All foster parents MUST complete at least 12 hours of training each year (2960.3070). Each year, foster parents must have at least one hour of training in mental health issues and treatment and at least one hour of training in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (245A.175). Foster parents are also required to have training in Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), Abusive Head Trauma (AHT), and car seat training every five years. If you are unsure of what training you need, check with your licensing worker.
Foster care laws & rules
The Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: HKXTR Description: This interactive Nearpod presents history that lead up to passage of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act and key provision of the 2015 version of the Minnesota Indian Family Preservation Act. In encourages learners to reflect on the purposes of the act and its implications for their work in addition to the Indian children and families they work with. |
The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)
Format: 2+ hour Nearpod Code: TPWDG Description: This interactive Nearpod presents history that lead up to passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act, key provision of the 2016 ICWA Guidelines, potential benefits to Indian children when ICWA is implemented appropriately, and challenges that states have with implementing ICWA. |
Foster Care Sibling Bill of Rights
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: FSJBQ Description: This interactive Nearpod presents information about the legislative action creating the Foster Care Sibling Bill of Rights, who needs to be informed of these rights, and the content of these rights. Print out the file below if you want to keep a copy of the rights for future reference.
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Normalcy & Reasonable & Prudent Parent Standard
reasonable_prudent_guide.pdf |
Normalcy & the Reasonable & Prudent Parent Standard
Format: 75 minute Nearpod Code: DJHUB Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation features a video-taped state training about normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard. It goes through the state and federal laws about normalcy and reasonable and prudent parenting in foster care. The training explains why this training is required and gives examples of when normalcy and the reasonable and prudent parent standard apply. |
Normalcy & Reasonable & Prudent Parenting: The Basics
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: APYSF Description: This interactive Nearpod presents an introduction to normalcy and reasonable and prudent parenting. Federal and Minnesota state laws related to the prudent parenting standard and considerations for independent living plans for foster care youth 14-years of age and up. Short videos with foster children and foster parents explain the practical importance of having normalcy for children in foster care and practicing reasonable and prudent parenting to enhance children’s emotional and developmental growth. |
Normalcy & Reasonable & Prudent Parenting: Caring for Adolescents
Format: 115-125 minute Nearpod Code: JOGDW Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses federal and state laws related to normalcy and prudent parenting. It looks at both mainstream and culturally-specific activities that are normal for American Indian adolescents to participate in. For example, pow wow dancing, drumming, wild ricing, sports, money management, working part-time jobs, and hygiene. |
Normalcy & Reasonable & Prudent Parenting: Letting Kids Stay Home Alone
Format: 30-40 minute Nearpod Code: MTXYF Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses federal and state laws related to normalcy and prudent parenting. It introduces considerations reasonable and prudent foster parents should make when deciding whether a child is old enough and mature enough to be left home alone for any length of time. |
Mandated Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors & Vulnerable Adults
Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors in Minnesota
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: PNQCT Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses the responsibilities of mandated reporters for reporting maltreatment of minors (those under 18-years-old). It addresses statutory requirements for reporting, categories of maltreatment that must be reported, the reporting process and information that may be asked of the reporter, and possible pathways for reports that are either screened in or screened out. |
Vulnerable Adults Mandated Training
Format: about 60 minute DHS Online Training Registration: http://registrations.dhs.state.mn.us/WebManRpt/ Description: This online training is about the laws and system for reporting abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable adults. It describes relevant Minnesota laws, how to report suspected maltreatment of vulnerable adults, and provides examples and non-examples of maltreatment of vulnerable adults. This training has a post-test. If you achieve the required minimum score (80%) they will email you a copy of your certificate. |
Mandated Reporting: A Focus on Neglect
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: JODEW Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on the laws and policies specific to mandated reporting of physical abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. It shares warning signs of physical and mental injury/maltreatment, stories, and statistics of those impacted by physical abuse as children and adults. |
Mandated Reporting: A Focus on Sexual Abuse
Format: 75-90 minute Nearpod Code: RVLGS Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on the laws and policies specific to mandated reporting of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. It shares stories, faces, and statistics of those impacted by sexual abuse as children and adults. |
Mandated Reporting: A Focus on Physical Abuse
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: CASNX Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on the laws and policies specific to mandated reporting of physical abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. It shares warning signs of physical and mental injury/maltreatment, stories, and statistics of those impacted by physical abuse as children and adults. |
Protecting the Culture
American Indian Religious Freedom Act
Format: 100-110 minute Nearpod
Code: CLRAF
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation looks at the Federal American Indian Religious Freedom Act. It overviews the discrimination against—and suppression of--American Indian cultural practices that preceded the Longest Walk of 1978. This training presents the full text of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and shows both ways that tribal cultures have been brought back into the open since its passage and ways that discrimination and mistreatment of cultural practices and sacred sites that continue after the law’s passage.
