phase ii: caregiver supports, training, recruitment and ... · jessica parks necco julie schoenlein...
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PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 1
Phase I I : Caregiver Supports, Training, Recruitment and Retention Workgroup Summary Report
Presented to The Public Children Services Association of Ohio (PCSAO) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Office of Children Services Transformation
PREPARED BY
Mighty Crow Media, LLC Erica Magier, MSW, LSW and
Gretchen Clark Hammond, PhD, MSW, LSW, LCDCIII, TTS
ThisreportwasmadepossibleincollaborationwithCaseyFamilyPrograms,whosemissionistoprovide,improve–andultimatelypreventtheneedfor—fostercare.Thefindingsandconclusionspresentedinthisreportarethoseoftheauthor(s)alone,anddonotnecessarilyreflecttheopinionsofCaseyFamilyPrograms.
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Table of Contents
I . Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
I I . Background for this Workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
I I I . Supports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 SupportsExamples.................................................................................................................................12TrumbullCountyChildrenServices(NortheastOhio)and......................................................................12IntegratedServicesforBehavioralHealth(CentralandSoutheastOhio)..............................................12SupportsfortheBiologicalFamily:ParentMentorPerspective.............................................................14
IV. Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
V. Recruitment and Retention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
VI. Meeting Synopsis . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
VII. Recommendations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Supports.....................................................................................................................................................22Training......................................................................................................................................................22Recruitment...............................................................................................................................................23Retention....................................................................................................................................................23Terminology...............................................................................................................................................24
Additional Considerations Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
CaregiverSupports,Training,RecruitmentandRetentionWorkgroupLeadershipTeam:
ScottBritton,PCSAO,AssistantDirector
KarenMcGormley,ProjectManager,OfficeofChildrenServicesTransformationGretchenClarkHammond,MightyCrow,ProjectManagementforPCSAO
EricaMagier,MightyCrow,ProjectManagementforPCSAO
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 3
I . Introduction
ThenumberofchildreninfostercareinthestateofOhiohasbeenonasteadyincreaseforoveradecade,with16,045childrenincareonasingledayduring2019(state-reportedfigure)and7,788totallicensedfosterhomesinthestate(https://www.fostercarecapacity.com/states/ohio).Annually,approximately27,000childrenareincarewithinthestateatsomepoint.Further,amongthosechildren/youthincare,approximately14%werelivingincongregatecare.Congregatecareisnotapropersettingifthechild’sneedscanbeaddressedinafamilysetting,thusindicatingtheneedforalternativeformsofcareinOhio.Theterms“fosterparent”and“fostercaregiver”areusedinterchangeablythroughoutthisreporttorefertotheindividualsrecruited,trained,andresponsibleforcaringforchildreninout-of-home,non-congregatecareplacementswithinthechildwelfaresystem(seepage11forfurtherdiscussionaboutterminology).
PhaseIoftheTieredTreatmentFosterCareProjectwasconvenedtoaddressStrategy2oftheChildren’sContinuumofCareReformPlan(CCCR),whichputforththreecoretasks:(A)Developstatewidefosterparentrecruitmentandretentionassistance;(B)ModernizeOhio’sfostercaresystem;and(C)EstablishanewexitfromfostercaretopermanencywiththeKinshipGuardianshipAssistanceProgram(KGAP).PhaseIprovidedtheopportunityforday-longdiscussionswithover40keystakeholderswhoconvenedtodiscussandbrainstormOhio’sTieredTreatmentFosterCaremodel.TheTieredTreatmentFosterCareWorkgroupReportandRecommendationswasreleasedinFebruary2020,withthreerecommendationstofurthertheworkofthisproject:
(1) Expandthelevelsoffostercarebeyondtraditionalandtreatmentbycreatingthreetiersoftreatmentfostercare.
(2) Adjustfostercareperdiemsbasedonthelevelofcareprovidedbyestablishingastandardperdiemrangefortraditionalfostercarethatisconsistentacrossthestate.Establishastandardsetofperdiemrangesforthreetiersoftreatmentfostercarethatisconsistentacrossthestate.
(3) Professionalizetheroleoffostercaregiversbydeterminingskillsrequired,supportprovided,andexpectationsforenteringfostercareasone’sprimaryareaoffocus.
Basedontheserecommendations,workgroupsforPhaseIIweredeveloped;thefirsttolaunchwasWorkgroupIonCaregiverSupports,Training,Recruitment,andRetention.WorkgroupIIwillexamineprofessionalization,andWorkgroupIIIwillfocusonpaymentinthetieredtreatmentfostercaremodelinOhio.Pleasenotethatthereiterationofimportanceandcost-savingsofatieredtreatmentfostercaremodelversusplacementincongregatecaremaybeneededforcustodialagencies,suchasviapresentationsofdifferentmodelsand/orsimulations.Thisreportfocusesoncaregiversupports,training,recruitment,andretention.
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I I . Background for this Workgroup
Thetopicsofsupports,training,recruitment,andretentionareofgreatimportanceinthefield
ofchildwelfare,astheneedforfosterhomescontinuestobeapressingone.Inthedocument,AMovementtoTransformFosterParenting(2016),TheAnnieE.CaseyFoundationsuggeststhat,“whenappropriatelytrainedandproperlysupported,fosterparents—bothkinandnon-relativecaregivers—arecriticalpartnersinachild-centeredfostercaresystem”(p.1).Thereportsuggeststhreemajortechniquesforengagingandempoweringfostercaregivers:(1)ensuringqualitycaregivingforchildren;(2)forgingstrongrelationshipsbetweenpublicchildwelfareagencies,privateproviders,andfostercaregiverssothateveryoneisarespectedmemberoftheteam;and(3)findingandkeepingamazingcaregiverstocontinueworkingwithourchildren.ThesesentimentswereechoedinTheOfficeofChildrenServicesTransformationInitialFindingsReport(February,2020),whichhighlightedtheneedsoffostercaregiversincluding(1)formalizingfostercaregiverrights;(2)theneedforservicesandsupport;(3)streamliningoftrainingandlicensureprocesses;(4)morediligentrecruitmentandretentionoffostercaregivers;and(5)increasedrecognitionandappreciationoffostercaregivers.
ThePhaseIIWorkgrouponSupports,Training,Recruitment,andRetentionconveneditsfirstin-
personmeetingonMarch9,2020,priortotheonsetoftheStayAtHomeordersforOhio.ThismeetingoccurredattheOhioDepartmentofJobandFamilyServicesandwasprecededbyasurveyaskingparticipantsforinputonthefourtopics(supports,training,recruitment,andretention).Thesurveyresultswerecompiledandsharedwiththegroupatthisfirstmeeting.Afterthefirstin-personmeeting,thegroupshiftedtovirtualmeetings,whichwereheldonApril3,April22,May22,andJune22,2020.InbetweenthemeetingonApril22ndandthemeetingonMay22nd,theworkgroupparticipantscompletedasecondsurveyrelatedtohowfostercaregiversaretreatedbythesystem.Thethemesfromthissurveyareincludedinthisreport.Alistofstakeholderworkgroupmembersisprovidedbelow.
ConsideringpreviousrecommendationsofthelargergroupduringPhase1ofthisprojectandexistingknowledgeandresearch,theworkgroupwastaskedtoachievethefollowinggoals:
(1) Recommendarangeofsupportsfortreatmentfostercareparentsandestablishafoundational/baselinesetofsupportsthatcanbeadoptedacrossthestateofOhio
(2) Reviewtrainingrequirementsfortreatmentfostercareparentsandconsidermeaningfultrainingtopicsandtrainingformatsthatbetterequipcaregiverswiththeskillsneeded
(3) Recommendrecruitmentstrategiesthatspeaktothelevelsofneedofchildreninthetiersoftreatmentfostercare
(4) Recommendstrategiesforretentionfortreatmentfostercareparents
ThemembersofthisworkgrouparelistedinTable1onthefollowingpage.
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 5
Table1.WorkgroupMembers
Name Organization Title
BryanForney FocusonYouth,Inc. CEO
CelesteNichols LickingCountyJFS PlacementUnitSupervisor
ColleenTucker ODJFS-OFC BureauChief
CrystalAllen CaseyFamilyPrograms SeniorConsultant
DanielleSwendal KnoxCountyJFS Social Services Administrator
DaveBeck ODJFS-OFC HumanServicesDeveloper
DeannaPrezioso TrumbullCountyChildrenServices FosterCare/KinshipCareSupervisor
JessicaParks NECCO
JulieSchoenlein LorainCountyChildrenServices Recruiter
KateRossman OhioChildren'sAlliance
KelleyGruber InstituteforHumanServices TrainingManager
LindaMcKnight FranklinCountyChildrenServices AssociateDirector
LisaAllomong PressleyRidge
MarkMecum OhioChildren'sAlliance CEO
MattMitchell PressleyRidge ExecutiveDirectorofOhio
MeganGarbe OhioFamilyCareAssociation FosterCaregiver
SamanthaShafer IntegratedServicesforBehavioralHealth ChiefTransformationOfficer
TaraShook ODJFS-OFC SectionChief,SubstituteCareandPermanency
TeriDeVoe FairfieldCountyJFS FosterCaregiver
I I I . Supports
Supportsaretypicallyunderstoodasresourcesorservicesthatareavailabletofostercaregiverstoaidthemintheday-to-daycareofachild.Supportsplayacrucialroleintheretentionoffosterparents.Supportsprovidedbyagencystaffareasignificantpredictorinintentoffostercaregiverstoreferotherfamiliesandintheiroverallsatisfaction1,andtheabsenceofsupportsisoneofthereasonsthatfamiliesdiscontinuefostering2.Healthinsurance,involvementinserviceplanning,respite,andsocialsupportarerecognizedasimpactingfostercaregivers’satisfaction3.Supportslikeinvolvementinserviceplanning,socialsupport,andstipendsimpactretention,whilewraparoundimpactsstress.3TheStateofGeorgiaDivisionofFamilyandChildrenServices(2017)statesthatwraparoundservices“aredesignedtoprovideimmediate,criticalsupporttoplacementfamiliesandthechildrenentrustedtotheircare,withtheintentofpromotingsafeandstablefamilies”(p.54)andincludesupportssuchascrisisintervention,in-homecasemanagementandin-hometherapeuticservices. MightyCrowdevelopedalistofsupports,usingtheavailableliteratureonthistopicandinformationlistedintheOhioAdministrativeCode.Membersoftheworkgroupreviewedanddiscussedthislist,includingprovidingfeedbackviaasurveyontheavailabilityofthesupportsandthelevelofvalueforthesupportsfromtheperspectiveofthecaregiver.Additionally,thegroupprovidedcontextforthesupportsintheformofa“wishlist”toindicatewhatthesupportshould“lookandfeellike”tothecaregiver.AsummaryofsupportsalongwithdefinitionsisprovidedinTable2.Supportsthatarehighlightedinyellowinthetableindicatethosesupportsthatweremostvaluedbytheworkgroup.
1Mihalo,J.R.,Strickler,A.,Triplett,D.R.,&Trunzo,A.C.(2016).Treatmentfosterparentsatisfaction:Surveyvalidationandpredictorsofsatisfaction,retention,andintenttorefer.ChildrenandYouthServicesReview,62,pp.105-110).2Ahn,H.,Greeno,E.J.,Bright,C.L.,Hartzel,S.&Reiman,S.(2017).Asurvivalanalysisofthelengthoffosterparentingdurationandimplicationsforrecruitmentandretentionoffosterparents.ChildrenandYouthServicesReview,79,pp.478-484.3Piescher,K.N.,Schmidt,M.,&LaLiberte,T.(2008).Evidence-basedpracticeinfosterparenttrainingandsupport:Implicationsfortreatmentfostercareproviders.CenterforAdvancedStudiesinChildWelfare.Retrievedfrom:https://www.academia.edu/20527852/Evidence-Based_Practice_in_Foster_Parent_Training_and_Support_Implications_for_Treatment_Foster_Care_Providers
Table2:SupportsDefinitionsSupportOptionsfromtheSurvey
WishList/ContextfortheSupport
DefinitionsfromtheOhioAdministrativeCode:http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/5101:2-1ChildrenServicesDefinitionofTermsOtherformaldefinitions
24/7Crisis/EmergencyServicesSurveyResults:93.8%AvailablethroughoutOhio93.3%ValuedbyCaregivers
Crisis/emergencymanagementthatisnotadirectivetocallthepolice;morelikea“supernanny”response
OAC(83)"Crisisservices"areservicesprovidedtofamiliesincrisissituationsforthepurposeofprovidinganimmediateortemporarysolutiontothepresentingproblem.OAC(104)"Emergency"meansasituationwherethereisreasontobelievethatachildisthreatenedorallegedtobeabused,neglected,ordependenttoanextentthatthechildisinimmediatedangerofseriousharm.OAC(105)"Emergencycaretakerservices"arethoseservicesprovidedbyapersonplacedwithinachild'sownhometoactasatemporarycaretakerwhenthechild'sowncaretakerisunableorunwillingtofulfilltheresponsibility.
