FOSTER CARE SERVICES Replicating Hope for Children Prepared by Wes Salsbury Foster Care Replication Committee.

FOSTER CARE SERVICES

Replicating Hope for ChildrenReplicating Hope for Children

Prepared by

Wes Salsbury

Foster Care

Replication Committee

Objective

The objective of this presentation is to introduce

Foster Care Services to Providence Partners who do not currently provide these

services in their state or region.



Objective

We will give an overview of the sociological need for Foster Care Services as well as the

advantages of being a service

provider.



Objective

Further we will introduce resources

available through Providence to help you assess your market

area and to develop and implement a

Foster Care Program



Substitute CareFoster care begins with

the placement of a child

by a state agency

into a living environment outside their home.



Substitute CareAlternate living

environments can include hospital; residential care

(treatment center or group home); or foster care.



Why Foster Care?Children typically find themselves in foster care because their home

is considered to be an unsafe environment...



Why Foster Care?…this is usually due to child

endangerment which is generally related to neglect, drug

dependency, abuse or other risk of harm factors



Types of Foster Care

There are several types of foster care and the terms

may vary from state to state.



Types of Foster Care

Each “type” has a different objective as far as what is hoped

to be accomplished while the child is in placement.



Types of Foster CareRelative Care

When it is appropriate, a state welfare agency

might elect to have children live in the home of a qualified extended

family member.



Types of Foster CareTraditional Foster Care

A foster family that is qualified, licensed, supervised,

willing and able to provide a safe nurturing

usually temporary, stable home environment

for children at risk.



Types of Foster CareSpecialized, Therapeutic or Treatment Foster Care

Care provided by foster parents who are specially trained to

meet the support requirements of special needs children.



Types of Foster CareProfessional/Adolescent/

Sexually Problematic Foster Care

Care provided by foster parents committed to providing a highly

structured, secure home environment, willing and able to meet the added requirements of

working with special needs children.



Providence Foster Care

Providence offers a combination of Specialized and Therapeutic Foster

Care for special needs children requiring more intensive attention.




Therapeutic Foster Care was developed in the 1970’s to encourage

a move away from an institutional solution.




The idea was to involve professionals as well as the family itself as an

integral part of the treatment team.




Specialized Foster Care involves training

foster parents in conjunction with providing

intensive support from

the servicing agency.




Special needs children can be:

Medically Complex





Developmentally Delayed





Sexually Problematic




Special needs children

may display emotional or

behavioral issues.



Providence Foster CareThe goal of the Providence Foster Care Program is to

teach troubled children how to be successful in a family

and/or community setting …



Providence Foster Care…in order to facilitate the child’s return to their own family when appropriate or

to a more permanent placement.




These are typically referred to as permanency goals.



What are Permanency Goals?Return to Biological Home

Child is in foster care while parents work on establishing an

environment suitable for the child to safely return home

(typically 5-12 months).



What are Permanency Goals?

Substitute CareSafe, nurturing, environment

that meets the individual child’s special needs

with guidance toward independence.



What are Permanency Goals?Substitute Care Pending

Termination of Parental RightsSame goals as substitute care with the further understanding

that the child may not be returning to the custody of their biological

parents.




AdoptionSame goals as substitute care with the further understanding that the child typically aged 14

or younger is available for adoption




GuardianshipSame goals as substitute care

however the parental rights have not been terminated



What are Permanency Goals?Independence

Same goals as substitute care with the further goals to prepare a child

typically aged 14 or older for independent living upon reaching

legal majority.




There are an array of services that can be provided to accomplish the

stated goals.




In Illinois for example, Providence provides services

through Camelot Community Care




CASE MANAGEMENT




INTENSIVE IN HOME COUNSELING




ADOPTION SERVICES




CRISIS INTERVENTION




REFERRAL TO ANCILARY PROVIDERS




In many states Providence

provides recruiting

and training of foster parents.



Providence Foster CareThe cornerstone of the Providence Foster Care Program was developed in Illinois by Camelot Care and currently expanded to

include professionals in eight states.




The Camelot program developed a social learning approach to

children in care




This approach identified developmental milestones, then designed social learning programs that are taught

through role play.



Providence Foster CareOnce children master the requisite skills, they can re-visit the learned behavior to stop the cycle of negativity and victimization

that is adversely affecting their lives.



Why Provide Foster Care Services?

Most states and counties are open to

outsourcing solutions.




Specialized Foster Care is

More Effective





Less expensive





Less restrictive



How difficult is it to set up?Setting up a program in your state or region depends on your local laws and regulations.

Experienced Providence partners are available to help you navigate your local

regulatory agencies.



How difficult is it to set up?

Providence’s 30+ years experience in this service area through Camelot

gives you immediate credibility and support necessary to be effective .



How do we proceed?We suggest you begin by doing an

assessment of the need in your market area and an evaluation of the resources necessary

to provide the level of service required.

Replicating Hope for ChildrenReplicating Hope for ChildrenFOSTER CARE SERVICES



The Foster Care members of the

Providence Replication Committee

can guide you through the

process.

Call Wes Salsbury for more information.

FOSTER CARE SERVICES Replicating Hope for Children Prepared by Wes Salsbury Foster Care Replication Committee.

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