Permanency Tip of the Week: Mixed Thoughts, Feelings and Behaviors by the Parents
For Parents, the experience of providing Permanency to a Youth can be incredibly rewarding and challenging at the same time. The same wide range of thoughts, words, and actions that might be displayed by the Youth, can also be displayed by the Parents. As a result, we need to first realize that this is normal and then be able to normalize this for both the Parents and the Youth. In family sessions, the common experience of both parties can help establish a bridge between them which can serve as a strong foundation for their relationship. Without this normalization and creation of the strong foundation, the chances of the Permanency relationship succeeding diminishes significantly.
Permanency Success Story of the Week: Living a Life-Long Dream
Dr. Michele Renfrow grew up knowing that fostering to adopt was her path to parenthood. In this KTLA 5 “Let Love Define Family®” series interview from January 13, 2020, Michele and Cristina Bostanian, Adoption and Intensive Services Foster Care Program Manager of The Village Family Services share the importance of keeping siblings together.
Permanency Related Articles:
Are We Ready to Support Survivors of Childhood Trauma in the Workplace?
People Management (UK) – Many organizations recognize the benefits of supporting wellbeing and mental health in the face of high levels of sickness, absence, and stress in the workplace. But to what extent are they ready to offer support for childhood trauma survivors when it is disclosed, or symptoms are identified?
Childhood trauma is not specifically covered by the Equality Act 2010; instead, it is labeled under the ‘mental health’ category, prompting much debate on whether it should be considered as a health and/or mental issue. Regardless of the category, childhood trauma is a complex post-traumatic stress disorder. Many survivors of childhood abuse have this diagnosis. But given the taboo surrounding childhood trauma and the fact that the impact is not yet recognized in the workplace, survivors might hide behind a mental health label.
While mental health is a factor, the impact of the trauma reaches beyond this label to a combination of issues such as self-esteem and confidence when dealing with social stigma and self-blame at work. Some survivors make compromises to achieve career goals and, most importantly, to balance the effects of trauma and work duties. Historically many survivors decide not to inform their employer because of the fear of stigmatization and discrimination, mostly by management. Of course, balancing professional and personal matters contributes to the decision of whether to disclose childhood trauma or not.
Landmark Moment as the United Nations (UN) Calls for the End of Orphanages
Hopes and Homes for Children – On 18 December 2019, the UN General Assembly in New York adopted a Resolution on the Rights of The Child that signifies a major milestone in ending the institutional care of children globally. By adopting the Resolution, all of the 193 member states of the United Nations have agreed, for the first time in history, that orphanages harm children and, recognizing that the vast majority of children in orphanages have living family, all children should be reunited with or supported to remain with their families. Where that’s not possible, the Resolution says that governments should commit to provide high-quality, family and community-based alternative care for children. The Resolution, which comes on the tenth anniversary of the Guidelines for the Alternative Care of Children and the 30th anniversary of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
Here’s the Truth About Foster Parents that Society is Ignoring
Medium – Dr. John DeGarmo – The news isn’t always good about foster parents. Perhaps you read in the news about the foster parent who abused their foster child. You might have even read in the news about the infant who died in foster care. Let’s be honest. There is a bad apple in every barrel in life. Those bad apples are found all over and in every corner of society. We both know that those bad apples spoil an entire barrel. That applies to some foster parents.
As a foster parent of 17 years, this type of news breaks my heart, in so many ways. As a foster parent of over 60 children, this type of news brings tears to my eyes, and heartache to my soul. Now, you know that our media focuses on these stories. We both know this to be true. Our media likes to shine the light on those stories that are often focused on the horrible and the shocking. You might think that all foster parents are bad people. You might think that all foster parents are in it for the money. You might think that all foster parents don’t care about the children in their homes or are not vigilant in watching over them.
Adoptive Families – Today in the United States, more than 123,000 children in foster care are waiting for a permanent home through adoption. Nearly 45 percent of these children are ages eight or older—and desperately need the stability, guidance, and love that only a family can provide. Learn more of the myths and realities surrounding older child adoption.
Foster Kids ‘Adopt’ Stuffed Animals
Mail Tribune – A group of kids hoping to be adopted got to make stuffed animals and then “adopt” them with the help of a local judge and child welfare caseworkers. The adoption ceremony was the culmination of a recent series of classes in Jackson County aimed at helping abused and neglected kids understand the adoption process.
“Foster parents receive a lot of training. But there rarely are training opportunities for kids. There are no forums for foster children and kids on an adoption track to meet other children in the same circumstance,” said Tracy Lindorf, child welfare supervisor for the Oregon Department of Human Services office in Medford.
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Take care and keep up the Permanency work – Our children, youth, young adults, families, and communities are depending on it!