Lowery Training Associates provides programs for caseworkers, counselors, and foster and adoptive parents.
All of our programs are based on sound clinical theory and
presented in an upbeat, imaginative, and relevant format that trainees really enjoy. Course evaluations consistently reflect
great satisfaction with these programs.
Lowery Training Associates is an approved Ohio Child Welfare Training Program
provider of Caseworker, Foster & Adoptive Parent Training. We are also approved
for social work (#RSX080301) and counselor
(#RCX110602) continuing professional education CPE’s, through the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist
Board. Social workers and counselors who attend these sessions will be awarded
CPE's and a certificate
of attendance.
Please review our course offerings and brief descriptions
below. For any of our programs, we would be delighted to send you a detailed
course description including:
· Complete course outline
· Learning objectives
· Competencies
If
you have a need for one or more specialized courses that you do not see here, feel free to contact us. We are always interested in developing new courses and materials to further enhance the educational development
of both child care workers and foster and adoptive parents.
Caseworker, Specialized,
and Related Workshops
Verbal De-escalation in Child Welfare
Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependency and Kids
Educational Advocacy: Improving Outcomes for Children in Out-of-Home
Care
Advancing Sexual Safety and Promoting Healing in Children Services
Navigating the Whitewater of Reunification: Primary Family, Agency and Caregiver
Collaboration
Understanding and Assessing Risk and Behavior in Adolescents
Acting Your Way into Better Thinking: Reinforcement Theory into Action
Casework Interviewing, Problem Solving and Crisis Intervention
Reality Therapy and Other Cognitive Approaches to Counseling
Real World Case Plans: Opening the Door to Independence for Adolescents
Bleeding Heart or Purple Heart: Parenting Today's Troubled Youth
Promoting Physical and Emotional Health in Human Service Professionals
Caseworker Toolkit: Reality Therapy & Other Cognitive Approaches to Counseling
Foster
and Adoptive Parent Ongoing Workshops
Behavior Management I - Techniques for Handling Surface Behaviors with Oppositional and
Acting Out Children
Behavior Management II - Avoiding and De-escalating Physical Crisis Situations
Effects of Abuse and Neglect on Children in Foster Care
Attachment, Separation and Loss in Foster Care
Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependency & Kids
Opening the Doors to Independent Living
Educational Advocacy: Helping Your Foster Child Succeed in School
Culture and Diversity Issues in Foster Care
Advancing Sexual Safety and Promoting Healing in Foster Care
Fostering Physical and Emotional Health in the Caregiver
Navigating the Whitewater of Reunification: Primary Family, Agency and Foster Parent Collaboration
"Holy Chaos, Batman!": Understanding and Assessing Risk and Behavior in Adolescents
Bleeding Heart or Purple Heart: Parenting Today's Troubled Youth
Hands On Behavior Management for Younger and Developmentally Delayed Children
"Do You Feel Me?": Talking, Listening and Problem Solving with Your Foster Child
Beyond Time-Out: Managing the Behavior of Maltreated Pre-school Age Children
Peek-a-Boos and Terrible Twos: Managing Behavior of Maltreated Infants and Toddlers
Caregiver Toolkit: Effective Counseling Strategies
and Interventions
“You Can’t Make Me”: Managing Behavior of Maltreated School Age Children
OCWTP Foster Care Fundamentals
Offerings
Understanding and Building Attachment (F13
- 6 Hours)
Foster Families and How They Grow: Understanding the Effects of Fostering (F16 - 6 Hours)
Foster and Adoptive Parent Pre-Service Training
- Orientation
and Overview of Foster Care, Adoption and Kinship Care
- Teambuilding
- Child
Abuse and Neglect and the Impact on Child Development
- Attachment,
Separation and Placement
- Discipline
- Cultural
Issues in Placement
- Primary
Families
- Effects
of Caregiving on the Family
- Caring
for Children Who Have Been Sexually Abused
- Permanency
Issues for Children
- Permanency
Issues for Families
- Preparing
Adolescents for Independent Living
- Educational
Advocacy
Verbal De-escalation in Child Welfare
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
class will review the skills of active listening, non-violent communication and verbal de-escalation. Levels of crisis development and the conflict cycle are discussed, emphasizing appropriate staff response. Trainees will participate in exercises and demonstrations concerning personal space,
body posture and motion. Skills in life space interview will be taught.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependency and Kids
(Caseworker Workshop)
Drug
and alcohol abuse takes an enormous toll on families. It may be a factor in two-thirds
of all substantiated cases of abuse and neglect. This class will give staff an
understanding of substance abuse and chemical dependency and how it affects the family.
