Available Resources

Siblings Unite at Camp to Belong (pdf)

The PRIDE Curriculum

Casey is preparing to implement the Parent Resources for Information, Development and Education [PRIDE] curriculum, which actually is more of a program for foster parents than just a curriculum. Working with Joanne Matthews from the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), Casey's goal is to implement PRIDE agency wide, with an emphasis on maintaining consistency, early in 2001.

PRIDE is extremely comprehensive and detailed. The program was designed and implemented with input from foster parents, and the curriculum is delivered with foster parents serving as co-leaders with staff. The home study process is designed to be a "mutual assessment." The final decision, however, remains with Casey staff.

Divided in two major components, the Pre-Service Training, consisting of nine sessions, equaling 27 hours, is the most concrete, and is aimed at new foster parents. The Core (In-Service) Training consists of 84 hours, presented in 11 modules. It should be noted that a module may be presented across more than one session.

Some very positive aspects of the program are that it is competency-based, focusing on strengths; it maintains consistent trainers; the ideal training team is composed of a trainer, an "assessment person," a foster parent and a social worker whose area of expertise is the topic being presented; and the training needs to connect with recruitment campaigns, rather than existing in isolation.

The "Train the Trainer" segment consists of two three-day sessions, covering the Pre-Service material. Each group can expect to have between 16 and 24 participants. These sessions will be held at the Massachusetts Division on September 16-18 and November 6-8. Next steps include the formation of a Pre-Service/Mutual Assessment Workgroup. Decisions regarding how to modify PRIDE to meet Casey's needs, and how to adjust the program for staff and for existing/experienced foster parents still need to be made. Protocols around foster parent reimbursement are yet to be developed.