Clinical Resources

One of CCOFFA’s goals is to support best clinical practices throughout the foster care industry.  To that end, we will regularly post internet resources that we have discovered that can aid your agency in your mission of serving children.  Newer postings will be on top.  If you have any suggestions for helpful websites, please enter the web address in the comments box below.

  • NATIONAL CHILD TRAUMA STRESS NETWORK: Here is a great free training resource for your resource parents!  Established by Congress in 2000, the National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) brings a singular and comprehensive focus to childhood trauma. NCTSN’s collaboration of frontline providers, researchers, and families is committed to raising the standard of care while increasing access to services. Combining knowledge of child development, expertise in the full range of child traumatic experiences, and dedication to evidence-based practices, the NCTSN changes the course of children’s lives by changing the course of their care.  You can register for free to access all of NCTSN’s trainings and rsources at: http://www.nctsn.org/
  • HELP FOR GETTING EMERGENCY, LEGAL AND LAW ENFORCEMENT PHONE NUMBERS THAT WORK  The site, courtsystem.org seems to have a complete database of listings for all emergency, legal and law enforcement government offices in the country – with working phone numbers!
  • ADOPTION AT THE MOVIES: It can be difficult to enter into important conversations with your kids. Sometimes, it’s not easy to figure out how to bring up sensitive topics. Movies can serve as an easily-accessible bridge into hard-to-access territory. Here are some guides to help you use movies to start talking.  http://www.adoptionlcsw.com/
  • IMPLEMENTING EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE IN FOSTER CARE RESOURCE GUIDE:  The following link gives you access to the PDF version of FFTA’s (Foster Family-based Treatment Association) resource guide from the 2008 conference.  This is an EXCELLENT resource!  http://www.ffta.org/publications/EBPguideFinalWeb.pdf
  • FETAL ALCOHOL SYNDROME:  Children with severe FAS present behaviors that are extremely similar to children with RAD.  The greater challenge with FAS clients is that due to in-utero alcohol exposure, certain developing neural pathways were literally dissolved and cannot be brought back.  So, children with FAS lack the neural pathways necessary for them to be able to learn in certain areas, so they need “external brains”, someone who will direct them and guide them, their entire lives.  This link is for a PDF booklet that has excellent step by step guides to daily chores, beginning on page 20.  If any of your foster families are working with FAS clients, this booklet would be an excellent resource for them. http://www.fasd.ie/documents/parents_guide.pdf
  • DO YOU HAVE A YOUTH IN PLACEMENT TRYING TO GET THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE?  This website can help get them prepared to pass: http://www.drivingoffice.com/

HELPING AUTISTIC AND ADHD CHILDREN SLEEP: Oftentimes it is very difficult to get autistic children to go to sleep on a reasonable schedule.  The following website has helpful advice: https://www.sleepcupid.com/autism-adhd-sleep-help/  An additional website:

Since studies have shown that upwards of 80% of people with autism spectrum disorder don’t get enough sleep, it’s important to do everything possible to improve sleep length and quality. That’s why I created a guide to common sleep disorders that people with ASD experience, along with some suggestions for getting better rest. My guide covers everything from a comprehensive overview of ASD, how it affects sleep, expert sleep management information for children and adults with ASD and much more.  You can check it out here: https://www.bestmattressreviews.com/autism-adhd-sleep-help/ 
I’m trying to raise awareness of sleep health and need your help in this effort. Would you help us share this important information by adding a link to my resource guide here (http://www.ccoffa.org/misc-helpful-information/clinical-resources)  I thought you’d be interested in checking out my article on sleep guidance for children with autism spectrum disorder: https://www.sleepreports.com/autism-and-sleep-problems-advice/. It’s super in-depth.   Additional websites on this topic: – Helping Your Child with Autism Sleep
– Sleep Deprivation and ADHD
– Our Guide to Sleep After Trauma  
  • AUTISM RESOURCE: Since safety is a major concern for parents of children with special needs, this guide provides studies and tips that parents and teachers of children with autism can follow to ensure safety.  https://www.safety.com/autism-safety/Here are some additional Autism resources for your page. They are a great way to increase understanding and acceptance.

Accommodations for Students with Autism
Guide to Better Sleep for Kids with Autism
Autism Resource Center
Creating an Autism Friendly Home
Autism Support Network Resources
Planning a Move with Autism
30 Ways to Celebrate Autism Awareness Month
Autism and Travel

