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

Most of our classes are offered live and online via zoom! 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 anyone uncomfortbale with online training through the process. Just let us know what you need! We also host periodic in-person classes and would love see you in real life!

November 2025 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown.

New! Trauma's Impact on Sensory Processing

Explore how trauma disrupts sensory processing and how to support sensory regulation to create a sense of safety and stability for children in your care.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & for More Info on Sensory Proccessing

In Person! Infant & Toddlers

Join a panel of CASAs currently working with infants and toddlers, to learn what tools support developmental milestones and how to interact and advocate with children in care.
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 6-8pm
Instructor: CASA of Ventura County
Register & More Info on Infants & Toddlers

New! Triggers & Trauma

Learn how to recognize triggers, respond with empathy, and create healing environments that promote safety and trust.
Thursday, November 6, 2025, 6-8pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Triggers

Common Mental Health Diagnoses in Foster Care

Discover common signs/symptoms of the top diagnoses for children in out-of-home care and understand the effective treatment modalities that you could implement.
Monday, November 10, 2025, 6-9pm
Instructor: Lori Switanowski
Register & More Info on Mental Health

Resources for Success: Tips for a Sensory Sensitive Home

Gain ideas for making your home a nurturing and sensory sensitive environment that can benefit daily routines.
Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: FKCE Team (Pam Lehtonen)
Register & More Info on Resources

Power Hour! Runaway Behavior in Foster Care

Recognize warning signs and gain practical tools to respond to and prevent runaway behavior.
Friday, November 14, 2025, 10:30-11:30am
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Runaway Behavior

Trauma Informed Practices for Schools (TIPS): Part 1 & 2

In part 1 & 2, participants will recognize the unique support and understanding needed for our youth in foster care as they enter various educational institutions.
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 9am-1pm
Instructor: Raquel Montes (VCOE)
Register & More Info on TIPS 1&2

New! Strategies for Smooth Daily Transitions

Learn why transitions can trigger big emotions and how to use empathy, predictability, and simple routines to make daily changes easier.
Monday, November 17, 2025, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Smooth Transitions

Permanency 101

Untangle the confusion, understand the requirements and steps and gain overall confidence when choosing the best option between Legal Guardianship vs Adoption!
Tuesday, November 18, 2025, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Renee Cervantez
Register & More Info on Permanency Options

Grandparents as Parents: Being Thankful

Join the fall series of Grandparents as Parent to discover resources and gain tips that are available so you can best support your grandchild.
Thursday, November 20, 2025, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & More Info on Grandparents

December 2025 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown.

Trauma Informed Practices for Schools (TIPS)

Join this two-part daytime series to explore how to best support and understand youth in foster care as they navigate different educational settings.
2 Wednesdays, December 3 & 10, 2025, 9:30-11:30am
Instructor: Maurissa Szilagi (VCOE)
Register & for More Info on TIPS

New! Breaking the Cycle: How Our Past Shapes Parenting

Gain insight into how your parenting styles, including your own triggers, attachment patterns, and emotional responses are essential to breaking generational cycles and fostering healing relationships.
Monday, December 8, 2025, 5:30-7pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & for More Info on Breaking Cycles

New! Resources for Success: Pet Companionship in Foster Care

Learn the legality and guidelines of having a pet when going into placements and explore the benefits of pet companionship and local resources your children in care can explore animal bonding!
Wednesday, December 10, 2025, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: FKCE Team (Nora Hayes)
Register & More Info on Resources

Power Hour! Understanding Temperaments

Recognize your child’s unique temperament and how it shapes their behavior in order to adapt your parenting style to create more harmony and understanding in your family.
Thursday, December 11, 2025, 10:30-11:30am
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Temperaments

Grandparents as Parents: Creating Memories that Matter

Join the fall series of Grandparents as Parent to discover resources and gain tips that are available so you can best support your grandchild.
Thursday, December 18, 2025, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & More Info on Grandparents

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! Por favor guarda la fecha para las próximas clases y mantente actualizado en este sitio web 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

¡Guarda la Fecha! Rutinas Saludables

martes, 16 de diciembre, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructora: Raquel Montes