Unwrapping Hope: Adoption Wraparound Services with Expressions of Hope
Adopting a child is a journey filled with joy, love, and challenges. One of the ways to navigate these challenges is through adoption wraparound services. If you’re considering Expressions of Hope as your service provider, this guide aims to help you understand what to expect during the process.
Expressions of Hope: A Customized Approach
Expressions of Hope understands that every adoptive family has unique needs and concerns. As such, our approach to post-adoption wraparound services is highly personalized, creating a customized plan of action tailored to each family. Some families may require a wide array of services, while others may need only a select few.
At Expressions of Hope, the focus is on creating a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment that promotes healing and growth for your child, provides parents with the necessary tools and resources, and reduces everyday stressors that might hinder deep emotional connections.
Unlike many traditional models, success at Expressions of Hope isn’t measured solely by the child’s progress with rotating providers but also by the overall interaction and health of your family as a unit. This approach allows you to gradually decrease the need for numerous provider hours, fostering a more familial environment.
Services Offered by Expressions of Hope
Expressions of Hope offers intensive in-home, post-adoption wraparound services tailored to your family’s needs. These services include parent coaching, counseling, and other beneficial support systems.
Your assigned caseworker will work closely with you to develop a custom plan fitting your family’s unique needs. This means that some families might only need parent coaching or counseling services, while others may require a more intensive support plan.
Parenting undoubtedly comes with its challenges, but Expressions of Hope is here to provide support every step of the way.
Adoption Wraparound Services Stages
Expressions of Hope implements wraparound services in four complementary stages, each building upon the next. The primary aim is to create educated and empowered parents, capable of fostering long-term healing for their child.
Stage 1: Stabilization, Engagement & Plan Development (1-3 Months)
The first stage involves educating adoptive parents on how stress and trauma have impacted their child’s brain and their own. Education is facilitated through an online resource center and intensive educational seminars, often referred to as parent camps.
At these parent camps, you’ll:
Become trauma-informed
Learn how trauma and stress impact the brain of both you and your adopted child
Understand the impact of early experiences on the child’s brain and behavior
Learn how to create a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment
Develop the ability to see the adopted, traumatized child in a different way
Understand how to be an effective advocate for the child at school
Learn how to see problem behaviors in a different perspective
Improve communication dynamics with the traumatized child
Gain support and build supportive relationships
Additionally, in-home parent coaches will help address day-to-day behavioral issues, focusing on teaching rather than punishment. During this time, parent coaches will:
Assess your family’s unique needs and challenges
Work with you to develop individualized strategies for managing your child’s behaviors
Provide guidance and support for creating a structured, nurturing home environment
Teach effective communication and conflict-resolution techniques
Foster healthy attachment and bonding between you and your child
Stage 2: Implementation (9 Months)
The second stage involves therapeutic group sessions, including in-home homework support, cooking, cleaning, and socializing opportunities. These sessions aim to help parents work through challenging scenarios, foster a healing community, and create a collaborative environment.
Therapeutic group sessions:
Offer opportunities for parents and children to engage in structured, therapeutic activities together
Provide a safe space for families to discuss challenges and share strategies
Enhance family relationships through shared experiences and mutual support
Family coaching and communication sessions are also provided, helping families to communicate more effectively and understand each other better. These sessions will:
Address any communication barriers within the family unit
Facilitate open, honest conversations between family members
Help develop healthy communication habits for continued family growth and unity
Identify any underlying emotional or psychological issues that may be contributing to communication difficulties
Stage 3: Growth and Support (3-6 Months)
The third stage involves in-home family resource support from a certified trauma-focused coach, addressing issues as they arise and coordinating additional services.
In-home family resource support includes:
Weekly check-ins with your trauma-focused coach
Assistance in coordinating additional services such as therapy, medical care, or educational support
Ongoing assessment and refinement of your family’s individualized support plan
The goal of this stage is to empower the family to handle crisis situations, reducing the need for crisis intervention. This stage also provides ongoing expert support, including 24/7 clinical support from a licensed clinical social worker, and ongoing community advocacy, particularly within the school system. This support includes:
Access to a private online community for questions and additional support
Collaboration with school staff to ensure your child’s educational and emotional needs are met
Assistance in navigating community resources and support systems
Stage 4: Transition (3 Months)
The final stage prepares the family for the transition out of the wraparound services. This begins at least 90 days before services end and may involve a final meeting or celebration. The transition process includes:
Development of a formal transition plan, detailing services that remain in place after wraparound services conclude
Creation of a crisis plan outlining ways families can access support and services in the event of a crisis
Identification of any additional resources or support networks the family may need moving forward
Guidance on maintaining the progress made during the wraparound process
Transition planning is designed to empower families, providing them with a roadmap for future needs. This can involve anything from:
Identifying who to call for help
Establishing a support network of friends, family, and professionals
Learning when and how to reconvene the support team if necessary
Developing a plan for maintaining the therapeutic gains made during the wraparound process
Conclusion
Choosing Expressions of Hope as your wraparound service provider means choosing a partner
committed to your family’s overall health, not just your child’s individual progress. Our team is committed to providing a trauma-informed, therapeutic environment for your child, and equipping you, the parent, with the tools and resources necessary to foster deep emotional connections within your family.
Our approach is tailored, flexible, and deeply mindful of the unique needs and challenges that come with adoption. From education to intensive in-home coaching, therapeutic group sessions, and transition planning, they are dedicated to walking alongside you and your family every step of the way.
Remember, parenting doesn’t come without its difficulties, but with the right support and resources, you can navigate these challenges and foster a nurturing, loving home for your adopted child. With Expressions of Hope, you’re not alone on this journey.
Here at Expressions of Hope, we are determined to provide care and resources to foster/adoptive families in need. If you have any questions or wish to get in touch with someone from our dedicated team, please do not hesitate to contact us.