Transitioning & Moving Kids

Transitioning children between placements - whether to adoption, another foster home or reunification - can be tough on everyone. Adults and children can find the process confusing, rushed, frustrating, scary and sad. If moves and transitions fall around holidays or other memorable dates, it can complicate matters more and trigger - or even create - traumatic memories! Fortunately, there are many resources below to assist you in making transitions easier for kids (and your family). Please reference our Birth (First) Parent Grief & Loss, Celebrations, Holidays & Other Special Occasions, Grief & Loss, Navigating Birth Family Relationships & Openness, Parent & Professional Care, Resource Parent Grief, Siblings, Single Parenting, Talking About Adoption, Foster Care & Other Hard Things pages among many others for more resources.

Websites

The Family Room - supports parenting time & reunification in PDX Metro area
Hannah Grace Family - supports parenting time & reunification in Clackamas area

Recommended Books & Articles

Transitions-related Materials in ORPARC's library and in our DIGITAL library, including Transitions packet by ORPARC

5 Tips to Help Children Transition into a New Foster Home by Clarvida
Advice for Moving With Children by Child Mind Institute & en español
Better Adoption Transitions by Belonging Network
Foster Care to Adoption — Preparing Youths & Families for the Transition by Dr. Deborah H. Siegel
Foster Care Transitions by Dr. Julian Davies
Fox's Big Change & Change Resources by Slumberkins - authors in ORPARC's library
Grief & Loss - an ORPARC Resource page
How to Help Your Child Adjust to a New School by Miracle Recreation
Predictable Adjustments by Belonging Network
Preparation is Key When Welcoming a Foster Child Into Your Home by Youth Dynamics
Permanency is a Process: Transitioning a Child From Your Home by Indiana Adoption Program
Psychological Effects of Moving as a Child by Amerisafe - many great applicable tips!
Reverse visitation between former foster parents & adopted children by Dr. Redmond Reams - research article
Resource (Foster) Parent Grief - an ORPARC Resource page - more transitions resources!
Resource Parent Goodbyes & Grief packet - available in ORPARC's library
Separation Anxiety: When Saying Good-Bye is Hard by Dr. Deborah MacNamara
Should We Sneak Out Without Saying Goodbye to Children? by Beth Tyson - author in ORPARC's library
Sprite Helps Say Goodbye & Offers Comfort Resources by Slumberkins - authors in ORPARC's library
Staying Connected: How Foster Parents Can Help Smooth Adoption Transitions by Families Rising
Supporting Parent-Child Visits by Child Welfare Information Gateway - many articles!
Supporting Transitions by Beacon House
Supporting Your Child Through Transitions & Big Life Changes by Child Therapy Center
Tips for Supporting Virtual Family Time by Child Welfare Information Gateway
Transition Planning by Advokids
Transitioning Children in Foster Care to Adoptive Homes by Dr. Redmond Reams - research article
Transitions by Beacon House
Transitions for Parents of Teenagers by HOLT
Understanding the Transition from Foster Care to Adoption: From a Personal & Professional Perspective by Jeanette Yoffe, foster adoptee - author in ORPARC's library

Life story-related

All About Me (AAM) - an ORPARC Resource page - AAM books are a wonderful way to help a child—and all families involved—to transition!
Life Story Work - an ORPARC Resource page

Reunification-related

5 Helpful Ways Foster Parents Can Support the Reunification Process by Children's Hope Alliance
The Reality of Reunification by Sweetiele Moon, fosteree
Reunifying Families by Child Welfare Information Gateway
Reunification from Foster Care by Child Welfare Information Gateway
Staying in Touch After Foster Care Reunification: A Guide for Families by Sevita
Supporting Timely & Successful Reunifications by Child Welfare Information Gateway
What does Reunification in Foster Care Mean for Families? by Every Child Oregon
What Is Family Reunification—and Why It Matters More Than Ever by Every Child Oregon

Videos & Podcasts

Attachment, Separation & Belonging by Dr. Deborah MacNamara (podcast) - author in ORPARC's library
Jeanette-ically Speaking by foster adoptee Jeanette Yoffe, MFT (videos) - author in ORPARC's library
- Foster care explained to kids in a way they'll understand & en español - animated
- How to explain adoption to kids? & en español - animated
- How to tell a child their foster care adoption story - training series
- How to explain family court to kids & en español - animated
- Multiple Transitions: A Child's Point of View About Foster Care & Adoption
A Place for You Song by Sesame Street - explains foster care; great for transitions of little ones! (video)
Strategies for More Child-Oriented Transitions by Redmond Reams - free training in ORPARC library via DVD, video, audio or digital
Transitioning from Foster Care to Adoption course by Creating a Family (small fee) - video
Transitions: When Children Have to Move by Robyn Gobbel - free training in ORPARC library via DVD, video, audio or digital

Featured Favorites!

Slumberkins Fox's Big Family Change

SOMETIMES... A Story of Transition For Foster & Adopted Children by Keri Vellis

Room in the Nest: An inclusive foster care story to explain fostering, reunification, kinship care, adoption, long term foster care and the family by Holly Marlow

Help Your Dragon Deal With Change: Train Your Dragon To Handle Transitions by Steve Herman

Slumberkins Sprite Helps Say Goodbye

Goodbye, Friend! Hello, Friend! by Cori Doerrfeld & en español

Caring Together: A guide for parents, foster parents and adoptive parents of children who are in care by Mary-Jo Land