Thankfully the important role of foster parents in the provision of therapeutic care has become increasingly acknowledged. However, despite the central importance of attachment to foster care, surprisingly few attempts have been made to translate attachment into well designed and manualized interventions for this population. Instead, a wide range of clinical consultation services and education is available, yet there is remarkably little evidence for the effectiveness of most approaches (Dorsey et al., 2008).
Given the absence of attachment based and trauma informed programs for foster parents of older children and teens, Connect was adapted for use with this client group. Connect for Foster Parents provides:
1) information on attachment and trauma particularly as it relates to children between the ages of 8-19;
2) guidance on understanding the importance of sensitivity, safe haven and secure base and;
3) support in developing skills that promote parenting sensitivity and in turn increase security within the relationship between the child and foster parent.
Read More The Connect for Foster Parents program addresses issues related to attachment injuries, attachment insecurity and other attachment problems in relation to social-emotional development and mental health. Although not specifically tailored to the treatment of attachment disorders much of what is discussed is of relevance to children with these diagnoses.