(Recognition of strengths and values promoted through L.A.C.) Presented by: Martine Faucher Nault August 2006 Sydney, Australia

Positive incentives are for: All children under our care, who need protection. Must be between the ages of 0 and 21. We do not have any group homes for children in Prescott-Russell Number of children in Foster Care Number of Foster Families

What is positive incentive It is a new system for per diem allowances. Rewards for keeping difficult children, could have very negative consequences! Instead we have established a range of positive monetary rewards. From now on, the better the children behave and succeed the more parents are rewarded. By the same token, the children will also be rewarded. THAT MEANS KILLING TWO BIRDS WITH ONE STONE!

Focus of the approach It is an approach focused on the efforts, successes and autonomy of Foster Parents. It encourages children in their care to improve their affective and academic development in playing a multitude of social roles.

The per diem used to emphasize children’s needs or problems. Old practice: Per diem for the child Basic daily allowance ($26.21 to $32.21 Canadian ) ($21.56 to $26.50 Australian) + Supplement based on the difficult behaviour of the child = Behaviour problems Need constant supervision Regularly suspended from school (Usually they are allowed 24 days per year in respite)

Now, the per diem tends to emphasize the extraordinary work being done by foster parents. New practice: Per diem for the child Basic daily allowance ($26.21 to $32.21 Canadian) ($21.56 to $26.50 Australian) + Supplement based on the success of the child and the family = Residential stability Family and community integration Promotion of academic success Early preparation for independence Etc.

The tool « Looking After Children » has seven dimension 1.Health 2.Education 3.Identity 4.Family and social relationships 5.Social presentation 6.Emotional and behavioural development 7.Self-care skills This tool has allowed us to develop criteria for monetary selection which have a direct impact on foster parents.

Criteria for monetary reward We develop 14 criteria

1.The child must be fully integrated into the family Must participate in all family activities: vacations, parties, weddings, funerals …; Must have same privileges as biological children: same quality of clothing, gifts …; Must obey the same rules as biological children: same kind of rewards, consequences … 2. The family does not ask for respite Excluding normal baby sitting; The child can be baby-sat within the extended family.

3. The foster family is implicated in the child’s professional care Accompanies the child for medical appointments; Does the follow ups and/or the necessary exercises suggested by the professionals. Behaviour modification chart, speech therapy exercises, necessary returns to the professionals when changes are needed for medication, behaviour, etc. 4. The foster parents have a positive attitude Speak positively about the child to the agency personnel; Speak positively about the child to family circle, school … The family is tolerant towards different behaviours that can be very demanding/challenging: aggressiveness, hyperactivity…

5. The family is autonomous Informs the agency about the child’s development; Takes decisions without always verifying with or waiting on the case worker: permission, visits with friends, problems at home, etc.; Manages everyday situations like any parent; Knows when to inform the agency: serious incidents, running away, allegations, suspensions, problems with biological family visits, etc. 6. The family collaborates with biological families Maintains contact with family; Accepts and encourages telephone calls with family : brothers, sisters, parents, etc; Accompanies the child in difficult circumstances : funeral of the member of the extended family; Does parental coaching.

7.The foster family spends quality time with the child Family activities such as meals, play time, reading, arts and crafts …. 8. The foster family collaborates with the agency Cooperation with members of the team; Address problems in a calm and respectful way; Can suggest and negotiate positively (without transfer threats); Can continue to work with the agency even when there is a disagreement.

9. They promote education The foster parents must go beyond expectations by helping and verifying homework; Home schooling is needed; Doing further research to be able to deal with problems; Ensuring that the child succeeds in school or improves his academic results. 10. Both foster parents are implicated Both parents are implicated and share the tasks and the appointments; Both parents are aware of what is happening in the child’s life; Both parents mutually exchange results of the discussion with the case worker.

11. The foster parents have good parental skills Consistency, listening abilities; Prepare the child to become independent; Ability to negotiate; Good use of logical and natural consequences; Ability to deal with crisis with a good sense of humour, patience and communication. 12. Commitment of the foster families No threat of transfer in cases of conflict; Long term commitment (if necessary); The child has been in this home for … years.

13. Positive evaluation of the foster family There has been no breech in the policy during the last three years; No fully founded investigation. 14. The child is fully integrated in the community That the child be involved in at least two activities: sports, etc.; That the foster parent participates, encourages, attends the child’s activities; That the foster parents organize or share the transportation to different activities.

We have also directly rewarded young adults (ages ), under our care, but living independently. They are successful while living in apartments or boarding houses. We have also set aside scholarship funds for 15 youths who demonstrate good learning abilities and an interest in post-secondary education. We have also partially paid for a trip to Australia for three young people and three foster parents to attend and do a presentation at your conference and giving them as well, an opportunity to visit as tourists.

Administration of the Positive Incentive Committee Throughout the year, the committee will meet a few times to choose and agree on three to six criteria (aspects) for the current year. The committee never reveals in advance the chosen criteria. On December 1 st of each year, a cheque is sent to foster families who have met the criteria chosen by the committee. This amount is a bonus and is tax free.

QUESTION PERIOD ??? Thank you ! Martine Faucher Nault

Residential Services Supervisor Prescott-Russell Services to Children and Adults 173 Old Highway 17 P.O. Box 248 Plantagenet, Ontario CANADA K0B 1L0