How Do I Visit My Children in Foster Care?

Regular visits help maintain family bonds while children are in foster care.

Being separated from your children when they are placed in foster care can be a difficult and painful experience. Consistent visitation with your child can help heal the pain that separation causes for both you and your children. The North Carolina Division of Social Services and the Family and Children's Resource Program report that families with continuing visitation have higher rates of reunification. One of the first steps toward having your children back with you is to devise a service plan with your caseworker. A service plan outlines the necessary steps to work toward being reunited with your children. Service plans include visits.

Instructions

1. Develop a visitation plan with your case worker. Child protection services generally encourages you to have regular visitation with your children. Tell your caseworker how often you would like to visit. Make sure to talk about sibling visitation as well. If your children are separated in different foster homes or you have children still in your custody, all children have the right to visit with siblings.

2. Provide suggestions to your caseworker for comfortable locations for visitation that your children will enjoy. Some families choose to have visits at their own homes, the foster families' homes or a neutral public location. Parks or restaurants are popular visitation locations. Your input is very important because you still have parenting rights.

3. Participate in your service plan. Complete any parenting classes, counseling sessions or drug testing that your caseworker requests. Your caseworker may have optional activities available that might help you gain parenting skills. Some states offer health care, drug and alcohol treatment programs, support groups to talk with other parents and vocational training. Aim to become the healthiest parent you can be.

4. Remember that the visitation should benefit your children. Try to design the visitation around your children's needs. Bring your children's favorite toys or a gift. Understand if your child displays anger or anxiety at being placed in foster care. They might act out of anger toward you. Consistent visitation and compassion will help improve their attitude and behavior.

Tips & Warnings

• Be prepared for visitation to be supervised. Take advantage of other opportunities to see your children. You can tell your caseworker that you would like to attend your children's doctor's appointments and school activities.

References

• Michigan: A Family's Guide to the Child Welfare System
• Children's Protective Services: Clermont County, Ohio
• California Health and Human Services Agency: Visit Coaching: Supporting Families to Meet their Children's Needs
• Jefferson County Family Court: Jefferson County Family Treatment Court Program
• Children's Services Practice Notes: Making the Most of Visitation