Course Description

Parenting a child who has experienced trauma can be both challenging and rewarding. This course provides foster parents with the tools and knowledge to navigate trauma-sensitive parenting—a compassionate, informed approach that recognizes and responds to the unique needs of children who have experienced difficult circumstances. 

We will begin by exploring how trauma-sensitive parenting differs from traditional parenting, focusing on the most common types of trauma in foster care, such as neglect, abuse, and loss, and their impact on children’s behaviors and development. We will help foster parents identify trauma responses versus typical behavioral challenges, equipping them to respond with understanding and patience. 

Participants will learn effective strategies for creating a safe, supportive environment and the power of routines and consistency in helping children feel secure. Real-life examples will showcase the positive impact of trauma-sensitive techniques, illustrating ways this approach can support a child’s healing journey.

We’ll also cover practical self-care strategies for parents, emphasizing the importance of managing stress and maintaining resilience. Foster parents will gain tips for collaborating with therapists and other professionals to support the child’s progress, along with recommendations for valuable books, training programs, and support networks.

By the end of this class, foster parents will feel equipped with new insights and confidence to provide trauma-informed care, fostering healing, connection, and hope for the children in their lives.

CEU CERTIFICATE: 1 Hour

Course Instructors

Ted Stackpole Facilitator

Chaplain Ted Stackpole serves the foster and adoption community with deep compassion and commitment, drawing from years of experience as a spiritual leader and advocate for vulnerable children and families. He is an ordained minister and an endorsed chaplain with the Assemblies of God, offering guidance, hope, and pastoral care to those navigating the complexities of foster care and adoption. A devoted father of eleven, Ted enjoys spending time in the great outdoors and hopes to one day fulfill his dream of exploring the rugged beauty of Alaska.

Heather Bixler Trainer

Heather Bixler, MA, LAC, is a Licensed Associate Counselor at Chenal Family Therapy, where she is passionate about helping individuals and families navigate life’s challenges with compassion and clarity. She holds a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and brings a thoughtful, client-centered approach to her work. Outside the counseling room, Heather enjoys reading, spending quality time with her husband and children, and exploring nature through hiking.