Georgia Center for Resources and Support

Virtual Regional Training: Helping Your Teen Thrive During Difficult Times
2021-10-05 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Indiana/Indianapolis) | Region 9, GA, United States
Having a strong relationship with your teen often has the greatest impact on the development of resilience during difficult times. This training will offer practical advice on how to support your teen during difficult times.

Webinar: Talking with Your Teen
2021-10-06 19:00 - 20:30 | https://gacrs.org/courses/webinar-talking-with-your-teen/
It’s hard enough being a teen and even harder being a parent of a teen.
Join us in a conversation with other parents to learn how a teen communicate in today’s world.

The I statement
Doing With
It’s a Family Affair
Being a Thinker

Virtual Regional Training: Building Resiliency in Children
2021-10-07 19:00 - 20:30 | Region 5, GA, United States
Resilience is the ability to recover from difficulties and children more than ever, need to develop resilience in today’s world. This session will cover the seven character traits that develop resistance and how you can best nurture it.
Make sure to complete your Post Test by clicking on the link below, Prior to attending the training.

Webinar: Primer on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents
2021-10-12 12:00 - 13:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/psychotropic-medications/
Primer on Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents is a 60 minute virtual presentation for families with the following learning objectives:

Discuss the common mental health conditions that are treated with psychotropic medications
Learn about the five categories of psychotropic medications
Review common types of psychotropic medications prescribed for children and teens and associated side effects
Share tips and strategies on how to best collaborate with doctors to maximize positive outcomes

Presented by: Rita Young, BBA Marketing
All Participants should have their own GACRS.org account and RSVP separately.

Virtual Regional Training: Caring for the Home and Parenting Work Life Balance
2021-10-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Region 6, GA, United States
October is National Work and Family Month.
We will discuss work life balance as it pertains to being adoptive, foster parents and caregivers in general. Resiliency is the key to balance your life work. We will cover: full time job & parenting, caring for the home & parenting, self-care/me time, appointments/meetings & services and do over days and times.
Please Join Us!
Presented by:
Teresa Wright-Johnson
Founder Zaria’s Song and The Younger Years and Beyond
Certified Mental Health Trainer And Facilitator
All Participants should have their own GACRS.org account and RSVP and complete their pre test’s separately.
Make sure to complete your Pre Test by clicking on the link below, Prior to attending the training.

Virtual Regional Training: How to Create Resiliency After Trauma
2021-10-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Region 8, GA, United States
Training will discuss the follow topics:

How Trauma effects a child ( mentally, physically, and educational
Tips on how to helping your children in their environment
Tips on being an advocate for your child

Presented by:
Essie Sims
M.Ed/Instructor
All Participants should have their own GACRS.org account and RSVP and complete their pre test’s separately.
Make sure to complete your Pre Test by clicking on the link below, Prior to attending the training.

Café Chats- A Virtual Parent to Parent, Adoption Support Group
2021-10-21 12:00 - 13:00 | https://zoom.us/j/97281781855
Join GACRS for a monthly virtual adoption support group- Café Chats. This event is for adoptive families who share one thing, the journey of adoption. And while adoption is rewarding it also has challenges. GACRS wants to provide a virtual platform for you to exchange information and learn from one another. It’s also your opportunity to share your experiences, what’s in your heart, the challenges, and the success of parenting an adopted child or children. Please see the event calendar for specific dates of each Café Chat- An Adoption Support Event.
* This is not a training and will not provide training hours

GEORGIA ADOPTION REUNION REGISTRY SUPPORT GROUP
2021-10-21 18:15 - 20:15
Reunions can be complex and overwhelming. Join us for support and help in
coping with: expectations vs. realities, hopes, fears, disappointments, and other
reunion issues. This group is for ANYONE involved in, or affected by, adoption
reunion including: adopted persons, birth parents, birth siblings, adoptive
parents, adoptive siblings, and spouses. This is an adult group. Persons 18 years
of age and older are welcome!
NOTE: All Meetings will be held virtually using a secure and confidential online meeting
platform. If you would like to attend, please contact Kristin Andrews at 404-657-3555 or
kristin.andrews@familiesfirst.org to be placed on our Support Group Email Invite List.
For more information, please contact the Georgia Adoption Reunion Registry:
Dana Brown, LCSW 404-657-3560
Stacy Meadows, LMSW 404-657-3587
Kristin Andrews 404-657-3555

