FOSTER & KINSHIP EDUCATION

Program Summary

Education is offered for teens living in out-of-home care. Youth 14 - 15 years of age receive educational assessments and tutoring. Youth ages 16 – 21 years of age are also assessed an receive life skills training in the YESS program. The intention is to prepare the youth to learn the skills that support them in experiencing a successful emancipation to independent living. The youth age out of the welfare system between ages 18 - 21 depending upon if they graduate from high school and other extraordinary circumstances. The program is designed to provide support both during and after the life skills component. The curriculum is designed to develop self-help skills, self-esteem, effective decision-making, developing and managing successful relationships, employment, and successful emancipation.

El Camino will host five (5) modules. Each module meets for ten (10) sessions over a five (5) week period. Classes meet from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and occasionally on a Saturday. The average attendance ranges from 15 - 25 youth. The program is staffed with two trainers along with and guest lecturers who share knowledge and their expertise. The classes are conducted on campus at the El Camino College.

• Foster/Kinship Care Education provides on going continuing education for resource parents and relative caregivers.
• D-Rate Pre-service
• F-Rate and Medical Foster Care Pre-services
• Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success (16-19) YESS—Americorp
• Mentoring and Training for youth ages 14-15
• Advisory Committee

Download the El Camino College Foster and Kinship Schedule of Classes: Schedule (.pdf) November - December 2009

Foster & Kinship Care Education Program (FKCE)

Pre Service Trainings/Certifications
Specialized Foster Care Pre-Service (D-Rate)
Total 16 hours

This training is designed for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Resource Foster Care providers who are interested in caring for children living in out-of-home care presenting with severe and persistent emotional and behavioral challenges. The Department of Mental Health assesses these children to the status of D-rate. The resource parents must be referred by a DCFS Child Social Worker (CSW) in order to attend the D-Rate pre-service training. The resources parent must then complete the 16-hour D-Rate pre-service training program in order to qualify to receive the D-Rate incentive for the extraordinary costs they will incur while providing care of the children.

Medical Foster Care (F-Rate)

Total 16 hours

The F-Rate certification classes are designed for resource foster care providers who care for children who are medically fragile. Resource parents must have at least two years of experience as a Resource parent and must be referred by the DCFS social worker in order to qualify for the training. Each resource parent will be certified by the DCFS Medical Placement Unit to complete the 16-hour F-rate pre-service training program. Upon completion of the training they will be eligible to receive the F-rate incentive to cover the extraordinary costs incurred while providing services to the children in their care. DCFS approval must be obtained before new or additional children with special medical conditions can be placed in foster homes. Priority enrollment is reserved for DCFS’ and relative caregiver homes.

Renewal Classes

F-Rate and D-Rate Renewal Classes
Total 18 hours

Between July 1 and June 30, DCFS D-Rate foster care providers must complete 18 hours of D-rate Renewal classes and F-rate foster care providers must complete 18 hours of F-Rate renewal classes.

Partnering for Safety and Permanency–Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (PS-MAPP)

Total 33 hours

This program is the pre-service training mandated by the Department of Children and Family Services for all prospective resource and adoptive parents in the county of Los Angeles. The length of the training is 33 hours. This training is co-facilitated by three professionals: an experienced resource parent, a DCFS social worker, and a community college trainer. All participants must complete the orientation conducted by the Community Care Licensing (CCL) department for the state of California.

Classes for Kinship Caregivers

Kinship Orientation (KO)

The purpose of this training is to assist the relative caregiver adapt to new and/or continuing roles as relative caregivers. These relatives will gain a better understanding of the DCFS system and how it works and receive information that will enhance their ability to be effective. There is also the opportunity to participate with educational support groups.

Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success (YESS)
Total 30 hours

YESS offers educational assessment for all youth served. Life skills education and tutoring are offered for teens living in foster care, we also serve youths 16 - 21. Youths 14 and 15 years of age receive educational assessment and tutoring. These youths will age out of the welfare system at the age of 18 to 21 years of age, depending upon when they graduate from high school. The life skills education training is designed to prepare the youth living in out-of-home care for life outside of the child welfare system. The curriculum is designed to develop self-help skills, self-esteem, effective decision-making, developing and managing successful relationships, employment, and successful emancipation. Each module consists of an average of 25 youth. Two trainers and guest lecturers facilitate the training. The classes are conducted by a community college or nearby community resource.

Independent Living Program Project YESS Life Skills Workshop schedule (.pdf)

Contact Information

Program Director:
Alexis Estwick

Student Services Center, 2nd floor Room 204G
(310) 660-3593 x3585
(310) 769-4604 Fax
eccfostercare@elcamino.edu

Office Hours: