Vol. 1, No. 3
Spring 1996

Intervention Points: Children in Need

• Attend to children's educational needs. Help caregivers locate remedial services for children who have fallen behind in school. Remember that reading skills are fundamental to almost any other activity. If you must choose, put the emphasis on reading.

• Help caregivers foster a child's religious tradition. Foster families should make strong efforts to encourage foster children to continue in the spiritual beliefs and practices of their birth families. (Of course, a child in placement should not be forced to participate in religious observances.)

• Help children in placement stay in touch with adults with whom they have long-standing relationships. These relationships may make the difference for this young person. Ask children to name the adult they most trust and admire. Build this relationship in as part of your treatment effort.

• Help young people find hobbies. Mechanics, sewing, art, music, sports, or dance are all possibilities. Doing can be as useful as talking for some young people.

• Help young people give to others. Just because they are in need of services does not mean they have nothing to give to their communities.

• Remember to look for "second chances" for young people. This is especially important for youths whose home lives are troubled and who may be acting out themselves. Even for the child who appears hopeless, it's never clear what opportunity or relationship may make a difference.