Professional Training

InterActive Family Resources offers a variety of training programs for professionals assisting families raising children with special needs. We recognize the importance quality services for children and families within medical, educational, and social service systems. We are aware, however, that caregivers are frequently required to work with limited resources and in understaffed organizations, all while listening to heartbreaking stories.

As challenging as this work is, many of these children and families are amazingly inspirational. All who come in contact with them are transformed.

Our workshops and training programs address the difficulties and successes of working with families by providing theoretical and practical guidance. Together we learn how to be more effective caregivers.

Below are examples of the kind of workshops and consultations services we offer. If you or your organization have other ideas, please contact us.

For additional information on upcoming conference trainings, check out http://www.childmentalhealthcentre.org/pages/ events_conf20050122.html and http://neptune.smartstart-nc.org/conference/ workshops05byday2.php

Training to become a Group-Facilitator of the Raising Special Kids Program

InterActive Family Resources presents a one-day workshop to prepare your staff to run the Raising Special Kids program in your community. Our goals are to help you:

• Explore ways that you can assist parents in managing the emotional intensity of raising a child with special health care needs.
• Learn how to empower parents so that they can solve family problems consciously.
• Sharpen your skills of working with this special population in a group setting.
• Become more comfortable with your own process of dealing with necessary losses and potential gains.
• Familiarize yourself with the curriculum materials and the "nuts and bolts" decisions about implementing the Raising Special Kids program in your community.
• Share a day of rejuvenation and enrichment with other professionals.

We will travel to your community to work exclusively with your staff or organize a community wide program. Please contact us for information and fees.

Consultations for Professionals

We are available to assist you and your agency as you first implement Raising Special Kids in your community. We also consult on specific professional issues that challenge you and your staff. Again, please contact us to discuss costs and arrangements.

Endorsements for One Day Training for Raising Special Kids

"Dynamic. Substantial. Practical. I left the training knowing the encounter with my own deepest life experiences have prepared me emotionally and cognitively to work with parents raising children with special needs. It's certainly prepared me to implement Raising Special Kids in my agency."
   - Director of Education and Prevention at Family Counseling Center

“Raising Special Kids training provided a safe place to explore my grief. Sharing that grief with others was the first step in accepting my own son with special health care needs and helping him become all that he dreams of becoming."
   - Social worker and mother

Sample Workshop and Conference Presentations

Working Compassionately with Parents Raising Children with Special Health Care Needs. Presents specific and effective strategies for professionals to assist families. Parent to Parent International Conference, Atlanta, Georgia.

Listening to the Developmental Needs of Children. Discusses developmental “ages and stages” in light of a child’s special need. Association for the Care of Children’s Health National Conference, Washington, D.C.

The Process of Loss and Grieving: Serving Families Raising Children with Special Health Care Needs. Explores the importance of recognizing that for parents and professionals, healing begins in the encounter with the “expected child.” MAHEC, Asheville, North Carolina

Listening from the Heart: The Compassionate Professional. Invites professionals to develop open-hearted connections with families while deepening skills of self-care. Parent-Professional Conference, Asheville, North Carolina.

Genetic Testing: New Challenges for Families. Addresses how professionals can help families prepare for receiving the results of genetic testing. Asheville, North Carolina.

The Impact of a Child with Special Health Care Needs on Siblings. Identifies possible responses to a brother or sister with special health care needs. North Carolina Head Start Disability Conference, Asheville, North Carolina.