Format: 100-110 minute Nearpod
Code: CLRAF
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation looks at the Federal American Indian Religious Freedom Act. It overviews the discrimination against—and suppression of--American Indian cultural practices that preceded the Longest Walk of 1978. This training presents the full text of the American Indian Religious Freedom Act and shows both ways that tribal cultures have been brought back into the open since its passage and ways that discrimination and mistreatment of cultural practices and sacred sites that continue after the law’s passage.
mental health
***All foster parents need at least one hour of training in this area each year***
245a.175-fasd_and_mental_health.pdf |
Introduction to Historical Trauma
Format: 45-60 minute Nearpod Code: XFRBS Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces the concept of historical trauma. It defines historical trauma, provides examples of models for how trauma is passed on through the generations, discusses how current experiences of microaggressions can perpetuate trauma cycles, talks about contemporary troubles associated with historical trauma, and presents strengths that can help children to overcome historical trauma. |
Preventing Youth Suicide
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: RSMCP Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on youth suicide prevention. It shows a variety of experiences—those of a youth who had attempted suicide, those of a parent who lost their son to suicide, and those of a mental health professional. Warning signs for suicidal ideation, the important of breaking the stigma around suicide, and ways to support someone who is thinking about suicide are shared. |
Childhood Trauma: Domestic Violence
Format: 90-100 minute Nearpod Code: IOJHW Description: This interactive Nearpod presents information about the impact of witnessing domestic violence on children’s brains. Through narrative and research, it explores the cognitive and behavioral impact of domestic violence and how healthy relationships with adults can help build resiliency for children who have experienced trauma. |
Childhood Trauma: Impact of Parental Incarceration
Format: 140-150 minute Nearpod Code: WDGRO Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces the impact of parental incarceration on young people. It presents traumatic impacts of parental incarceration, effects of those traumas on children’s development, and things that caregivers and programs can do to support children whose parent(s) are incarcerated. Resources for address the topic of parental incarceration with children are also provided. |
Childhood Trauma: Sexual Abuse
Format: 85-95 minute Nearpod Code: RCJTP Description: This interactive Nearpod presents information about the impact of childhood sexual abuse. It looks at characteristics of perpetrators of sexual abuse of children and the long-term health impact of such abuse. Historical concerns with sexual abuse of Native American children are presented along with more contemporary concerns. |
Childhood Trauma: Introduction to Toxic Stress
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: KXMLQ Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces the concept of toxic stress. It looks at the development of children’s brains, the impact of stress on the human, and differentiates between normal stress and toxic stress. Participants view and learn about family situations where children do experience toxic stress as well as learn that healthy relationships can help buffer the stress that children experience. |
Childhood Trauma: Responding to Toxic Stress
Format: 35-45 minute Nearpod Code: LKGVJ Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation discusses what makes stress toxic for children and how to create relational buffers to minimize the impact of stress on children’s development. The importance of nurturing relationships and skill-building in adults are highlighted as strategies to reduce the burden of toxic stress. |
Children and Mental Health
Format: 190-200 minute Nearpod Code: FTRPV Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation provides overviews of mental health and medical disorders that foster parents may encounter when working with children in the foster care system. Conditions that are addressed include ASD, depression, anxiety, PTSD, ADHD, RAD, and FASD. Co-occurrence of disorders and treatment considerations are discussed. |
Children's Mental Health: ADHD
Format: 65-75 minute Nearpod Code: VLOUR Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). It talks about the brain-based nature of the condition, common symptoms, treatment options, and behaviors that caregivers can do to help children with ADHD to successfully focus and complete tasks. |
Introduction to Reactive Attachment Disorder
Format: 65-75 minute Nearpod Code: DOAWQ Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD). It shares the DSM-5 diagnostic criteria for RAD, behaviors that may be seen in children with RAD, adoptive parents’ experiences with RAD, experiences of children living with RAD, and treatment options commonly used for RAD. |
Children's Mental Health: Depression
Format: 75-85 minute Nearpod Code: AMZGN Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Depression as it appears in children and teens. It talks about the symptoms of depression, treatment options, ways that foster parents can support and encourage children with depression, signs of crisis and who to call, and additional supports and services that may be able to support a young person with depression at their school. |
Kind Hearted Woman
