Welcome
The 3-5-7 Model® is an integral practice engagement strategy to support the work of young people and all of their families to build relationships of permanency. As a directional, guided approach, this practice model provides tools for professionals and caregiver parents to understand the stories of loss, trauma, and abandonment that each child and often parents carry with them from difficult, sometimes painful, parenting experiences.
healing losses through strengthening relationships
The 3-5-7 Model®, when implemented with fidelity, demonstrates strong outcomes in child well-being measures.
Clarification
Integration
actualization
who am i ?
what happened to me ?
where am i going ?
how will i get there ?
when will i know i belong ?
The 3-5-7 Model® is an integral practice engagement strategy to support the work of young people and all of their families to build relationships of permanency. As a directional, guided approach, this practice model provides tools for professionals and caregiver parents to understand the stories of loss, trauma, and abandonment that each child and often parents carry with them from difficult, sometimes painful, parenting experiences.
A Message to My Friends and Colleagues
I once heard it said that when you to come to a fork in the road – take it! And so, I have come to that fork in the road.
2024 is bringing new leadership for the 3-5-7 Model® program. I am transitioning ownership of the 3-5-7 Model® to Stephanie Wolfe, my colleague for 20 years, who fully embraced the model from the very beginning. I am honored to have her continue and advance the practices of our work through her organization, The Academy for Child Welfare Practice.
Although I am slowing down, I am not retiring as I will continue to support the work of Stephanie through training and coaching programs.
Over the past 20 years, I have been honored to bring the concepts and practices of the 3-5-7 Model® to public and private agencies throughout the United States and Canada. It has been my joy, my challenges, and, at times, my surprises to the receptivity of the 3-5-7 Model® from those who learned of it. As a direct practice approach to engaging children and families, both professionals and families found it to be doable in guiding young people to know their stories. And, while seemingly simple in its concepts, the challenges have remained in skill applications and systems barriers.
In my 53 years as a social worker, I have been part of the evolutionary process of change in meeting the needs of families and children who have struggled with poverty, disruptive safe parenting, and mistrust of systems that have been to better family relationships. They have taught me so much and I will continue to provide energy and my voice for them. Their voices – their hurts, their loves, their loneliness – has been the core of our practices through applications of the 3-5-7 Model® as we have advocated for recognition of their strengths and capabilities to heal and grow in the ups and downs of living their challenging life experiences. They have taught us their needs: to know who they are, to heal from their wounds of separations, losses, and abuses, to know they are wanted and safe, and, to experience the knowing of love in families.
For the many of you who have walked this journey with me in embracing the 3-5-7 Model® in your work, thank you! Thank you for your commitment to being present, listening, and affirming the stories of hope, to bring to children and young people that they are wanted, that they are enough, and that they are loved through enduring relationships, so that they might fully express their creativity, talents, and interests of who they have come here to be.
Through the 3-5-7 Model®, I have Actualized my vision of providing a guided practice that supports our work to engage children and young people in healing from the woundedness of their childhoods, and to support all their families who integrate them into their lives through relationships of love, caring, and belonging. The work continues.
So much thanks to those who have traveled this journey with me: Stephanie Wolfe, Sue Cohick, Teresa Lanza, Sharon Norrington, Kirsten Johnson, Elise Gordon, Karen Oldham, Bob Friend, Pat Gilbert, Connie Tamagi; Members of Family Builders Network; and the 1000’s of individuals-professionals, families, and young people who have supported this program – the 3-5-7 Model® – as a viable, exciting engagement practice.
Again, thank you for all your support. I am grateful for the opportunities to know and to work with so many talented and accomplished professionals, families, and young people.
In recognizing the work that many of you have been doing, for those individuals and organizations who would like to share your 3-5- 7 Model® experiences with others, I welcome your comments. I am available at darla@darlahenry.org.
