EUGENE, Ore., Sept. 8, 2007 -- Northwest Media's Foster Parent College -- the industry-leading, Web-based training program for foster parents -- has added an 18th course to its online and DVD product catalog: "Working with Birth Parents I: Visitation - Helping Youth Transition To and From Home Visitations."

Foster parents often observe problematic behavior in their foster children before, during or after visits with birth parents.

"Behavior may be especially difficult when children struggle with the disappointment of inconsistent visitation," advised course author Charley Joyce, LICSW. "This new course presents insightful explanations for these distressing challenges and provides practical suggestions for making visits more positive."

Using realistic cases, the course explores and proposes solutions to common problems with recommendations for younger and older children. "Working with Birth Parents" explains why such visits are both turbulent and disturbing, yet it emphasizes why they are nevertheless beneficial to the child. It suggests ways for foster parents to clarify their roles in the visitation process and to whom to turn for support.

Courses at Foster Parent College (FPC) 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.

Unlike many books and programs for foster and adoptive parents, all the programs at Foster Parent College are thoroughly researched and deemed effective in meeting industry and governmental standards. FPC researched the effectiveness of the new course in part through a federal Small Business Innovation Research grant.

Hundreds of social service agencies in 18 states and territories recognize FPC course completion certificates as meeting or exceeding regulatory requirements for continuing education. This kind of training is required to maintain foster parenting home licenses.

"Budgets are being severely cut while the demand for qualified foster parent training continues to rise. FPC is a solution that meets everyone's needs," said Lee White, president of Foster Parent College. "State agencies can dramatically lower their costs while families can study the training material in the privacy of their own homes and on their own time. It is win-win for all, especially the children who are the ultimate consumers of our programs."

Online courses are only $8 per subject per student. Visit fosterparentcollege.com for details.

Foster Parent College provides dynamic, interactive, multimedia training courses for adoptive, kinship and foster parents. FPC courses are available online as self-directed courses or scheduled interactive workshops. Parents can purchase courses on their own, or agencies can purchase an Agency Account and offer the training to parents. An Agency Account allows staff to register users, monitor their progress and offer customized courses.

About Northwest Media, Inc., Eugene, Oregon

Northwest Media is a 21-year-old privately held publisher of traditional and digital resources for successful parenting. Founded in 1985, it has received more than 35 federal research grants in the general areas of foster and adoptive parent training and independent living. Northwest Media products include Foster Parent College; www.SocialLearning.com, an online and catalog sales division with more than 2500 listed products; Vstreet.com, an animated, interactive Web site for young people at risk; and Getting Ready, a monthly magazine serving youth in transition to independent living.

For more information, visit www.fosterparentcollege.com or www.northwestmedia.com.