Format: 293 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video documentary follows a young mother from Spirit Lake Nation as she works to overcome her own history of sexual abuse, physical abuse, and alcohol addiction to be a good mother to her two children. She faces battles with herself, her ex-husband and his family, the tribe's social services, a new romantic relationship, and more as she strives for stability and a healthy future for her children and herself. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
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Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD)
***All foster parents need at least one hour of training in this area each year***
245a.175-fasd_and_mental_health.pdf |
FASD: Children's Perspectives
Format: 95-105 minute Nearpod Code: FMGUJ Description: This interactive Nearpod presents Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder from the perspectives of individuals living with FASD and their close family members. Three stories are presented: Natalie, a six-year-old; two teenagers, Morgan and Chris; and Myles, a young adult. |
FASD: Recovering Hope
Format: 65-75 minute Nearpod Code: MQUAH Description: This interactive Nearpod presents the documentary “Recovering Hope” about Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and its effects on children and birth mothers. A variety of topics are addressed, such as how alcohol interacts with a fetus prenatally, identification of FASD, areas of impact of FASD on children’s development, maternal shame, getting children’s educational needs addressed, and building support systems. |
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders
Format: 74 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video taped presentation describes the features of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and how they develop across time. The presenter is the adoptive mom of a girl with FASD and discusses how some of the features have showed up in her daughter and the process she has taken to address her daughter's needs. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
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The Mystery of Risk: Alcohol, Pregnancy and Attachment
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: IMFEN Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It looks at the ways that prenatal exposure to alcohol impact the developing brain and how this brain damage can negatively impact learning and the development of healthy attachments with caregivers. Caregiver strategies are suggested for use with infants and children with FASD. |
FASD and the Foster/Adoptive Family
Format: 100-110 minute Nearpod Code: CYBHA Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). It features a presentation by an adoptive mother of multiple children with FASD who shares her experiences with getting correct diagnosis and caring for children who received prenatal alcohol exposure. Physical and mental characteristics common in children with FASD are discussed along with strategies that have been helpful in facilitating children’s learning and success in daily living activities. |
SUDDEN UNEXPECTED INFANT DEATH
***All foster parents need this training every five years***
245a.144-suid_and_aht.pdf |
Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
Format: 35-45 minute Nearpod Code: DBNRX Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). It talks about the different causes of death falling under the SUID umbrella, safe sleep practices for infants, and what can happen if safe sleep practices are not used with infants under one-year of age. |
Healthy Native Babies: Sudden Unexpected Infant Death
Format: 40-50 minute Nearpod Code: AVTZS Description: This interactive Nearpod discusses Sudden Unexpected Infant Deaths (SUID). It talks about the different causes of death falling under the SUID umbrella, disparities in SUID for American Indian populations, and things that caregivers can do to reduce risks associated with SUID during sleep. |
Complete one of the online training modules above OR
watch the three videos below on PlexTV and then take the test: |
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Safe Sleep for Your Baby
Format: 7 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video describes safe sleep practices for babies under one-year-old. It talks about what Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and when babies are most at risk for dying unexpectedly in their sleep. |
Safe Sleep Practices
Format: 6 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video discusses the investigation that happens when a baby dies during sleep. It provides descriptions of safe sleep practices and why they are important for preventing babies from dying during sleep. |
Safe Sleep
Format: 4 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video features a mother who lost her infant son from unsafe sleep practices in a daycare. Information about infant death investigations in Hennepin County is discussed, noting the unsafe sleep practices that were found to commonly contribute to the deaths. |
ABUSIVE HEAD TRAUMA
***All foster parents need this training every five years***
245a.144-suid_and_aht.pdf |
Abusive Head Trauma: Prevention & Consequences
Format: 35-45 minute Nearpod Code: DLQZX Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on Abusive Head Trauma. It looks at why caregivers may shake their infants, as well as strategies that can be tried to calm crying infants and for the adult caregivers to safely take breaks when losing patience with an upset infant. The reasons why infants are particularly susceptible to abusive head trauma injuries and long-term consequences of these injuries is also shared. |
Prevention & Consequences of Abusive Head Trauma
Format: 45-55 minute Nearpod Code: OJWLY Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on Abusive Head Trauma (AHT). It looks at risk factors and prevention methods for AHT, symptoms that may indicate that an AHT has occurred, and possible long-term consequences on child development related to AHT. |
