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Online Learning Hub
Welcome to ACO’s Online Learning Hub!
We are glad you found your way here and hope you enjoy our online course offerings. Thanks to a grant from Ontario Trillium Foundation, the ACO acquired an online learning management system (“LMS”). Our LMS is from Brightspace by D2L, a leader in the LMS on-line learning field. You may be familiar with the Brightspace learning platform from courses you’ve taken, and/or from courses your kids have taken. It’s an accessible, easy-to-use platform.
ACO’s Brightspace is a great platform to learn more about adoption & permanency – at your own pace, in a way that suits you best.
Please see our current Library of online courses below and start your online learning journey today! Bookmark this page so you can check back here regularly & see our new courses coming soon.
Online Learning Hub Library of Courses
Please click on the course titles below to learn more. You can register for any or all of the courses by clicking on the Register button below.
ACO Webinar Collection – FREE
ACO Webinar Collection
Suggested audience: everyone
Cost: FREE
Approximate time commitment: 10+ hours
Access Time: 30Days
Collection description:
ACO’s Webinar Collection includes webinars/videos on the following topics:
Top 10 Things You Need to Know About Permanency
The 7 Core Issues
Importance of Siblings
Importance of Youth Networks
Parenting Teens
ACES
The Power of Rituals & Ceremonies
Finding a Therapist
Search & Reunion
Resources for Adoptees
Resources for Birth & Original Parents
And a Bonus Webinar…..
Importance of Permanency for our Children & Youth-FREE
Importance of Permanency for our Children & Youth
Suggested audience: For everyone
Cost: FREE
Approx time commitment: 3-5 hours
Access time: 60 days
Course description/Learning Objectives:
In this course you will:
- Learn about and understand what “permanency” means
- Gain a better understand of what permanency journeys are all about from a youth’s perspective
- Learn about the outcomes for youth “aging out” of the foster care system without permanency
- Explore the differences between surviving vs thriving in life & why permanency is critically important
- Learn what permanency can offer to children and youth
- Explore what permanency families and “humans” look like
- Listen and reflect on kids & youth’s thoughts and perspectives – what permanency means and feels like to them
- Learn how to find out more about being a family/human for kids and youth who need lasting permanency
- For professionals, learn how to find out more about permanency and adoption journeys and how to work with those on them
How to Adopt
How to Adopt
Suggested audience: Prospective adoptive families & professionals new to adoption/permanency.
Cost: $50
Approx Time Commitment: 2-4 hours
Access Time:90 days
Course description:
In this course you will:
- Learn about adoption and what it’s all about
- Learn about the different ways to adopt in Ontario
- Learn about eligibility requirements
- Learn how to become “Adopt Ready”
- Identify the differences between the primary adoption options in Ontario
- Develop an awareness of the children who are waiting to be adopted
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of the adoption service providers in Ontario
- Consider which type of adoption would be best for you
- Have the info you need to consider the next steps in the process
Learn More www.adoption.on.ca/training-education/how-to-adopt
A Course for Adoptive/Permanency Parents: Grief & Loss
A Course for Adoptive/Permanency Parents: Grief & Loss
Suggested audience: adoptive/permanency parents & caregivers
Cost: $50
Approximate time commitment: 3 hours
Access time: 60 days
Course description:
This course will …
- Deepen your understanding of grief and loss in the context of adoption & permanency journeys
- Help you identify grief & loss & its impact
- Help you find ways to address and work through your grief & loss
- Provide guidance on how to find and work with a therapist
- Help you take care of yourself & invite reflection
Openness
Openness
Suggested audience: For families & professionals
Cost: $75
Approximate time commitment: 15 hours
Access time: 60 days
Course description:
This collection will …
- Deepen your understanding of what openness means and why it is important in adoption & permanency journeys
- Explain the concept of “open-heartedness” and how & why it is important in adoption & permanency journeys
- Provide some historical & legal context to the discussion of openness
- Share stories & perspectives about openness of those living adoption & permanency journeys
- Invite reflection about openness and open-heartedness as it relates to your journey
A Course for Professionals: Supporting Adoptive/Permanency parents with Grief & Loss
A Course for Professionals: Supporting Adoptive/Permanency parents with Grief & Loss
Suggested Audience: professionals working with adoptive/permanency parents
Cost: $100
Approximate time commitment: 4 hours
Access time: 60 days
Certificate: A completion certificate for 4 hours will be provided.
Course description:
This course will …
- Deepen your understanding of grief and loss in the context of adoption & permanency journeys
- Help you identify grief & loss & its impact in parents and caregivers
- Demonstrate how to work with parents and caregivers in the context of a therapeutic setting
- Help you take care of yourself when working with families impacted by grief and loss
- Invite reflection about working with families on their life-long journeys
Educator Workshop: Building Wellbeing in our Schools & Classrooms – A Relationship Based Course for Teachers & Educators
Educator Workshop: Building Wellbeing in our Schools & Classrooms – A Relationship Based Course for Teachers & Educators
Suggested audience: For teachers & other educators
Cost: $90
Approximate time commitment: 20 hours
Access time: 90 days
Certificate: A completion certificate for 20 hours will be provided.
