Creating positive relationship with birthparents/sw/Gal, etc.

A lot depends on the CW you have and what type of requirements you have concerning updating your CW and GAL. I would say that I established a good relationship with my CW and GAL by giving them factual information about the child. How they are progressing, mile stones, dr. appointment info, changes in behavior, eating habits, etc. We are required to give our agency a daily log of activities based on age. With bios, that can be harder because they frequently look at us(foster families) as an extension of the CPS system that took their kids. If we weren't there, then they couldn't have taken them, kind of thing. I try to ask questions of the bios about what the kids like, tell them about things the kids are doing and provide them with pics, updates and artwork the kids do. Every case is different. Some bios will never talk to you. Some CW's don't care about the little things. Some GALS will never call you or come visit. I operate under the assumption that everyone cares about the kids and wants to know all the stuff they are doing. So far, no one has told me to stop.

I have always made sure to send pictures to the birth parents. I would just send ones of them doing everyday things, not the trip to Disney or anything like that. Those types of pics just make it seem like you are rubbing it in their face. I also sent a camera to take pictures at the visits and then sent mom a copy. I saved art work and sent it to mom and dad, things like that. Find out when their bday is so you can help the child make them a bday card. I made a plaster handprint for Mothers Day and met mom at the mall for santa pics. She cried. Keep in mind that these were parents who got their kids back. The others have done nothing but yell at me and tell me I am a kidnapper. What can you do?:grr: As far as CWs, just let them know when they do a good job, be honest with them when you are having a hard time with kids, do as much as you can to ease their burderns (like copying the dentists form and sending it before they ask for it.) One CW told me that she never had to ask me for anything, I always just sent it in. That was a great feeling to know that she could focus on helping mom and dad get better instead of paperwork!