In Search Of Relatives

We know that the majority of our youth return to their families when they leave placement. "Home" may mean their family of origin, another family member or "fictive kin" (known as non-relative extended family members). The federal government acknowledged this with the passage of Public Law 110-351, The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. The California Department of Social Services released All County Letter 09-86 on December 29, 2009 with instructions to county child welfare and probation agencies regarding the passage of California's enabling legislation AB 938 regarding the notification of relatives when youth are to be placed in out-of-home care.
Historically, we have not provided information to relatives when a youth is being placed unless the parent has shared with the family and the relative has sought placement of the child or youth in their home. We now appreciate the critical value of continued or renewed contact with relatives as supports whether or not they are able to provide a placement option for the youth. The burden has now shifted from the family's requirement to seek us out to us seeking them out. We have a mantra to "seek relationships first time, every time." This means that we integrate asking about relatives and valuable relationships every time that we have contact with the child/youth and any member of the family. Significant events, anniversaries and casual conversations can yield references to these relationships and should cause us to inquire further. Using the "snowball" approach when we speak with relatives can help us identify other relatives. Include the basic "can you think of anyone else?" and "have you heard from or about anyone else?" in all of your contacts.
Concerns about confidentiality and the safety of the child/youth have arisen. We are not obligated and should not disclose information regarding the youth as we are reaching out to relatives. We want to emphasize that we are seeking relatives to meet the needs of the youth and want to know of this person's interest and concern for the youth. We have an obligation to asses the child/youth's safety when in contact with the relative including the reliability of this person to continue in contact with the child/youth. The renewed trauma of broken promises can be very damaging.
Take a moment and review the All County Letter; it includes useful tools including when and how you must make contact with relatives, a letter template that you are free to adjust and an attachment, "Important Information for Relatives" that you must include.
Use this quick checklist for your practice:
Do I routinely ask the youth, family, and providers about important relationships for the youth? (The provider may be the one to remember that the youth receives birthday cards or letters, phone calls, or visits from someone)
Am I alert for indications of relationships in every conversation?
Do I follow up and initiate contact with relatives that I learn of to determine how they can be a resource for the youth?
Do I use the snowball interview technique to gain additional relatives?
What is my comfort letter in initiating contact and maintaining my focus on the needs of the youth?
Do I insure that I assess that the relative is not only safe for the youth to have contact with but that they are reliable?
We would be interested in your experience with involving relatives in your practice.