This 28-pg adult guide is the requisite companion piece for "Robbie's Trail through Foster Care" (ISBN: 978-0-9817403-2-4), sold separately. Both are part of an educational, dialogue-opening series for kids in out-of-home care. Whereas "Robbie's Trail through Foster Care" consists of an engaging foster care story and related children's activities, the "Adult Guide to Robbie's Trail through Foster Care" is the piece that foster parents and/or child welfare professionals will use to guide them as they help the child with the story and activities. Though not intended as comprehensive training for foster parents, the "Adult Guide to Robbie's Trail through Foster Care" contains a wealth of background information, several tips for helping foster children and perhaps much-needed perspective about foster children in general. Additionally, the adult guide includes instructions for facilitating each activity, talking points and answers when applicable. The Robbie Rabbit(TM) stories and their supplemental materials are designed specifically for foster parents, adoptive parents and/or caseworkers who want to: (1) Help a foster child and/or an adoption-eligible child adjust better to tough changes in life; (2) Promote communication between the child and the important people in his life; and (3) Gain insight into a child's feelings and interpretation of the world around him.
Abandoned at age five, I found myself in the foster care system without a clue as to what was going on. All I knew is that my birthmother was no longer around and that my brother, sister and I were suddenly living with strangers.
Later, as a young man working in the world of retail management, I heard about CASAs - court-appointed special advocates for children - and I knew I had to become involved. I began volunteering for CASA and quickly found my calling in social work. However, although I had the compassion, firsthand experience with the system and a knack for getting through to children, I lacked the academic training and the professional experience to help others for a living.
So, while working as a behavioral health tech for a residential treatment center, I put myself through college, ultimately earning a bachelor's degree in social work from Central Missouri State University. I later went on to earn my MSW - a master's degree in social work -- from the University of Kansas.
Now, with more than a dozen years in the social work field, I've helped hundreds of foster children and their families adjust to tough life changes. My experiences range from working as a family-centered service worker in the Children's Division... to supervising CASAs... to directing foster care programs... to serving as a regional director of an adoption and child welfare agency.
Determined to help children on a national level, I really wanted to develop a series of books for children in foster care. Finally, with much support and encouragement from my wife, I realized my dream and began helping even more children as a result. My book series, the Robbie the Rabbit™ series, contains children's stories, activities and, in some instances, adult guides -- all of which are designed specifically for foster parents, adoptive parents and/or caseworkers who want to help children in care adjust better to tough changes in life.
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Children respond well because they identify with the main character, a lovable bunny going through a tough time in foster care. Child welfare professionals value the books because they provide a common ground through which they can help children start communicating about difficult topics. Foster and adoptive parents appreciate the books because they contain ideas to help children in care, as well as other insights that are useful in understanding a child's behavior.
I'm confident that you, too, will find these books of value. Let me know what you think -- you can email me at adam@robbietherabbit.com.
