Parenting and Trauma Informed Care

The difference between Traditional vs Treatment Foster Care

Treatment foster parents are trained to be trauma-informed and should provide a healing environment for the children to explore. Children who have experienced trauma may have delays educationally, emotionally, and behaviorally. The Treatment foster parent will be provided with training to meet the needs of the children placed in their home.

Building A Loving Foster Family: 1st Corinthians 13: 4-13

Love is patient - love is kind.

What Is A Parentified Child? How Foster Parents Can Help

What is a Parentified Child

When a child is put in the position of taking on an adult's role, it is termed parentification. Many children get pushed into the role of caring for their younger siblings or becoming an emotional crutch to their parents. This role reversal happens when parents cannot fully show up for their children.

Fostering the child and the family

When a family starts considering the idea of fostering, typically, a relationship with that child's biological family is the furthest thing from their mind. 

Five Quick Advantages for Foster parents who stay home.

Some advantages to be a stay at home Foster parent in Virginia

April is National Child Abuse Prevention month how to help

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, but protecting children should be a year-round effort.  This blog highlights eight practical ways everyone can help, from raising awareness and sharing resources to teaching kids their rights and knowing the signs of abuse.  It encourages volunteering, supporting families, and reporting concerns when necessary. 

Setting goals and celebrations for children in Foster Care

Goal setting and celebrating special holidays with kids in foster care are essential.  Many children have not had great memories of the holidays.

What Does My Foster Child Call Me? Communication With Foster Children

When the child is first placed in your home, it is ideal for introducing yourself by the name you would like the child to call you. First impressions begin as soon as the case manager and/or the licensing agency arrive in the house with the child. While addressing the case manager and the child, use

How To Build Trust With Your Foster and Adoptive Children

Adults have broken the trust of your kid so many times before.  This is your opportunity to rebuild twelve ideas to help you build trust with your foster child.

Self-Care Tips For Foster Parents

Caring for children in foster care can be deeply rewarding, but it also comes with stress and emotional demands.  That's why foster parents must prioritize self-care.  Self-care encompasses not only physical and mental health, but also emotional, professional, financial, social, and spiritual well-being.  By practicing self-care, foster parents can create balance, learn more about themselves, improve their mood, and ensure they are better equipped to care for others.

How to help a child who is returning to school after Covid 19

Children and those in Foster care will face challenges when returning to school after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holidays and starting new traditions with your foster child

5 ways to help foster children enjoy the holiday season

How to build resilience in children in Virginia foster care

Children in foster care often face trauma and uncertainty, making resiliency a vital skill for their growth and well-being.  Resilience is the ability to recover from hardship, adapt, and move forward with strength.  Foster youth may struggle with grief, regulation of emotions, and trust, but with the proper support, they can learn to bounce back.

How Foster children feel and the safety they seek

When a child enters foster care through social services, it is seen as a traumatic experience for all children in foster care; they lose so much, regardless of how valid the reason the child was removed for their safety or how well prepared and well-intentioned the foster family is youth in foster care have all experience some type of child abuse or neglect from a birth family.

What Qualities do successful foster parents have?

Deciding to foster or adopt a child in the foster care system in the United States is a life-changing decision for yourself and the child. These children have entered foster care because their birth parents could not care for them in the way they deserved.

Disciplining Foster Children With Trauma: A Guide

Disciplining Your Foster children who enter the Foster care system may have been through a significant amount of trauma that has stemmed from abuse, neglect, or any other situation that may have impacted their lives in an unhealthy way from their biological family members. This guide will help you use positive discipline for a foster child with trauma.

Fostering, Adoption and Biological Parent Relationships

So how do we juggle biological children and children in foster care? How do we ensure the biological and foster child feels loved and nurtured? Here are some ways to create and continue a positive environment for your family and extended family members.

Lets Lower The Teen Pregnancy Rate For Kids In Foster Care

I am a twenty-one-year-old woman who is passionate about lowering the high rates of adolescent pregnancies in women who were children in foster care.

