Child Welfare In Action: A Correspondence with MSW Cindy LaMontagne of NH Casey Family Services By: Elizabeth M. Jubert

Why Casey Family Services?   The in-class CFS video on foster care spurred many questions for me.   They dealt with current issues like “aging out” and cultural sensitivity.   They are pro-reunification with the biological parent; a process I was initially skeptical about.

Reunification: Where Do You Draw the Line?   I wondered what criterion needed to be met in order to support reunification. – –I had questions like: How long would a parent have to be sober before being reunited? – –How great would the parent’s offense have to be in order for CFS to be against reunification?

Cindy’s Response:   We work closely with DCYF regarding reunification planning. – –DCYF often has a case plan that needs to be complete before youth return home. – –We always consider the emotional and physical safety of a child in assessing reunification and report our concerns to DCYF regularly when we are trying to assist parents in obtaining services to correct conditions.

What Happens if Parents Don’t Correct Unfit Conditions?   Youth often don’t go home   Another permanency plan is made – –reunification with other family member, adoption   Reunification depends on parents being open to services and working a plan to correct conditions including: – –Clean/appropriate housing – –Participating in recovery programs – –Leaving abusive partners etc.

Foster Families: Weeding the Good from the Bad   It is important that a child in foster care has a healthy placement.   I wanted to know what the screening processes entailed for becoming a foster family. – –I asked: Other than criminal background checks, what screening processes are used in the foster family application process?

Cindy’s Response:   We complete a thorough home study with families where we discuss many details of their own history, parenting philosophy, views on permanence, etc.   Click Here to See the Casey Family Applicant Inventory! Click Here to See the Casey Family Applicant Inventory!   More assessments can be found here! More assessments can be found here!

If a foster family is accused of abuse, what’s the protocol for removing children from the home, and preventing that family from fostering again?   If the family is accused of abuse, the state of NH conducts an investigation with the family – –Depending on what the allegations are, the child may be immediately moved to another home – –Sometimes other household residents may be asked to leave – –During the investigation, CFS Social Workers can not talk with the family about the allegations or the investigation   DCYF completes the investigations and may recommend: – –corrective action plans (like in the case of spanking) – –potential license revocation and criminal charges   CFS follows these and may make additional recommendations   Note: Formal processes for removal of a foster care license follow the state of NH foster care regulations.

A Resource for Foster Families in Crisis: NH Child and Family Services Emergency/Hotline:

Do foster families adopt, or are they two separate tracks within the CFS program?   Yes foster families adopt – –Our goal is that all kids who are in foster care achieve legal permanence through adoption or reunification   When kids are placed in a foster home, we hope it will become permanent if the child becomes legally free for adoption   Foster Family Brochure Foster Family Brochure

However…   Some families aren’t willing to adopt, but help a child by providing a home and prepare them for adoption by another family, or reunification with birth family. – –Referred to as Bridge homes   Children in residential facilities are often moved to a bridge home if an adoptive resource isn’t available. – –Bridge home helps the child readjust to family life vs. institutional life – –Assesses how the child functions in a less restrictive environment – –Bridge home helps the child transition to adoptive home once identified

In NH CFS, what percentage of foster care relationships end up in family permanence?   Since we have begun the move to greater permanence, % kids are achieving legal permanence   Others are leaving foster care with many permanent connections – –Permanent connections have often completed pacts on how they can be there for the youth into the future.

Cultural Sensitivity: A Critical Issue   I wondered about CFS’s stance on maintaining an adopted child’s culture as opposed to assimilation. – –I asked: Is there a preference for children to be adopted by families of the same race? – –Is there any weight placed on race, versus cultural traditions, and religion? – –If so, which has the greatest weight? How are they prioritized?

Cindy’s Response:   We have an on-going multicultural recruitment effort. Whenever possible, CFS tries to place children in families of the same race, cultural tradition and religion.   We also work with all adoptive and foster families to honor the cultural traditions and religion of the youth who are placed in their home if it is different than their own.

The Problem with “Aging Out”   Class Readings and discussion have revolved around critical issues for this population.   I asked: What programs are CFS talking about to prevent the deleterious effects of “aging out” of foster care?

Cindy’s Response:   CFS has a Transitional Services program for aging out youth. – –In it, the social worker identifies people who the youth sees as important to them and develops a team of supports to wrap around the youth. – –The youth and permanency team identify and meet the needs of the youth aging out. – –With the social worker’s assistance, team members commit to the various ways they can support the youth now and in the future.

What are some barriers to transitional assistance for 18 year old foster children? The biggest barrier we face is youth follow through. – –Often a result of unmet mental health needs due to the youth’s choice not to participate, or lack of insurance to maintain medication and services.

Click this link for more information regarding Casey Family Services.