FLORIDA: Rhonda* and Raheem* have spent the last four years growing up in foster care. While siblings are often separated due to limited placement options, Rhonda and Raheem lived together at the same residential facility.
Their family-finding specialist from Children’s Home Network researched their files and created a family tree on Connect Our Kids technology platform. The siblings had an older brother who lived in the same city but was denied custody previously due to his young age and financial circumstances. Their specialist initially inquired if he could identify additional family and community members who might consider taking the children. She was pleasantly surprised when he asked if he could assume the role of caring for his younger siblings. After a few family visits, Rhonda and Raheem’s brother completed all the requirements to become their relative caregiver. All three are thrilled to be reunited. The specialist continues to expand their network of support by identifying additional extended family members who had lost contact over the years.
The Family Finding Specialist was eager to share her experience.
“Family Connections made laying out the family tree and connection easy for the eye—it is a great visual when digging back through cases to find that connection. The direct links to search engines make it simple to search in multiple locations. Connect Our Kids is super helpful to me in my job, specifically as a family-finding specialist—to add notes, color-code, and see that life-changing connection as a visual helps me when trying to place kids with relatives/non-relatives.”
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 Rhonda and Raheem? You can today by donating HERE.
*Names have been changed to protect privacy.
