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.

____________________________________

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!

October 2026 Class List

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

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

November 2026 Class List

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

In Person! Film Viewing & Discussion: Understanding Transition Age Youth (TAY)

Join our fellow CASA volunteers and Resource Parents to dive into the Understanding Transition Age Youth (TAY) documentary film and discussion.
Monday, November 2, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Facilitators: Janet Barron (CASA of Ventura County), Rhonda Carlson, & Clarissa Campos Alvarado
Location: VCCF Camarillo
Register & More Info on TAY

New! Funding Bright Futures: CalKids & Hope Trust

Expand your awareness and knowledge on special opportunities and programs available to youth from foster care.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Christina Lomeli (JBAY) & Mariah Ramos (CA Treasury)
Register & for more Info on Funding

New! When the Past Shows Up in the Present: Understanding Caregiver Triggers

Recognize stressors or past experiences that affect interactions and gain strategies to respond to the children in your care more thoughtfully.
Thursday, November 5, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & for more Info on Caregiver Triggers

Dealing with Loss, Grief, and Transitions

Examine the depth of the stages of grief children and youth in foster care experience and how to appropriately respond and help them process loss.
Monday, November 9, 2026, 6-8pm (with optional Q&A from 8-8:30pm)
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & for more Info on Grief

New! Building Brave Kids: Confidence and Social Skills for Trauma Impacted Youth

Discover trauma-informed strategies you can use to strengthen self‑esteem, communication, and connection to support healthy social development and emotional safety.
Thursday, November 12, 2026, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: Renee Cervantez
Register & More Info on Confident

Daytime! Emergency Preparedness

Are you ready for this year's El Niño? Learn how to prepare, respond, and stay safe during natural and home disasters, with a special focus on water safety and flooding.
Friday, November 13, 2026, 12-1pm
Instructor: Nora Hayes
Register & for more Info on Emergency

New! Introduction to CASA

Discover the meaningful role Court Appointed Special Advocates play in the life of their appointee and effective ways Resource Parents and CASAs can work together to support their child or youth in care.
Monday, November 16, 2026, 5:30-7pm
Instructor: Janet Barron, CASA of Ventura County
Register & for more Info on CASA

Daytime! New! Cultural Humility

Build authentic relationships across cultures, identities, and experiences by strengthening engagement and fostering belonging with your child or youth in care.
Tuesday, November 17, 2026, 10:30am-12pm
Instructor: Kate English & Lucas Saucedo, YEI
Register & for more Info on Cultural Humility

Grandparents as Parents: Stress Management for the Holidays

Find relief this season by learning new approaches and perspectives on how you can keep the holidays special and less stressful.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & for more Info on Holidays

Runaway Prevention & Response

Gain understanding of the reasons why teens might run away, identify behaviors associated with intent, and the steps you can take to prevent an attempt from happening.
Monday, November 23, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & for more Info on Runaway

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.

Octubre 2026 Lista de Clases

Todas las clases siguen en Zoom

Maneje su Estrés durante los Días Festivos y Apoye a los niños a Través de la Pérdida

Descubre cómo manejar el estrés de los padres y el impacto de la pérdida y el dolor en la vida de un niño, especialmente durante los días festivos.
Miercoles, 28 de Octubre, 2026, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructora: Raquel Montes
Registración y mas información sobre Días Festivos