Pictured left to right are participants in this year’s Resource Parent Conference: Christine Monatague, Talbot County Department of Social Services, Option Respite Coordinator; Suzy Warrrington, resource parent; Rebecca Skinner, Foster Care Worker, Talbot County Department of Social Services, Nia Legrand-Perry and Mark Perry, resource parents; Carleen Mouly and Brad Mouly, resource parents; Paris Quillet, Special Projects Coordinator, Talbot County Department of Social Services; Audrey Hansen, resource parent; Sharon Caldwell, resource parent; Jeff Scharf and Jeanne Scharf, resource parents; George Wright, resource parent; Glenda Dawson, resource parent; Tyron Wilson and Emprin Wilson, resource parents; Kathy Jenkins, resource parent; and Tyvon Horsey, resource parent. Not pictured are Dan and Sue Zollinhofer, resource parents; and Meaghan Davis, resource parent.
The Mid Shore Departments of Social Services (DSS) sponsored a day-long conference at Chesapeake College designed to help resource (foster) parents with family centered practice, building on family strengths and expertise, and learning about understanding trauma and its impact on children in the Child Welfare System.
Starting off the day was keynote speaker, Dr. Kayla Liggett-Creel, a licensed clinical social worker with over 15 years of experience working with a multidisciplinary approach with children and families who have experienced trauma, present with developmental challenges, and live in high-risk environments. Dr. Liggett-Creel has experience as a clinician, foster and adoptive parent, mental health consultant, and academic.
Following Dr. Liggett-Creel, conference workshops were presented on attachment and trauma, digital media, children and mental health, infant, youth and adult CPR, suicide awareness, psychiatric medication, reunification, sensory issues and behaviors, substance exposed newborns, and preparing youth for successful adulthood.
May is Foster Parent Appreciation Month. For further information about becoming a foster parent, call Talbot County Department of Social Services at 410-820-7371.
Write a Letter to the Editor on this Article
We encourage readers to offer their point of view on this article by submitting the following form. Editing is sometimes necessary and is done at the discretion of the editorial staff.