Foster parents and relative caregivers in Oregon are required to complete training to fulfill certification and renewal requirements.
- Training is provided at no cost to foster parents/relative caregivers.
- Courses are offered throughout the state and can be taken in any county that meets foster parent/relative caregiver needs.
- Each certified adult in a foster parent or relative caregiver home is required to have 30 hours of training during each two year certification period. Review Training Requirements for renewal.
Learn more
Becoming a foster parent can be a life changing experience. Before you apply, please explore the following information to prepare yourself and your family
Foundations Training
Individuals wishing to become foster parents are required to complete 24 training hours of pre-service training, called Foundations. Foundations is offered in various in-person classroom sessions. Please contact the training coordinator to find out the dates and times Foundations courses are being offered.
Topics include:
- The importance of birth families
- Child Development and the impact of abuse
- Behavior management
- How to apply effective child rearing practices
- Discipline vs punishment
- Understanding the effects of abuse, neglect and trauma on children
- Valuing the child’s heritage
Ongoing Training
The Department of Human Services (DHS) partners with Portland State University (PSU) to provide ongoing training for foster, relative and adoption providers. Training is available in a variety of settings including seminars and workshops, conferences, on-line sessions, webinars and traditional classroom settings. Some trainers are also available to provide specific and targeted training to smaller groups by request.
- Contact a training coordinator to find out the course offerings for a specific county.
- More training is offered on the PSU Child Welfare Partnership website
- Foster Parent College - Interactive training courses for foster and adoptive parents and relative caregivers.
- Adoption.com - adoption.com offers foster parent training and education including books, newsletters, articles and on-line training.
- Child Trauma Academy (CTA) - CTA works to improve the lives of high-risk children through direct service, research and education.
- Foster Care and Adoptive Community - FCAC Online Training offers hundreds of courses (some interactive) with new topics added continuously. Certificates are immediately generated with the passing of a course test and are either emailed or downloaded directly. Certificates contain your name, course title, hours credited, and date.
- FosterClub Online Training - FosterClub is a national network for young people in foster care. It provides young people in foster care an opportunity to connect and gain support from their peers. The non-profit organization also provides online training and resources for foster parents.
- Foster Parent Lending Library - The Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) has a wonderful Lending Library that is free to be used by Oregon Foster, Relative, and Pre-Adoptive, Guardianship and Adoptive Parents.
- Foster Parent Orientation Manual - This manual gives practical information and guidance about DHS Child Welfare, ongoing training, medical care, travel, the role of the court, visitation plans and more.
- FosterParentTraining.com - Online training site for licensed foster parents.
- Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (OPARC) - Provides services for Oregon DHS adoptive and assisted guardianship families. Services included information, assistance, referral, in-depth consultation, advocacy and support, parent education and training.