Foster Parenting Tips for Navigating a Mental Health Crisis

How to help foster children with a mental health crisis

How to Talk About Today’s Protests With Foster Children

Nationwide protests over the death of George Floyd have dominated our cities and the world over. 

Parenting Children in Virginia Foster Care system

Discover effective parenting strategies to foster trust, establish structure, and cultivate healthy relationships with children in foster care.

Understanding and Helping Teenagers in Foster Care

So how do you help a teen who is in foster care? When you ask first-time foster parents about what age they desire to work with, most will not say teens. Each stage of development can be difficult for a foster parent, whether diapers or tantrums or teens but the foster care system has foster youth of all ages.

Medically Fragile Children In Virginia Foster Care System

Medically fragile children in the Virginia foster care system are diverse. They can be any age, from infants to teens. They could have been born with a chronic health condition or are experiencing an acute health condition. They all have in common that they are sick, alone, and in need of a loving foster parent who will make them feel safe.

Recognizing & Understanding Manipulative Behavior In Foster Children

Foster Parents need to understand that trauma-induced behaviors such as manipulation are not a Foster child misbehaving. When the brain's prefrontal cortex is damaged, logic and reasoning are the first things to go. When the child has experienced abuse and neglect, a lack of feeling safe or needs not been met, the child begins functioning from their brain stem, which is the place of survival. Many foster families will experience a foster youth placed in the foster care system having trauma like this.

Top Qualities of A Good Foster Parent

Foster Parents come from various backgrounds, and all have a different reason for what led them to become a foster parent.  What makes someone an effective or “good” foster parent?

How to help a Foster child with trauma at Halloween

Fear is a normal and natural part of childhood development for children. Children who are in Foster Care and have suffered trauma are often scared of the dark, thunderstorms, loud voices, or even monsters under their bed, and maybe scary Halloween costumes, Halloween parties, scary Halloween decorations, and, like many adults, scary clown costumes.

Social media addiction and concerns in Virginia foster care

The latest research social media addiction and foster care in VA

40-hrs of Training Required to Foster Parent Training in VA

The Department of Social Services (DSS) does not stipulate how, when, or where this training takes place. They focus on the training features and the training duration with a minimum of 40 hours. 

How to Help a Foster or Adoptive Child with Anxiety

Helping a child with anxiety settle into your home is crucial. A child who may have had many placements before will be very wary of your new home.

Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) : Parental Tips

A new foster parent enters the school to enroll their newly placed foster child. The infamous question is, "Does your child have an IEP?" (Individualized Education Plan)? You are aware that your child faces some academic challenges, and there's a document in your packet of information that should be presented to the school.  You begin flipping through the papers, and there is the Individualized Education Plan IEP.

The Top 7 skills that make people great foster Parents

Foster parenting is difficult, but you only need a few essential foster parenting skills to learn how to be a foster parent

What is a Foster Parent? Things You Need to Know

A foster parent steps in to care for children in custody when birth families need support.  In Virginia, foster care is typically temporary, averaging two years, as biological parents work toward reunification.  Foster parents offer stability, love, and a safe home.  Many children become adoptable, with approximately 40% being adopted by their foster caregivers.  Training and support through agencies like FosterVA and Extra Special Parents help guide new foster parents.  You're not alone in giving a child hope and a second chance.

Why Do Some Foster Children Not Want To Be Adopted?

Walking toward the unfamiliar and unknown can be scary, especially if you have a traumatic past. There are reasons a foster-adopt child must live with a foster parent for six months under Virginia adoption laws. One reason is to build a successful parent-child relationship before the final adoption papers can be filed with the court. It also ensures that you, the child, and the family are confident with the match for the forever home.

Why Do Foster Children End Up Homeless After Turning 18?

