This conference is sponsored by the Alaska Center for Resource

Families, the State of Alaska Office of Children’s Services, AK Child

and Family DBH Training Grant, and the Kenai Peninsula Community

Care Center.

Bringing the Pieces Together Kenai Peninsula Out-of-Home Care Conference A conference for resource families, child welfare professionals, residential care providers, and

community members interested in supporting out of home care.

Thursday, April 28, 2016.

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Solid Rock Bible Camp, Soldotna, Alaska

For information, contact the Alaska Center for Resource Families at

acrfsc@nwresource.org or call 1-866-478-7307

10:30 a.m. to Noon Morning Workshops (choose 1) A. A Conversation with A Tribal Judge About Child Welfare Analisa Seldon, Social Services Director with a TBA Tribal

Judge, Kenaitze Indian Tribe This workshop will explore the current status of ICWA in Alaska, recent and upcoming changes

at the Federal levels, current lawsuits, and what tribes across the United States are doing to ensure compliance with ICWA. It will

also talk about tribal jurisdiction and what it means for child welfare services.

B. Eligibility for Developmental Disability— How do I apply for my child in care & what are the benefits? Amanda Faulkner, Frontier Community Services Have you ever been encouraged to get on the eligibility waiting list for DD Services

or the DD Waiver? What does that even mean? How do I apply for my child in care and what are the benefits?

C. Skills for Supervising Family Contact Jessica Veldstra & Kathy Calloway , Office of Children’s Services For resource

parents or professionals who are asked to supervise family contact—what is expected and how can you support a visit?

Noon to 1:15 p.m. Caregiver Appreciation Luncheon Please join us for food and a time to talk informally with each other. Lunch tickets can be pre-ordered for $10.00 per person.

Licensed foster parents can have their lunch paid for by the Alaska Center for Resource Families if they pre-register and

supply their provider number. LUNCH MUST BE PRE-ORDERED AND PRE-PAID WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR THE

CONFERENCE.

1:15 to 2:45 p.m. Early Afternoon Workshops (choose 1) D. Infant Mental Health: An Introduction to Core Concepts Jill Lush, Director, Sprout in Homer Very young children

have mental health needs, too, and their early caregivers are essential in helping children thrive. Learn the core concepts of what

infant mental health means.

E. Trauma and Youth Development Vanessa Meade and Shannon Cross-Azbill, McLaughlin Youth Center Learn about

the role of trauma in adolescent development and treatment and how to work with youth in a trauma informed way. We will

explore strategies to work with youth to help them develop the skills to be resilient in their communities.

F. Investigations of Complaints Against Foster Homes Tonja Whitney and Michelle Partridge, Office of Children’s Services It is difficult to have a complaint made against your home. This workshop will explain the process and procedures that

surround an investigation and give you a chance to understand your role and your rights as well as the obligations of OCS.

2:45 to 3:15 p.m. Ice Cream Social and Resource Fair

3:15 to 4:30 p.m. Late Afternoon Workshops (choose 1) G. Opiate and Heroin Use on the Kenai Peninsula Shari Conner, Serenity House We’ve all heard about increasing abuse

of opiates and heroin in Alaska. But what about in our own community? How do we stack up and what is available for treatment?

H. Juvenile Justice, Trauma and Youth in the Legal System Vanessa Meade and Shannon Cross-Azbill How do youth get

involved in the Division of Juvenile Justice? We will discuss the DJJ facilities and programs within the state and the services available,

including an overview of mental health services and treatment available for youth.

I. The Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard Aileen McInnis, Alaska Center for Resource Families Recent law requires

that foster youth are encouraged to participate in normal social, extracurricular and enrichment activities. Foster parents are given

more leeway to make decisions using a Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard. But what does it mean to be “prudent”?

agenda Thurs., April 28, 2016.

9:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. Opening Session

Bringing the Pieces Together— The Value of the Relationship Between Birth Parent & Foster Parent

Keynote Speaker: Sara Hadfield, Resource Parent

The Keynote Will be Followed by a Panel of Birth Parents and

Resource Parents Discussing Working Together

Please complete the following to help us plan for the conference:

Yes No I will attend the morning session “The Value of the Relationships Between Foster Parent and Birth Parent”

Please Mark the Workshops You Would Like to Attend:

10:30 to Noon MORNING WORKSHOPS (Check One)

A. A Conversation with A Tribal Judge About Child Welfare

B. Eligibility for Developmental Disability

C. Skills for Supervising Family Contact

1:15 to 2:45 p.m.: AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (Check One)

D. Infant Mental Health: An Introduction to Core Concepts

E. Trauma and Youth Development

F. Investigations of Complaints Against Foster Homes

3:15 to 4:30 p.m.: AFTERNOON WORKSHOPS (Check One)

G. Opiate and Heroin Use on the Kenai Peninsula

H. Juvenile Justice, Trauma and Youth in the Legal System

I. The Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard

Yes No I am interested in attending the Caregivers Support Luncheon (If yes, check one below.)

I am a licensed foster parent and will be attending the support luncheon. My provider number is: _________________________. (Required!) I understand ACRF will pay for my lunch only if I pre-register.

I am interested in attending the luncheon, but am not a licensed foster parent. Enclosed is a check for $10.00 to cover the cost of lunch. (Please make checks out to A.C.R.F.) LUNCH MUST BE PREPAID.

Return registration form to The Alaska Center for Resource Families

Mail (840 K Street, STE 101, Anchorage, Alaska 99501); Fax (907-279-1520); or,

E-mail (acrfsc@nwresource.org)

Pre-Registration Due: April 22, 2016.

For information, call toll free at 1-866-478-7307 or email acrfsc@nwresource.org

Bringing the Pieces Together Registration Form April 28, 2016. 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Solid Rock Bible Camp Soldotna, Alaska.

Name : _____________________________________________________________________

Name : _____________________________________________________________________

Agency: ______________________________________________________________________

Mailing Address: ________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

Phone: __________________________ Email Address: _________________________________

I am a: Foster Parent Adoptive Parent Residential Provider Social Worker

DJJ Staff Agency Staff Other:

ACRF, a project of Northwest Resource Associates, is funded under contract with the ST of AK, DHSS/OCS, to provide training opportunities for licensed foster parents. All events sponsored by ACRF are held

in accessible locations. Auxiliary aids are available to persons with disabilities. Please request these services at least 48 hours prior to deadline. 1-866-478-7307 or (907)279-1799 in the Anchorage area.

Alaska Center for Resource Families A Project of Northwest Resource Associates 840 K ST, STE 101 Anchorage, Alaska 99501

(866)478-7307 acrfsc@nwresource.org

Bringing the Pieces Together

Kenai Peninsula Out-of-Home Care Conference

A conference for resource families, child welfare professionals, residential care

providers, and community members interested in supporting out-of-home care.

Thursday, April 28, 2016.

9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Solid Rock Bible Camp, Soldotna, Alaska