© 2000 Jordan Institute
for Families

Suggestions for Visitation

Here are some ideas for making visits fun for children, valuable assessment tools for social workers, and positive learning experiences for parents. Hold visits in the foster home Share lunch with children at school or day care Include parents on doctor or dentist visits Have visits in the child's own home Conduct visits at a relative's home Involve the therapist Have visits outside the agency at parks, playgrounds, libraries, museums, or fast-food restaurants Train volunteers or casework aides to be "visitation specialists" who can monitor, mentor, and provide transportation Encourage parents to attend the child's school functions, such as parties, plays, or concerts Tailor plans to the interests of children and birth parents; they may have common activities/interests that facilitate positive interactions Sources: Flick, 1999; Loar, 1998