In 2008, Federal Law mandated that families be notified within 30 days of their relative children entering foster care. In response to this change in legislation and with the desire to increase family finding efforts for the children in circuit 5, Kids Central submitted a grant proposal to The Federal Children’s Bureau asking for funding to implement a Family Finding Coaching Model in Circuit 5. This coaching model is unique in that through coaching case managers on using the 6 steps in Kevin Campbell’s Family Finding model, Kids Central is encouraging system change in which Family Finding for every child is standard practice. Kids Central was the only Child Based Care Agency in Florida that was chosen to participate in this Federal Funded National Research.
What is Family Finding?
Family Finding is the practice of locating and engaging relatives of children involved with the child welfare system. The goal of Family Finding is to provide each child with lifelong connections to their family. Implementation of Family Finding practices allows families to have a voice and decision making authority in their treatment and care.
Why is Family Finding Important?
- Every child deserves to be connected to their family members
- Children in foster care often experience feelings of loneliness and feel disconnected from their families.
- Empowering relatives to be the decision makers for their children shifts the responsibility from the professionals
- The Family maintains their dignity while professionals work towards reuniting and restoring their family.
- Research shows that children who are reared by family members are more successful than those raised in more restrictive settings.
Kids Central’s Family Finding Program in the News
Where Family Finding Comes First
May 2011
This is one of three articles in this issue about agencies that received a Children’s Bureau Family Connection grant in 2009 to help children in foster care reconnect with family members.
Kids Central, Inc., based in Ocala, FL, is passionate about family finding. The agency believes that identifying and engaging all the family members of children in foster care is critical to providing these children with permanent families and connections. As early as 2007, Director Irene Rickus was working with family finding trainer Kevin Campbell to provide intensive training and case consultation to workers in the five counties that Kids Central serves. When the opportunity to apply for a Family Connection grant came along in 2009, they lost no time in translating that passion into a winning grant application. (read more)
