For each youth you consider, ask these questions: Is the youth ready for a family? Does he or she understand adoption? Have they been through the adoption process? Does the youth understand the word family? Do they want to belong to a family? Assess each youth and discuss the idea with them to help you determine if he or she is interested and comfortable with participating. Some youth are enthusiastic about attending. Others feel too vulnerable and want to don’t face what they may interpret as rejection if no one seems interested in them. Others have attended matching events in the past and are reluctant to try again. If one want to with them about those feelings. tells you, “I don’t attend,” talk Why is he or she reluctant? Is this their first matching event? Would more discussion about what will happen make the youth more comfortable? Sometimes, letting a youth know this is a chance to meet other youth who are also waiting to be adopted may encourage participation. Describe the event to the youth and explain what they should expect. You never know what a youth might imagine about the event. YOUTH PREPARTION Make sure all who attend have a good time and meet other youth, as well as prospective adoptive families. Let them know exactly what to expect. Be honest. Answer any questions to the best of your ability. Find the answers to the questions you Explain to them that this is one of the many can’t immediately respond to. ways you are trying to find a family for them. Reinforce the idea that adoption is a process, and it does not happen that day. The event is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about themselves and about adoption. Listen to their concerns. Use reflective listening to respond to their concerns, fears, anxieties and general questions. Let them know you will be there throughout the event to offer support and assistance. Talk to the youth about the room setup, who will be there and the different roles of those who will attend. Show a video or pictures of where the event will take place. All of these activities will help prepare the youth and reduce anxiety of the unknown.
For each youth you consider, ask these questions: Is the youth ready for a family? Does he or she understand adoption? Have they been through the adoption process? Does the youth understand the word family? Do they want to belong to a family? Assess each youth and discuss the idea with them to help you determine if he or she is interested and comfortable with participating. Some youth are enthusiastic about attending. Others feel too vulnerable and don’t want to face what they may interpret as rejection if no one seems interested in them. Others have attended matching events in the past and are reluctant to try again. If one tells you, “I don’t want to attend,” talk with them about those feelings. Why is he or she reluctant? Is this their first matching event? Would more discussion about what will happen make the youth more comfortable? Sometimes, letting a youth know this is a chance to meet other youth who are also waiting to be adopted may encourage participation. Describe the event to the youth and explain what they should expect. You never know what a youth might imagine about the event. YOUTH PREPARTION Make sure all who attend have a good time and meet other youth, as well as prospective adoptive families. Let them know exactly what to expect. Be honest. Answer any questions to the best of your ability. Find the answers to the questions you can’t immediately respond to. Explain to them that this is one of the many ways you are trying to find a family for them. Reinforce the idea that adoption is a process, and it does not happen that day. The event is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about themselves and about adoption. Listen to their concerns. Use reflective listening to respond to their concerns, fears, anxieties and general questions. Let them know you will be there throughout the event to offer support and assistance. Talk to the youth about the room setup, who will be there and the different roles of those who will attend. Show a video or pictures of where the event will take place. All of these activities will help prepare the youth and reduce anxiety of the unknown.
E_Tips_for_Social_Workers_-_Preparing_Children_for_Public_Speaking_2.docx