(Posted 2023 May)
It was mid-morning when the Department of Family Services’ Kinship Navigator, Erin Walsh, received a phone call that there was an urgent situation likely to result in a separation for 6-month-old Lauren*. The police had found Lauren’s mother, and it was determined she was heavily intoxicated and unable to safely parent Lauren.
The mother was unable to provide a name for Lauren’s father. Erin quickly performed a search for Lauren’s family members, and within an hour she had identified and left a message for the maternal grandparents. They returned Erin’s call a short time later and stated they lived locally and wanted to be a placement option for Lauren.
Erin immediately headed to the grandparents’ home to complete the necessary paperwork for emergency approval allowing the grandparents to have Lauren placed in their home that afternoon. Despite not being able to remain in the care of her mother or father, Lauren was placed directly with loving relatives rather than with an unknown family.
Being with her grandparents allows Lauren the opportunity to maintain familial and cultural ties. Based on research we know that by being placed with relatives Lauren will likely remain in foster care a shorter time than if she were placed in an unknown foster home. She also has a lesser chance of a disrupted placement.
Lauren’s grandparents had lost contact with their daughter and were thankful to be contacted and given the opportunity to care for their granddaughter. Erin was able to provide support and resources to the family as they went through the mutual family assessment process (training and home study to become a licensed foster parent). Erin and the MFA worker were able to work together to prepare the family for the unique dynamics of being kin caregivers, discussing such things as how to set boundaries with their daughter to ensure Lauren’s safety. This teamwork allowed the family to quickly complete the necessary requirements and understand their role, as well as process the fact that they may need to become Lauren’s permanent caregivers.
Becoming a kinship caregiver can be a challenging and emotional experience, but Lauren’s grandparents feel it is well worth the reward of watching their granddaughter grow and develop and knowing that Lauren will celebrate her first birthday in a few months with family surrounding her!
*Name changed to protect confidentiality.
Provided by the 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.
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