Effective Casework Practice (Foster Care) Ongoing assessment of childs needs and interventions Ongoing assessment and implementation of services/supports to assist caregivers Ongoing process of engaging and assessing parents and significant family connections Ongoing teamwork with all parties

Effective Casework Practice (Foster Care) Identifying needs of the child –Physical health, including dental –Social and Emotional –Developmental level –Educational

Effective Casework Practice (Foster Care) –Purposeful visits with child and foster parent at least every 30 days –Thoughtful dialogue with school/child care –Collaboration with staff and others involved in providing services for the child and foster parent

Effective Casework Practice (Foster Care) Potential Team Members include: –Staff who relicense –Protective Investigators –Guardian ad Litem, Child Legal Services, Judge/General Master –Teacher/school professionals –Physician/Dentist –Psychologist/Psychiatrist –Adoption counselor when goal becomes adoption

Effective Casework Practice (Adoption) Child Study is created to summarize: –Interviews, observations, whats been learned already –Evaluations and current professional recommendations –Family and medical history –Developmental and academic status

Effective Casework Practice (Adoptions) Adoption homestudy process includes: Review and assess prior homestudies Assess previously adopted children Interviews and observations of child and foster parents Update and assess references and background checks Results of evaluations completed

Effective Casework Practice (Adoptions) Adoption homestudy process (cont.) Based on Child Study –Current needs-how well addressed and understood –Potential needs-how well understood and committed to future needs –Educational needs –Actual and potential impact of abuse/neglect at future life stages

Effective Casework Practice (Adoption) Document completed homestudy Negotiate subsidy Inform family of contact information for post adoption services, including adoptive parent support group meetings Issue consents to adopt

Foster Care Licensing (Initial) Goal of Foster Care Licensing –Ensure physical and emotional safety –Overall Well-Being –Understand Motive of Foster Parents –Determination of Ability to care for Children with Complex Needs

Foster Care Licensing (Initial) Steps in Licensing Process 1)Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPP) Training or Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education (PRIDE) 2)Prior to Completion of Training 1)Background screening 2)In Home Consultations

Foster Care Licensing (Initial) 1)Key Elements of Home Study 1)Household Composition 2)Needs of children in the home 3)Impact/Stressors 4)Financial Impact 5)Supports available to family 6)Discipline Techniques 7)Future children will be placed

Foster Care Licensing (Initial) Packet submitted for review and approval Process from 2005 – 2010 Process from Present

Foster Care Licensing (Re-licensing) Home Visit Annual Screenings Updated Inspections Training Completed Feedback from Children and Adults Staffing on abuse reports or law enforcement involvement