Connected, We Thrive™: Building Schools That Heal
Professional Development for Educators Supporting Adoptive, Foster, and Kinship Students
At iCARE4 Adoptive And Foster Families, we believe schools can be powerful agents of healing. Our Connected, We Thrive™ training series equips educators and school mental health staff with practical, hope-focused strategies to better support students navigating separation, loss, and complex family systems.
Why This Matters
More than 300,000 students in Illinois are adopted, in foster care, or living with kinship caregivers. These children often face emotional, academic and behavioral challenges that stem from their early childhood experiences.
Educators want to help—but many haven’t been trained to recognize or respond to these needs.
That’s where we come in.
About the Training Series
Our Connected, We Thrive™ professional development is designed with schools in mind: practical, engaging, and easy to implement. Each session blends neuroscience, real-world stories, and actionable tools educators can use immediately.
Training Format:
- 3-part interactive workshop series (available in-person or virtual)
- Sessions are customizable and range from 30 to 90 minutes each
- Book one, two, or all three sessions based on your school’s needs
Ideal for teachers, administrators, school counselors, and social workers
Topics Include:
- Understanding Loss, Separation & Relational Stress
How early experiences impact learning, behavior, and emotional regulation - Creating Belonging in Classrooms
Everyday practices that help students feel safe, seen, and supported - Partnering With Families for Healing
How to engage adoptive, foster, and kinship caregivers in meaningful ways
What Educators Say
“This workshop was one of the best and most helpful to my daily work that I’ve had in a long time. Every school needs this.” School Social Worker, State Conference
“This information really hit home for me. I can see ways we can support and understand our students in ways that cause less stress.” School Educator, County Institute Day
Workshop Outcomes
By the end of the training, participants will:
✔ Understand how relational trauma affects behavior, learning, and engagement
✔ Recognize the need for regulation before education
✔ Use and share iCARE tools aligned with MTSS tiers
✔ Integrate hope-focused, identity-affirming practices
✔ Strengthen school–caregiver collaboration
✔ Leave with a clear action plan and resources for school-wide use
Bring Connected, We Thrive™ to Your School
✅ Designed to fit into existing PD days
✅ Aligned with MTSS and SEL frameworks
✅ Appropriate for general education, special ed, and support staff
Now Booking for Summer and Fall 2025
To request a training or learn more, contact us at info@icare4aaff.org or visit our Contact Page.