Respite:PaidSurveyResults:68.8%AvailablethroughoutOhio66.7%ValuedbyCaregivers
Day-to-daysupportsfordailytaskslikecooking,driving,tutoring,cleaning,etc.TransportationSupport,especiallyforvisitation
OAC(269)"Respitecare,"asusedinChapters5101:2-5and5101:2-7oftheAdministrativeCode,isanyalternativecareprovidedforachildplacedinaspecializedfosterhomethatlastsmorethantwenty-fourconsecutivehourswhentheplanistoreturnthechildtothesamespecializedfosterhomeattheendoftheperiodofrespitecare.OAC(270)"Respitecareservices"areservicesdesignedtoprovidetemporaryreliefofchild-caringfunctionsincluding,butnotlimitedto,crisisnurseries,daytreatment,andvolunteersorpaidindividualswhoprovidesuchserviceswithinthehome.Thisservicemaybeprovidedtoachildplacedinafosterhomeorwitharelativeaswellasforachildinhisownhome.OAC(271)"Respitehome"isahomemanagedbyarespitefamilyreceivingfundsfromandapprovedtoproviderespitecareservicesbythedepartmentofdevelopmentaldisabilities.
Respite:UnpaidSurveyResults:68.8%AvailablethroughoutOhio6.7%ValuedbyCaregivers
Noadditionalcontext. OAC(332)"Volunteerservices"arethoseservices(e.g.,transportation)performedbyapersonofhisownfreewillandwithoutmonetarygainorcompensation.
PeertoPeerSupportSurveyResults:56.2%AvailablethroughoutOhio40%ValuedbyCaregivers
SupportinthemomentfromotherfostercaregiversPhoneafriendVolunteerCircleFormalMentoring
NoformaldefinitionislistedintheOAC.AdoptUSKids(2019)statesthatpeersupportis“whereparentsandchildrenandteensspendtimewithothersinsimilarsituationsorwithsimilarexperiences.Peersupportenablesthosewithmoreexperiencetosharewisdomandencouragementandprovidesasafe,non-judgmentalplaceforchildrenandparentstoaskquestionsandshareinsightintotheirexperiences(p.1).Theygoontodefinethefollowingterms:(a)Mentoringandcoaching:“connectingfamilieswithexperiencedparentsandcaregiverswhocanprovidetipsandinsightsandhelpthemdeveloptheirskills(e.g.parentingtechniques,waystounderstandchildren’sbehaviors)”(p.1).(b)DirectSupport:“withexperiencedpeerparentsservingasaresourcetofamiliesbyprovidingsuggestions,information,emotionalsupport,respitecare,andotherformsofsupport”(p.1).
Table2:SupportsDefinitions,continued
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AlternativeCareArrangements
Alternativecare OAC(5101:2-7-08)“(B)Alternativearrangementsforthecareofafosterchildbysomeoneotherthanthefostercaregivershallbeapprovedbytherecommendingagency.”(C)Alternativearrangementsforthecareofafosterchilddoesnotincludearrangementsthatarebeingmadeinaccordancewiththereasonableandprudentparentstandard.(D)Afostercaregivershallhavepriorwrittenapprovalbytherecommendingagencyofaplanforthecareofafosterchildinemergencysituations.(E)Afostercaregivershallhavepriorwrittenapprovalbytherecommendingagencyofastatementforeachfosterchildspecifyingwhetherornotthefosterchildmaybeleftunattendedand,ifso,forwhatperiodoftime.(F)IfafostercaregiverarrangesforafosterchildtobecaredforinachildcarecenterorbyatypeAortypeBchildcareprovider,thefostercaregivershall:
(1) Ensurethechildcarecentertype,typeAortypeBchildcareproviderislicensedinaccordancewithChapter5101:2-12,5101:2-13,or5101:2-14oftheAdministrativeCode.
(2) Providedocumentationtotherecommendingagencythatthechildcarecenter,typeAortypeBchildcareprovideriscurrentlylicensed.
SupportGroupsSurveyResults:62.5%AvailablethroughoutOhio20%ValuedbyCaregivers
Nofurthercontextforthissupport.
NoformaldefinitionislistedintheOAC.“Supportgroupsbringtogetherpeoplewhoaregoingthroughorhavegonethroughsimilarexperiences…Asupportgroupprovidesanopportunityforpeopletosharepersonalexperiencesandfeelings,copingstrategies,orfirsthandinformation”.Supportgroupsmayincludeface-to-faceorvirtualmeetings,maybeledbyafacilitator,andmayoffereducationalopportunities(e.g.,guestspeakers).(MayoClinic,2018,para.1-2)
Inhomemeetings/visitsSurveyResults:93.8%AvailablethroughoutOhio46.7%ValuedbyCaregivers
Professionalsupportonsiteduringacrisis
OAC(119)"Familysupportservices"forthepurposesofutilizingTitleIV-B,"subpart2"meanscommunity-basedservicestopromotethesafetyandwell-beingofchildrenandfamilies,whicharedesignedtoincreasethestrengthandstabilityoffamilies(includingadoptive,foster,andkin),tosupportandretainfosterfamiliessotheycanprovidequalityfamilybasedsettingsforchildreninfostercare,toincreaseparents'confidenceandcompetenceintheirparentingabilities,toaffordchildrenasafe,stableandsupportivefamilyenvironment,tostrengthenparentalrelationshipsandpromotehealthymarriages,andotherwisetoenhancechilddevelopment,includingthroughmentoring.
CaseManagementServiceCoordinationSurveyResults:87.5%AvailablethroughoutOhio0%ValuedbyCaregivers
Nofurthercontextforthissupport.
OAC(41)"Casemanagementservices"areactivitiesperformedbythePCSA,PCPA,PNA,orTitleIV-Eagencyforthepurposeofproviding,recordingandsupervisingservicestoachildandhisparent,guardian,custodian,caretakerorsubstitutecaregiver.
Birthparentandfostercaregiverrelationship*
Supportingrelationshipsbetweenfostercaregiverandbirthparents
OAC(35)"Caregiver"isapersonprovidingthedirectday-to-daycareofachildduringhisplacementinsubstitutecare.OAC(36)"Caretaker"isapersonwithwhomthechildresidesorthepersonresponsibleforthechild'sdailycare.Thisincludes,butisnotlimitedto,theparent,guardian,custodianorout-of-homecaresettingemployee.
Table2:SupportsDefinitions,continuedAssessment/Matching* (1) Basicandongoing
trainingwithassessment
(2) Caregiverskillassessment
(3) Bettermatchingoftheneedsofthechildwiththelevelofcare/skillsprovidedbytheparent
NoformaldefinitionislistedintheOAC.ODJFS(2018)statesthefollowing:Pre-placementtrainingisrequiredforanyonewhowishestobecomeafosterparent.Thetrainingincludes36hoursofcoursework,whichcoversbasicknowledgeaboutfostercare,aswellasagencypolicies.Duringeachcertificationperiodof2years,fosterparentsarerequiredtocompleteaminimumof40hoursofongoingtraining.Ifcaringforachildwhoreceives“specializedtreatment”,60hoursofongoingtrainingisrequired.
LimitingthenumberofchildreninthehomeSurveyResults:81.2%AvailablethroughoutOhio0%ValuedbyCaregivers
Nofurthercontextforthissupport.
NoformaldefinitionislistedintheOAC.Basedupontheneedsofthechild,anagencymaylimitthehometooneortwochildren,etc.
Otherconsiderations: Consistencybetweenagenciesonpoliciesisneeded.FosterParentBillofRights
FosterParentBillofRightsisintendedtoinformfosterparentsoftheirrightswithinthechildwelfaresystem(NCSL,2019).AttachmentCprovidessuggestedcomponentstoincludeinaBillofRightsprovidedbytheFFTA.
*Thissupportwasnotlistedonouroriginalsurvey;itwasaddedtothelistafterfurtherdiscussionwiththeworkgroup.
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OtherOACtermsanddefinitionsthatmaybeapplicabletosupportingfosterfamiliesinclude:
o OAC(204)"Parentaideservices"arethosesupportiveservicesprovidedbyapersonassignedtofamiliesasarolemodel,andtoprovidefamilysupportforaportionofthetwenty-four-hourday.
o OAC(205)"Parenteducation"isateachingprocesstoassistaparent,guardian,orcustodianindevelopingthebasicskillsnecessarytoprovideadequatecareandsupporttoachildinhisownhome.
o OAC(300)"Substitutecare"isthecareprovidedforachildapartfromhisparentorguardian,whilethechild'scustodyisheldbyaPCSAorPCPA.
OAC(301)"Substitutecaregiver"meansanindividualprovidingcareforachildwhoisinthecustodyofthePCSAorPCPAincluding,arelativeotherthanthechild'sparents,anonrelativehavingafamiliarandlongstandingrelationshipwiththechildorthefamily,afosterparentorpre-adoptiveparent,andastaffpersonofagrouphomeorresidentialfacilitywhoisprovidingcareforthechild.
Manyofthesesupportscanalsobeconceptualizedalongatimeframethatcorrespondswiththefosterparentingexperience,beginningwithpre-placementandmovingintoday-to-daycaregiving.Table3:SupportsProvidedintheFosterParentingExperienceTimeframe SupportsIdentifiedbytheWorkgroupPre-Placement • Needbasicinformationaboutachildbeforetheyareplaced
• Theabilitytodoabetterjobmatchingthechildwiththeskills/capabilitiesofthetreatmentfosterfamily
TrainingasTreatmentFosterCaregivers
• Basicandongoingtrainingwithassessment• Training:Weneedaskillsassessment
Day-to-DayCaregiving • Day-to-daysupports:driver,dinner-cooker,babysitter(separatefromrespite),tutor/mentor(e.g.,FaithBridgeFosterCare).Day-to-daycaregivingsupportsmaybepaidforviatheirownstipendoraspecificstipendforsuchservices.Otherservicescanoccuronavolunteerbasis.
• Seasoned/retiredcaregiversas"phoneafriend"volunteercircle--hotline!Peersupport.
• Formalmentoringwithseasonedfostercaregivers• Transportationtospecialappointmentsorunderspecialcircumstances
MomentsofCrisis • Crisis/emergencymanagementthatismorethan"callpolice"or"gotohospital"
• Connectioninmomentofcrisisinadditiontopolice/hospital(ideallyprofessionalbutalsofellowcaregiversupport)–atleastbyphone/Skypebutideallyinperson
Relationshipwithbirthparentorcaregiver
• Agencysupportforrelationshipbetweenbirthparentandcaregiver• Visitationshouldincludeopportunitiesforfrequent/dailyvirtualcontact
withbirthfamiliesandparents(includingsiblings)andintentionalweekly/semimonthlycontactwhenthechildisinfostercare
• Virtualcontactcanfocusonregularupdatesonchild’sroutine,education,extracurricular,orotherupdatestomaintaintheconnectionbetweenthechildinplacementandtheirbirthparents/family.
RelationshipwithAgencyorCounty
• Need"broadestopportunityforstatepolicy"tocomparewithmorerestrictivecounty/agencypolicyinordertomovetowardnormalcy
• FosterParentBillofRightsand/oradvocatetoclarifyforparentsThelistofsupports,theirknowndefinitions,andthetimeframeforwhenthosesupportswouldlikelybeutilizedbyfosterparentswasgivensignificantdiscussionbytheworkgroup.Oncethislistwasfullydeveloped,MightyCrowdevelopedacrosswalkbetweenthethreerecommendedtiersfortreatmentfostercare,theexpectationsforcaregivers,andthesupportsassociatedwithineachexpectation.Astheworkgroupdiscussedthesupportsthatwereconsideredmostvaluabletofosterparents,theimportanceofrelationshipbuildingcontinuedtobeemphasized.Relationshipbuildingbetweenfosterparentsasmentorstooneanother,therelationshipbetweenfosterandbirthparents,andtherelationshipbetweenfosterparentsandthesystemofcarewerealldeemedsignificant.Theseaspectsofrelationshipbuildingwereincludedinthecrosswalkdocument,whichisprovidedasAttachmentAtothisreport.InadditiontoAttachmentAandtheinformationprovidedinTables2and3,MightyCrowexaminedtheFamilyFocusedTreatmentAssociation(FFTA)StandardsforTreatmentFosterCareanddevelopedacrosswalkbetweentheirstandardsandsupports.ThiscrosswalkisprovidedasAttachmentBtothisreport.Thesedocumentsarereflectiveofoneanother,asTables2and3arerepresentedinthe
12 PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP
supportslistedintheTierCrosswalk(AttachmentA),whichissimilartothesupportsdiscussedintheFFTAStandardsdocument.OneofthechallengesinOhioisthevariationofresourcesleadingtoinconsistencyinpracticeacrosscountiesandbetweenagenciesforthetypesofsupportsprovided.Thedifferencedoesimpactissuesofrecruitmentandretention,andmoreconsistencyisdesired.Theworkgroupindicatedthatthesupportsthatshouldbeinplaceforalltreatmentfosterparentsinclude:Peer-to-peersupport,supportgroups,24/7crisisandemergencyservices,andpaidrespite.
