Resources and Support Groups for Grandparents and Other Relatives Raising Children

Murphys/Arnold Region

Valley Springs/San Andreas/West Point Region

Angels Camp/Copperopolis Region

FosterTIP is a stipend program for Foster Parents and Kinship Providers.

FosterTIP Information

We invite you to join our new online community where we will be learning and teaching alongside of you.  We look forward to discussing topics related to kids’ and parents’ well-being facilitated by guest speakers with versatile specialties; sharing ideas of how to cope with challenges; and, most importantly, fostering new social connections while getting to know you.

Check below for upcoming trainings.

California Early Childhood Online - This website hosts online training in the following areas:

• Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) (20 hrs.)
• CSEFEL (Center for Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning) Teaching Pyramid (3 hrs.)
• California Early Learning Foundations and Curriculum Framework (45 hrs.)       
• 3 R’s of Early Childhood Relationships, Resilience, Readiness (6 hrs.)
• Healthy and Active Preschoolers (10 hrs.)
• Implementing the Protective Factors Framework (14 hours)

You must register for this website and retain your password. Training is free and counts for professional development.

Children’s Trust Fund Alliance - This online Training and self-assessment focuses on family engagement and supporting parents. Each course includes required lessons with videos, an end-of-course quiz, portfolio assignments, an individual action plan assignment, and a certificate of course completion. The online training is free of charge and funded through the National Alliance of Children’s Trust and Prevention.

California Early Childhood Educator Competency Series (WestEd) is a self-paced, online, professional development tool from the California Department of Education to help early childhood educators learn about the Early Childhood Educator Competencies. The Series includes an introductory video and twelve 15- to 20-minute videos, one for each Competency Context. Through interviews and examples, each video guides the viewer through the professional knowledge, skills, and dispositions of the Early Childhood Educator Competencies.

Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns provides tools and best practices to help you work with families to monitor the development of every child in your care, share your concerns with families in a positive way, and help families get connected to services and support that can make a real difference.  The 1-hour training is FREE, available online, and is approved for continuing education credit.  Take the training today and help make a difference in the lives of all the children in your care!

Kaplan/Quorum Courses

The National Center for Quality Teaching and Learning, funded by the Office of Head Start, offers several online resources that can be used by participants to satisfy professional development requirements:

15-Minute In-Service Suites address effective teaching and assessment practices. Each of the 25 in-services consist of a short video and downloadable resources.

Teacher Time Webinars are 45-minute archived online discussions hosted by early childhood education experts on topics unique to the joys and challenges that teachers face every day.

The Front Porch Series consists of 45-minute live and archived broadcasts presented by well-known researchers and other leaders on research and implications for practical application.

WestEd’s Early Education Effective Exchange developed Professional Development to Go (PD2GO) packs (English and Spanish), a collection of professional development experiences designed in individual, easy-to-use 15-minute "packs" focusing on continuous quality improvement in early learning programs. The 15-minute packs are supported by a suite of comprehensive resources designed to extend learning, help participants "dig deeper" into the topic, and build their skill capacity. PD2GO packs are organized in three comprehensive learning strands: Systems Thinking, Evidence and Effectiveness, and Intentional Interactions in Teaching. They also are organized by themes: Family Engagement, Dual Language Learners, and Supporting Individualization. Each pack includes an animated Powerpoint presentation, Facilitator Guide, and Handouts. They were designed for use in small groups by center directors and family child care providers with their staff.

Early Childhood Investigations is an ongoing series of conference-quality free webinars for early childhood educators. The series is produced by Fran S. Simon, M.Ed., Chief Engagement Officer of Engagement Strategies, LLC.  These engaging webinars are presented by many of the thought-leaders and experts in the field of early care and education. The webinars explore critical topics that offer new ideas and insights to early childhood professionals, especially administrators. Please note: most webinars are scheduled on Eastern Time so adjust the start time!

California Preschool Instructional Network (CPIN) is brought to you by the California Department of Education, Early Education and Support Division in collaboration with the Center for Child and Family Studies at WestEd and the California County Superintendents Educational Services Association (CCSESA). CPIN provides high quality professional development for preschool administrators and teachers highlighting current research-based information, resources, and effective instructional practices which are focused on preparing children to flourish in early childhood and succeed in elementary school and beyond.

Second Step Early Learning Program

Help your littlest learners harness their potential by teaching them to listen, control their behavior, and get along with others. Students enter kindergarten set up for success with the self-regulation and social-emotional skills taught in the research-based Second Step Program. Due to the fact that Second Step Early Learning Program does not provide completion certifications you will need to complete a “Professional Development Summary Template”. 

California Early Childhood Online ( CECO)

Gee Whiz Education Great free activities and trainings

Business Practices in Family Child Care • 5 modules/7.5 hours total • Available in English and Spanish

Module 1: An Introduction to Best Business Practices in Family Child Care

Module 2: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 1–Program Planning) 2

Module 3: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 2–Liability) 2

Module 4: Family Child Care Business Plan (Part 3 Finances and Record Keeping) 2 hours

Module 5: Sustainability in Family Child Care 2

Pro Solutions Training – Numerous online trainings

High Scope – Online Training, curriculum planning and more

Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance System - Online trainings- focus on school age, after school and summer

Connect4Learning - Online trainings and preschool curriculum information

Achieve OnDemand - Online training and information – Home Visitor Specific

Child Care Aware -  Does not offer trainings, but has a lot of great information and resources

Conscious Discipline – FREE online trainings for 60 days (during “shelter in place”) – lots of great resources and trainings

Teaching For Change - free anti-bias and diversity curriculum and articles

Teaching Tolerance - This is a great FREE online resource that has anti-bias frameworks, curriculum, articles, magazines and SO much more.

The EarlyEdU Alliance® transforms early childhood teacher preparation by closing the opportunity gap through a collaboration of early childhood experts and stakeholders working to provide high-quality college degree programs that are accessible, affordable, relevant, and effective for current and prospective early learning professionals.

For a short time, the EarlyEdU Media Library is accessible to all! Follow this link to register for an account.

Center for Optimal Brain Integration trains, coaches and consults on trauma-responsive practices and strategies.

Classroom Accommodations for Kids with Sensory Issues

AB 1207 - CALIFORNIA CHILD CARE PROVIDERS: MANDATED REPORTER TRAINING

Neurosequential Network COVID-19 Stress, Distress, & Trauma Video Series by Dr. Bruce Perry

The California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division (CDE/ELCD) offers the Dual Language Learners Professional Development Program (DLL-PD).