Homelessness is partly due to a failure of state systems to ease the transition to adulthood. In the first four years after aging out of foster care, approximately 20% of former foster youth will experience homelessness. Certain factors can heighten the likelihood of becoming homeless after time in the foster care system. 

 

Facts About Mental Health In Foster Care

Understanding Mental health in children in Foster Care is so important for their success.

Signs of Abuse: The different types of child abuse

What are the signs and symptoms of child abuse? Foster parents have a chance to help and protect the children in their care if they educate themselves on this subject.

Sex Trafficking and Precautions for kids in Foster Care

Foster youth in Virginia are at high risk of sex trafficking, with studies showing up to 80% of victims having been in foster care. Children without stable support are more vulnerable to grooming and abuse. Foster parents can help protect them by building trust, recognizing warning signs, and providing safe, loving homes.

Taking a Chance on Teenagers

Understanding teens is challenging, but understanding the need to foster one is easy, given the impact you can have on their lives.  A teen needs you to know why.

Juvenile Incarceration and Foster Care the Impact on Kids

Over 700,000 youths face adjudication in the juvenile justice system each year in the United States.

These individuals have a significantly higher risk for future criminality.

The Virginia Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) oversees juvenile justice services. DJJ involves law enforcement, mental health professionals, schools, and social services. Other agencies consult ad hoc for individual cases at juvenile detention centers.

Reasons Why Kids enter the Foster Care System

As per the most recent federal data, there are approximately 407,000 children in foster care in the United States. Read further to learn why.

How PTSD in Foster Children Impacts Long-Term Outcomes

PTSD in children under the age of seven is different than in adults. Their developmental stage affects their initial and long-term response and treatment for PTSD.

Experts report that preschool children diagnosed with PTSD demonstrate impaired functioning. This is evident in many aspects of their lives.

Foster Children Pregnancy Statistics

Getting pregnant in foster care is not unusual for young women. Yet, there are significant consequences for the parents, the children, and our communities.

What are ACEs used for within Child Trauma treatment?

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) score is a tally of different types of abuse, neglect, and other hallmarks of a rough childhood. 

Recognizing adult grooming behavior & take action against it

Anyone can do grooming. Any man, woman, or child that has power over the victim can use that power to manipulate and abuse them. Predators use grooming to manipulate the victim into trusting them so they can abuse or traffic them later. As a foster parent, you should be aware of these signs of grooming.

What is Congregate Care in Virginia?

The term "congregate care" summarizes any out-of-home placement for foster children. Congregate care could include group homes, residential facilities, emergency shelters, psychiatric institutions, residential treatment centers (RTC), or in-patient hospitals.

United Methodist Family Services of Virginia (UMFS)

United Methodist Church no longer owns the organization. However, the organization maintains a partnership with the church. UMFS President and CEO Nacy Toscano, PhD, LCSW.

Nancy Toscano has been with the UMFS since April 2021.

UMFS is a nonprofit organization with locations in Virginia. The organization aims to support foster kids, teens, and parents through various programs. Also, they work to pinpoint social services' needs and address them. UMFS is not affiliated with FosterVA.

The United Methodist Family Services focuses on helping high-risk children. 

WHAT MAKES A GOOD THERAPIST FOR CHILDREN?

What makes a good therapist? For one, you want someone with specialized knowledge and experience working with kids in foster care. It's crucial to search for someone who has worked with these kids before and knows how to reach them. 

Foster Child Meaning: What Is the Meaning of a Foster Child?

In simple terms, a foster child is a minor placed in state custody. Foster children are placed with state-licensed adults that care for the child rather than a guardian or parent. Youth may enter the foster system for many reasons, but the most common include abuse, neglect, or being in an unsafe home environment. 

Co-Parenting With Birth Parents in Foster Care

Co-parenting is when a foster parent shares the responsibilities of caring for a foster child with the biological parents and the caseworker assigned to the child. There are many ways to co-parent, and no case will be the same. The key is to consider the child's needs and try to help them as much as possible. 

