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!

November 2026 Class List

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

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

Handling Holidays: Hopes, Havoc & Gifts

Find relief this season by learning realistic approaches and perspectives on how you can keep the holidays special and less stressful.
Thursday, November 19, 2026, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen & Renee Cervantez
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

December 2026 Class List

Daytime! The Difference Between Tantrums & Meltdowns

Learn whether your young child is having a tantrum or a meltdown, why it’s happening and how to keep it from getting worse.
Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 10:30-11:30am
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & for more Info on Tantrums

New! Trauma-Informed & Healing-Centered Practice

Explore trauma-informed and healing-centered approaches that foster resilience, build trust, and create environments where young people can thrive.
Thursday, December 3, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Kate English & Lucas Saucedo, YEI
Register & for more Info on Healing-Centered

In Person! PAUSE: From Overwhelmed to Resilient

In this advanced trauma-informed training, participants will learn to be present, become attuned, create understanding, and support regulation and engagement within themselves and those they care for.
2 Tuesdays, December 8 & 15, 2026, 12:30-2:30pm
Instructor: Maurissa Szilagi
Location: Oxnard College
Register & for more Info on PAUSE

New! Life skills for Everyday Success: Supporting Independence, Confidence, and Practical Decision Making

Learn how to coach youth through daily routines, problem-solving, responsibility, and age-appropriate independence to strengthen confidence, build capability, and support real-world success.
Wednesday, December 9, 2026, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: Renee Cervantez
Register & more info on Life Skills

Understanding ADHD in Youth with Lived Foster Care Experience: Beyond the Diagnosis

Explore the intersection of ADHD, trauma, executive functioning, and emotional regulation while learning practical strategies that support success at home, school, and in daily life.
Thursday, December 10, 2026, 6-8pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & for more Info on ADHD

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.