Foster and Adoptive Parenting

CWTI logo with photo of man and boy

Session 7

Unit Three: Supporting Connections

Challenges and Concerns About Working with Birth Parents Activity

Graphic: Keeping foster children connected to their birth parents is one of the most important and most difficult responsibilities that foster parents must perform.

It is recognized that foster and adoptive parents cannot take up the challenging task of working closely with birth family members without the provision of training and support.

With that in mind, review the following list of activities that foster parents might undertake to help the foster child stay connected with his or her family.

Indicate your level of concern (negative feelings, worry, etc.) about performing each function, using a three-point scale:

1 for high concern
2 for moderate concern
3 for low concern

Then, in the space provided, explain the specific nature of each concern.

If you find you need more space or you don't have access to a printer, remember that you can use your Resource Guide or plain paper to complete these questions.

What, if any, concerns would you as a foster parent have about doing the following:
	Take child for visits to family.
Rate Concern:		Explain concern:
High
Moderate
Low


	Encourage phone calls with family.
Rate Concern:		Explain concern:
High
Moderate
Low


	Invite family to visit child in your home.
Rate Concern:		Explain concern:
High
Moderate
Low


	Provide supervised visitation.
Rate Concern:		Explain concern:
High
Moderate
Low


	Involve family in shared decision making.
Rate Concern:		Explain concern:
High
Moderate
Low


	Involve family in celebrating birthday and holidays.
Rate Concern:		Explain concern:
High
Moderate
Low

	Now, identify your top 2-3 concerns.

	Why are these your top concerns?

Print out your responses to share with the trainers. Or, if you didn't have access to a printer, email this page. Type your name in the blank below and then hit the email button.

Now, review Denise Goodman’s handout Strategies to Minimize Challenges

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