Supports Examples
Trumbull County Chi ldren Services (Northeast Ohio) and
Integrated Services for Behavioral Health (Central and Southeast Ohio) Theworkgroup’sthirdmeetingincludedpresentationsfromtwomemberswhohaveimplementedinnovativeprogramsthatprovidesupporttofamiliesinthefostercaresystem:TrumbullCountyChildrenServicesandIntegratedServicesforBehavioralHealth.Asummaryofeachsupportserviceisprovidedinthissection.FOCUSMentoringProgram:TrumbullCountyDeeDeePreziosofromTrumbullCountyChildrenServicesprovidedanoverviewoftheirFOCUS(FamiliesOfferingCareUnderstandingandSupport)MentoringProgramforCaregivers.Mentorshaveadefinedpurpose,whichincludes:
• Beingasourceofinformationanddirection• Assistancewithnavigatingthechildwelfaresystem• Linkagetocommunityresources• Provideinsight,understanding,andsharedexperience• Encourageproblem-solving,andprovideopenandhonestfeedback• Beingavailabletoserveasaconfidantinatimeofcrisis
Everynewlylicensedfosterparent(notonlytreatmentfosterfamilies)ismatchedwithaFOCUSmentor,andmentorshavecontactwiththeirmenteeatleastonceperweekforthefirstthreemonthsandthentwicepermonthforthenextninemonths.Mentorsalsoworkwithcaregiversoutsideoftheirfirstyearoflicensingintimesofneed.Mentorsreceivetrainingandabidebyamentoragreement,whichincludesconfidentiality,socialmediause,androledefinition.Mentorsarecompensatedfortheirwork.RiskManagement:24/7Support:IntegratedServicesforBehavioralHealthSamanthaShaferfromIntegratedServicesforBehavioralHealth(ISBH)discussedherorganization’sroleintheSoutheastandCentralOhioSystemsofCareCollaborative,whichisa12-countyODJFS/CPScollaborationalongwithpartnersinhealthcareandbehavioralhealth.ISBHservesasaleadfacilitatorinthiscollaborativeandprovidesRiskManagement,ResidentialServices,andHigh-IntensityHome-based
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 13
Services.TheRiskManagementProgramiscommittedtosupportingyouthandfamiliesbeingsafeandhealthytogether.Eligibleparticipantsincludeyouthandfamiliesinvolvedwithchildrenservices(i.e.,fostercare)and/oryouthandfamiliesatriskofinvolvementduetochallengesrelatedtomentalhealthandsubstanceuse.Supportsaredeliveredinthehomeandcommunitysetting365daysayear.Plannedandunplannedservicesareprovidedduringthenon-traditionalhoursofafter5pm,weekends,andholidays.Suchsupportservicescanactasagreatresourceforfostercaregiversastheycareforchildrenintieredtreatmentfostercare.Thegoalistoreducetheneedforemergencyroomvisitsorengagementwithlawenforcement.RiskManagershaveongoingcommunicationwithallnaturalandprofessionalsupportsidentifiedbythefamilytopromotemeaningfulcoordinationofcare.
• PlannedresponsesareactivitiesthatarescheduledaheadoftimebetweentheRiskManagerandtheyouth/family.Activitiesmayincludefamilyoutings,stabilizationwork,sharedactivitieswithfostercareprovidersandthebiologicalfamily.
• Unplannedresponsesareinitiatedbythefamilyorthroughthelocalchildrenservicesagencyandoftenwarrantaface-to-facevisitwiththeyouthand/orfamily.Supportcanalsobeprovidedoverthephonewhenappropriate.
Other Examples of Supports:
WerecognizethatthereareotherexamplesofsupportsthatexistinOhioandacrosstheUnitedStates.AstheimportanceofsupportscontinuestobediscussedinOhioandotherstates,wewillcontinuetoexaminewhatisavailableintheliterature.Providedbelowaretwoadditionalexamplesofsupports,oneofwhichisavailableinOhioatthistime.
CarePortalisatechnologyplatformthatconnectsvulnerablechildrenandfamiliestopeoplewhohavesomethingtogive,largelythroughchurchcommunities.FamiliesmakerequeststhroughtheCarePortal,andchurchesorministriesarelinkedtothefamily.Therearethreetiersofneedforrequests:
• Tier1:concretegoodsandserviceslikecribs,clothing,professionalservices,finances• Tier2:engagementrequiringabackgroundcheck.Examplesincludetutoring,mentoring,
substanceabuseclasses,supervisedvisitfacilities,transportationforadults,babysitting• Tier3:engagementrequiringspecializedtrainingoralicense.Examplesinclude:SafeFamilies,
fostercare,adoption
InOhio,CarePortalisactiveinFairfieldCounty,with11churchesinvolved.ThecountysponsorislistedasGarnerInsurance.InFranklinCountythereisonechurchinvolvedandasponsorisnotlisted.
FosterTogetherconnectsneighborstofosterparentsinaneffortto“buildavillageforourfamilies.”FosterNeighborsprovidesupportthroughhand-delivered,home-cookedmealsdeliveredonceamonth.Thereisathree-monthcommitmentwithaself-pacedtrainingsessionintheironlineportal.Aftertraining,neighborsarematchedvirtuallywithafamilyinneed.Aftergettingtoknowthefamily,theneighbormayexpandtheirofferings.Atthetimeofthisreport,FosterTogetherisnotinOhio.
14 PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP
Supports for the Biological Family: Parent Mentor Perspective Asthisworkgroup’sdiscussionprogressed,itbecameevidentthathavingtheperspectiveofabirthparentwhohadnavigatedthesystemofchildwelfarewasneeded.GretchenHammondhadtheopportunitytoengageinaninitialconversationwithAngelaCochran,PeerMentorforTrumbullCountyChildrenServices.AngelaisaCertifiedPeerRecoverySupportSpecialistandisaparentwhoexperiencedthechildwelfaresystemandsuccessfullyreunifiedwithherchildren.Becausethisconversationwassoinformative,shewasaskedtospeaktotheworkgroupandshareherperspectiveasaparent.GretchenHammondfacilitatedthisdialogue,withopportunitiesfortheworkgrouptoaskAngelaquestionsdirectly.Keypointsinthediscussionincluded:
• Terminology:Terminologythatthefieldusestodescribebirthparents,fosterparents,etc.isatopicofinterest,astheintentionistoberespectfulinthewordsweuse.Whenaskedforherperspectiveonthefollowingterms:BioParent/BirthParent,ParentofRemoval,andNaturalParent,Angelaindicatedthatmostbirthparentsjustwanttobecalled"Parents"or"MomandDad"versusanotherterm.Shealsosaidthathearingthechildrenrefertothefosterparentsas"parents"or"momanddad"isverypainfulandcreatesjealousy.ThetermSharedParentinghasalsostartedtocirculate;whenaskedaboutthistermsheindicatedthatthistermwasreallyconfusingandwouldmakebirthparentsthink"sharedcustody,"whichisnotthecaseandalsoanimplicationthattherereallyisanopportunitytoshare--whenthat'snottherealityofthesituation.Mostdecisionsandvisitationareinthehandsofthefosterparent,nottheparent,andsothisideaofcallingit"shared"almostfeelsunfair.Angelathoughttheterm"ResourceFamilies"wasmuchbetterandthatparentswouldunderstandwhatthismeant.Fromtheparents’perspectivetheywouldtranslatethatas,“thefamilyisaresourceformeandmychildren.”
• Supports:PeerSupport,RecoveryCoaches,SystemsNavigatorsareallveryimportantrolesfor
parentsfromAngela’sperspective;also,thesetypesofsupportsaresupportedintheliterature.Havingsomeonewhohassuccessfullynavigatedthechildwelfaresystemtosupporttheparentisveryhelpful,alongwithapeersupporterorcoachwhocansupporttheminaddressingotherchallengeslikeenteringtreatment,enteringrecovery,accessingmentalhealthservices,etc.TheregularcontactfrompersonsinthisroleisVITAL.Peersupporters,coaches,etc.tendtoseepeopleweeklyorbi-weekly,versusacaseworkerwhoseestheparentmonthly.Also,IntensiveCaseManagementisavaluedsupportbecauseoftheregularcontactandassistance.Angelaalsosaidthatthereisalackofsupportforfathers;theycansometimesseemtobeleftoutofthediscussionsonsupportsandservices.
• Visitation:Angelasaidthereisalackofvisitationwhenitcomestoparentswhomightbein
treatment.Inherexperience,shesawherkidslessthanfivetimesin18months.Thelackofvisitsistraumatizingfortheparentandthechild.Sheencouragedbeingmorecreativeaboutvisits:usingZoomandotherplatformstoengagewithparentsduringdinner,duringhomeworktime,etc.andelevatingvisitationfromonehourtoaregularoccurrencearoundnatural/normallifeevents.HavingaZoomcallacouplenightsaweekwhiledoingschoolworkallowstheparenttoengagewiththeirchildandthefosterparentandkeepstheminformedofwhatisgoingonwiththeirchild.Thisleadsdirectlyintothenextsuggestion.
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 15
• Keepingtheparentinformedofwhathasbeengoingonwiththeirchildisabigissue.Thechildrenwhodoreunifycomebackasstrangerstosomeextent.Mom/Dadneedtobeupdatedonschool,medicalissues,dentalissues,routines,etc.Angelasaidwhenherkidswerereunified,shereallyhadnoideaofwhattheirdailyroutinehadbeenbecauseshehadnotseenthemfrequently.Sheadvocatedforparentstobeincludedregularlyinthelivesoftheirchildren.Theywanttoseereportcards,gotoIEPmeetings,beincludedindoctorvisits,etc.Whileregularupdatesoneducationalandmedicaldecisionmakingarerequiredinthefostercaresystem,itisimportanttomaintainopen,transparent,andcollaborativecommunicationbetweenfosterandbirthfamilies.Plus,theseexperiencesarelearningopportunitiesfortheparent.ChildWelfareInformationGatewayhasseveralresourcesonbuildingtherelationshipbetweenparentsandfosterparents.
• Supportafterreunificationisessential.Thetransitionbackishard--andtheparentisnervous
aboutthereturnoftheirchildren.Wediscussedthatforparentswhohavegottensober,"sobermom"isterrifyingbecauseifyou'veneverparentedsober,youalmostdon'tknowwhattodo.Also,thechildrenhavechanged.Beforeremovaltheymayhavebeeninamoreparentifiedroleduetoaparent'sactiveaddictionoractivementalillness;nowthattheparentissoberanddoingbetter,thoserolesshouldchange.Thereisanatural"roughpatch"rightafterreunification,sothesupporttothatparentisveryhelpfulinpreventinganyfurtherdisruptionorreentryintothesystem.Angelasaidifsupportcanbeprovidedbythefosterparentsafterreunification,thatwouldbegreat,butshealsosaidthisiswherepeermentors,navigators,etc.cancomeintoplay.TheBirthandFosterParentPartnershipidentifiesfiveprotectivefactorsofrelationship-buildingbetweentheparentsandtheresourcefamilyas:parentalresilience,socialconnections,knowledgeofparentingandchilddevelopment,concretesupportintimesofneed,andsocialandemotionalcompetenceofchildren.
• Wealsowonderedaboutdataonreunificationwhenthereisastrongrelationshipbetweenthe
parentsandthefosterparentsbeforeandafterreunification.Meaning,dowehavedatathatdemonstratethatparentsdobetterifthisrelationshipisinplace?Thereisafactsheetfromchildwelfare.govforparentsthatdiscussestheprocess.CaseyFamilyProgramshasatipsheetonworkingwithfamilieswithsubstanceusedisordersthatincludesreunificationsupport.CASAforChildrenhasadetailedbriefwheretheyrecommend12monthsofpost-reunificationsupport.Moreinformationonthistopicisneeded.
• LinkagetoTreatmentandOtherServiceProviders:Parentswhoneedtoconnecttoservicesaspartoftheircaseplanneedhelpingainingaccess.Theyfacelongwaitsandcannotseemtogetintotreatmentservicesquickly.HavingMOUswithadulttreatmentprovidersthatprioritizeparentscomingfromthechildrenservicessystemwouldbehelpfulforparents.
OhioSTARTisanevidence-informedprogramthataddressesseveraloftheseareas.RecommendationsforSupports:PleaseseeSectionVIIforthegroup’srecommendations.
