VIDEOTAPE TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT SERIES ON CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS IN FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION

THE GOAL OF THIS PROJECT IS TO PROMOTE THE NATIONAL CHILD WELFARE GOAL OF FAMILY PERMANENCE FOR ALL CHILDREN, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO HAVE SPECIAL NEEDS AND ARE IN FOSTER CARE OR ADOPTIVE HOMES. SPECIAL-NEEDS CHILDREN INCLUDE, FOREXAMPLE, THOSE WITH PHYSICAL OR EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES, OLDER CHILDREN, MINORITY CHILDREN, MENTALLY RETARDED CHILDREN, AND CHILDREN BORN ADDICTED OR WITH AIDS. SPECIFICALLY, THE PROJECT PLANS TO RESEARCH THE NEEDS OF HARD-TO-PLACE CHILDREN AND TO DESIGN A TELEVISION TRAINING SERIES FOR PARENTS AND PROFESSIONALS THAT ADDRESSES THESE ISSUES. THESE TRAINING VIDEOTAPES WILL RECRUIT FAMILIES INTERESTED IN PARENTING CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. THEY WILL SUPPORT CHILD WELFARE WORKERS IN THEIR ATTEMPTS TO CREATE HEALTHY PLACEMENTS AND TO FOSTER ONGOING GOOD PARENTING. THE SERIES WILL GIVE PARENTS ENCOURAGEMENT AND HELP THEM DEAL WITH MILESTONES AND CRISES IN THEIR CHILDREN'S LIVES. TWO PILOT VIDEOTAPES AND ACCOMPANYING PRINT MATERIALS WILL BE PRODUCED IN PHASE I WITH THE GUIDANCE OF PROFESSIONALS IN THE FIELDS OF ADOPTION, FOSTER CARE, AND TRAINING. THEY WILL BE FIELD-TESTED IN PREPARATION FOR THE PHASE II PROJECTIN WHICH AN ENTIRE SERIES WILL BE CREATED.