Grief and loss are powerful experiences in the lives of youth in out-of-home care. The third session in the “Parenting Teens” series concentrates on the way this history can create expectations or associations that can interfere with a child’s ability to form secure bonds.

In this course you will learn about the types of grief and loss and what impact each may have on a youth, including the teen’s ability to attach. Learning how to promote attachment is a strong portion of this training, as so much of building a supportive relationship lies with developing a sense of security. In that vein, you also will learn about developing “felt safety,” which happens when a youth truly believes they are safe; and developing structure and nurture, essential components of safety and healing.

You will leave this training being able to identify specific actions you can take to develop attachment and strengthen your relationship with your youth, and knowing how to be present in a way that shows support.