16 PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP
IV. Training Thisworkgroupexaminedfourtopics:Supports,Training,Recruitment,andRetention,astheyareseenasinterconnected.Assuch,thetopicoftrainingwasdiscussedthroughouttheworkgroupmeetings.Thissectionprovidesanoverviewoftrainingforfosterparentsandtreatmentfosterparents. TrainingforfosterparentsisdescribedintheOhioAdministrativeCode(OAC),Chapter5101:2-5-33FosterCaregiverPreplacementandContinuingTraining.TheOACstates,“ArecommendingagencyshalldocumentthateachpersonseekingcertificationsuccessfullycompletesallPreplacementtrainingrequiredbythisruleaccordingtothetypeoffosterhomeforwhichcertificationissought.”Trainingincludespreplacementandthencontinuingtraining.TrainingrequirementsareseparatedbyPre-AdoptiveInfantFosterHome,FamilyFosterHome,andSpecializedFosterHome.TreatmentfostercarewouldfitwithintheSpecializedFosterHomerequirements,whichincludes36hoursofPreplacementtraining.Withinthe36hours,trainingincludesissuesspecifictothetypesofchildrenplacedinthetypeofspecializedfosterhomethepersonseekstooperate.Thecodeofferstwoexamples:
i. Issuesconcerningappropriatebehavioralinterventiontechniques,suchasde-escalation,self-defenseandphysicalrestrainttechniquesandtheappropriateuseofsuchtechniques.
ii. Educationadvocacytraining.Specializedfosterhomesmustcompleteaminimumof60hoursofcontinuingtrainingduringeachcertificationperiod.Therearelimitationsonhowmuchtrainingcanoccuroutsidetheclassroomsetting(e.g.,online).SpecificallytheOACstates,“Theacceptanceoftrainingthatiscompletedoutsideaclassroomwhereatrainerisnotpresent,shallbeconsideredbytherecommendingagencyonanindividualbasisandshallnotbeusedformorethansixhoursofPreplacementtrainingortomeetmorethanone-fourthofafostercaregiver’scontinuingtrainingrequirements.” Thereexistslimitedstandardizationoftrainingforfosterparents.Broadly,theFosterCareIndependenceActof1999(H.R.3443)requiresthatfosterparentsbetrainedinskillsandknowledgenecessarytocareforchildrenplacedintheircare,andrecommendsongoingtrainingtoupkeepfostercaregiverskillsaswell.BeyondrequirementsoftheFosterCareIndependenceAct,fostercaregivertrainingrequirementsandofferingsfallmainlytothediscretionofthefostercareagency. Currently,legislationispendingthatwouldmakechangestothetrainingrequirements.HouseBill8(HB8)amends2151.353,5103.031,5103.032,5103.033,5103.035,5103.038,5103.0313,5103.0314,5103.0316,5103.0317,and5103.31andrepealssections5103.039and5103.0311oftheAdministrativeCoderegardingfostercaregivertraining.TheORCrecommendationsinthebillarearesultoftheFosterCareAdvisoryGroup(FCAG).Afterthelawgetschanged,theplanwouldbetolookatthefollowingrecommendationsfromthatgroup:
• Decreasethenumberofpre-servicetraininghoursandre-focuspre-servicetrainingonthereadinessofprospectivefostercaregivers.
• Restructurefoundationalandongoingtrainingfornewfostercaregiverssuchasreducingpreplacementtrainingrequirementsandincreasingongoingtrainingonceafamilyhasreceivedaplacement.
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 17
• Restructurefoundationalandongoingtrainingforfostercaregiverswhohavecompletedtheirinitialcertificationperiod.
• Permitmorealternativetrainingformatsforfostercaregivers.• Considermentoringandcoachingforfostercaregiversasneededordeterminedbythelicensing
agency.• Expandspecializedtrainingforfostercaregiverscaringfordrug-impactedchildren.
Themembersoftheworkgroupdiscussedaspectsoftrainingasitrelatestorecruitment,retention,andsupports.Sometypesoftrainingareasupport,especiallytrainingthatisspecifictoaddressingtheneedsofachildinthehome.Trainingontrauma,helpingchildrenadjusttothefosterhome,managingchallengingbehaviors,andlearningaboutagencyexpectationsforfosterparentsisconsideredoftheutmostimportance4.Theworkgroupalsodiscussedtheimprovementsinonlinetrainingandonlinecurriculumoverthepastfewyears,makingthelimitationononlinetrainingseemtoorestrictive.Discussionoverwhoprovidesthetrainingbetweenprivateandpublicagencies,howparentsarecompensated(ornot)forattendingtrainings,andinconsistencyindevelopingindividualtrainingplansforcaregiverswerealltopicsofdiscussion.Theworkgroupemphasizedthattrainingneedstobemeaningfultothepeoplebeingtrained,berelevanttotheneedsofthechildrenintheirhomeandhelpthemtobuildtheirskillsetsascaregivers.Flexibilityintheformatsavailablefortrainingisalsoneeded.AsOhioawaitslegislationonHB8,wealsorecognizethatconsistencyacrossregions,counties,andagenciesrelatedtotrainingrequirements,delivery,andsupportsfortrainingareneeded.
RecommendationsforTraining:PleaseseeSectionVIIforthegroup’srecommendations.
4Herbert,C.G.&Kulkin,H.(2017).Aninvestigationoffosterparenttrainingneeds.ChildandFamilySocialWork,23,pp.256-263.
V. Recruitment and Retention
Recruitmentoffosterparentsandtreatmentfosterparentsisatopicofsignificantdiscussiononanationallevelasjurisdictionsgrapplewithanincreasedneedforhomesandadeclineinthenumberoffamilieswhoarewillingtofoster5.TheAdministrationforChildrenandFamiliesacknowledgesthatrecruitmentisdifficultduetoincongruentapproachesutilizedbydifferentagencies(publicandprivate)andorganizations(non-profit,faith-based,etc.)andrecruitmentofthesamefamiliesbymultipleagencies.Recruitmentisimpactedbyretention,astheneedtooffsetfamiliesleavingisachallenge,withbetween30%and50%offamiliessteppingdowneachyearinmanystates6.
PCSAO’sChildren’sContinuumofCareReformPlan(May2019)recommendsthedevelopmentofstatewidefosterparentrecruitmentandretentionassistance,whichincludessevenspecificrecommendationsintendedtoimproverecruitmentandretention.Thoserecommendationsinclude:
i. Dedicatedstatefundingforrecruitmentandretentionoffosterparents,andensureadequatefundstocoverthetruecostofrecruitment,retention,andfosterparentsupport.
ii. PromotetheFosterCareAdvisoryGroup’srecommendationsregardingbestpracticesforrecruitmentandretention.
iii. Considerregionalapproachestorecruitment:a. Statefundingforrecruitmentb. Localandregionalmarketingeffortsc. UtilizationoftheAnnieE.CaseyFoundation’sFosterCareEstimatortoolwithvarious
levels,bycounty,byregion,bychild’sneeds.iv. Modernizerecruitmenteffortsandmoveawayfromtraditionalmethodsbyassessinglessons
learnedfromotherstates.v. Increaseavailabilityoffosterhomesinthecountysothatchildrendon’thavetobeplacedfar
awayfromtheirowncounty.a. ExplorewhatODJFSisdevelopingtoassistpublicchildrenserviceagencies(PCSAs)in
findingavailablefosterhomesb. ResearchotheroptionsthestatecouldusetoassistPCSAsinaccessingavailablefoster
homessuchastheEveryChildAPriority(ECAP)systemvi. EnhanceOhio’sfamilysearchandengagementeffortsandvariouspilotssuchas30Daysto
Family.vii. ExplorepossibleonlineportalssuchasBINTIthathelptoexpeditethelicensingprocessby
allowingfamiliestouploadrequireddocumentation.
Thereareagrowingnumberofevidence-basedprogramsforfosterparent(orresourcefamily)
recruitment.TheCaliforniaEvidence-BasedClearinghouse(CEBC)includesprogramsthatfocusonthe
5Kenny,J.(2017).RethinkingFosterParentRecruitment.TheChronicleofSocialChange.Retrievedfrom:https://chronicleofsocialchange.org/blogger-co-op/rethinking-parent-recruitment/24859
6Haskins,R.,Kohomban,J.&Rodriguez,J.(2019).Keepingupwiththecaseload:Howtorecruitandretainfosterparents.Retrievedfrom:https://www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2019/04/24/keeping-up-with-the-caseload-how-to-recruit-and-retain-foster-parents/
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 19
location,identification,recruitment,education,training,support,andretentionofadultswhoareinterestedinbeingresourceparentsorwhoarealreadyresourceparentswithinitsratingsystem.IntheCEBC,thereisoneprogramwithaScientificRatingof1:Well-SupportedbyResearchEvidence;thisprogramisTreatmentFosterCareOregon-Adolescents(TFCO-A).Therearethreeprogramswitharatingof2:SupportedbyResearchEvidence;theseprogramsare:KEEPSAFE,TogetherFacingtheChallenge(TFTC),andTreatmentFosterCareOregonforPreschoolers(TFCO-P).Therearefiveprogramswitharatingof3:PromisingResearchEvidence:FosterParentCollege,FPC-IHSBlendedIn-PersonandOnlinePre-ServiceTrainingforResourceParents,KEEP(KeepingFosterandKinParentsSupportedandTrained),NeighbortoFamilySiblingFosterCareModel(NeighbortoNeighbor),andPressleyRidge’sTreatmentFosterCare(PR-TFC)Pre-ServiceCurriculum.Thus,programscontinuetogrowintheirevidencebaseandcanbearesourcetoOhioasitlookstoimproverecruitmentandretention.
Mostindividualsbecomefosterparentsoutofasenseofsocialresponsibilityandaltruism,withafeelingofsocialobligationtoenhancethelivesofchildreninthefostercaresystem7.Whilerecruitmenteffortsvary(e.g.,massmedia,referralsfromreligiousorganizations,andreferralsfromotherfosterparents),recruitmentmethodsdonotnecessarilyimpactthenumberofchildrenfosterfamiliesserve,yearsoffosteringservice,familyintenttocontinuefostering,orfamily’sintenttofosterchildrenwithspecialneeds8.Factorsincreasingjobsatisfactionforfostercaregiversincludedfeelingcompetenttoworkwithchildrenplacedintheirhomeandthecaseworker(oragencyworkerassignedtothefamily)offeringpraiseandacknowledgingajobwelldoneforthefostercaregiver9.Commonreasonsfosterparentsexitordonotreturninclude(1)changingoflifesituation,(2)problemswiththeagency(e.g.,notfeelingappreciated,limitedresponseintimeofneed,notprovidedenoughsupport,badexperiencewithworkers),and(3)problemswithchildreninthehome(e.g.,notgivenenough/correctinformationabouttheneedsofthechildren)10.
TheCenterforStateChildWelfareData(2018)highlightshowlengthofservice(anindicatorof
retention)isimpactedbyvariousfosterparentandfosterhomecharacteristics,withthefollowingleadingtothelongestmedianlengthofservice(thetimebetweenwhenahomeislicensedtowhenitisclosed):
1. Fosterparentswhobeginparentingbetweentheagesof30-39followedbybetweentheagesof40-49,incomparisontofosterparentswhobeginparentingatagesyoungerand/orolder;
2. Homesapprovedforcaringformaleandfemalechildren;and3. Homesapprovedforcaringforsiblinggroups.
7Chipungu,S.S.&Bent-Goodley,T.B.(2004).Meetingthechallengesofcontemporaryfostercare.FutureChild,14(1),pp.74-93.8Cox,M.E.,Buehler,C.,&Orme,J.G.(2002).Recruitmentandfosterfamilyservice.JournalofSociologyandSocialWelfare,29(3),pp.151-177.9Denby,R.,Rindfleisch,N.,&Bean,G.(1999).Predictorsoffosterparent’ssatisfactionandintenttocontinuetofoster.ChildAbuseandNeglect,23(3),pp.287-303.10Ahn,H.,Greeno,E.J.,Bright,C.L.,Hartzel,S.&Reiman,S.(2017).Asurvivalanalysisofthelengthoffosterparentingdurationandimplicationsforrecruitmentandretentionoffosterparents.ChildrenandYouthServicesReview,79,pp.478-484.
20 PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP
TheDiligentRecruitmentofFamiliesforChildrenintheFosterCareSystem:ChallengesandRecommendationsforPolicyandPractice(2019)11describesprocessasonethat:
Informsthecommunitiesoftheneedforresourceparents;reachingouttopotentialparents;respondingtointerestedfamilies,andassessing,training,andlicensingparents.Onceresourceparentsaresuccessfullyrecruitedandlicensed,supportingthemtocareforchildrenandtotakeprideintheirroleencouragesthemtocontinuetoprovidehomesforchildren.Inaddition,thesesupportshelpresourcefamilies’workwithbirthparentstowardreunificationwhenappropriateandidentifyandstrengthenconnectionswithothercaringadultsinthechild’sfamilyandsocialnetworks(p.5)
Whileourworkgroupagreedwithmanyofthechallengestorecruitmentandretentionavailableintheliterature,onesignificantissuewasidentifiedasbeingabsent:howresourceparentsandfamiliesareoftentreatedbythesystemitself.Theworkgroupparticipatedinananonymoussurveytogathertheirfeedbackonthetreatmentbythesystemoftheparentsitworkssohardtorecruitandretain.Fromthissurveycamethefollowingsetofconsiderations:
1. Fostercaregiversshouldfeellikearespectedmemberofthetreatmentteam(wheretheirvoiceandopinionareheardandrespected)andinvitedtothetable.
2. Fostercaregiversshouldhaveclearrightsandresponsibilitiesandnotexperienceroleconfusion.3. Fostercaregiversshouldhaveaccesstosupportswhileachildisplacedandafterachildis
reunifiedwiththeirbirthfamily(suchasgriefcounseling)sothatthetransitionafterachildexitsislessdifficult.
