Every Child Needs a Transition Plan!!!
• Anna Brown
– Former Foster Parent
– CBCCFL – Foster/Adoptive Parent Trainer
– Ofc # 407-833-7664
– Cell # 321-615-5629
– [email protected]
Purpose of Presentation
• To have the knowledge and tools to
ensure every child has a transition plan.
Key Competencies
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*Protecting and nurturing children
*Meeting children’s developmental needs and
addressing developmental delays.
*Supporting relationships between children and
their families.
*Connecting children to safe, nurturing
relationships intended to last a lifetime.
*Working as a member of a professional team.
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
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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.
The Reality…
The Average # of Moves Per Child in
Orange
4.70
Osceola
7.70
Seminole
4.60
Total
5.15
(July 2016)
How long is prolonged separation for
a baby or toddler?
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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
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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
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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