The Provider Portal offers session guides for the FOCUS on Foster Families providers.
These guides were designed to help health care providers and other professionals use the FOCUS on Foster Families resources with the families that they work with. Each guide incorporates videos and worksheets from the FOCUS on Foster Families resource library in order to create an interactive theraputic experience. They have been written as group sessions for 6-8 people. However, they can be utilized in larger or smaller groups or with individuals. Incorporating technology into the session guides allows providers and families the ability to access the FOCUS on Foster Families materials on a national scale without buying expensive kits or shipping printouts. Research has found that over 90% of youth in the U.S. have access to the internet and 75% of them use the internet to seek health-related information. With this in mind, we created the FOCUS on Foster Families web portal and mobile app. Both platforms provide free resources designed to build skills such as problem-solving, communication, and emotion regulation. We hope that you find these resources helpful and please feel free to add your name to our mailing list to receive more information about our FOCUS on Foster Families webinars and trainings!
Click on the purple and green titles below to see the entire session guide. There are six session guides below.
Some are for foster/adoptive caregivers and others are for foster/adoptive youth! Sessions can be done in any order.
Session Guides
Communicating and Setting Goals (60 minutes)
View and Print the full session guide
“IF YOU HAVE BUILT CASTLES IN THE AIR, YOUR WORK NEED NOT BE LOST; THAT IS WHERE THEY SHOULD BE. NOW PUT THE FOUNDATIONS UNDER THEM.” -HENRY DAVID THOREAU
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Adolescents
Session Time
60 mins
Objectives
To provide them with effective communication skills in order to solve problems, accomplish goals, and settle conflicts. To provide them with tools to set goals and make plans for accomplishing these goals.
Materials.
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
How to Build a Stronger Family (90 minutes)
View and Print the full session guide
“ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.” -HELEN KELLER
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Caregivers
Session Time
90 mins
Objectives
To demonstrate steps for holding a family meeting in order to enhance communication between family members To provide tools to solve problems as a family unit To provide family-fun activities to use during family meetings
Materials.
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Building a Foundation, Building Trust (90 minutes)
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“PROMISE ME YOU'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER: YOU'RE BRAVER THAN YOU BELIEVE, AND STRONGER THAN YOU SEEM, AND SMARTER THAN YOU THINK.” WINNIE THE POOH
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Caregivers
Session Time
90 mins
Objectives
To build trust through active listening and open communication To learn about the child’s perspective as they enter a new relationship with the foster-adoptive caregivers to learn how the caregivers can best support them To learn a family-based, four step problem-solving method
Materials.
Understanding Adolescent Development and Managing Feelings (90 minutes)
View and Print the full session guide
“ALL CHILDREN ARE BORN TO GROW, TO DEVELOP, TO LIVE, TO LOVE, AND TO ARTICULATE THEIR NEEDS AND FEELINGS FOR THEIR SELF-PROTECTION.” ALICE MILLER
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Caregivers
Session Time
90 mins
Objectives
To set clear expectations and consistent consequences for youth To develop a firm, yet nurturing parenting style
Materials.
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Understanding Child Development and Managing Feelings (90 minutes)
View and Print the full session guide
“ALL CHILDREN ARE BORN TO GROW, TO DEVELOP, TO LIVE, TO LOVE, AND TO ARTICULATE THEIR NEEDS AND FEELINGS FOR THEIR SELF-PROTECTION.” ALICE MILLER
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Caregivers
Session Time
90 mins
Objectives
To set clear expectations and consistent consequences for youth To develop a firm, yet nurturing parenting style
Materials.
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Overcoming Tough Emotions and Being Your Own Advocate (60 minutes)
View and Print the full session guide
"TODAY YOU ARE YOU! THAT IS TRUER THAN TRUE! THERE IS NO ONE ALIVE WHO IS YOU-ER THAN YOU!" -DR. SEUSS
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Children
Session Time
60 mins
Objectives
To introduce emotion regulation skills in order to help the foster-adoptive children cope with upsetting emotions To provide them with effective communication skills to communicate with others in a non-defensive manner in order to get the support they need
Materials.
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet