The foster care and adoption systems are very complex. Advocates play an integral role in the programs from the initiation of services including post-placement or adoption. Address the following in your discussion for this unit:
- What role does an advocate play in the foster care system?
- What types of community services should be available for advocates to help the new adoptive and foster parents cope with the unique demands of being a parent?
- What types of support groups might be helpful for new adoptive and/or foster care parents? Find at least one support group (in your community or a national group) that might be helpful for new adoptive/foster parents and explain how this organization would be helpful.
- The foster care system provides training to prospective foster parents. What types of screenings and training should child welfare advocates require parents to undergo prior to a child being placed with them? Explain why you chose these types of screenings and training.
Here is the textbook that we use At Risk Youth: A Comprehensive Response for Counselors, Teachers, Psychologists, and Human Service Professionals Edition: 5th (2013) Author: J. Jeffries McWhirter, Benefict T. McWhirter, Ellen Hawley McWhirter, and Robert J. McWhirter and we looked at chapter 4 this week