Northwest Arkansas Childrens Shelter

Foster parent training

Foster parent training

The Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter is eager to support foster families throughout our area. In fact, many of these families now care for and support the children we’ve come to know personally. The NWACS aims to support foster families by providing the following:

  • Trauma-informed trainings at no cost
  • Trainings in a variety of locations in Benton, Carroll, Madison and Washington counties
  • Snacks and drinks (and meals when possible) to ensure a comfortable experience
  • Certificates of completion to foster parents for continuing education credits
  • Availability for contact after the date of the training for additional support and transfer of learning

The NWACS wants to ensure that families feel equipped to understand and meet the needs of children and adolescents who have experienced maltreatment, multiple placements and early trauma. We’ll also use the feedback we receive from foster families to ensure topics they request are included in future events.

Foster Parent Training Opportunities

Navigating Grief and Loss (Virtual Training Opportunity)

Thursday, March 18, 2021
6:30 – 8:00 pm
A Google Meet link will be sent in advance to the email address provided during registration.

All those involved in foster care can experience grief and loss–the children in care, birth families, foster and adoptive parents, the biological children in foster and adoptive families. Sometimes, the intensity of grief experienced by caregivers is even more profound than first anticipated. A sudden or unexpected change, particularly strong attachment to the child, or earlier bereavement are just a few situations that can make separations even more difficult.

Included in discussion:

  • Losses foster families may grieve (eg., transitions of children, family structure as it was, time and attention, privacy when experiencing stressors, self-esteem/feeling ineffective)
  • Circumstances that can influence how foster parents grieve
  • Types of grief, including the disenfranchised grief of foster parents (not feeling able to publicly acknowledge a loss or the loss is not fully supported by others due to an expectation of emotional detachment)
  • Unresolved grief and loss and its impact on caring (eg., reexperiencing, emotional distancing/unavailability) and on reunification support
  • How children in care and biological children may experience grief during each developmental stage (grieving behaviors in children are often misunderstood)
  • Developmental grief (grief that subsides and reappears at milestones like holidays, significant events, and celebrations in the birth or foster family)
  • Enhancing support for other families affected

Foster parent training

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Certificates will be provided to participants after the training.

Stay tuned to this page and the Northwest Arkansas Children’s Shelter Facebook page for information about upcoming training sessions and registration information.

For questions or additional information, please contact Adam at (479) 795-2417 ext 315 or amartin@nwacs.org.

Wesley

“I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is the best place I’ve ever been.” The sentiment above was recently shared with me by a 14-year-old named Wesley. At first, I was thrilled to hear it. I was so glad that he felt safe and comfortable here at the Shelter. That […]

Read more about WesleyImpact stories

Meet Wesley

“I love it here. I don’t want to be anywhere else. This is the best place I’ve ever been.”

The sentiment above was recently shared with me by a 14-year-old named Wesley. At first, I was thrilled to hear it. I was so glad that he felt safe and comfortable here at the Shelter. That means that we’re doing our job well. That means that we’re fulfilling our mission.

Right?

But then, as what he said began to sink in, it actually made me very sad. Shouldn’t this young man want to be in a home? Shouldn’t he want to be part of a family? So, why, out of all the places he has been, does he want to be here?

His understanding of home and family is so much different than mine. A home, to him, means conflict and struggle.  It means constantly being hyper aware and ready to fight or flee at any moment. It means feeling alone and frightened, but never being able to show fear or weakness. It means growing up way too fast.

At the Shelter, Wesley is surrounded by people who care about him, 24 hours a day. He has a routine and knows what to expect from day to day. He never has to question whether he will have clean clothing or enough to eat. He knows that his education is important and that his teachers will do everything they can to keep him on track. He knows that we want him to have the best future possible.

I wish every child in Arkansas had a loving, supportive home. I wish we could close the doors of the Shelter forever. Unfortunately, there will always be children like Wesley. To him, the Shelter is more of a family than he has ever known. So, we will keep our doors open, and our arms open even wider, for the children who need us.

Rick Brazile,
Sr. Director of Finance
Interim Executive Director

I’m glad to have a place that has food, water, clothes, beds, and, most of all, electricity.

Brianne, age 12

The world’s not perfect, but people are there to help you. The Shelter was a good environment and people wanted the best for me, and it made me want to love myself more. If I had not gone to the Shelter, I don’t think I’d be in school and I would probably still be in a home when I’m the adult when I shouldn’t have to be.

Lauren, age 16

I’m so glad that I got to spend my 12th birthday here at the Shelter. It was truly the best!

Marly, age 12