Mapping for Reunification
A Signs of Safety Success Story
by Marla Gill-Gentile
Introduction
Family Background
My story is about a boy named Junior, who came into care in Calgary
when he was 8 years old. I began working with Junior and his family
over 3.5 years ago. When Junior came into care, it was supposed to
be temporary, but now he has been living in foster care for over 4
years. The good news is that he has been at the same foster home the
entire time. Band consults and feedback from the boy’s aunt indicated
that there was no viable kin for Junior to live with.
Family Background continued
Junior’s family consists of his aunt (Mrs. Smith), her boyfriend (John Doe) and his four
cousins. Junior came into care due to struggles Mrs. Smith was having with his behavior.
A short time later, Mrs. Smith hit rock bottom when her own children were taken into
care. Mrs. Smith consented to a Permanent Guardianship Order (PGO) for Junior. Once
her own children came into care, Mrs. Smith began to change her life. Mrs. Smith’s
issues included criminal activity, substance abuse, domestic violence and neglect. In
addition, as a child, Mrs. Smith was a victim of physical and sexual abuse and spent
some time in a residential school. Mrs. Smith was successful at completing addiction
treatment, completing programs on parenting and domestic violence and working with In
Home Support and other resources. To date, Mrs. Smith continues to access community
resources as needed and is very insightful about various issues.
Family Background continued
Mrs. Smith has been sober for over 2.5 years and has been in a
healthy relationship for about 2 years. As soon as Mrs. Smith got her
own children back and Children’s Services closed their file, she began
to ask what she needed to do to get her nephew back. The
reunification was interrupted last year by a sudden move to Medicine
Hat. The aunt was asked to move from her Calgary home and then the
flood occurred in June making it even more difficult to obtain housing in
Calgary and then she and her family went to Medicine Hat where her
partner has family.
Family Background continued
When Junior was 11 years old, he wanted to move back
with his family, when they resided in Calgary. When the
family moved to Medicine Hat in August 2013, the idea of
reunification now caused Junior great anxiety. This was
partly due to the family being without housing in Medicine
Hat, causing them to reside at a hotel, via a shelter.
Family Background continued
Over the last year, Junior has expressed many worries and
questions about the potential move back with family. In
order to move forward with the case plan, Junior’s worries
and questions had to be addressed in a different way.
Attempts by Junior’s supports to speak to him individually
were not working and it became evident that all parties
involved needed to come together as a group to address
Junior’s questions and worries.
Family Background continued
Junior lived with his mom briefly and in foster care from
ages 0-4 years. The aunt raised Junior from age 4-8 years
and the foster mother raised Junior from age 8-12 years.
Both the aunt and his foster mother have valuable
information about Junior. Foster parents are definitely a
part of a team and this story really speaks to how the foster
mother was included in decision making and how Junior’s
needs were put ahead of everyone else’s.
Family Background continued
It should be noted that over the last two years, the foster mother
had been somewhat apprehensive about Junior’s move to live
with his aunt again. Foster mom, Jane, moved from not even
wanting to meet Mrs. Smith two years ago, to embracing the
mapping process and travelling over 600 kms to Mrs. Smith’s
home. Jane felt strongly that Junior was better off in foster care
as she did not believe Mrs. Smith could maintain stability for a
sustained period of time. In spite of her reservations, the foster
mother Jane continued to support Junior and partake in
meetings.
Family Background continued
Over the last several months, Jane and Mrs. Smith have
been having regular contact over the phone, discussing
concerns about Junior. This led to Junior seeing Jane and
Mrs. Smith as a team and a united front. Again, in order for
the case plan to work, everyone involved in Junior’s life
needed to come together for his best interests.
Family Background continued
As the months went on, Junior processed the move directly with his aunt, her
boyfriend, his foster mom, his caseworker and his therapist. Junior even pulled
in the support of the Children’s Advocate, to ensure that his voice was being
heard. Each member of Junior’s team worked with him to address his
questions and re-assure him about the move. On April 28th, 2014, Junior’s
Calgary supports met with him as a group and collectively answered his
questions and addressed his concerns. After this meeting, it was determined
that a family mapping meeting was still needed, as important players were not
in attendance at the Calgary meeting. During this time, there was a heavy
emphasis on Junior moving away from his paid supports and moving towards
his natural supports. Discussions occurred with Junior regarding foster care
not providing permanency the way that his aunt and family would.