8 Most Common Fostering Challenges

Although fostering is an excellent way to improve a child's life, there are times when it may feel like an uphill battle.  Whether you're fostering for the first time or you've been raising foster children for years, you'll have to face different obstacles. 

This is a regular part of parenting; remember that you're not alone.  We're here to advise you on how to address the eight most common fostering challenges.  Learn how to navigate challenging behaviors, saying goodbye, and the uncertainties that come with it. 

How to Connect With a Teenager in Foster Care

If fostering a teen sounds daunting, don't worry. We're here to help you with great ways to connect with, build trust with, and spend time with foster care teenagers. So, if you're a foster parent who wants to help, here are some ways to make a big difference in a teenager's life. 

Financial Literacy for Youth in Foster Care

Financial literacy is simply the ability to understand and apply financial skills. Financial literacy includes budgeting, investing, managing finances, using credit cards, and understanding credit reports, among other skills. 

Foster Care 101: Birth Parents and Foster Parents

As a foster parent, you may want to consider co-parenting. Co-parenting is when foster parents share the responsibilities of caring for a foster child with the birth parents.

Of course, the ideal situation for a foster child depends on several factors, such as why they ended up in the foster care system in the first place. However, this method has many benefits, which we'll cover next.

The Importance of Cultural Competence in Foster Care

There are many definitions of cultural competence. It refers to behaviors and attitudes that let individuals work in cross-cultural situations. It's aware of your values and cultural beliefs and how those can differ from other cultures.

Cultural competence allows diverse cultures to thrive. You must understand the dynamics, educate yourself, and adapt to allow for greater diversity.

Supporting Foster Youth During the Holidays

Try to understand that not all foster youth feel comfortable celebrating the holidays. It might bring up traumatic memories for them. Remain empathetic, and never push them to do something uncomfortable.

Talk to them and ask what would make them feel better. Remember to remain flexible, as that's crucial to becoming successful foster parents.

Honor their old traditions if you can. Doing so might help you learn more about other cultures, ethnicities, etc.

Understanding the Emotional Impact of Foster Parenting:

There are indeed unique challenges that foster families face. Most children in the foster care system have experienced some trauma. As such, the best parenting approach may differ from what you're used to.

First, foster parents must undergo the licensing process, which can take some time. During this time, aspiring foster parents must attend training, complete a home study, and ensure that their homes meet all state standards.

Roles & Responsibilities of a Foster Parent in Virginia: What to Know

Becoming a foster parent is a journey of profound love and impact on children. A critical part of this journey is understanding the roles of a foster parent and related responsibilities. This knowledge helps you decide if foster parenting is a good fit for you and when the time is right.

Continue reading this guide to learn about what it means to be a foster parent in Virginia.

Introduction to Being a Foster Parent in Virginia

You do not have to be perfect to become a foster parent in VA. You need a genuine desire to help children and provide a safe, loving home. In Virginia, you must be at least 21 years old, have a stable home and income, and have good physical and mental health. You do not have to be wealthy or own a large house.

Foster to Adopt: A Fulfilling Path to Adoption in Virginia

Thousands of prospective parents are waiting to adopt. If you are one of them, have you considered foster to adopt in Virginia?

Fostering before adoption can prepare your family for the challenges of bringing a new child into the home. Learn more about the process and if it's right for you in this post.

Introduction to Foster to Adopt in Virginia

About a third of the children in foster care are currently awaiting adoption in Virginia. You can become the parent of one of these children by going through the foster care to adoption program.

Ongoing Foster Care Support Resources and Services in Virginia Introduction to Ongoing Training and Support for Foster Parents in Virginia

Ongoing training (also known as in-service training) is a requirement for Virginia foster parents. You must complete at least 10 hours of training annually or 30 hours every three years.

You can also access foster care support in Virginia through peer support groups and professional services.

