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
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February 6, 2024: 6pm-7pm Physical Touch & 7:15-8:15pm Words of Affirmation
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February 13, 2024: 6pm-7pm Quality Time & 7:15-8:15pm Gift Giving
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February 20, 2024: 6pm-7pm Acts of Service & 7:15-8:15pm Humor is Everything (Bonus Class)
Instructor: Renee Cervantez & Pam Lehtonen
Register & for More Info on 5 Love Languages Online
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
Register & for More Info on Birth Parents
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
Register & More Info on Sleep Strategies
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
Register & More Info on Self Esteem
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
Register & More Info on Wellness
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
Register & More Info on Apology
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
Register & More Info on Co-Regulation
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
Don't miss out on our trainings and events! Sign up for e-newsletter to receive our Monthly Newsletter and class announcements!
¡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