Services We Provide
3-5-7 Model® Overview Webinar Series and Coaching
This series of eight, 90-minute webinars provide child welfare professionals with an overview of the
3-5-7 Model® and explore the application of the 3-5-7 Model® practice approach in supporting grief and relationship building work. Webinars are delivered either weekly or bi-weekly followed by a series of 10 coaching sessions held monthly via video conferencing. Program cost is $6500
3-5-7 Model® Overview In-Person Training and Coaching
This two and a half day training session provides child welfare professionals with an overview of the 3-5-7 Model® and explores the application of the
3-5-7 Model® practice approach in supporting grief and relationship building work. In-person training is followed by a series of 10 coaching sessions held monthly via video conferencing. Travel costs for up to two facilitators are applied, including ground and/or air transportation and lodging. US General Services Administration meal per diem rates are also applied. Program cost is $10,000+travel and meal per diem.
3-5-7 Model® Groups Program
Mission, Vision, Values
Mission Statement
We support professional staff in the process of empowering children, youth, and families to grieve losses and build and rebuild relationships.
Vision Statement
Children, youth, and families experience healing within their relationships.
Values/Core Beliefs
Each individual grows, heals, and develops a sense of self in their relationships.
Believing in the capacity of families to heal
Darla L. Henry is a Social Worker, Trainer, Teacher and Consultant with extensive knowledge and experience in the fields of child welfare, clinical practice, and education. With a mission to build a path toward healing and well-being for children, youth and families, Darla established and authored the 3-5-7 Model®, a practical approach to permanency. Her extensive knowledge comes from working with children and families in all aspects of public child welfare and private practice.
The 3-5-7 Model® Book
A PRACTICE APPROACH TO PERMANENCY
Stories of Hope & Healing for Children, Youth and Families.
By DARLA L. HENRY, PhD, MSW WITH CONTRIBUTIONS BY: Celia Anthony, Kristie Esquivel, Laura Hutchinson, Lacy Kendrick, Garry Krentz, Angela Look, Tammy Lundgren, Lynn Radcliff Macadangdang, Gregory Manning, Tina Moore, Marta Smith, Carol Steffen, Lorraine Viade, Stephanie Wolfe$14.99
What people are saying about the 3-5-7 Model®
What practitioners and programs are saying about The 3-5-7 Model®
What agencies are saying about using the 3-5-7 Model®
1
1
“This model truly helps to bring the field of social work back to where it needs to be – directly with the family. But further, it now includes the information, knowledge, tangible tools, and clarity of HOW to effectively help children – and families – to 'do the work'.”
2
2
“The 3-5-7 Model® has helped us shift our strategies from individual work with young people to family centered engagements.”
3
3
“Coaching sessions are very supportive and model a safe environment for case workers to learn and develop their skills. We all learn from the group coaching sessions.”
4
4
"I enjoyed the examples and real life experiences shared within the training that made the 3-5-7 Model® come to life. I looked forward to interacting with new co-workers from different perspectives and departments to learn more about how to incorporate the 3-5-7 Model® within our everyday work."
5
5
"Thank you so much, Darla! This was so informative!! It will help me so much in my interactions with our 9 year old :)"
6
6
"This was a very excellent message and we are glad we got to be a part of it. I love the story telling ideas."
7
7
"The ideas of the 3-5-7 Model® were so encouraging to me as a foster and adoptive Mom! Thanks! Have you written a book? If not, START! lol! Thanks Again!"
8
8
"Darla, thank you so much for choosing to share your learnings with us."
9
9
"The 3-5-7 Model® is effective in helping me guide youth toward their goals."
10
10
"I really enjoyed the breakout about discussing tough issues. It really provided me with a "light bulb" moment and the various reactions children may have, along with the importance of keeping the discussions going. Conversations like these can be hard because we want to protect children and keep them from hurt but we know that life throws us different things, especially children who have had to come into foster care."
11
11
"I learn something new each training and Darla Henry is amazing!"
12
12
"This training seems to be a good model for the children we work with."
Where 3-5-7 Model® training has been provided
United States
Canada
See What’s Happening
October 14, 2021
by Darla Henry
VIDEO: Engaging youth through the 3-5-7 Model®
The DREAMR project design and approach incorporates evidence-based practices and is informed by national studies, local needs assessments, and input by foster youth, community providers, and project partners.
August 15, 2020
by Darla Henry
October 13, 2019
by Darla Henry