Post on 20-Jul-2020
transcript
Kinship Care vs. Traditional Foster Care
Adapted from Kinship Adoption: Meeting the Unique Needs of a Growing Population, by ChildFocus, Inc. and the North American Council on Adoptable Children, April 2010
Special thanks to Joe Crumbley for his contributions to the “Kinship Care vs. Foster Care” framework
KINSHIP FOSTER CARE / ADOPTION TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE / ADOPTION
Pre‐existing relationship with child
No pre‐existing relationship with child
Redefines existing family relationships
Creates new family relationships
Mixed feelings about loss of parent to child
Celebration of a newly formed family
Mixed feelings about loss of role as
grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.
Excitement about new role as parent
Knowledge of family dynamics
Limited knowledge of family dynamics
Decision to become caregiver is unplanned and in crisis; request from parent, child
protection or courts
Decision to become a caregiver is planned
and voluntary
Limited preparation for caregiving
Preparation for caregiving role and support already in place before child is placed in
home
Unanticipated requirements to become a
foster or adoptive parent
Requirements to become foster or adoptive
parent are anticipated
Guilt over birth parent problems
No guilt over birth parent problems
Guilt for taking over parental role for child
Feelings that they are saving the child
Perception that they are betraying birth parent by assuming legal relationships
Feeling that they are displaying loyalty and commitment to child by assuming legal
relationship
In competition with birth parent if child
becomes attached to relative
Motivated to demonstrate attachment that is as strong as previous attachment with parent
Split loyalties and hesitation to legalize
relationship
High motivation to legalize relationship
Parent Interest Inventory
Parent Name: ________________________ Children’s Names and Grades: ________________________________ _______________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________ ________________________________ _______________________________
Areas of Interest: Child Development: __ Ages 3-5 __ Infants and Toddlers __ Reading with Children __ Potty Training __ Discipline Health & Safety: __ Child proofing your home __ Allergies & Asthma __ Diabetes __ First Aid/CPR __ Poisons and Toxins __ Smoking and Smoking Cessation __ Drug/Alcohol abuse __ Medical Insurance __ Lead Poisoning __ Birth Control or Prenatal Information Nutrition: __ Cooking and baking workshops __ Healthy Snacks __ Understanding food labeling __ Cooking with children at home __ Diet & weight control __ Exercising to good health Mental Health: __ Building relationships __ Building Self-esteem __ Stress management __ Death, dying & grief __ How to deal with anger __ How to deal with fear __ Dealing with Substance Abuse __ Domestic Violence __ Counseling Parenting/Family Life: __ Child support (What is the law?) __ Peer pressure issues __ Step parenting & blended families __ Grandparents raising children __ Childcare after school __ Divorce/Separation __ Sibling rivalry
Home Management: __ Budgeting/Money Management __ Credit Counseling __ Renters Rights (the law) __ Household tips __ Furniture/Appliances __ Housing repairs/Weatherization __ Energy Assistance Personal: __ Expanding your education __ Resume writing / Job readiness __ Setting realistic goals __ GED __ Computer classes __ Financial assistance for school __ SSI or social security guidelines __ Getting a Drivers License Just for fun: __ Crafts- home decorations __ Aerobics __ Makeover Tips (Hair, makeup, etc.) __ Group Sports (softball, volleyball, bowling) __ Sewing __ Relaxation tips Parent Involvement: __ Volunteering in the classroom __ Assisting on fieldtrips __ Assisting with clerical work __ Assisting with Parent Workshops and Trainings __Serve on Policy Committee/Policy Council __ Serve Parent Committee
I am available to participate in parent activities in the: Morning __________ Afternoon __________ Evening ____________ In order for me to participate in parent activities, I would need assistance with: Child care ___________ Transportation ____________ Other ______________ Do you have any special talents or interests that you would be willing to share with other families in this program? _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE?
DIRECTIONS:
1. Use the front of the plate diagram to represent all of the things that fill up your life. Let each slice of the pie represent one area of your life. Some examples are listed below. Draw the size of the ‘slices of pie’ portions according to how much of your life each portion represents for you. The bigger the slice, the more energy, focus or drain you feel in that area of your life. In each slice, write what that slice represents.
Here are some examples of areas of your life. There are many other possibilities:
Personal: Well-being, fun, recreation, family, friends, significant other, personal growth, finances and physical environment such as car and home.
Professional: projects, work relationships, office space, generating results, integrating work and life, time management and organization, career goals, opportunity for growth.
Parenting: Parenting time, managing schedules, living space, child behavior, development, childcare, time for self and with other parent, child’s well-being.
2. Next, rate your level of satisfaction with each portion size. Put a number in each slice, from ‘0’ to ‘10’ where ‘0’ is no satisfaction and ‘10’ is complete satisfaction. For example, if you have a slice labeled “well-being” and you are not satisfied that your “well-being” slice is very small, write in a low rating. If you have a large slice labeled “finances”, and you are not satisfied that this slice is so large, give this slice a low rating. In any sections rated with a ‘0’ or low number, indicate what is missing that makes your satisfaction level low.
Continued on reverse
3. Now, use this side of the plate diagram to represent the things and people that support you in your life. These are the supports that help you to manage the areas of life you have listed on the front of your plate. Who or what holds up your full plate of responsibilities?
Some examples of what you might choose that are supportive:
Time with friends, time with family, exercise, mediation, reading, travel, humor and hobbies.
WHAT’S ON YOUR PLATE?continued
Now process what’s on your plate. Here are some questions to get started:l What stood out to you as you completed this exercise?l What part of your plate would you like to discover more about?l What does this exercise illustrate for you?
l What makes your life seem balanced?
l What would happen if your plate changed?