Strategic planning indentified the need for an informational handout on the subject of Diligent Search and Family Engagement that could be used by Case Managers/Supervisors in FST/PPRT meetings, during court proceedings and when talking to DJO/GAL/CASA. A document has been developed to be used as an attachment to a court report or to present to someone needing more information on the requirements of the law and the philosophy behind Family Finding and Engagement. The handout includes:

• Information on our agency.
• Our philosophy of Family Finding and Engagement.
• CD outcomes relevant to the number of children in care and their exit status.
• Research on the benefits of relative/kinship foster care.
• Federal Fostering Connections Law and Missouri Fostering Connections Law.
• Hierarchy of placements as defined by Mo law.
• Other Mo laws that support relative involvement.
• CD’s Fostering Connection Policy (10-55)  that outlines the requirements of noticing relatives, the boundaries of confidentiality and also identifies the requirements of a diligent search.

Use the link below to view or print the handout.

Family Finding Handout  
 

We have a lot of really awesome things happening. Here are a few of the great things going on with our kids thanks to our staff and their hard work! 

Tristan - Both parents have been terminated and Tristan was adopted.  His adoption disrupted and both bio parents have expressed an interest in getting involved.  Although the team is not quite ready for this, his parents are keeping in contact with CM and FF.
 
Philica - This was a new referral in July.  Although Philicia has some contact with her paternal family she had little contact with anyone on her mother's side.  We have been looking for her mom and as a result found several maternal family members.  Philicia has been having phone contact with her maternal aunt.   Philicia has learned about a sister who is has living in Columbia not far from her.
 
Helen - We have had Helen's case since March 2009.  She has had very little to no contact with any family members since her referral.  However, after extensive searches we have located and talked with several family members. We learned of two older siblings in another state and Helen has been having written contact with her brother. Helen's mother has been writing as well although the team is not yet ready to share those letters.  
 
Jeremy - Jeremy was adopted and when his adoptive father passed away he came into care.  Several family members have been located for Jeremy. He is now having phone and written contact with his bio father as well as his paternal grandmother.  Jeremy is looking forward to a visit from his father.  
 
Spencer  - Spencer has had little to no contact with his family for quite some time. Spencer requested contact with his older brother and while researching his brother, 25 other family members were found.  Since this time, Spencer has been having phone contact with two maternal aunts.  I believe that visit is being planned!!

Aaron - Aaron was adopted by his paternal grandmother.  Aaron has been in custody three times and enrolled with MACF twice.  His adopted mother and paternal grandmother do not want contact with him.  Since having the case we have been searching for Aaron's bio mother.  We have not yet located her but in the search did locate his maternal grandmother.  She is visiting Aaron frequently and attending the FST's.  Aaron learned of an older sister that was adopted and living in another state. He also learned that he is an uncle!!
 
Brandon - Brandon has been interested in seeking out his father for quite some time.  Many attempts at locating his father have failed.  However,  in our search we have found other extended relatives.  Brandon has been having phone and facebook contact with a cousin Chloe.  A visit between the two is being scheduled.
 
Dearon - While looking for Dearon's father a paternal aunt was found in Las Vegas.  At this time there has been know contact between the two, however, she has expressed an interest in doing "what ever she can to help".
 
Jesse James - This is a new referral.  Currently he has few family members involved.  After completing a genogram 79 family members were located.  Contact with his maternal uncle prompted an email back expressing an interest in learning more.  The uncle is interested in participating in FST's and finding out more about how he can help.  
 
Matt - Matt just had his first visit with his sister in four years.  He is also having phone contact with his grandmother who lives in another state and who will be visiting soon.  
 
Karrie - Although Karrie's parents right's have been terminated her team agreed for her to start communicating with them.  Karrie had little to know contact with family until recently.  Currently she is having phone and facebook contact with her mother and father. 
 
Kenneth - In the FF process we located his bio mother who had been TPR'd. She has expressed an interest in being involved in Kenneth's life. The team however, is not quite ready for this step but she did give her worker some great information.  The person who we believed was Kenneth's father is not. The alleged father was located and a DNA test confirmed that he in fact was Kenneth's father. Since then his father has expressed an interest in gaining a relationship with Kenneth and working on a plan to have him placed in his home.  
 
Hunter - Hunter's family keeps growing.  To date he has reestablished contact with three of his four siblings as well as his bio mother and maternal aunt.  Hunter has been stable in his placement for 14 months.  Which is awesome considering he normally was moved due to his behaviors every 3-4 months. 
 
Tim - Tim has been enrolled with MACF twice.  The first time Tim was only 12 years old.  We managed his case for four years.  During this time Tim had no contact with anyone in his family, although is mother sometimes attended FST's.  Tim was discharged in July 2011 and committed to DYS.  We received his case back in November.  Since this time, we have located his mother, father, paternal grandmother, maternal aunt and a cousin.  Tim's maternal aunt and cousin participated in his initial FST.  Tim was hesitant to let family participate but reluctantly agreed.  The meeting went great and Tim has been having phone contact and has had one visit with his aunt thus far.  Another visit is being scheduled for December 30th.  Tim has also been having phone contact with his cousin Amanda.  Both his grandmother and dad are planning to attend the next FST.