By Chrissy Triplett
When children exit foster care, a new journey begins for their foster parents. It can be a challenging journey, but one they do not have to go through alone.
This can also be an exciting time, but it can evoke anxiety as the professionals who once supported you like social workers and Guardians ad Litem, are now stepping away. Every family has ups and downs after a placement leaves, and helping families through this process is one of the roles of a Success Coach. Success Coaches can help your family better enjoy the “ups” and survive the “downs.”
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, in partnership with Catawba County Social Services, selected Success Coach Services as the post-care model to support families with children(ren) who have left foster care through reunification, guardianship, custody, or adoption.
The Success Coach Service is a free, voluntary program designed to support families as they face challenges such as navigating education systems, guidance with attachment, parenting burnout, trauma and healing, financial challenges, substance misuse, mental health services, and much more.
What to Expect as a Resource Parent Seeking Success Coach Services
In the first two months of being assigned a Success Coach, you will meet with them three to four times so they can get to know your family and learn how they can best assist you. Your family will drive this process, focusing on areas you feel will help the most. You will create goals with your Success Coach, and they will meet with you at least once per month.
Success Coaches believe engagement and genuinely getting to know everyone in the family are priorities when assisting during this journey. In addition to post-placement support, Success Coaches can assist your family with:
- Connecting with community resources.
- Helping resource parents assess their child’s needs.
- Providing support, education, and training focused on your family’s needs.
- Assisting in managing a crisis.
- Teaching parenting strategies that work.
- Offering support for special school needs.
- Access to a resource lending library.
- Assisting in how to talk to your placement and family about adoption.
Successes Coaches began in NC in 2010. Below is what families have shared about the service:
“It is good to have a Success Coach help navigate the school system and have someone at the [school] meetings.”
“The Success Coach is your advocate… It was nice to have someone who was just on your side.”
“I felt alone after the adoption was finalized, and I am glad I have someone for support and to help advocate for me.”
If you’re interested in learning more, below you will find who to contact for your area to inquire about Success Coach Services:
- Region 2 – Catawba County Social Services (Counties include: Rutherford, Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell, Alexander, Catawba, Burke, McDowell, Wilkes, Caldwell, Avery, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany). Email
- Region 6 – Boys and Girls Homes of NC (Counties include: Columbus, Brunswick, New Hanover, Bladen, Pender, Cumberland, Sampson, Duplin, Onslow, Lenoir, Jones, Craven, Pamlico and Carteret). Email
- Regions 1, 3, 4, 5, & 7 – Children’s Home Society of NC (All other NC counties not listed above). Email or call 336-369-3810.
Don’t go on this journey alone. Reach out as success is not a destination, it’s a journey.
Chrissy Triplett, LCSW, is a Program Manager with the Catawba County Department of Social Services