Complete one of the online training modules above OR
watch the three videos below on PlexTV and then take the test: |
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The Doctors - Shaken Baby Simulator
Format: 2 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video shows the way that shaking a baby impacts their brain. It talks about what happens in the brain when a baby is shaken. |
Forever Shaken
Format: 33 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video shows the medical and developmental impacts of a baby being shaken. It follows families through their journeys in the hospital and as they begin to grow into childhood. |
Never Shake: Preventing
Format: 8 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video describes the impact that violent shaking of a baby on their brain. Medical professionals talk about why infants are vulnerable to brain injuries at their young age. |
disability laws & caring for children with disabilities
Introduction to Special Education
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: GYMZA Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces the topic of special education. It provides an overview of the history of special education legislation, special education processes (e.g., identification/evaluation, planning for services, deciding on placement), role of parents in special education, and consideration for filling the parent’s role when the biological parent is not available. |
Pacer Center's Introduction to Early Intervention in Minnesota
Format: 140-150 minute Nearpod Code: VJXGE Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Early Intervention (IDEA-Part C) services and how they are implemented in Minnesota through school districts. Referral, assessment/evaluation, IFSP development, and service models are addressed. Information about procedural safeguards and handling disputes is discussed. |
Pacer Center's Introduction to Early Childhood Special Education
Format: 125-135 minute Nearpod Code: DUWEM Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces early childhood screening and Early Childhood Special Education services. Special education processes including assessment/evaluation, developing the Individual Education Program (IEP), and handling disputes are discussed. The role of parents in special education processes and alternatives when biological or adoptive parents aren’t available (e.g., foster parents, surrogate parents) are included. |
Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: SYBOU Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces Autism Spectrum Disorder. It goes through some of the early warning signs, the importance of early identification and intervention, and the implications of Autism being a spectrum disorder. |
Strategies for Working with Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Format: 60-70 minute Nearpod Code: VBEJG Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation takes a look at family experiences with Autism Spectrum Disorder and strategies to address common challenges children with Autism have with daily living tasks. Strategies are reviewed that aid with transitions between activities, handling challenging behaviors, and addressing problems with feeding and sleep. |
Child & adolescent development
Developmental Milestones: Baby's First Year
Format: 40-50 minute Nearpod Code: EOKYW Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces developmental milestones for the first twelve months of an infant’s life. It encourages caregivers to interact with infants in a positive and consistent manner, to model language, and to keep a safe environment for babies to grow and explore. |
Developmental Milestones: Early Childhood (18 months-5 years)
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: ADJKN Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces developmental milestones for young children 18 months to 5 years of age. It discusses things that caregivers can do to support young children’s development and shows caregivers supporting young children’s development of culturally-important skills. |
Introduction to Attachment Theory
Format: 55-65 minute Nearpod Code: ZUMHS Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces attachment theory. It looks at the scientific process through which the theory developed, key characteristics of common attachment styles, and the long-term implications of attachment into adulthood. |
Introduction to Adolescent Development
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: LCFHX Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces developmental milestones for adolescents, ages 10- to 22-years. It talks about normal development in the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional domains. Both researcher and adolescent voices are included. Suggestions are provided for things caregivers—and other adults in adolescents’ lives—can do to foster adolescents’ resilience and healthy development. |
Adolescent Brain Development & Impacts of Chronic Stressors
Format: 55-65 minute Nearpod Code: ZQHSF Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on adolescent brain development. It addresses typical developmental patterns, impacts of chronic stressors and traumas on adolescents’ developing brains, and things that adults can do to support the healthy development of adolescent brains. |
Indigenous Cree View of Development
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod
Code: OARVU
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the seven stages of development as taught by Cree elder Myra Laramee. Each of the stages of development is related to a different place on the eagle feather, from the infancy time of the “Good Life” to the “Teaching Life” time of the oldest elders. Characteristics of the feather are used to explain how to get back to one’s path if they’ve gone astray.
