September 8, 2007

Eugene, OR - Northwest Media's FosterParentCollege.com® - the industry-leading, Web-based training program for foster parents - has added a 19th course to its online and DVD learning products catalog: Working with Schools.

The course discusses problems foster, adoptive and kinship parents frequently encounter with their school-age children. In this multimedia curriculum, foster parents share their experiences dealing with school systems, and they gain insight into strategies and methods helpful in developing a positive working relationship with the schools.

"Success in school equates to success in life and foster kids deserve the best education we can give them," said Karen Jorgenson, Executive Director of the National Foster Parent Association (NFPA), the nation's largest advocacy group for adoptive, kinship and foster parents. "Many foster children arrive at school with unique histories that often lead to behavioral issues and social missteps."

Bringing together all involved - parents, teachers, administrators, counselors and even therapists - Working with Schools breaks down critical responsibilities each contributing player has in educating foster children. The parents are usually the primary advocate for the child, even more so than social workers.

"Becoming a positive, proactive advocate is perhaps the foster parent's most important role when dealing with school systems," said Ginger Gorham, a special education educator, who co-authored the course. "Often a child's/youth's school success depends on your advocacy skills."

Courses at FosterParentCollege.com® are a mix of interactive audiovisual teaching techniques combined with state-of-the-art Web animation and video for a more effective and satisfying student experience.

Foster parents share experiences dealing with school systems and share tips for developing a positive relationship with schools. Unlike many books and programs for foster and adoptive parents, all the programs at FosterParentCollege.com® are thoroughly researched and deemed effective in meeting industry and governmental standards.

For more information about this class or to watch a short preview, visit www.fosterparentcollege.com or call 800-777-6636.

FosterParentCollege.com® is a division of Northwest Media, Inc. of Eugene, OR. Northwest Media also produces VStreet.com, a comprehensive life skills Web site for youth, and SocialLearning.com, an online store with over 1,300 products for the social services fiel