We will also examine factors related to special risk for substance abuse, and review methods of prevention and treatment.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Educational Advocacy: Improving Outcomes for Children in Out-of-Home Care
(Caseworker Workshop)
One
of the best ways caregivers and case workers can help to improve educational outcomes for at risk youth is to know the facts,
to identify roadblocks that may hamper educational success, and to make a plan. This
class will offer staff an opportunity to enhance their own skills to assist children in doing better in school. This course
also examines special education for children with disabilities, and serves as a basic introduction to Surrogate Parenting.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Advancing Sexual Safety and Promoting Healing in Children Services
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
workshop is designed for professionals interested in developing their knowledge in addressing the special needs of their children
who have been sexually abused. Special emphasis will be devoted to creating an
environment of safety, developing a sexual safety plan and talking with children who have been abused.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Navigating the Whitewater of Reunification: Primary Family, Agency and Caregiver Collaboration
(Caseworker Workshop)
Historically,
children service agencies have aligned themselves with children to protect them from their parents. Yet, in doing so, they
jeopardize the connection between parents and their children, which undermine efforts to preserve or rebuild birth families.
This class will examine the complex dynamics facing principal actors before, during and after placement. Emphasizing the advantages
of safe reunification of children with birth families, this training will develop a framework for shared parenting, including
promoting and building the “parent - foster parent team.” Further, it will explore the relationships between foster
parents and agency staff, and potential organizational and value conflicts that may obstruct therapeutic parenting and case
management of children.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Understanding and Assessing Risk and Behavior in Adolescents
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
class reviews the fundamentals of behavioral assessment in adolescents within the context of their physical, cognitive and
psycho-social development. It will explore issues related to family and culture
and their effect on behavior. Further, it explores the behavioral manifestations
of common adolescent emotional disorders, including depression, and suggests various treatment options available.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Acting Your Way into Better Thinking: Reinforcement Theory into Action
(Caseworker Workshop)
Understanding the
concepts of social learning theory and utilizing it’s principles to effect behavior change may be two entirely different
matters. This class will review reinforcement theory and offer workable models
to put it into practice. Those attending will learn how to perform a functional analysis of child behavior recognizing the
various drivers within the social ecology. Behavior management approaches, including
token economies & behavior contracts will be explored.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Casework Interviewing, Problem Solving and Crisis Intervention
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
class will present several effective interviewing techniques, including motivational interviewing, and offer strategies to
help families resolve their problems. Also, this workshop will examine the dynamics
of crisis and offer suggestions for crisis counseling, verbal de-escalation and stress management.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Reality Therapy and Other Cognitive Approaches to Counseling
(Caseworker Workshop)
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Real World Case Plans: Opening the Door to Independence for Adolescents
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
class will examine effective case planning for troubled adolescents. The essentials
of various data collection strategies, including assessment measures and strength focused interviewing will be reviewed. Suggestions on practical and effective case plan development will be shared. Finally, tools for assessing adolescent readiness for independent living and strategies
to assist them will be explored.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Bleeding Heart or Purple Heart: Parenting Today's Troubled Youth
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
workshop explores models of effective parenting including STEP, PET & Behavior Modification. Special emphasis will be
given to assessing parenting styles and applying discipline strategies and parenting techniques appropriate to the child’s
developmental level and individual needs. Concrete strategies will be shared on how to help parents tackle the many challenges
of parenting today’s troubled youth.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Promoting
Physical and Emotional Health in Human Service Professionals
(Caseworker Workshop)
“You’re
in time-out!”! This workshop explores the value of human service professionals taking care of themselves. Trainees will experience a mini-retreat that is chock full of ideas and experiences that include
approaches to the physical, spiritual and mental well-being of the caseworker. Participants will walk away with a recipe for
establishing daily self-nurturing practices and routines.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Caseworker
Toolkit: Reality Therapy & Other Cognitive Approaches to Counseling
(Caseworker Workshop)
This
class reviews the fundamentals of Reality Therapy and it’s applications in child and family services. Strategies for creating as strength focused environment of alignment and engagement with clients will be
shared. Finally, the efficacy of assertive individual and family communication
and behavior will be explored.
