By Ed Dimayuga and Stephanie Stewart

Permanency is the end goal of every dependency case that pro bono GALs works on. For Attorney Sherry Kern, this was the sole focus of her GAL case. Permanency has a great effect on the psychological well-being of children, according to Dr. Jacquelyn Olander, a neuropsychologist with Psychological Affiliates, Inc. in Winter Park. But the technical legal terms and statutory imperatives that matter to lawyers and courts do not matter to children. “Children don’t understand the concrete concept of a case closing down. Instead, they get a sense of security in knowing that ‘this is my home now and I am able to put down roots and don’t have to worry about moving to another home.’”

While Attorney Kern believed TPR was in the Child, ‘Jane’s’ best interest, the mother disagreed and fought the termination and subsequent adoption. According to Attorney Kern, ‘Jane’ “expressed a great desire to have a permanent family and even tried to explain it to her biological mother. She looked forward to being adopted and having a stable home. It was very easy to advocate for what Jane wanted – a family of her own. It was obvious how much her adoptive family loved her and wanted her.”

Dr. Olander has researched the effects of stress on children and regularly evaluates children who experience the stresses of being sheltered from abusive situations. “What do we see in a child where achieving permanency has taken too long? Emotional, behavioral and cognitive issues. There are two factors that interact. On one side, you look at the child herself and what resources and abilities and strengths and weaknesses she possesses. On the other side, you look at the context: were the parents abusive or neglectful? Was the child exposed to or experienced domestic violence? There is a likelihood of greater negative impact with that.”

“Stress is the outcome of the interaction of the coping resources of the individual versus the demands of the situation. Two people could be in the exact same situation, and deal with it completely differently because of their ability to cope with it.” Children from abusive or neglectful homes have minimal coping resources. ”Sometimes it is not always bad, as sometimes a child learns that life goes on when removed from abusive parents. If it takes too long to find permanency, however, a child will not be able to learn to trust the world to meet their needs and provide them with a sense of stability.”

While ‘Jane’ originally had problems with lying and poor grades, Attorney Kern notes, “She had adjusted to her new life and was doing wonderfully. Her grades were up, she had goals, and she appeared to feel loved and secure.” Attorney Kern credits Jane’s adoptive family for the change. “Jane was able to overcome her fears, open up and be the little girl she had a right to be. To enjoy life, eat well, go to school and sleep in a safe, warm environment.”

For all children, “the important theme is learning to trust yourself and to trust the world,” according to Dr. Olander. “If you have a child in [foster care] too long of a time during a critical developmental stage, you may have a child who has difficulties developing healthy relationships because they don’t trust the world and the people in it to meet their needs. Our basic foundation of personality is developed in childhood, and that is carried into our adult lives. If we live in a world that is disruptive and chaotic, then we may not be free and will be bound to not being able meet needs.”

As a neuropsychologist, Dr. Olander studies the brain’s structure and function as related to psychological processes and behaviors. She notes that the process of going through radical changes has an actual physical effect on the brain. “Our brains need to grow and adapt in order to be healthy. Once we have our basic primary needs met of food and shelter and safety and sense of belonging, then we can work on those higher needs of learning, self-esteem and self-actualization. ‘Plasticity’ is used to describe the way our brain changes from cognitive development and I think that is true too for psychological and emotional development as well. Our environment is incredibly important in shaping our mind, behavior, emotional response, and everything else.”

Finding a permanent home helps shape that environment and Dr. Olander recommends that GALs help children by helping them learn coping resources, specifically, social supports, education, and fun.

“Social supports are the people a child has in her life, and the more people that child can trust, the more success that child will have,” according to Dr. Olander. Social supports include relatives, coaches, teachers, parents of friends, counselors, therapists, and GALs. Education helps build self-esteem and provides opportunities for children. Finally, it’s important that kids have fun participating in social/physical activities. Activities like organized sports or cub scouts, give kids time for free play, taking a walk or doing an unexpected happy activity like seeing a movie or bowling. This helps children gain the feeling of accomplishment and boosts self-esteem. Permanency is key to achieving those other needs and providing stability so children can learn these coping resources and thrive.

Attorney Kern reflects on the adoption, “Jane seemed content and happy about her future. Jane was looking forward to a real ‘family’ vacation. As any typical young girl, "Jane is full of hopes and dreams; many of which she can accomplish now thanks to her new adoptive family.” And thanks to the advocacy of a determined GAL.