What Does "Unique Needs" Mean?

Everyone is unique, and everyone has needs, so families thinking about fostering or adopting are wise to ask what we mean when we talk about the “unique needs” of kids in the child welfare system.  

Families working with PCHAS learn a lot about how trauma impacts children. In short, trauma changes the brain and can affect how children relate with others, regulate emotions, behave, and learn. Trauma can even affect children’s overall physical health and immune system. Before and while children are in placement, PCHAS families also learn about Trust-Based Relational Intervention® (TBRI ®) and receive training on how to help kids heal. 

We carefully evaluate the needs each child or sibling group referred for foster or adoptive placement and think about all of our available families. We don’t just focus on space or willingness; we consider every possible aspect you can think of. We take into consideration all of the people already in the home and think about their ages, genders, personalities, health, interests and other needs and how the children being referred would fit into the family. 

Some kids need to be the only child or the youngest child in a family, while others may be more comfortable in a home with only a female parent. Some children have complex medical diagnoses and need a parent with availability to learn about and care for their health needs. For some kids, a quiet family who prefers time indoors will be best, while others need to be loud and expressive and have plenty of opportunities to move around outdoors. 

Some children experience anxiety or depression and some struggle with anger, defiance, or boundary testing. They may need more supervision than their peers and may require a higher degree of involvement and communication with their school. They definitely need a family who will be flexible, accept guidance, and open to trying new things.   

Every child will need a family who can accept them, honor their history and embrace resources to help them continue their journey as they heal from trauma and loss. We want kids and families to thrive, so we work hard to make good matches. We’re deliberate and intentional about each decision because everyone involved deserves the very best. 

If you want to know more about fostering or adopting, we want to get to know you! Connect With Us at 281-324-0544 or fosteradopt@pchas.org or Join an Online Info Session to learn more!