As an educator, you play a vital role in supporting the emotional, social, and academic well-being of your students. When you have students who are adopted, fostered, or in kinship care, it’s essential to understand their unique experiences and needs.

Why is it important to know a child’s care situation?

• Tailored Support: According to research from the Child Welfare Information Gateway (CWIG), understanding a child’s care situation can help you provide more targeted support and address their specific needs. For example, a child who has experienced attachment trauma may need help feeling like they belong to their families and require specialized approaches to manage their emotions and regulate their behavior.
• Trauma-Informed Approach: Attachment trauma and other complex developmental traumas affect how children view themselves and the world.  By knowing a child’s care situation, you can implement a trauma-informed approach, with accurate assessments and evidence-based best practices for a safe and supportive environment.

Positive Outcomes: Research shows that children who can learn healthy attachments in families have better outcomes in academics, relationships, careers, mental health and physical well-being. This reduces the need for residential treatment centers, reduces the amount of children in juvenile detention centers, and builds strong families and communities.

How can you learn more about your students’ care situations?

• Open Communication: Talk to the child’s caregivers and outside treatment professionals, if appropriate. They can provide valuable insights into the child’s experiences and needs.
• Observe and Assess: Pay attention to the child’s behavior, academic performance, and social interactions. Consider how their childhood experiences might be affecting their current functioning. 

Remember:

• Your support can make a difference. By understanding your students’ care situations, you can have a pivotal role in their healing and their future well-being.

Real-Life Example:

Consider the case of Sarah, a fifth-grade student who is in foster care. Sarah often struggles to focus in class and has difficulty making friends. By understanding that Sarah may have experienced trauma in her past, her teacher was able to provide additional support, such as creating a predictable classroom routine and offering opportunities for social interaction. As a result, Sarah’s academic performance and social skills improved significantly.

By taking the time to learn about your students’ care situations, you can better understand their unique needs and provide the support they deserve.