Family Background continued
Junior still had questions and concerns and it was decided
that a Signs of Safety Map needed to be completed with all
of Junior’s supports present in one place. Due to the aunt
living in Medicine Hat, not having a vehicle and having a
four month old baby, it was decided that a road trip to her
home was necessary. It took some time to arrange the long
distance meeting and as time went on Junior began to
slowly embrace the plan to move back to his aunt’s.
Family Background continued
When the mapping meeting occurred on May 12th, 2014 at
the family’s home in Medicine Hat, it included the key
people in Junior’s life. These people are his foster mother
of 4 years, his therapist of 3 years, his caseworker for over
3.5 years and the case workers team leader, his aunt,
aunt’s boyfriend and his eldest cousin.
The MAP
The map is broken into 4 columns.
Column 1:
Column 2:
Column 3:
Column 4:
What are we worried about?
What is working well?
What needs to happen?
Who will do what to build safety?
Column 1: What are we worried about?
(Harm/Danger Statements)
GOALS:
1.
To decrease and/or diminish Junior's anxiety and
resistance to the upcoming reunification with Mrs. Smith.
2. To have Mrs. Smith and John Doe convince and reassure
Junior, in very specific ways with concrete answers, how they
will address his danger statement.
Column 1: What are we worried about?
Continued
The harm and danger statements were prepared prior to the
mapping session, in order to have a clear understanding of the
concerns
HARM STATEMENT (past worries):
In the past, CFS was worried about Mrs. Smith’s abusive
relationships which involved hitting, drinking and drug use by
Mrs. Smith and her partner(s) and Mrs. Smith and/or her
partner not caring for the children properly.
Danger Statement #1 (future worries)
Junior is worried that John Doe is not going to get a job and that
Mrs. Smith and/or John Doe are not going to have enough money to
buy food, clothes, bills, rent etc... for all the children in the home.
Junior is also worried about the swearing by Mrs. Smith and
between Mrs. Smith and John Doe. Junior worries that Mrs.
Smith and John Doe will physically fight and someone will get hurt.
Junior worries that Mrs. Smith and John Doe will break up and that
Mrs. Smith will not have enough money to buy food, clothes, pay
bills and rent etc. and will become homeless again like they were in
from August to October 2013 and that they won't have a safe,
warm place to call home.
Danger Statement #1 (future worries)
continued
Junior is worried that Mrs. Smith will begin drinking again
even though she has been sober for 2.5 years. Junior
worries that any of the above concerns will lead to him going
into foster care again and that this time the foster care will
be in Medicine Hat and not in Calgary. Junior worries about
the move to Medicine Hat where he knows few people and will
have to attend a new school. Junior is worried about losing
relationships with his friends, his current foster mother,
Jane, his therapist, Bob and his caseworker, Marla.
Danger Statement #2 (future worries)
Children and Family Services, Cheryl, Marla, Bob and Mrs. Smith
are worried that if Junior stays in foster care any longer, he may
move around from foster home to foster home or group home to
group home, change schools many times, get involved in crime, lose
friends, lose his connection to his family and will not have a forever
family. They also worry that Junior will seek family when he is
older as the need for family increases with age and maturity and
that Junior will realize this too late. They also are worried that
Junior views having a therapist and caseworker as normal. These
are not forever relationships.
Danger Statement #2 (future worries) continued
Bob is currently decreasing appointments and will be ending therapy for Junior with
two remaining sessions, as Junior no longer requires a therapist. Junior will have
Mrs. Smith and John Doe to talk about regarding things that are bothering him.
Marla will move soon to a different office in Calgary to do casework and will not
remain working with Junior. Jane cannot provide a forever home for Junior. In the
past, Junior required Marla to ensure his safety, Bob to work through problems with
and Jane to take care of him when Mrs. Smith couldn't. Moving forward, Junior
will be safe and will not need a caseworker, has already worked through many
concerns and doesn't need a therapist and doesn't need to be taken care of by
Jane, as Mrs. Smith can do this. Mrs. Smith can also keep him safe and work
through his problems with him.
Column 2: What is Working Well?
- Visits are going very well.
- Mrs. Smith is very communicative and insightful.
- Mrs. Smith is not afraid to speak to Junior about difficult topics like
sex.
- Junior has his own bedroom at Mrs. Smith’s.
- Communication between Junior, Mrs. Smith and John Doe is good.
- They are doing things as a family.
- Mrs. Smith has separated from unhealthy family.
