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Foster Care Presentation
- 1. Foster Care Placement Washington State
- 2. Presented By Jason Graefen
- 3. Presentation Objectives Applicants (What it takes to get started fostering children) The process (Samples of forms) Foster Pride (Training) A look at the professionals behind placement The social and cultural aspects of foster placement
- 4. Foster Applicants (What do I Have to do First?) Find an agency Must be at least 21 years of age Must be employed Must obtain a Tuberculosis Test (all family members 18 yrs of age and older) CPR/First Aid Certification and HIV/Blood Born Pathogens Certification (30HRS) Have a home meeting the standards of licensing requirements Home study participation
- 5. The Process Once prequalification for the applicant is met then the process begins. On the next few slides you will see examples of the forms used for DSHS qualification. If you are applying through an agency contracted with DSHS you may be required to fill out additional forms with that agency as well.
- 9. PRIDE Stands for: Parent Resources for Information, Development, and Education. The PRIDE program is a 40HR training required by all applicants to get licensed to foster with the state. The program also offers specialized trainings: Teens in care-supporting and attachment Caring for children who have experienced domestic violence Preparing children for successful adulthood Working together to improve the educational outcomes for youth in care
- 10. The Professionals who Make it Happen: The Social Worker or Care Coordinator Plays a role in the placement process Is usually responsible for initial follow up Is responsible in some cases for short term placements and respite May participate in facilitating family case study Directs Case Aid support if any is presented
- 11. The Professionals who Make it Happen: The Foster Licensure Is responsible for licensing foster parents. Must comply with state laws in licensing applicants and ensures applicants also meets state requirements for licensing Directs long term placements Does initial home Inspection Establishes a family case study and individual autobiographies of family members Conducts interviews of each individual member of the foster family
- 12. Culture : Gay Couples A foster agency at their discretion determines eligibility of gay and lesbian couples. Foster agencies under the umbrellas of religious organizations allow gay men and lesbians to adopt only if they are not in a homosexual relationship. DSHS will license gay and lesbian couples as long as they meet the same criteria as heterosexual couples. Agencies do not object to the placement of gay and lesbian youth.
- 13. Single Applicants DSHS and other foster agencies do allow single applicants to be licensed as foster parents. Single applicants are required to meet the same criteria as a foster couple and are usually expected to provide extra resources to meet the needs of the children placed in their care.
- 14. Religious Beliefs No agency can discriminate in placing children or licensing applicants on the basis of religious beliefs. When placing children foster Licensures have foster parents sign a document stating that the child is not required to practice or attend a religious service that is not of their own faith. New foster parents can request a child of a specific religious belief if it is an issue for the parents.
- 15. Economic Status Foster parents are required to have at least part time employment as mandated by state law The agency is responsible for making sure that applicants and current foster parents meet all of the needs of the children placed in their care.
- 16. Resource If your interested in becoming a foster parent You can call: Statewide Foster Parent Recruitment Information Center at 1-888-KIDS-414 (1-888-543-7414) They will give you information regarding your local state social service agency office and agencies contracted to license foster parents in your area.
Editor's Notes
- #5: There are a lot of outside agencies that become licensed and contract with the Department of Social and Health Services to place foster kids. You must pick an agency that best serves your needs. All agencies and DSHS require you to have at least part time employment to be eligible for fostering children. Prequalification trainings are offered by DHSH, or the agency you go with will help you meet those qualifications. The home study participation is a written study that assesses the history of the family IE. kinds of potential social problems, drug and alcohol useand or abuse, family dynamics, and family member interactions.
- #6: The applicant will have to fill out a series of forms as part of the process: An application to DSHS A criminal background check, obtain a driving abstract, and complete an orientation ( If this is done online you have to pass an orientation quiz)
- #7: This is a sample application for obtaining a license through DSH to foster children.
- #8: Background checks are essential in weeding out applicants who may not be appropriate for fostering children.
- #9: This form can be submitted to the Department of Licensing with 10.00 dollars were they will process it and give you a copy of your driving record. The record is what needs to be submitted to DSHS. This is important for the transport of children. All DSHS employees and foster parents are required to submit a driving abstract.
- #10: The PRIDE program offers three major trainings: 1. PRIDE pre-service which addresses recruitment, and preparing and selecting successful foster parents. 2. PRIDE CORE: In service training for new and current foster parents addressing competencies of fostering children. 3. PRIDE specialized and advanced training addressing how to work with teens, and children with issues of anger and violence.
- #11: Though the social worker or care coordinator may not be specifically responsible for placing a child they may be required to participate in the process. Usually a person in this position follows up the initial placement by going to the home with child. Introducing the child to the family and tracking the progress of that child and family for the time the child is held in services. If it is a temporary placement or RESPITE (weekend breaks for parents or foster parents) Usually the Care coordinator or Social Worker directs the whole process of placing the child with the temporary foster family. The care coordinator or social worker also establishes a course of action plan for case aid support to introduce the foster kids into community activities and interaction. With a therapeutic case a crisis plan is also developed for the child and gives clear direction to the case aid in interacting with that child.
- #12: The licensure typically is the professional meeting with the applicants to determine eligibility to foster. This person has to make sure that all pre-requirements are completed at the time of the parent applying or shortly after. The licensure does the initial home inspection to make sure it is up to standards for fostering. Toward the end of the process the licensure may do one more walk through with a checklist to make sure all the requirements are met. The family case study consists of a long report done by the licensure through interviews of the family members addressing the history and dynamics of that family.