Return to Caseworker Workshop List
Behavior Management I - Techniques for Handling Surface Behaviors with Oppositional and Acting Out Children
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
program explores the dynamics of separation and how that influences behavior. It also gives substitute caregivers a model
for structuring a supportive and therapeutic setting for behaviorally challenged children. Further, it reviews fundamental
social learning theory; and finally examines ten tried and true techniques for handling surface behaviors.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Behavior Management II - Avoiding and De-escalating Physical Crisis Situations
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
class will examine how pre-placement experiences and current stressors may affect a foster child’s behavior. The skills of active listening, non-violent communication and de-escalation will be reviewed. Levels of crisis development and the conflict cycle are discussed, emphasizing appropriate foster parent
response. Trainees will participate in exercises and demonstrations concerning
personal space, body posture, and motion. Skills in life space interviewing will
be taught.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Effects of Abuse and Neglect on Children in Foster Care
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Parenting
a child in foster care is a challenging task, especially when the child comes into care as a result of abuse or neglect. This course will focus on the special needs of these children. Basic facts and issues
regarding neglect and abuse (psychological, physical & sexual) and their effect on the child’s psyche will be explored.
Positive strategies for parenting are examined from school age through young adulthood.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Attachment, Separation and Loss in Foster Care
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
class introduces foster parents to the concept of attachment and the biological bond. Separation will be addressed by reviewing
the five stages of grief vis-à-vis a foster care placement. Strategies
for helping insufficiently attached and grieving children are reviewed.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Substance Abuse, Chemical Dependency & Kids
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Drug
and alcohol abuse takes an enormous toll on families. It may be a factor in two-thirds
of all substantiated cases of abuse and neglect. This class will give trainees
an understanding of substance abuse and chemical dependency and how it affects the family.
We will also examine factors related to special risk for substance abuse, and review methods of prevention and treatment.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Opening the Doors to Independent Living
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
workshop will introduce caregivers to the many challenges that adolescents face when leaving foster care, and moving toward
independent living. Be prepared for an interactive, hands-on workshop that will
enlighten and encourage foster/adoptive parents to help your adolescent successfully transition to independent living.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Educational Advocacy: Helping Your Foster Child Succeed in School
(Foster Parent Workshop)
As
surely as you are your children’s most important teachers, your children’s ideas about education and its significance
begin with you. Moreover, you bear a responsibility to participate actively in your children’s education. This class will offer caregivers an opportunity to enhance their own skills to assist children with their
academic achievement. This course serves as a basic introduction to Surrogate Parenting.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Culture and Diversity Issues in Foster Care
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
class begins by introducing caregivers to the concept of cultural sensitivity and moves them toward improving their ability
to understand and work with people from different backgrounds. This is done by
examining our own values and codes of conduct, making an effort to learn more about other cultures and people, and by talking
to our foster children about these issues. By the end of the session, caregivers
should begin to have a greater appreciation for the unique opportunities and blessings inherent in a diverse foster family
experience.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Advancing Sexual Safety and Promoting Healing in Foster Care
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
workshop is designed for foster families who need to develop their knowledge and parenting skills to address the special needs
of children who have been sexually abused. Since sexual abuse is the ultimate
betrayal of the parent-child relationship, the primary resource available to these victimized children is understanding and
committed families who can prove to them that families can be trusted and nurturing.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Fostering Physical and Emotional Health in the Caregiver
(Foster Parent Workshop)
“You’re
in time-out!” This workshop explores the value of foster parents taking care of themselves. Trainees will experience a mini-retreat that is chock filled with ideas and experiences that include
approaches to the physical, spiritual and mental well-being of the caretaker. Participants will walk away with a recipe for
establishing daily self-nurturing practices and routines.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Navigating the Whitewater of Reunification: Primary Family, Agency and Foster Parent Collaboration
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
class will examine the complex dynamics facing birth families before, during and after placement. Emphasizing the advantages
of safe reunification of children with birth families, this training will help foster parents come to further appreciate the
“biological bond” as well as challenge them to consider forgiveness as a foundation of collaborative work with
parents. It will also develop a framework for shared parenting, including promoting
and building the “parent - foster parent team” and provide practical guidelines for such issues as visiting, phone
