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

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!

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! Nuestro equipo está aquí para ayudarte aprender a usar Zoom y hasta puedes acompañarnos por teléfono si se te hace más fácil. Todos los detalles de cada clase los recibirás en un correo electrónico después de cada registración.
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

February 2024 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown.

5 Love Languages

With our one-hour classes, you will have a chance to look at each love language as you prefer and learn steps to incorporate it into your caregiving to form effective and healing bonds with the children in your care.

Tuesdays in February 2024

February 6, 2024: 6pm-7pm Physical Touch & 7:15-8:15pm Words of Affirmation
February 13, 2024: 6pm-7pm Quality Time & 7:15-8:15pm Gift Giving
February 20, 2024: 6pm-7pm Acts of Service & 7:15-8:15pm Humor is Everything (Bonus Class)

Instructor: Renee Cervantez & Pam Lehtonen

New! Working with Birth Parents

Learn how to continue working with bio-parents throughout the reunification process and discover ways to best communicate in stressful situations.

Wednesday, February 7, 2024, 6pm-8pm

Instructor: Dr. Judy Osterhage

New! Sleep Strategies

Bedtimes can bring up unexpected reactions from children, especially those who have experienced trauma. Understand the varying bedtime factors & how to establish structured nighttime routines.

Thursday, February 22, 2024, 6pm-8pm

Instructor: Dr. Judy Osterhage

In Person! Trauma Informed Practices

Learn the physiological impacts of trauma on the brain and possible emotional, behavioral, social and intellectual/academic impacts on students. How schools and classrooms are creating trauma sensitive learning environments and strategies for responding to trauma.

Classes offered in partnership with Ventura County Office of Education (VCOE)

Pt 1: Friday, February 23, 2024, 9-11am

Pt 2: Friday, March 1, 2024, 9-11am

Instructor: Maurissa Szilagi

Online or In Person! Harnessing Your Happiness Hormones

Join the FKCE Team in this in-person “viewing party” at the Day Road Center or join online on your own as you receive helpful tips on how to respond to stressful situations and ultimately nurture yourself to demonstrate to your children the importance of self-care and self-regulation.

Saturday, February 24, 2024, 9-11am

Instructor: Nick Lawrence

New! Building Healthy Self Esteem in Youth from Foster Care

Support your child’s mental well-being and self-assurance by building and implementing intentional behavioral methods into your household.

Monday, February 26, 2024, 5:30-7pm

Instructor: Anne Rodriguez

Spanish! Sexual and Reproductive Wellness for Youth in Foster Care

Let’s discuss how you can support sexual and reproductive health and learn what rights the youth in your care are granted! (Save the Date for English option on March 5!)

Tuesday, February 27, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm

Instructor: Raquel Montes

New & In Person! Language of Apology

Strengthen your family and your relationships by learning how to apologize in a way that is meaningful and respectful.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024, 5:30-7:30pm (with potluck dinner)

Instructor: Renee Cervantez and Pam Lehtonen

Trauma Informed Co-Regulation Series

Retooled, but still highly supportive, this drop-in series will teach you how to use a special form of co-regulation that helps you stay grounded and encourages your loved ones to self-soothe. Now in the evenings!

Various Thursday or Wednesday evenings starting February 29, 2024, 6:30-8pm

Instructor: Nick Lawrence

In person at CSUCI! Turning Dreams into Degrees

Become your child’s higher education advocate by learning what ways you can actively support and inspire their pursuit towards higher education & turn their dreams into degrees!

Saturday, March 2, 2024, 9:30am-1pm, Breakfast & lunch included

Partnered event with VCOE and CSUCI

Save the Date for Dreams to Degrees

Lista de Clases en Español

Salud Sexual y Reproductiva para Jóvenes en Acogimiento Familiar

Identifica cómo empezar a hablar sobre salud sexual y reproductiva con tu joven y recursos que pueden ayudarte a ¡ti y tu familia!

martes, 27 de febrero, 2024, 6:30-8:30pm

Instructora: Raquel Montes

Registración y más información sobre la clase Salud Reproductiva

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Stay Up-To-Date | Mantengase Informado

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¡Nuestras clases han comenzado! Para recibir nuestro boletín mensual y anuncios de clases cuando se publiquen, puedes consultar aqui regularmente o suscríbase a nuestros correos electrónicos.

Office Closures | Nuestra Oficina estará cerrada:

Friday, February 16, 2024: Abraham Lincoln Day | Viernes, 16 de febrero: Dia de Abraham Lincoln

Monday, February 19, 2024: President's Day | Lunes, 19 de febrero: Dia de presidentes