WhatDoes

"In all of us there is a hunger, marrow-deep, to know our heritage-to know who we are and where we have come from. Without this enriching knowledge, there is a hollow yearning. No matter what our attainments in life, there is still an emptiness, and the most disquieting loneliness."
- Alex Haley, Author of Roots

HeartWhat is Family Finding?Heart

The Family Finding model is a group of methods and strategies to locate and engage relatives of children living in out-of-home care. The goal of Family Finding is to provide each child with the lifelong connections that only a family can offer. Core beliefs inherent in this approach are:

heartevery child has a family;

heartloneliness can be devastating and particularly felt by foster children;

heartmeaningful connections to family help a child develop a sense of belonging;

heartand the single most identified factor contributing to positive outcomes for children involves
    meaningful connections and lifelong relationships with family.

heart There are many other benefits to Family Finding.

HeartFamily Finding BenefitsHeart

  • Lifelong connections: Children will potentially make a connection that could last a lifetime.
  • Emotional improvement: Children gain increased and improved family connections, decreased loneliness and a greater sense of belonging.
  • Decreased use of out-of-home care placements: Whenever possible, children may be placed with biological family members.
  • More successful placements: Children placed with biological family members have more opportunity to grow and develop in a healthy manner. Research demonstrates that biological families show more willingness to emotionally invest the time and energy to work with children who may have medical or emotional challenges.
  • More involved fathers: Fathers and their families can become more involved.
  • Compliance with the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Chapter 48, and the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008.
(Return to Family Finding Home Page)
Heart Family Finding Information Heart
Office: 541.343.2856
Fax: 541.343.2866
E-mail:
famfind@afamilyforeverychild.org

In Coos/Curry Counties, contact
helen@afamilyforeverychild.org

HeartVolunteers Needed!Heart

Want to get involved?

Our Family Finding program is unique because we utilize volunteers exclusively to work the Family Finding Model. We urgently need volunteers who are willing to do research on the internet, make phone calls, and be diligent in finding family members of children who are stuck in the foster care system.

Your role will include (but is not limited to) the following tasks:

  • Work closely with caseworkers
  • Make phone calls to possible relatives and friends
  • Search the Internet for lost relatives
  • Build a family tree
  • Attend key meetings to share your findings
The ultimate goal of Family Finding is to create positive supportive family connections for foster children. The key to being a successful Family Finder is diligence and perseverance. If you think you have what it takes to be a volunteer and make a difference in a child's life, click on the following link to complete the application process:

CLICK HERE FOR VOLUNTEER APPLICATION




HeartCaseworker ReferralsHeart





Family Finding Information:

Office: 541.343.2856
Fax: 541.343.2866
E-mail:
famfind@afamilyforeverychild.org

In Coos/Curry Counties, contact
helen@afamilyforeverychild.org




You can sign up to the right for Family Finding announcements. You should receive text messages around twice a month. We will text our volunteers about upcoming volunteer trainings and upcoming volunteer brainstorming sessions.