Change is a concept that naturally comes with competing perspectives. There are times when change is good, and times when change can cause setbacks. In child welfare, we strive toward positive changes when working with families to create safe and healthy environments. Yet, we want to minimize change by keeping children within the same school and the same placement if they have to enter the foster care system. We also strive to have a stable workforce where there is reduced social worker turnover. Unfortunately, staff turnover in the child welfare system continues to be an issue, causing unintended consequences and challenges for resource parents.
When staff does turnover, how can you as a resource parent navigate and aid in the inevitable disruption this causes? Below, you will find some tips to assist you during this transition:
Know the Plan
A change in social workers during the course of a case is a significant change. As the resource parent, you have the ability to positively impact this change leading to a smoother transition for everyone involved. When a change in social workers is planned, you should be given details about when your social worker’s last day is and formally introduced to your new social worker. We refer to this as a “warm hand-off.” If this is not possible, you should be given a point of contact at the agency until an ongoing social worker is assigned. If the departure of your social worker is sudden and there is a lapse in clear communication, call your licensing social worker, a DSS supervisor, or a DSS program manager for clarity.
Communicate
Tell your new social worker the best method and times for communicating with you. Ensure they have all your contact information including your phone numbers and email address. If you are comfortable with text messages to communicate small details, please let them know. If there is a time in your day when it is easier to have conversations about the child in your home, inform them. If there is an emergency need to contact you, what is the first number they should call? Think through these logistics and make sure you share the details with the new social worker. It is also important to ask the new social worker these questions as well—having a clear and open communication plan is key!
Share Information
You will likely know more about the youth than their new social worker. Be prepared to provide the new social worker with a summary. Prepare a one page document that outlines important information such as educational, medical, behavioral health, and family information. This document could outline the child’s school, doctor, dentist, and therapist with important information such as next scheduled appointments, prescribed medications, and any outstanding needs. Outline what the current family time plan is, such as in-person visits with parents or other family members. Include any other important dates such as extracurricular schedules or upcoming family vacations.
Advocate
If the youth you are caring for have pressing needs or there is an issue that requires prompt attention from DSS, do not hesitate to let your new social worker know. You should highlight this information during your first scheduled home visit or contact with the new social worker. Explain the need and why you need the assistance of the social worker in navigating the steps forward.
Offer to Help
Ask the new social worker if there is anything you can do as the resource parent to assist them during their transition to the case. Scheduling a needed appointment for the child, transporting the child to scheduled family time, or simply sending an email to a provider to introduce the new social worker electronically are all helpful gestures.
Preparing the child
Inform the child they have a new social worker. Share his/her name and let the child know when the social worker will be visiting the home. Help your child think about what they want to tell or share with the new social worker during their initial visit. It may be as simple as showing the social worker their favorite stuffed animal or as involved as making sure the social worker knows what is important to them in the permanency process.
Be Patient
Realize there are different ways social workers are assigned new cases. The new social worker may be an existing DSS employee who is assigned one new case. They also may be a new social worker to the agency who is assigned multiple new cases at one time. Understand the social worker is relying on reading the case record and speaking to the supervisor to learn about the family. The social worker will also take time to speak with the parents and all other important team members. The social worker will need time to fully understand the case.
Also understand each social worker has their own approach and style in their social work practice. You should not expect the new social worker to mimic the same approach as the former social worker.
The relationship between a resource parent and social worker is important. As a resource parent, the social worker is your first point of contact when you have information to share or you need clarity. As a social worker, the resource parent is the source of information about the child and their current needs. Mutual communication is important. A change in social workers during the course of a case is a significant change. As the resource parent, you have the ability to positively impact this change leading to a smoother transition for everyone involved.
Crystal Mitchell, MSW is a Human Services Program Manager at the Orange County Department of Social Services
*Thank you to Orange County DSS foster parents who provided input for this article.
| National Foster Parent Association | Supports foster parents in achieving safety, permanence, and well-being for the children and youth in their care, |
| Center for Parent Information and Resources | Information and resources for foster or adoptive parents on raising or caring for a child with disabilities. |
| Adopt US Kids | Describes the basic aspects of fostering, including partnering with caseworkers, meeting the child’s needs, preventing burnout, and learning resources. |
| Annie E. Casey Foundation | Resources to help you parent children in your care and navigate the child welfare system. Includes blog on keeping siblings together, a site on raising grandchildren, a magazine by parents who have experienced the system, and more. |
| National Child Traumatic Stress Network | Examines the effect of trauma on children throughout development and provides resources to guide parents. |
| Sesame Street in Communities | Helps children in out-of-home care cope with separation from their parents, placements in care, and reunification. |
| Laura, Foster Parent Partner | Helping new foster parents get started & navigate services, safety, & families. |
