Link to the Webinar recording: Watch Here
Link to the Handouts: PowerPoint, Presenting Youth to Resource Parents for Placement Consideration Handout
Overview:
Reframe “Problems” as “Needs”. Problems are things you have to “put up” with while needs can be met!
When we say, “this youth has these problems...”, the resource parents are already on the defensive, dreading what you’ll say next. However, when you say “needs”, the resource parent feels empowered to help the youth.
•Don’t start out by listing the child/teen’s diagnoses. Instead describe what the resource parent will need to do to care for the child/teen first before sharing the most recent diagnoses.
Resource parents may not know what a particular diagnosis means for them on a day to day basis. For example, a child may be ADHD...what does that really mean? Also, is the youth mild, moderate or severe? Other diagnoses are also complicated and there is are a wide range of behavioral manifestations a youth could display. Prepare the resource parent for their role in caring for the youth. Once you have discussed the child/teen’s strengths and day to day care needs with the resource parents, share any CURRENT diagnoses with description of the actual behaviors and point out that these labels don’t give a full picture of who the child/teen is or what it will be like to live with them.
•Create a “story” to tell the Resource Parent about the child or teen.
Sharing a list of problems and diagnoses does not provide the resource parent the context of the youth’s experience prior to entering care. The resource parent needs to gain empathy and insight regarding what the youth may have experienced or may be feeling. Knowing the trauma a child/youth has experienced helps to make sense of the child/teen’s behaviors to the resource parents.
•Share strengths too!
Every youth has strengths as well as needs! A youth’s interests, likes, skills and strengths may be what a resource parent can begin to build a relationship upon. For example, if the youth is really into soccer, the family could assist the youth in getting into a league, attend the games and watch soccer together on TV. Positive comments from current caregivers, teachers and other adults are helpful when sharing strengths.
Engage the Youth in the process!
Youth are the experts on themselves. The youth can share information about hopes, dreams, goals, desires for a family, activities, food, etc. These quotes can be shared with the prospective family, helping them see the youth as a child in need and begin to form a connection immediately. The youth can write a short letter introducing him/herself to the prospective family and expressing any questions or concerns s/he may have. In fact, some agencies are making short videos on smart phones to share with a prospective family, helping them seethe youth as more than a list of problems or challenges.
•Consider what would YOU want to know about the youth if YOU were the resource parent.
Put yourself in the resource parents’ place. If you were considering welcoming this youth into your family, what would you need to know to be assured you could meet the youth’s needs? That your other children would be safe? That this youth would be a “good fit” for your family and that are the right family for this youth?Obtain that info and share it with the resource parents!
•Lastly, if you were the youth’s parent, what would you want a caregiver to know about your child??
Think about it...you wouldn’t leave your child in the care of another adult, possibly a stranger to with to the child/teen without information about health needs, habits, fears, etc. Our children and teens need you to gather and share important information with their resource parents to ensure quality care. This reduces the trauma of the move for the youth and promotes a successful family experience.
Outline
Outline for sharing information with resource parents for placement consideration
1.Provide background on the circumstances that brought the child/teen into care.(This will provide context to the resource parents regarding the situation and help to create insight and empathy).
2.Describe the impact that the child/youth's background has had on him/her in regards to his/her social/emotional/physical/cognitive well-being and behavioral manifestations.
3.Share why you chose to call this family...what was it about them that seemed to be a good match for the child/youth.
4.Describe the child/teen's strengths including positive comments from adults in youth’s life.
5. Share quotes and information the youth has provided.
6.Describe the child/youth's needs and emphasize what the caregiver will need to do meet the needs before sharing the most recent diagnoses.
7. Discuss what the Resource parents will need to do to engage and work with Birth Parents8.Share the services/supports/resources that will be available to the resource parents & the child/teen.
Presenter:
Denise Goodman, Ph.D., LISW is an independent trainer and consultant. Her professional career of 23 years has included experience as a youth leader, protective services worker, residential treatment coordinator, and foster parent. She is a member of the Family to Family Technical Assistance Team that works with agencies nationwide in recruitment, training, preparation, support, and retention of caregivers.