Module 6: Working As A Professional Team Member

The purpose of this module is to provide foster parents with an understanding of the professional team in working on behalf of children and families. The three sessions include information and skill development related to teamwork, the tasks of foster parents as professional team members, and conflict management.

Course Duration 9 hours
Course Delivery Self-Directed, Online
Course Provider Governors State University, Chicago IL
Course Type Self-Directed, Online

Session One defines a professional team and teamwork and identifies the skills required by members of the family foster care team. . Information is provided on the steps of, and essential principles for, effective decision making and an overview of permanency ‘goals is presented in relation to decision-making criteria. Participants learn how to utilize their role and expertise in the service planning and administrative case review process.

After discussing the meaning of "professionalism" in family foster care, Session Two focuses on the many responsibilities attached to being a professional. These include advocating for children; maintaining confidentiality; accessing the service appeal system when necessary; helping children document their history; and pursuing one's own professional development.

The activities in Session Three are designed to provide foster parents with an understanding of the function of conflict within the team and their personal style in dealing with conflict, and to assist them in developing conflict management skills. In addition to identifying their own style of conflict management, participants learn the skills used in collaboration and apply these skills to a conflict situation. 

Course Details

Course Type: Self-Directed, Online
Duration: 9 hours
P.R.I.D.E. Levels of Pay: All Levels
Recertification Required:
Provided by: Governors State University, Chicago IL
Training Type: CORE 1

Upcoming Events: Module 6: Working As A Professional Team Member

No upcoming course events at this time.

Related Courses

Module 1: The Foundation for Meeting the Developmental Needs of Children at Risk

The knowledge and skills developed during the four sessions of this module are critical to successfully fulfilling the foster parent role. The foundation competencies addressed pertain to assessing and building children's self-esteem, understanding behavior, and developing effective interpersonal skills. These sessions are designed to illustrate how to connect one's understanding of self-esteem and the meaning of behavior to the use of effective communication skills and the disciplinary process.

Module 8: Promoting Permanency Outcomes

The intent of the four sessions in this module is to provide participants with a foundation for understanding permanency planning practice and to assist them in helping children and families achieve the desired permanency outcomes.

Module 2: Using Discipline To Protect, Nurture And Meet Developmental Needs

The purpose of Module 2 is to increase the participants’ understanding of the importance of discipline in meeting developmental needs and to provide some concrete techniques and skills they can use to manage behavior effectively. Building on the concepts presented and skills developed in Module 1, the three sessions in this module focus on proactive and reactive approaches to using discipline to protect, nurture and advance children's development.

Module 6: Working As A Professional Team Member

The purpose of this module is to provide foster parents with an understanding of the professional team in working on behalf of children and families. The three sessions include information and skill development related to teamwork, the tasks of foster parents as professional team members, and conflict management.