Power of Story is limited in its services to individuals, but we do offer workshops and the resources below to help adoptees, foster youth, and their families gather, compile and process their story and bring meaning to their history.
DNA and Search Services
When information is missing or is just not enough, check out these free DNA tests for adoptees, foster youth search services and DNA based search organizations.
Advice to Foster Youth Who Want to Request Their File
Advice, cautionary tales, real encouragement and things to consider for care experienced young people, from a 2022 survey for current and former foster youth.
Lifebooks A Powerful Tool
The ultimate resource for FREE downloadable, lifebook templates, recommended versions to purchase and guides for parents and workers on creating lifestory books.
Tough Stuff Plan for Sharing The Hard Stories
Each birth, foster or adoptive family has challenging items in their child’s history. Use this resource to make a thoughtful plan for impactful conversations.
Practical Tips to Preserve Kids’ History: Training for Foster and Adoptive Parents
Experience this interactive, transformational, hands-on Lifebook workshop for foster and adoptive parents to help children understand their history and stories.
Ways for First Parents Share History with Their Child
The best options for first parents to share their story with the child, by writing a letter, completing a Medical History, guided journal, video or memory book.
Book Recommendation: Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child
Have you read “Telling the Truth to Your Adopted or Foster Child”? Foster and adoptive parents get comfortable talking truthfully about a Childs past and story.
MN Social Medical History
Minnesota requires this comprehensive document for children and youth in out of home care. Learn more, see an example, view relevant statues and laws.
Foster Care Record Retention State by State
Having access to your personal information is a basic human right, however, foster care records are not forever. See the laws that govern retention and destruction.
Capturing the Essence of Youths’ Stories: Training for Child Welfare Staff
Best practice, research, and good social work come together in this interactive and data-driven Lifebook training for permanency and child protection staff.
Is Getting Your Foster Care File a Want or a Need?
Is foster youth having access to their “file,” medical history, birth parent info, placement history and sibling details NECESSARY, a need or just nice to have?
Foster Youth Speak About Getting Their “File”
Over redaction, lost and sealed records, incomplete, hurtful, and false information. Foster youth share about requesting their foster care file and give advice to other youth.
Foster Youth’s Medical Information and Stories State By State
Each state varies in the documentation of foster youth’s medical info, social history and life stories. To work together, we must understand these differences.
Check out this guidance on lifestory work, for everyone involved in child welfare, through templates, lifebook tips, workshops, and book recommendations.
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