4. Fostercaregiversshouldhavetimetoprocesstheconclusionofaplacementandbegivensometimeinbetweenplacementsto“restandrecharge”betweenplacementswhilenotnecessarilylosingtheincomeofcaregiving(e.g.,familymayopttoserveasarespitefamilyforashortperiodoftime).
5. Fostercaregiversshouldnotloseincomewhenachild’slevelofcarehasbeenreduced.Reductionofpaymaybeseenasa“punishment”wheninreality,thedecreaseinlevelofcareisoftenduetothehardworkofthefostercaregiver/family,andtheyshouldberewardedandacknowledgedforsuch.
RecommendationsforRecruitmentandRetention:PleaseseeSectionVII.
11JamesBellAssociates(2019).Diligentrecruitmentoffamiliesforchildreninthefostercaresystem:Challengesandrecommendationsforpolicyandpractice.Washington,DC:Children’sBureau,AdministrationforChildrenandFamilies,U.S.DepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.Retrievedfrom:https://www.acf.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/cb/diligentrecruitmentreport.pdf
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 21
VI. Meeting Synopsis
Meeting#1
• Reviewinitialresultsfromsurvey:• SupportsavailableandutilizedthroughoutOhioandinspecificcommunities• FoundationalsupportsneededbyfostercaregiversinOhio• Trainingmodalitiesavailableandutilized
Meeting#2
• Updateworkgrouponsurveyresultsdiscussedduringmeeting#1• Discussdefinitionsoffostercaresupportsinhopestostandardize• CrosswalkfostercaregiversupportsandtheirapplicationtoOhio'sTTFCmodelproposedduringphase#1
Meeting#3
• CrosswalkFamilyFocusedTreatmentAssociation(FFTA)Standardsforcaregiverrequirementsandcaregiversupports• DiscussspecificInnovationeffortsinOhiofeaturingTrumbullCo.MentoringProgramandIntegratedServicesforBehavioralHealthRiskManagementProgram.
Meeting#4• PresentationfromAngela(PeerSupporter/ParentMentor,TrumbullCounty)
Meeting#5
• ReviewfirstdraftofreportfromtheSupports,Training,Recruitment,andRetentionworkgroup
22 PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP
VII. Recommendations
Supports First,werecommendthatsupportforresourcefamiliesbeincreasedandmadeconsistentlyavailableacrossall88countiesinOhio.Second,werecommendthesesupportsinclude:
a. Persontopersonmentoringforresourcefamiliesandmentoringforbirthparentsthatbeginsearlyinthelifeoftherelationshipandcontinuespost-reunification.
b. CrisisInterventionthatfocusesonrisk-managementtohelpreducesituationswhereacrisisensues.Thiscrisisinterventionshouldbedeliveredin-personorthroughtheuseoftechnologyandshouldnotbereliantuponadirectivetocall911orgotoanemergencydepartmentexceptwhenitisnecessaryforthehealthandsafetyofthoseinvolvedinthecrisis.
c. Anoverallshiftinfocustoconsiderfostercareasasupporttofamilies,asdescribedintheApril2020InformationMemorandumfromtheAdministrationforChildrenandFamilies12,whichrecommendsbuildingandsupportingrelationshipsbetweenresourcefamiliesandparentstofacilitateimprovedengagementofparents,promotetimelyreunification,buildprotectivecapacitiesinparents,andstrengthenoverallchildandfamilywell-being,whileensuringchildsafety(p.1).
d. Relationshipbuildingsupportsbetweenthebirthfamily(includingsiblingsandotherfamilymemberswhoareimportanttothechild/ren)thatarefacilitatedbytheagencyearlyinthelifeofthecaseandcontinuepostreunification.StrategiesforrelationshipbuildingasdetailedintheBirthandFosterParentPartnership(June2020)13throughtheChildren’sTrustFundAllianceandtheYouthLawCenter’sQualityParentingInitiativeshouldbeexaminedandputintopractice.AttachmentDprovidesanexcerptfromtheRelationshipBuildingGuide,whichincludessuggestionsforintroductoryandongoingmeetingsbetweenresourcefamiliesandparents.
Thesesupportsshouldreflecttheneedsidentifiedwithinthetiersoftreatmentfostercare,asdetailedinAttachmentAofthisreport.Thiscrosswalkprovidesanoverviewofthesupportsneededacrossdomainswithineachtier.
Training First,werecommendthattrainingrequirementsandplansforresourcefamiliesintieredtreatmentfostercarebeconsistentacrosspublicandprivateagencies.Second,werecommendthattrainingbeofferedinvariousformatsincludingin-personandrobustonlineeducationthatisavailableforallresourcefamilies.Third,werecommendtraininginclude:
12IM-20-06:FosterCareasaSupporttoFamilies;publishedApril29,2020.Retrievedfrom:https://www.acf.hhs.gov/cb/resource/im2006
13https://ctfalliance.org/partnering-with-parents/bpnn/resources/
PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP 23
a. Increasedfinancialsupportforresourceparentsrelatedtothecostoftraininginadditiontoincreasedsupportforchildcarewhenresourceparentsareengagedinatrainingsession.
b. Skill-basedtrainingthatbetterpreparesfosterparentsforaddressingtheneedsofchildrenwhohaveexperiencedtraumaandmayhaveotherbehavioralchallenges.
c. Trainingontopicsthatincludegriefandloss,compassionfatigue,andself-careforresourcefamilies.
d. Caregiverskillsassessmentstohelpmeasuretheskillsandabilitiesofresourceparentsandprovideopportunitiesforrecognitionofgrowthintherole.
e. Arestructuredtrainingformatthatincludes:i. Shorterpreservicetrainingthatfocusesonreadinessforplacement;ii. Increasedfoundationaltrainingoncethefamilytakesaplacement;andiii. Ongoingtrainingthatincludesspecifictrainingmodules/sessionsfocusedongriefand
loss,compassionfatigue,andself-care.
Recruitment Werecommendthatevidence-basedrecruitmentstrategiesbeemployedacrossthestateofOhio,andthatthosestrategiesinclude:
a. Clearexpectationsaboutwhatitmeanstobeafosterparent(i.e.,clarificationonthedifferencebetweenfosteringandadoptionandtheroleofafosterparentandatreatmentfosterparent).
b. Theuseofasystemnavigatororpointpersonwhocansupportpotentialresourcefamiliesduringtherecruitmentprocess,aspotentialresourcesfamiliesmayfeeldisconnectedfromtheprocessearlyon.
c. Theavailabilityofmentorstoaidinrecruitmentandtrainingofpotentialresourcefamilies.d. Anincreaserecruitmentoffamilies/homesthatcanaccommodatesiblinggroupsandyouthwith
diverseSOGIE(sexualorientation,genderidentityandexpression).
Retention Aswithrecruitment,werecommendevidence-basedretentionstrategiesbeemployedacrossthestateofOhio,includingtheprovisionofsupports.Werecommendthatretentioneffortsinclude:
a. Providingresourcefamilieswithavoiceindecisionsbeingmadeaboutthechildintheircare,includinganinvitedpresenceincourthearings,intreatmentteammeetings,andinotherdecisionsthatimpactthechild.Thissenseofvoicecontributesdirectlytoasenseofbeingvalued.
b. Opportunitiestoproviderespitecareservicespriortoacceptingaplacement,especiallyaplacementintreatmentfostercare,asamethodforbuildingskills.
c. Trainingthatismeaningfulandrelevantandworkstobuildtheskillsetofresourceparentsandtheiroverallsenseofself-efficacyincaringforchildrenintreatmentfostercare.
d. Theprovisionofsupportsthroughoutthelifeoftheplacementandinbetweenplacementstohelpresourcefamiliesfeelvalued.
24 PHASEII:CAREGIVERSUPPORTS,TRAINING,RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONWORKGROUP
e. Anincreaseinrecognitionforresourcefamilies.Suchrecognitionscanincludeendofyearcelebrations,awardceremonies,andotherformsofmorefrequentrecognitionofaccomplishmentandsuccess.
f. Increasingincentivesforresourcefamilieswhoachieveskill-basedmilestonestohelpresourcefamiliesbuildupontheirskillset.Theseincentivesprovideanopportunitytorecognizetheworkputintoimprovingone’sskillsetandcapabilitiestoworkwithchildrenwhomayhavemultiplechallenges.
Terminology
First,werecommendashiftinterminologyusedwithinthetieredtreatmentfostercaremodelacrossall88countiesinOhio.Languageisacorecomponenttosupportsandrelationship-buildingbetweenthebirthfamiliesandresourcefamilies.Second,werecommendthisterminologyshiftinclude:
a. Areviewofcurrentterminologyusedintreatmentfostercare,includingterminologyusageinstatuteandruletoconsiderationtheuseoftheterm“resourcefamily”whenreferringtoanindividualand/orfamilycaringforachildorchildrenplacedintheirhomewithinTieredTreatmentFosterCare.Thetermresourcefamilyemphasizestheimportanceoftherelationshipbetweenthechild/ren,theirbirthfamilies,andtheirfosterfamilieswhoarearesourcetobothparties(birthparentsandthechild/ren).TheACYF-CB-IM-20-06states,“CBisalsomakinganefforttoreferto“fosterparents”asresourcefamiliesasanefforttoemphasizetheenhancedrolethatresourcefamiliescanplayinthelivesofchildrenandtheirparents,servingasasupport,asopposedtoaplacementalone.CBencouragesallcolleaguestomakeasimilarefforttobeawareofthewordsweuse”(p.1).
b. Referringtobirthparentssimplyas“parents”asdiscussedintheACYF-CB-IM-20-06.TheIMstatesthat“CBismakingaconsciousefforttostopusingtheterms“birthparents”and“biologicalparents”andsimplyrefertoachild’sparentsasparents.Wearemakingthiseffortattherequestofparentswithlivedexperiences…Webelievethatqualifyingparentsas“birth”parentsor“biological”parentscanbeexperiencedasdisempoweringandcandeemphasizetheprimacyoftheparentchildbond”(p.1).
c. Additionalresearchonterminologyutilizedtorefertothelicensedindividualwithintheresourcefamily.FurtherresearchincludesresearchonwhatotherstatesaredoingandresearchingtheperspectivesofkeystakeholdersinOhio(i.e.,birthfamiliesandresourcefamilies).
d. Ashifttotheuseof“resourcefamily”acrossOhio’sentirefostercaresystem,includinginfamilyfostercare.
Additional Considerations Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic
AsthemajorityofthemeetingsofthisworkgroupconvenedduringtheCOVID-19pandemic,muchthoughtwasputintoitsimpactonthechildprotectionsystemandourworkinthisspecificgroup.Itisimportanttonotethatfostercaregiversareatthefrontlinesofcaringforchildrenintheircare,especiallyduringtheCOVID-19pandemic.Assuch,wehaveoutlinedthefollowingadditionalrecommendations:
a. Werecommendgreater flexibility in visitation that encourages more visits with the family and more collaboration between the public child welfare caseworker and the worker at the private agency. We also recommend the use of virtual visits to assist in flexibility for the resource family and increased opportunities for collaboration between the workers and the parents of the youth.
b. Werecommendincreasingthenumberofexpectedvirtualconnectionsbetweenresourceand birthfamilies,toaidinthetransitiontothefosterhomeandeventuallybacktotheprimary familyhome(whenappropriate).Increasedopportunitiesforrelationshipbuildingbetween birthandresourcefamiliesarecrucialtoeachtransitioninadditiontothewell-beingofall stakeholders. We recognize that the relationship-building work between the youth's parents and the resource family will be new to some organizations in Ohio and may require additional training and supports.
25
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 1
AttachmentA:TiersCrosswalk
Tier1:CaregiverSkillsandCorrespondingSupports
CaregiverSkillsCategory
Description CorrespondingSupports
PlacementExperienceAcceptance
Acceptsyouthafterreturningfromshorthospitalizationstay(30days),afteratrialhomevisit/reunification,afterapre-adoptiveorpre-kinshipplacementdisruption,afterashortstay(72hours-59days)inresidentialtreatment)
- Assistanceinthetransitionbackintothetreatmentfosterhome
- Morefrequentvisitations/meetingswithagencystaffatbeginningofplacementtoassistwithtransition
- In-homevisits- Buildrelationshipwithbiologicalparentstogetan
understandingofthechildandbeginsupportbetweenresourcefamilyandbiofamily
- UtilizetechnologyasameanstoconnectHomeenvironment,supervision,guidance,andstructure
Mayincludeuseofalarmsondoors/windows,visualmonitors,orothersafetydevices.Providesadultsupervisiontoassuresafetyofallinthehome,metregularlywithculturallyappropriatebehavioral/MHprofessionaltoadaptparenting
- Staffavailableforregularcheck-ins/meetings- Day-to-daysupportsonanas-neededbasistohelpsupport
caregivers- Placementmatchingthatconsidersthespecificneedsofthe
child/youthandhowtheymatchtotheskills/abilitiesofthecaregiver/family.Considerincludingneedsassessmentintrainingtohelpinmatchingthechild/youthandcaregivingfamily.
