STAGE 1 ~ ATTACHMENT M
Community-Based Care
Community Alliance Resource Handbook
Version 1.0 12/2000
INVOLVING REPRESENTATIVES
OF THE
FOSTER PARENT ASSOCIATION
This document gives ideas on how representatives from the foster parent association can become involved in community planning for services to children and their families.
HELPFUL HINTS
HOW CAN FOSTER PARENTS BECOME INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY-BASED CARE?
Planning and System Design Phase
Call your District Administrator or CBC coordinator and ask to be on a mailing list for meeting announcements, newsletters, Community workshops and training seminars.
Make a commitment to have a representative on the Community Alliance.
Be involved in shaping and designing a system of care for children and families.
Ask to be put on the agenda for Community Alliance, School Board, School Readiness, civic and faith community meetings. Talk about Foster Care in your community.
Decide which foster Parent from your Community can be the spokesperson for the Foster Parent Association. That person should inform other foster parents.
Foster parents should plan to meet regularly to keep each other informed and represented in all Community planning activities.
Each actively involved foster parent should partner with one who cannot devote the time. This helps foster parents stay informed and involved.
Write a letter to the Editor of the newspaper and voice opinions on how to build a better system of care for children.
SHARE THE NEWS! Establish an info-chain, a phone notification tree or an Email information loop.
Procurement Phase
Stay in contact with the Community Alliance; contact a member or DCF for updates.
Contact local providers about how to involve Foster Parents in obtaining better outcomes for children.
Continue encouraging local providers to contact the Foster Parents for their input, suggestions and support.
If you aren’t already participating in Community Alliance activities, the local spokesperson should keep in contact with the Alliance.
Ask to be a speaker at local civic groups, Alliance meetings, provider workshops, etc. Talk about what Foster parents do, educate your community about the important work you perform.
Transition Phase
Meet with the Lead Agency (LA). Learn about the mission, philosophy and what they value in a system of care.
Ask the Lead Agency to explain their licensing standards and hiring practices for Foster Parents.
Ask:
¨ How will the LA train, guide, nurture and support Foster Parents?
¨ How and when will the Foster Parents be paid?
¨ How will the LA involve Foster Parents in the case planning and service delivery phase?
¨ Who will be the back-up contact for the Counselor or CaseWorker?
¨ How much notice will Foster Parents and the children receive if there is a placement change?
¨ Will transition counseling be offered?
Ask:
¨ Who will handle “special orders:” extra clothes, camps, tutors, vacation funds, local community involvement to help support Foster Parents?
¨ What forum will be used so Foster parents can contribute to a child’s progress report and future plans for other placements including case closure?
¨ Offer ideas to the Lead Agency on how to get regular feedback from Foster Parent on child’s progress and improvements to the system.
.
Lead Agency - Phase-in of Child Protective Services
Ask:
¨ Will the Lead Agency be involved in local Foster Parents’ Association meetings and other functions?
¨ What is the Lead Agency’s commitment to keeping Foster Parents informed?
¨ How often will the Lead Agency meet with Foster Parents?
¨ Who can a Foster Parent call directly to discuss other issues not appropriate for the case manager?
Ask:
Will the Lead support community fundraisers and / or other methods of obtaining support to assist Foster Parents with birthdays, holidays, additional school clothes, athletic fees, etc.?
Ask:
Will there be regular appointments with the caseworker to discuss your foster child’s adjustment and other issues?
Ask:
How will the Foster Parents be notified of staffings, case planning activities, changes, visits with parents, relatives, and potential adoptive parents?
Community-Based Care
Department of Children & Families
Building 1, Room 202
1317 Winewood Blvd.
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Ph: (850) 487-1987 Fax: (850) 921-4958
http://sun6.dms.state.fl.us/cf_web/cbc/
Attachment M-1