Webinars
The National Resource Center for Youth Services has been hosting informative webinars since 2018.
RFT Webinars
Stubbornness Is a Virtue
Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OHS) Child Welfare Services Director, Dr. Deborah Shropshire, will discuss the need for advocates for children in care to be strong-willed and tenacious (aka stubborn).
Original broadcast date: February 25, 2021
Course length: 0:59:12
Positive Discipline for Young Children
Starting with general principles of Ages and Stages, and Parenting Styles and Rules in the home, we will discuss approaches to discipline that promote healthy development and well-being.
Original broadcast date: February 11, 2021
Course length: 1:00:21
Trauma-Informed Parenting & Secondary Traumatic Stress
This webinar will discuss the impact of trauma on the brain and the effect of trauma on children as they develop
Original broadcast date: January 21, 2021
Course length: 1:03:40
Working with LGBTQI Youth
This webinar will help resource families increase their understanding and awareness of the needs of LGBTQI youth and how to address those needs.
Original broadcast date: December 17, 2020
Course length: 1:03:02
Hope for All Families
Hope Rising is a clarion call to apply the science of hope in daily life and overcome the trauma, adversity, and struggles everyone must face.
Original broadcast date: October 15, 2020
Course length: 0:58:50
The Three Levels of Moves
Every child in out-of-home care has experienced at least one placement change, from home to placement. With each move, children and youth experience three levels of response to the move: emotional, physical, and cultural. This webinar will provide strategies for resource parents to assist children and youth as they work through each of these levels.
Original broadcast date: April 30, 2020
Course length: 0:59:22
The Effect of Substances on Brain Development and Future Effects
In this presentation, the specific effects of prenatal substance exposure and how these effects progress as the child grows into adolescence will be discussed.
Original broadcast date: March 12, 2020
Course length: 0:52:29
Communicating Positively about Sex with Youth
Studies have shown that positive and healthy communication between youth and trusted adults in their lives yield the greatest outcomes for success. However, when it comes to sex, that communication can be difficult. Many of us know this from our own experiences not only as youth, but also as trusted adults. In this webinar, we will explore why communication about sexual health between youth and adults can be difficult and what trusted adults can do to increase their ability to have those difficult conversations regarding sexual health, relationships, and consent.
Original broadcast date: March 5, 2020
Course length: 0:58:10
ACEs and PACEs: Reducing the Power of Adverse Childhood Experiences
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) influence the mental health and behaviors of children and youth. This webinar will briefly review the impact of ACEs, and the effect on brain development.
Original broadcast date: February 20, 2020
Course length: 0:59:13
Psychiatric Medications in Youth: What Caregivers and Youth Should Know
Psychiatric illnesses often present in childhood and adolescents; understanding signs of mental illness and where to seek help is imperative in appropriately identifying and treating mental illness in youth. Partnership in treatment is essential and families and youths should be informed participants in treatment. In this webinar, we will discuss warning signs of mental illness, where to seek help, and how best to advocate for youth in need.
Original broadcast date: January 16, 2020
Course length: 1:01:06
Working Toward Trauma-Informed Responses
In this webinar, participants will learn how drug and alcohol use by parents affects a child’s brain, early childhood relationships, and attachment to others. Additionally, participants will learn the importance of having a trauma-informed response system to assist children and youth affected by substance abuse in the healing process.
Original broadcast date: December 19, 2019
Course length: 1:02:07
What Resource Parents Need To Know About Foster Care and Adoption Policy
This webinar will highlight foster care policy that is helpful for resource parents to be aware of. It reviews the rights and responsibilities of resource parents, as well as home requirements and who can provide informal care for a child in custody. The webinar presenter will also walk you through searching and locating DHS policy on your own.
Original broadcast date: December 12, 2019
Course length: 0:39:20
The Connection of Trauma and Attachment in a Baby's Brain
In this webinar we learn how a baby’s brain grows and is changed in traumatic environments, as well as how trauma affects the whole body.
Original broadcast date: November 21, 2019
Course length: 0:55:09
Cultivating Resilience: Prioritizing Self-Care to Cope with Family Adversity
This workshop will explore some of the ways that parents’ pasts (both bio parents and resource parents) can impact our everyday interactions with the children in our care.
Original broadcast date: November 14, 2019
Course length: 0:59:26
Fact or Fiction? Supports and Services for Teens in Foster Care
Come join us as we unpack what’s a fact, what’s fiction, and what’s really available to help Oklahoma’s teens successfully transition to adulthood.
Original broadcast date: October 24, 2019
Course length: 0:58:21
Making A Difference in Foster Care
During this webinar, Dr. Shropshire will talk about the needs of children and youth in foster care, the impact of adversity and trauma on health, and what it takes to reverse these influences.
Original broadcast date: October 17, 2019
Course length: 1:00:15
Education and Foster Care
This workshop will review available educational pathways for children in foster care
Original broadcast date: October 15, 2019
Course length: 2:08:29
Supporting the Emotions of Those Fostering Children
In this webinar, factors affecting grief and loss when serving as a resource parent will be identified, and the feelings that accompany working with difficult foster children or attempting to adopt children from the child welfare system will be discussed.
Original broadcast date: September 26, 2019
Course length: 0:58:09
How to Work With Children of Color: Hair and Skin
This webinar will provide a deep dive into ethnic hair and skincare practices to help equip caregivers in addressing these culturally-specific needs with their children. Cut it Forward is a non-profit organization working to provide culturally-focused, holistic hair and skincare resources for foster and adopted youth of color, and their caregivers. Cut it Forward presenters will give an overview of the cultural significance and history of ethnic hair, health conditions that can impact ethnic hair and skin, styles and general maintenance, product tips, and ongoing resources available to caregivers.
Original broadcast date: September 19, 2019
Course length: 0:57:52
The Way a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Can Impact the Life of a Child!
The court system can be challenging to navigate and understand, and a CASA can help bridge that gap. Learn more about the role played by these community volunteers, and the unique contributions they make.
Original broadcast date: August 22, 2019
Course length: 1:02:32
You Have Rights!! Rights of Foster Parents & Foster Children
Did you know foster parents and foster children have rights specifically for them that are protected by statute? Its true! Learn what your rights are as a foster parent, as well as the rights of the children you serve. The presentation will also include the steps to take if you believe your rights have been violated.
Original broadcast date: June 20, 2019
Course length: 0:57:22
The Impact of Trauma on Healthy Growth and Development
Trauma that occurs in the earliest years of life impacts healthy growth and development in significant ways. Creating environments that heal begins with understanding how it impacts brain development, attachment, self-regulation, sensory processing, and learning.
Original broadcast date: December 13, 2018
Course length: 0:57:17