VERMONT: Brian, now 13, entered foster care when he was eight years old due to his parents’ inability to provide adequate care. He has significant developmental needs, and neglect exacerbated the situation. Since entering the system, Brian has experienced several placements as he initially moved through many traditional foster homes. He has found stability for the past several years with a developmental services home. The ongoing goal of permanency remains uncertain, with termination of parental rights hearings still in progress.
Throughout his time in care, Brian has had limited connections to family. Mark, a Project Family recruiter at LUND in Vermont, was determined to change that. He began looking for relatives first with LexisNexis Risk Management Solutions and returned to revisit the family find several months later using SenecaSearch incorporated within the Connect Our Kids’ Family Connections tool to reach more people and create a more comprehensive family picture for Brian.
“We often find outdated information with traditional searches, but Connect Our Kids helps us visualize relationships and keep everything organized,” Mark explained. “The ability to see connections in the family groupings format gives me and the caseworkers a clearer roadmap.”
The combination of SenecaSearch and Connect Our Kids made it possible to see who was closely related to Brian and establish which family members were willing to be involved in his life. Mark’s outreach on Brian’s behalf is ongoing, and so far he has successfully engaged with Brian’s paternal uncle and aunt, who are eager to be a part of Brian’s life. Though they couldn’t take him in due to their family circumstances and geographical distance, they want to build and maintain a connection with Brian through regular phone calls and Zoom visits. They also plan to share photos, helping to nurture a sense of family and belonging.
“Even when adoption isn’t immediately possible, these tools help us create meaningful family connections,” Mark said.
With his uncle and aunt reintroduced into his life, Brian will develop further family connections. While his long-term plan is still being worked out, Brian will have more emotional support from family members who do not want to lose touch again.
Connect Our Kids is a non-profit dedicated to leveraging technology to find families, build connections, and create a community for children in the foster care system. Want to help more children like Brian? You can today by donating HERE.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
