Subject list for Annual Self-Instructional Training Projects/Hours. Also includes evaluation descriptions (Summaries and Questionnaires).

1. Annual Training
Self-Instructional Subject List
Subject Description Evaluation Method Credited Hours
FILMS:
"Martian Child", 2007. A science-fiction writer, recently widowed, considers Questionnaire 4
whether to adopt a hyper-imaginative 6-year-old
"Antwone Fisher", 2003. Antwone Fisher, a young navy man, is forced to see a Summary 4
psychiatrist after a violent outburst against a fellow
crewman. During the course of treatment a painful
past is revealed and a new hope begins.
"Losing Isaiah", 1995. The natural and adoptive mothers of a young boy are Summary 4
involved in a bitter, controversial custody battle.
"Prince of Tides", 1991. A troubled man talks to his suicidal sister's psychiatrist Summary 4
about their family history and falls in love with her in
the process.
"America", A Lifetime Movie, 2007. Dr. Maureen Brennan (Rosie O'Donnell), a psychiatrist Summary 4
at a youth treatment center, encounters her newest
patient, a 16-year-old biracial boy named America.
Through their sessions, Dr. Brennan helps America
come to terms with his roller-coaster life, which began
when he was taken by authorities from his crack-
addicted mother and placed into foster care as an infant.
"White Oleander", 2002. A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes Questionnaire 4
after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime
of passion.
"I Am Sam", 2001. A mentally retarded man fights for custody of his 7-year- Questionnaire 4
old daughter, and in the process teaches his cold-hearted
lawyer the value of love and family.
"Rusty Johnson's American Dreams", 2006. A documentary encompassing the journey of a young boy Questionnaire 3
raised in the foster care in Iowa.

2. LITERATURE:
"A Child Called 'It': One Child's Courage to Survive" One of the worst child abuse cases in California's history Summary 4
Dave Pelzer came to an end Dave Pelzer entered foster care. Easy to
read, but difficult to comprehend how any mother could
treat her child this way.
"The Lost Boy. A Foster Child's Search for the Love of a The Lost Boy covers the time from when David Pelzer Summary 4
Family." Dave Pelzer enters foster care at the age of 12 until he ages out of the
system at age 18. Written in the same style as A Child
Called 'It', Pelzer tells his story from the view point of his
age at the time whether that be a 12-year-old or an
eighteen-year-old.
"A Man Named Dave." Dave Pelzer. The third installment of a series of autobiographical Summary 4
books of his life, continues the story of Dave Pelzer
overcoming being abused as a child.
"The Texas Foster Care Handbook for Youth: A handbook written by current and former foster youth Questionnaire 2
From the Voices of Youth in Foster Care and Foster Care covering youth perspectives, rights and responsibilities,
Alumni." foster parent reponsibilities, visitation rights and more.
"TEXAS Child Care. The Quarterly Journal for Magazine publication that covers various articles on child Questionnaire 2
Caregivers Everywhere." (Any Edition) care and child welfare.
"Foster Parenting Abused Children," Eliana Gil A publication of Prevent Child Abuse America that Questionnaire 2
encompasses child abuse, behaviors of neglected and
abused children, how to respond, and more.
"Out of the Margins. A Report on Regional Listening Includes stories and quotes from foster youth/alumni, and Questionnaire 5
Forums Highlighting the Experiences of Lesbian, Gay, information on safe affirming placements, faith based
Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth in Care" services, community resources, permanancy planning.
Child Welfare League of America, Lambda Legal Defense
& Education Fund
"True Independence. A Guide for Emancipating Covers information such as: Applying to college, financial aid Questionnaire 2
Foster Youth Who Want To Attend College" preparation necissary in high school, housing, and earning
Jason Hill a degree.
"Borrowed Water: From Tragedy to Triumph" An inpirational life story of one young woman's journey Summary 4
LaToya N. Brown from being a wounded, tormented teenage parent to being
a successful mother, inspirational speaker.

3. "Family Visiting in Out-of-Home Care: A Guide to Practice" This book will help the reader answer questions, such as: Questionnaire 2
Peg McCartt Hess, Kathleen Ohman Proch "When can we see our parents, How long will they be, will
they be supervised, where will they be… ?" Visits are the
heart of permanancy planning and this book will help you
develop and carry out a visiting plan.
"The Difficult Child" Stanley Turecki, M.D. How to help and cope with the difficult child. Identifying Summary 6
child's temperment, managing conflicts, getting support,
understanding ADHD, ADD, and other diagnoses, deciding
if medication is right …and more!
"Maintaining Family Ties: Inclusive Practice in Foster Care" How caseworkers have managed separation issues and Summary 6
Sally E. Palmer maintained family ties with the children in their caseloads
Evaluation Proccess
Summary: A minimum of two pages, where you summarize the subject. Cover questions, such as: Why was this subject significant and how/what will you apply from the subject to your home? What did
you observe while completing this subject that you agree or disagree with? Do you have unanswered questions after completing the subject? What was the most significant segment of this subject and
why? After completion, your summary must be submitted to Jonathan's Place for review. The given training credit hours will be awarded upon a satisfactory review from Jonathan's Place.
Questionnaire: One page "quiz," which can be found on www.slideshare.net (using the Jonathan's Place log-in). The questionnaire must be completed and submitted to Jonathan's Place. A minimum
90% profeciency is required to be awarded the given traning credit hours.
Please submit evaluations to:
Rusty Johnson, Foster/Adopt Trainer & Recruiter
rjohnson@kidnet.org
(972) 303-5346 -fax
(972) 303-1335 X230 -office