- Mrs. Smith has been sober for over 2.5 years.
- Mrs. Smith had a 2 beer slip over the last several months.
- Mrs. Smith has chosen her children and family over alcohol.
Column 2: What is Working Well? continued
- Mrs. Smith is able to identify her triggers and is receptive to feedback.
- Mrs. Smith has overcome lots of challenges.
- Mrs. Smith is open about her past difficulties and she is not afraid to
seek out help and support, and does ask for help.
- Mrs. Smith is looking at going back to school.
- Mrs. Smith identifies Junior as her son, not her nephew.
- The family has stable housing and they have a support worker involved to
help them get a bigger home.
- John Doe has never been in an abusive relationship with a woman.
- Mrs. Smith has learned skills around domestic violence and abusive
relationships.
Column 2: What is Working Well?
continued
- Mrs. Smith and John Doe are a good example of a healthy relationship.
- John Doe supports Mrs. Smith; Mrs. Smith is stressed, she takes a break
and John Doe handles the parenting.
- Mrs. Smith is not focused on materialist things.
- The family is committed to having Junior stay with them.
- Mrs. Smith has a good sense of humor.
- Junior has formed a good relationship with John Doe.
- Junior trust John Doe.
- Junior fits right into the family. Junior is more interactive and engaging
when he is with his family members.
Column 3: What needs to happen?
(CFS and Family Safety Goals)
- Mrs. Smith is not feeling as stable as she would like emotionally.
She is going to see a psychiatrist.
- The visits will continue each weekend until the end of the school
year
- Junior is to finish school in Calgary; visit with Mrs. Smith for a
week; go to camp and then move to Mrs. Smith’s after court.
- Marla to rescind the PGO (permanent guardianship order) after
Junior returns from camp.
- Marla to complete Junior’s change of name and obtain a new birth
certificate so his last name matches Mrs. Smith’s.
Column 4 Who will do what to build safety?
(safety plan action/tasks)
Junior knows to talk to Mrs. Smith and/or John
Doe about his worries, Junior knows he can
contact Children’s Services with his worries,
Junior knows he can tell a teacher or another
adult about his worries, Junior knows that he
can call the Children’s Advocate for help, Junior
can also contact Bob if needed.
The Map
Here is how the map looked when completed.
What are we worried about?
(Harm/Danger Statements)
What’s working well?
(Existing Safety/Strengths)
What needs to happen?
(Authority & Family Safety Goals)
GOALS:
1. To decrease and/or diminish Junior's
anxiety and resistance to the upcoming
reunification with Mrs. Smith.
2. To have Mrs. Smith and John Doe convince
and reassure Junior, in very specific ways
with concrete answers, how they will address
his danger statement.
- Visits are going very well.
- Being with my family (Junior)
- Mrs. Smith is very communicative and
insightful.
- Mrs. Smith is able to identify her triggers
and is receptive to feedback.
- Mrs. Smith is not afraid to speak to Junior
about difficult topics like sex.
- Junior has his own bedroom at Mrs.
Smith’s.
- Communication between Junior, Mrs. Smith
and John Doe is good.
- They are doing things as a family.
- Mrs. Smith has separated from unhealthy
family.
- Mrs. Smith is looking at going back to
school.
- Mrs. Smith identifies Junior as her son,
not her nephew.
- The family has stable housing and they
have a support worker involved to help them
get a bigger home.
- John Doe has never been in an abusive
relationship with a woman.
- Mrs. Smith has learned skills around
domestic violence and abusive relationships.
- Mrs. Smith and John Doe are a good
example of a healthy relationship.
- Mrs. Smith is not focused on materialist
things.
- The family is committed to having Junior
stay with them.
- Mrs. Smith has a good sense of humor.
- Junior fits right into the family. Junior is
more interactive and engaging when he is
with his family members.
- Mrs. Smith is not feeling as stable as she
would like emotionally. She is going to see a
psychiatrist.
- The visits will continue each weekend until
the end of the school year
- Junior to finish school in Calgary, visit
with Mrs. Smith, go to camp and then move
to Mrs. Smith’s.
- Marla to rescind the PGO (permanent
guardianship order) after Junior returns
from camp.
- Marla to complete Junior’s change of name
and obtain a new birth certificate so his last
name matches Mrs. Smith’s.
HARM STATEMENT (past worries):
In the past, CFS was worried about Mrs.
