The National Training and Development Curriculum (NTDC) is a new curriculum that is based on research and input from experts, families who have experience with fostering or adopting children, and former foster and adoptive youth. The NTDC will provide prospective foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers the information and tools needed to parent a child who has experienced trauma, separation, or loss. These free trainings are held online and in-person for families who need to complete initial Pre-Service Certification.

NTDC Pre-Service Training is a total of 21 hours of training offered in seven three-hour classes.

The needs of foster and adoptive caregivers change as they continue on the path of providing a healing home for children in care. For this reason, various training modules are continuously developed to help Foster Parents/Caregivers gain the knowledge and support to navigate their roles as caregivers. In-Service Trainings are taken after initial completion of the NTDC Pre-Service Training. These trainings are offered at no cost to foster, adoptive, and kinship caregivers both online and in classroom settings.

The number of classes needed to maintain the status of a certified foster home varies between agencies. To determine how many hours of training is needed to maintain the certification, please contact your homefinding specialist.

Trauma-informed resource parenting involves ongoing awareness of how traumatic experiences may affect children and families. These trainings are intended to give foster/kinship families information that will prepare them for caring for children who have experienced separation, trauma, and loss. The goals of these trainings include helping caregivers recognize the impact of trauma, identify signs and symptoms of trauma, prevent the re-traumatization of children in foster care, and to promote overall functioning and wellbeing of children in their care.

Trauma sessions do have to be taken in order, and cannot be taken out of order.

All trainings are offered virtually and in classroom settings at no cost to caregivers. To register, view the training schedules on the home page or click on your county to register for trainings in your area. If you have any further questions, please contact the WVFACT Office at 304-384-5189 or email wvfact@concord.edu.