Supporting Kinship Placements

Our Agenda: 1) Put yourself in their shoes 2) identify barriers 3) identify benefits 4) identify supports 5) Practice Supporting Kinship Placements

What is kinship Care? Debrief with WHY we did this activity: self advocacy communication

Section 1: Put Yourself in their shoes

In their shoes: Scenario 1 The parent of the child in my care asked to spend the night at my home because they just lost their housing and have no place to stay tonight. What do you want? What do you need? Debrief with WHY we did this activity: self advocacy communication

In their shoes: Scenario 2 The parent of the child in my care is talking about me badly to other family members and misrepresenting the case. What do you want? What do you need? Debrief with WHY we did this activity: self advocacy communication

In their shoes: Scenario 3 The parent of the child in my care is making promises to the child that I know they won’t keep. What do you want? What do you need? Debrief with WHY we did this activity: self advocacy communication

In their shoes: What do you want? What do you need? Debrief with WHY we did this activity: self advocacy communication

in their shoes: understanding the Challenges Family Dynamics Change of Role Lack of Time to Prepare for New Role Emotional Impact Financial Stress VOTING Then tally up and summarize: Greater Stability Fewer Behavioral Issues Maintain Cultural Connections Less Traumatic

Section 2: Identify barriers: Why don’t we give them what they need?

Identify barriers: Why don’t we give them what they need? Caseload Court regulations No resources to offer Unrealistic requests Don’t know how to help VOTING Then tally up and summarize: Greater Stability Fewer Behavioral Issues Maintain Cultural Connections Less Traumatic

Section 3: Identify benefits: What’s so great about kinship care?

Identify benefits: what’s so great about kinship care? Greater Stability Fewer Behavioral Issues Maintain Cultural Connections Less Traumatic VOTING Then tally up and summarize: Greater Stability Fewer Behavioral Issues Maintain Cultural Connections Less Traumatic

Section 4: Identify supports: how can you help?

Identify supports: how can you help? Clarify the benefits of being licensed Notify them of court dates and meetings Explore financial supports Promote training and support groups Spend the time now to prevent disruption later VOTING Then tally up and summarize: Greater Stability Fewer Behavioral Issues Maintain Cultural Connections Less Traumatic

Identify supports: The benefits of licensing Foster Parent Reimbursement Program Foster Care Payment Respite Care Extended Foster Care Support from Licensor Handout: Foster Care Licensing for Relatives DSHS 22-1493

Identify supports: Financial services CA involved (Open case) Non CA Involved (Informal or Dismissed) Foster Care Payments Kinship Care Support Program (KCSP) TANF/Child Only Grants TANF Child Care WIC School Free-Lunch Program Mileage Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Adoption Support: Post adoption financial supports may be available on a case by case basis. R-GAP: A subsidy program for children in a guardianship with relatives licensed by the Division of Licensed Resources. Respite Relative/Other Suitable Support Services (RSS) Funds from CA SW

Identify supports: medical services Medical Insurance Mental Health Dental Care Coordinated Care DSHS 22-1119x Consent to Health Care for the Child in Your Care Local community mental health facility. Access to Baby and Child Dentistry. www.abcd-dental.org Washington Information Network (WIN) Phone: 2-1-1 for Information and Referral Specialist (to find local dental contacts) Washington State Department of Health http://www.doh.wa.gov/YouandYourFamily/OralHealth/FindingDentalCare.aspx. To find local Mental Health, Disabilities, and Chemical Dependency http://www.dshs.wa.gov/dbhr/mh_information.shtml DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) http://www.dshs.wa.gov/ddd/contacts.shtml DSHS Family Liaison for Division of Behavioral Health and Recovery 1-800-446-0259

Identify supports: Educational Services Early Intervention Services for children birth to three. Early Childhood Education & Assistance Program (ECEAP) Head Start Program The Office of the Education Ombuds (OEO) Treehouse Educational Services

Identify supports: provide Resources Local and Online Support Groups Helpful Resources

Today We covered: 1) understanding the perspective of kin care providers 2) identifying our own barriers to supporting kin care providers 3) recognizing the strong benefits of Kinship care 4) The real supports and resources we can share with kin care providers Supporting Kinship Placements