According to our contract, Fiesta is required, once a year,
to offer a training on adoption issues to professionals around the state. This
year, we are collaborating with the NM Coalition of Sexual Assault Programs,
Inc., and Davis Innovations in Santa Fe, to bring Dr. Scott Modell from
Tennessee. (Some of you may remember Dr. Modell because he did a training for
CYFD foster families a year ago.) Dr. Modell’s focus during both workshops will
be to explain the vulnerability of kids who have disabilities or who are
otherwise compromised through past trauma, to be targets for abuse. We need to
be aware of the alarming statistics, but even more aware of what we can do to
stop it. This includes- the things we need to recognize as warning signs of
past sexual abuse, how to keep our families safe, especially if our child acts
out sexually, and what to do if you think that your child needs help. Another
factor is that we often teach our kids to be compliant with adults. How can we
teach our kids to be respectful without inadvertently teaching them to be
victims? This four-hour workshop is excellent for any professional that works
with kids- social workers, therapists, teachers, etc. and we offer free CEUs which
always makes us happy. The parent workshop is offered to TFC parents, CYFD
foster parents and all adoptive parents. Everything is free and if you need a
certificate of hours, just ask. Child care will be provided on Saturday on a
limited basis. RSVPs are appreciated.
p.s. If you already attended a training by Dr. Modell, he
tells us that this one will include enough new material to make it worthwhile.
There will also be plenty of discussion and we hope our Fiesta peeps will be
there to contribute.
