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91 Northwest Drive, Plainville, CT 06062
Tel: (860) 793-4401

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Virtual Class Forming for Individuals, Families, Interested in Foster Care

December 10, 2020

During this challenging time, especially, individuals and families are considering how to make a meaningful difference. For some, becoming a Wheeler foster parent might be one way to make a lasting contribution in the life of a child or youth.

Wheeler is offering a 10-week virtual course called TIPS-MAPP, Trauma-Informed Partnering for Safety and Permanence - Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting, to prepare prospective foster parents and families for the role of fostering a child or youth. Classes run on Monday evenings from February 1 through April 5, 2021 at 6 pm–8 pm.

"TIPS-MAPP is a journey where participants explore their values and personal connection to children. It's a place where people learn more about the foster care system in Connecticut and gain insight into the roles, challenges, and experiences of social workers, foster parents, and most importantly, the hundreds of children in Connecticut who need loving homes and families," said Sharon Pendleton-Ponzani, LCSW, director, Wheeler Community-based Family Services. "TIPS-MAPP participants explore loss, grief, and forms of attachment, as well as how foster and adoptive families can help a child to not only heal from abuse, neglect, trauma, and loss, but to grow and thrive."

TIPS-MAPP is delivered by Wheeler's dedicated team of specialists, social workers, and clinicians who work closely with foster families from the start and continue as supportive teammates throughout the fostering process.

TIPS-MAPP Course Schedule: (Classes run from 6-8 pm on Monday evenings). Pre-registration by January 25, 2021 is required by contacting Wheeler's Foster Care Specialists.
Virtual Training Topics:
• February 1, 2021: Welcome - About Our Program
• February 8, 2021: A Foster Care & Adoption Experience
• February 15, 2021: Losses & Gains
• February 22, 2021: Helping Children with Attachments
• March 1, 2021: Healthy Behaviors
• March 8, 2021: Helping Children with Birth Family
• March 15, 2021: Helping Children Leave Foster Care
• March 22, 2021: The Impact of Fostering & Adopting
• March 29, 2021: Perspectives in Fostering/Adoption
• April 5, 2021: Endings & Beginnings

The program is open to prospective parents from all walks of life. Participants can be married, single, or part of a domestic partnership. They can own or rent their homes. Parenting experience is a plus but not required.

To register for Wheeler's TIPS-MAPP course, contact Wheeler's Foster Care Specialists, Michelle Martins at 860.707.5068, or Allison Casinghino at 860.637.5586, or send an email to Fostercareprograms@wheelerclinic.org. Pre-registration and an application process are required, and the registration deadline is January 25, 2021.

Member News is provided as a service of the Midstate Chamber of Commerce and is also featured in the monthly "Chamber News" newsletter mailed to members.