| Transition Into Foster Care or Kinship Care |
- Remind caregivers that this is a difficult time for children
- Remind them that there may be an initial honeymoon period followed by acting out behaviors
- Symptoms and behaviors that may be related to prior trauma experiences: tantrums, food hoarding, constipation, or sleep difficulties
- Do not take these behaviors personally
- Provide consistency in access to food, bedtime routines, discipline, and toileting
- Remain calm when children have difficult behaviors, avoid yelling
- Learn to notice and avoid triggers
- Recognize the child's strengths and provide positive reinforcement
- Give messages that the child is safe
- Discuss available resources in the community
- Additional Information: APP Safe and Sound: Responding to the Experiences of Children Adopted or in Foster Care
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| Visits with Biological Parents |
- Provide a transitional object
- Help child make do art project to give to their parent
- Reassure children you look forward to seeing them after the visit
- Welcome child home
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| Foster Parents Express Concerns About the Birth Parents |
- The pediatrician can:
- Advise foster parents against making negative comments about the child's birth parents in front of the child
- Instead of voicing concerns in front of the child, the foster parent should discuss as necessary with the appropriate agency representative outside of the child's presence
- Should the foster parent feel the need to express frustration or anger, they should do so with another supportive adult rather than in front of the child
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| Resources for the Medical Home Related to Providing Care for Children in Foster Care |
Visit the AAP foster care site for primary care resources, including background information, office management information (coding, foster care friendly office tip sheet), and communication.
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