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

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Join Us

We now have in-person classes available, as well as many live online trainings. 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!

March 2026 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown.

Relational Parenting vs. Consequential Parenting

Shift from control-based to relationship-based parenting to express supportive authority and build authentic relationships.
Thursday, March 19, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Relational Parenting

Cutting, Self Harm, Destructive Behaviors

Discover the myths and motivations behind cutting and self-harm in youth, then strategies you can instill to help support your youth with destructive behaviors.
Tuesday, March 24, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Destructive Behaviors

April 2026 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown.

New! Elopement, Wandering & Runaways

Equip yourself with the knowledge, tools, and confidence needed to protect the children in their care in the event that they elope.
Tuesday, April 7, 2026, 6-8:30pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Elop e m ent

Resources for Success: Love Languages

Discover how you can enhance your parenting skills in an easy yet profound way that will help their child heal and feel genuinely loved.
Wednesday, April 8, 2026, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: FKCE Team (Pam Lehtonen)
Register & More Info on Resources

New! PAUSE: From Overwhelmed to Resilient

This inaugural training is the next step into creating trauma informed environments. Discover how you can pause, become attuned, create understanding, and support regulation and engagement within yourself and those they care for.
2 Thursdays, April 9 & 16, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Raquel Montes
Register & More Info on PAUSE

New! The Art of Connection: What Youth Really Hear (and what they don't)

Discover from a former foster youth's perspective how you can create authentic connections through communication.
Monday, April 13, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dwayne Dunlevy & Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Connection

Preparing Emerging Adults for Independence

Learn from an experienced social worker on the changes that occur as youth emerge into adulthood (18-21) and prepare to age out of the system.
Wednesday, April 15, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Ericka Manrique
Register & More Info on I n depe n d e n ce

New! Importance and Impact of Modeling - Social Learning Theory

Explore how you can utilize and model the Social Learning Theory into your caregiving to foster resilience and healing in the children and youth in your care.
Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Modeli ng

New! The ACEs Connection in Parenting

Identify how you can incorporate the Adverse Childhood Expereinces (ACEs) framework into your parenting techniques to develop healing-centered strategies.
Thursday, April 23, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on ACEs Parenti ng

New! Navigating the Impact of Sexual Abuse and Trauma

Gain the knowledge, awareness, and tools needed to better understand, support, and advocate for the children and youth in your care who've experience sexual trauma.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Impact of Sexual Abu se

New & Special Guest! Grandparents as Parents: Staying Safer In Our AI/Digital Age - Avoiding Transnational Fraud/Scams

Join a retired FBI Vctim Specialist trained in financial exploitation and human trafficking to learn how you and your family can stay safe from financial/cyber transnational fraud crimes.
Thursday, April 30, 2026, 6-8pm
Guest Instructor: Debbie Deem
Register & More Info on Grandparent s

Clases en Español

¡Nos complace anunciar que tenemos de vuelta clases en persona y en línea! Si todavía no haz tomado una clase en línea, ¡no es demasiado tarde! En este momento no tenemos clases en español, por favor manténgase actualizado en este sitio web para las promixas clases o suscríbete 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