SPOON and Oregon State University (OSU) Extension Service in Columbia County have collaborated to create the “Nourished and Thriving Children Course,” a free online training that provides guidance on addressing nutrition and feeding challenges specific to children who have experienced trauma. While originally designed for foster families, this interactive, self-paced course is useful for anyone who cares for or supports a child who has experienced trauma.
Background on our US Program
SPOON has been working in Oregon’s foster care community for over six years. During this time, we developed a trauma-informed curriculum for in-person trainings called the Nourished and Thriving Children Toolkit.
In 2019 and 2020, SPOON and OSU partnered to train the Department of Human Services child welfare office in St. Helens, OR on SPOON’s Toolkit. After the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the trainings moved online. We received feedback from caregivers that a stand-alone, self-paced online course would be more useful and accessible. This prompted us to collaborate to create the “Nourished and Thriving Children Course” to better meet the needs of Oregon’s foster families.
Nourished and Thriving Children Course
The course is comprised of eight modules that introduce principles of trauma-informed feeding and nutrition, discuss challenges specific to children who have experienced trauma, and offer guidance on addressing these challenges.
“We want caregivers to feel empowered. We want to reframe mealtime so that it’s an opportunity to connect with the child and build resilience.”
Kate Miller
Feeding & Disability Specialist, SPOON
Children who have experienced trauma – including many foster children – often experience unique feeding and nutrition issues that can act as a barrier to their healthy growth, development, and successful participation in family life. Mealtimes can become a “battleground” for families, leaving caregivers feeling helpless. Our course provides trauma-informed strategies that empower caregivers to create nurturing mealtimes and develop resilience in the children in their care.
The course is co-instructed by Kate Miller, SPOON’s Feeding & Disability Specialist, and Jenny Rudolph, an associate professor of practice in the OSU Extension Service Family and Community Health Program. It features advice from Oregon foster parents, resources from OSU’s Food Hero program such as recipes for preparing trauma-informed meals, and videos on topics including establishing trust, developing positive relationships at mealtime, and helping children try new foods.
Positive Response and a Wider Launch
SPOON and OSU piloted the initial version of the course with a cohort of foster parents in late 2021. Feedback from parents was incorporated into its design. We launched the course publicly in May, and, to date, over 130 participants are enrolled. We have received positive feedback so far, and we look forward to continuing to share it widely.
The “Nourished and Thriving Children Course” is available to the public for free through OSU’s Professional and Continuing Education unit. You can access it here.
“I just completed the Nourished and Thriving Children Course. As a pediatrician specializing in child abuse and foster care, I found the course extremely valuable, and it is something I share with the caregivers for children in foster care. Every foster parent should have this information in their toolkit.”
Course participant
