Past MCFAPA Trainings

January 2025 – Building Parent Resilience

Training Video:


Files from the night:


August 2025 – Foster Parent Diplomacy & Record Keeping

This months training, presented by Sam McLure, Esq. from The Adoption Law Firm, discussed tools foster parents can use for gracious advocacy and peace making. Sam also discussed law/policy that are designed to guide the DHR’s management of cases and how foster parents should know how to use all the tools at their disposal to advocate both within and without the judicial process to achieve the best outcomes possible for their children.

Other Files (gifts log, behavior log, visit log, and case law): Download here


May 2024 – Trauma & the Brain

This months training was presented by Shannon McElroy from Mended Being Counseling. The links below were shared during her presentation and provides a wealth of resources for assisting those dealing with trauma.

Trauma Resources – Google Drive full of great tools: Trauma Presentation & Tools
Healthy Minds Program – Free guided meditations: https://hminnovations.org/meditation-app
Cosmic Kids Yoga – YouTube Page: https://www.youtube.com/@CosmicKidsYoga/videos


July 2023 – “Internet Safety & Social Media”

This months training was presented by Beth Jackson, MS, LPC. She is the Community Education Program Manager/Therapist for the National Advocacy Center. While we were unable to record this meeting, the presentation and resources are below.

Page 19 of the below presentation includes website links to resources to stay informed.

Article: Artificial Intelligence (AI) & how it can be used for bad.


November 2022 – “A Countdown to Connecting with Kids with Autism”

This months training was presented by Kelly Goff, Regional Coordinator for the Alabama Department of Mental Health: Autism Services.


September 2022 – Meet the Author of “Trash: A Foster Care Journey”


June 2022 – Vaping/Tobacco Prevention

Our June training was presented by Partnership for a Drug-Free Community and covered the topic of vaping/tobacco awareness and prevention. Ann Marie Martin spoke to a room full of parents and older youth to discuss the harm that vaping does.


May 2022 – Human Trafficking 101

We welcomed Budding Hope Ministries for our May 2022 Training on Human Trafficking 101 and how to spot the warning signs. Unfortunately, we were unable to film this training but have included the presentation slides discussed and “Signs of Trafficking” graphic to use at your discretion.


April 2022 – Eradicating Child Abuse One Child at a Time


November 2021 – Effective Listening


September 2021 – Trauma & Our Brain


Downloads from Previous Trainings


IEP & 504 Plans Presentation from Holly Sharpe, Silver Linings Neurodevelopment Clinic PDF Download: IEPs and 504 Plans

Trauma Informed Care Presented by Rebekah Smith, social workerPDF download: Foster Care TIC Training

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) Training (June 2020 meeting) presented by Jessica Epperson with Huntsville Behavior AssociatesMCFAPA Training