Foster Parents & Caregivers
Foster parents (also referred to as “resource parents”) and other non-traditional caregivers face many of the same challenges that affect most parents, in addition to a unique set of contextual hardships. The vast majority of children in the “system,” have experienced some form of maltreatment (i.e. abuse or neglect), and many have been exposed to chaotic histories of adversity and dysfunction. These cruel realities have fueled and perpetuated many of the social issues abundantly found with foster youth including: disconnected or nonexistent relationships, deficits in learning and academic performance, struggles with behaviors or attachments, and physiological or psychological health problems. On top of intervening with these concerns caregivers are confronted with attempting to ease transitions and form lasting bonds with the children in their care.
While fulfilling these needs can be difficult and complex, many compassionate individuals prove that with empathy and love positive changes are feasible and can be implemented into the lives of these children. Incorporating trauma-informed care into parenting can instill numerous benefits for these families in helping them adjust to external forces and build the relationships needed for resilience to flourish. Please review the resources and tools below for more information on being a trauma-informed caregiver and advancing resiliency in children.
Articles, Factsheets, and Handbooks on Trauma-Informed Foster Care Parenting
“Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child’s Needs”
By: American Academy of Pediatrics and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption staff
Source: American Academy of Pediatrics
Date: 2016
The American Academy of Pediatrics developed the “Parenting After Trauma: Understanding Your Child’s Needs” booklet to help foster and adoptive parents understand how trauma may be impacting their child’s functioning and provides child-rearing guidelines for promoting recovery and resilience. The handout converts scientific traumatic research into an easy to comprehend guide of numerous complex issues. Sections pertain to some of the most pressing components of childhood trauma including: trauma’s scope and influence, remembering traumatic memories, rebuilding safety and developing trust in the family, and helpful parenting tips to aid this process (American Academy of Pediatrics and the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption staff, 2016).
Videos for Foster Parents
“ReMoved” Short Film Video Series
By: Nathanael Matanick
Source: YouTube
Date: March 11th, 2014
“ReMoved,” a short film by Nathanael Matanick, is an extremely powerful depiction of childhood adversity’s reality and the struggles faced by children in foster care. This film narrates the story of a young adolescent girl as she experiences abuse and neglect within her family and enters into the “system.” It follows the main character as she moves through foster care placements and details the hardships of reclaiming trust in the face of unresolved trauma.
“Trauma Informed Practicing Strategies (T.I.P.S.) for Foster Parents”
By: Portland State University’s Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services staff
Source: Portland State University
Date: 2008
Portland State University’s Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services created “Trauma Informed Practicing Strategies (T.I.P.S.) for Foster Parents” to offer foster parents clear and concise suggestions for meeting the needs of traumatized children. The pamphlet is divided into importance principles in trauma-informed care and then describes a list of action steps that support each one. For instance, principle two is “Empathize, connect, try to understand the child’s perspective, but don’t probe,” and some of the real-life examples that strengthen this point are “ Be open to listening if they want to talk, but don’t probe or grill them” and “Acknowledge their feelings and the difficulty of what they are going through,” (Portland State University’s Center for the Improvement of Child and Family Services staff, 2008).
“Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change” (YouTube video)
Source: Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University
Date: May 14th, 2013
Duration: (5:18)
“Building Adult Capabilities to Improve Child Outcomes: A Theory of Change” indicates the importance adult strengths and relationships in social systems, can have on elevating the wellness of children with a history of adversity. This video describes how adults possess the ability to provide children with safety and security within their environment and interactions. Fostering these qualities into relationships can model a template for achieving resilience in children and empower cohesion and trust in relationships. Addressing adversity isn’t limited to efforts solely focused on children, it’s part of a larger mission to improve the lives of adults so they can be of service in aiding vulnerable children.
“Helping Traumatized Children—A Brief Overview for Caregivers”
By: Bruce Perry, M.D., Ph.D.
Source: ChildTrauma Academy
Date: 2014
The “Helping Traumatized Children—A Brief Overview for Caregivers” booklet provides caregivers and other caring adults information about the complex nature of childhood trauma and guidance in how to address these issues. The composition discusses some of the common struggles associated with trauma and helpful tips for promoting the best interests of traumatized children and their families. The author is Dr. Bruce Perry, a child psychiatrist who is a leading expert in childhood trauma research and the founder of the ChildTrauma Academy.
