Northwest Media, parent company of Foster Parent College, SocialLearning.com and VStreet.com, posted a strong year in 2009. The Eugene-based small business launched new classes and workshops; collaborated to provide scholarships;
Foster Parent College (FPC) provides research-based online training for foster, adoptive and kinship caregivers. SocialLearning.com markets 1,300 multimedia and print products for social services professionals, schools, and parents. VStreet.com is a virtual community where teens learn independent living skills.
Here’s a brief look at the highlights of the past year:
“Child Abuse and Neglect” went live on FPC in January.
“Anger Outbursts (Updated)” was re-released on FPC in February, shortly before the release of “Anger Pie.” That same month, Casey Family Programs began funding scholarships for online training on FPC for low-income foster/adopt/
In March we published free online mentor guides for most VStreet.com full-length curricula. The free guides help parents and others mentor teens using VStreet.
In April, “Grief and Loss in the Care System” debuted on FPC.
In June the California Evidence-Based Clearinghouse for Child Welfare (CEBC) rated FPC, making FPC the first and only online resource parent training Web site to be rated by CEBC. FPC was given a Promising Research Evidence rating, plus top marks for Relevance to Child Welfare.
In July, FPC rolled out “Culturally Competent Parenting,” followed in August by the new “Advanced Parenting Workshop on Anger” and the revised “Advanced Parenting Workshop on Lying.”
The Canadian Foster Family Association (CFFA) endorsed FPC in the early fall. The CFFA is a national organization with a primary goal to enhance the quality of care provided to children in Canada.
Days later NWM received two grants. The first will fund a partnership with the Institute for Human Services of Columbus, OH to complete and evaluate a Web-enhanced pre-service training program for prospective foster parents. The second will fund a collaboration with Colorado-based Prevention and Relationship Enhancement Program (PREP) to develop and evaluate an online version of the PREP marriage program customized for foster and adoptive parents.
Shortly thereafter, the fully rebuilt Northwest Media corporate Web site went live.
In November, the class “Child Safety and Supervision”
In early December, FPC received the exclusive endorsement of the Foster Family-based Treatment Association (FFTA). The FFTA works to support member agencies that provide treatment foster care.
For more information about Northwest Media, Foster Parent College, SocialLearning.com or Vstreet.com, call us at1-800-777-
