In this episode, CASCW’s Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) Program Coordinator Keely Vandre talks with Kendra Morris Jacobson about the history and state of the research around Lifebooks and Lifestory work, and how this framework can be more accessible for integration into child welfare practice.
Kendra oversees the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) and the Oregon Adoption Resource Exchange (OARE), and is Certified in Therapeutic Life Story Work (TLSWi). In previous clinical work at Oregon Health & Science University, Kendra counseled children and families, led groups and contributed to research projects. Kendra obtained her B.A. in English Literature at Gettysburg College, and M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Lewis & Clark College. She was a supporting contributor to Dr. Redmond Ream’s recently published article in Adoption Quarterly, titled “Lifebooks in Child Welfare: Why Isn’t a Great Idea Used More Often?”
RESOURCES:
- Therapeutic Life Story Work
- Child Welfare Information Gateway: Lifebooks
- Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center Online Library
- All About Me | ORPARC
- Lifestory Books
- Creative Life Story Work – Blue Cabin
- Lifestory Books
REFERENCES:
Dr. Redmond Reams:
- “Lifebooks in Child Welfare: Why Isn’t a Great Idea Used More Often?”
- Transitioning Children in Foster Care to Adoptive Homes
- Reverse visitation between former foster parents and adopted children
- Joy Rees
- The Pocket to Polyvagal Theory by Dr. Stephen Porges
- Dr. Mona Delahooke
- Bonnie Badenoch, author of The Heart of Trauma
- Reflection Pond by Dr. Jaiya John
- Jessica Sinarski of Brave Brains; Robyn Gobbel
In this episode, Doing the Work: Centering Storytellers, CASCW’s Permanency and Adoption Competency Certificate (PACC) Program Coordinator Keely Vandre talks with Elliott Odendahl, MSW, LICSW about Lifebooks in practice across child welfare and clinical mental health settings and populations.
Elliott is a clinical social worker in private practice at Sankalpa Therapy and Wellness Center who has extensive experience working with children, youth, individuals and families of diverse backgrounds who are experiencing behavioral and mental health needs, disruptions in attachment and family relationships, trauma, as well as those experiencing the negative impacts of systemic and structural bias and racism. She has also provided Therapeutic Supervised Parenting to families, crisis support services to foster care providers and support services to families involved with Child Protection. Elliott is a PACC alumni and facilitator for the program around cross-cultural practice and case consultation.
RESOURCES:
