AUTHOR: August Ney, Post-Permanency Supervisor/TBRI Practitioner
EMAIL: aney@bethany.org
PHONE: 717-471-9489
AGENCY: Bethany Christian Services of Central PA
ARTICLE:
There is a misconception that once an adoption is finalized everything will fall into place. While this can be true for some; it is not the experience of every family. Adoption is a life-long journey and has its own unique joys and challenges. Without education, families may find themselves struggling to navigate issues related to trauma and attachment. Thankfully, Pennsylvania offers free post-permanency services to families through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN). Bethany Christian Services, an affiliate agency of SWAN, offers support to post-adoptive families who live in Pennsylvania. The services are geared toward finding solutions to strengthen and support the family on their journey. Our post-permanency staff are trauma informed, and experienced in helping families navigate the issues that can arise.
How do post-permanency Services work?
All families who live in Pennsylvania and provide permanency through adoption, whether or not they adopted a child from the child welfare system, even if the adoption was a private or international adoption, they are eligible for post-permanency services through the Statewide Adoption and Permanency Network (SWAN). In addition, formal kinship or permanent legal guardianship families who step forward to provide permanence to a Pennsylvania foster child are eligible for SWAN post-permanency services. To be considered as a formal kinship family, CYS must have been involved with the family previously but now is no longer involved. A family who has been declared a fit willing relative is considered a formal kinship family. These services are provided without charge through SWAN.
ASSESSMENT: Together with your family, your Bethany caseworker will clarify your family goals and create a unique plan to strengthen your family.
CASE ADVOCACY: To help meet the goals of your family, your Bethany caseworker will provide continuous support.
RESPITE: We will find respite services that will benefit your family by identifying planned opportunities to help strengthen your family.
SUPPORT GROUPS: Support groups offer families opportunities to connect and learn.
The focus of this program is to help the family identify their strengths, establish goals, and locate community resources for ongoing support. The services are family-driven, and families can access them by calling the SWAN Helpline at 1-800-585-7926 or by email at SWANHelpline@diakon-swan.org. The Helpline staff will gather information from the family and send it to the affiliate (agency) they choose, so the family will not need to repeat their story when they meet with their new worker. Then a referral is made, and the affiliate worker will contact the family to get started.
To learn more about Post-permanency Services please visit: https://www.diakon-swan.org/postpermanency/
