Caregiver FAQs

Once a foster child is placed with your family, you will be part of the child’s support team. Every foster child has the right to engage in the religion that was practiced in their family of origin or in the religion of the child’s choice. In the cases where the foster child is being moved from another foster home to your home, you should ask the social worker about a Transition plan for the child. In the case of an emergency placement, typically removing children from their parents on an immediate basis, meeting the child in advance is generally not possible. Kinship Caregiver Specialist/Kinship Worker – This is a CPS caseworker who works with relatives who provide care for a child in CPS legal custody. If no relative or close friend is available or appropriate, your child may be placed in foster care.

Foster Care

• This requirement remains the same for the foster parents who have de facto parent status.
• Making the correct placement decision helps to minimize the trauma a child experiences during placement moves; ensures that the foster child is placed in the home best able to help and support the child; and reduces the risk of a subsequent placement change.
• Respite is a request by the foster child’s current foster family to have a break.
• You will be able to share information and concerns about your child.
• CPS’ goal is always to find safe, permanent homes for children as soon as possible.
• Here is a letter written by a typical foster family to the parent of a child in foster care.

The court makes the final decision about a child’s custody within 12 months, unless the judge grants a one-time extension of up to six-extra months. CPS’ goal is always to find safe, permanent homes for children as soon as possible. It is very important for children to have non gamstop casino safe, permanent homes. However, you are still legally responsible for your child’s needs and the court may order you to pay child support.

A Parent’s Guide To Foster Care

Respite is especially helpful when foster children have behaviors such as seen in many therapeutic foster homes. Respite is a request by the foster child’s current foster family to have a break. If age appropriate, include the foster child in any discussions regarding the child’s need for additional services. If age appropriate, include the foster child in any discussions regarding the child’s need for counseling.

The county placing agency has a responsibility to make a diligent effort to place children with special needs into those foster family homes that have a higher level of skill, training, and certification, often called Intensive Treatment Foster Care (ITFC) or group home care. The licensing, approval or certification agency will provide you with any needed Training to ensure the success of the foster child’s placement in your home. In the cases where the child is already known to the county placing agency, the social worker will be able to provide you with the child’s Health Passport a fairly complete picture of the child’s health history, behavioral issues and emotional needs. Service Plan – This is an agreement between CPS and the parents of children in substitute care (foster care, kinship care, etc).

The primary purpose of discipline must be to encourage appropriate behavior, not to punish the child. If your child is removed again, CPS will review your child’s permanency plan. You should tell you attorney right away if you already have one. The caseworker will usually tell you why your child is being removed before the re-removal happens, if we know where to find you and doing so won’t endanger the child. Some courts have specific local rules when a “re-removal” occurs. If that happens, you will no longer be responsible for your child or have any say in your child’s future.

Berman

Basic foster care rates and Payments are set by the State and are intended solely for reimbursement of the direct costs you incur in caring for the child. If you need assistance to verify the accuracy of the eligibility findings, read this helpful guide Relative Caregiver’s Guide to Benefits – Steps to understanding, applying for and receiving the appropriate benefits for foster children – The Alliance for Children’ Rights. The county placing agency cannot use State and federal funds for children who are placed in homes that have not yet been licensed, approved or certified.