Course description:
You will complete this course with a better understanding of…
- Trauma-Sensitive Schools & Their Importance
- Trauma, Attachment & a Child’s Developing Brain
- Adoption/Foster Care & Permanency Journeys through a Trauma Lens – what Educators need to know
- How to Use Positive Adoption Language
- How Kids on Adoption & Permanency journeys are impacted by School Assignments & How to Help
- Strategies you can use in the Classroom
- How to Build Better Relationships with your Students
- How to Effectively Work with Families
- School Year Timeline & Other Important Considerations
- Resources
Learn More www.adoption.on.ca/educator-workshop
If interested in more information about this workshop, please email [email protected]
Becoming AdoptReady & Beyond: Waiting & Preparing
Becoming AdoptReady & Beyond: Waiting & Preparing
- build your knowledge about adoption & permanency and adoptiono & permanency journeys
- have a chance to learn & practice skills, including self-reflection and self-assessment skills
- consider your personal attributes as they relate to parenting in adoption & permanency, and
- start to think about and build supports and resources around you
Navigating School:A Course for Adoptive & Permanency Families
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Why learning & school can be more challenging for children & teens on adoption & permanency journeys
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How trauma-informed professionals, classrooms & schools can help
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How to be an engaged parent with the school & your child/teen, and learn to be a strong advocate
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How to create a strong partnership between home, school and your child/teen
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How to navigate the Back-to-School or Starting a New School transition
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Resources to support you & your child that can be used throughout the school year
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Resources to support your child/teen’s teachers & school
FASD Collection
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Deepen your understanding of what FASD is and its lifelong impact
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Explain the relevance and interplay between FASD and adoption/permanency journeys
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Share stories & perspectives about FASD from young people and families living adoption & permanency journeys
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Invite reflection about FASD in the hopes of raising awareness about it and supporting those living with it
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Share FASD-related resources and provide links to learn more
Youth Documentary – Voices of Changes: The Adoption Narrative
The Seven Core Issues Of Adoption and Permanency-Free
- What the seven core issues of adoption & permanency are
- How the seven core issues impact everyone on adoption & permanency journeys
- Why the seven core issues are lifelong
- What can help
- How professionals can support children, teens, adults and families on adoption & permanency journeys
- Where to find resources to learn more about the seven core issues
Other Ways to Learn
We offer in-person and online facilitated courses just for you! From already curated content to customized trainings. Reach out and learn more today!
ACO has developed a series of facilitated workshops for its community. These workshops can be delivered virtually, or for an additional fee, in-person to various groups of individuals– families, parent, adoptee or other peer support groups, and professionals.
| Name | Target Audience | Learning Objectives | Time Commitment | Cost |
| Parent/Caregiver Trauma Training | Adoptive, Kinship, Foster & Permanency Parents & Caregivers | To help parents & caregivers better understand their child or youth | 1-day workshop or two ½ day workshops (6 training hours) | $2000 for up to 20 participants |
| Adoption & Permanency 101 | Professionals new to the field | An introductory course | 1-day or two ½ days workshops | $2000 for up to 20 participants |
| Seven Core Issues (Parents) | Parents & Caregivers | Explore the 7 Core Issues | ½ day workshop | $750 for up to 15 participants |
| Seven Core Issues (Adoptees) | Adoptees | Explore the 7 Core Issues | ½ day workshop | $500 for up to 15 participants |
| Seven Core Issues (Birth Parents) | Birth Parents | Explore the 7 Core Issues | ½ day workshop | $500 for up to 15 participants |
| Seven Core Issues (Professionals) | Professionals | Galaxy members exploration | ½ day workshop | $750 for up to 20 participants |
| Blocked Care & Trust (Parents) | Parents & caregivers | Understanding blocked care | ½ day workshop | $750 for up to 10 participants |
| Blocked Care & Trust (Professionals) | Professionals | Identify and work with blocked care | ½ day workshop | $750 for up to 10 participants |
| Parenting with a New Lens | Parents & Caregivers | Explore therapeutic parenting | ½ day workshop | $750 for up to 15 participants |
| Self-Compassion | Parents & Caregivers | Lifelong journey exploration | 2-hour workshop | $500 for up to 15 participants |
| Blanket of Permanency | Parents & Caregivers | Deeper permanency exploration | 2-hour workshop | $500 for up to 15 participants |
For more information please complete this form and someone from the ACO will get back to you!
Courses Coming Soon in 2026!
- Developmental Trauma- for everyone
- Adoption 101 for Professionals – for professionals new to the field of adoption & permanency
Tips for Using the LMS
Once you register for one of our online courses, you will receive an email to set up an account. For more information on using the LMS, please see the attached information.
We want to hear from you!
What courses would you like to see? Tell us here
