Polaris Community’s Post

🎄 Holiday Tips for Foster Parents 🎄 The holiday season is a time for family, food, joy, and memories—but for foster children, it can also bring up emotions of anxiety and confusion. As a foster parent, making the holidays comfortable and welcoming is key. Here are a few tips to help create a warm, supportive environment for your foster child this season: ✨ Introduce the Child to Friends and Family in Advance
 ✨ Be Mindful of Your Child's Privacy
 ✨ Embrace Their Traditions
 ✨ Create a Safe Space
 ✨ Include Them in Gift Giving To dive deeper into these holiday tips, visit our blog for more insights and guidance. 👉 bit.ly/3ZBCYTS #FosterCare #HolidayTips #FosterParents #Clarvida #FamilySupport #FosterChildren #HolidaySeason #FosterFamily #CaringForChildren

Thinking about fostering or preparing to welcome your first child? In our latest blog, we explore common challenges foster parents face and share tips on how to overcome them.

It is essential that children, their families and foster carers are effectively communicated with when they use children’s social services. To support this, we worked with Tusla - Child and Family Agency to develop a toolkit on the ‘Fundamentals of good communication: How to have effective everyday conversations’. The toolkit will support Tusla - Child and Family Agency staff communicate effectively with people using children’s social services. It aims to help ensure that children, families and foster carers understand what is happening on a day-to-day basis, feel involved in decisions that affect their lives, and have a sense of control regarding their care and support. The toolkit includes key questions to help guide everyday communication as well as practical case studies. View the toolkit: https://lnkd.in/e9VSfBX4

One of my most recent articles is one that is a reminder to us of trauma in children. The Trauma and Turmoil of Being Placed in YOUR Home: Uncertainty for Children in Foster Care #trauma #parenting #children in #fostercare #adoption #childwelfare #consultant https://lnkd.in/gd7fKEkX

I’m so proud of the work our team is doing to elevate the message of reunification and supporting parents. In 2022, I spent a lot of time with Matt Anderson discussing how we could shift our focus at Circle of Care to see and serve the wholeness of people. One simple way? Shift the narrative. Foster care is not the win—reunification is. We’re on a journey, and there’s still a lot of work to do. But one thing I am deeply proud of is how our team continues to lean into supporting moms and dads through programs like: 💙Parent to Parent, providing mentorship to strengthen families. 💙Pearl’s Hope, stabilizing moms and kiddos as they rebuild. 💙Counseling Services, offering mental health resources to parents. 💙Fathers Empowered, launching vital supports for dads. Foster care isn’t the solution—it’s the result of systems breaking down. While there’s debate about whether an agency can both provide foster care and actively serve families, I believe it’s possible. Our team is showing how we can be pro-family while responding to the immediate needs of children. #fostercare #transitionalliving #mentalhealth #nonprofit #Oklahoma

Compelling read and an important step in supporting family unity and ensuring children live in safe, nurturing environments. Essential insights for all working with children and families. https://lnkd.in/exjTeiYd

When family separation happens, placing children with relatives or close kin is the preferred choice. #Kinship foster homes offer an environment that mirrors children's family of origin, which promotes stability during a challenging time. Here are some recommendations from Claire Kimberly's policy brief that could help #ChildWelfare jurisdictions better resource kinship families: 1️⃣ Increase access to resources by reducing obstacles for kinship families to become licensed foster parents 2️⃣ Formalize kinship families as the priority option when making placement decisions 3️⃣ Expand existing policies to include fictive kin Explore the brief for all insights: https://lnkd.in/gNy5nXRA

'I can’t foster a child who has a different faith to me.' Anyone, regardless of their religion, can be a great foster carer. The goal is to find foster families who can meet a child’s needs, including their religious beliefs. If you have your own faith, think about how you can support a child’s beliefs, like offering special dietary requirements or allowing time for prayer. It’s also important to know how to handle differences in beliefs with respect. Fostering is about providing a safe and loving home for children from all backgrounds. Find out more 👉 fosterforgm.com #FosterForGM #FosterForOldham

Did you know it’s National Adoption Month!?? Check out how you can serve the adoption community below🤗🤗🤗

We asked our foster families to share some of the things they found encouraging during this difficult time. This quote is from a foster mom of a 17-year-old and how they used this time to give back. If you want to know more about becoming a foster parent, especially for teens, there is always a need. https://lnkd.in/eBXtsXQP #FosterCare #FosterFamilies #FamilySupport #Encouragement #FosterParenting #SupportFosterFamilies #FosterCommunity #Fostercareflorida #FloridaFosterCare #HurricaneMilton #FosteringTeens #TeensinFosterCare