Overview

The Foster and Kinship Care Education Program (FKCE) provides quality education and support opportunities for caregivers of children and youth in out-of-home care so that these providers may meet the educational, emotional, and developmental needs of children and youth.

We provide free classes and workshops to individuals who are:

  • Parenting a child placed in out-of-home care and you want to improve your parenting skills
  • Taking care of a relative's child
  • Need to complete the State mandated foster care education requirements
  • Interested in being a foster or adoptive parent

What about trainings/classes/workshops?

All sessions are FREE. Although our target audience is mainly Resource Families (foster parents and relative caregivers), trainings are open to everyone in the community including social workers, group home staff, family and friends.  Classes and Workshops topics include an overview of the Child Protective and Probation Systems, Positive Discipline, Cultural Needs of Children, Birth Parent relationships, Grief and Loss, Behavioral Supports for Children Impacted by Trauma and Emancipation/Independent Living, among others.

Who To Contact

  • Jason Garrett
    Director
    jgarrett@hartnell.edu
    Phone: (831) 755-6923
    Building: Hartnell College Main Campus
    Office: Building B. Room 232
    411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Mariana T-J  Downie
    Administrative Assistant Foster & Kinship Care Education 
    mdownie@hartnell.edu
    Phone: (831) 755-6796
    Building: Hartnell College Main Campus
    Office: Building D, Room 119
    411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Frances Gutierrez
    Program Assistant  Foster & Kinship Care Education

    fgutierr@hartnell.edu


    Phone: (831) 755-6709
    Building: Hartnell College Main Campus
    Office: Building D, Room 119
    411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Marisela Lemus
    Program Assistant   Foster Youth Success Services

    mlemus@hartnell.edu


    Phone: (831) 755-6944
    Building: Hartnell College Main Campus
    Office: Building N, Room 30
    411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901
  • Celina Castillo
    Administrative Assistant  Foster Youth Success Services

    ccastillo@hartnell.edu


    Phone: (831) 755-6956
    Building: Hartnell College Main Campus
    Office: Building N, Room 30
    411 Central Avenue, Salinas, CA 93901