Event Category: Private

The presentation will define kinship care, discuss the importance of kinship caregivers, address the unique dynamics of a kinship home and provide information on financial and non-financial resources offered by DCS and other community resources. There will be time for a Q and A session at the end of the training, as well.

Tasia Grzecka is the Statewide Kinship Program Coordinator in the Policy Unit at the Department of Child Safety. She is responsible for maintaining the DCS kinship policy, keeping up-to-date on best practice, and providing consultations and presentations to DCS Specialists and the community partners. She is new to the Department, but has worked in Child Welfare for over twelve years.

Join us for an informative training on achieving & maintaining permanency for youth in foster care training, which reviews the following:  

a.       Available permanent placement option for children/youth in foster care;

b.      Differences between Adoption, Permanent Guardianship, and Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA);

c.       Post-permanency supports available for each permanency option;

d.      Myth Busters;

e.       Cultural considerations for American Indian families and children when discussing permanency options; and

f.        Ways DCS is improving the guardianship process.

Participants in this workshop will gain a greater understanding of the Strengthening Families Protective Factor of Social Emotional Competence of Children. This Protective Factor is the cornerstone for healthy relationships and communication. In addition, the workshop covers the effects of trauma and ACEs on behavior and how adults can better foster healthy relationships and communication.

Sandi Cimino serves families, and the professionals who help them, by assisting them in identifying and building on strengths to provide protection for their children against risk, adversity and the effects of trauma. She does this through writing, training and speaking. Sandi has a background in social services, early childhood education, educational administration and a passion for assisting parents in experiencing less stress and more joy in their families. Sandi is a Certified Trainer in the Strengthening FamiliesTM Protective Factors Framework, a Triple P Provider, and Love & LogicTM facilitator. She develops and delivers workshops for professionals and parenting classes on a variety of topics and blogs about foundational living and change and transition. Most importantly, Sandi is the proud parent of two teenagers.