Focus on Permanent Connections 624-10-45-05

(Revised 1/15/2011 ML #3257)

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All youth in foster care have some emotional attachments to others in order to have survived. They have created their own “families.” These “families” may consist of friends, parents of friends, current and/or former foster parents, teachers, coaches, cottage parents, maintenance staff, relatives, older siblings or friends who are now adults, neighbors, church members, Guardians ad Litem, social workers, employers, counselors, etc. We need to ask these youth about these connections and to help them strengthen these relationships. There are often more than a dozen people currently in each youth’s life that could be approached about offering a permanent home to the youth. Asking youth to invite persons of their own choosing to participate in their Child Family Team meetings helps us know who some of these people are.

 

Recommendations:

1. Seeking a mentor program and match youth with a volunteer who has similar interests;
2. Research interests of relatives, neighbors, and friends who were once involved with the youth.  but have since lost contact;
3. Contact older siblings;
4. Help youth develop Eco-maps identifying their support systems; and
5. Involve youth in volunteer activities that allow for them to engage with adult volunteers/role models.

 

Even if these activities or efforts do not result in adoptive placements for foster care youth, they will help youth develop friendships and supports that they will need and want as adults.