In addition to being a treatment goal, this is what the child wants more than anything else. While ITF Program families do become attached to the child and may experience sadness at separation, most will successfully adjust to the loss and continue serving as a resource for many children over a span of years. Visits between the child and family of origin are crucial for the child to maintain a sense of belonging and identity. They are also extremely important to facilitate reunification with the birth family. Visitation schedules vary.
Some children visit twice a month, some once a month, some never at all.
Most visits will occur in the family of origin's home or in a supervised office setting. Treatment families may be asked to provide transportation for visits. All children are influenced by the behaviors and attitudes of others, whether they are friends at school, kids in your neighborhood or foster children. If your children know what your expectations are and have a sense of appropriate behavior and values, it is not likely they will be adversely influenced. Your current ideas about parenting will determine how much of an adjustment you need to make to follow program policy.