Vol. 4, No. 2 • Spring 2000

Becoming a Training Resource
for Other North Carolina
Foster Parents

In the last issue of Fostering Perspectives we told you about "Helping Youth Reach Self-Suffiency," a new three-day seminar designed to teach North Carolina foster parents to provide continuing education to local foster parent association on the topic of helping foster youth to reach self-sufficiency. This training, which premiered last fall, was such a success that it is being offered again this year (see below). Here's what some of the participants had to say about it:

• ILR has provided us a wonderful link to the foster parents through training. As we continue in this sharing of resources and experiences, we are rewarded with each class we teach.
  --Bill and Martha Nelson, Richmond County, North Carolina

• I have been a foster parent for 20 years, taken hundreds of hours of training, but always learn new things at the IL (Independent Living) seminars, and get great materials to take home to help other foster parents.
  --Ethel Davis, Stanly County, North Carolina

• I was very close to resigning from foster care until I attended the ILR seminar. Meeting with others with very similar experiences to share rejuvenated me. The materials we were given contained a wealth of knowledge to share with foster parents in my county.
  --Pat Courteau, Gaston County, North Carolina

• It takes a village to raise a child. Ask yourself how can you help. ILR, Inc. is doing a great job helping us to help ourselves.
  --Donna Vanhook, Alamance County, North Carolina

About "Helping Youth Reach Self-Sufficiency"
ONLY AVAILABLE TO NORTH CAROLINA FOSTER PARENTS. The seminar will be conducted over one full weekend, starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. Participants must attend all three days of the seminar. Everyone attending is encouraged to stay at the hotel during the program weekend to fully experience the interactive nature of the seminar. The North Carolina Division of Social Services will cover participant lodging expenses (two nights), two breakfasts, two lunches, and one dinner (Friday). This seminar will be conducted by Independent Living Resources, Inc.

Objectives/Competencies: Participants will learn basic "Adolescent Independent Living 101" information, activities to conduct with local foster parent groups, activities for foster parents to conduct with youth, and group facilitation. Participants are expected to return to their local communities and provide training to local foster parent groups.

Time and Place: The seminar will take place on Friday, October 13 (3 to 8 p.m.), Saturday, October 14 (9 a.m. to 4 p.m.), and Sunday, October 15 (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at the Comfort Inn in Burlington, North Carolina (off I-40).

Requirements: This training is designed for foster parents who have a desire to learn more about helping foster youths reach self-sufficiency and transferring that information to other foster parents. Foster parents selected to attend the seminar should enter an agreement with their local foster parent social worker to provide training to local foster parents after completion of this seminar. Registrations are limited to twenty-four (24). It is suggested that agencies support and register a training team of two foster parents; however, an agency may also register one foster parent. No more than two registrations per agency will be accepted. If you have questions about attending this event, contact ILR, Inc. at 919/384-1457.

Registration: This seminar is offered free of charge. If you are a North Carolina foster parent and wish to apply to attend, fill out and submit the following form. (Please download and print it out using Acrobat Reader or call ILR for a form.)

Registration Deadline: September 8, 2000.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families