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!

Event Spotlight: Turning Dreams into Degrees & College Tour at Ventura College

Don't miss this special event hosted for the first time at our own Ventura College! For this special event, we encourage you to bring your middle school, high school, and college age youth, as they will be getting a special introduction to our new resource program for youth in foster care, NextUp! Resource parents and adult supporters will gain insight into college exploration, preparation, and key steps that they can take to help youth turn their dreams into degrees. All attendees will have the opportunity to experience a special tour of the campus, feast over breakfast and lunch, and ultimately leave with special swag and overall knowledge they need to turn dreams into degrees!
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9:30am-1pm
Partners: Next Up of Ventura College, Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), & CASA of Ventura County
Register & More Info on Dreams to Degrees

October 2025 Class List

Effects of Domestic Violence

Build your awareness of family violence & its' effects on children.
Monday, October 20, 2025, 5:30-7pm
Instructors: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More info on Domestic Violence

Grandparents as Parents: Making the Most of Holiday Traditions

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, October 23, 2025, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & More Info on Grandparents

In Person! Turning Dreams into Degrees & College Tour at Ventura College

Join us for this in person event to learn how you can encourage and empower your youth's educational goals! Participants are encouraged to bring their middle school, high school, and college youth, as they will be getting a special college tour and introduction to VC's new resource program for youth in foster care, NextUp!
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 9:30am-12:30pm
Partners: Next Up of Ventura College, Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE), & CASA of Ventura County
Register & More Info on Dreams to Degrees

Cycle of Escalation & Strategies for Deescalating Explosive Behaviors

Learn the factors involved during the process of escalation and de-escalation and how to intervene successfully in each phase of escalation.
Thursday, October 30, 2025, Pt 1 & 2 6-9pm or part 1 only from 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Lori Switanowski
Register & More Info on Explosive Behaviors

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 revisa nuestra lista de clases en español. Todos los detalles de cada clase los recibirás en un correo electrónico después de cada registración. 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

¡Nuevo! Apoyando a los Niños a Través de la Adicción Parental: Comprendiendo el Impacto y Fomentando la Resiliencia

Explora cómo las adicciones en los padres son una condición crónica de salud y los impactos que ocurren en los niños, para que finalmente puedas apoyarlos con resiliencia.
martes, 28 de octubre, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructora: Raquel Montes
Registracion y más información sobre la clase Adicción Parental