The Importance of Continuous Learning and Foster Care Support in Virginia

Every foster child is different, and even the same child will change as they develop or encounter new life challenges. These factors make continuous learning as a foster parent crucial for improving child welfare outcomes.

Yet, taking courses on subjects like the impact of trauma or how to handle behavioral issues is not always enough. A foster care support community made up of fellow foster parents and other players in the foster system can help to fill in the gaps.

Balancing Work and Foster Parenting in Virginia: Tips and Strategies

As a foster parent, you’ve got a lot on your plate. But nothing is more important than taking care of your family, including your foster children. Understandably, it would be best to go to work to feed the family. But it is equally important to maintain a work-life balance so that your foster children don’t feel left out. Here are some tips for balancing work and foster parenting in Virginia:

Virginia Foster Care: Exploring Faith in Fostering

Becoming a Virginia foster care parent is incredibly rewarding. But comes with challenges. Opening your home means embracing a new family member, requiring compassion and resilience.

The impact you make on a child's life extends well beyond the walls of your home. You're contributing to breaking cycles of hardship. This offers stability and hope and helps shape a brighter future.

You have become an integral part of the broader Virginia foster care community. This journey demands faith in love and commitment. Our guide is here to support you-let's explore together and make your fostering experience impactful.

The Role of Foster Parents in the Reunification Process

As a potential foster parent, your role in the coming-together process is crucial. It's vital to notice and appreciate the effort kids and their families put in to get back together when they can. Your commitment helps build trust and safety, which is very important for successful coming together. You play a big part in these kids' healing journey by offering love, guidance, and care. Your impact goes beyond short-term care; it shapes their future and adds to a stronger, kinder community. Your decision to become a foster parent can genuinely change a kid's life for the better.

Emotional Challenges of Foster Parenting in Virginia

Foster parenting in Virginia presents emotional challenges that require patience, resilience, and compassion. By navigating the complexities of trust, trauma, and legalities, foster parents can provide stable environments for children in need. Balancing self-care and advocating for resources is essential, as is fostering cultural competence and positive relationships. Celebrating milestones acknowledges the journey's significance, offering hope and support for all involved.

The Role of Cultural Competency in Foster Care in Virginia

Cultural competency is integral to providing effective foster care in Virginia. By embracing diversity and understanding cultural backgrounds, caregivers can create supportive environments where children feel valued and respected. Advocating for equitable services, supporting positive educational outcomes, and fostering community partnerships further enhance the well-being of foster children. Cultural sensitivity training and addressing disproportionality are essential steps toward a more inclusive foster care system.

Addressing Trauma and Healing in Foster Children in Virginia

Trauma affects foster kids a lot in Virginia. It messes with how they feel inside. These kids often went through some tough stuff before coming to stay with you. This can leave deep emotional scars that show up in different ways. They might act out, feel sad, or struggle to trust anyone. Moving from their old homes to yours can make things even harder. 

 

Tips for Building Strong Relationships with Foster Children in Virginia

Building strong relationships with foster children in Virginia requires patience, consistency, and empathy. You should listen carefully to their needs and worries and provide a safe place for them to express themselves. You should be present in their lives, attending school events and appointments. Show genuine interest in their hobbies and what they do. 

The Impact of Foster Care on Siblings in Virginia

Foster care is like a safety net for kids in Virginia who can't live with their own families for different reasons. It's there to keep them safe and make sure they're okay. For brothers and sisters in foster care, it can be tricky. Imagine being split up from your sibling and sent to different homes. It's hard not having them around, isn't it? In Virginia, this happens often, which means siblings have to go through tough times apart. 

 

The Importance of Support Networks for Foster Parents in Virginia

Support networks are vital for foster parents in Virginia. They provide emotional support, access to resources, and opportunities for education and advocacy. Peer support and community connections offer solidarity, while practical assistance and respite care alleviate burdens. With ongoing guidance and recognition, these networks empower foster parents to provide loving, stable homes for needy children.

