Just wondering what other rules or guidelines other have regarding their kids in foster care when it comes to publishing names/photos in public venues (newspapers, yearbooks, Facebook, etc.).
In NV, our training seemed to say we had to avoid all publishing,, so when I signed up J. for school, I had to sign that his name/ photo would not be released- this included the yearbook. Now, he is only 5, so the yearbook isn't a big deal, but this would be sad for a middle schooler! It surprised me because on one hand the agency wants kids to be treated like 'normal' kids, but 'normal' kids get their name in the paper with their little league team... Or their picture in the yearbook! I get confidentiality and protecting the safety of kids- but it seems like that could be handled on a case by case basis, rather than a blanket policy, just like a biological family might need to do the same to protect a child.
There is also a no Internet policy, ( though my fostering friend who is also a social worker for DCFS regulalry posts pics of her foster son on Facebook, but they are very close to adoption, and we are not). Wondering how others handle this- do you post pics of kids to Facebook/twitter/photobucket/whatever? In my case, everything on my FB is super private, and I talk about the boys by first name, but no pics. However, there are pics of my son (thats why I started the FBPage-to share pics of him with the family).
So, what are your official or personal guidelines about this?
In NV, our training seemed to say we had to avoid all publishing,, so when I signed up J. for school, I had to sign that his name/ photo would not be released- this included the yearbook. Now, he is only 5, so the yearbook isn't a big deal, but this would be sad for a middle schooler! It surprised me because on one hand the agency wants kids to be treated like 'normal' kids, but 'normal' kids get their name in the paper with their little league team... Or their picture in the yearbook! I get confidentiality and protecting the safety of kids- but it seems like that could be handled on a case by case basis, rather than a blanket policy, just like a biological family might need to do the same to protect a child.
There is also a no Internet policy, ( though my fostering friend who is also a social worker for DCFS regulalry posts pics of her foster son on Facebook, but they are very close to adoption, and we are not). Wondering how others handle this- do you post pics of kids to Facebook/twitter/photobucket/whatever? In my case, everything on my FB is super private, and I talk about the boys by first name, but no pics. However, there are pics of my son (thats why I started the FBPage-to share pics of him with the family).
So, what are your official or personal guidelines about this?