Education

Transitioning children back to school, or getting them there every day whether virtual or in person, is an extra big job these days. Helping children who have experienced the child welfare system—and thus trauma, grief, loss and disrupted attachments—to succeed in school is an even bigger challenge. Only children who have their basic needs met and who feel calm, connected, regulated and safe can learn let alone thrive. Let's give them and their teachers what they need! Please reference our ADHD & Dyslexia, Autism, Bullying, Early Childhood, FASD, Sensory Supports, Neurodiversity & Differing Abilities, and Technology & Kids pages for more resources.

Graphic courtsey of magical artist paulahansen002@gmail.com.

"...focus on connection before curriculum...to foster both better learning and the development of our children's relational capacities." ~Dr. Bonnie Badenoch

Back to School Resources

Fall Back To School Resources compiled by ORPARC (updated Fall 2023)
Back to School Activities by Slumberkins
Child Mind Institute's Back to School Series:
- Anxiety by Caroline Miller and Dr. Rachel Busman & en español
- Do's & Don'ts by Dr. Jerry Bubrick & en español
- Talking to Kids About Back To School Worries by Rae Jacobson & en español
- Tips for Kids Who Are Struggling by Rae Jacobson & en español
- Tips for Parents by Dr. Howard Koplewicz & en español
Back to School Toolkit For Foster Families in Multnomah County - Fall 2020 compiled by ODHS and partners
- Kit de Herramiengas para Familias de Crianza Temporal en Mult Co - Regreso a la Escuela Otoño 2020 de ODHS
5 Elements of a Good-Fit School by Bright & Quirky
6 Ways to Get Your Kid's School Year Off to a Good Start by The Honestly Adoption Company - authors in ORPARC's library
8 Things I Wish My School Knew About Me by Eileen Devine - trainer in ORPARC's library
Back to School Teacher Stress by Jessica Sinarski of Brave Brains (video)
Effective Back to School Strategies for Parents by Heather Forbes of Beyond Consequences - author in ORPARC's library
Is your child anxious about starting school? Here's 10 ways to help by Hand in Hand
The State Library of Oregon - youth services and programming year-round
Supporting Transitions by Beacon House
Back to School Resources from the Center for Adoption Support & Education (includes access to multiple webinars)

Advocacy & Education

OHA’s Save Lives Oregon initiative is offering Oregon school districts free opioid overdose reversal kits!

504 Plan vs. IEP: A Guide for Parents by Sally Kassab, US News
8 Steps to Advocating for Your Child at School by Amanda Morin
Disability Rights Oregon & en español
Early Intervention
Education FAQ's by The Child Advocate
FACT Oregon & en español
GLSEN - creating LGBTQ welcoming environments in schools
Learning Ally
National Center for Learning Disabilities - The LD Checklist and 7 Principles for Serving
- SEL Parent Advocacy Toolkit
Neurodiversopedia - all the definitions!
Oregon Department of Education
- Planning for the 2022-23 School Year and Mental Health & Wellbeing Resources
- Foster Care Points of Contact per Oregon School District
ODHS Child Welfare Education Guidance: 2023-2024 School Year
Sample Accommodations for Anxious Kids by Worry Wise Kids
The Shadow Project - Oregon based
Slumberkins - books in our library, special resources & discounts for educators!
- Educator's blog
Technology & Kids - an ORPARC Resource page - so many resources!
Understood & en español
- 8 Steps to Advocating for Your Child at School & en español
- School Supports & en español
Welcoming Schools - creating LGBTQ+ welcoming environments in schools

