PLACERVILLE, Calif. —
A free, in-person workshop aimed at helping caregivers better understand sensory processing in children will be held Wednesday, May 6, in Placerville, offering practical strategies for families across El Dorado County.
The session, titled “Hope and Help in the Home: An Introduction to Sensory Processing,” runs from 10 a.m. to noon at The Exhilaration Station. Organizers say the event is open to anyone raising or working with children, emphasizing that the concepts apply broadly to everyday family life.
The workshop will be led by Robyn Chu, an occupational therapist and owner of Growing Healthy Seasons. Chu is expected to walk participants through how children interpret sensory input — including touch, sound, movement, and visual cues — and how those responses can influence behavior at home and in social settings.
“Parenting with sensory needs in mind can transform your home and family flow,”
organizers said in a statement announcing the event.
“You will learn to recognize red flags and apply strategies that support adaptive behavior.”
Free childcare will be provided, and attendees are encouraged to register in advance. The first five participants will receive complimentary copies of Chu’s newly released book and journal, funded by the Family and Kinship Care Education (FKCE) program.
Broader Training Opportunities for Caregivers
The sensory workshop is part of a broader slate of caregiver education offerings scheduled throughout May, reflecting growing demand for support services among foster and adoptive families in the region.
An in-person Resource Family Approval (RFA) caregiver meeting is set for May 12 at 3057 Briw Road in Placerville, focusing on summer resources and activities for foster youth.
Additional virtual sessions will cover topics including attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and behavior management strategies. A two-part Zoom series on ADHD begins May 14, led by licensed therapist Lori Switanowski, who brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to the discussion.
Later in the month, a separate two-part training on the Nurtured Heart Approach®, led by clinical psychologist Jennifer Lotery, will explore techniques for supporting children with behavioral and emotional challenges.
Local Impact
Programs like these are designed to equip caregivers with evidence-based tools while building community connections, organizers said. In El Dorado County, where many families serve as foster or kinship caregivers, access to practical training and peer support remains a key resource.
The May 6 workshop is open to the public, with organizers emphasizing that even those outside the formal caregiving system may benefit.
register here https://lrccd.zoom.us/meeting/register/I3YnwSLFQ-CoQ17iH8kaEw (after you hit Submit, Zoom will send you the link for class)
Or enter the Meeting ID in your Zoom app under JOIN: 882 2712 2855
Register here https://lrccd.zoom.us/meeting/register/lDBgV0OgTYSNuE0J_V9mhg (after you hit Submit, Zoom will send you the link for class)
Or enter the Meeting ID in your Zoom app under JOIN: 824 0294 7234
