Children Are Our Capitial Concern

Eshele Williams is a Dr. of Psychology in Organizational Management and Consulting and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has dedicated her career to supporting children and families in multiple capacities. Her work in the child welfare field includes experience as a researcher, writer, parenting program coordinator, health team coordinator for children with the chronic illness (Sickle Cell disease), public speaker, trainer and adoption support program project coordinator.

Eshele has served as the Clinical Coordinator of a Transition Age Youth program at Hillsides in Pasadena, Project Coordinator of Adoption Promotion and Support Services at Children’s Bureau in Los Angeles and as the Project Coordinator of Project Fatherhood at D'Veal Family and Youth Services in Pasadena. She is experienced as a therapist, providing direct services to children, families, and patients in in-patient drug and alcohol rehabilitation. She also supervised and trained staff who provided specialized education services for foster and adoptive parents along the foster care to adoption continuum.

She possesses extensive knowledge and skill in conducting interviews with children, families, and professionals. She is trained in implementing the Child Welfare League of America’s (CWLA) PRIDE Model of Practice and the New Generation PRIDE Model of Practice to develop and support resource parents as team members in child protection, and in the CWLA Kinship Care – Traditions of Caring and Collaborating Model of Practice. She has trained Kinship caregivers in the Kinship Education Partnership and Support program (KEPS) in collaboration with the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services Kinship Division.

Eshele Williams has conducted extensive research, has written and trains on the Impact of Fostering on Birth Children of Foster and Adoptive Parents. Her personal history, research, and studies have informed the body of information that is known about the impact of fostering and adoption on birth children. Also, she has written children’s books that help parents initiate and explore conversations with their birth children in preparation for the families’ foster care and adoption experience. She is a dedicated and passionate advocate for children and families and through her work, she creates a lasting impact that encourages people to look at the pertinent issues that face children and families impacted by foster care and adoption.

Friday, April 15th Morning Workshops (10:00 am— 12:00 pm)

A. Reasonable and Prudent Parenting

Presented by Jenni Smith & Linda Brissette
"In this training, participants will learn about the reasonable and prudent parent standards and how these standards empower foster parents to approve or disapprove activities based on their assessment using a “reasonable and prudent parent standard” without prior approval of the child’s social worker, the licensing or approval agency, or the juvenile court, and how the use of these standards increase normalcy for Youth in care. "

B. Period of P.U.R.P.L.E. Cry & The Effects of Brain Trauma on Infants

This presentation is designed to provide education on the normal crying curve and the dangers of reacting to an infant's crying in frustration. Learn about how to prevent Infant brain trauma and the effects brain trauma has on an infant.

C. Team Work: “When We Work Together it Works Well.”

Facilitated by Bette Hoxie

During this presentation, you will hear compelling information from a birth parent, resource parent, youth, and support staff on how their efforts of working together provided outcomes that are in the best interest of the child.

Friday, April 15th Afternoon Workshops (2:00 pm— 4:00 pm)

D. Traditions of Caring and Collaborating: A Model of Practice to Achieve Child Safety, Well-being, and Permanency for Kinship Care.

Presented by Eshele Williams

This workshop shares an evidence-based approach to collaborating with kinship caregivers regarding their ability, resources, and willingness to provide care for their younger family members. Issues for discussion include legal, financial, child behavior, family relationships, fair and equal treatment, access to community supports, and more.

E. Identity, Connections & Empowerment: Understanding the Needs of LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care

Presented by Y.L.A.T.

This workshop will focus on how we can support LGBTQ youth in foster care in embracing their identity and becoming who they want to be in the world. Members of YLAT will participate on a panel that will discuss some of the issues confronting LGBTQ youth and identify ways that resource families and others working with LGBTQ youth in foster in care can best support them.

F. Whole Brain Parenting

Presented by Stan Waddell & Cindy Downey

Participants will be able to understand basic brain functioning, Explore the links between brain functioning and attachment. Explore the role of reflective parenting to repair attachment. Understand and improve left brain—right brain integration, learn strategies to help youth integrate thoughts, actions, and feelings and thereby operate from a whole brain perspective.

Saturday, April 16th Morning Work Shops (10:00 am— 12:00 pm)

G. Reaching Them While They Dream

Presented by Bette Freedson

Using both didactics and experiential exercises, this workshop will explore ways in which increasing the ability to manage stress and to reason clearly in difficult situations can lower children’s anxiety, develop readiness for learning, and increasing self-regulation efficacy and pro-social skills.

H. Working With and Valuing Birth Family Connections

Presented by Barbara Ford

The workshop has an emphasis on finding commonalities that will encourage care providers to be strength based in their approach. This workshop will also provide the opportunity to explore many options for being creative and positive about your children‘s contact and visitation and how all resource families can be a mentor and an important part in the success of these relationships.

I. Allegation Prevention & Protocol

Presented by Bette Hoxie & Janet Wheaton

This workshop will assist families in asking "the right questions" prior to placement, provide helpful hints on what and when to document events, provide creative ways to prioritize and/or reduce conflicts between adults and children, provide a basic understanding of confidentiality rules, and the respecting and valuing of privacy.

Saturday, April 16th Afternoon Work Shops (1:30 pm— 3:30 pm)

J. The Impact of Fostering and Adopting on Birth Children

Presented by Eshele Willams

This workshop addresses the impact of fostering and adopting on birth children of foster and adoptive parents. It provides insight into the challenges that birth children experience as other children come and go, and as their family dynamics change. A major focus is how to assess and ensure supports for birth children as their families engage in fostering and adopting.

K. Human Trafficking & Exploitation

Presented by Maine Coalition Against Sexual Assault

This CSEC training module includes information about the prevalence, dynamics, vulnerabilities, and indicators involved with human trafficking and exploitation. Participants will leave the training informed and educated on how to respond to these difficult situations

L. Providing Culturally Affirming Care

Presented by Stan Waddell & Cindy Downey

After completing this training participants will be able to define culture and identify cultural errors, Identify Youth Culture, understand identity development in foster youth, understand the cultural needs of undocumented children in foster care, Identify strategies for caregivers to help children in care improve cultural connections

Adoptive and Foster Families of Maine would like to recognize the hard work, dedication, and collaboration child welfare workers and families exhibit across the state by honoring the individuals who go above and beyond for their efforts to include all team members in a determination to help provide a safe and permanent home for children. The Categories in which AFFM will be honoring are:

• Kinship Advocate of The Year
• Child Protective Social Worker of The Year
• Permanency Social Worker of The Year
• Adoption Social Worker of The Year
• Licensing Worker of The Year
• Program Administrator/Assistant PA of The Year
• Private Agency Worker of The Year
• Guardian Ad litem of The Year
• Outstanding Work With Medically Complexed Children
• Champions of Fostering Maine's Future Award
• Indian Child Welfare Advocate of The Year
• Child Welfare Advocate of The Year
• Community Partner of The Year