Division to hold foster care training in Fallon Feb. 10, 16, 17

In rural Nevada, many teens and children need a safe, temporary living situation, so Nevada Division of Child and Family Services is looking for devoted families and individuals willing to share their heart and their home by becoming a licensed foster caregiver. Nevada DCFS will be holding foster care training 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 10, 16 and 17 at Banner Churchill Community Hospital, Lake and Tahoe rooms, 801 E. Williams Ave., in Fallon. Attendance for all three days is required for general foster or adoptive applicants.

The training is open to the public. Registration is required and space is limited. For information or to register for DCFS’s foster care training in Fallon or other rural communities in Nevada, call Lori Nichols, LSW, recruiter at DCFS, at 888-423-2659 or email lnichols@dcfs.nv.gov.

Foster and adoptive care needs arise when the safety and protection of a child is not met by their parents or caregiver. If relatives cannot be located for a child who needs out-of-home placement services, DCFS helps by arranging foster care placement. The removal of a child from his or her natural environment is taken only as a last resort, as part of the overall continuum of services provided by DCFS.

“Foster families provide a family life experience for a child removed from their own home,” Nichols said. “They help children heal and feel supported. Foster parents are a critical part of the child welfare team. They support children and birth families in preparation for reunification.”

DCFS uses the Parent Resource for Information, Development and Education curriculum, which is designed to educate and equip prospective foster caregivers to address the unique challenges they might face.