It takes the Internet to raise a foster child

Ok, not really.  But, so far the magical Internet, and the real people attached, have raised Jacket.  I’m incredibly grateful.  I wish I had time to draw a diagram (mad college senior project  or independent study idea alert) of all of the connections and benefits that have come to Jacket via the web.

Anyway, request #2,977- start sucking up to anyone you know at the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.  I purchased an annual family pass and the first time I take Jacket and her mom, I want her mom to be treated like the fucking QUEEN OF SHEBA.  I want her to think and feel that she is the SUPERSTAR MOM of the museum so that she takes Jacket

alllllllllll

the

time. 

Is there a staff snack machine?  I’ll give you all the quarters you need to take her there.  Do any backstage VIP tours?  No?  MAKE ONE UP.  Show her the fucking air conditioning ducts- IT DOESN’T MATTER.  I’m finally getting it through my thick skull that one of Jacket’s mom’s major motivators is being associated with important people (as defined by her).  INTRODUCE HER TO SOMEONE IMPORTANT.  Like the DIRECTOR of membership.  What is that?  They only have a couple of staff people in the membership department?  DOESN’T MATTER.  Words like “Director” and “Supervisor” and “President” count for big brownie points.

Need some more ideas to “serve a diverse audience” and “increase public access” (this goes for all museums with such a mission)?  :)  Oh, don’t you worry.  In case you haven’t noticed, I can blog about this kind of shit FOREVs.  Here’s more-  Have someone, ANYONE, write down their name (business cards are even better if they have them) and emphasize that Jacket’s mom can always ask for them (how demanding can she be- and really- how awesome would it be if her time was spent causing a raucous at a Children’s Museum as oppose to a foster agency or prison?)  Baby steps, yo.  Ask to take her picture to put on a special board (so-and-so’s cubicle = special board from now on).  Provide her with some sort of certificate of attendance.  Birth moms who have jumped through hoops REALLY APPRECIATE HARD-COPY DOCUMENTATION of being a good mom.  Any microsoft publisher certificate will do.  Tell her the best day/time of the week for her to come to get MORE ATTENTION (aka when the museum is least crowded).  Have the local bus schedules and offer to read them (remember illeteracy is common among birth moms).  Still not sure why she won’t take trains.

And of course, free metrocards (I’ll let another social service professional explain this in the comments section if they want).  It’s the culture.  Choose your battles.  I’ll slip staff a stack during our first visit.

I can offer in return unlimited staff trainings on disability accessibility and etiquette, supporting individuals using an augmented communication device, managing crazy behaviors and anything else you can think of!  And look at all of the awesome PR they’re getting already (they are a non-profit, right?).  Hell, maybe they want to create the FIRST EVER “Family Reunification” museum program?  All they’d have to do is get a funder to pay for admission and try out a couple of ideas above (or better ones!)- or something like that- there are people who know about these things and I’m not one of them actually.  A little liaison with a foster agency or two and voilà, how INNOVATIVE of the Brooklyn Children’s Museum!

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22 Notes

  1. stillwishingforfaries said: What a great idea!! Did Jacket go back with her mom? Did I miss that post?
  2. aurorarainbow reblogged this from fosterhood
  3. redlux said: If you want to trek alllllll the way out to Westport CT I can make that type of experience happen at the children’s museum where I work. Wish it was in the city for you!
  4. fosterhood posted this