Permanency Tip of the Week: Behavioral Problems ~ Pause the Permanency Efforts?
When a child is preparing to be placed in a home or when an Adoption is about to be finalized and he / she starts displaying an increased in emotional / behavioral problems some people recommend holding off on the placement / finalization until the child stabilizes. The concern that this raises is the message that this action potentially sends both to the child and the family: You (child) have to act in a certain way to be in this family / We (professionals) do not think that you (family) can handle this child. The most important message we need to send to both is that no matter what happens / is happening, all of us will work together to make this successful.
Permanency Story of the Week: Casa Youth Shelter Provides One-of-a-Kind Care to Foster Kids
Out of the 62,000 kids in California who are in foster care, only 3 percent of them will graduate college. Amber Boggs, 27, beat the odds — thanks to Casa Youth Shelter, a youth home located in Los Alamitos. Nine years after she left the shelter, Amber, of Orange County, frequently returns to visit the one-of-a-kind group home, which is supported by a small federal grant and lots of donations from the community.
Current Permanency Related Articles:
How Do States Differ In What Services Are Available For Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care?
Every year approximately 24,000 youth age out of the foster care system, the majority of whom are 18 years old. These youth are more likely to have poorer outcomes than youth who either exit the foster care system or never enter the foster care system.
Child Abuse May Play Role in Military Suicides
Histories of child abuse are common among military members and may be important to consider when treating their mental health needs, according to a report from Canada. People who join the military are more likely to report being abused as children, and that trauma may be more closely linked to suicide risk than trauma experienced during deployment, researchers suggest. “It’s not that deployment-related trauma is not significant, but the relationship is less than childhood-related trauma,” said lead author Tracie Afifi, of the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg.
Starting a conversation about hidden toll of the caring professions
Compher spent 20 years working in child protective services — and his experiences trying to help battered children had a profound emotional effect on him. “I call it the hidden human side of professional caregiving that is not often talked about,” he explained during a recent screening of the film for an audience of mental health care providers.
The Need for Time to Yourself as a Foster Parent – Dr. John DeGarmo
When foster parenting becomes too stressful, you, your family, and your foster child will all feel the effects. Thus, one of the most important reminders for you, as a foster parent, is the fact that you need to take care of yourself, physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you neglect yourself, your family will suffer as a result. By taking the following stress reducing steps, you will help to ensure your well-being, as you care for others in your home.
Wisconsin Mom Provides Foster Care For ‘Hospice Babies’ With Life-Limiting Or Terminal Illnesses
Cori Salchert has eight biological children with her husband Mark, but she’s been a mother to more babies than just her own. Her newly-adopted son, Charlie, relies on a ventilator, feeding tube, and other medical equipment to stay alive. The 1-year-old, despite the equipment and Cori’s care, isn’t expected to live. “He will die; there’s no changing that,” Cori told the Sheboygan Press. “But, we can make a difference in how he lives, and the difference for Charlie is that he will be loved before he dies.”
The Trauma and Turmoil of Being Placed in YOUR Home: Uncertainty for Children in Foster Care
Without a doubt, one of the hardest parts about being a foster parent for me is the emotional turmoil and trauma a child experiences when first placed into our home. The children are often times confused, and full of fear of the unknown. As distressing as this may be for a child, even more traumatic may be the removal from the child’s birth home if it comes without any notification.