Supporting the Mental Health of Foster Children in Virginia

Supporting the mental health of foster children in Virginia is significant. It helps ensure they're okay and set up for success in the future. Foster kids often go through tough stuff that can affect their mental health. Without the right help, these challenges can hold them back and cause problems later on. 

 

The Impact of Foster Care on Foster Parents' Biological Children in Virginia

The impact of foster care on the kids of foster parents in Virginia is really big. It affects how they feel, how their family works, and what they do daily. Foster kids might need extra attention, making things hard for their foster siblings. The kids who are already in the family might feel left out, mad, or like they're not getting enough attention. 

 

Addressing Attachment and Bonding in Foster Care in Virginia

Ensuring kids in foster care in Virginia feel connected and loved is crucial for their happiness and well-being. Kids who have strong relationships with their caregivers feel safe and stable. These close bonds are necessary for them to trust people or feel close to others as they grow up. 

 

The Importance of Self-Care for Foster Parents in Virginia

Taking care of yourself is super important as a foster parent in Virginia. It helps you stay healthy in body, mind, and heart while caring for kids who need you. If you forget to take care of yourself, you might get really tired and lose your ability to give great care. So, taking breaks is crucial, as is asking for help when needed and doing things that make you happy. 

 

Navigating the Challenges of Foster Parenting Teens in Virginia

Parenting teens in foster care in Virginia presents special challenges. It requires flexibility and understanding. This topic is noteworthy because vulnerable teens in foster care need support. Virginia's foster care system needs stable and caring caregivers. Teens in foster care often have emotional and behavioral issues from their past. 

 

Addressing Racial Disparities in the Foster Care System in Virginia

Addressing racial disparities in Virginia's foster care system is essential. You need to ensure all children have fair chances. African American and Hispanic kids are often in foster care. They stay longer and struggle to find permanent homes. Virginia needs to fix these issues. They can make the foster care system fairer. 

Supporting Your Foster Child: Tips for Navigating Challenges Together

Supporting your foster child isn't just necessary; it's crucial for their growth. Your help, presence, and love make a safe and caring place for them to do well. They feel secure and supported when you're around, helping them handle tough times and make a better tomorrow.

 

Celebrating Diversity: The Beauty of Transracial Adoption

Celebrating diversity through transracial adoption is crucial for creating inclusive families and communities. It helps us break barriers, question stereotypes, and care more about each other. When we welcome diversity in adoption, we create a world where every kid can grow up loved and happy, regardless of race.

 

The Emotional Journey of Adoption: Coping Strategies for Families

Adoption is quite a ride for families, full of ups and downs.  Imagine a couple eagerly awaiting the arrival of their new adopted child.  It's an emotional time, so having coping strategies is vital.  These strategies help families stay strong and bounce back when things get tough.  They're like tools that help them deal with all the feelings and challenges that come with bonding, forming attachments, and figuring out who they are as a family. 

 

Healing Together: Supporting Foster Children Through Trauma

Healing together is essential for helping foster kids deal with tough stuff. It gives them a safe place to talk about their feelings and learn to trust others. Foster kids go through a lot, like being hurt or left alone, so healing is essential for them to feel better. With everyone's support, they can learn to handle challenging situations, be strong, and feel good about themselves. 

 

Preparing Your Home for a Foster Child: A Comprehensive Checklist

Preparing your home for a foster child is essential to ensure their safety and happiness. It creates a supportive space where they can grow emotionally and socially and feel good. Making a checklist helps foster parents get everything ready, from basics like clothes and bedding to getting help with their feelings if needed. 

 

FosteringTeenagers in Virginia: Challenges, Rewards, and Key Support Programs

Teenage fostering in Virginia has its own set of difficulties and joys. As with any age group, fostering teens and young people in care comes with challenges. These arise from the teenager’s age, background, and the need to be more self-reliant. However, with the proper guidance and tools, it can be one of the most fulfilling activities one can ever engage in.