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HELPING FOSTER YOUTH TRANSITION TO AND FROM HOME VISITATIONS

The Current Status of Youth in Foster Care. Number of confirmed cases of child abuse/neglectChild deathsNumber of youth in foster careAverage age and genderAverage amount of time the youth is in careApproximately 2/3 of youth in care return homeThe impact of chemical abuse/dependency. GROUP TH

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HELPING FOSTER YOUTH TRANSITION TO AND FROM HOME VISITATIONS

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    1. “HELPING FOSTER YOUTH TRANSITION TO AND FROM HOME VISITATIONS” By Charley Joyce, LICSW Power point design by Gayle Grenz

    2. The Current Status of Youth in Foster Care Number of confirmed cases of child abuse/neglect Child deaths Number of youth in foster care Average age and gender Average amount of time the youth is in care Approximately 2/3 of youth in care return home The impact of chemical abuse/dependency

    3. GROUP THINK: From your perspective as a Foster Parent: 1. Why are foster youth involved in visits with their own families? 2. What are some of the frustrations you experience in the visitation process? It is important to recognize that reasons for having visits, and frustrations that arise as a part of the visitation process, are two separate, but related issues.

    4. DO VISITS WORK IN THE PROCESS OF REUNIFICATION? In a study published in the April 2004 issue of “Family Relations”, 123 Foster children, ages 6 and younger, were studied. All of the children had reunification as the primary case goal. Children were MORE LIKELY TO HAVE stronger levels of parent-child attachment if they: Had more completed supervised visits with their biological parents Had more consistent supervised visits with their biological parents Had been in foster care for a shorter period of time Findings also indicated that children with higher levels of attachment: Were less likely to be classified as developmentally delayed Were less likely to take medication for behavioral issues Had fewer behavioral problems

    5. BENEFITS OF VISITATION (Wright 2001) Provide an opportunity for parental change Reassure the child of the parent’s well being Ease the pain of separation for all Provide a setting for agency assessment Assist with transition to reunification Reduce time in care (Hess 1999) Enhance parental motivation to change through reassurance and hope Maintain and strengthen family relationships Enable the parent(s) to stay current with the child’s development and activities Help participants deal with reality Increase the likelihood of reunification (Hess 1999) If reunification is not the plan, help participants cope, grieve and work out future relationships.

    6. VISITATION IS AN IMPORTANT, YET DIFFICULT, CONFUSING AND EM0TIONAL EVENT FOR ALL INVOLVED PARTIES. Often participants enter the visitation process with a different perspective and investment resulting in confusion and defensiveness. A. Foster parent’s perspective B. Birth parent’s perspective C. The foster child’s perspective

    7. WHAT CAN FOSTER PARENTS DO TO SUPPORT THE VISITATION PROCESS? CHECK your own feelings regarding how you feel about the visitation process. CLARIFY your role in the visitation process. IDENTIFY who you can communicate your concerns to (safety, sight of visits, content). LOOK for ways to positively reinforce progress displayed in visitation. IDENTIFY ways to help the foster youth transition to and from the visit. WORK to understand that your values and the values of the foster youth’s family, often will differ. REMEMBER that “blood is thick”. TRY to form a positive relationship with the child’s parent.

    8. HELPING THE FOSTER YOUTH TRANSITION TO AND FROM VISITS Remember that foster youth generally react to disorganization and changes when they are anxious, scared and confused! Try to ensure that the visits take place as planned and when planned (Generally the role of the custodian). Consider developmental factors in visits. Determine if the child does better with short or long-term notification and plan accordingly. If the child is well connected with a therapist, ask the therapist to assist with pre and post visitation support. Utilize a variety of techniques to assist with preparation. (Continued on next slide)

    9. EXAMPLES COULD INCLUDE: (Continued from previous slide) Role Play - “Ask the case worker” Allow the child to take transition objects to the visit Position people who represent safety during the visit Try to incorporate the child’s ideas into the visit on what is helpful Assure the child that coming back to the foster home does not equal loyalty. Expect behavioral/emotional regression Plan ways to assist with the regression

    10. CASE HISTORY EXAMPLES POST VISITATION REGRESSION PRE VISITATION PLANNING

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