Encourage hosts several events throughout the year as we work to connect our existing foster and foster-to-adopt families with the resources and support they need while also seeking out new families to add to our network. These include foster parent prep courses (formerly called pre-service trainings) for new families, monthly online trainings, ongoing child-specific training and more. Check back here often for new events!
Foster Parent Prep Courses
Our foster parent pre-service training or prep courses are offered several times each year with a focus on Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI). Please click here to see dates and location for our next training.

Events
Monthly Foster Parent Training Events
Encourage offers a mix of FREE online and in-person monthly training events for all foster parents. With the completion of these trainings, foster parents will receive credit toward the ongoing training hours for their foster care license.
Medical Training for Foster Parents: Day 1
Participants will earn three hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to Encourage foster parents only. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Saturday, March 26, 10am-1pm
Day 1: Preemie care, neonatal abstinence syndrome, feeding and medications, diabetes
Offered in person and online
Gather in person: Christian Children's Home of Ohio • 2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH
OR join us online via Teams
Registration required by March 23!
Sign up today!
Medical Training for Foster Parents: Day 2
Participants will earn three hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to Encourage foster parents only. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Saturday, April 2, 10am-1pm
Day 2: Neurological disorders, traumatic brain injury, palliative & hospice care
Offered in person and online
Gather in person: Christian Children's Home of Ohio • 2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH
OR join us online via Teams
Registration required by March 30!
Sign up today!
2 Hour Tuesday - April
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, April 19, 6:30-8:30pm
The Basics of an Evaluation Teams Report (ETR) and IEP Process
Offered online only
Join us online via Teams
Registration required by April 17!
Register today!
Already registered? Click here to join the meeting!
2 Hour Tuesday - July 5
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, July 5, 6-8pm
Exceptional Skills for Foster Parents
Offered In Person & Online
-
Gather in person at the Chrisitian Children's Home of Ohio
2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH 44691
-
Or join us online via Microsoft Teams
2 Hour Tuesday - August 30
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, August 30, 6-8pm
Don't Touch Me There: Being Able To Recognize The Signs Of
Sexual Abuse
Offered In Person Only
-
Chrisitian Children's Home of Ohio
2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH 44691
First Aid & CPR Training - July 9
Participants will earn five hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Saturday, July 9, 9am-3pm
First Aid & CPR Training
Offered In Person Only
-
Chrisitian Children's Home of Ohio
2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH 44691
-
Lunch provided
Register today! This training is full! Next training will be October 15.
2 Hour Tuesday - August 2
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, August 2, 6-8pm
The Co-Dependent Foster Parent: When Loving Too Much Is Harmful
Offered In Person & Online
-
Gather in person at the Chrisitian Children's Home of Ohio
2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH 44691
-
Or join us online via Microsoft Teams
First Aid & CPR Training - October 15
Participants will earn five hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Saturday, October 15, 9am-3pm
First Aid & CPR Training
Offered In Person Only
-
Encompass Christian Counseling
1590 Crestview Drive • Ashland, OH 44805
-
Lunch provided
2 Hour Tuesday - September 6
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, September 6, 6-8pm
Don't Tell Me NO: Dealing With An Oppositional, Defiant Child
Offered In Person & Online
-
Gather in person at the Chrisitian Children's Home of Ohio
2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH 44691
-
Or join us online via Microsoft Teams
2 Hour Tuesday - September 27
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, September 27, 6-8pm
Uncomfortable Topics: Hygiene, Showering, Pooping & Peeing
Offered Online Only
-
Join us online via Microsoft Teams
2 Hour Tuesday - October 25
Participants will earn two hours of face-to-face training credits. Registration is required. This training is open to any licensed foster parents. Childcare is not provided. If you have any questions, please contact Palma Ashcraft, training coordinator and foster care assessor, at ashcraftp@ccho.org.
Tuesday, October 25, 6-8pm
Life Skills: Independent Living Skills For Teens
Offered In Person Only
-
Chrisitian Children's Home of Ohio
2685 Armstrong Road • Wooster, OH 44691