- Optionalmentoringsessions(individualorgroup)withcurrentand/orprevioustreatmentfosterfamilies
Education Supportseducationalsuccessandattendanceforyouthwithcurrentissuesinschool(i.e.suspension,truancy,schoolphobia,etc.)Includesdisruptivebehaviorsthatrequirecaregiver’sregular(morethanweekly)interventionattheschoolwithyouth.
- Specifictrainingtoattendtoeducationalneedsofchildren(i.e.IEP,etc.)
- Accesstotutoringservicesasapartofday-to-daysupportsasneeded
- Assistancewithhelpingmaintainthechildintheirexistingbuilding/districtandsupportfortransportation
Identity Caregiverdemonstratesandmentorsyouthtodevelopskillstosafelynegotiatedifficultiesindiversesettings.Regularcoordinates,attends,orhostsculturalcommunityeventstohelpyouthestablish,develop,andmaintainconnectionstotheirculturethatbuildstheiridentity
- Agencyprovidesupdatedscheduleofeventsinnearbyneighborhood/communitytohelpchildmaintainconnectiontotheircultureandbuildtheiridentity
- Agencyprovidesregularlyupdatedresourcelistofagencieswithintheneighborhood/community
- Agencysupportinmaintainingtherelationshipwithbirthfamily(asappropriate)
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 2
Health(PhysicalandBehavioral)
Completetrainingfrommedicalprofessional.Supportmentalhealthneedsbyparticipatinginon-goingfamilytherapy,ormeetingwithMHprofessionaltoimprovecaregiver’sfamilycommunication.Caregiverputsintoactionspecificparentalstrategiesinthehome&specificcontinuingcareplanforyouth’smedical/developmentalneeds,andmonitorsspecifichealthconcerns/developmentallags:
- Dailybasiccareassistancethatcanbeaddressedwithminimalcaregivertraining
- Takesyouthtomedicaland/ortherapyappointmentsoutsideofhome(over6hoursoftimepermonth)
- Participateswithin-homeprofessionalservicesseveraltimesamonth
- Agencyoffersflexiblein-houseschedulefortrainings(medical,etc.)
- Whenpossible,agencyprovidesscheduleofalternativein-personandvirtualtrainings
- Agencyregularlyupdatesscheduleoftrainingavailableforcaregivers
- Agencysupportforaccessingandutilizingcommunity-basedservices(i.e.linkage,etc.)
- Agencyoffersfinancialsupportfortransportationrelatedtomedical(physicalandbehavioralhealth-related)appointments.
- 24/7crisis/emergencyserviceswheremoreconcreteassistanceisprovided(morethan“gotohospital”or“call911”)
FamilyConnections
Supportsfamilyand/orsiblingvisitsorcontacts,helpsyouthprepareforvisits,andhelpsthemwithanyreactions.Sharesinformationwithbirthfamilytopreserveconnections(i.e.upcomingappointmentsandactivities).Caregiversharesinformationwithyouthabouttheirfamilytopreserveconnections.
- Agencysupportforrelationshipbuildingbetweenbirthparentandcaregiver
- Agencyassistswithcommunicationbetweencaregiverandbirthfamily
- Trainingincludesinformationoncommunicationtechniquesforusewithbothbirthfamilyandyouth.
- Siblingconnectionsaswellasparentconnections;coordinatingthosevisitstoallowsiblingstoseeoneanother
- Helpingwiththelogistics,introductions,etc.andfigureouttheexpectations,etc.Usevirtualmeetingsasatool
- Ensuringkinshipfamilieshavethecontactinformationtoresourcefamilytoallowsiblingstoconnect
- Ensuringthatbabiesalsoareconnectedtosiblings- Incentivizearoundhelpingmakethosefamilyconnections
(thinkingaboutextendedfamilymembers)Respite Mayincludeanywherefrom8-14hoursaweek,inadditiontoone
respiteweekendamonth- Agencyhasspecificrespitehomesorplaninplaceforwhen
respiteisneededtopromoteretentionandavoidcaregiverparentburnout.
- Otherretentioneffortsshouldalsobetakentoavoidburnoutofcaregiverparents.
OlderYouth Providesyouthages14-19withappropriateindependenceandsupport,providingthemwithdecisionmakingopportunities.
- Agencystaffprovideassistanceonas-neededbasisforhowtopromoteindependenceforolderyouth
- Agencymayprovidefamilieswithadditionalstipend/moniesforchildtohaveaccesstocellphoneorother
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 3
resources/activitiesPeer-to-PeerSupport
Theneedforacommunityofcarebetweenfosterparentswasatopicthatcameupasavalueandasanecessarycomponentofqualitycare,support,retention,andrecruitment.Stakeholderswithlivedexperienceasfosterparentsvocalizedtheimportanceofbeingabletocalluponotherfosterparentstosolveproblemsthatariseinthehome,andtoprovideoneanotherguidanceandsupport.Thementorshipofoneanotherwasalsoabenefitofthiscommunityofcare.
- Agencyhasproperscreeningproceduretodeterminewhichcurrent/previoustreatmentfosterparentswillserveas“good”mentors
- Agencymaintainsapoolofcurrent/previousTFCparentstoserveaspeermentorstootherTFCparents
- Agencydeterminespolicyforaccesstopeermentorservices
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 4
Tier2:CaregiverSkillsandCorrespondingSupports
(**Tier2wouldreceiveallsupportslistedinTier1)
CaregiverSkillsCategory Description CorrespondingSupports
PlacementExperienceAcceptance
Acceptsyouthreturningtohomeafter60daysormoreinresidentialtreatment,orotherresidential/correctionalprogramorhospitalization.
- Assistanceinthetransitionbackintothetreatmentfosterhome- Morefrequentvisitations/meetingswithagencystaffat
beginningofplacementtoassistwithtransition- In-homevisits
Homeenvironment,supervision,guidance,andstructure
Providesone-to-onesupervisionwhocannotbeleftaloneinanyroomofthehomewithoutaresponsibleadultduetoemotionalfunctioningormedicalconditionrequiringcontinuoussupervision.
- Staffavailableforregularcheck-ins/meetings- Day-to-daysupports(i.e.dinner/cooker,babysitter)onamore
regularbasis- Placementmatchingthatconsidersthespecificneedsofthe
child/youthandhowtheymatchtotheskills/abilitiesofthecaregiver/family.Considerincludingneedsassessmentintrainingtohelpinmatchingthechild/youthandcaregivingfamily.
- Optionalmentoringsessions(individualorgroup)withcurrentand/orprevioustreatmentfosterfamilies
Education Supportsyouthinhome-basededucationalprogramwhomayhavebeenexpelledfromschool,involvedinalternativeeducationprogram,orcannotattenddailyschoolprogram.
- Specifictrainingtoattendtoeducationalneedsofchildren(i.e.IEP,etc.)
- Tutoringservicesprovidedregularly- Tutoringservicescanoccurin-personorvirtually
Identity Caregivershavetransformedtheirdailylifetoincludeyouth’sindividualidentityandcommunity.Normalcyactivitiesaspartofdailyroutineareencouraged.
- Agencyprovidesupdatedscheduleofeventsinnearbyneighborhood/communitytohelpchildmaintainconnectiontotheircultureandbuildtheiridentity
- Agencyprovidesregularlyupdatedresourcelistofagencieswithintheneighborhood/community
- Agencysupportinmaintainingtherelationshipwithbirthfamily(asappropriate)
Health(PhysicalandBehavioral)
Caregiverhasknowledgeaboutyouth’smedicalormentalhealthneedsandadjustsparentingtoindividualhealthneeds,utilizingcommunitymedicalandMHservices.
- Providesbasiccare(i.e.feeding,diapering,etc.)- Requiredtocompletetrainingfrommedical
professionaltoprovidespecificmedicaltreatmentsandmonitormedicalequipment
- Agencyoffersflexiblein-houseschedulefortrainings(medical,etc.)
- Whenpossible,agencyprovidesscheduleofalternativein-personandvirtualtrainings
- Agencyregularlyupdatesscheduleoftrainingavailableforcaregivers
- Agencysupportforaccessingandutilizingcommunity-basedservices(i.e.linkage,etc.)
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 5
- Takesyouthtomedical/therapyappointmentsoutsideofhomeseveraltimesamonth(requiringmorethan12hours/month)
- Activelyparticipateswithin-homeprofessionalservices
- Provideson-goinground-triptransportation,16ormoretimesamonth
- Agencyoffersfinancialsupportfortransportationrelatedtomedical(physicalandbehavioralhealth-related)appointments.
- Supportsmayincludespecific“respite-like”caregiverswhovolunteerfortransportationservicestoassistwithmedicalneedsofchild
- 24/7crisis/emergencyserviceswheremoreconcreteassistanceisprovided(morethan“gotohospital”or“call911”)
FamilyConnections Contactwithyouth’sparents/relativesiscomplexanddifficult,butcaregiver(s)maintainssaferelationshipandcontactwithyouth’sfamilybyexercisingsoundjudgment
- Agencysupportforrelationshipbuildingbetweenbirthparentandcaregiver
- Agencyassistswithcommunicationbetweencaregiverandbirthfamily
- Trainingincludesinformationoncommunicationtechniquesforusewithbothbirthfamilyandyouth.
Respite Thismayinclude15-28hoursormoreinaweek,Inadditiontoonerespiteweekendamonth.
- Agencyhasspecificrespitehomesorplaninplaceforwhenrespiteisneededtopromoteretentionandavoidcaregiverparentburnout.
- Respitecaregiverswillhavespecificandmoreintensivetrainingtobeabletoserviceneedsspecifictoachildwithinthe2ndtier.
- Otherretentioneffortsshouldalsobetakentoavoidburnoutofcaregiverparents.
OlderYouth Providesyouthages14-19withappropriateindependenceandsupportthatallowsthemflexibilitytomaketheirownchoices,whileprovidingguidanceneededtomaintainhouseholdroutineandmutualrespect.
- Agencystaffprovideassistanceonas-neededbasisforhowtopromoteindependenceforolderyouth
- Agencymayprovidefamilieswithadditionalstipend/moniesforchildtohaveaccesstocellphoneorotherresources/activities
Peer-to-PeerSupport Theneedforacommunityofcarebetweenfosterparentswasatopicthatcameupasavalueandasanecessarycomponentofqualitycare,support,retention,andrecruitment.Stakeholderswithlivedexperienceasfosterparentsvocalizedtheimportanceofbeingabletocalluponotherfosterparentstosolveproblemsthatariseinthehome,andtoprovideoneanotherguidanceandsupport.Thementorshipofoneanotherwasalsoabenefitofthiscommunityofcare.
- Agencyhasproperscreeningproceduretodeterminewhichcurrent/previoustreatmentfosterparentswillserveas“good”mentors
- Agencymaintainsapoolofcurrent/previousTFCparentstoserveaspeermentorstootherTFCparents
- Agencydeterminespolicyforaccesstopeermentorservices
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 6
Tier3:CaregiverSkillsandCorrespondingSupports
(**Tier3receivesallsupportslistedinTiers1and2)
CaregiverSkillsCategory
Description CorrespondingSupports
PlacementExperienceAcceptance
Acceptsyouthreturningtohomeafter90ormoredaysinresidentialtreatmentorotherresidential/correctionalprogramorhospitalization
- Assistanceinthetransitionbackintothetreatmentfosterhome
- Morefrequentvisitations/meetingswithagencystaffatbeginningofplacementtoassistwithtransition
- In-homevisitsHomeenvironment,supervision,guidance,andstructure
Providesone-to-onesupervisionofyouthorisresponsibleforensuringanotheradultprovidessuchsupervisioninthehomeandcommunity.Youthcannotbeleftaloneinanyroomwithoutaresponsibleadultduetoemotionalfunctioningormedicalcondition.Amentalhealth/socialservicesprofessionalhasidentifiedthesafetyriskanddevelopedawrittensafetyplanforthecaregiverstofollow
- 24/7emergencyon-callservicesbeyondjust“callthepolice”or“gotothehospital”
- Day-to-daysupportsonanas-neededbasistohelpsupportcaregivers
- Placementmatchingthatconsidersthespecificneedsofthechild/youthandhowtheymatchtotheskills/abilitiesofthecaregiver/family.Considerincludingneedsassessmentintrainingtohelpinmatchingthechild/youthandcaregivingfamily.
- Regularlyscheduledmentoringsessions(individualorgroup)withcurrentand/orprevioustreatmentfosterfamilies
Education Supportsyouthinhome-basedprogramwhomayhavebeenexpelledfromschool,involvedinalternativeprogram,orcannotattendadailyschoolprogram(notincludinghomeschoolprogramthatacaregiverdecidedtoprovideordaytreatmentwhereeducationisacomponent)
- Specifictrainingtoattendtoeducationalneedsofchildren(i.e.IEP,etc.)
- Tutoringservicesprovidedregularly- Tutoringservicescanoccurin-personorvirtually- Supportfromagencystaff/caseworkerwitheducationalneeds
ofthechildIdentity Caregivershavetransformedtheirdailylifetoinclude
youth’sindividualidentityandcommunityintocaregiver’sdailylife.Caregivercanlistthesubstantial,deliberateparentingactionstheytaketonurturechild’sprideintheiridentityandinvolvementingroupactivitiesthatbuildpositiveself-image.Normalcyactivitiestakeaconcentratedefforttoassurecommunityinvolvementandrequiresupporttoallowforengagementskillpracticeandcoaching.
