(Posted 2022 March)
Beginning a Family Search
When a youth enters foster care due to a separation from their birth family, one of the first things Fairfax County’s Foster Care Permanency Unit does is perform a family search.
Within the Permanency Unit is a worker who is specifically dedicated to searching records, national databases, and social media to identify possible family supports.
In addition, family searches are repeated annually and each time a child’s placement changes. These searches can often quickly change the direction of the case and connect youth with family.
Jaden* Enters Foster Care
In fall 2021, an 11-year-old, Jaden was separated from his birth parents. The Permanency Unit worker completed the initial family search quickly and identified 47 relatives!
The worker contacted each identified family member within the first 30 days of Jaden coming into foster care. This swift family engagement allowed word to spread through the birth family about Jaden’s needs and more relatives were identified.
Within two months of coming into care, paternal relatives reached out to the department to discuss caring for Jaden and to express interest in being considered as a placement option.
Home with Relatives for the Holidays
Within three months of Jaden coming into care, the Permanency Unit brought the family together for a Blended Perspective Meeting.
Ten relatives participated in the meeting which focused on Jaden’s strengths and needs and allowed the family to work together to come up with a plan to support Jaden.
The meeting resulted in holiday plans for Jaden with a family member who stepped forward as a placement option. Being placed with this family member would allow Jaden to remain with his birth family while the department worked to reunify Jaden with his birth parents.
Within four months of being separated from his birth parents, Jaden was placed with his paternal relatives right before Christmas. This successful story illustrates the importance of thorough family searches and quick family engagement to help children maintain positive connections to their birth families.
*Name changed to protect confidentiality.
This article is provided by the Foster Care Permanency Unit.
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
Learn about what the Foster Care and Adoption program has planned for foster families - stay on top of trends, participate in trainings and learn about policy changes.