Virtual Regional Training: Grief and Loss
2021-11-02 19:00 - 20:30 | Region 2, Atlanta, GA, United States
Grief is a deep sadness following a death or a loss. How can you as parents best support a child through this difficult and challenging time? This session will cover how children grieve differently than adults and the basic tasks of mourning.
Presented by:
Lynne Watts, Ed.S
All Participants should have their own GACRS.org account and complete their pre test’s separately.
Make sure to complete your Pre Test by clicking on the link below, Prior to attending the training.

Webinar: Autism Socialization
2021-11-04 12:00 - 13:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/webinar-autism-socialization/
Children who are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Asperger’s, or neuroatypicality often struggle with developmental tasks. Some common challenges include socialization, communication, emotional IQ, and self-calming. Discover supportive techniques to help children become socially competent. Explore Developmentally Appropriate Parenting strategies to teach children the skills and insights that support effective socialization.
Presented by:
Dr. Darleen Claire Wodzenski, MS ESE, MA CMHC, QPPE, PhD, LPC, NCC
All Participants should have their own GACRS.org account and RSVP separately.

Virtual Regional Training: Parenting for the Future
2021-11-09 19:00 - 20:30 | Region 13, GA, United States
What could be more appropriate for November Adoption Month than to have a training on Parenting for the Future: Adoption is forever and you have a short time frame to prepare kids for a challenging and ever-changing future. How do you parent so kids are self-confident, motivated, and ready for the real world? Learn how to parent using healthy strategies without resorting to threats, nagging or exhausting power struggles.

7th Annual November Adoption Event
2021-11-13 10:00 - 13:00 | https://www.eventbrite.com/e/november-adoption-event-2021-tickets-167883127955
Join the Georgia Center for Resources and Support for a Virtual Adoption Celebration. Fun, Games and Prizes are to be Had! So put on your Dancing Shoes and Join us on our Virtual Celebration! We Look Forward to Seeing you There!

Virtual Regional Training: Building Resilience in Your Children
2021-11-16 19:00 - 20:15 | https://gacrs.org/courses/virtual-regional-training-building-resilience-in-your-children/
All Participants should create separate accounts and RSVP separately.
Times have changed in ways that no one expected. Everyone has experienced loss and frustration. Anxiety is at an all-time high. How do you maintain calm in such an uncertain world? How do you parent children who don’t understand the changes? Join us for Calming Strategies for Leading during Uncertain Times. Session includes the creation of a family mission statement.
Presented by:
Lynne Watts, Ed.S.
Click on the Pre/Post Test button below to complete pre test prior to the training.

Café Chats: A Virtual Parent to Parent Support Event
2021-11-18 19:00 - 20:00 | https://zoom.us/j/99842323534

Virtual Regional Training: Resilience While in Crisis
2021-11-22 18:00 - 19:00 | Region 8, GA, United States
*All Participants should RSVP and complete the Pre test separately, prior to the training beginning.
Training will discuss the follow topics:
*Crisis through the eyes of a child
*Coping during a Crisis
*what Resilience looks like in a crisis
Presented by:
Katrisha Williams
DPH, Adolescent Health
BA, MPH

Real Talk on Holiday Blues
2021-11-30 19:00 - 19:45 | https://gacrs.org/courses/real-talk-about-holiday-blues/
GACRS is offering a Monthly Virtual Adoption Support Group featuring a New Topic each month presented by a trained adoption clinician.
Join Chena Blanchard in conversation about Holiday Blues and Stress for the first REAL TALK conversation. Experience sponsored by GACRS.
The Holidays can be hard for everyone so be ready to share, listen and learn.

