Every Child Needs a Transition Plan!!!

• Anna Brown

– Former Foster Parent

– CBCCFL – Foster/Adoptive Parent Trainer

– Ofc # 407-833-7664

– Cell # 321-615-5629

– Anna.brown@cbccfl.org

Purpose of Presentation

• To have the knowledge and tools to

ensure every child has a transition plan.

Key Competencies 1. *Protecting and nurturing children

2. *Meeting children’s developmental needs and addressing developmental delays.

3. *Supporting relationships between children and their families.

4. *Connecting children to safe, nurturing relationships intended to last a lifetime.

5. *Working as a member of a professional team.

6. Commitment to the child and the foster/adoptive experience.

*From PRIDE curriculum

Agenda

• What is a transition plan?

• Why should we have a transition plan?

– Infants

• How to do a transition plan?

• Other considerations

Handouts

• Power Point

• Transition Planning Resources

• Transition Planning Guide

• Florida Statute

• QPI Transition Plan Resources:

– http://www.qpiflorida.org/pages/Transitions.

html

Transition Plan

• A plan that helps a child as he/she

moves from one home to another home.

It is designed to meet the specific needs

of the child and is not a one size fits all

template. The purpose is to minimize

any additional trauma created by the

move.

When are they needed?

• Anytime a child moves from one

placement to another.

• That includes ANY move such as:

– reunification to biological parents

– movement to a family member

– movement to another foster home or group

home

– movement to an adopted family

Why Transitions?

• To promote healthy attachment

• The way a person leaves a situation affects

the way he enters the next.

• Unfinished business often hinders the ability

to start a new situation.

• When a child has closure from a proper

transition, they feel more secure in his new

surroundings.

• Helps a child build trust and that not all

people disappear from their life.

Why Transitions?

“When transitions are done suddenly,

there is a significant risk of harm to the

child.”

Dr Charles H. Zeana, JR., M.D.

Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

Why Transitions?

• To promote healthy attachments.

“I am just testing you out. I will let

you know if I am staying or not.”

--Andrea

Why Transitions?

• Helps a child build trust.

“You are giving up on me just like

everyone else.”

--Andrea

Gaining Perspective • Every move to a new placement (including

the 1st from their biological family) will contribute to a loss of one developmental and one academic year.

• Example: A 17 yr. old child who has moved 5 times may respond emotionally and behaviorally act like a 12 yr old.

• It is only possible for a child to catch up once they feel safe and secure in a placement with caring adults who provide experiences for them to grow self-sufficiently.

Orange 4.70

Osceola 7.70

Seminole 4.60

Total 5.15

The Reality…

The Average # of Moves Per Child in

(July 2016)

How long is prolonged separation for

a baby or toddler?

• 3 to 4 days or less

• Over 7 days

• Over 14 days

• Over a month

Yes, Babies Need Transitions

• Relationship patterns over the 1st year of life

are important predictors of future

relationships.

• They may not understand the words but

scents and sounds are important.

– Blanket that smells like the caregiver

– Lullaby that helps them fall asleep

– Pacifier, teddy bear, blanket, etc.

• If we don’t give them what they need now, it

will come out in the future.

How to do a transition plan?

“In order for them to adapt and begin to

build an attachment to the person they

are transitioning to, it is important that it

be done gradually.”

Dr Charles H. Zeana, JR., M.D.

Institute of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health

“I didn’t have a birthday party. I had to

move the day I turned 11.”

Andrea

Former Foster Youth

Guidelines for Transition

• The move should be child centered.

• Nothing comes fast and easy when it

comes to a child’s mental health.

• When done suddenly there is a risk of

harm to the child.

• The transition should be gradual,

usually a few weeks, but should be

individually tailored.

Key Elements of Transition Plan

• Introduce the new person to the child in the

presence of the current parent figure

• The child spends increasing amounts of time

with the new person

• The child has a chance to say good bye to

the foster parent

• Foster parent takes the child to the new

placement.

• Ideally the child will see the foster parent

again while in full time care of the new

caregiver/biological parent.

Transition Planning Guide

Handout

Noteworthy

• No matter the length of time, a good bye or

acknowledgment of the stay is necessary.

• Even when going home to family a

transition is important.

• The child needs time to rebuild and

reawaken attachment with the parent.

• The child needs to adapt to transitioning

away from the foster parent.

• The child needs to see the parent and the

foster parent interacting in a positive way.

Long Distance Transitions

• Send pictures and letters

• Frequent phone calls

• Use skype, facebook, other social

media

• Talk positively about the transition

• If you pray, say a prayer for the

receiving family

How Long is the Transition

• It should be child centered.

• There is no set time frame.

• Ask the care giver what is going on in

the child’s life.

• It is ok to modify the plan if it is what the

child needs.

Child’s Reactions

• Abnormal is normal

• Each child reacts differently to stress,

loss and grief

• Some keep it inside, but it will

eventually come out

• Some show anger and lash out at

others

• Utilize therapists

Foster Parent’s Reactions • A good foster parent gets attached

because that is what a child needs.

• This is an emotional time for our foster

parents and they will need our support.

• The transition plan will also help the foster

parent say good bye and to deal with their

grief.

• The foster parent will have feelings and

emotions about someone else caring for

the child.

Foster Siblings

• Time of heightened emotions

• Feelings of loss

• Confusion

• Need constant and open

communication and special

attention

Receiving Family

• Learn everything you can about the

child from the sending family.

• Don’t try to rush the transition.

• Make sure the move is child focused.

• Don’t be offended when the child tells

you how wonderful the last family was.

• Be prepared for behaviors, feelings and

emotions from the child.

Self Care

• Allow time to grieve

• Do something for you

• Recognize the impact you made

• Get back in it

This Stuff Isn’t Easy

• Utilize the Child Placing Agency to

support our foster parents during this

time of change.

Why Transitions?

• To promote healthy attachments

“When I have kids, what are they

going to call you? Foster

Grandma?”

--Andrea

Why Transitions?

• Helps a child build trust

“Anna, I have a sore throat. What

can I do to feel better?”

--Andrea