Prompts for discussion and/or writing:

• T.J. begins to change while in foster care—she goes to counseling, stops drinking, and finds better ways to cope with her emotions. But when she goes home, she finds her family hasn’t changed and gets caught up in their problems all over again. What should the foster care system do differently to prevent situations like this from happening? What should be done before a child returns home from care?

• Although her family doesn’t treat her well, T.J. finds it very difficult to separate from them. Why is it so hard for her to make that break? Have you had a similar experience?

• Write a short letter to T.J., telling her what you think she should do have a better family situation. Read and discuss. (Some youth may think her only choice is to move out; others might have different suggestions.)

Roleplay: T.J. and a friend. T.J.’s friend knows about her family situation and can’t understand why T.J. just doesn’t leave. T.J. wants her friend to know why separating from family isn’t as easy as it seems.