Strong roots build resilient families.
Now accepting intake applications for the Roots Program for Dec 21, 2024.
The Roots Program. Our Guiding Principles for Family Reunification.
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Understand Trauma.
We recognize that families referred to our program have experienced trauma, such as abuse, neglect, domestic violence, and other adverse experiences. We understand the impact of trauma on an individual's physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being.
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Safety First.
We prioritize safety for all family members, including the child removed from their home and the parents or caregivers working toward reunification. Safety measures are always in place to address any safety concerns that may arise during the reunification process.
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Empowerment and Choice.
We work toward empowering parents or caregivers to be active participants in the reunification process and giving them choices and control over decisions being made about their family. We believe in collaboration between families, our teams, and all professionals working alongside the family.
The Basic Structure of Roots.
The Placement
The children reside in the Roots Home, where they receive care and support in a nurturing environment. This safe space is designed to help them feel secure while their parents work through the reunification plan.
The support provided to the children is comprehensive and tailored to their individual needs. They have daily access to an Applied Behavior Analyst who develops personalized plans to assist their parents in understanding and meeting their unique needs. Additionally, the children engage in Play Therapy, Art Therapy, and Animal Therapy, which provide them with creative and comforting ways to express and process their emotions.
A thorough assessment of each child's strengths and needs is conducted, ensuring that all areas of their well-being are considered. This may include educational planning to support their learning, social programming to encourage physical activity and socialization, and ongoing emotional support through regular check-ins with the Red Spruce Social Worker.
Every aspect of their care is rooted in understanding and addressing their past and present experiences, with a focus on healing, growth, and ultimately, family reunification.
The Parents
The core value of our program is rooted in the belief that parents should be actively and willingly involved in their children's lives every day. We encourage parents to be fully engaged in providing care in the Roots Program, as their presence is crucial for rebuilding trust and fostering a sense of security with their children.
Parents are guided to work closely with our team of professionals to gain a deeper understanding of trauma and its impact on behaviors, learn effective routines, develop parenting skills, and make healthy choices. This collaborative approach helps parents grow in their ability to support their children's healing and development.
To ensure that parents receive the support they need, we require them to sign a personalized care plan that addresses their specific needs and any safety concerns. Participation in our Roots Parental Education Program and/or the New Brunswick Parenting Skills Classes is a key component of this care plan. Additionally, parents are expected to engage in weekly sessions using the Inter-generational Trauma Treatment Model, as well as ongoing counseling. All of these services are provided within the Roots Home, creating a consistent and supportive environment for both parents and children.
By embracing this trauma-informed approach, we aim to empower parents to become confident caregivers who can meet the complex needs of their children and work toward a healthy, unified family.
The Planning
Our Team is committed to regularly reviewing the progress of each family as they work toward completing their reunification plan. These reviews are conducted with care and sensitivity, focusing on the well-being of both the parents and the children. The primary goal is to assess whether the parents are making meaningful progress toward creating a safe, stable, and nurturing environment for their children.
When parents successfully complete their plan and demonstrate their ability to provide such an environment, we work closely with their community Social Workers to recommend reunification, and start with a transition for out of care plan. This step is taken only when we are confident that the children will return to a home where their safety and well-being are prioritized.
In cases where parents are not actively participating in their care plan or making progress toward family reunification, we approach the situation with understanding and transparency. If it becomes clear that the necessary steps are not being taken, Red Spruce will provide the Agency with at least 30 days' notice before ending the placement. This notice period is intended to ensure that the children’s needs are met and that any transitions are handled with care and attention to their emotional and physical safety.
Throughout this process, our focus remains on supporting families in their journey toward healing and reunification, always with the best interests of the children at the heart of our work.
Program Booklet
Want to learn more about the Roots Program? Click the link below to download your copy of the booklet. This guide provides essential information about our program, services, and how we support families on their journey.
It’s important to remember that while this booklet lays the foundation of our program, every family’s needs are unique. Contact us to schedule an assessment to determine the best direction forward.
Contact us to get access to our Resources page, that includes our research documents on Family Reunification in the child welfare system.
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