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Certification Training for Resource and Adoptive Families

Resource and Adoptive Family Training (RAFT)

RAFT is the foster care certification training curriculum for Resource Parents, Relative Resource Parents, pre-adoptive parents and guardians.

RAFT is not required for Relative Resource Parents. However, we encourage them to take RAFT to learn more about caring for a child in foster care and to improve their skills.

Getting started

  1. Create a Workday Learning account to register for required training and track your learning.
  2. Complete prerequisite trainings before your first RAFT session.
  3. Register and complete RAFT within 12 months of becoming certified.
Learn how RAFT educates and empowers Course catalog

Prerequisites

Before you take RAFT training, you need to complete the following prerequisites.

There are two versions of the orientation, depending on whether you will be caring for a relative or not. ​

If you are not related to the child you will be caring for:

Take the 5-part Orientation for Non-Relatives

If you are related to the child you will​ be caring for:

Take the 4-part Orientation for Relatives

We define a “relative" as someone connected to a child or young adult by blood, adoption, marriage, tribal or refugee custom, or through a significant prior emotional relationship, even if the legal tie has been dissolved. This includes:

  • Extended family (grandparents, aunts, cousins)
  • Step-parents and domestic partners
  • Others recognized by the child, family or cultural tradition

All Resource and Relative Resource Parents certified by ODHS Child Welfare are Mandatory Reporters of​ child abuse. Learn about the requirements of mandatory reporters in recognizing and​ understanding signs of child abuse, when and how to report abuse, and information to share when reporting abuse.

Mandatory reporting training

Resource Parents should understand safe sleep practices to help prevent sleep-related injuries and deaths among infants in their care. Following these practices ensures babies have a safe, nurturing environment that supports their healthy development and well-being.

Safe Sleep​ training

We also highly recommend you watch these videos before participating in RAFT:

Child Welfare system overview
Expanding your parenting paradigmor   Expanding your kinship parenting paradigm

Register for RAFT

Register for a statewide RAFT series using Workday Learning:

Session information and materials

RAFT is a 27-hour curriculum that takes place over nine, 3-hour sessions. Training includes videos, podcasts and facilitated slide presentations.

RAFT Participant Guide

Media ​P​​​​​lay​​​list

Resou​rces

Theme 1 - Introd​​uction to​​​ Child Welfare

Theme 2 - Introduct​ion to ICWA/ORICWA

Media ​P​​​​​lay​​​list

Resou​rces

Theme 1 - Child Development

Theme 2 - Attachment

Media ​P​​​​​lay​​​list

Resou​rces

Theme 1 - Trauma-Informed Parenting

Theme 2 - Maintaining Children's Connections to Siblings, Extended Family and Their Community

Media ​P​​​​​lay​​​list

Resou​rces

Theme 1 - Foster Care: A Means to Support Families

Theme 2 - Cultural Humility