Getting StartedKarri Biehle and Michael Sanders*

Introduce Yourself!

Name Agency Role Whats Happening in your County?

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Goals: Begin to build the parent to parent relationship Share information about the child

What is an ICEBREAKER?A meeting between the caregiver and the birth parentfacilitated by the social worker. It occurs early in the placement.

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Why Icebreakers?To share information about the child To help transition the child to a new placementTo begin building a relationship between the birth parent and the foster parentTo help to create a cooperative environment between birth parent, foster parent and social worker*

A Plan for ImplementationYour Icebreaker workgroup will create and make decisions about:

PolicyEducation and TrainingLogistics

Icebreakers *

WorkgroupWho will take the lead on preparing for Icebreaker implementation?

RDS Workgroup? TDM Workgroup?

Icebreaker Workgroup?*

Who will you invite to participate on the workgroup?YouthBirth ParentResource ParentSocial Worker SupervisorSocial WorkerFoster Family Agency Representative

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PolicyThings to Consider

Voluntary or mandatory?Who will facilitate the meeting?When will the meeting occur?What data will you collect?How will you collect your data?What are each participants responsibilities?*

Education and TrainingCreate a Plan for Preparing and Training

Parents, Resource Parents, Supervisors, Social Workers, Foster Family Agency Staff, Courts, Attorneys, Community Partners and othersPrepare social workers to assess birth parent and resource parents readiness for different contact typesDistribute brochures and flyers

Icebreakers 101*

Video*

LogisticsThings to Consider

What type of contact will occur if a face to face Icebreaker is not appropriate?Where will meetings occur?How will you collect and analyze feedback?

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What are your next steps?

WHO?WHAT?WHEN?*

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