“Helping Children Cope with Trauma: Parenting Kids and Teens After a Traumatic Event”
By: HelpGuide Staff
Source: HelpGuide
Date: March 13th, 2019
The overwhelming and distressful qualities of trauma can reap havoc on the lives of children and leave parents feeling hopeless in their aspiration to help. HelpGuide’s “Helping Children Cope with Trauma: Parenting Kids and Teens After a Traumatic Event” displays a wide-range of beneficial suggestions for parents to utilize in aiding the recovery process. Each “tip” portrays a general element linked to establishing security and stability for children and depicts specific examples of enacting it through informed action steps.
“Left Untreated, Stress Can Affect Kids’ Health for a Lifetime. Here’s How to Help Them Cope”
By: Smita Malhotra
Source: Washington Post
Date: June 5th, 2018
The Washington Post article “Left Untreated, Stress Can Affect Kids’ Health for a Lifetime. Here’s How to Help Them Cope,” illustrates the urgency in developing an understanding of childhood adversity and adopting an enhanced awareness for fostering resilience. Stress breeds overwhelming chaos, leaving children to feel a sense of constant vulnerability and insecurity in experience. Interaction based on nurturance and consistency can help a child reclaim trust in their relationships and stability within their environment.
“Childhood Trauma Brings Its Own Health Problems for Foster Families”
By: Jenny Rough
Source: Washington Post
Date: September 1st, 2018
The “Childhood Trauma Brings Its Own Health Problems for Foster Families” Washington Post article discusses some of the unique circumstances associated with childhood adversity and health faced by foster families. This composition highlights some of the major struggles for foster children, such as establishing trust in relationships and learning its acceptable to be vulnerable. Most foster children come from very traumatic backgrounds which cause a cascade of physical and mental health problems and maladaptive behaviors. This reality presents some rather difficult challenges for foster parents; however, there is hope in compassion and empathy, to gradually resolve these manifestations of complex trauma.
“Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event” (PDF Factsheet)
By: National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Schools Committee
Source: National Child Traumatic Stress Network (NCTSN) Date: 2019
Reactions to trauma and changes in functioning can be significantly varied based on a child’s age and stage of development. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network’s (NCTSN) “Age-Related Reactions to a Traumatic Event” offers a concise depiction of the common responses typically associated with trauma linked to a child’s age bracket. This resource could assist caregivers in discovering the nature of trauma found in their child. Since trauma can be incredibly complex, spotting distinctive markers could shine a light as to “why” a child is experiencing certain emotions and acting out with specific behaviors.
“Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Trauma” (Module 2: Trauma-Informed Child-Serving Systems)
By: JBS International, Inc. and Georgetown University National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health
Source: JBS International
Date: 2014
Time: 34:09
“Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities and Trauma” is a video that is part of a much larger trauma-informed care series, developed by JBS International Inc. and Georgetown University. This video identifies the unique circumstances experienced by families with children who have learning or developmental impairments and histories of adversity. Symptoms of these conditions and childhood trauma can overlap at times, making it difficult to recognize which course of intervention will offer the most promising results. This video discusses how to distinguish between these variations and offers insight into formulating a well-organized, supportive treatment plan for these children.
“Foster Care Families” (Module 2: Trauma-Informed Child-Serving Systems)
By: JBS International, Inc. and Georgetown University National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Mental Health
Source: JBS International
Date: 2014
Time: 13:07
“Foster Care Families” is a video that is part of a much larger trauma-informed care series, developed by JBS International Inc. and Georgetown University. This video demonstrates the often times challenging and rewarding contextual experience of foster families. Since foster children are disproportionally more at-risk for complex trauma, becoming a trauma-informed caregiver is deemed crucial in helping children heal and elevating family resilience and growth. The video identifies some of the common struggles for foster families (such as adjustment and relationship building) and provides reasonable tips in changing behaviors to improve parental outlook and reinforce recovery.