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Often times a well developed partnership will lead to continued contact between the foster parents, child, and birth family after reunification has been achieved. The birth parents and child may enjoy continued support or mentoring. The DSS can discuss with the families if they have considered any continued contact. Continued contact may be encouraged to help the child and family with any separation anxiety and feelings of loss as well as it would validate their developed closeness. However, the decision for continued contact is ultimately that of all parties.
Shared parenting does not have to be exclusive for practice within a permanency goal/achievement of reunification. There are elements of shared parenting that can be practiced in the framework of any permanency goal/achievement as a continuum.
A majority of children that were adopted from the foster care system are adopted from their foster parents. Planning for maintaining connections after the final decree of adoption is important. Adoptions in North Carolina are growing along with knowledge of effective practice. Families and agencies have a broader understanding of the adoption triad; child, adoptive family, and biological family. There is recognition that adoption is a life long process and the process doesn’t end with the final decree of adoption. As the adoptee matures, so does his/her birth family, former foster families and adoptive families. Members of the adoption triad continue to process the adoption and often have many unanswered questions that permeate their lives. It is imperative that agencies and social workers build shared parenting as a critical component to the overall healthy wellbeing of adoptees and their many connections.
When preparing youth for adoption, be mindful of these shared parenting opportunities:
• A youth residing with a prospective adoptive parent may still have connections with former foster parents as well as biological parents. It is beneficial for those former caretakers to share parenting information with the prospective adoptive parent. There are many characteristics about the adoptee that former parents can share. In addition, as the child ages, these former parents can be wonderful resources for additional information as well as potential respite resources.
• Youth who are transitioning from a foster home into a prospective adoptive placement can benefit from shared parenting. Incorporating the foster parent into the transition plan is critical. A prepared foster parent can assist with the youth’s transition into the adoptive placement. The foster parent may be able to assist with visitation, respite, late night emergency situations, relationships with school personnel, medical providers, etc... These efforts are not meant to replace the adoptive parent but be a support to the adoptive parent. Experienced foster parents can also avoid any triangulation by being mindful of their role while supporting the adoptive family and being an extension of the child’s family.
In addition to the achieved goal of adoption, shared parenting also remains important after achieving guardianship, legal custody, or another permanent planned living arrangement of a child. While contact beyond decree of adoption, guardianship, legal custody, or another permanent planned living arrangement may not be mandated, if safe, and healthy connections have been promoted early, they are more than likely to continue and prove to be mutually beneficial. The child and the child’s family will reach out for support as they continue their journey. If they have cultivated supportive relationships with former parents of the child, those individuals can be support systems in the stead of community agencies. Former parents will have a strong investment in the health of the child and his/her family. Shared parenting is not only beneficial to support families during challenging times but also to support children during life successes and major life events. Having a strong extended supportive network of connections only serves to foster the child’s wellbeing.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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