The Foster/Kinship Care Education & Independent Living Programs at Rio Hondo College provides quality education, support services, and resources to:
- Foster/Resource Parents & Caregivers of children/youth in out-of-home care
- Current and former foster youth
- Social Workers, Educators, Attorneys, and the Community
Through the following programs:
- Foster/Kinship Care Education (FKCE)
- Youth Empowerment Strategies for Success-Independent Living Program (YESS-ILP)
What is FKCE?
The Foster/Kinship Care Education (FKCE) Program is a statewide program funded through the California Community College Chancellors Office, providing a variety of training programs for Foster/Resource Parents (parent education), and specialized training for relative caregivers. A wide range of class topics are offered in order to meet the educational, emotional, behavioral, and developmental needs of children and youth in out-of-home care.
PRE-SERVICE TRAINING
Pre-Service training consist of 16 hours which is for first time Certification ONLY. Pre-Service hours cannot be used for renewal of in-service hours. Training is available in English and Spanish and throughout the year. This training is mandatory for Foster/Resource Parents, Kinship (Relative) Caregivers, or Adoptive Parents who are or wish to care for children/youth with the following special needs:
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- D-RATE – Emotional/Behavioral difficulties
- F-RATE – Medically Fragile
- W-RATE – Whole Foster Family Home (caring for pregnant or parenting youth)
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B, D, F, W-RATE IN-SERVICE (RENEWAL) CLASSES
English and Spanish offerings are offered on an ongoing basis throughout the year. These classes must be completed yearly by the foster/resource parent or caregiver in order to keep certification current. The number of required yearly hours varies on Rate. Currently the yearly renewal hours for B-Rate (Basic) and F-Rate (Medically Fragile) are 12 hours, 18 hours for D-Rate (Emotional/Behavioral Difficulties) and 4 hours for W-Rate (Whole Foster Family Home).
KINSHIP EDUCATION & ORIENTATION
Kinship classes and orientations are offered to support and meet the specific needs of relative care providers (grandparents, aunts/uncles, cousins, siblings, or extended family members, etc.) with their involvement with child protective services.
*ALL CLASSES are FREE and open to the public *
*CLASS/TRAINING TOPICS, PRESENTERS, AND DATES MAY CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE*