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod
Code: OARVU
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the seven stages of development as taught by Cree elder Myra Laramee. Each of the stages of development is related to a different place on the eagle feather, from the infancy time of the “Good Life” to the “Teaching Life” time of the oldest elders. Characteristics of the feather are used to explain how to get back to one’s path if they’ve gone astray.
a_child_becomes_strong--journeying_through_each_stage_of_the_life_cycle.pdf |
Guiding & protecting children
De-Escalation Techniques in Foster Care
Format: 63 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video describes the stress escalation cycle, the importance of self-care and forgiveness, the types of feelings you want children to have about you as a caregiver, and the importance of teaching effective replacement behaviors. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
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Behavioral Challenges in Foster Care
Format: 59 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video talks about common challenging behaviors that come up in foster care and preventative and reactive strategies to address these behaviors. It provides an overview of fundamental human needs and ways to meet them as a caregiver. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
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Caring for American Indian Children in Foster Homes
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod
Code: MYWVH
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation focuses on the importance of maintaining cultural connections for American Indian foster children. It includes former foster children speaking to what they missed out on culturally when in the foster care system. Foster parents also share strategies to gain knowledge themselves so that they can help their American Indian foster children learn about their tribal cultures and have connections to American Indian communities.
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod
Code: MYWVH
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation focuses on the importance of maintaining cultural connections for American Indian foster children. It includes former foster children speaking to what they missed out on culturally when in the foster care system. Foster parents also share strategies to gain knowledge themselves so that they can help their American Indian foster children learn about their tribal cultures and have connections to American Indian communities.
Native American Storytelling and its Role in Parenting
Format: 180-190 minute Nearpod Code: FDBIC Description: This interactive Nearpod features a three-part webinar series from SAMHSA focused on Native American storytelling. It provides an overview of the history of Indigenous storytelling in North America, talks about the role of storytelling in traditional parenting practices, includes elders sharing traditional stories, lays out benefits to children for learning traditional stories, and talks about ways that adults can learn traditional stories to be able to share them with their children. |
The Seven Teachings of the Ojibwe
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: FLAQY Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on the Seven Teachings of the Ojibwe/Anishinabe peoples. It shares stories about the origins of the teachings, provides contemporary examples of how some view these teachings as part of their lives, and encourages caregivers to reflect on how they can incorporate the teachings into their work with children. |
This short guide to the Seven Teachings can be printed out and used with children.
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Keeping Ojibwe Language Alive
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: ZMBFN Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the Ojibwe language in Minnesota and Wisconsin. It discusses reasons for Ojibwe language loss, efforts to preserve the language and cultural knowledge of elders, and efforts underway to revitalize the language. Links to resources to use for helping oneself and others learn the Ojibwe language are included. |
Keeping Lakota Language Alive
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: LACPZ Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on revitalization of the Lakota language. It discusses impact of colonization on the language, efforts to preserve the language through work with children and adults, and provides resources that can be used to begin learning Lakota language. |
Keeping Ho-Chunk Language Alive
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: TVOBM Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on revitalization of the Ho-Chunk language in Wisconsin and Nebraska. It shares about how elders are involved in teaching adult apprentices and classes in K-12 and higher education settings. The important connections between the Ho-Chunk language, tribal identity, world view, and cultural practices are discussed. Resources are provided for help in learning Ho-Chunk language. |
Preventing Childhood Sexual Abuse
Format: 40-50 minute Nearpod Code: TWSNV Description: This interactive Nearpod addresses prevention of childhood sexual abuse. It presents the significance of the problem, discusses who is most likely to commit sexual abuse against a child, and talks about ways that individuals, agencies, and communities can work to prevent childhood sexual abuse. |
Commercial Childhood Sexual Exploitation
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: XAIND Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces the risks and dangers of Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC). It shares risk factors and warning signs that caregivers should watch out for, points out the impact that the internet has had on CSEC, and shares how appropriate support and services can help victims of CSEC to heal. |
