Inspired by over 20 years of work with families in the child protection system, Janet Mann, an experienced foster parent, and Molly Kretchmar-Hendricks, a professor of developmental psychology, have written this book to tell the stories of some of the children and families they have served. Janet, with her husband Paul, developed an innovative approach to foster care–The Children’s Ark–which afforded birth parents the opportunity to reside, under supervision, with their children during evaluation and treatment. Drawing on this experience, along with current attachment research and theory, the authors share a relationship-based approach from which to reimagine foster care in ways that are child-centered and both more compassionate and more effective. Through their stories, they draw valuable lessons to help foster carers and professionals better respond to the complex needs of children and families in crisis.