calls and establishing boundaries. .” Further, it will explore the relationships between foster parents and agency staff,
and potential organizational and value conflicts that may obstruct therapeutic parenting and of children.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
"Holy Chaos, Batman!": Understanding and Assessing Risk and Behavior in Adolescents
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
class reviews the fundamentals of behavioral assessment in adolescents within the context of their physical, cognitive and
psycho-social development. It will explore issues related to family and culture
and their effect on behavior. Further, it explores the behavioral manifestations
of common adolescent emotional disorders, including depression and suggests various treatment options available.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Bleeding Heart or Purple Heart: Parenting Today's Troubled Youth
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
workshop explores models of effective parenting including STEP, PET & Behavior Modification. Special emphasis will be
given to discipline strategies and parenting techniques appropriate to the child’s developmental level and individual
needs. Concrete strategies will be shared on how to help foster/adoptive parents tackle the many challenges of parenting today’s
troubled youth.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Hands On Behavior Management for Younger and Developmentally Delayed Children
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
"Do You Feel Me?": Talking, Listening and Problem Solving with Your Foster Child
(Foster Parent Workshop)
“Seek
ye first to understand…then to be understood”. Pretty good advice; but
does this apply to our children? You better believe it! Lacking a feeling of
empowerment, foster children desperately need someone to truly understand the feelings they are experiencing. This class will
explore the importance of understanding and share practical strategies to help foster parents better understand their children’s
feelings. In addition, we will offer a helpful problem solving paradigm for the
family.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Beyond Time-Out: Managing the Behavior of Maltreated Pre-school Age Children
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Parenting
a pre-school child in foster care is a daunting task, especially when the child comes into care as a result of maltreatment.
This workshop focuses on the special needs of these children. Effects of abuse
and neglect on the development of pre-school children will be examined vis-à-vis the major domains of their development. Behavior
problems resulting from maltreatment will be discussed and suggestions for effective behavior management will be outlined.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Peek-a-Boos and Terrible Twos: Managing Behavior of Maltreated Infants and Toddlers
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Parenting
an infant or toddler in foster care is a challenging task, especially when the child comes into care as a result of maltreatment.
This workshop focuses on the special needs of these children. Effects of abuse and neglect on infant & toddler development
will be examined vis-à-vis the major domains of their development. Behavior problems resulting from maltreatment will be discussed
and suggestions on behavior management will be outlined.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Acting Your
Way into Better Thinking: Hands-on Behavior Management for Younger and Developmentally Delayed Children
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Understanding
the concepts of social learning theory and utilizing it’s principles to effect behavior change may be two entirely different
matters. This class will review reinforcement theory and offer workable models
to put it into practice for younger and developmentally delayed children. Caregivers will learn how to perform a functional
analysis of child behavior and recognize the various drivers within the social ecology.
Behavior management approaches, including token economies and behavior contracts will be explored.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
Caregiver
Toolkit: Effective Counseling Strategies and Interventions
(Foster Parent Workshop)
This
class reviews the fundamentals of Reality Therapy and its potential applications in out of home care. Strategies for creating as strength focused environment of alignment and engagement with children will
be shared. Finally, the efficacy of assertive individual and family communication
and behavior is explored.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
“You
Can’t Make Me”: Managing Behavior of Maltreated School Age Children
(Foster Parent Workshop)
Parenting
a child in foster care is a challenging task, especially when the child comes into care as a result of abuse and neglect.
This workshop focuses on the special needs of these children. Effects of abuse and neglect on school age children development
will be examined vis-à-vis the major domains of their development. Behavior problems resulting from maltreatment will be discussed
and suggestions on behavior management will be presented.
Return to Foster Parent Workshop List
OCWTP
Foster Care Fundamentals Offerings
Understanding and Building Attachment (F13
- 6 Hours)
(Foster Care Fundamentals)
This
workshop. designed for licensed foster caregivers with placement experience, focuses on the initiation and development of
attachment in children. Distinctions between secure and insecure attachment are
presented along with how separation and placement impacts the child’s attachment pattern. A template for parenting children with attachment problems will be advanced.
Return to Foster Care Fundamentals List
Foster Families and How They Grow: Understanding the Effects of Fostering (F16 - 6 Hours)
(Foster Care Fundamentals)
This
workshop is designed for licensed foster parents in the early years of foster parenting.
Issues unique to fostering are discussed, including: 1) Understanding and dealing with the new set of challenges; 2)
Recognizing stages of adjustment and changing family relationships; and, 3) identifying stressors and developing strategies
to build a healthy fostering experience.
Return to Foster Care Fundamentals List