- Agencyprovidesupdatedscheduleofeventsinnearbyneighborhood/communitytohelpchildmaintainconnectiontotheircultureandbuildtheiridentity
- Agencyprovidesregularlyupdatedresourcelistofagencieswithintheneighborhood/community
- Agencyisheavilyinvolvedinallcommunicationbetweenbirthfamilyandcaregivers(asappropriate)andsupportscaregiverinmaintaintherelationship
Health(PhysicalandBehavioral)
Transformsparentingtosafelymanageyouth’scomplexbehaviorsorconditionsthatareasafetyrisktoselfor
- Agencyoffersflexiblein-houseschedulefortrainings(medical,etc.)
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 7
others.Caregiverhasknowledgeaboutyouth’smedical/MHneeds,adjustsparentingtomeetindividualhealthneeds,andutilizescommunitymedicalandmentalhealthservices.Additionally:
- Providesbasiccarenottypicalforayouth- Requiredtocompletetrainingfromamedical
professionaltoprovidespecificmedicaltreatmentsandmonitormedicalequipmentinthehome
- Takesyouthtomedicaland/ortherapyappointmentsoutsidethehomeseveraltimesamonth,requiringmorethan16hoursofcaregiver’stimeeachmonth
- Activelyparticipateswithin-homeprofessionalservicesseveraltimesamonth,requiringmorethan20hoursofcaregiver’stime/month
- Providessubstantialdailybasiccarenottypicalforayouth
- Provideson-goinground-triptransportation,20ormoretimesamonth
- Whenpossible,agencyprovidesscheduleofalternativein-personandvirtualtrainings
- Agencyregularlyupdatesscheduleoftrainingavailableforcaregivers
- Agencysupportforaccessingandutilizingcommunity-basedservices(i.e.linkage,etc.)
- Agencystaffsupportduringorinplanningforin-homeservices
- Agencyoffersfinancialsupportfortransportationrelatedtomedical(physicalandbehavioralhealth-related)appointments
- Supportsmayincludespecific“respite-like”caregiverswhovolunteerfortransportationservicestoassistwithmedicalneedsofchild.
- 24/7crisis/emergencyservices(morethan“gotohospital”or“call911”)
FamilyConnections Contactwithyouth’sparents/relatesiscomplexanddifficult,butcaregiver(s)safelymaintainsarelationshipandcontactwithyouth’sfamilybyexercisingsoundjudgment.
- Agencysupportforrelationshipbuildingbetweenbirthparentandcaregiver
- Agencyassistswithcommunicationbetweencaregiverandbirthfamily
- Trainingincludesinformationoncommunicationtechniquesforusewithbothbirthfamilyandyouth.
Respite Thismayinclude29hoursormoreinaweek,inadditiontoonerespiteweekendamonth.
- Agencyhasspecificrespitehomesorplaninplaceforwhenrespiteisneededtopromoteretentionandavoidcaregiverparentburnout.
- Respitecaregiverswillhavespecificandmoreintensivetrainingtobeabletoserviceneedsspecifictoachildwithinthe2ndtier.
- Otherretentioneffortsshouldalsobetakentoavoidburnoutofcaregiverparents.
OlderYouth Providesyouthages14-19withappropriateindependenceandsupport,whileprovidingguidanceneededtomaintainhouseholdroutineandmutualrespect
- Agencystaffprovideassistanceonas-neededbasisforhowtopromoteindependenceforolderyouth
- Agencymayprovidefamilieswithadditionalstipend/moniesforchildtohaveaccesstocellphoneorotherresources/activities
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 8
Peer-to-PeerSupport Theneedforacommunityofcarebetweenfosterparentswasatopicthatcameupasavalueandasanecessarycomponentofqualitycare,support,retention,andrecruitment.Stakeholderswithlivedexperienceasfosterparentsvocalizedtheimportanceofbeingabletocalluponotherfosterparentstosolveproblemsthatariseinthehome,andtoprovideoneanotherguidanceandsupport.Thementorshipofoneanotherwasalsoabenefitofthiscommunityofcare.
- Agencyhasproperscreeningproceduretodeterminewhichcurrent/previoustreatmentfosterparentswillserveas“good”mentors
- Agencymaintainsapoolofcurrent/previousTFCparentstoserveaspeermentorstootherTFCparents
- Agencydeterminespolicyforaccesstopeermentorservices
4.3.2020SupportsforTiersCrosswalkPreparedbyMightyCrowfortheTTFCWorkgroup 9
QRTPSupportsandApplicationtoTier3TFC
QRTPRequiredSupports ApplicationforTier3 SupportsNeededforCaregivers
Providetrauma-informedmodelofcaredesignedtoaddressneeds(includingclinicalneeds)
Utilizetrauma-informedcaretraininginthehome
Incorporatetrauma-informedcareintotrainingforfosterparents
Registered/licensednursingstaff/licensedclinicalstaffwhoareon-siteconsistentwithtreatmentmodelavailable24/7
Accessresourceswithinthecommunityandprovidedviatheplacementagency
24/7crisissupportthatiscloserto“supernanny”ratherthan“callthepoliceorcall911”
Facilitatesfamily’sparticipationinachild’streatmentprogram.Facilitatesfamilyoutreach,documentshowthisoutreachismade,andmaintainscontactinformationforanyknownbiologicalfamilyandfictivekinofchild.Documentshowthechild’sfamilyisintegratedintothechild’streatment,includingpostdischarge,andhowsiblingconnectionsaremaintained.
Maintainscontactandrelationshipwithbirthfamily(asappropriate).Bothbirthandfosterparentsparticipateintreatmentteammeetingsandplanningtobestsupportthechild.
Supportfromagencyandstaffforrelationshipbuildingbetweenfosterandbirthfamily.
Providesdischargeplanningandfamily-basedaftercaresupportsforatleast6monthspost-discharge
Maintaincontactwithchildasappropriateoncereunificationisachieved
Trainingongriefandlosstohelpprepareparentsforreunification.AlthoughtheultimategoalofTFC(whenappropriate),achildmovingoutofthehomecanbeverydifficultforFosterParents.
ProgramislicensedandnationallyaccreditedbytheCommissiononAccreditationofRehabilitationFacilities(CARF),theJointCommissiononAccreditationofHealthcareOrganizations(JCAHO),theCouncilonAccreditation,orothers
Parentattendsnecessarypreserviceandongoingtrainingtoupkeeplicensingandknowledgeinspecificareas
Provideflexibleschedulingandofferingsoftrainings(in-personandonline).Considerincludingthefollowing:childcareisprovidedduringin-persontraining,paidtrainingregardlessofifin-personoronline,incorporateaneedsassessmentintotrainings.
AttachmentB:FFTAProgramStandardsandCorrespondingSupports
FamilyFocusedTreatmentAssociation(FFTA)ProgramStandardsandCorrespondingSupports
Introduction:“TheFFTAisanagency-ledorganizationofTreatmentFosterCareandothertreatmentfamilycareprovidersestablishedin1988withaninitialpurposeofdefiningandrefiningtheTreatmentFosterCarepractice”(FFTA(2019).ProgramStandardsforTreatmentFostercare,5thed.).Section2:TreatmentParentsprovidesanoverviewoftheroleoftheTreatmentParent,includingtheresponsibilitiesoftheTreatmentHome.Wehavetakentheseresponsibilitiesandlistedthemout,alongwiththedescriptionfromFFTA,andthenalignedthemwiththecorrespondingsupportsthatwouldbeneededfromtheagency(Pleaseseepages32-35oftheabovereferenceddocument).Thissectionalsostates:“ProspectiveTreatmentParentsshallbeprovidedwithanshallreviewwithProgramStaffawrittenlistofdutiesclearlydetailingtheirresponsibilitiesbothasTreatmentParentsandasfosterparentspriortotheirapprovalbytheProgram”(p.32).
TreatmentHomeResponsibilities
DescriptionfromFFTA CorrespondingSupports
Assessment Participateinassessmentprocessandprovideallnecessaryinformationrelevanttodevelopmentofchild’streatmentplan.
- Agencystaffareavailableforsupportasquestionsariseduringtheassessmentandtreatmentplanningprocess.
TreatmentPlanning
ParticipatewithCaseworkerandotherteammembersindevelopmentoftreatmentplans.
TreatmentImplementation
- Assumeprimaryresponsibilityforimplementingeffectivein-hometreatmentstrategiesspecifiedinthechild’spreliminaryandcomprehensivetreatmentplanandrevisions.
- Assistthechildinunderstandingtreatmentgoals,objectives,andinterventionsandforhelpingchildtoachievesuccess.
- ShouldinterventionsNOTbeeffective,itistheTreatmentParent’sresponsibilitytocollaboratewithProgramStaffandthetreatmentteamtoreviseinterventionsaccordingly.
- Agencystaffavailableforin-homesupportregardingtasksassociatedwiththechild’sTreatmentPlan
- AgencyprovidestrainingthatincludeshowtoengagechildinconversationsabouttheirTreatmentPlan,goals,andobjectives.
- ProgramstaffshouldprovideassistanceandsupportfortheTreatmentParentwithimplementationstrategiesasneeded.
TreatmentTeamMeetings
- WorkcooperativelywithotherteammembersundertheleadershipoftheCaseworker.
- Activeandfullparticipantsinteammeetings,trainings,andothergatherings.
- Provideinputandengagewithothertreatmentteammembers.- Bepreparedtopresentrelevantinformationthatcontributestothe
child’streatmentevaluation,assessment,andprogressandtofullyengagewithteammembers,includingchild’sfamily.
- AgencystaffavailabletohelpfacilitateconversationsbetweenTreatmentParentsandbirthfamily(asappropriate).
- IfaTreatmentParentcannotattendinperson,ProgramStaffshouldarrangefortheirparticipationviavideooraudioconference.
RecordKeeping - Keepsystematic,accurate,anddescriptiverecordsincludingchild’sbehaviorandprogress,familycontacts,appointments,communityactivities,andface-to-facecontactswithProgramstaff.
- Informationshouldberecordeddailyorweeklywithfrequencydeterminedbytreatmentplan.
- Systematicallyrecordinformation,logmedicationadministrationanddocumentactivitiesasrequiredbytheProgramandthestandards,regulations,andcontractualobligationsunderwhichitoperates.
- Incorporaterecordkeepingskills/strategiesand/ortoolsintotrainingforTFCparents
- Agencymaintainslistofavailablesupports(i.e.mentalandbehavioralhealthagencies,etc.)
- Agencymaintainsscheduleofcommunityevents
ContactwithChild’sFamily
- Assistyouthinmaintainingcontactwiththeirfamily(includingsiblings).- Responsibleforpositiveandmeaningfulengagementwithachild’s
family,creatingapositiverelationshipbetweentheTreatmentFamilyandthechild’sfamily.
- Activelysupportchild’scontactwithfamily,includingarrangingandsupervisingvisitation,providingtransportation,andassistingchildinhavingcontactvialetters,phoneconversations,andemail.
- Haveregularcontactwiththechild’sfamilytoreinforcethepositiverelationship,toreportonthechild’sprogressandgoals,andtoattempttoincludethefamilyineventssuchasbirthdaycelebrations,doctorappointments,andschoolactivities.
- ProgramStaffwillworkwithTreatmentParentsandthechild’sfamilytoavoidconflictofinterestandconfusionforthechildorfamily.
- AgencysupportsTFCparentsinmaintainingpositivecontactwiththebirthfamily**
TechnologyandSocialMedia
- EachTFCfamilywilldeveloptechnologyrulesthatareappropriatefortheirhouseholdandconsistentwiththechild’streatmentplan.
- Parentsmonitortechnologyuse.- Discusswithyouththepotentialdangersofpostingorsharingpersonal
identifyinginformation.- Reinforcewithchildrenandyouththeimportanceofprivacyand
confidentiality
- Programshallrequirethatchildrenandyouthunderage14haveconsentofProgramandTreatmentParentstoaccessanyonlineresourceortechnology,includingemailaccounts,socialmediasites,andothersocialnetworking**
PermanencyPlanningAssistance
Assistchildinmeetingpermanencygoal(s)including:- Providesupportandinterventionsuchasemotionalsupport,
informationsharing,anddemonstrationofeffectivechildbehaviormanagement
- Maintainpositive,supportiverelationshipswithbiologicalfamily(asappropriate)andworkcollaborativelywithfamily
- Assistyouthindevelopingself-sufficiencyandtransitioningtoadulthood
- AgencyprovidessupporttohelpmaintainpositiverelationshipbetweenTreatmentParent/sandbirthfamily(asappropriate).
- IftheTreatmentParentisacandidateforbecominganadoptiveparent,ProgramstaffneedtoclarifytherolesoftheTreatmentParentsinrespecttofamilyinvolvedinthelivesofthechildrenandyouth.
CommunityRelations
- Developandmaintainpositiveworkingrelationshipswithserviceprovidersinthecommunity(i.e.departmentsofrecreation,socialserviceagencies,mentalhealthprograms/professionals).
