Acknowledgements. Foreword by Mary Perdue, Former First Lady of Georgia. Introduction. 1. Foster Care: Children, Parents, and Caseworkers. 2. The History of Foster Care. 3. Training. 4. Placement: What to do Beforehand/How to Prepare. 5. Problems Foster Children Face. 6. Creating Rules and Expectations. 7. Your Foster Child and His Development. 8. Foster Children and School. 9. Working with Caseworkers. 10. Birth Parents and You. 11. Protecting Yourself and Family. 12. Finding Help as a Foster Parent. 13. When a Foster Child Leaves. 14. Adoption. 15. Resources. Index.
Description
'John DeGarmo's latest book, The Foster Parenting Manual is a valuable reference for both prospective and new foster carers, written from the carer's perspective. Whilst some material in the manual may be specific to the foster care system in the United States, the book contains many practical suggestions on how to manage the day to day interactions with a foster child in a way that assists the child. The book is easy to read and could be used as a basis for a series of training sessions for new carers. Caseworkers would benefit from the book's perspective on many of the issues that carers face. The book points to the universality of the issues societies face in raising children who are separated from their families and the critical importance of providing them with supportive care.'- Scott Bray, Life Without Barriers, Australia'This is a unique book for people doing a unique job of fostering children which explains the subject simply and pragmatically. The gift of this book is the way it dispels the myths surrounding fostering and should help to lessen the anxiety around caring for someone else's child and also children who can struggle to accept care. It also provides carers with practical and reassuring guidance - encouraging positive outcomes in what can be a difficult yet rewarding partnership. The real-life examples support research in the field, and provide non-fostering adults a glimpse into the world of foster families and families themselves with insights and guidance from peers. This book is a fostering manual for the modern age and supports good learning for us all.'- Gradle Gardner Martin, Foster Care and Social Work Trainer, Elevate Training and Development Ltd, London, UK