#thisiscasa

[bayareafoster]

Teen is doing amazing.

She got two As and a B in community college in the fall. She's living in an independent dorm like place. She's going to couples counseling with her boyfriend and her own counseling.

She's saving money and applying to jobs. She's generally doing so well. Why am I so worried a shoe is about to drop?

[bayareafoster]

Handling Sex Abuse Trauma

My CASA teen keeps acting out. And it follows her life experiences being abused and shown porn and so much worse. She acts to me like she's not interested but her actions don't say that.

My question for my fumblers or MSWs is how do you self care dealing with the sex abuse and innappropriate behaviors?

How do you maintain a healthy sex life and libido dealing with the trauma and processing cases?

Is there continuing ed on this? There should be right?

[bayareafoster]

Casa life

I haven't posted in a while. Teens case hasn't been ideal. But is any teen's in foster care?

Her second foster home disrupted in July because of DV. Nothing to do with her but she had to be witness to abuse. Ugh.

She's been in a pretty nice group home since then with a short vacation/ visit to her bio sister a few states away.

After completely skipping high school at 15 and a half she passed all sections of the GED after 6 months in classes. I'm so proud of her. She's making it look easy. She's got plans for college and a career.

Caseworker continues to disappoint and worse exclude me. I'm not ready to push it up the chain yet but it's coming.

[bayareafoster]

Books That Explore the Refugee Experience

These nine books—for students of all grade levels—convey what it’s like to be a refugee.

Saving this here - plus i know there are fumblrs that like cultural experience kid lit. 

[bayareafoster]

Foster-Care Veteran Seeks to Use Tech to Ease Transition to Adult Life

Through his nonprofit, Think of Us, Sixto Cancel is testing a mobile app designed to coach young people aging out of their foster homes how to navigate housing, employment, and more.

I just met some of the tech people working on this. Bringing technology to foster care - what a change this could bring. 

[bayareafoster]

Paternal grandfather showed up at foster home

My casa teen's older sister gave her foster home's address to the incarcerated father's father. WTF! I'm so mad. The older sister had the address for letters. Grandad showed up for 10 mins and drove the 9 hrs back home. Told no one he was going back at home and isn't close to the family. He's not even being considered for placement. So he's unhinged but maybe not dangerous at 80+. But I can't help thinking he raised a predator how good could he be? Foster mom is not upset but I'm livid. Curious what DHS will say. I want to call sister- we talk sometimes -and give her the business. Don't worry waiting for DHS and my supe to proceed. Teen is doing great so that's good news.

[bayareafoster]

Casa update

The drama has subsided. Her new foster home is just much less dramatic. Her script changed for anti depressants and she feels so much better. She passed 3/4 GED sections on the first try! Either the GED is easy or she is a quick learner. She hadn't been to school in 5 yrs and absentee then and now just math to learn and test okay. I found a horse camp and DHS signed her up. She's getting interested in camping and backpacking. I'm psyched these are my things! Trying to find some good teen trauma-type outdoor healing camp/trips. Resources welcome! Google was way tooooo many options.

[bayareafoster]

Caseworker and her boss called.

I should feel good they realized they needed to talk to me. Learning lots about my teen. Mostly that she lies. A lot. I hate to feel lied to. But also her issues are real and she might need more care than a foster home and once a week therapy/medication can handle.