Sharon is one of the best trainers I use. She can break complex topics down so that they are understandable to my foster families, but also detailed enough that my clinical and licensing staff also benefit. She is approachable and makes being an active participant non-threatening. - LF, Adult & Child Therapeutic Foster Care
Sharon is one of the best trainers I use. She can break complex topics down so that they are understandable to my foster families, but also detailed enough that my clinical and licensing staff also benefit. She is approachable and makes being an active participant non-threatening. - LF, Adult & Child Therapeutic Foster Care
3 SKILLS CHILDREN NEED TO OVERCOME TRAUMA
And become confident, independent, successful adults
Ability to self-regulate their emotions
The ability to manage emotions and modify behaviors is very difficult for a child who has suffered trauma, BUT it is not impossible. With the right support, children who have suffered trauma can learn the skills to
self-regulate.
Ability to develop healthy relationships
Children in foster care or who have been adopted often have not observed positive relationships in their early lives. They need to be taught social skills such as cooperation, feeling empathy, and resolving conflicts, to name a few.
Ability to do well in school
Children who have suffered trauma can have developmental delays and trauma-related behaviors, causing increased removal from class learning time. But there are ways to increase the support our children receive in school, improving their performance .
THRIVE AT HOME . . .
by joining the NEW Trauma-Avoidant, Anti-Isolation Parenting
support program & earn state-approved training hours
FULL MEMBERSHIP
One-time fee of $300
-
6 Pre-Recorded Classes
- Worth 3 training hours each
-
Each class includes downloadable:
- Transcripts
- Slide presentations
- Checklists, worksheets and other resources
- Free updates as new information becomes available
-
BONUS resources
- Recommended books, toys, and games for children with trauma
- Become an affiliate and earn back the cost of your membership
-
Free Zoom Access to LIVE Masterclasses
- Worth 2 training hours each
- Chance to ask live questions and interact with presenters and other participants
- Will be offered once a quarter
-
Monthly Group Coaching
- Worth 1 training hour each month
- Private messaging with Sharon as needed
CLASSES ONLY
One-time fee of $150
-
6 Pre-Recorded Classes
- Worth 3 training hours each
-
Each class includes downloadable:
- Transcripts
- Slide presentations
- Checklists, worksheets and other resources
- Free updates as new information becomes available
-
BONUS resources
- Recommended books, toys, and games for children with trauma
- Become an affiliate and earn back the cost of your membership
-
Free Zoom Access to LIVE Masterclasses
- The masterclasses will be livestreamed into the Facebook group, but will not be worth training hours
-
Monthly Group Coaching
- Can still interact in the Facebook group and the group chat rooms
ONLY NEED OR ARE INTERESTED IN ONE OR TWO CLASSES?
You can buy the individual classes below for $30.
Each class is worth 3 state-approved training hours each.
Understanding the Effects of Trauma
In this class, I dive deep into how trauma affects the brain and how brain research can be used to overcome trauma in new and unique ways. I also discuss the importance of self-care when dealing with trauma.
Positive Behavior Supports
In this class, I discuss how to replace negative punishment with positive discipline using proven methods from Concious Discipline and the Search Institute. Then, as a bonus, I show you how to raise compassionate kids.
Improving Educational Outcomes
In this class, I examine the many different learning styles and supporting those learning styles at home. I also review the importance of nurturing positive, adult relationships in and out of school.
Developmental Disabilities
In this class, I delve into the many developmental disabilities and challenging behaviors that can co-exist with and/or mimic trauma. This class is jammed packed with outside resources for each disability.
Educational Rights of Children in Care
In this class, I share my educational law expertise to ensure your children are getting the best advantages they can to do well in school and graduate with a degree and be ready for college or a career.
Other Factors that Affect Trauma
In this class, I discuss three factors that affect trauma that are often ignored: Cultural Identity, Being LGBTQ+, and Intergenerational Trauma. I also give you tools to care for children who fall into these areas.
CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO FROM MY YOUTUBE CHANNEL
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW I HELP YOU RAISE SUCCESSFUL ADULTS
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is the Owner of the Trauma-Avoidant, Anti-Isolation Parenting Program?
Hello, I am Sharon Dunlevy!
I do this work because I believe every child should have the opportunity to grow into a healthy, successful adult with a strong, positive self-esteem.
I studied to be a special education teacher but started my career as a Children's Minister. After almost 20 years of serving in churches, I decided I wanted to serve more children and families, especially vulnerable children.
With my background in education, I was hired by a local licensing agency as an educational advocate for children in foster care and as a trainer for foster parents, all under a grant.
When that grant ended, I opened my own foster care training business. I offer individual training classes, as well as contract with licensing agencies. Recently, I was hired by the state of Ohio as a contract trainer on educational advocacy for children in foster care.
What is Trauma-Avoidant, Anti-Isolation Parenting?
A foster or adopted child affected by trauma will not respond to traditional discipline. In fact, traditional discipline methods, like time-outs, losing privileges and being grounded, can often trigger worse behavior by triggering a trauma response - Fight, Flight, or Freeze!!!
Trauma-avoidant, anti-isolation parenting teaches children with trauma to regulate their emotions and manage their behaviors by focusing on positive behavior supports and growth mindsets. Parents who use trauma-avoidant, anti-isolation parenting will see the children in their care grow in confidence and become more resilient.
What is an Educational Advocate?
As an educational advocate, I work with students and their schools to ensure that the students have the best chance of succeeding in their school career. This includes helping them receive special education services if needed, providing tutoring services, and teaching them the skills they need to transition to a college or career after leaving care. I even completed a Graduate-Level Certificate in Education Law from Indiana University to better serve my students, as the laws regarding children in care are constantly changing.
Why Do I Train Foster and Adoptive Parents?
As a trainer, I am able to bridge the gap between the world of education and the world of social work, offering unique courses that help foster parents advocate for their students in schools and provide trauma-informed care in their homes, without burning out! With a Masters in Art and a Doctorate in Family Studies, my classes qualifies for foster parent training hours in most states.
I also recognized that there are very few resources for families who adopt their children. People seem to assume that once a child is adopted, their trauma disappears, which we know is not true. So I decided to open my classes to adopted families as well.
Why Should I Pay for Membership?
First, if you are foster parent, you need training hours every year and being a member means you have anywhere from 18 to 28 training hours at your finger tips.
Second, if the children in your home are exhibiting trauma-related behaviors, you cannot change them on your own. My classes will teach you the skills you need to help them overcome their trauma.
If I won the lottery, I would offer my classes for free, but I haven't won yet, so I do need to charge for my time and effort I put into these classes. But, as these courses are currently not my primary source of income, I have kept the cost as low as I can.
What is Group Coaching and How Do I Attend?
The group coaching will be offered once a month on Zoom at a time agreed upon by all full members. If there are two times that work best for the members, there will be a choice of two times each month with members attending one or the other.
What is a Masterclass and How Do I Attend?
A Masterclass is a live, Zoom class that will focus on a specific topic. The difference in learning is that during a live class, the learners can participate in real time. The classes will be streamed into the main Facebook group but only full members will earn a training certificate.
What is the Affiliate Referral Program and How Does it Work?
As an affiliate, you will have a unique link that you can share with other foster and adoptive parents. For everyone who joins with your link, you will receive a 10% commission. You can refer as many friends and family members as you like and earn back the cost of your membership program!
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