{"id":1649,"date":"2019-05-16T20:40:20","date_gmt":"2019-05-16T20:40:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/?p=1649"},"modified":"2019-10-25T17:18:50","modified_gmt":"2019-10-25T17:18:50","slug":"how-to-make-initial-placements-easier","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fosteringperspectives.org\/?p=1649","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Initial Placements Easier"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Rochelle Johnson \u2022<\/p>\n

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Rochelle Johnson<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The initial placement of a child in our home is often an exciting time. For many of us, it is the first introduction to a young person that will be living with us for days, months, or sometimes years. In a perfect world, the logistics of welcoming that child into our family would be clearly presented and carefully organized so we could focus on the important goal of making the child\u2019s transition as easy and smooth as possible.<\/p>\n

However, we don\u2019t live in a perfect world. Initial placements can be rocky, hurried, and filled with informational gaps about a child\u2019s history, basic necessities, and emotional needs. Here are a few tips and tools to help alleviate stress on foster parents, with the ultimate goal of helping you focus on what we as foster parents have all set out to do: provide kids with a nurturing and safe environment to help them grow and heal.<\/p>\n

1. Use standardized forms to gather information<\/span><\/strong>
\nA big goal of ours at Fostering Families is to standardize some of the systems in the fostering experience that cause foster families stress. The initial placement experience was one of the first topics we tackled. Visit our Resources page at www.fosteringfam.org<\/a><\/strong> to find:<\/p>\n

Questions to Ask When Receiving a Placement<\/em>: There are things you should ask to determine if a child will be well suited for your home. Refer to this list of initial questions to make sure you are getting as much information as possible.<\/p>\n

Placement Information Forms<\/em>: These documents will help you gather a wide range of details, from social worker contacts, to favorite foods, to evening routines, to shoe size. Click here<\/a><\/strong> to see a form for children ages 6-18.<\/p>\n

Speak with the child\u2019s social worker and other contacts to fill out the form. Once complete, send it to the child\u2019s social worker and your licensing worker. Having this information will hopefully make the child\u2019s transition easier and put useful information at your fingertips!<\/p>\n

2. Advocate for yourself<\/span><\/strong>
\nDon\u2019t be afraid to ask for what you need, whether it be time to prepare for a child\u2019s arrival, an opportunity to meet the child, information about the child that is outlined in the resources above, etc. Foster parents are often asked to meet the needs of others, but they have needs as well. It should be OK to express them. For example, if a child who has previously been in care is being placed with you, it is your agency\u2019s responsibility to connect you with as many people as possible who have information about that child\u2014their social worker, previous foster parents, teachers, daycare caregivers, etc. Ask to speak with those people. If you do not get what you need, ask again.<\/p>\n

3. Ask for support<\/strong><\/span>
\nThere are extra tasks and emotional energy demands that come with the initial placement period. Giving yourself paths to support will ultimately benefit the children you are seeking to help. Support can come in different forms:<\/p>\n