7 Fears of Legal Permanency

When youth in foster care are asked whether they want to be adopted, caseworkers, legal professionals and other professionals on the child’s team should expect to hear “no.” These young people may have experienced many layers of trauma, and it is reasonable that they would be hesitant to trust another adult and an unknown future.

However, instead of halting recruitment efforts at an initial “no,” professionals should assist youth in overcoming their fears in a way that respects their voice, privacy and dignity.

Through our signature program, Wendy’s Wonderful Kids^® (WWK), the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption supports the hiring of professionals, known as recruiters, who are dedicated to finding permanent homes for the longest-waiting children in foster care. These professionals use an evidence-based, child-focused recruitment model to find the right family for every child. A key component of the model is building a trusting relationship with the young people they serve, helping them unpack fears and misconceptions about permanency.

Choose a guide below to explore strategies for helping youth unpack their fears about permanency.