Workshops

Beauty From Ashes

Beauty From Ashes is a faith-based, trauma-informed workshop that helps caregivers and parents heal, grow, and reconnect through patience, creativity, and spiritual reflection. Participants will explore how grace, faith, and emotional regulation can foster renewal in both caregiving and personal growth.

Presented by Staycee Dixson.

Cultivating Health Rhythms: Rest, Renewal, and Thriving Souls

This journey can leave us feeling depleted and spent. This session offers practical, simple, and implementable practices to help you establish healthy rhythms and care for your own well-being, so you can continue showing up with strength for the children, families, and communities you serve.

Presented by Jason Johnson.

For the Fathers

You are pouring yourself out to love and lead your family through the foster care or adoption journey. It’s meaningful, but also exhausting. You’re not alone.

This workshop is designed for men—husbands and dads—walking a similar path, offering encouragement in the gospel, inspiration in your calling, and practical steps to move forward in a healthy, sustainable way.

Presented by Jason Johnson.

From Meltdowns to Moments of Connection

Children in survival mode cannot regulate on their own—they need a calm adult to help guide them back. This workshop introduces the science of co-regulation and equips participants with simple somatic tools to support children through meltdowns, anxiety, and big emotions, turning challenging moments into opportunities for connection and growth.

Presented by Abbie Kaufmann.

Guarding the Bond

A child’s connection to their story and biological family matters, whether they reunify or are adopted. This session provides practical tools to protect attachment, reduce loyalty conflict, and create emotional safety throughout the case journey.

Presented by Amanda Chilton, Foster Parent.

Improving Connection Through Communication – TBRI®

Do you feel like you’re talking to a wall when trying to get their attention, or getting attitude, eye rolls, or blank stares in response? Join this interactive session for a lighthearted experience that will lift your mood while offering practical strategies you can use in everyday interactions.

Presented by Heather Saak, BA and Robert Saak, BS/BS.

Managing Emotional Mayhem: Practical Skills for Processing Emotions

Managing emotional mayhem involves expressing and regulating emotions in healthy ways. Because God created us with emotions, Scripture speaks extensively on this topic. Join us as we explore practical, Bible-based approaches to managing emotional mayhem.

Presented by Kelly Wright.

Money Strategies for Foster Parents

This workshop equips foster parents with practical financial skills, covering budgeting, risk management, emergency savings, home buying, retirement planning, estate planning, and saving for major life goals. The session includes interactive learning and concludes with a Q&A.

Presented by John B Walter, CPA, Financial Advisor and Stephen Hoell, Financial Advisor

Pathways to Permanency

This workshop equips care providers and advocates with trauma-informed strategies to recognize and respond to communication challenges. Through case studies and practical examples, participants will learn to identify potential speech and language concerns and apply strengths-based approaches to support children effectively.

Presented by Amanda Langley, Adoption Specialist.

Restoring Wonder Through Care

This workshop helps foster, adoptive, and kinship parents navigate the healthcare system to ensure children receive the physical and behavioral health services they need. Using trauma-informed strategies and real-world examples, participants will learn how Show Me Healthy Kids (SMHK) supports families and gain practical tools to build confidence and clarity in caring for children who have experienced trauma.

Presented by Chris Hoover BSN, RN, CCM.

Strength for the Journey

Caring for vulnerable children is sacred but can also be exhausting and isolating. This session helps foster families and professionals reconnect with their strengths and God-given design through a coaching-based approach that builds resilience, self-awareness, and renewed purpose.

Presented by Jeff Bryant.

The Power of Your Words

Everyday interactions can either build connection or reinforce distance, especially for children impacted by foster care and trauma. This session explores simple, intentional language shifts that foster attachment, build trust, guide behavior, and encourage play—showing how meaningful change can begin with the words we use.

Presented by Kari Nietzel BCBA.

Trauma-Informed Language and Communication Support

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