Food & nutrition
Teaching Healthy Eating
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: KZQAS Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on how to teach healthy nutrition habits to children. It talks about healthy balance of different types of food, portion sizes, balancing diet and physical activity, and more. |
Introduction to Indigenous Foods
Format: 60-75 minute Nearpod Code: GQKZY Description: This interactive Nearpod provides an introduction to indigenous foods of North America. It discusses the cultural significance of indigenous foods, the ways federal policies have shifted American Indian diets away from indigenous foods, efforts to revitalize and carry on indigenous food practices, and ways to gather and prepare indigenous foods. |
Regaining Indigenous Food Sovereignty
Format: 75-85 minute Nearpod Code: PXEHM Description: This interactive Nearpod shares about efforts for Indigenous food sovereignty in North America, with particular attention to efforts of the Blackfeet, Ojibwe, and Dakota. Attention is paid to the nutritional values of Indigenous food and how much healthier they are for American Indian bodies than highly processed foods more frequently eaten now. Children and teens are shown participating in the collection and preparation of Indigenous foods. |
Child & family wellness
Use of Culture as Prevention
Format: 135-145 minute Nearpod Code: JORLG Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the use of American Indian cultural practices to prevent poor health and promote individual and community wellness. Different cultural practices (e.g., dancing, drumming, sweats, beading, cultural foods) are discussed in the context of the communities and programs that have used them. American Indian cultural practices have been used in efforts to prevent suicide, substance abuse, diabetes, and more. |
Introduction to the Four Sacred Medicines
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: OGZDP Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the four sacred medicines of tobacco, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass. It shares teachings of their place in American Indian cultures as shared by elders and educators. Practices for gathering, preparing, and using the medicines are shared. |
Power of Pow Wows
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: ESCBN Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces pow wows and their contributions to individual and communal wellness for American Indians. It discusses the history of cultural suppression of American Indian practices, forms and characteristics of contemporary pow wows, and ways that pow wow participation support healing of American Indian individuals and communities. |
Power of Pow Wow Dancing
Format: 110-120 minute Nearpod Code: UXHTM Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the meanings and symbolism of American Indian dances and their regalia. Jingle, Fancy Shawl, Women’s Traditional, Men’s Traditional, Hoop, and Grass Dances are presented through the perspectives of dancers. The history of dances, role of families in supporting young dancers, and wellness drawn from creating the regalia and performing the dances are discussed. |
Power of the Drum
Format: 95-105 minute Nearpod Code: XOJPD Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation focuses on the roles of traditional drums in American Indian cultures. The water drum, hand drum, and big drum are looked at as far as their origin stories and contemporary uses. The roles that drums have played in healing individuals, communities, and bringing about peace and unity between tribes are discussed. |
home & Child safety
Taking Care of Common Home Safety Concerns
Format: 70-80 minute Nearpod Code: SPJRC Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation provides an overview of common home safety concerns and how caregivers can address them. Topics such as the dangers of lead paint, poison prevention, safely securing medications, preventing home fires, minimizing risks for choking and falls, internet safety, and safety during tornado warnings are addressed. |
Introduction to First Aid
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: WDFCM Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces symptoms and first aid responses for a variety of common childhood injuries. First aid responses are addressed for the following conditions: sprains, strains, burns, sunburns, cuts, bruises, nose bleeds, choking, frostbite, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and fever. Symptoms of these conditions as well as when to seek professional medical care are addressed. |
chemical abuse & its impact
Introduction to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome
Format: 90-100 minute Nearpod Code: PJTUX Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is an introduction to Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)—a condition resulting from prenatal exposure to drugs such as prescription opioids and heroin. Topics discussed include such things as the prevalence of increasing NAS, that pregnant women in treatment may still deliver babies with NAS, common symptoms of NAS, and ways that programs and systems are adapting to work with babies with NAS and their families. The participant is directed to downloadable resources about strategies for caring for babies and children with prenatal drug exposure. |
Caring for the Infant Experiencing Withdrawal
Format: 111 minute PlexTV Log-in: check with licensing worker Description: This video addresses Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS) in newborns. It talks about the opioid epidemic, laws for testing newborns and mothers, symptoms of NAS, rates of maternal opioid abuse and NAS in Minnesota, and strategies for helping to calm babies with prenatal exposure. Complete the post-test below and turn it into your licensing worker for grading and to get a certificate.
