Bloom University provides comprehensive training programs for foster families, foster care staff, and birth families. This coursework equips families with evidence-based and trauma-informed skills to safely support and parent children.
We currently offer a rotating schedule of programs and events (see below) that is open to the public, in addition to our Bloom licensed foster parents. All our training opportunities are designed to reflect best practices and standards of care for those working with children.
Clinical Director: Katie New, EdD, LMSW, RN
Dr. Katie New serves as Bloom’s Clinical Director where she oversees the implementation of therapeutic services and programs, facilitates training of foster parents and staff, and ensures clinical fidelity to trauma-informed care. Dr. New is an advocate for children and has spent the last 17 years devoted to improving the lives of vulnerable children through her work.
Who Bloom University programming is right for?
Bloom University courses are well-suited for foster parents, those that work with foster families or in foster care, biological and adoptive parents, teachers, care-givers, prevention services workers or volunteers in community service agencies. In short, anyone who is responsible for the care and oversight of children can benefit from Bloom University.
Our courses represent nationally-recognized, evidence-based curriculum.
Current Program Offerings:
Programs may be online, in-person or a hybrid. Check specific program for details. Bloom parents receive complimentary access to all courses.
Browse our schedule of classes below. Inquire about participating in a class or having Bloom University provide customized training for your organization by sending us an email at k.new@bloomouryouth.org.
2024 Course Offerings
Youth Mental Health First Aid
| Course Title | Youth Mental Health First Aid |
| Description | YMHFA is designed to teach adults who regularly interact with young people how to help an adolescent (age 12-18) who is experiencing a mental health or addictions challenge or is in crisis. |
| Audience | Foster parents, foster care workers, biological and adoptive parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens |
| Course Delivery | Virtual; Availability for in-person sessions |
| Maximum Learner Count | 15 learners per virtual course; 30 learners per live course |
| Course Requirements | Virtual, blended: 2 hours of self-paced pre-work; two 2.75-hour virtual synchronous sessions Live, blended: 2 hours of self-paced pre-work; one 5.5-hour session (includes 1 hour of breaks) Live: 8-hour live session (includes 1.5 hours of breaks) |
| Certification and/or CEU | 3-year certification as a Youth Mental Health First Aider, Continued Parent Development Hours for Foster Parents; No CEUs |
Stewards of Children by Darkness to Light
| Course Title | Stewards of Children by Darkness to Light |
| Description | Stewards of Children is a trauma and evidence-informed training that teaches adults to prevent, recognize, and react responsibly to child sexual abuse. |
| Audience | Foster parents, foster care workers, biological and adoptive parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers and other caring citizens |
| Course Delivery | Virtual; Availability for in-person sessions |
| Course Requirements | Virtual: 2.5 hours; Live: 2.5 hours |
| Certification and/or CEU | Stewards of Children Certificate of Completion, Continued Parent Development Hours for Foster Parents; No CEUs |
Strengthening Families: Protective Families Framework
| Course Title | Strengthening Families: Protective Factors Framework |
| Description | Strengthening Families is a research-informed framework and approach to preventing child abuse and neglect. |
| Audience | Professionals who work with children and families |
| Course Delivery | Virtual; Availability for in-person sessions |
| Course Requirements | Virtual: 2 hours; Live: 2 hours |
| Certification and/or CEU | Strengthening Families Certificate of Completion, Continued Parent Development Hours for Foster Parents; GA PDS Hours |
| Price | TBD |
Better Brains for Babies: Stress, Trauma, and the Brain
| Course Title | Better Brains for Babies: Stress, Trauma, and the Brain |
| Description | This course will explore the impact stress and trauma have on a developing brain with a specific emphasis on the first five years of life. |
| Audience | Foster parents, foster care workers, biological and adoptive parents, family members, caregivers, teachers, school staff, peers, neighbors, health and human services workers, and other caring citizens |
| Course Delivery | Virtual for Initial Implementation; Availability for in-person sessions |
| Course Requirements | Virtual: 2 hours; Live: 2 hours |
| Certification and/or CEU | Better Brains for Babies Certificate of Completion, Continued Parent Development Hours for Foster Parents; No CEUs |
Triple P positive Parenting Programs
Bloom University is excited to offer the Triple P Positive Parenting Program to parents and caregivers in Georgia. Triple P Positive Parenting Program is one of the world’s most effective evidence-based parenting programs, backed by more than 35 years of ongoing research. Triple P gives parents simple and practical strategies to help them build strong, healthy relationships, confidently manage their children’s behavior, and prevent problems from developing.
Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 3
| Course Title | Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 3 Discussion Groups, 0-12 Coming May 2024 |
| Description | The Triple P Discussion Group Series includes parent discussion groups on commonly encountered problems such as disobedience, fighting and aggression, and managing situations such as shopping with children, mealtimes, and bedtime. |
| Audience | Parents or carers with a specific concern about their child’s behavior. Participants are most likely to benefit when their concerns are around a relatively discreet, mild to moderate behavioral issue and when parents can independently implement parenting plans that are generated during each session. |
| Course Delivery | 2-hour small group format, discussions conducted either virtually or in-person |
| Certification and/or CEU | Continued Parent Development Hours |
Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 3 Teen
| Course Title | Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 3 Teen Discussion Groups Coming May 2024 |
| Description | The Teen Triple P Discussion Group Series includes parent discussion groups on commonly encountered problems such as getting teenagers to cooperate, coping with teenagers’ emotions, reducing family conflict, and building teenagers’ survival skills. |
| Audience | Parents or carers with a specific concern about their teen’s behavior or development. Participants are most likely to benefit when their concerns are around a relatively discreet, mild to moderate problem behavior and when parents can independently implement parenting plans that are generated during each session. |
| Course Delivery | 2-hour small group format, discussions conducted either virtually or in-person |
| Certification and/or CEU | Continued Parent Development Hours |
Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 4 Group, 0-12
| Course Title | Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 4 Group, 0-12 Coming May 2024 |
| Description | Group Triple P is a broad-based parenting intervention delivered over eight weeks for parents of children up to 12-years. |
| Audience | Parents or carers of children ages 0 – 12 interested in promoting their child’s development and potential or they may have concerns about their child’s behavioral problems or simply wish to prevent behaviors problems from developing. |
| Course Delivery | The program involves five (2-hour) group sessions of up to 12 parents followed by three (15-30 minute) individual telephone consultations to assist parent with independent problem solving while they are practicing the skills at home. |
| Course Requirements | Participants must commit to attend all sessions over an eight-week time period. |
| Certification and/or CEU | Continued Parent Development Hours |
Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 4 Group, Teen
| Course Title | Triple P Positive Parenting Program Level 4 Group, Teen Coming June 2024 |
| Description | A broad-based parenting intervention delivered over eight weeks for parents of teenagers who are interested in learning a variety of parenting skills. Parents may be interested in promoting their teenager’s development and potential or they may have concerns about their teenager’s behavior. |
| Audience | Parents or carers who have concerns about their teenager’s level of behavioral problems or simply wish to prevent behavioral problems from developing. |
| Course Delivery | The program involves five (2-hour) group sessions of up to 12 parents followed by three (15 to 30 minute) individual telephone consultations to assist parents with independent problem solving while they are practicing the skills at home. |
| Course Requirements | Participants must commit to attend all sessions over an eight-week time period. |
| Certification and/or CEU | Continued Parent Development Hours. |