Whole Child Reviews: A Comprehensive Approach to Child Development at Palmer Home

At Palmer Home for Children, we’re committed to providing holistic care that supports every aspect of a child’s growth. Reviews play a pivotal role in ensuring that we address the academic, social, emotional, and medical needs of each child in our care. Through these regular reviews, we can monitor progress, make adjustments, and ensure that the children receive individualized support that sets them up for long-term success.

What is a Whole Child Review?

Whole Child Review (WCR) is a tool that allows the Whole Team to better understand the strengths and meet the needs of the Whole Child. This Review asissts the team to understand their unique rolds in the life of a child and his/her family and develop a cohesive Plan of Care for further growth in all areas of the child’s life – physical, emotional, social, educational, and spiritual. Who is involved in the Whole Child Review? The Whole Team includes a variety of helpers and includes anyone involved in the child’s Plan of Care:

• Child (if 10 years or older)
• Child’s foster parents
• Case manager (social worker)
• Child’s parent/guardian/family representative (if possible)
• Other mentors or helpers such as teachers, pastors, relatives, therapists, or volunteers

Palmer Home’s service lines ensure that children receive the right type of care and support based on their unique circumstances. These service lines include:

• Campus Care: For children who need a safe and stable environment, Palmer Home provides a nurturing residential setting. Here, they live in family-style homes where they receive 24/7 care, attend school, and engage in a variety of extracurricular activities.
• Foster Care: For children who benefit from living in a community setting with a foster family, Palmer Home connects them with families who can offer personalized care and a sense of belonging.
• Family Care: This program focuses on family preservation and reunification, offering support to mothers and families in crisis. Through counseling, resources, and housing, Palmer Home aims to prevent family separation wherever possible.
• Transitional Care: For young adults who have aged out of traditional foster or residential care, Palmer Home offers transitional support that helps them navigate the challenges of early adulthood, such as housing, education, and employment.

Across these service lines, Whole Child reviews ensure that every child’s unique needs are addressed—whether they’re in residential care, foster care, or transitional programs. This ongoing evaluation allows us to make informed decisions that promote not just academic success but also emotional resilience and overall well-being. Vice President of Compliance Anna Brooke Warren adds:

“Looking at a child’s progress from multiple angles is key. It gives us a more complete understanding of their strengths and where they may be struggling. From there, we can provide the right resources and encouragement to help them move forward.”

What are Whole Child reviews?

A Whole Child review is a comprehensive evaluation that takes place regularly for each child at Palmer Home. These reviews are designed to assess how a child is developing in all areas of life, ensuring that we are meeting their individual needs in a balanced and thoughtful way. By looking at the full picture, we can provide the necessary support, guidance, and interventions to help each child thrive. The reviews cover several key areas:

• Academic Progress: Are they meeting their educational goals? Do they need additional tutoring or resources?
• Social Development: How are they interacting with their peers? Are they building healthy relationships?
• Medical and Health Care: Are their physical health needs being met? Do they require specialized care or treatments?
• Emotional and Counseling Needs: Are they receiving the emotional and psychological support they need? Are there any underlying trauma-related issues that require attention? By reviewing these areas, we can identify successes and areas for improvement, tailoring each child’s care plan to reflect their unique needs and goals.

Why are Whole Child reviews important?

Palmer Home’s Director of Social Services Amie Wooten explains the significance of this comprehensive approach:

“We’re not just focusing on one area of a child’s life. The Whole Child Review process is about making sure we’re looking at the child’s progress in every way. It helps us see where they’ve grown and where they still need support. It’s about giving them the best chance to succeed in every aspect of life.”

The Whole Child review process is grounded in Whole Child Initiative best practices, ensuring that Palmer Home is implementing cutting-edge, research-based methods of care. Director of Whole Child Lauren Strickland shares how this review process helps align our care with WCI principles:

“Whole Child Review promotes cohesive, trauma-informed care. They help us better understand the unique strengths and needs of the Whole Child. Reviews provide a collaborative platform for the Whole Team to build a tailored and comprehensive plan that reflects each child’s personal goals and ensures the support and resources needed to achieve those goals.”

The Whole Child reviews help us ensure that every child receives the individualized attention and support they deserve. From tracking their academic achievements to monitoring their emotional well-being, these reviews offer us the tools to provide truly holistic care.

READ MORE: Palmer Home’s Whole Child Initiative

At Palmer Home for Children, our goal is to provide a nurturing, supportive environment where every child can grow and thrive. The Whole Child reviews are an essential part of that mission, helping us stay responsive to each child’s evolving needs. By considering every aspect of a child’s development, we can offer the right combination of care and support to help them reach their full potential.