Vera I Fahlberg - A Childs Journey Through Placement

Acknowledgements

I continue to offer my thanks and admiration to the children who taught me most of what I learned about translating theory to practice. Some provided lessons that were easy for me to figure out and master. Others had to be patient and persistent as I tried to make them fit into preconveived molds. Eventually, however, each of them was able to teach me something and to expand my horizons.

Further thanks are offered to the birth, foster, and adoptive families who shared with me their wealth of experiences. Finally, plaudits to the many dedicated child welfare professionals whom I met while conducting training workshops throughout the United States and abroad. Most particularly, however, my thanks go to those within the areas of the country where I spent most of my professional lifeColorado and Washingtonwho allowed me to share in their work on behalf of children.

It has been twenty years since the first edition of this book was published. During that time significant gains have been made in the understanding of brain development and the effects of trauma on the brain. However, the most basic need of children for caregivers who are physically and emotionally available, helping them attain developmental milestones by providing a combination of love and limits remains the same and that is the focus of this book.

Since my retirement in 1998, I continue to hear from caregivers and professionals alike that the information in the book is useful to them. I have received numerous requests for using parts of the book for a variety of training materials. It is my hope that this new edition of the book will provide a new generation with ideas for helping the children for whom they are responsible to attain their maximum potential.

It continues to be my hope that each child within the Child Welfare system will have at least one adult who will become his advocate, insuring that he receives the thoughtful and timely decision making that he deserves. It does not matter who this person isa parent, a caseworker, a supervisor, an administrator, a consultant, a CASA volunteer, a therapist, a teacher, a physician, a lawyer, or a judge. I know of cases in which people in each of these positions have been the childs primary spokesperson. Without a strong advocate the childs passage through the system is likely to be filled with barriers and difficulties. I continue to wish for each child as smooth a journey as is possible, with good companions along the way, and a loving destination.

Vera Fahlberg, M.D.

Bremerton, Washington, 2011

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