we all come from families. families are big, small, extended, nuclear, multi- generational, with one...
TRANSCRIPT
We all come from families. Families are big, small, extended, nuclear, multi-generational, with one parent, two parents and grandparents. We live under one roof or many. A family can be as temporary as a few weeks, as permanent as forever.
We become part of a family by birth, adoption, marriage or from a desire for mutual support. As family members, we nurture, protect and influence each other. Families are dynamic and are cultures unto themselves, with different values and unique ways of realizing dreams.
Shared foundation of empowerment Uses all available tools Supports network’s philosophy
› We are all stakeholders
Families have strengths and can change Strengths ultimately resolve concerns People gain hope when they
feel someone really listens Youth must be supported during transition to adulthood
Decisions about permanency must be based on best practice
Central goal must be well-being of children, youth
Family Preparation Child Preparation Child Profile Child Specific Recruitment Child Placement Finalization Post-Permanency Services
Begins with formal training for prospective parents
Creates confidential description of family, lifestyle
How FGDM can enhance Family
Preparation
How Family Preparation can enhance FGDM
Invited families, kin participate › Decide where child will live › Family Preparation can aid placement
decision
Approved kinship families may participate › Simplifies planning
Support system may become part of FGDM in Post-Permanency
2 important components to successful adoptions: › Commitment › Blessing
More willing to maintain child’s ties with birth family
Cultivates sense of entitlement to care for child › Includes network of friends, family,
community
Specialized work, activities to help children prepare for permanency
Child’s life book produced
How FGDM can enhance Child Preparation How Child Preparation can enhance FGDM
Goals of Child Preparation can enhance youth’s experience of FGDM
› Gives the Child a Voice› Honors the Past › Answers the Questions› Creates Connections › Looks to the Future
Can find life long connections for child not known to worker
Prep worker can use information to help child envision future that matches reality
Comprehensive written review of child’s
› Social› Emotional› Medical history
How FGDM can enhance Child Profile
How Child Profile can enhance FGDM
Provides valuable historical, cultural information for Child Profile
Helps professionals
› start discussion about family strengths, traditions, culture
› Identify agency concerns
Recruits families for specific child› Uses diligent search and Accurint
for family finding Variety of methods, resources
used
How FGDM can enhance CSR
How CSR can enhance FGDM
Family finding activities
Suggests names family might invite
Helps prepare youth by clarifying participants, relevance
Uses recruitment techniques to help family learn, understand more about child
Used with group, not necessarily relatives, invested in planning youth’s permanence
Can strengthen CSR process as permanent resource may step forward
Focuses on integrating child into family› Meshes strengths/needs› Pre-placement visits› Start of legal process
How FGDM can enhance Placement
How Placement can enhance
FGDM
May involve extended family, other supports
Can include those presently involved with child, even if role will end
Assist with development of PACA
Support network of friends, family, community established in matching plan
Same network can be in future FGDM During matching, kin/others might be
potential resources FGDM
Services for child, pre-adoptive family before adoption decree finalized
How FGDM can enhance Finalization How Finalization can enhance FGDM
IPSP enhanced, better implemented Helps minimize disruptions Guidelines for contact with child’s birth family
arranged before finalization
› Development of PACA Clearly defined guidelines can make
resource family more willing to maintain contact
IPSP, FGDM use same strengths-based perspective › Families create plan using personal
support systems Finalization allows time for FGDM
meeting
Supports families who adopted or provide kinship or legal custodianship care
Services › Case Advocacy› Support Group › Respite Care
How FGDM can enhance Finalization
How Finalization can enhance FGDM
Anyone chosen by family can participate
Family driven
› Well suited to family-driven Post-Permanency
Family more easily recognizes support system, including informal supports
› Sees their needs addressed
Knowledge of Post-Permanency services helps family › Develop plan› Select resources
Can be used within SWAN’s existing services
One of many options to work with families, children
A philosophy not a program
The more eyes, hands and hearts involved with a family, the safer the child.
Larry Graber
Debra ThomasSr. Family/Child Preparation Technical
Assistant, Diakon/FDR, Harrisburg (717) 231-5353