This service involves placement of children into an approved substitute home or residential facility in order to insure the child's safety, provide for the child's physical needs, and provide specialized services to the child and his family. Each child must have an assessment and an initial service plan completed within 60 days of entering foster care. This means that the social worker must select a goal for the child and write a plan for services to the child and family that will enable them to achieve the goal. The plan is submitted to the court for review and approval. Each foster care case must have a new services plan prepared and must be reviewed by the court annually. The goals from which the foster care worker must choose in priority order are:
The goal is to reunite the family if at all possible. If this is not possible within a reasonable time frame, then the goal will be changed to the most permanent plan feasible for the child.
All purchased foster care services including basic room and board are funded by the City's allocation of the State Funds Pool matched with local monies under the Comprehensive Services Act for At Risk Youth and Families. All parents are assessed for their ability to provide financial support for their children in foster care. Funds for services other than room and board and other routine maintenance for a child must be recommended by the local Family Assessment and Planning Team and approved by the Interagency Council.
All children entering foster care must be placed in the custody of this Department by the court or entrusted to the agency by their parents. Entrustment agreements are either temporary (no more than 90 days) or permanent. Permanent entrustments are used only when a parent wishes to have their child placed for adoption and must be reviewed and approved by the court. Temporary entrustments are seldom used. If you may be interested in adopting a child who is in foster care, see information about Adoption Services.
All foster care children must be placed in a licensed facility or a home that meets agency foster home certification requirements. For more information about becoming a foster parent see information on Foster Care Provider Certification.