Turning Dreams into Degrees-Part 2

This course will help caregivers understand how to support their youth to make a smooth transition from high school to college. Caregivers will learn about the benefits of college and the different pathways available to better support youth in making a plan. Caregivers will also learn about the key steps youth must take in the junior and senior year of college, and the supports and resources that exist to help youth along the way.

Virtual (Zoom)

Perla Davis, MFT & Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson & Rocio Garcia, MSW

Trust-Based Relational Intervention: Part 1-Introduction & Overview

This session is an introduction to a four-part series that will walk caregivers through the three main principles of connecting, empowering, and correcting. Each of the three sessions following the introduction will cover these principles in more detail.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Trust-Based Relational Intervention: Part 2- Connecting Principles

This training discusses the importance of attachment and strategies you can use to develop an attachment with children who have been harmed. In addition, this training discusses engagement strategies that include touch, eye contact, voice quality, behavior matching, and playful interaction.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Parenting the Sexually Abused Child

It takes a lot of different tools to parent a child who has experienced trauma, and many of the children in foster care have experienced one of the worst forms of trauma 鈥� childhood sexual abuse. This training will assist foster parents in identifying traumatic signs of possible sexual abuse, as compared to normative sexual development. We will also discuss how childhood sexual abuse impacts the child鈥檚 worldview and how that impact results in a variety of maladaptive behaviors in the home. Finally, we will talk about some tools to help manage the child鈥檚 behavior while supporting their process of dealing with the trauma.

Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens

This training is based on the best-selling book written by Sean Covey. This training will cover the seven basic habits that will help teens become more independent and effective. Help your teens in foster care gain skills that will help them become highly effective adults as they navigate the challenging waters of adolescence. This skill building approach is designed to help build attachment while preparing teens for their future selves!

Virtual (Zoom)

Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Motivational Interviewing

Motivational interviewing for foster families will equip caregivers with essential communication strategies to support and empower the children in their care. Participants will learn how to foster trust, encourage self-efficacy, and navigate challenging conversations using empathy-driven responses. foster families will gain practical skills to help children express their needs, build resilience, and develop a sense of autonomy within a compassionate and supportive environment.

Becky Colaw, M.S. & Barbara Reifel, LCSW

Understanding & Supporting the Anxious Child

Anxiety is something that we often times discuss as being a problem or an issue that children face. In truth, anxiety is normal. It鈥檚 adaptive. It keeps us safe in a lot of different situations. Anxiety is our body鈥檚 way of telling us when we鈥檙e in danger. There are many situations where children need to be attentive to danger and it鈥檚 healthy that their bodies are giving them an indication that danger is around. However, when children are chronically anxious, even the most well-meaning parents, not wanting a child to suffer, can actually make the youngster鈥檚 anxiety worse. It happens when parents try to protect kids from their fears or don鈥檛 adequately address the anxiety at hand.

Claudia Martinez, MSW, LCSW

Caregiving Together

Resource parents and their children (ages 6 and up) are invited to connect with other families, build community, and enjoy a fun, engaging evening together. Each month features a different topic or activity, plus pizza for everyone! Resource Parents will receive one hour of training credit for attending.

In-Person

Kern County Department of Human Services

3711 Columbus St.
Bakersfield, CA 93306

Gayla Gibson
Rocio Garcia, MSW

Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Part 3-Empowering Principles

We will look at understanding sensory processing and some of the challenges children who have experienced trauma have with this, as well as how to address them. You will learn how to help children identify what they feel like when they are not self-regulated and specific things they can do, or you can do with them, to help them regulate.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Trust Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) Part 4-Connecting Principles

The main idea behind correcting principles is to teach children social and behavioral competence through proactive strategies and responsive strategies. Correcting principles are guides for changing behavior, but it is important that we remember that even when correcting, we can still remain connected to our children.

In-Person

糖心原创 Southwest
9400 Camino Media
Bakersfield, CA 9331

Becky Colaw, M.S.

Connecting through Play

Connecting with play, participants will learn about different methods of play and how important it is for the child's development.

Virtual (Zoom)

Becky Colaw, M.S.

What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing

In this class, the trainers will go over some highlights of the book by Oprah Winfrey and Dr. Bruce Perry. We will discuss how experiences often shape behavior. So many of us often struggle to understand why children do the things that they do. It is often correlated with trauma and their early childhood experiences.

Virtual (Zoom)

Perla Davis, MFT