Bringing Families Back Together: Supporting Reunification

This webi-conference focuses on the role of foster parents in reunification, what the state mandates and requirements around reunification efforts, and strategies for foster parents to support reunification efforts.


*** To earn training credit, please fill out this QUESTIONNAIRE for each session watched.***

****WEBINAR RECORDINGS SOON TO COME! STAY TUNED!!!***

January 14, 2025. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Morning Sessions

WEBINAR RECORDING: "When Do Parents Get Their Kids Back?" OCS Policies And Procedures For Reunification

PRESENTED BY: Nikki Maidl and Talia Robinson, OCS

POWERPOINT SLIDES


WEBINAR RECORDING: Through The Eyes Of A Birth Parent- Parent Advisory Committee

Parent Advisory Committee Flyer


WEBINAR RECORDING: Culturally Responsive Ways To Support Reunification -- Family Contact Programs from Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Knik Tribal Council, and Kenaitze Indian Tribe

PANEL PARTICIPANTS: Cyndi Smith, Knik Tribal Council; Christie Tabisola, CITC; Maria Guerra, Kenaitze Indian Tribe

Handouts: Children's Rights


Afternoon Sessions

WEBINAR RECORDING: Panel Discussion: Why and When is Reunification in a Child's Best Interest?

PANEL PARTICIPANTS: Stephanie Schulling, Marsha Tandeske, Elizabeth Brennan, Laura Hartz, Emma Heddix


WEBINAR RECORDING: A Conversation about Family Contact when a Parent is Incarcerated

PRESENTED BY: Lancy Mao and Nikki Maidl, OCS


WEBINAR RECORDING: Strategies for Foster Families to Support Reunification

PRESENTED BY: Jodi von Brandt, Lakale Johnson, & Jessica Simonsen, ACRF

Handouts: Partnerships and Protective Factors, Building the Relationship, Supporting the Relationship, Keeping Relationships Strong While in Care, Keeping Relationship Strong After Reunification, Self Care Wheel, Blank Self Care Wheel


CONFERENCE EVALUATION LINK: https://form.jotform.com/AKResourceFamilies/webi-e...


RESOURCES

Brochure: What You Need To Know About Reunification- for foster parents

Family contact when parents are incarcerated

VIDEO 10 minute video Caring through Struggle: Caregivers of Children with Incarcerated Parents (focus on grandparents) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uGikgx6QTw&t=630s

VIDEOS and RESOURCES Sesame Street Workshop: Incarceration https://sesameworkshop.org/topics/incarceration/

PUBLICATION Guide for Incarcerated Parents Who Have Children in the Child Welfare System https://youth.gov/sites/default/files/COIP-Parent-Guide-508.pdf

PUBLICATION Guide for Families Experiencing the Criminal Justice System-

WEBSITE National Resource Center on Children & Families of the Incarcerated https://nrccfi.camden.rutgers.edu/