Foster & Kinship Care Education Program

About Foster & Kinship Care Education (FKCE)

The Oxnard College Foster and Kinship Care Education Program provides quality education and support activities to the caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, behavioral and developmental needs of children and youth.

Classes are provided in both English & Spanish, at NO COST for anyone wanting to attend. In all classes, first priority will go to Foster Parents and Kinship Providers*, now referred to as Resource Parents.

For more Information

Please Contact: Clarissa Campos Alvarado, FKCE Office Assistant, call (805) 289-6133 or email clarissa_camposalva1@vcccd.edu ; Rhonda Carlson, FKCE Specialist, call (805) 289-6181 or email rcarlson@vcccd.edu 

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Join Us

We now have in-person classes available, as well as many live online trainings. If you still have not joined us for a virtual training, it is not too late to try it! Our team is ready and able to walk any Zoom newbies through the process. Just let us know what you need!

September 2025 Class List

All classes are on Zoom, unless otherwise shown. All classes meet written directives for Resource Parent training.

New! Conflicting Parenting Styles

Learn what to do when you and your co-parent have parenting styles that contradict each other.
Thursday, September 4, 2025, 10:30-11:30am
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Parenting Styles

In Person! Food Smarts: Building a Wholesome Diet

Discover how to create intentional meals, from snacks to dinnertime, in order to ultimately build a wholesome, healthy diet. 
Tuesday, September 9, 2025, 5:30-7pm 
Instructor: CalFresh healthy Living (SNAP-Ed)
Register & More Info on Food Smarts

New! Advocating for a Youth that has been Sexually Assaulted

Join CASA & the Coalition for Family Harmony to learn how to utilize a trauma-informed approach to support youth who have disclosed sexual assault.
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 1-3pm
Instructor: Melissa Ipatzi, Coalition for Family Harmony
Register & More Info on Advocating

New! FKCE Resources for Success: Emergency Preparedness for your Family

Join our new monthly series to explore available resources through our program and the county, in order to ensure success for your resource family!
Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 6:30-8pm
Instructor: FKCE Team (Nora Hayes)
Register & More Info on FKCE Success

Spanish! Supporting Healthy Development: Puberty, Sexual & Reproductive Health for Youth in Foster Care

This training introduces parents and caregivers to the tools needed to understand the typical stages of puberty, and how trauma or previous experiences in foster care can influence sexual and reproductive development. 
Thursday, September 11, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructor: Raquel Montes
Register & More Info on Desarrollo Saludable

New! Anxiety & Depression

Understand and develop tools to recognize anxiety and depression, stay grounded and supportive, even during crisis moments, and know what to do when a child is suicidal, withdrawn, or emotionally shut down.
Thursday, September 18, 2025, 6-8pm
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Anxiety & Depression

New! Trauma and Hygiene

Understand the causes of lack of hygiene in children and youth & how you can work towards positive experiences with hygiene practices. 
Tuesday, September 23, 2025, 6-8pm
Instructor: Dr. Judy Sullivan Osterhage
Register & More Info on Hygiene

Grandparents as Parents: Homework Help

Specially crafted for kinship caregivers, this training is geared towards enhancing vital community connections as a grandparent raising a grandchild, and the unique challeneges and victories that accompany, as well as the supports and information needed to help your kinship family thrive! 
Last Thursday of the Month, September 25, 2025, 6-7:30pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & More Info on Grandparents

New! Stress Management for Caregivers

Practice evidence-based tools that can help you reduce stress, prevent burnout, and overall build a plan for managing stress that includes daily habits for long-term resilience in your caregiving!
Friday, September 26, 2025, 10:30-11:30am
Instructor: Anne Rodriguez
Register & More Info on Stress Management

5 Love Languages Overview

Gain an overview of what the 5 languages of love are and discover in what ways your family best feels and receives love.
Tuesday, September 30, 2025, 10:30am-12pm
Instructor: Pam Lehtonen
Register & More Info on 5 Love Languages

October 2025 Save The Date 

Clases en Español

¡Nos complace anunciar que tenemos de vuelta clases en persona y en línea! Si todavía no haz tomado una clase en línea, ¡no es demasiado tarde! Por favor revisa nuestra lista de clases en español. Todos los detalles de cada clase los recibirás en un correo electrónico después de cada registración. Mantente actualizado en este sitio web o suscríbete a nuestros correos electrónicos.
Si tienes preguntas, puedes comunicarte conmigo, Clarissa Campos Alvarado, por llamada o texto al (805) 289-6133 o puedes envíarme un correo electrónico a clarissa_camposalva1@vcccd.edu

Lista de Clases En Español para Septiembre 2025

Apoyando el Desarrollo Saludable: Pubertad, Salud Sexual y Reproductiva para Jóvenes en Cuidado de Crianza

Aprende cómo el trauma afecta el desarrollo sexual y reproductivo, y cómo fortalecer la comunicación con los jóvenes sobre las conversaciones de la pubertad y la salud sexual y reproductiva.
Martes, 11 de Septiembre, 2025, 6:30-8:30pm
Instructora: Raquel Montes
Registración y más información sobre la clase Desarrollo Saludable

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Stay Up-To-Date | Mantengase Informado

Don't miss out on our trainings and events! Sign up for e-newsletter to receive our Monthly Newsletter and class announcements! 

¡Nuestras clases han comenzado! Para recibir nuestro boletín mensual y anuncios de clases cuando se publiquen, puedes consultar aqui regularmente o suscríbase a nuestros correos electrónicos.

Office Closures | Nuestra Oficina estará cerrada:

• July 4: Independence Day