Foster Parents and Relative Caregivers

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Foster Parent and Relative Caregiver Training

​​​​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

Orientation​​​

Becoming a foster parent can be a life changing experience. To become a certified foster parent or relative caregiver, you must complete Orientation training. 

You have two options:

  • ​Attend Orientation training with a local DHS Child Welfare branch either in-person or via a live video-stream presentation: This option is highly encouraged to attend as it gives you the opportunity to meet a foster home certifier and other potential foster parents and ask questions in the moment. By attending Orientation with your local branch, you will not only learn about the required forms and assessment process, but you will also receive information about local processes and resources. To connect with a local child welfare branch, click here.

    Online Orientation is being offered due to COVID-19
  • ​Complete the Online Orientation: If you are unable to attend an in-person/live video stream Orientation in your local area you can complete the Online Orientation which includes a 5 part orientation video series, and additional video and form links. The Online Orientation will cover the required forms and assessment process but will not discuss local processes or local resources. The entire viewing of Online Orientation, videos and review of forms takes approximately 2 hours to complete. Once you have completed the Online Orientation, you will need to answer questions in the form of a Knowledge Check to confirm learning objectives were achieved.
 

If you have questions about Online Orientation please feel free to contact FosterFamily.Supports@dhsoha.state.or.us

Online Orientation has multiple steps:

  • ​View the online presentati​​on which has 5 separate parts (All 5 parts take approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to view)
 
​

Orientation Part I English: 6 min 30 sec 
Introduction to Foster Care

Orientation Part I Spanish: 7 min 45 sec
Introducción al Cuidado de Crianza​

Orientation Part II English: 13 min 47 sec
Becoming Certified

Orientation Part II Spanish: 12 min 35 sec
Obteniendo un Certificado

Orientation Part III English: 19 min 14 sec
DHS and Dependency Court System Overview

Orientation Part III Spanish: 21 min 04 sec
Una descripción general de el sistema de tribunales de dependencia de la corte y de DHS

Orientation Part IV English: 23 min 48 sec
The Foster Parents Role

Orientation Part IV Spanish: 24 min 17 sec
El Papel de los Padres de Crianza

Orientation Part V English: 10 min 23 sec
Other Things to Know

Orientation Part V Spanish: 19 min 40 sec
Otras cosas que debe saber​

In addition to the Online Orientation presentation, review the following video links and forms:   

Reasonable and Prudent Parenting English (13 min 25 sec)                            Reasonable and Prudent Parenting​ Spanish (13 min 25 sec)

Mandatory Reporting Video and Webpage English (for other languages, please use CC/Subtitles in desired language) (video: 29 min 25 sec)

Review and become familiar with the following bill of rights documents that impact children and young adults in foster care, and certified foster parents and relative caregivers:

​Foster Parent Bill of Rights English                            Foster Parent Bill of Rights​ Spanish

Foster Child Bill of Rights English                              ​ Foster Child Bill of Rights Spanish

  • ​​​​Complete a set of questions, called the Orientation Knowledge Check, regarding your review of the Online Orientation, additional videos and forms. There is not a certificate of completion for Online Orientation – the completed Orientation Knowledge Check will serve as your certificate of completion for Orientation. Each individual seeking to become certified must separately answer the questions (couples applying together must separately answer the set of questions and each submit their responses) and submit their Orientation Knowledge Check to the local branch office.

Online Orientation Knowledge Check English

Online Orientation Knowledge Check Spanish

• The set of questions consists of reflection information regarding the content viewed.

• Once completed, submit to a certifier from the local branch, or, if you have not applied to become a foster parent or adoptive parent yet, place your response to these questions with your application materials.

Next Steps:

Are you interested in learning more and possibly applying to become a foster parent? Check out our How to Become a Foster Parent page for additional information.  You may also reach out to your local child welfare office to speak with a staff member and receive information about the assessment process and upcoming preservice Foundations Training classes.

Foundations Training

Individuals who want to continue to learn more or have been initially certified must complete 24 hours of pre-service training, called Foundations training, within 12 months of certification. There are 8 sessions total.

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
How to register for the ​course​ - Spanish (PDF) ​

Registration occurs in iLearnOregon. At https://ilearn.oregon.gov 


Ongoing Training

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.