In October 2016, Spaulding for Children was awarded a 3 year Foster/Adoptive Parent Preparation, Training and Development Initiative grant from the Children’s Bureau, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under grant #90CO1132. The grant is in partnership with the Child Trauma Academy; the Center for Adoption Support and Education; the North American Council on Adoptable Children; and Wayne State University.

The CORE (Critical Ongoing Resource family Education) project will develop a state-of-the-art training program, equipping resource parents with skills necessary to meet the needs of older youth who have moderate to serious emotional and behavior health challenges. This training program will guide families through a self-assessment (RPSAC-T) process; provide classroom instruction to build their understanding of trauma; and support skill development through the creation of real-time training tools. Spaulding will work with the partnering agencies and a national committee of experts to identify core competencies; develop the training curriculum; and pilot the implementation of the curriculum in multiple sites.

The objective is to provide resource parents (Foster, Adoptive and Kinship) with the knowledge, skills and assets they need to effectively manage the behavioral challenges older youth exhibit, resulting in an increased likelihood families will welcome these children into their homes, maintain placement stability and commit to permanence, thus enhancing the youths well-being.

The project will be supported by a National Advisory Committee. The National Advisory Committee will be made up of foster care alumni, resource families, state and tribal leaders, subject matter experts in child welfare, mental health and other essential stakeholders.