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Childhood Trauma: Impact of Parental Opiate Abuse
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: VUWJD Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation looks at the impacts of parental opiate abuse on children. Topics such as Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), grief and loss related to witnessing overdose and having parents die, hazards of living in a setting where drugs are being abused, and grandparents and other foster caregivers stepping in to care for children are addressed. |
Methamphetamine Addiction
Format: 55-65 minute Nearpod Code: JZTSD Description: This interactive Nearpod is focused on the impacts of methamphetamine addiction on people. Impacts on the brain and other body systems, social relations, and societal toll are looked at. |
Separation, loss, & Attachment
Grief & Loss for Foster Children
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod Code: ZNRDQ Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces the types of grief and loss that children may experience in foster care. It presents perspectives of those working with foster children, children in foster and adoption placements, and adult foster children reflecting back on their own life stories. Information is also provided on ways that caregivers can help children to move through their grief into happier futures. |
Anishinaabe Funeral Traditions
Format: 65-75 minute Nearpod Code: ORWJQ Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation shares traditional teachings about Anishinaabe funeral practices from a Mille Lacs elder, Lee Obizaan Staples. Information is shared about such topics as how to prepare the deceased for their journey to the next world, how to support and advise close relatives of the deceased, how to protect children during the deceased’s travels to the next world, and differences between the funerals of infants and older people. |
Wiping of Tears Ceremony
Format: 100-110 minute Nearpod Code: UWFID Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation is focused on the Wiping of Tears ceremony, most commonly used among the Lakota. It discusses the purpose of the ceremony, situations in which it has been used, and the impact people have felt having gone through the ceremony. Participants are encouraged to think about the implications of this information about the Wiping of Tears ceremony for their work with American Indians in the child welfare system. |
diversity in Race, Ethnicity, gender, & sexual orientation
Introduction to Supporting Children's Identity Development
Format: 90-100 minute Nearpod Code: PWQUJ Description: This interactive Nearpod introduces young people’s developing racial, ethnic, gender, and sexual identities. It shares both children’s perspectives and those of adults reflecting back on influences from their youth. Suggestions are included for how to support children’s developing racial and ethnic identities in societal contexts in which negative messages about people of color are present. |
Introduction to Two Spirit
Format: 80-90 minute Nearpod Code: RXPOH Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces who Two Spirit peoples are today and historically. It shares stories from Two Spirit peoples from different generations (teens, young adults, elders), shares ways that Two Spirit peoples were historically viewed and honored, and discusses the impacts of colonization on some people’s views of Two Spirit peoples. |
Working with schools
Pacer Center Tips for School Success
Format: 55-65 minute Nearpod Code: ROMPH Description: This interactive Nearpod presents a four-part video series on things parents can do to promote school success. General tips for learning and school communication, specific strategies for supporting reading, and different conditions that may pose challenges to learning are discussed. |
Indian Education: Past and Present
Format: 125-135 minute Nearpod Code: GBICJ Description: This interactive Nearpod focuses on education of American Indian students from a variety of different perspectives and points in time. From early boarding schools and day schools to Reservation and public schools today, perspectives are shared from the federal government, law makers, former students, current students, school staff, and parents. The importance of cultural relevance to education of American Indian students is discussed. |
Effect of foster care on foster families
Self-Care for Foster Parents
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod
Code: DURXL
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces compassion fatigue and burnout and the need for self-care to prevent these two conditions that have negative impacts on caregiving. Symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue are discussed along with a variety of self-care strategies that can be incorporated into individualized self-care plans.
Format: 50-60 minute Nearpod
Code: DURXL
Description: This interactive Nearpod presentation introduces compassion fatigue and burnout and the need for self-care to prevent these two conditions that have negative impacts on caregiving. Symptoms of burnout and compassion fatigue are discussed along with a variety of self-care strategies that can be incorporated into individualized self-care plans.
adoption & permanency
ICWA and Adoptions: The Basics
Format: 135-145 minute Nearpod
Code: MCWEP
Description: This interactive Nearpod features a webinar with a staff person from the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). She discusses provisions of ICWA relevant to adoption of Indian children, processes organizations should follow to comply with ICWA provisions, and influences of ICWA case law on practice.
Format: 135-145 minute Nearpod
Code: MCWEP
Description: This interactive Nearpod features a webinar with a staff person from the National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA). She discusses provisions of ICWA relevant to adoption of Indian children, processes organizations should follow to comply with ICWA provisions, and influences of ICWA case law on practice.
Car seat safety
***All foster parents need this training every five years***
Child Passenger Safety Class for Daycare/Foster Care (C.A.R.S)
Format: 3 hour in-person training
Registration: go to https://www.orionassoc.net/training/child-passenger-safety-class-for-daycare-foster-care/
Description: This class uses curriculum approved by the state of Minnesota to satisfy legal requirements for training in how to safely transport children birth to nine-years-old.
Format: 3 hour in-person training
Registration: go to https://www.orionassoc.net/training/child-passenger-safety-class-for-daycare-foster-care/
Description: This class uses curriculum approved by the state of Minnesota to satisfy legal requirements for training in how to safely transport children birth to nine-years-old.