Adoption & Trauma in the Schools

Adoption & School - Child Welfare Information Gateway
A Letter to My Adopted Child's Teacher by Dr. Chaitra Wirta-Leiker - author in ORPARC's library
Beyond Consequences Institute – Schools with Heather Forbes - author in ORPARC's library
- Help for Billy available in ORPARC's library
Child Mind Institute & en español
- Schools & en español and Resources for Teachers & en español
Children of Trauma: What Educators Need to Know by National Council for Adoption
Creating Trauma Sensitive Classrooms by Katie Statman-Weil - author in ORPARC's library
Education Resources by EMK Press (scroll down to School area)
Jessica Sinarski of Brave Brains & Riley the Brave plus books
National Child Traumatic Stress Network
- Addressing Race & Trauma in the Classroom
- Child Trauma Toolkit for Educators
- Helping Children Cope After a Traumatic Event
Safe and Sound: Responding to the Experiences of Children Adopted or in Foster Care, A Guide for Teachers and Counselors by the AAP
Schoolkids' Secret Fears: Young children can worry that classmates view them as stupid when they ask for help by Scientific American
“Schools and Adoption” by Pact, An Adoption Alliance
Talking to kids about adoption, foster care & other hard things - an ORPARC Resource page
Teaching Trauma in the Classroom by Heather Forbes - author in ORPARC's library
Trauma Aware Schools by the Center for Resiliency, Hope and Wellness in Schools
What Teachers Should Know About Adoption by QIC-AG

Culturally specific

The Intersection of Race, Foster Care Status, & Children with Disabilities: Creating More Equitable Education Systems by Alliance for Children's Rights
Promoting Positivity for Transracial Adoptees at School by Susan Kuligowski
Talking About Race - an ORPARC Resource page
Transracial Parenting/Cultural Diversity - an ORPARC Resource page

Recommended Books & Articles

Education-related & Special Education-related Materials in ORPARC's library and DIGITAL library, including Adoption Awareness in the Schools developed by ORPARC and the Northwest Adoptive Families Association

ADHD & Dyslexia - an ORPARC Resource page
Bullying - an ORPARC Resource page
Early Childhood - an ORPARC Resource page
8 Things I Wish My School Knew About Me relating to neurodivergency by Eileen Devine - trainer in ORPARC's library
Helping Traumatized Children Learn by Trauma-Sensitive Schools
How Trauma Affects Kids in Schools by Child Mind Institute
Parent Engagement by Reading Rockets
The Top 10 Reasons My Kid's School is Calling by The Honestly Adoption Company
A Trauma-Informed Approach to Behaviors in the Classroom by Robyn Gobbel - author & trainer in ORPARC's library
Trust Based Relational Intervention Approaches (TBRI®)
- Creating Trauma-Informed Classrooms
- The Importance of Addressing Complex Trauma in Schools: Implementing Trust Based Relational Intervention in an Elementary School by TBRI®
Understanding Daniel: Accommodations for a Struggling Middle Schooler by Eileen Devine - trainer in ORPARC's library
Understanding Trauma-Informed Education by Mathew Portell, Edutopia

Videos & Podcasts

Helpful Strategies for Tough School Mornings with Jessica Sinarski on The Adoption Connection Podcast
How to Connect With Your Middle Schooler with Principal Nabil Zarizef on The Adoption Connection Podcast
Robyn Gobbel
- Creating Trauma Sensitive Schools with Julie Beem (article & podcast)
- How to Advocate for Our Kids at School (article & podcast)
- The Regulated Classroom with Emily Daniels (article & podcast)
- Trauma Informed Schools with Jim Sporleder (article & podcast)
TBRI® Videos
- TBRI® in the Classroom and A TBRI® Portrait
- Tools That Can Help at School
Understanding Trauma: Learning Brain vs. Survival Brain by Jacob Ham (video)
What Every Educator Needs to Know About the Brain by Jessica Sinarski on Innovative Schools Podcast - author & trainer in ORPARC's library

Featured Favorites

Riley the Brave Makes It to School by Jessica Sinarski + Activity bundle!

Belonging by Sian Phillips

The School Discipline Fix by J. Stuart Ablon

Button Pusher by Tyler Page

Fostering Resilient Learners by Kristin Souers

Trauma Informed Educator Bundle (DVD): 3 Webinars! by Robyn Gobbel

Brain-Changing Strategies to Trauma-Proof Our Schools by Maggie Kline

Help for Billy by Heather T. Forbes

The Immigrant Teen's Guide To Success: High School by Temujin Nikita

New Kid by Jerry Craft

Helping Foster Children In School by John DeGarmo

Mindfulness in the Classroom by Thomas Armstrong