FFA Virtual Trainings
2026
January
Effective Advocacy in Foster Care; Advocating in My Role as a Resource Parent- 1/20/2026 7-8pm
Join us for an interactive discussion on the role of advocacy in foster care. Participants will identify situations where advocacy is essential and learn strategies for advocating effectively while preserving professionalism and strong working relationships.
Human Trafficking Awareness-
1/27/2026 7-8pm
In honor of Human Trafficking awareness month, Safe House Project will join us to provide training that focuses on how trafficking presents itself in the US today. We will review key factors in identifying trafficking and how to report it, as well as a brief discussion on available resources.
February
Navigating the Mental Health Maze-
2/10/2026 7-8pm
This session empowers resource parents to identify early warning signs of mental health challenges and provides practical steps for securing professional support. Participants will learn the types of services offered through Medicaid in North Carolina. The workshop also covers the essential role of a caregiver in the therapeutic process to ensure better long-term outcomes for youth in care.
Resources from Webinar:
March
Overview of I/DD Services-
3/9/2026 7-8pm
In honor of Disability Awareness Month, join us to learn more about Intellectual and Developmental Disability services in NC. The Executive Director of the NC Council on Developmental Disabilities will share information on innovations waivers, 1915i services, TBI waivers and more.
Passcode: o=%8f7+?
Resources from Webinar:
April
Overview of Child Welfare Court-
4/7/2026 7-8pm
Juvenile abuse, neglect, and dependency proceedings can be confusing and stressful for everyone involved. That is especially true for resource parents – folks who play a critical role in the care of system-involved children, but who do not typically have an attorney to help them navigate the process. This session will provide an overview of juvenile proceedings with a focus on common questions asked by resource parents, including those about who gets to talk to the judge, why cases get continued, and what happened when the attorneys and the judge left the courtroom to speak privately about the case.
Passcode: $P47EPxq
Strategies for Parenting a Teen using TBRI techniques
4/22/2026 7-8pm
Parenting teens can be tough, especially when past experiences make it hard for them to trust. This session introduces simple, practical ways to use Trust‑Based Relational Intervention to build stronger connections and empower youth for success. You’ll walk away with tools you can start using right away to better understand and support the teens in your care.
Passcode: hLqEW=8S
Resources from Webinar:
May
Foster Care Awareness Month
5/12/26 7-8pm
This one-hour, engaging presentation offers foster and adoptive parents a refreshing opportunity to laugh, exhale, and feel truly understood. Through humor, storytelling, and shared experience, a husband-and-wife team delivers a lighthearted yet meaningful message that acknowledges the realities of foster care while leaving participants encouraged and hopeful. Using satire and sarcasm, the presenters walk families through a humorous “Top 10” countdown that reflects the unpredictability, exhaustion, and emotional complexity of fostering—followed by a powerful shift toward connection, resilience, and purpose.
Passcode: 4RDhfF%9
June
Secondary Trauma
6/2/2026 7-8pm
As resource parents, you do so much to help others: children and youth in foster care, your parents, children, and the community. But who cares for you? What happens when caring for others takes a toll on you? How do you recover?
July
No Trainings Currently Scheduled
August
Sexual Abuse Series Part 1
8/11/2026 6:30-8pm
PART 1- As a resource parent, caring for children and youth who experienced sexual abuse can be extremely challenging. The abuse is often perpetrated by someone the child or youth loves, and the impact can be long-lasting and affect their physical and mental well-being. With appropriate support from resource parents and professionals, children and youth who have experienced sexual abuse can begin to heal from their trauma. This series will provide resource parents with critical information about child sexual abuse and strategies to begin improving outcomes.
Sexual Abuse Series Part 2
8/25/2026 6:30-8pm
PART 2- As a resource parent, caring for children and youth who experienced sexual abuse can be extremely challenging. The abuse is often perpetrated by someone the child or youth loves, and the impact can be long-lasting and affect their physical and mental well-being. With appropriate support from resource parents and professionals, children and youth who have experienced sexual abuse can begin to heal from their trauma. This series will provide resource parents with critical information about child sexual abuse and strategies to begin improving outcomes.
September
Kinship Conference
9/26 Eastern NC
More details coming soon.
FASD
TBD
Details coming soon.
Kinship Supports
TBD
Details coming soon.
October
Webinar
10/5 7-8:30pm
Join Dr. Larry Burd for this informative session as he shares more insight on FASD and foster care. FASD is a common disorder and many children with FASD are in the foster care system and are not correctly diagnosed.
This training will discuss recent findings on caring for children with FASD in foster care.
This discussion will include recent findings on:
Screening
Diagnosis Informed Care in FASD
In FASD needs are both age and development dependent
Importance of future oriented risk reduction
Increasing comorbidity increases complexity of care
Ongoing caregiver training, support, and access to applied behavioral analysis (ABA services) is crucial
Kinship Conference
10/17 Western NC
More details coming soon.
November
Post Adoption Services
11/9/2026 7-8pm
Post Permanency Supports- Janet Drake Kearns, DHHS Post Permanency Coordinator
Join us for an informative and encouraging session designed for families who have adopted—or are considering adopting—a child from foster care. This training offers a clear, practical overview of the supports available to you before, during, and long after adoption finalization.
We’ll explore potential benefits, what the adoption assistance process typically looks like, and the key questions families often wish they had asked sooner. You’ll also learn what ongoing services and community resources are available once the transition home begins to settle and real life takes shape.
Whether you are preparing for adoption or navigating life afterward, this session will help you feel more confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.
December
Taxes 101 for Resource Families
12/10/2026 7-8pm
Join us for a practical, easy-to-understand tax workshop designed specifically for foster and adoptive families. In this informative session, we’ll break down key tax benefits, credits, and deductions you may qualify for—including the Adoption Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, and important filing considerations unique to your situation.
You’ll walk away with clear guidance, common pitfalls to avoid, and actionable steps to maximize your tax return with confidence. Perfect for both new and experienced resource parents looking to better understand their financial opportunities.