  • FREE ONLINE FOSTER PARENT TRAININGS:  The state of Washington has put multiple hours of foster parent training avialable online for free.  Once a foster parent has completed a training, they can even print out a completion certificate.  The trainings are available on the following website: https://www.dshs.wa.gov/ca/foster-parenting/parenting-resources
  • LOW COST ONLINE FOSTER PARENT TRAINING: There are excellent, practical online foster parent classes online and most are $10 per person for a 2 hour training: The State has partnered with this website and sometime in 2017, it will be free to California resource parents.  http://www.fosterparentcollege.com
  • ADDICTION SUPPORT RESOURCES: AddictionResource raises
    awareness on the dangers of addiction and helps local communities stay drug-free: https://addictionresource.com/.  The American Society of Addiction Medicine promotes drug abuse prevention and treatment: http://www.asam.org/  Also, Drugabuse.com and Treatment4addiction.com specifically http://drugabuse.com/usa/drug-abuse/california/and http://www.treatment4addiction.com/rehab/california/  AddictionCenter.com is a professional webguide that can connect addicts and families with recovery and treatment options.  As you may know, over 20 million people in the United States have some sort of addiction, and over one hundred people die from drug overdoses every day. Our goal is to help these individuals and their families by providing them with information and support on substance abuse, addiction, and recovery options. http://www.rehabcenter.net/inpatient-rehab-centers/california-inpatient-rehab-centers. is a site filled with informative facts and guidance regarding addiction treatment and mental health issues. They recently published an extensive list of treatment centers in CA that may be beneficial to those who visit the CCOFFA website.                                                                      https://detoxtorehab.com/ has information and resources relating to substance abuse and recovery. We feature a find a meeting app that allows people to find fellowships in their area, videos highlighting people’s recovery stories, and much more.
  •  A Better Today Recovery Services.  ABT is committed to saving lives and healing families by providing evidence based treatment in a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment. Our staff encourages individuals to reach their full potential by providing life coaches and skill building sessions that will benefit our clients during their future of sobriety. By providing a lifetime guarantee and alumni events, ABT continues to care for our clients long after their period of substance abuse treatment.While rehab isn’t a day at the spa, ABT wants our patients to be comfortable and safe. Some of the residences have pools, full sized beds, beautiful desert views, and many other features to help them feel at home during their period of recovery. We understand how addiction can rob you of the basic necessities of life. Our facilities are designed to create an atmosphere of care, respect and promote the journey into recovery. 
  • http://www.drugtreatmentcenterfinder.com/  Drug Treatment Center Finder is not a specific treatment center, instead, we are a free web-based resource hub that strives to provide the most up-to-date information and available treatment services across the nation. As I’m sure you’ve heard about the prescription painkiller epidemic America has been facing, 1,700 young adults died from prescription drug overdoses in 2014 – a four-fold increase from 1999. Our goal is to provide resources to addicts and their loved ones in order to guide them to the help they need in order to rebuild their lives. We currently offer the following resources, with more to come:
    • Health Screenings
    • Collection of Informational/Educational Resources & Data
    • Extensive Drug and Alcohol Addiction & Treatment Guides
    • Nationwide Directory of Addiction Treatment & Mental Health Services

    All of the statistical information found on our website is pulled from studies conducted and published by the National Institute of Health (NIH) and their divisions: National Insititute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH).

  • Quit Alcohol “is an initiative with the Alcohol Abuse Counsel and a trained group of volunteers. Alcoholism is a widely spread disease and we feel that it is our public duty to educate folks around the world about the problem.  We offer free guidance, and support. We do not support any particular center, and are not funded by any particular center.”  – See more at: http://www.quitalcohol.com/about-us.html #sthash.CNbn1cR3.dpuf
  • http://https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/underage-drinking/helps individuals struggling with alcoholism learn about the disease and find treatment options that best fit their needs. It also provides valuable information for the family members and friends who are looking for ways to support their loved one. Recent studies show than an estimated 16.3 million adults in the U.S. struggle with an alcohol use disorder; however, only roughly 8.9 percent receive treatment. Our goal is to provide families and communities with helpful information on alcohol abuse, addiction and recovery options.
  • StartYourRecovery.org is a free, confidential tool that helps individuals take steps toward a healthy relationship with drugs and alcohol. It was developed with the input of leading clinicians, experts from leading organizations like SAMHSA, and people in recovery themselves. Here, individuals can hear stories from people with similar life experiences, discover the answers they need for recognizing and dealing with substance use issues, and locate support. Family and friends can learn about addiction and how to encourage treatment and support sober living on the website.
  • For excellent information and support on therapeutic foster care go to the Foster Family-based Treatment Association (FFTA) at www.ffta.org.
  • Here  are additional resource websites:

Help Loved Ones with Sensory Overload Enjoy Shopping  https://householdquotes.co.uk/sensory-overload/ Learning Resources
Estate Planning for Special Needs Kids
Sesame Street Resources for Parents

2 thoughts on “Clinical Resources”

  1. Went onto this site and was impressed with the information. I am raising 6 daughters all were from the CA foster care system. Child years were extremely excitable, I loved it. The young adult years are a challenge, all are diagnosed with FAS/E. No one understands their child like brains in many issues.

    Reply

    1. Thank you for your kind comment. It is true that with all the new brain mapping science now, there is a far greater understanding of how and why are kids lag behind in areas. Thank you for opening your heart and home to 6 girls.

      Reply

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