Children in the child welfare system or those who have been adopted may have been exposed to drugs and alcohol before birth. These exposures can significantly impact a child’s development in utero and beyond. Research indicates that alcohol exposure has the most severe long-term consequences, often resulting in permanent brain injury and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Other substance exposures can also affect a child’s development and behavior.
One key concept for foster and adoptive parents to understand is that FASD is a permanent brain injury. Children with FASD may appear willfully disobedient or “naughty,” but these behaviors are often symptoms of a brain injury manifesting in behavioral ways. By reframing these behaviors through the lens of a brain injury, parents can foster greater patience and empathy, even during challenging times.
This training will also address other prenatal substance exposures and their effects on child development.
Goals of This Session:
Gain an understanding of FASD and the potential lifelong impacts on children’s social, emotional, and cognitive functioning associated with FASD and other parental substance use conditions.
Understand the impact of substance use on the developing brain, both in utero and throughout the child’s lifetime.
Identify effective parenting strategies for children who have been exposed to substances prenatally.
Develop an understanding of the genetic components of addiction and recognize addiction as a chronic disease.
All resource families are required to complete Mandated Reporter Training when becoming licensed and must renew this training every four years. Join us for this essential training and earn 2 hours towards recertification!
Mandated Reporters play a vital role in Maine’s child protection system, serving as an early warning network to identify suspected child abuse and neglect. By acting promptly, they help prevent serious and long-term harm to children. Professionals who frequently work with children are in the best position to recognize and report suspected abuse or neglect, and the law requires them to do so.
This training ensures that you, as a resource parent, are equipped with the knowledge to fulfill this critical responsibility.
Join Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine on Saturday, May 31st from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Williams for a Family and Community Fun Day in recognition of National Foster Care Month!
Enjoy games, music, activities, and more in a day filled with fun and connection for all ages.
Admission is FREE. Let’s come together to celebrate, support, and strengthen the incredible families in our community. Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship families RSVP here: https://forms.gle/VV22vRruUFVEnxaaA All other community attendees are welcome and subject to Fort Knox’s regular admission rates.
Lewiston / Auburn – F/A/K-Meets Tuesday, May 27th, 6:00-7:30 P.M. location SeniorsPlus 8 Falcon Rd, Lewiston. Childcare is provided with prior RSVP. The meeting is led by Deb Hallowell, AFFM Facilitator and Resource Parent. RSVP by calling Brigid at 207-827-2331 or email brigid@affm.net or clicking the below link:
Ellsworth – F/A/K- Meets Tuesday, May 20, 2025 from 5:30-7:30 P.M. at the United Baptist Church (28 Hancock Street). On-site childcare is provided with advance notice. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, email sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Mindy Kane, AFFM Kinship Navigator.
Training Topic: Trauma Informed Behavior Management
Presented by: Angie Dyer, Community Health and Counseling FHD
Trauma Informed Behavior Management is a behavioral management approach that recognizes the profound impact of trauma on a child’s behavior and emotions. This training will discuss the behaviors and emotions typically occurring in children who have experienced chronic long-term trauma and the parenting approaches that will help a child feel safe, develop trust, learn the skills to regulate their emotions and help children learn to join with the parent to get their needs met. It’s a rocky road full of pothole surprises, frustration and emotion for the parent and a need for parental self-care along this long journey to healing.
Biddeford – Kinship Only- Meets Tuesday, May 20th, 10:00 A.M. – 12:00 P.M. at The Second Congregational Church at 19 Crescent Street, Biddeford. NO childcare is provided at this meeting. This meeting is led by Cat Anglea, AFFM Facilitator and Resource Parent. RSVP by calling Brigid at 207-827-2331 or email brigid@affm.net or clicking the below link:
Orono – F/A/K – Meets Monday, May 19, 2025 from 6:00-7:30 P.M. at the Orono United Methodist Church (36 Oak Street). On-site childcare is available with advance notice. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH. RSVP by calling Sheila at 207-827-2331, email sheila@affm.net, or by clicking on the link below. The meeting is led by Bette Hoxie, AFFM Kinship Program Manager, and Foster Parent, Hazel Chick.
Join Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine on Saturday, May 17th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fort Knox for a Family and Community Fun Day in recognition of National Foster Care Month!
Enjoy games, music, activities, and more in a day filled with fun and connection for all ages.
Admission is FREE for foster, adoptive, and kinship families with their AFFM Discount Card. All other attendees are welcome and subject to Fort Knox’s regular admission rates.
Let’s come together to celebrate, support, and strengthen the incredible families in our community.
Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship families RSVP here: https://forms.gle/p2WuAugdoc8jdKtu6 All other community attendees are welcome and subject to Fort Knox’s regular admission rates.
Wilton – Kinship Only– Meets Thursday, May 15th, 6:00-7:30 P.M. at SeniorsPlus 284 Main St. Suite 110, Wilton, ME. Childcare is NOT available for this month only. This meeting is led by Cyndi Dolloff, AFFM Trainer, Facilitator, and Resource Parent. RSVP by calling Brigid at 207-827-2331 or email brigid@affm.net or clicking the below link.
F/A/K Afternoon- Meets Thursday, May 15th, 12:00-1:30 P.M. by ZOOM. The meeting is led by Brigid Torberg, AFFM Resource Support Coordinator. RSVP IS REQUIRED EACH MONTH TO RECEIVE THE LINK TO JOIN THE MEETING. RSVP by calling Brigid at 207-827-2331 or email brigid@affm.net or clicking the below link:
