Welcome to the FOCUS on Foster Families Provider session guides.
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 therapeutic experience. They have been written as group therapy sessions for 6-8 people, however, can be utilized in larger or smaller groups or with individuals. Incorporating technology into the session guides allows providers and families to access the FOCUS on Foster Families materials on a national scale without the need of 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 titles below to see the entire session guide.
Building a Foundation, Building Trust (90 minutes)
“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 this new relationship with the foster-adoptive caregivers and how the caregiver could best support them To learn a family based four step problem solving method
Material from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Materials for the Participant’s Folder from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Understanding adolescent development and managing feelings (90 minutes)
“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 for youth and be consistent with consequences To be able to develop a firm, yet nurturing parenting style
Material from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Materials for the Participant’s Folder from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Understanding child development and managing feelings (90 minutes)
“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 for youth and be consistent with consequences To be able to develop a firm, yet nurturing parenting style
Material from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Materials for the Participant’s Folder from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Overcoming Tough Emotions and Being Your Own Advocate (60 minutes)
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 Child
Session Time
60 mins
Objectives To introduce emotion regulation skills and coping when experiencing upsetting emotions To provide them with effective communication skills to be able to communicate with others in a non-defensive manner in order to get the support they need
Material from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Materials for the Participant’s Folder from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Communicating and Goal Setting (70 minutes)
“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 Adolescent
Session Time
70 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.
Material from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Materials for the Participant’s Folder from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
How to Build a Stronger Family (90 minutes)
“ALONE WE CAN DO SO LITTLE; TOGETHER WE CAN DO SO MUCH.” -HELEN KELLER
Session Participants
Foster-Adoptive Parents
Foster-Adoptive Caregivers
Foster-Adoptive Child
Foster-Adoptive Adolescent
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 utilize in family meetings
Material from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Materials for the Participant’s Folder from the FOCUS on Foster Families App:
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet
Worksheet