Virtual Regional Training: Creative Parenting
2021-12-02 18:15 - 19:45 | Region 1, Atlanta, GA, United States
*All participants Should RSVP and complete the Pre test Separately prior to the training beginning
Organizing family around challenging behaviors to create a lever for change. Let us help you fill your toolbox with creative parenting skills to help your child grow to become resilient and responsive by becoming aware of what is not working and why? Creative parenting is about becoming unstuck when your parenting strategies do not seem effective.
Presented by: Tawanda Scales, LMFT

Virtual Regional Training: Helping Your Child Cope with Grief and Loss During the Holiday Season
2021-12-06 12:00 - 13:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/virtual-regional-training-helping-your-child-cope-with-grief-and-loss-during-the-holiday-season/
*All Participants must RSVP Separately and take the pre test prior to the training.
This virtual training is designed to provide participants information on understanding grief and loss as it pertains to foster and adoptive children. Participants will be provided information on understanding grief and will be given information on how to support their children.
Presented by: Tiffany Luke, LPC

Webinar: Parenting for the Future
2021-12-07 19:00 - 20:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/webinar-parenting-for-the-future/
All Participants Should have their own Account and Enroll Separately
You have a short time frame to prepare kids for a challenging and ever-changing future. How do you parent so kids are self-confident, motivated, and ready for the real world? Learn how to parent with healthy control without resorting to threats, nagging or exhausting power struggles.
There is No Pre Test For this training.

Virtual Regional Training: Grief and Loss
2021-12-08 19:00 - 20:30 | Region 13, GA, United States
All Participants should RSVP separately and complete the Pre and Post test separately.
Grief is a deep sadness following a death or loss. How can you as parents best support a child through this difficult and challenging time? This Session will cover how children grieve differently than adults and the basic tasks of mourning.
Please Join Us!!
Presented by: Lynne Watts, Ed.S.

Café Chats: A Virtual Parent to Parent Support Group
2021-12-14 12:00 - 13:00 | https://zoom.us/j/91777103524
Join GACRS for a monthly virtual adoption support group- Café Chats. This event is for adoptive families who share one thing, the journey of adoption. And while adoption is rewarding it also has challenges. GACRS wants to provide a virtual platform for you to exchange information and learn from one another. It’s also your opportunity to share your experiences, what’s in your heart, the challenges, and the success of parenting an adopted child or children. Please see the event calendar for specific dates of each Café Chat- An Adoption Support Event.
*NEW* Certificates Now Available for Cafe Chats!!!

Webinar: Who Do You Think You Are Talking To?
2021-12-14 19:00 - 20:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/webinar-who-do-you-think-youre-talking-to/
All Participants Should create their own accounts and RSVP separately.
Having Age and Developmentally Appropriate Conversations With Your Kids, discusses communication techniques with children to improve behaviors across domains.
There is no Pre Test for this webinar.

Virtual Regional Training: Tips To Keep Learning on Track During The School Break
2021-12-16 17:30 - 18:30 | Region 8, GA, United States
*All Participants Should RSVP Separately by clicking “Going”
Training will discuss the follow topics:

Learning—focused activities
Hands on Learning
Improving reading comprehension

Presented by:
Essie Sims
M.Ed/Instructor
Make sure to complete your Pre Test Prior to the training beginning.

REAL TALK on Traditions
2021-12-16 19:00 - 19:45 | https://gacrs.org/courses/real-talk-about-traditions/
GACRS is offering a Monthly Virtual Adoption Support Group featuring a New Topic each month presented by a trained adoption clinician.
Join Chena Blanchard in conversation about Traditions.

What are your traditions?
What Traditions did your child have before they came to you?
How Can we create New traditions?

Let’s open up with each other and take a look how different Families experience the Holidays
Real Talk is a non-therapeutic conversational experience about issues relevant to adoptive families. It is not presented as a time of therapy; it is for informational purposes only.

