Training

New Leaf offers free training to children and families and staff members. The intention of this training is to give them the competencies required to provide effective treatment of children who have mental, behavioral issues. These training classes are held through classes at our facilities. Pre-training for new families will be coordinated with Becky Alder. For more information . Please contact our offices.

Proctor Training for all existing families are always held the second Saturday of each month.. A reminder to families, please bring your folders so we can verify and update SDS and other information pertaining to your placement . Information and details will be posted as it becomes available. We hope to see you there at 10am. Questions or concerns please call your tracker.

Recent Training - Behaviors

Children in our program suffer with behaviors that are sometimes uncontrollable. We have to familiarize ourselves with information on how to deal with these behaviors. Some common behaviors are Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), Bipolar, and Attention Deficit Disorder as well as Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder. Other things we see too: Conduct Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Anxiety and Asperses.

Their are books you can check out at the office that Becky has kindly allowed us to read and research. Among each book Becky found common things and thoughts that will help us understand the behaviors and how to deal with the behaviors.

* Figuring out what you are dealing with * Adjusting and helping your child get help * Having a MH child in your home * Take care of yourself *Helping a child normalize (teaching skills overcoming behaviors)

Here is a break down the most common disorders.

RAD- (what happens) A break in attachment w/ primary care giver during the early years of child's life. (symptoms) Lack a conscience. Lack of trust, empathy. (How to deal?) Specific RAD therapy, home set up, respect teaching, long term caregiver.

ODD- (what happens) Loss, Trauma, Lack of control most anywhere in there life. (symptoms) Losses temper, argues w/ adults, refuses to comply with rules or requests, deliberately annoys other people, blames others for his/her mistakes or misbehaviors, touchy or easily annoyed, often angry and resentful, spiteful and vindictive. (How to deal) No power-struggles! Pick the battles you can win, give choices and control when possible, via therapy. Work on thinking patterns and coping skills. Let natural consequences be your guide and work as a team.

BiPolar- (what happens) Extremes, however not depression or mania. The cause is chemical imbalance in the brain. (symptoms) Extremes, sustained rage, intense anger or misbehavior, manic behavior. (How to deal) DBTG Therapy is usually most effective. Key person and a very structured environment with rituals.

ADHD/ADD- (what happens) Neurons in the brain that are going slower than normal brains. This causes the need for faster stimulus. (symptoms) Difficult sustaining attention, organization tasks, looses things, easily distracted, fidgets, squirms, runs and climbs about excessively, impulsive, dislike activities that require sustained mental effort. (How to deal) NEw and Fascinating, one on one, scare or intimidate, and highly stimulating are the environments needed to teach behavioral skills.

Practice Model Training for Foster Parents

The State has offered seminars or training classes if you may call it on helping foster parents "strengthen the partnership" of being foster parents. I will summarize a little of what was spoken of and hope that it will inspire all foster parents or even parents in general have a better relationship with their children.

Building trusting relationships using genuineness, respect and empathy.

• Developing a working relationship with the birth family
• re framing behavior and seeing positive intent in others
• Viewing their own and others' unique culture and understanding what that may mean for relationships.
• Strengthening relationships with partners

It's important that we all understand the importance of building a relationship with the birth family. We are temporary placements and we work towards giving the child a better life or even a chance to return home. Some children have never felt what genuine love or respect is. And being placed with you may be a break through of what they just might need to succeed in life. Understand their background and understand their culture.

Being contributing members of Child and Family Teams

• Using the work agreement
• Assessing children's strengths and needs
• Seeing strengths and needs of the family simultaneously
• Using solution-focused questions for:
  • Alliance with partners
  • Gathering information about a child's needs
• Communicating the child's strengths and needs to the caseworker, the birth family and the team
• Understanding family systems issues
• Planning with the birth family and partners
• Seeking solutions and effective interventions

Each month a team meeting is set up or should be set up so that everyone involved in the child's life is on the same page and working towards the same goals. The meeting should involve the child, birth parents, foster parent, therapist, tracker and caseworker. This would be a time to analyze the child's strengths and needs.

Identifying the seven-practices and the foster parent role in making these principles work for children, families and the child welfare system.

1. Protection: Children's safety is paramount
2. Development: Children and families need consistent nurturing in a healthy environment to achieve their developmental potential
3. Permanency: All children need and are entitled to enduring relationships that provide a family stability and belonging and a sense of self that connects children to their past, present and future.
4. Cultural Responsiveness: Children and families have the right to be understood within the context of their own family rules, traditions, history and culture.
5. Partnership: the entire community shares the responsibility to create an environment that helps families raise their children to their fullest potential.
6. Organizational Competence: Committed, qualified, trained and skilled staff, supported by an effectively structured organizations, helps insure positive outcomes for children and families.
7. Professional Competence: Children and families need a relationship with an accepting, concerned, empathic worker who can confront difficult issues and effectively assist them in their process toward positive change.

TO BE CONTINUED