Foster and Kinship Care Education Program

About Foster & Kinship Care Education (FKCE)

The Ventura College Foster and Kinship Care Education Program provides quality education and support activities to the caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth.

Classes are provided in both English & Spanish, at no cost for anyone wanting to attend. In all classes, first priority will go to Foster Parents and Kinship Providers, now referred to as Resource Parents.

For More Information

Please Contact: Clarissa Campos Alvarado, FKCE Office Assistant at (805) 289-6133 or email clarissa_camposalva1@vcccd.edu | Rhonda Carlson, FKCE Specialist at (805) 289-6181 or email rcarlson@vcccd.edu

If you need information on past trainings, please email our office @ vcfostercare@vcccd.edu.

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Join Us

We’re excited to announce that we now have trainings back in session. Please be sure to stay updated through our website and subscribe to our email list.

If you still have not joined us for a virtual training, it is not too late to try it! Our team is ready and able to walk any Zoom newbies through the process; just let us know what you need!

September 2026 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown. All classes meet written directives for Resource Parent training.

Fostering Nourished Families

Explore creative new ideas and trauma-informed practices to make mealtimes a less stressful, positive experience for your children's different developmental stages.
Wednesdays & Thursdays, September 30 & October 1, 2026, 11am-12:30pm
Instructor: Nora Hayes
Register & More Info on Nourished

Substance Use Awareness & Prevention

Join our County partners to address the roots of substance abuse and gain a clear path forward toward prevention, reduction, and life-saving support!
Tuesday, September 29, 2026, 5:30-7pm
Instructor: VCPH Tobacco Education & Prevention Program & VCBH Overdose Prevention Program
Register & More Info on Substance

October 2026 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown. All classes meet written directives for Resource Parent training.

New! Compassionate Communication: Turning Conflict into Connection

Explore how to listen and discover the need beneath a young person’s words or behavior, respond without shame, and connect when emotions run
Thursday, October 1, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Communication

Working with Birth Parents

Navigate the complex relationships with birth parents and set healthy boundaries while you support the child in your care.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026, 6-8pm (with optional Q&A from 8-8:30pm)
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan-Osterhage
Register & for more Info on Birth Parents

Daytime Series! Fostering Nourished Families: Toxic Stress

Explore trauma-informed feeding practices and holistic strategies to meet the unique needs of children from foster care and support the whole family’s resilience.
Wednesday and Thursday, October 7 & 8, 2026 11am-12:30pm
Instructor: Nora Hayes
Register & for more Info on Nourished

New! Supporting the Supporters: Tools for Nervous System Regulation

Gain tools to help you maintain your own internal calm while providing a stable anchor for a child navigating a turbulent system.
Tuesday, October 13, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Lisa Hammond, CASA of Ventura County
Register & for more Info on Regulation

New! The Trauma‑Informed Home Audit

Discover hidden sensory triggers in the home and learn practical, low-cost modifications that promote felt safety and attachment.
Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: Renee Cervantez
Register & for more Info on Home Audit

Daytime! The 5 Love Languages of Children

Gain ideas on how you can connect with a child in your care by filling their “emotional bucket” and allowing them to feel loved.
Friday, October 16, 2026, 10:30-11:30am
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & for more Info on Love

New! Building a Future Beyond Foster Care

Learn practical approaches that prepare youth for adulthood by strengthening executive functioning, self-advocacy, financial responsibility, career readiness, and independent living skills.
Monday, October 19, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dwayne Dunlevy & Anne Rodriguez
Register & for more Info on Future

Emergency Preparedness

With the recent State of Emergency concerning El Niño, discover how you can prepare and respond for a natural disaster.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: Nora Hayes
Register & for more Info on Preparedness

Grandparents as Parents: Navigating the School System

Learn how to collaborate with teachers and administration to work towards meeting the unique needs of Kinship children at school.
Thursday, October 22, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & for more Info on School

Understanding and Collaborating with Child Welfare Services

Gain a practical overview of the child welfare team to help you communicate and collaborate effectively with social workers and other professionals.
Monday, October 26, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & for more Info on Child Welfare Services

New! Courageous Conversations

Learn how you can create honest connections through everyday interactions and courageous conversations.
Thursday, October 29, 2026, 6-8pm (with optional Q&A from 8-8:30pm)
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & for more Info on Conversations

Clases en Español

En este momento no tenemos clases en español, por favor manténgase actualizado en este sitio web para las próximas clases o suscríbase a nuestros correos electrónicos.
Si tienes preguntas, puedes comunicarte conmigo, Clarissa Campos Alvarado, por llamada o texto al (805) 289-6133 o puedes envíarme un correo electrónico a clarissa_camposalva1@vcccd.edu