|
Studies show that the most positive outcomes for children in out-of-home care can be directly linked to cooperative and supportive relationships between birth parents and foster parents. One of the easiest, most successful, and most compassionate strategies for laying the foundation for that relationship is the “Comfort Call.”
What is a Comfort Call?
Within 24 hours of a child arriving at a new placement, a call is initiated by the foster parent to the birth/legal parent to offer assurance and share information. This call is an opportunity for the foster parent to:
- Offer assurance that the child is safe and being well cared for
- Make introductions and offer information about the home and family
- Inquire how the parent is doing and reassure them the goal is to see their child returned home as soon as safely possible
- Ask for information pertinent to the child’s care, such as bedtime routines, how to soothe them, favorite foods, etc.
- Allow them to speak to the child if appropriate
This simple call can help alleviate fears for a distraught parent and help establish trust for a child-centered, shared parenting relationship. Best of all, a good working relationship between parents helps minimize trauma for the child in care.
The Coalition for Children, Youth & Families offers a five-week hybrid course, Co-Parenting Through Connection, to help participants explore practical strategies for developing cooperative, connected relationships (between foster parents and birth parents), which includes comfort calls. To learn more about comfort calls or our Co-Parenting Through Connection course, we invite you to reach out to the Coalition or visit the links below.
| 
