Basic Rights of Foster Parents

what do you think of these rights and what would you add or remove?
Basic Rights of Foster Parents
Foster Parents have the right to:
Be treated with consideration, respect for personal dignity, and
privacy.
Be included as a valued member of the service team.
Receive support services which assist in the care of the child in
their home including an open and timely response from agency
personnel.
Be informed of all information regarding the child that will impact
their home or family life during the care of the foster child.
Have input into the permanency plan for the child in their home.
Assurance of safety for their family member.
Assistance in dealing with family loss and separation when a child
leaves their home.
Be informed of all agency policies and procedures that related to
their role as foster care giver.
Receive training that will enhance their skills and ability to cope as
foster care givers.
Be informed of how to receive services and reach personnel on a 24
hour day 7 days a week basis.
Be granted a reasonable plan for relief from the role of foster care
giver.
Confidentiality regarding issues that arise in their foster family
home.
Not be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, color,
creed, sex, national origins, age, or physical handicap.
Receive evaluation and feedback on their role of foster care giver.

wrote in message
...
what do you think of these rights and what would you add or remove?


Basic Rights of Foster Parents Foster Parents have the right to:

Be treated with consideration, respect for personal dignity, and privacy.

Be included as a valued member of the service team.

Receive support services which assist in the care of the child in their home
including an open and timely response from agency personnel.

Be informed of all information regarding the child that will impact their
home or family life during the care of the foster child.

Have input into the permanency plan for the child in their home.

Assurance of safety for their family member.

Assistance in dealing with family loss and separation when a child leaves
their home.

Be informed of all agency policies and procedures that related to their role
as foster care giver.

Receive training that will enhance their skills and ability to cope as
foster care givers.

Be informed of how to receive services and reach personnel on a 24 hour day
7 days a week basis.

Be granted a reasonable plan for relief from the role of foster care giver.

Confidentiality regarding issues that arise in their foster family home.

Not be discriminated against on the basis of religion, race, color, creed,
sex, national origins, age, or physical handicap.

Receive evaluation and feedback on their role of foster care giver.

Further:::

Receive telephone calls returned within a stipulated period of time,
~presumably within a month (sarcastic)

Have or have ready access to all medical records for each child within 24
hours of placement in the foster care home

Be given clear and honest information regarding any possible danger to the
household of a foster child PRIOR to making placement such as fire-setting,
animal cruelty or sexually predatory behavior


I like this, Wex. Perhaps we can organize the basis by which an agreement
may be adopted by States to have CPS comply with on behalf of the children
for whom we are entrusted to provide safety and care. I recently had to pay
a lawyer to take the agency to court to have an osc hearing with the threat
of contempt proceedings in order to obtain a foster child's medical
records - it took nine months to obtain them and meanwhile the attending
physicians, school and mental health care workers were flying blind. It is
important that a foster parent be able to get in contact with the agency.
It is important that we know what we're getting into when we have a sexually
acting out child placed in our midst with other little ones' safety
compromised unawares.

Sherman.

Hi all
This is what we in New Zealand are trying to get in place, any comments
welcomed,
Peter

'Foster Parenting is not a lifetime commitment to a child,
but a commitment to make it meaningful during a child's lifetime'


Proposed New Zealand Foster Parent Bill of Rights

WHEREAS,
foster parents provide a critical service to the Government of New
Zealand caring for thousands of foster children every year; and

WHEREAS,
foster parents make available to the Government of New Zealand
substantial financial saving each year by way of providing care to
children at an extremely unrealistic cost; and

WHEREAS,
foster parents provide loving homes enabling children to endure the
hardship associated with separation from family; and

WHEREAS,
offering the services of ones family, foster care providers involves
tremendous sacrifice and selflessness; and

WHEREAS,
children in care, and the Department of Child Youth and Family (CYF)
staff, and natural families all benefit from 'Rights' accorded under
various provisions within the Children, Young Persons and Their Families
Act, Employment Relations Act, and membership of the Public Service
Association; and

WHEREAS,
there is a need for nationwide uniformity in the effective application
of foster care in New Zealand,
now, therefore;
Foster Care New Zealand (Otago) Inc.
and
The New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation Inc
encourages the passage of a Foster Parent Bill of Rights Act.

