Children in care can get mixed messages about what belongs to them and what does not. Many children in care have suffered trauma and loss and may become very attached to things they brought with them, or things that were purchased for them when they were placed in out of home care.

For example, if a child does not have adequate clothes at the time of placement, an arrangement can usually be made for an initial clothing allowance. After this, clothing should be purchased from the monthly payment for the child's care. Each child in foster care should have enough clothing for reasonable changes. Adequacy, condition, and styling of garments are particularly meaningful for some children. When a child leaves a foster home, the child should have with them all the usable clothing which has been purchased for them. If you give a child a gift, consider it theirs to keep. Not just at your place, but forever.

What does this have to do with transitions? Changes can be hard for everyone, especially children who are removed from their birth families and placed with people they do not know. I won't argue that there is not much funding provided for clothing, but what they are given is theirs to keep. Society can place a great deal of emphasis on "the right clothes" with designer brands, the latest trends, and kids swapping clothes with each other and losing them. It's part of growing up. Be creative with purchasing quality clothes at reasonable costs. Invite older children to shop with you. See if they want a single item that costs almost the entire clothing allowance, because it may limit their choices. Part of our job is teaching money sense, as well as how to take care of the things we buy. When they leave your home, those things purchased for them are theirs to take. While it may not seem or feel important to us, what little they have may mean the world to them.

Let me also take this chance to remind you about the "Suitcase for Kids" program. Ask the child's social worker to help you get a suitcase for the child. No one likes to see kids carry their belongings in a plastic bag.