Once a child leaves a foster home, it’s not at all unusual to find that ongoing contact and communication between a foster parent and child doesn’t occur. Often times, the foster parent loses track of the whereabouts of the child, or is discouraged by agency policy and procedure about continuing an ongoing relationship with the child. In actuality, staying connected in a relationship with a foster child after reunification can have several benefits for both the child and the foster parent. The Benefits of Staying Connected with Foster Child After Reunification are:   1. Continuity of Supp ..read more

Should You Fear Connecting with Birth Parents in Foster Care? Worrying about interactions with birth parents is understandable but in most cases, there’s nothing to worry about.  As foster parents, maintaining open communication and collaboration with them can be beneficial for the child’s well-being and very rewarding for all involved. When interacting with birth parents, establish clear boundaries, communicate openly, and prioritize the child’s safety and best interests. Work closely with social workers or case managers to navigate these interactions and address any concerns that may ar ..read more

January is National Mentor Month – but KidsPeace’s Cherished Connections Mentoring Program needs mentors all year around.  Often, a young person in foster care has limited to no connections or people to support them.  But through Cherished Connections, we can match a youth with a mentor that can provide support now and hopefully in the future. Nationwide, almost 30,000 youth age-out of foster care annually without a connection to a family or a supportive network of caring adults. Without the emotional and financial support of parents, relatives, and other supportive adults and a soli ..read more

(NOTE: This is an opinion piece authored by KidsPeace’s Jennifer Udvardi-Morris, and published in the December 15, 2023 edition of the Albany (NY) Times-Union newspaper.) In my nearly 20 years of working in foster care, I have met children who have spent more than half their lives in foster care, and who have experienced as many staff changes as they’ve spent years in care. For each change, there has been a new person to get to know, tell their stories to, and try and learn to trust. Some have endured so many caseworkers through Child Protective Services and foster care that they simply stoppe ..read more

The final entry of our “first day in foster care tips” series for foster parents notes the importance of following the newly placed child’s lead on communication: Take the time to invite a conversation on that first day, but don’t press it if the child doesn’t seem talkative.  Ask if they have any questions about the agency, community, home, or yourself or other family members.  Be sure to let them know that they’re always free to ask about anything, and if you don’t know the answer you’ll try to find someone who might.  Keeping the conversation general won’t pressure kids to ta ..read more

Here’s another tip on employing empathy to make a child’s first day in foster care less stressful – focusing on their new environment:  Once the paperwork is done (and if it’s not already occurred), offer a tour of the home, paying particular attention to the bathroom, their bedroom and key details about the kitchen:  Point out the bathroom(s) available for their use, and before the end of that first day, show them where you put dirty laundry, keep fresh towels, and what you do with wet towels and washcloths, where they can find extra toilet paper and soap, which shampoo is theirs et ..read more

Imagine what feelings you might experience if you found yourself in this scenario:  Someone you don’t know has picked you up from your home without notice, and you’ve had to leave your parents, siblings, friends, most of your belongings and beloved pets behind. This stranger has taken you to another community with the explanation that you can’t remain with your own family and so you’re going to live with a new one. Imagine your feelings as you pull into the strange driveway, and walk up to the front door of a home that you don’t recognize. Upon entering, you’re informed that the people in ..read more

When the average person talks about “foster care,” they may not be aware of the significant differences between specific approaches of care.  There are important distinctions between “Traditional” and “Therapeutic” foster care, that allow them to meet the unique needs of children they serve. Understanding the differences between these approaches are is crucial when considering becoming a foster parent, because while both serve the needs of vulnerable children, they operate with different goals, training requirements, and levels of support: Aspects of care Traditional Therapeutic Goal ..read more

Becoming a foster parent is a noble and rewarding – and necessary – endeavor. Successful foster parents have certain qualities that help them create a safe and nurturing environment for children in need:  1. Empathy and Compassion One of the most crucial qualities of successful foster parents is the ability to empathize with the experiences and challenges that foster children have faced. Foster parents who approach their role with genuine compassion create a nurturing environment where children feel seen, heard, and understood. Demonstrating empathy helps foster children build trust and f ..read more

Embarking on the journey of foster parenting is a decision that comes with a mix of excitement, anticipation – and, understandably, some fears. It’s normal to feel anxious about the unknowns and challenges that lie ahead. However, it’s crucial to recognize that fostering can be an immensely rewarding experience that changes lives, both for the children and for those who open their homes and hearts. Some of the most common concerns include:   1. Fear of the Unknown One of the most common fears revolves around the unknowns associated with fostering. Will I be able to handle the challenges ..read more