A Strengths and Needs Worksheet 1
This worksheet is designed to be completed by foster parents who
are considering adopting a child who has been living with them
through a foster care program. If there are two parents, it is
helpful for both to complete the worksheet separately and then
compare the strengths and needs. Designed as a self-assessment tool,
the worksheet should provide some ideas to be discussed with the
agency social worker for next steps in the decision making process
toward a foster parent adoption. Needs will indicate tasks to be
accomplished. Please note that this worksheet touches only a few of
the critical issues important to foster parents who are considering
adoption. For further exploration of critical tasks, see Resource
Guidebook: From Foster Parent to Adoptive Parent. This guidebook
is published by the
Child Welfare Institute. See the list of organizations for its
address and telephone number.
Text version of table
| Foster Parent Adoption Task |
Strengths:
(What I have done to accomplish this task.) |
Needs:
(What I still need to do.) |
I have discussed the entire placement
history of my child with at least one social worker and
believe I have all information that is available.
|
|
|
I have identified several strengths and
several potential problems with this adoption.
|
|
|
I have discussed ways to solve the
potential difficulties with those I consider to be family.
|
|
|
I have all information that is available
about this child's birth family and have determined ways to
help this child maintain positive connections with his or
her roots.
|
|
|
I have considered levels of "openness" in
adoption and have planned for a level of openness that will
meet the needs of this child and work for our family.
|
|
|
I have discussed the difference between
attachment and commitment with those I consider to be
family. Those close to me understand that I am making a
lifetime commitment to a child who may later in life have
challenges and difficulties as a result of early
experiences.
|
|
|
|
This child has a
life book which I plan to use to help him or her understand
the differences between foster care and adoption as well as
to help with developmental grieving.
|
|
|
I have considered the ways this child
expressed loss earlier in life and have anticipated and
planned for ways this child may grieve at the time of
adoption and at other important milestones during life
(developmental grieving).
|
|
|
I have planned ways to help this child
maintain a tie to his or her cultural, racial, or ethnic
roots.
|
|
|
I have planned ways to talk with other
children in the family about this adoption, including ways
to help the family understand the differences between foster
care and adoption.
|
|
|
I have planned for the future financial and
medical needs of this child and have thoroughly discussed
subsidy with at least two social workers.
|
|
|
I have identified people who will support
me if I become discouraged.
|
|
|
I am pursuing adoption willingly and at
this time do not feel coerced by a loved one or the agency.
|
|
|
I have talked with at least one family who
has adopted through the foster care program.
|
|
|
I have considered this decision for several
months and believe that adoption of this child is important
for the well being of this child, my family, and myself.
|
|
|
1
This worksheet is adapted with permission from
material published in From Foster Parent to Adoptive Parent,
developed by Heather L. Craig-Oldsen, M.S.W., and published by the
Child Welfare Institute, 1365 Peachtree Street, N.E., Suite 700,
Atlanta, GA 30309, 1988.
This material may be reproduced and distributed
without permission, however, appropriate citation must be given to
the National Adoption Information Clearinghouse.
