About this recommendation
Keeping track of a youth’s connections can get complicated, and a genogram offers a helpful, visual solution. By organizing existing contacts using a genogram, you can see key relationships easily and start identifying possible additions.
How to do this
You can use a genogram tool like the ones we list below or simply a blank piece of paper or dry-erase board. Here are some tips:
- Start making a family tree to show a child’s connections.
- Include all important connections, even if they aren’t legal or blood relatives.
- Use the tree to generate new leads and to keep track of your contacts and progress.
- The Extreme Family Finding Project — which has a 95% success rate — recommends a genogram have at least 150-200 people on it.
There are some additional tools that staff may consider using. These tools are helpful on their own, but work best when coupled with a genogram:
- Accurint: Records search from LexisNexis.
- TLOxp (The Last One): Records search from TransUnion, one of the three credit bureaus.
- Find a Grave: This tool can be helpful for completing genograms.
Anticipated costs and benefits
Costs
Benefits
- Genogram software (optional, but helpful)
- Time for employees to train on creating genograms and to actually create them for each child
- Find more kin who can take placement and/or serve as lifelong support for vulnerable youth
- Find some kin your agency would not otherwise find
- Makes it easy for multiple workers to collaborate on a child’s supportive network, and to follow up with those connections over time
Who's doing this
4 of 54 states and territories have implemented this recommendation.
