Which statement best describes whether a child-placing agency may waive a foster parent's annual training for emergency behavior intervention, trauma-informed care, or normalcy?

• A. They cannot waive annual training for emergency behavior intervention, trauma-informed care, or normality in consecutive years.
• B. They may waive if the training is completed through an alternative format approved by the agency.
• C. They may waive if the foster parent has fewer than two years of service.
• D. They may waive annually if DFPS determines the need.

Answer: (A)

Mandatory annual training in emergency behavior intervention, trauma-informed care, and normalcy is required for foster parents, and there isn’t a provision to skip these topics in consecutive years. Keeping up-to-date on how to safely manage crises, support children who have experienced trauma, and promote normal developmental opportunities is essential for a child’s safety and wellbeing. Programs enforce yearly refreshers to ensure caregivers’ skills reflect current practices and standards, so a waiver that lets you miss two years in a row undermines those protections.

The other ideas aren’t supported because alternative formats don’t remove the obligation to complete the training each year, new foster parents still must meet the annual requirement, and DFPS does not grant discretionary waivers to bypass these mandatory trainings.