By Cris Alarcon, InEDC Writer. (Aug 29, 2025)
El Dorado County, CA —
Foster and kinship caregivers across El Dorado County are encouraged to register now for a series of free FKCE (Foster and Kinship Care Education) workshops set to begin in early September. These sessions will fulfill portions of the required RFA (Resource Family Approval) training hours and are open to all caregivers—including those who have transitioned to guardianship or adoption.
Key Dates & Workshops
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Sept. 4 (6:30–8:30 p.m., Zoom): “The Mental Health Consequences of Social Media: How to Protect Our Children”—presented by Lori Switanowski, this session addresses social media’s impact on foster youth’s mental health.
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Sept. 9 (10–11:30 a.m., Zoom): Quarterly RFA Caregiver Meeting—an opportunity to check in with El Dorado County RFA Unit staff, share experiences, and earn training hours.
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Sept. 10 & 17 (10 a.m.–12 p.m., In Person at Exhilaration Station, Placerville): “Creating More Calm: The Building Blocks of Regulation”—a two-part series with Robyn Chu, OT and Growing Healthy Seasons director, focusing on sensory tools and mindfulness to foster calmness in caregivers and children.
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October Series (Zoom):
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Oct. 3, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. – “Grieving the Loss of Me – Understanding Compassion Fatigue”
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Oct. 10, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. – “Family Conversations: Bioparent Abandonment, Adoption and Blended Families”
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Oct. 17, 10 a.m.–12 p.m. – “From Surviving to Thriving: Caregiver Tools for Healing”
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Oct. 23, 6:30–8:30 p.m. – “Understanding Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs): The Impacts and What We Can Do”
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Purpose & Eligibility
Approved Resource Families are required to complete eight training hours per person, per approval year. While no verification will occur until the second year, caregivers are urged not to defer all training until their update is due — this fall, workshops are their opportunity to stay ahead. All sessions are open to guardians and adoptive families. A caregiver communication explained: “No one will check until year two. Don’t leave all your training until your update is due! All classes are open to everyone…”
Local Context & Support
The FKCE program operates under Folsom Lake College’s El Dorado Center, partnering with the state’s community college system to offer free educational support to caregivers throughout California American River CollegeCalifornia Department of Social Services. These workshops help caregivers meet RFA training requirements and provide valuable support for caring for youth facing trauma, grief, and development challenges.
Stakeholder Voices
Juline Aguilar, Director of FLC El Dorado Center, emphasized community reach: “All classes are open to everyone… you are still welcome to join us if you have moved on to guardianship or adoption.”
Action & Participation
Caregivers can register via provided Zoom links or survey forms. The caregiver survey is still open and anonymous, with 15 responses so far. Your feedback helps shape future offerings. For more information or to register, reach out to Juline Aguilar at (530) 642-5659 or juline.aguilar@flc.losrios.edu.
Why It Matters
These workshops are timely, accessible, and designed to support caregiver well-being and competence, benefiting both caregivers and youth in the foster/kinship system. With a mix of mental health, regulatory strategies, trauma education, and community connection, they offer well-rounded support this fall.
