Tip sheets are short, informational articles written by ARW staff with a focus on a wide range of topics related to foster care and adoption. Tip sheets are written for foster and adoptive parents, kids in out-of-home care and professionals working in the child welfare field.  

Things to Think About When I'm Getting Started in Foster Care and Adoption

Fact or Fiction: Dispelling Some of the Common Myths about Adoption May, 2011
Ways to Help Youth and Children in Care April, 2011
Navigating the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children when Adopting a Child from Another State March, 2011
Navigating Adoption in Military Families March, 2011
Navigating Resources January, 2011
Adoption Has No Age Limits: Adult Adoptions , October, 2010
Creating a Legal Family Through Step Parent Adoption , October, 2010
Is Adoption or Guardianship a Better Fit? June, 2010
Preparing Kids in your Home for Fostering June, 2010
What to Do While You Wait May, 2010
Adoption Basics: What Families Need to Know to Begin the Process
Is Building a Family Through Adoption Right for Me? June, 2010
Is Fostering a Good Fit for Us? March, 2009
How Do I Choose an Adoption Agency? November, 2009
Checklist for International Travel When Adopting October, 2009

Caring for Children and Youth

Helping Children in Care Build Trusting Relationships October, 2011
Adoption Focused Books October, 2011
Empowering Your Children to Share Their Adoption Story , October, 2011
Adoption in the Media and Entertainment: Books, Television and Movies August, 2011
Respecting the Confidentiality of Children in Care and Their Families May, 2011
The Journey of Forgiveness: How to Teach Your Children January, 2011
Sibling Conflict in Adoptive Families November, 2010
Making a Positive Difference July, 2010
What's Behind These Behaviors? June, 2010
The 411 on Social Media, Networking and Texting May, 2010
You Hold the Missing Piece of the Puzzle: The Importance of Documentation March, 2010
Welcome Home Books: Building Connections January, 2010
Help! My Child Runs Away! December, 2009
Internet Safety Tips for Caregivers October, 2009
By the Grace of Foster Parents: Fostering Pre-School Age Children September, 2009
Camps April, 2009
Supporting Youth who Transition out of the Foster Care System at Age 18 September, 2008
Household Rules June, 2008
Building on Social Skills: Fostering Success April, 2008
Fostering a Child whose Parent is in Jail or Prison March, 2008
Effective Management of Crisis Behavior February, 2008
Supporting Kids from Families Who are Affected by Drugs February, 2008

Understanding Abuse and Neglect

Parenting Children who are Sexualized June, 2009
Working with Children who have been Traumatized August, 2008

Grief and Attachment

The Challenges of Foster Care: Grief and Loss September, 2009

Celebrating Culture and Diversity

Honoring Your Child's Racial and Cultural Identity February, 2011
Caring for the Hair of Your African American Child December, 2010
Twenty Ideas for keeping Connections to Racial and Cultural Identity August, 2009
Advocating for LGBTQ Youth July 2008

While Your Child's in School

Helping Achieve School Success October, 2011
What Being Adopted Can Present for Your Children When They Go To School August, 2011
Education and Adoption: Issues to Keep in Mind when working with Students and Families July, 2009
Helping Kids in Care Change Schools September, 2008
Fostering A Child Who Has an IEP

Honoring Family Connections

Planning Ahead: Working Together for Successful Interactions January 2012
To Search or Not to Search? October, 2010
Changing Role of Caregivers: Grandparents April 2010
Talking to your Children About Their Birth Parents February, 2010
Shared Parenting: Putting the Needs of Children First April, 2009
Lifebooks: A Life Long Priceless Treasure January, 2009
Celebrating the Holidays with the Children You Foster February, 2008

Taking Care of Yourself

Stressed Out! July, 2010
The Journey of Forgiveness: Learning to Live a Life of Forgiveness January 2011
Reaching Your Boiling Point December, 2009
The Emotional Journey of Relative Caregiving May, 2010
Self Care for Families June, 2007

"How-To"s for Youth

Cyberbullying, Social Networking, and You January 2011
Furnishing Your First Apartment January 2011
Food, Glorious Food! Nutrition and Cooking for Kids Leaving Foster Care October, 2010
Planning Your Career September, 2010
Your Voice Matters: Speaking Out by Speaking Up (Youth Advocacy in the Foster Care System) June, 2010
Seeing a Mental Health Therapist April, 2010
Bullying Hurts Everyone March, 2010
Coping With Anger February, 2010
You are Not Alone: The Sad Truth About Having a Parent in Prison January, 2010
Keys to Independence: Finding your First Apartment October, 2009
Sharing Your Story May, 2009
Is this Love? Teen Dating Violence May, 2009
How to Ace Your Job Interview
Tips for Filling Out a Job Application Form
Financial Aid Awareness
Managing Your Money
Who Am I? Exploring Your Sexuality
Lifebooks: A Creative and Fun Way to Express Yourself
How Career Assessments Can Help You Make School and Career Choices
Great! You got a Job! Now What? Keeping a Job September, 2009

Addressing Mental and Physical Health Needs

Depression in Teens Who Were Adopted: What Families Need to Know March, 2012
Wisconsin Waiver Services for Children Post Adoption November, 2011
Understanding Enuresis August, 2011
International Institutional Settings and the Possible Affects on Brain Disorders July, 2011
Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder May, 2011
Addressing the Mental Health Needs of Youth in Care
Fostering Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs Janaury, 2010
Parenting Children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder February, 2010
Uncovering Myths about Therapy November, 2009
Autism Spectrum Disorders 2007

What Do I Do About…

Under the Microscope: Maltreatment Allegations June, 2011
Should I or Shouldn't I? Reasons to File a Grievance or Complaint July, 2011
When It's Not Going So Well September, 2010
What is Readoption and Why should I Do it? January, 2010
Finding the Right Fit: Contemplating a Change in Foster Care Agencies January, 2010
Guide to Obtaining Guardianship of an Adult Child September, 2009
Foster Parents and Social Workers: Allies and Advocates for Youth in Care July, 2008