PRO.DEV TRAINING SERIES

April 2025 Session

EFFECTIVELY ENGAGING PARENTS AND FICTIVE KIN IN THE PERMANENCY PROCESS

Presented by: Stacy Gonzalez, Senior Training Manager, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption in Special Education EDS in Adminstration and Leadership Equitable Solution; Anna Cohen, Youth Connections Manager, Raise The Future

Wednesday, April 16, 2025  |  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Overview: This session will uncover why it is crucial to engage biological parents, kin and fictive kin in the permanency process for youth lingering in foster care; it will show how to move beyond kin notification requirements into true engagement and how the child welfare team can support this engagement to improve permanency outcomes for youth. Register for April workshop here.

May 2025 Session

CORE, BLOCK, FAMILY FIRST, AND MEDICAID: What role does each play in accessing services that support and strengthen Colorado Families?

Presented by: Amy Sciangula, LCSW Prevention and Core Services Administrator, Division of Child Welfare – Child Protection and Prevention Services

Wednesday, May 21, 2025  |  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Overview: With different funding mechanisms available for service provision to families involved and not involved with child welfare, the confusion this creates is understandable. This workshop will give a basic overview of the child welfare funding streams used by the counties to provide services, as well as a discussion about Family First Prevention Services, Medicaid use, and RAE connections without child welfare involvement. Participants will have ample time for Q & A following the presentation.

June 2025 Session

CULTIVATING RESILIENCE FOR SUCCESS

Presented by: Jan James, M. Div., LCSW, owner of LevelUP Leadership, LLC

Wednesday, June 18, 2025  |  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Overview: Resilience — the ability to bounce back from difficult circumstances and/or to stay motivated in the face of chronic stress — is an often-misunderstood concept. It is frequently misperceived as either an innate character trait (you’re born with it or you’re not) or a personal quality that is available only to those who have the personal strength to muster up courage to “tough it out” when challenging times come. While it is true that some individuals may be “prewired” with innate attributes that help them to adapt in the face of adversity, there’s great news for the rest of us… Resilience skills can be learned, cultivated and nurtured to provide the resources needed to help keep us in the game and continuing the important work of serving children, youth and families. Come join me in this training to learn more!

July 2025 Session

DEVELOPING A TRAUMA-INFORMED CLASSROOM

Presented by: Michael Duston, School Counselor, Global Village Academy – Aurora

Wednesday, July 16, 2025  |  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Overview: To develop a trauma-informed classroom, teachers need training. Both schools and individual teachers need to consider the many benefits of professional development in this field. For current teachers, continuing education that foster trauma-informed learning environments can help. This workshop will help teachers be better prepared to:

• Learn to identify traumatic behaviors in students
• Create a consistent classroom structure
• Teach students self-care and learn self-resilience strategies for educators
• Design a learning environment that benefits all students, including those who have experienced trauma

The training will consist of and walk through 6 key concepts for helping educators and other professionals in culturally sensitive, equitable trauma informed classrooms: Safety,
Trustworthiness and Transparency, Peer Support, Collaboration, Empowerment, Voice, and Choice and Cultural, Historical, and Gender Issues.

August 2025 Session

BECOMING YOUTH-CENTERED

Presented by: Dr. Elizabeth Wynter, Chief Strategy Officer, J.K. Elder & Associates

Wednesday, August 20, 2025  |  1:00 pm – 2:00 pm

Overview: This workshop is designed to explore the critical role of youth voice in transforming the child welfare system. We will examine how shifting from a service-driven model to a youth-centered approach empowers young people, improves outcomes, and drives meaningful change. The workshop will provide practical strategies for authentically engaging youth, elevating their voices in decisions that impact their lives, and integrating youth voice in policies, programs, and practices.