Program Training

Agenda Part 1 - Program Training Part 2 - Advocacy Training Review Host Family Agreement Criteria for Host Families Day Hosts vs Weekend Hosts The Process of Matching Part 2 - Advocacy Training What is Advocacy? Kidsave’s Role in Advocacy Host Families' Role in Advocacy Tracking Your Advocacy Role Play and Scenarios Benefits to the Youth Discussion Q & A

Host Family Preparation Orientation Training Live scan Assessment Read Complete all documents Let immediate and extended family know about your interest in hosting. If you want to adopt… If you are a certified or licensed family… Training – 12 hours Kidsave Host Training, Program & Advocacy Training OR FFA training/MAPP/PRIDE

Host Family Responsibilities Commit to a minimum of two days a month for one year Advocate Provide a safe, stable, and nurturing home environment Attend and transport youth to Kidsave events Coordinate with caregiver to arrange visits Maintain confidentiality

Host Family Responsibilities Maintain contact with Kidsave Familiarize yourself with medical procedures Understand corporal punishment is prohibited Attend support groups Do not contact school, take out of state, start overnight visits, etc. without consulting with the appropriate professionals

Host Family Responsibilities Complete online Weekend Host Family Reports after each visit Allow Kidsave to share information about your host child Understanding your host child’s adjustment will take time If you are unable to see your host child on a scheduled visit, notify caregiver immediately Advise Kidsave if you are interested in adopting Reporting – child abuse

Host’s Financial Responsibilities Food and care during the visits Transportation and activities CPR and First Aid certification TB test Photo memory book Build a relationship on trust and not on material things

Paperwork Complete host family application Driving Documents CPR and First Aid certification TB test results Online Weekend Host Family Reports

Kidsave and DCFS Roles Kidsave Recruits host families and volunteers Coordinates monthly events Connects youth with prospective hosts and adoptive families Recruits, guides, supports and motivates community and volunteers Provides host families’ education, training, and preparation

Kidsave and DCFS Roles Kidsave Coordinates and facilitates introductory meeting Provides host families with ideas and tools for advocacy. Provides a Host Family Handbook Facilitates orientation meeting for new youth Facilitates support groups Builds partnerships Fundraising On going contact and support to families

Kidsave and DCFS Roles DCFS DCFS Identifies youth Live scan Approves families Provides information about the youth to the host Provides case management services for the youth DCFS

Kidsave and DCFS Roles DCFS Has monthly contact with the youth Prepares the youth for hosting Assures that each youth is available for adoption Prepares the youth for adoption Completes an adoption assessment

Kidsave and DCFS Roles Both Kidsave and DCFS ADVOCATE Provide support and crisis intervention Commit to program improvement Publicize the need for adoptive families Provide support to families who are interested in adoption

What can present with my youth? Your youth may present with some of the following behaviors, including, but not limited to: Speech and language delays Emotional and behavioral problems Psychiatric history Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS) or Fetal Alcohol Effects (FAE) Nutritional deficits Attachment problems Undetected health concerns Inadequate medical and dental care Learning disabilities Developmental delays Delayed/retarded growth and development History of trauma, loss, physical and/or sexual abuse, neglect and abandonment Neurological impairments Sensory integration problems

Important Reminders It’s impossible to predict how the child will transition into a hosting relationship We cannot guarantee that the weekend hosting experience will be without complications

Criteria for Host Families Know your own family Communicate effectively Know the children Build strengths; meet needs Work in partnership Be loss and attachment experts Manage behaviors Build connections Build self-esteem Assure health and safety Assess impact Make an informed decision

Day vs. Weekend Hosts Day Hosts Weekend Hosts Certified or licensed Not certified or licensed Approved to have a youth spend time in your home Overnight visits permitted using Prudent Parent Law and a social worker Weekend Hosts Certified or licensed Social worker must consent for weekend hosting to begin

Approval Process Complete host application packet Home assessment with DCFS Liaison DCFS supervisor gives final approval

To Find Your Match Attend monthly events Transport youth Kidsave discusses prospective matches with DCFS MATCHING begins only after a family has been approved and approval takes time

Introductory Meeting Goal -- all parties understand their roles and responsibilities Attendees: caregiver, host family, youth, Kidsave staff and a social worker Takes place at youth’s placement

Introductory Meeting Opportunity to build a positive relationship with the caregiver Discussion includes: Arranging visits Communication Visits not being take away as a form of discipline

Hosting First Priority Then… Get to know the child and work on building a relationship. Honor where the youth is emotionally in regards to hosting. Start out slowly with day visits Then… First home visit. First overnight visit. Complete weekend host family reports

Ending Early If a host or youth wishes to end the relationship prior to one year: Must involve Kidsave and the youth’s social worker Based around the needs of the child Do not discuss with the youth Closure visit required

The Youth’s Team Foster Family or Group Home Case Mgr. Primary Social Worker Adoption Social Worker Weekend Miracles Host Foster Family Agency Social Worker

The Youth’s Team Judge Attorney Therapist School Personnel Program Manager Child's Advocate (non-host) And sometimes more!