FOSTER CARE: MODULE #3 The Foster Care Process

FOSTER PARENTING  They are licensed and receive specialized training.  Work collaboratively as a member of the treatment team.  Becoming a foster parent involves four processes.  Quasi-professional vs. Quasi-clients

FOSTER CARE PROCESS Training & Orientation Matching & Placement Supervision & Support Recruitment & Licensing

FOSTER CARE PROCESS Training & Orientation Matching & Placement Supervision & Support Recruitment & Licensing Recruitment Application Process Background Check Home Study Safety Inspection Licensure Recruitment Application Process Background Check Home Study Safety Inspection Licensure

HOME STUDY  A process by which a social worker and family members evaluate their skills, life experiences, strengths and limitations to determine if foster parenting is right for them. It involves:  Interviews  Observations  Documentation  Personal References  Home Safety Inspection

FOSTER CARE PROCESS Training & Orientation Matching & Placement Supervision & Support Recruitment & Licensing Hours of Pre- Service Training Ongoing Assessment of Strengths Clarify Expectations Mentoring Hours of Pre- Service Training Ongoing Assessment of Strengths Clarify Expectations Mentoring

PRE-SERVICE GOALS  Promote self awareness and self selection based on realistic criteria;  Allows families to make an informed decision;  Promote an atmosphere of mutual exploration;  Promote team building among prospective parents;  Assure safety and improve quality of care;  Reduce the number of placement moves;  Initiate a foster parent support network;  Promote child advocacy;

PRE-SERVICE TRAINING  Foster Care Orientation;  CPR/First Aid;  Working as a Team;  Child Development;  Effects of Abuse and Neglect;  Attachment, Separation and Loss;  Cultural Competency;  Understanding Primary Families;  Understanding Sexual Abuse;  Effects on the Family;  Permanency;  Crisis Intervention

FOSTER CARE PROCESS Training & Orientation Matching & Placement Supervision & Support Recruitment & Licensing Assess LOC Match Family Strengths to Child’s Needs; Pre-placement Visits Medical Triage Facilitate Placement Assess LOC Match Family Strengths to Child’s Needs; Pre-placement Visits Medical Triage Facilitate Placement

ASSESS CHILD’S FUNCTIONING  Meet with the child and all significant persons involved in this child’s life.  Gather information from others who know the child.  Assess the child’s current behavior, mental health and physical needs.  If the child is verbal and developmentally able to understand, assess the child’s readiness for foster care

REVIEW CHILD HISTORY 1. Developmental 2. Social 3. Psychological/Psychiatric 4. Medical 5. Educational 6. Familial 7. Placement 8. Service

FOSTER CARE PROCESS Training & Orientation Matching & Placement Supervision & Support Recruitment & Licensing Weekly Supervision; Crisis Intervention; Ongoing Training; Peer Support Groups; Recertification Weekly Supervision; Crisis Intervention; Ongoing Training; Peer Support Groups; Recertification

RECERTIFICATION  Annual procedure  Conduct home visit and interviews  Reassess the suitability of the parents  Update criminal background check  Safety inspection of the home  Develop any corrective action  Specifically define training needs  Recommend recertification

GROUP EXERCISE #3  Break up into small groups of 3 or 4.  Refer to the child profiles used in the previous exercise.  Based upon the child profiles, match the children to the most appropriate foster home based upon the family’s strengths and child’s needs.