Virtual Regional Training: One Family Voice
2022-01-11 17:30 - 18:45 | Region 14, GA, United States
All Participants should RSVP separately. Please complete the Pre Test Prior to the Training

Improving the lives of Family, children and adolescents experiencing mental health conditions can be accomplished through advocacy at all government levels and assisted by community involvement. Legislators are often unaware of children’s mental health issues and what families really experience. Learning how to share you and your child’s lived experience can make a major difference in the direction of change for children’s mental health policy. Participants will gain an understanding of Advocacy, the 7 steps to tell your story, organizations that advocate, and gain knowledge on how to search for legislators.
https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/June-2020/What-Does-It-Mean-to-Be-a-Mental-Health-Advocate
Dr. Lakliesha Izzard,
Ed.D, LPC, NCC,ACS
Shekinah Counseling
Author, Professor

Virtual Regional Training: Reactive Attachment Disorder and the Challenges
2022-01-13 19:00 - 20:30 | Region 3, Altanta, GA, United States
*All Participants Must RSVP Separately
Learn more about the challenges that come when a child has not been able to securely bond with a caregiver. Join us to hear Ms. Houze speak from her own experience and provide some education on supports for these families struggling to connect and build a healthy bond.
Presented by:
Heather Houze, COO, RAD Advocates

Webinar: Supporting Children and Teens Facing Grief
2022-01-18 19:00 - 20:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/webinar-supporting-children-and-teens-facing-grief/
*All Participants should RSVP separately
Whether you are a foster or adoptive family, the children in your care face grief. Grief is a natural reaction to loss. Children and teens’ grief looks different from that of adults and as adults you may not recognize grief reactions in your children. You may feel at a loss on how best to support your children. Join us to learn about developmental reactions to loss, what affects a child’s reaction to loss, and how you can support the children in your care. We will also discuss the unique challenges faced by foster and adoptive families when coping with grief. Kate’s Club has been supporting grieving children since 2003 and believes that no child should grieve alone.
Presented by:
Liz Carson
Program and Outreach Manager
Bio
Liz Carson has been with Kate’s Club for over seven years. As the Program and Outreach Manager, Liz manages community and school-based programming including professional trainings, grief education for children, grief education for parents and caregivers, support groups for students, and crisis response. Liz is trained in QPR suicide prevention and Youth Mental Health First Aid and has worked with the National Alliance for Children’s Grief to create a committee for school-based grief programming and resources for schools to better support bereaved students. She has a BS in Anthropology from Emory University and is currently in the process of obtaining her Master of Social Work degree from Florida State University.

Virtual Regional Training: Helping Your Child Heal
2022-01-19 18:30 - 19:30 | Region 10, GA, United States
Training will discuss the follow topics:
*Understanding trauma and the impact on development
*Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences
*Identifying triggers
*Learning strategies to counteract the effects through
utilizing resiliency factors
Presented by:
LaTanya Keaton, LPC
Mental Health Therapist

Cafe Chats: A Virtual Parent to Parent Support Group
2022-01-20 19:00 - 20:00 | https://gacrs.org/courses/cafe-chats-a-virtual-parent-to-parent-support-group/
Join GACRS for a monthly virtual adoption support group- Café Chats. This event is for adoptive families who share one thing, the journey of adoption. And while adoption is rewarding it also has challenges. GACRS wants to provide a virtual platform for you to exchange information and learn from one another. It’s also your opportunity to share your experiences, what’s in your heart, the challenges, and the success of parenting an adopted child or children. Please see the event calendar for specific dates of each Café Chat- An Adoption Support Event.

Virtual Regional Training: Understanding Post Traumatic Disorder
2022-01-24 12:00 - 13:00 | Region 7, GA, United States
*All Participants should RSVP Separately and complete the Pre Test Prior to attending the training.
This virtual training is designed to provide participants information on Post Traumatic Disorder (PTSD). This training will provide participants information on what PTSD is, how to recognize it in children, and treatment options.
