This course is designed for caregivers, educators, social workers, and supporters who work with foster children navigating the challenges of separation from their parents. Participants will gain insights into the common emotions foster children experience, strategies for healthy grief processing, and techniques for maintaining safe connections with birth families when appropriate.

The course emphasizes practical skills for fostering emotional resilience, understanding the importance of clear and empathetic communication, and creating a secure environment that encourages belonging and healing. Participants will explore creative outlets for emotional expression, learn what language and behaviors to avoid, and discover ways to honor happy memories while acknowledging grief.

By the end of the course, attendees will be equipped to identify signs of deeper struggles, provide compassionate support, and help foster children build a foundation of stability and trust in their new surroundings.

CEU Certificate: 1 Hour

Course Instructors

Ted Stackpole Facilitator

PROFESSION: Chaplain to the foster and adoption community. CREDENTIALS: Ordained minister and endorsed chaplain through the Assemblies of God. PERSONAL: Has eleven children, loves the outdoors, and would like to see Alaska one day.

Alicia Pfahler LMHC Trainer

PROFESSION: Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Founder and Clinical Director of Restoring Hope Counseling Center in Gainesville, Florida EDUCATION: MA Webster University and Post Graduate from The University of Dayton PERSONAL: Married to Dave for 27 years; 2 adult daughters, Annalese is married to Tanner and is a teacher in inner- city Atlanta, Ellie is finishing her senior year at Wilkes Honors College; Play USTA tennis, love to travel, speaking engagements, coffee and chocolate snob, writing a book on the intersection of faith and mental health, Bucket list – walk the Camino de Santiago de Compostela