By Melissa McWilliams, AGSS Program Manager
Happy Summer!
With summer in full swing and July now upon us, you might be feeling like me: a bit worn out from the rigors of having a “fun” summer. Without the structure of school, I have spent more one-on-one time with my daughter. Although I have enjoyed this gift of time with her immensely, just today I could feel some fatigue creeping in and recognized that my own emotional regulation was wearing thin. It made me realize there could be a need this month to remind everyone of Lifeline’s post-adoption and post-guardianship support services. So, if you’re starting to see some red flags pop up in yourself and/or your family, please keep reading!
Lifeline, in partnership with the Department of Child Services (DCS), offers support services for families who have finalized the adoption or guardianship of their child(ren) and who would like some additional support. Although we would encourage you to seek assistance proactively or as soon as you feel things getting off-track, we are available to engage if the situation has reached more of a crisis level to help restore stability and safety within the home.
In addition to crisis intervention support, here are other areas in which we can provide support through this program:
- Coordinate community resources, including mental and behavioral health services, external support groups, and financial resources.
- Provide resource libraries that include a collection of literature, videos, and web resources for parents and families (AGSS Resources – Lifeline)
- Assist with identifying and building informal respite care resources, including but not limited to, family members, friends, and community members.
- Offer temporary, family-focused counseling and/or therapy based on family needs & dynamics.
- Provide in-home family coaching or training based on family needs.
- Provide Trust-based Relational Intervention (TBRI) for parents and caregivers. If a parent or caregiver has already completed this training, document this in your notes, and work with them to ensure they are implementing these skills and refresh them where needed.
- Help the child and family address feelings of grief and loss that are associated with the many losses the child has had thus far (i.e. loss of biological family, loss of foster parents, loss of familiar environment, community, etc.)
- Address any loyalty struggles the child may be feeling. · Connect to available support groups (Support Groups for Resource Families – Lifeline)
- Facilitate the closing of the case and oversee the transition to any ongoing care, if needed.
If this is something that you’d like your family to get started with, just click on the orange button that says “Get Post-Permanency Support” at this link: Adoption & Guardianship Support Services – Lifeline. After you complete and submit the request form, an Adoption Consultant from DCS will contact you to review your request and, if appropriate, submit a referral to Lifeline Youth & Family Services. Once a referral is received by Lifeline, our Care Coordinator will reach out to you directly within 72 hours to get your first visit scheduled!
We look forward to the opportunity to serve you and your family!
Lifeline Exists For Families
Lifeline Youth & Family Services helps individuals and families rediscover solutions that will allow them to reclaim control, rebuild relationships, and restore hope.