We all come from families. Families are big, small, extended, nuclear, multi- generational, with one parent, two parents and grandparents. We live under one roof or many. A family can be as temporary as a few weeks, as permanent as forever.

We become part of a family by birth, adoption, marriage or from a desire for mutual support. As family members, we nurture, protect and influence each other. Families are dynamic and are cultures unto themselves, with different values and unique ways of realizing dreams.

 Shared foundation of empowerment  Uses all available tools  Supports network’s philosophy › W e are all stakeholders

 Families have strengths and can change  Strengths ultimately resolve concerns  People gain hope when they feel someone really listens  Youth must be supported during transition to adulthood

 Decisions about permanency must be based on best practice  Central goal must be well-being of children, youth

 Family Preparation  Child Preparation  Child Profile  Child Specific Recruitment  Child Placement  Finalization  Post-Permanency Services

 Begins with formal training for prospective parents  Creates confidential description of family, lifestyle

 How FGDM can enhance Family Preparation  How Family Preparation can enhance FGDM

 Invited families, kin participate › Decide where child will live › Family Preparation can aid placement decision  Approved kinship families may participate › Simplifies planning

 Support system may become part of FGDM in Post-Permanency  2 important components to successful adoptions: › Commitment › Blessing

 More willing to maintain child’s ties with birth family  Cultivates sense of entitlement to care for child › Includes network of friends, family, community

 Specialized work, activities to help children prepare for permanency  Child’s life book produced

 How FGDM can enhance Child Preparation  How Child Preparation can enhance FGDM

 Goals of Child Preparation can enhance youth’s experience of FGDM › Gives the Child a Voice › Honors the Past › Answers the Questions › Creates Connections › Looks to the Future

 Can find life long connections for child not known to worker  Prep worker can use information to help child envision future that matches reality

 Comprehensive written review of child’s › Social › Emotional › Medical history

 How FGDM can enhance Child Profile  How Child Profile can enhance FGDM

 Provides valuable historical, cultural information for Child Profile

 Helps professionals › start discussion about family strengths, traditions, culture › Identify agency concerns

 Recruits families for specific child › Uses diligent search and Accurint for family finding  Variety of methods, resources used

 How FGDM can enhance CSR  How CSR can enhance FGDM

 Family finding activities  Suggests names family might invite  Helps prepare youth by clarifying participants, relevance  Uses recruitment techniques to help family learn, understand more about child

 Used with group, not necessarily relatives, invested in planning youth’s permanence  Can strengthen CSR process as permanent resource may step forward

 Focuses on integrating child into family › Meshes strengths/needs › Pre-placement visits › Start of legal process

 How FGDM can enhance Placement  How Placement can enhance FGDM

 May involve extended family, other supports  Can include those presently involved with child, even if role will end  Assist with development of PACA

 Support network of friends, family, community established in matching plan  Same network can be in future FGDM  During matching, kin/others might be potential resources FGDM

 Services for child, pre-adoptive family before adoption decree finalized

 How FGDM can enhance Finalization  How Finalization can enhance FGDM

 IPSP enhanced, better implemented  Helps minimize disruptions  Guidelines for contact with child’s birth family arranged before finalization › Development of PACA  Clearly defined guidelines can make resource family more willing to maintain contact

 IPSP, FGDM use same strengths-based perspective › Families create plan using personal support systems  Finalization allows time for FGDM meeting

 Supports families who adopted or provide kinship or legal custodianship care  Services › Case Advocacy › Support Group › Respite Care

 How FGDM can enhance Finalization  How Finalization can enhance FGDM

 Anyone chosen by family can participate  Family driven › Well suited to family-driven Post- Permanency  Family more easily recognizes support system, including informal supports › Sees their needs addressed

 Knowledge of Post-Permanency services helps family › Develop plan › Select resources

 Can be used within SWAN’s existing services  One of many options to work with families, children  A philosophy not a program

The more eyes, hands and hearts involved with a family, the safer the child. Larry Graber

Debra Thomas Sr. Family/Child Preparation Technical Assistant, Diakon/FDR, Harrisburg (717)