(Draft copies of a proposed Foster Parent Bill of Rights Act are
available on request)

(Proposed)
New Zealand Foster Parent Bill of Rights Act

1. That The Department of Child Youth and Family (CYFS) and non
government organisations (NGO's) or Agencies contracted to them shall
treat the foster parent(s) with dignity, respect, trust and
consideration as a primary provider of foster care and a member of the
professional team caring for foster children.

2. That CYFS and private contractors shall provide the foster parent(s)
with a clear explanation and understanding of the role of the CYFS and
NGO's or agencies and the role of the members of the child's birth
family in a child's foster care.

3. That foster parent(s) shall be permitted to continue his/her own
family values so long as the basic rights of the foster child are not
set aside.

4. That foster parent(s) shall be provided both pre service and in
service training in regard to best practice in foster care and also in
regard to improving skills in providing daily care and meeting the
special needs of the child in foster care.

5. Prior to the placement of a child in foster care, CYFS, NGO or Agency
shall inform the foster parent(s) of issues relative to the child that
may jeopardize the health and safety of the foster family or alter the
manner in which foster care should be administered.

6. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide a means by which the foster
parent(s) can contact CYFS twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days
a week, for the purpose of receiving CYFS assistance.

7. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide the foster parent(s) timely,
adequate financial reimbursement for the quality and knowledgeable care
of a child in foster care, as specified in the plan; provided, however,
the amount of such financial reimbursement shall, each year, be subject
to and restricted by the level of funding specifically allocated for
such purpose by the provisions of the general appropriations act.

8. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide clear written explanation of
the plan concerning the placement of a child in the foster parent(s)
home. For emergency placements where time does not allow prior
preparation of such explanation, CYFS, NGO or Agency shall include, but
is not limited to, all information regarding the child's contact with
such child's birth family and cultural heritage, if so outlined.

9. Prior to placement, CYFS, NGO or Agency shall allow the foster
parent(s) to review written information concerning the child and allow
the foster parent(s) to assist in determining if such child would be a
proper placement for the prospective foster family. For emergency
placements where time does not allow prior review of such information,
CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide information, as it becomes available.

10. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall permit the foster parent(s) to refuse
placement within their home, or to request upon notice to CYFS, NGO or
Agency, the removal of a child from his or her home for good reason,
without threat or reprisal, unless otherwise stipulated by contract or
policy.

11. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall inform the foster parent(s) of
scheduled meetings and staffing, concerning the foster child, and the
foster parent(s) shall be permitted to actively participate in the case
planning and decision making process regarding the child in foster care.
This may include individual service planning meetings; foster care
review, individual educational planning and Family Group Conferences.

12. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall inform a foster parent(s) of
decisions made by the courts or the child welfare agency concerning the
child.

13. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall solicit the input of a foster
parent(s) concerning the plan of services for the child; this input
shall be considered in the department's ongoing development of the plan.

14. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall permit, through written consent, the
ability of the foster parent(s) to communicate with professionals who
work with the foster child, including any therapists, physicians and
teachers that work directly with the child.

15. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide information regarding the
child and the child's family background and health history, in a timely
manner to the foster parent(s). The foster parent(s) shall receive
additional or necessary information that is relevant to the care of the
child, on an ongoing basis.

16. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide timely, written notification
of changes in the case plan or termination of the placement and the
reasons for the changes or termination of placement to the foster
parent(s), except in the instances of immediate response for child
protective services.

17. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall notify the foster parent(s), in a
complete manner, of all court hearings. This notification may include,
but is not limited to, notice of the date and time of the court
hearings, the name of the judge or hearing officer hearing the case, the
location of the hearing, and the court docket number of the case. Such
information shall be made upon CYFS, NGO or Agency receiving of this
information, or at the same time that notification is issued to birth
parents. The foster parent(s) shall be permitted to attend such
hearings.

18. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide, upon request by the foster
parent(s), information regarding the child's progress after a child
leaves foster care. Information provided shall only be provided from
information already in possession of CYFS, NGO or Agency at the time of
the request.

19. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall provide the foster parent(s) the
training for obtaining support and information concerning a better
understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the foster
parent(s).

20. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall consider the foster parent(s) as the
possible first choice permanent parent for the child, who after being in
the foster parent's home for twelve (12) months, is freed for adoption,
guardianship or permanent foster care.

21. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall, in the best interest of the child
and to minimise additional change, consider the former foster family as
a placement option when a foster child who was formerly placed with the
foster parent(s) is to be re-entered into foster care.

22. That CYFS, NGO or Agency shall permit the foster parent(s) a period
of respite, free from placement of foster children in said family's home
with follow-up contacts by the agency occurring a minimum of every two
(2) months. The foster parent(s) shall provide reasonable notice, to be
determined in the promulgation of rules, to the department, NGO or
Agency for respite.

23. Child abuse/neglect investigations involving the foster parent(s)
shall be investigated pursuant to CYFS, NGO or Agency Child Protective
Services policy and procedures. A Child Protective Services Case Manager
from another area shall be assigned investigative responsibility.
Removal of a foster child will be conducted pursuant to New Zealand
Children, Youth and Family departmental policy and procedures. CYFS
shall permit the Foster Allegation Support Team's (FAST) volunteers to
be educated concerning the procedures relevant to investigations of
alleged abuse and neglect and the rights of the accused foster
parent(s). Upon receiving such training, FAST volunteers will be
permitted to serve as an advocate for the accused foster parent(s). Such
advocate shall be permitted to be present at all portions of
investigations where the accused foster parent(s) are present, and all
communication received by such advocate therein shall be strictly
confidential. Nothing contained within this clause shall be construed to
abrogate to the provisions of New Zealand Children, Youth and Family
Policy regarding procedures for investigations of child abuse and
neglect and child sexual abuse by the department of children's services
and law enforcement agencies.

24. That CYFS, NGO or Agency, shall provide the foster parent(s) copies
of all information relative to their family and services the foster
parent(s) contained in the personal foster home record upon request.

Author P Foster
3rd Draft
29/05/03

Peter, very meaningful:

'Foster Parenting is not a lifetime commitment to a child,
but a commitment to make positive interactions during a child's lifetime'




I changed your wording somewhat.

BTW, never denied for one moment that there are not WONDERFUL FOSTER FAMILIES.

Peter sent in from NZ about CYF, CYS the

(Understand NZ is under extreme fire, also)

As a licensed foster care provider I do agree with all the above listed rights. I do not feel, however, that foster parents should not be given preference to adopt their foster children over the rights of responsible and qualified extended family members. It is a common practice within DCFS, and too many foster parents become attached to their foster children, and "claim" them over the rights of biological family members. DCFS will often manipulate the case to accomodate the foster parents, and children who should remain within their family unit are adopted out to non-related foster adopt parents, thus destroying family continuity.

Suzy, I would like to inform you that there is a NG devoted specifically to
child protective issues.

I understand you are currently battling DSHS in WA.

Can be accessed thru http://www.Google.com Groups


Suzy commented in asfp:

Subject: Basic Rights of Foster Parents
From: "Suzy"
Date: 12/20/2003 2:19 AM Eastern Standard Time
Message-id: outsupport.com

As a licensed foster care provider I do agree with all the above listed
rights. I do not feel, however, that foster parents should not be given
preference to adopt their foster children over the rights of responsible and
qualified extended family members. It is a common practice within DCFS, and
too many foster parents become attached to their foster children, and "claim"
them over the rights of biological family members. DCFS will often manipulate
the case to accomodate the foster parents, and children who should remain
within their family unit are adopted out to non-related foster adopt parents,
thus destroying family continuity.