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OUR FOSTER PARENT TRAINING PROGRAM Foster parents often turn into strong, natural allies for the children for whom they care. After living day-to-day with a foster child, they come to know the child's special needs and wants intimately, and understand what long-term living situation is best for the child. Recognizing this natural advocacy role, the Children's Law Center began a foster parent training program in 1997. With generous, ongoing support from the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation, Center staff have been educating foster parents across Colorado about their legal rights and the rights of the children in their care. The program is based on an empowerment philosophy that encourages foster parents to use the power of the courts to better conditions and long-term outcomes for their foster children. Regular, daylong training sessions, delivered throughout the year by Children's Law Center attorneys, teach foster parents about: how the juvenile court system works; how to intervene in court on behalf of their foster children; what kinds of benefits can be had for foster children through the courts; foster parent liability issues; what happens during an investigation of abuse allegations; and how to cope with the effects of fetal alcohol and drug exposure on many foster children. Hundreds of foster parents have participated in these trainings since the program began, learning how to advocate effectively on their foster childrens' behalf. We believe that, as a result, more foster children's needs for services like mental and physical health care, specialized education, and appropriate permanent living situations are being met. At each training session, attending foster parents receive a comprehensive training manual prepared by the Children's Law Center, entitled "Advocacy for Children by Foster Parents." This is a detailed but straightforward legal discussion on how foster parents can intervene in the courts to uphold children's rights, when they are denied. Foster parents unable to attend our training sessions can order a training manual directly from the Children's Law Center. The nominal fee for the manual is $25, which covers our cost for preparing, printing, and shipping it. For more information about obtaining the foster parent training manual, view the Training Manuals. For more information about when specific trainings have been scheduled, view the Foster Parent Training Schedule. |
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