Smith’s abusive relationships which involved
hitting, drinking and drug use by Mrs. Smith
and her partner(s) and Mrs. Smith and/or her
partner not caring for the children properly.
DANGER STATEMENT (future worries):
#1 Junior is worried that John Doe is not
going to get a job and that Mrs. Smith and/or
John Doe are not going to have enough money
to buy food, clothes, bills, rent etc... for all
the children in the home. Junior is also
worried about the swearing by Mrs. Smith
and between Mrs. Smith and John Doe.
Junior worries that Mrs. Smith and John Doe
will physically fight and someone will get hurt.
Junior worries that Mrs. Smith and John Doe
will break up and that Mrs. Smith will not
have enough money to buy food, clothes, pay
bills and rent etc. and will become homeless
again like they were in from August to
October 2013 and that they won't have a
safe, warm place to call home. Junior is
worried that Mrs. Smith will begin drinking
again even though she has been sober for
Who will do what to build safety?
(Safety Plan Actions/Tasks)
Junior knows to talk to Mrs. Smith and/or
John Doe about his worries, Junior knows h
can contact Children Services with his
worries, Junior knows he can tell a teacher
or another adult about his worries, Junior
knows that he can call the Children’s
Advocate for help, Junior can also contact
Bob if needed.
What are we worried about?
(Harm/Danger Statements)
2.5 years. Junior worries that any of the
above concerns will lead to him going into
foster care again and that this time the
foster care will be in Medicine Hat and not in
Calgary. Junior worries about the move to
Medicine Hat where he knows few people and
will have to attend a new school. Junior is
worried about losing relationships with his
friends, his current foster mother, Jane, his
therapist, Bob and his caseworker, Marla.
#2
Children and Family Services, Cheryl, Marla,
Bob and Mrs. Smith are worried that if
Junior stays in foster care any longer, he may
move around from foster home to foster
home or group home to group home, change
schools many times, get involved in crime, lose
friends, lose his connection to his family and
will not have a forever family. They also
worry that Junior will seek family when he is
older as the need for family increases with
age and maturity and that Junior will realize
this too late. They also are worried that
Junior views having a therapist and
caseworker as normal. These are not forever
relationships. Bob is currently decreasing
appointments and will be ending therapy for
Junior with two remaining sessions, as Junior
no longer requires a therapist. Junior will
have Mrs. Smith and John Doe to talk about
regarding things that are bothering him.
Marla will move soon to a different office in
Calgary to do casework and will not remain
working with Junior.
What’s working well?
(Existing Safety/Strengths)
What needs to happen?
(Authority & Family Safety Goals)
Who will do what to build safety?
(Safety Plan Actions/Tasks)
What are we worried about?
(Harm/Danger Statements)
Jane is a paid parent helper and Lisa cannot
provide a forever home for Junior. In the
past, Junior required Marla to ensure his
safety, Bob to work through problems with
and Jane to take care of him when Mrs.
Smith couldn't. Moving forward, Junior will
be safe and will not need a caseworker, has
already worked through many concerns and
doesn't need a therapist and doesn't need to
be taken care of by Jane, as Mrs. Smith can
do this. Mrs. Smith can also keep him safe
and work through his problems with him.
What’s working well?
(Existing Safety/Strengths)
What needs to happen?
(Authority & Family Safety Goals)
Who will do what to build safety?
(Safety Plan Actions/Tasks)
Conclusion
Overall, the mapping session was successful in that Junior
no longer has questions and concerns about his move to
Medicine Hat to live with his family. Junior felt heard in the
process and obtained the information that he needed to
move forward with the case plan. Junior felt supported by
his family and professional supports, including his foster
mom. Jane’s attendance and involvement was essential in
helping Junior embrace reunification with his family.
Conclusion continued
Yes, it was a long day driving to and from Medicine Hat, but
the results were worth it! In addition to the “work” being
done, it was good to see Junior in is home environment,
surrounded by his family and giggling away with his cousin.
This is a side of Junior that has not been witnessed before
by the professionals in his life or his foster mother of 4
years.
Conclusion continued
Although foster mom had met Mrs. Smith before, she had
never met John Doe. The foster mom expressed that she
was impressed by John Doe and views him as a calm,
strong male family figure for Junior and the other children.
All parties involved are confident in the return plan. The
PGO will be rescinded in late July and Junior will be fully
reunited with his forever family.
Conclusion continued
This child and family is just one example of
how Signs of Safety and tools such as
mapping, are purposeful to use with families
and team members, including foster parents.