Sierra Hernandez – Week Three
Sierra was removed from her mother when she was 6 months
old. She was placed with a local family who took her in with love and care. Sierra’s
mother was granted visitation by the court and has been a part of Sierra’s
life, even though the visitations had to be supervised by the Department of
Social Services. Sierra’s mother was still a migrant worker, but she was trying
to find a way to find more stable work so that she could have Sierra back. Now,
at age 3 ½, Sierra has known only English as a first language, and she regarded
her biological mother as a kind stranger.
* What are the major developmental milestones for a 3 ½ year
old? What should Sierra be doing physically, cognitively, and emotionally at
this point?
* How are foster families identified? What kind of screening
is done to assure that families are suitable to care for children? What is the
percentage of children who are in foster care who are eventually reunited with
their biological families?
* What kind of services are typically provided for families
whose children are removed?
* What else is important for you to know about Sierra’s
family at this point? (Hint: Think about all that you don’t currently know
about the family that could be helpful for you with regard to demographic
information.)
Some of the major developmental milestones for a 3 ½ year old include: using language in imaginative play, making up games, engaging in games with other children, begins to remember important recent events, attends to activities for about 5 minutes, asks many “w” questions (who, what, when, where, why), imitates whispering, can put two or three events in order, starts to use “because” as an explanation tool, can trace simple shapes and outlines, can put on socks and shoes with minor help, and can identify environmental noises (“I hear a plane mommy!”) ("Three to four," 2010). The child also can balance on one foot, almost dress one’s self, copy a circle, and can mimic adult conversational cues ("Developmental milestone," 2011).
ReplyDeleteDevelopmental milestone. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.fpnotebook.com/peds/neuro/DvlpmntlMlstn.htm.
Three to four year old development charts & skill sets. (2010). Retrieved from http://www.educational-toys-mart.com/3-4-year-developmental-chart-and-advice.php.
Physically, at 3 ½ years old, Sierra should be able to hold a crayon correctly, be able to throw a large ball, be able to catch a large ball, jump, climb small distances, skip, pedal a tricycle with minimal assistance, wash hands with assistance, brush teeth with help, balance on one foot, and be almost done with potty training. Cognitively she should be able to recognize parts of stories, understand the abstract past and future, name objects and actions, be able to count to five, use a vivid imagination, make up simple games, be able to answer simple questions, use shape and color names, and recite short but familiar stories. Emotionally, Sierra should be offering to help with easy tasks, start to develop new fears, share with others, play by the rules, join others in pre-existing games, start showing interest in other children, recognize her gender identity, and start to control her urges ("Primary milestones for," 2011).
Primary milestones for 3 years. (2011). Retrieved from http://tumblon.com/milestones/age/3%20years.
The road to fostering a child begins with an adult deciding he or she wants to become a foster parent. Each state has slightly different regulations, but the most common guidelines are: over the age of 21 and under 65, have adequate safe space for the child which may include a separate bedroom, be financially sound, and are in good mental and physical health. If the individual meets these basic criteria, they should contact the local Division of Social Services to request more information about fostering in the particular state. If they decide to pursue it further, they then fill out an application and send it to the agency (Harris, 2011). The application has basic questions regarding the lifestyle of the family, preferences of the parent, experience caring for children, personalities, and other relevant questions ("Sample application," 2011). If the application meets the criteria, the agency will set up a home study to take place to ensure that the home is safe and adequate for raising a child. This can take up to a few months. The process is so rigorous to ensure that the potential foster parents will provide a nurturing environment for the child during a turbulent time in his or her life (Harris, 2011). According to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, two out of every three children placed in the foster care system will go back to their birth parents within two years.
ReplyDeleteAdoption.com, (2011). Sample application Retrieved from http://www.fosterparenting.com/foster-care/application.html
American academy of child and adolescent psychiatry, (2005). Foster care. Washington, DC: Retrieved from http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/facts_for_families/foster_care
Harris, T. Howstuffworks.com, (2011). How foster care works Retrieved from http://people.howstuffworks.com/foster-care3.htm
For these families to get services, the Department of Family and Protective Services could get involved. This department “determines that a child should or should not be removed from his or her home during a post-investigation stage” (Fraser, 1997). If DFPS feels a child should be removed, a caseworker is assigned to the case and must fill out a Removing a Child From the Home form. When this form is filled out, the child will be placed in substitute care services. When this happens the caseworker need to identify “the needs the family will need during the period, immediately following the child’s removal through the completion of the family’s service plan; also the services required to meet those needs” (Fraser, 1997). One of these services is to provide Family Focused Services. These services objectives are “strengths based assessment and services; respect and work in partnership with families; be culturally sensitive; and meet the family’s unique needs” (Fraser, 1997). Also through this service the “families have the right to fair access to resources and opportunities needed for successful functioning and child rearing” (Fraser, 1997). Another set of services is the Family Preservation Program. This program provides “services to prevent out-of-home placement or reunifies children and their families in cases of substantiated reports” (“Child Protective Services,” 2011). The services offered to these families include: “education, counseling, visitation, parent aides, homemaker services, and home-based family services” (“Child Protective Services” 2011). Two more programs through this service are Informal Adjustments and Reunification Services. Through Informal Adjustments there are “agreements made by the family case manager, the child’s parents guardian, custodian, attorney and other involved parties when a family admits to a problem and the child is at minimal risk in the home” (“Child Protective Services” 2011). Through Reunification Services the “services provided to families when a child who has been removed from the family has a goal to return to the family” (“Child Protective Services” 2011).
ReplyDeleteFraser, M. (1997, March 5). Family-centered services: approaches and effectiveness. Retrieved from http://futureofchildren.org/futureofchildren/publications/doc/08_01_03.pdf.
“Child protective services.” (2011). Retrieved from http://www.in.gov/dcs/2398.htm
Biological family
ReplyDeleteWhat is the
• Mental health history
• Criminal history
• Did the parents have normal development
• Any disabilities
• Where do they live
• Is there anyone willing to care for sierra
• Is there anyone able to care for sierra
• Do we know who the father is
• Where is the father
• Does her mother observe any religion
• Does her mother have a green card or immigrant status
• How often does her mother visit and for how long
Foster
• How many children do they have
• Do they care for other foster children
• Do they observe any religion
• Where do they live?!?!?!?!?!?
• What state
• City or country
• Good neighborhood or poor
• How do they discipline sierra
• Is she always looked after by parents or baby sitter, ever looked after by siblings
• What kinds of toys does she have? Games she plays?
How often do they interact with her?
• How long are they willing to care for sierra
• Does she get to play with other children and how often
• What level of education do they have
• What is their SES
Questions from Group 7:
ReplyDelete1) Are there any signs of trust/independence issues from the traumatic event of Sierra being taken from her mother?
2) Is Sierra well bonded with her new family?
3) Are Sierras visitations with her mother confusing, because of her new relationship with this family?