- SpreadawarenessofandgaincommunitystakeholdersupportforTFCwheneverpossible.
- Agencyprovidesregularlyupdatedlistofavailablecommunitysupports(professionalsandagencies)
- AgencyprovidesassistancelinkingTreatmentParentswithavailablecommunityresources
SchoolRelations Assumeprimaryresponsibilityforongoingrelationshipswithteachers/administratorsinchild’sschool:- Monitorschoolattendance,homework,andacademicachievement.- Stayawareofprogramsandinformationthatcouldimpactyouthin
theircare.- Informprogramstaffandschooladministratorsofharassmentupon
becomingawarethatitisoccurring.
- HelpTFCparentadvocatetoensurechildrenandyouthintheircarereceiveallneedededucationalservices.
- Agencyprovidesspecifictrainingrelatedtosupportingeducationalneedsofchildren(i.e.IEP,etc.)
- Agencyprovidesaccessingand/orlistoftutoringservicesavailableaspartofday-to-daysupports
Advocacy Advocateonbehalfofchildtoachievegoalsidentifiedintreatmentplan;obtaineducational,vocational,medical,andotherservicesneededtoimplementtheplan,andtoensurefullaccesstoandprovisionofpublicservicestowhichthechildislegallyentitled.
- Agencymaintainslistofavailablesupportsinthecommunity(educational,behavioralhealth,medical,etc.)
- AgencysupportsTFCparentinaccessingservicesasneeded
NoticeofRequestforChildMove
Avoidmovestonewfosterfamiliesorkinshipcaregiverswheneverpossible.Ifamovebecomesunavoidable,TreatmentParentsshallprovideatleast30days’noticetoProgramStafftoallowforplannedandminimallydisruptivetransition:
- ParticipateinadirectmeetingwithProgramStafftodiscussinterventionsthatcouldpreservetheplacement.Ifnoneisfound,themeetingparticipantswilldiscussproperplanningforappropriatetransition.Thechildoryouthshallbenotifiedassoonasitisclearatransitionisimminent.
- Agencyprovidespreventivesupportstoavoidmovetonewfoster/kinshiphome
- Agencyprovidesdocumentationnecessaryformoveifunavoidable
- Agencyprovidesinformationonnegativeoutcomeassociatedwithnewplacementsforchildrenduringtraining
CulturalCompetency
TreatmentParentsmustbewillingtobecomeculturallycompetent,bewelcomingandaffirmingofdiversepopulations,bewillingtorecognizetheirownbiasesandabletoacceptandunderstandtheimportanceofculturalissuesinfamilyandcommunitylifeandintreatmentplanning.
- Agencyprovidesinitialandongoingculturallycompetenttrainingandsupport
- AgencystaffhelpsTreatmentParentsmaintaincontactwithbirthfamily(asappropriate)tounderstandimportantculturalaspectsofthebirthfamily’sdailyliving,etc.
**DirectquotefromFFTAstandards.ThestandardsdetailTreatmentParentsupportsasfollows:InformationDisclosure,Respite,AgencyResponsiveness,Counseling,SupportNetwork,FinancialSupport,ResourcesandInformation,andDamagesandLiability.
AttachmentCFFTABillofRights:CoreFeatures
ABillofRightsforTreatmentParentsshouldinclude:1.RespectfulTreatment:TreatmentParentswillbetreatedwithdignity,respect,trust,andconsiderationasvaluedmembersofthetreatmentteam.2.ProgrammaticSupport:TheProgramwillprovideaccesstoprogramstaff24hoursaday,7daysaweek.3.Reimbursement:TheProgramwillprovidewritteninformationregardingTreatmentParentreimbursementinatimelymanneraccordingtothewrittenplan.Informationregardingpotentialchangesinreimbursement,suchasmovingthechildtohigherorlowerintensityofcareovertime,shallbeprovidedtotheTreatmentParentspriortotheplacementofachild,orinthecaseofchildrenlivingwithkin,atthetimethefamilybecomesinvolvedwiththeprogram.4.PlacementDecisions:Theprogramwillprovidepre-placementinformationregardingtheneedsofchildrenandyouthinthematchprocessforplacementintheTreatmentFamily’shome.Thisincludesinformationaboutbehavioralproblems,healthhistory,educationalstatus,culturalandfamilybackground,resultsofassessmentsandevaluations,andanyotherinformationknowntotheProgramatthetimethechildisplaced.Atanypointthatfurtherinformationbecomesavailable,theProgrammustsharethatinformationwiththeTreatmentFamilyimmediately.TreatmentParentsshallhaveinputintodecisionsdeterminingwhetherthechildwouldbeanappropriateplacementforthem.TheProgramshallinformtheTreatmentParentsofcourthearingsandofdecisionsmadebythecourtsorthechild’slegalrepresentativethataffecttheplacementofthechild.5.Treatment:TreatmentParentswillbepartofthetreatmentplanningprocess,withtheiropinionsandsuggestionscarryingthesameweightasthoseoftheothertreatmentteammembers.6.Respite:TreatmentParentswillhaveaccesstoadequaterespite.7.Training:TheProgramwillprovidethetrainingandsupportnecessaryforTreatmentParentstoprovidecareandtreatmentspecifictotheneedsofchildrenandyouthintheirhome;theProgramwillprovideongoingsupervisionregardingimplementationofthetreatmentprocess.8.GrievanceProcess:TheProgramwillprovideaccesstoafarandimpartialgrievanceprocesstoaddresslicensure,casemanagementdecisions,anddeliveryofserviceissues.TreatmentParentsshallhavetimelyaccesstotheProgram’sappealsprocessandshallbefreefromactsofretaliationwhenexercisingtherighttoappeal.9.MaltreatmentAllegations:WhenaTreatmentParentoranyoneinthehouseholdisaccusedofmaltreatmentofchildrenoryouth,theProgramwillensurethesafetyofallchildreninitscarewhilealsoadvocatingonbehalfoftheTreatmentParentoffamilymemberforaspeedyandfairinvestigatoryprocess.Unlessprohibitedbytherulesoftheinvestigatingbody,theProgramshallinformtheTreatmentParentinpersonandinwritingofmaltreatmentallegations.TheProgramshallprovidetotheTreatmentParentsinformationabouttheinvestigatoryprocess,includingtheTreatmentFamily’srightsandresponsibilities.AwrittennotificationshallbeprovidedtoaTreatmentParentwithinfivedaysoftheagency’sreceiptofthatdecision.
Source:FFTA(2019).ProgramStandardsforTreatmentFostercare,5thed.,pp.12-13
1 A Relationship Building Guide
1. Building the RelationshipBuilding a positive relationship between the birth parent and the foster parent/kinship caregiver at the beginning of the placement can help create a smooth transition so that the the children or youth are able to experience the love, support and care of two families. When both families are willing to work together to coordinate the care of the children or youth, it allows them to maintain a sense of identity and family history and helps them understand the new relationships in their life. It also helps the birth parent and the foster parent feel more supported. Positive relationships lead to:
� Supporting regular open communication about ways the parentscan meet the specific needs of the child or adolescent.
� Helping both families get questions answered.
� Keeping routines and traditions for the child or adolescent asconsistent as possible.
Two particular strategies, comfort calls and in-person family introductory meetings, can help to begin the relationship building process by talking about important background information relating to the children or youth and also learning more about one another. Comfort calls usually happen within 24 hours of the children or youth being placed in a home. Social workers can request permission from birth parents to share their telephone number. This is usually the first time that the birth and foster parents will begin talking with one another. An in-person family introductory meeting (also referred to as an icebreaker meeting) is best held within three to five days after placement and is another way to help build this connection.
Other creative ideas for initial relationship building situations include: a meeting at the hospital or medical center, team meetings and group orientations or trainings. Because Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) frequently have contact with birth parents and foster parents during visits with children, they are in a unique position to talk with them about the positive impact of partnering together to help meet the needs of the children or youth
in care. All of these strategies support the relationship building process by providing an opportunity for:
� The birth parent to develop a sense of being respected for whathe/she knows about his/her child and the foster parents beingaccepted as a support for the children or youth.
� The foster parent/kinship caregiver to let the birth parent know of his/her interest in working in partnership with the parent tominimize the trauma of foster care and support reunification.
� Both sets of parents to talk about the unique needs and interestsof the children or youth in care (e.g., sleeping habits, foodpreferences, likes and dislikes, etc.).
Equally important is recognizing and creating healthy dialogue between foster parents/kinship caregivers and birth parents on topics to recognize the individuality of the children or youth in care and their families.
It is important to consider:
� Different parenting styles and discipline practices
� Cultural beliefs and traditions
� Ethnic practices
� Sexual identification and the need to be sure that all people arefree from any form of discrimination
� Religious beliefs and the importance of supporting any existingreligious beliefs and practices of the child.
� Medical/dental history
� Other daily practices (e.g., haircare, grooming, hygiene andnutrition)
It could be uncomfortable for the foster parent/kinship caregiver or the birth parent to discuss some of these issues. If you do not know how to approach a certain subject, it is best to ask for more information in a respectful and caring manner.
“As a foster parent, I have deep appreciation for the challenges faced by birth parents when their children are placed in the foster care system and in my home. My goal is to do all I can to help them achieve their goals of getting their children back home. After they are reunified, I try to stay in touch if that is welcomed by the birth parent and remain a support to the whole family.”
Robyn Robbins, foster parent (California)
A Relationship Building Guide 2
1. Building the RelationshipBirth Parent Foster Parent/Kinship Caregiver
Suggested ways to build a strong relationship with the foster parent/kinship caregiver through comfort calls and
other introductory meetings to share your knowledge about your child, maintain a close bond and keep in
regular contact with your child.
Suggested ways to build a strong relationship and support the birth parent in comfort calls and other introductory
meetings to help you understand the experiences, culture, traditions and routines of the child so that you
can better respond to the needs of the family.
Here are some ideas you may want to share or discuss during a comfort call or an in-person family introductory meeting:
¨ I really love and care about my child.
¨ I am hoping that my child will be able to come back home to me.
¨ I want to know how my child is doing.
¨ I want you to know about my child’s medical information.
¨ I want you to know what my child really likes.
¨ I want you to know what my child doesn’t like.
¨ I want you to know that my child needs this routine for bedtime.
¨ I would like to know what school my child will attend.
¨ I would like to know how many children you have cared for inyour home.
You may wish to ask questions about where your child is placed and information about the foster parents/kinships caregivers such as:
¨ What does your home look like?
¨ Are there any other children in your home?
¨ What does an average day in your house look like?
¨ How will my child fit into your family?
¨ How do you handle discipline in your family?
It would be valuable for you to share your child’s sleeping habits, food preferences, likes and dislikes, medical issues, school progress and other relevant information to help the foster parent/kinship caregiver provide a smooth adjustmen for your child.
Here are some ways that you can introduce yourself during the comfort call or in-person family introductory meeting:
¨ “Hi – I am Betty, the foster parent taking care of your son for now. I can tell that he really misses you and his dad. I wanted tomake sure that you knew who was taking care of Tommy and Iwould love for you to help me to do this.”
The foster parent/kinship caregiver may ask the birth parent questions such as:
¨ Do you have any ideas how I can help your child tonight?
¨ What is your child’s favorite toy? Likes? Dislikes?
¨ What is your child’s favorite song that he/she likes?
¨ Does your child have a bedtime routine or any sleep habits?
¨ How are you doing?
¨ Do you have anyone who can support you right now?
¨ Can I tell your son or daughter that you are doing okay to helphim or her feel more comfortable?
If you are comfortable doing so, you might share information about your family size and the ages and gender of the other children in your home. You may also want to describe a little about what your home looks like and the general neighborhood where you live.
If the birth parent does not want to talk during the first comfort call, you may say you understand why they may be upset and ask if it would be okay to call back. Explain that you would like to share how their son or daughter is doing and also obtain ideas from the parent about how best to support their child at this challenging time.
Some suggested ways to talk with the foster parent/kinship caregiver about topics to recognize the individuality of your child:
¨ You may wish to share information about how your child looksforward to certain religious holiday celebrations. For example,your child may wish to light Chanukah candles during thisJewish holiday. You may wish to ask to take your child to thesynogogue to celebrate this time together.
¨ You may wish to share how you help your daughter braid her hair. You might ask to arrange a weekly time to help her do this.
¨ You might want to share your child’s likes or dislikes aboutdifferent activities (e.g., playing in snow, riding a bicycle, etc.).
¨ You may wish to talk about cultural opportunities for your teensuch as participation in Tribal gatherings, LGTBQ and other support groups that meet regularly.
Some suggested ways to talk with the birth family about topics to recognize the individuality of their child:
¨ You may be unsure about how to assist a child/youth with their grooming, haircare or hygiene due to their cultural upbringing.You might ask the birth parent:
¡ “Do you have any advice on how to best help your child withtheir grooming and haircare – does she/he have any specialclothing preferences?”
¡ “Does your child have a favorite way of bathing – does he or she prefer a shower or bath?”
¨ You may learn that the child or youth wishes to attend weekly religious services. You may wish to talk with the birth parents tomake arrangements for this.