Trainings & Events

Family Engagement Training Menu

According to the 2025 School Climate & Connectedness Survey, only two-thirds of staff said their school provides training on partnering with families. Sample from the AFEC training menu to ensure 100% of your team has the training & support they need. Don’t see what you’re looking for on here? We can make trainings to order!

Spring 2026 Webinar Series

APRIL 20, 2026 4:30pm – 5:30pm: Transitions: Warm welcomes and hand-off for students and families
Starting at a new school or leaving a beloved community behind can be hard on students and families. In this workshop, we’ll explore what you can do during key transitions – kindergarten, 6th/7th grade, 8th/9th grade, and 12th grade – to provide a warm welcome and hand-off to the next opportunity.

APRIL 23, 2026 4:30pm – 5:30pm: Looking Back to Move Forward: Reflecting on Trauma Engaged Practices
This webinar offers a guided opportunity to reflect on your school year. Grounded in trauma-engaged classroom principles, participants will explore key areas for reflection and start evaluating current strategies to identify which to keep, refine, or change for the year ahead.

Helping Our Kids Thrive This School Year

September 2025 – March 2026

Virtual Series for Parents, Guardians, and Caregivers. Opportunity to have an open conversation and ask questions with others who share similar interests. Learn More Here!

Empowered Parents – Inclusive Connections (EPIC)

Thursdays, 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Virtual meetings on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays

Do you know families who have a child with special needs? Help connect them with a network of support for the child, siblings, and parents. In addition to trainings, Stone Soup Group offers events designed to empower families and professionals with knowledge, tools, and support to help Alaskan children with special needs thrive. Each session provides opportunities to learn, share experiences, and build meaningful connections within a caring community. We believe that strong family connections are the foundation for growth—when families come together to learn and support one another, everyone benefits. Register and get the Zoom link here.

NAMI Basics – Mental Health guidance for families of teens

Free, online, available any time

This free, six-session online education program is for parents, caregivers, and others who provide care for youth aged 22 or younger who are experiencing mental health symptoms. NAMI Basics OnDemand is guided by parents and family members with lived experience, is self-paced, and is available 24/7. Learn more and sign up here.

Transition Series: Exploring the Alaska Transition Handbook

Free, online

Over a period of six Zoom sessions, the Stone Soup Group will walk through the Transition Pathways Handbook. These sessions are especially helpful for families of middle and high school students with special needs. Register here.

Family Advisory Board

First Fridays, 1:00 – 2:00 pm

Do you know family members who may be interested in helping guide the work of the Alaska Family Engagement Center? We’re looking for a few more Family Advisory Board members, especially those who have elementary school-aged kids and/or are fathers, grandfathers, and uncles. Thanks for nominating family members here (self-nominations are welcome!). Contact Emily Ferry for more info.

Active Parenting of Teens

Mondays, 4/27 – 6/1 5:30pm – 7:00pm

For caregivers of preteens and teens, this video and discussion program provides the skills needed to use effective discipline, teach responsibility, and communicate with teens. Each session shows caregivers how to handle sensitive issues such as drugs, sexuality, and violence. Register Here!

Circle of Security Parenting

Wednesdays, February 4 through March 25, from 5:30 to 6:30 PM

Add a positive twist to your parenting with this class, which focuses on effective techniques for promoting emotional development and understanding behavior. This class aims to help caregivers understand children’s development, communication, and how to support desired behavior. Register Here!