Animal Welfare Professionals

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
Holly Skalak
Ruff Start Rescue
------------------------------

Hi Holly! 

It's so funny I just came across your question, we have been talking about this as well! We currently have it set up so you can create courses or orientations and assign videos, documents, or presentations and put quizzes anywhere in the orientation along the way, which the system can grade. You can see how far folks are along in the course or orientation, etc. I can include a few screenshot examples of what the "view course" and quiz layout looks like in case it's at all helpful to you, or if you have any feedback! FosterSpot (a nonprofit foster program management platform) will be available in early 2026, but I also heard on one of the Foster 50 podcast episodes with Kelly and Kristen  (I think it was "Make Foster Onboarding Work for You") they mentioned Thinkific, which is a website where you can create and host a course - I don't know anything about it personally but maybe that could be what you're looking for! I don't think it's free but I believe they have a discount for nonprofits!

------------------------------
Claire Russell
Founder, FosterSpot
New York, NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2025 06:46 AM
From: Holly Skalak
Subject: Does anyone here use self-paced online foster training and orientations?

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
Holly Skalak
Ruff Start Rescue
------------------------------

This is very exciting! I would love to learn more about FosterSpot 

Hi Holly! 

It's so funny I just came across your question, we have been talking about this as well! We currently have it set up so you can create courses or orientations and assign videos, documents, or presentations and put quizzes anywhere in the orientation along the way, which the system can grade. You can see how far folks are along in the course or orientation, etc. I can include a few screenshot examples of what the "view course" and quiz layout looks like in case it's at all helpful to you, or if you have any feedback! FosterSpot (a nonprofit foster program management platform) will be available in early 2026, but I also heard on one of the Foster 50 podcast episodes with Kelly and Kristen  (I think it was "Make Foster Onboarding Work for You") they mentioned Thinkific, which is a website where you can create and host a course - I don't know anything about it personally but maybe that could be what you're looking for! I don't think it's free but I believe they have a discount for nonprofits!

------------------------------
Claire Russell
Founder, FosterSpot
New York, NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2025 06:46 AM
From: Holly Skalak
Subject: Does anyone here use self-paced online foster training and orientations?

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
Holly Skalak
Ruff Start Rescue
------------------------------

Hi Michelle!

Happy to put you on the list of partners who will be first to get access to the platform if you'd like! The 'short' version is, I've fostered 80+ animals and saw how every org I fostered for was working so, so hard using many different disjointed platforms/software to try to manage and grow their foster programs. I believe so deeply in the potential of fostering as a life-saving tool, and the amazing folks running these programs deserve technology that makes their days easier, less full of busywork, and makes starting, growing, and maintaining strong foster programs simpler, more enjoyable, and less resource-intensive. I believe in it so much, in fact, that I stepped away from my 9-5 to focus full-time on building it! I know tech like this has been tried before in different iterations, and that if we were going to make something truly helpful and lasting, it would have to be a complete focus.

After nearly two years of research and working behind the scenes, we're now preparing to begin spreading the word and planning the launch of our first version in early spring! FosterSpot is a web-based platform designed to harness technology in such a way that it can give organizations of any size and resource level the power and efficiency of a large foster team - essentially a streamlined, one-stop platform for every aspect of fostering, built for both staff and foster volunteers. So, streamlined and systemized matching, communication, resource libraries, community-building, medical & behavioral support coordination, scheduling, and tools like kitten weight logs, adoption promotion, and much more. FosterSpot isn't meant to replace Shelterluv or anything else, it's a tool designed for the unique needs of foster programs specifically and we're working on it being able to integrate and work alongside Shelterluv and other existing shelter management tools. The platform isn't just designed to manage programs, it's meant to help grow programs, retain fosters, and champion foster programs at every turn to be powerful tools for both rescue-based orgs and shelters of all sizes. This is a nonprofit project, we are focused on making the platform as close to free as possible, and we are not in the business of selling anything - just hoping to provide the tools that staff, volunteers, and the animals truly deserve!

If you'd like to be added to the list of folks who will be first to get access to our launch date and details, please feel free to drop your email in this quick form or shoot me a message at: hello@thefosterspot.org

All the best, and thanks so much for your enthusiasm! We're really excited about the possibilities of a future with FosterSpot! 

This is very exciting! I would love to learn more about FosterSpot 

Hi Holly! 

It's so funny I just came across your question, we have been talking about this as well! We currently have it set up so you can create courses or orientations and assign videos, documents, or presentations and put quizzes anywhere in the orientation along the way, which the system can grade. You can see how far folks are along in the course or orientation, etc. I can include a few screenshot examples of what the "view course" and quiz layout looks like in case it's at all helpful to you, or if you have any feedback! FosterSpot (a nonprofit foster program management platform) will be available in early 2026, but I also heard on one of the Foster 50 podcast episodes with Kelly and Kristen  (I think it was "Make Foster Onboarding Work for You") they mentioned Thinkific, which is a website where you can create and host a course - I don't know anything about it personally but maybe that could be what you're looking for! I don't think it's free but I believe they have a discount for nonprofits!

------------------------------
Claire Russell
Founder, FosterSpot
New York, NY

Original Message:
Sent: 10-22-2025 06:46 AM
From: Holly Skalak
Subject: Does anyone here use self-paced online foster training and orientations?

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

#FosterPrograms

------------------------------
Holly Skalak
Ruff Start Rescue
------------------------------

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

Hi Holly, 

I haven't looked into it much yet but I recently saw that Maddie's now allows you to set up a training portal for staff/volunteers on their site. This may be worth looking into further. 

Michelle

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

Hi Michelle, 

That is so cool that that do that! I've tried looking for more info for that but have not found it. Where did you see that info :) 

Hi Holly, 

I haven't looked into it much yet but I recently saw that Maddie's now allows you to set up a training portal for staff/volunteers on their site. This may be worth looking into further. 

Michelle

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

Hi Sophie!

I saw it in one of their weekly emails a couple of months ago. If you scroll through this discussion post I attached a pdf that has the information they sent back to me when I inquired about it with them initially. If you can't find it just let me know and I'll send it to you directly. 

Thanks!

Hi Michelle, 

That is so cool that that do that! I've tried looking for more info for that but have not found it. Where did you see that info :) 

Hi Holly, 

I haven't looked into it much yet but I recently saw that Maddie's now allows you to set up a training portal for staff/volunteers on their site. This may be worth looking into further. 

Michelle

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.

I'm curious to see if any of your organizations have examples of online, self-paced foster orientations that you'd be willing to share.

Right now, our foster orientation is a single 20-minute video that includes slides and a voiceover. It's been working well overall, but we've found that making edits or updates to the video is difficult, especially when policies or procedures change.

We're looking to transition to a more modular and flexible format - potentially a mix of:

• Short video segments

• Written or slide-based pages

• Quick interactive quizzes as they go

Our goal is to make the training more engaging, easier to update, and still provide a clear understanding of our foster process and expectations.

Currently, after fosters complete our video, they fill out a short Google Form quiz to confirm they've watched it. We then follow up with a phone call to review a few additional points and answer any final questions before they begin fostering.

If your organization has developed or is using a similar self-paced online foster training, I'd love to see how you've structured it (especially if you're using specific platforms or tools). Any advice, templates, or examples would be super helpful!

Thanks so much in advance for your time and insights.