National development training and development cirriculum (NTDC)

The National Training and Development Curriculum for Foster and Adoptive Parents (NTDC) was funded through a five-year cooperative agreement with the Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Children’s Bureau.  The NTDC team is excited about this curriculum and its potential to positively impact not only the lives of parents who are fostering or adopting but also the lives of children who are in foster care or have been adopted. 

The NTDC Curriculum consists of a self-assessment and classroom training materials.  The classroom training themes provide a framework to build a strong foundation for parenting children who have experienced trauma, separation, and loss. Parenting children with such experiences requires a wide range of competencies and characteristics. Prospective resource parents will learn the following themes:

-Child development, attachment, separation grief and loss 

-Trauma related behaviors and trauma informed parenting 

-Reunification, maintaining children's connections

-Cultural humility and parenting in a racially diverse family

-Mental health considerations, substance abuse, parenting a child with a history of sexual trauma 

-Creative a stable and nurturing home environment, effective communication 

2026 training will be held for 4-6 straight weeks with up to 2 classes each week. Schedule varies for each session. 

WINTER SESSION:

Each week on Tuesdays there will be an in-person class from 9am-3pm.

Each week on Wednesdays there will be a virtual class from 5:30-8pm

The last session in the last week will be an in person panel discussion held from 6-7:30pm   

In-person classes during the day are being held at:

Dorchester County DSS 

2737 Dorchester Square

Cambridge, MD 21613

In-person panel discussion in the evening will be held at:

Talbot County DSS

301 Bay St, Unit #5

Easton, MD 21601

Week 1: Feb. 3  & Feb 4

Week 2: Feb 10 & Feb 11

Week 3: Feb 17 &Feb 18

Week 4: Feb 24 (panel) 

In using the virtual platform, it is required of all participants to be able to have access to a webcam or smart phone/tablet device with a camera. All participants are required to be on camera for each class for the entire duration of the class to increase participation and engagement.

All participants need to have regular access to an email account (does not have to be gmail). The links to each virtual class will be sent via email each week. 

A participant resource manual will be provided to you free of cost!

All participants are expected to actively participate via group work, group discussions and asking questions throughout the duration of all training sessions. Participants who do not participate will not be given credit for attendance. Participation counts only for those with cameras on (during virtual sessions). 

Attendance of all classes is mandatory. There are no make up classes.