Permanency Tip of the Week: Unconditional Needs to be Unconditional for Permanency to Occur
The experience of Permanency is incredibly powerful and can at times be experienced as overwhelming for our Youth. This can sometimes lead to the display of patterns of highly challenging and disruptive behaviors which can challenge even the most secure and committed of relationships. It is often at these points in time when the true level of unconditional care and acceptance can be found. Permanency cannot be conditional, otherwise the relationship is even more likely to fail when a challenging situation arises. Any conditional aspects of the relationship, have to be addressed in a supportive context if the relationship can ultimately provide true Permanency for the Youth.
Permanency Story of the Week: Adopted Chinese Twins Separated At Birth Reunite In America
Anna and Ella were separated at birth and brought to America by different sets of parents in 2006. They lived hundreds of miles apart: Ella moved with her new family to Michigan, while Anna resided in North Carolina with hers. However, their adoptive families, who met during the adoption process, kept in touch over the years…However, one day, Kandl noticed that the girls shared the same October birthday. She emailed Cuares wondering if there was any possibility that their daughters were related. Both sets of parents agreed to a DNA test and discovered that Anna and Ella weren’t only sisters, but fraternal twins!
Current Permanency Related Articles:
California Youth Connection – Foster Youth Museum
Please listen to this powerful Interview (Starts at the 12:00 minute mark) with Jamie Lee Evans – California Youth Connection on the Foster Youth Museum, currently on display at Grace Church in San Francisco.
5 Things You Need to Survive as a Foster Parent
In truth, though, taking in children from foster care into your house can certainly be a challenge. Behavioral issues, learning disabilities, emotional trials; all can be exhausting and trying for a foster parent. Yet, what many foster parents often overlook is the risk factor that goes along with taking a foster child into a home. As a foster parent, you become vulnerable to many possibilities, and it is important that you protect yourself and your family from the possible implications and investigations. Just as important is making sure you do not become overly exhausted and even burned out.
Briefing Highlights Benefits of Foster Youth Advocates
Today, the Senate Caucus on Foster Youth, co-chaired by Sens. Chuck Grassley and Debbie Stabenow, in conjunction with the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, hosted a briefing on Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children, also known as CASA. This group is made up of volunteers who work with foster youth, advocating for them every step of the way by pushing for safety, normalcy and permanency. The briefing included testimony from CASA officers, supervisors and volunteers, and most importantly, from foster youth who benefited from CASA and are now successfully moving on with their lives.
Foster kids may not show affection, at least at first
My family has been fostering for three years. It is a journey that never ceases to surprise, hurt and amaze us. What follows is my reflection of an interaction between me and our foster child. This was his first unsolicited hug for me, and it came after eight months in our home. He hugs me. At least I think that’s what he is trying to do. His arms are stiff and his gait is awkward. He looks like the Tin Man, rusty and clunky and with less grace. The unsure way in which he approaches underscores how much he has missed in his few years on this planet, how much has been taken away from him. Where to begin… When you make the decision to foster, you are not guaranteed to experience any reciprocation of the love you provide for these children. But, you sure will appreciate the smallest efforts to express it.
Foster kids more likely to have ADHD diagnosis
Children who are in foster care are three times more likely to be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) as their peers, say by researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The American Academy of Pediatrics announced the study on Oct. 23, 2015.
5 Reasons It’s Important to Keep Sibling Groups Together
Siblings need each other for a lot of big reasons. By default, siblings typically grow up together. They are best friends and they know how to push each other’s buttons. But sometimes there are circumstances that make their cohabitation default questionable. Perhaps it’s a custody battle as the result of a divorce. It might be that their biological parents die unexpectedly. Maybe it’s a case of abuse and neglect that results in the children being removed from the household. Whatever the situation, there are many reasons why it’s important to keep these sibling groups together.