Foster Parent Manual Is Made a Much Easier Task by Use of the Following Publications, Websites and People
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Acknowledgements Anticipating the questions, concerns and issues of foster and pre-adoptive parents and ensuring that the answers are easily accessible in the Foster Parent Manual is made a much easier task by use of the following publications, websites and people: Editors of the 2001 Edition of the Georgia DHR Foster Parent Manual Georgia Department of Public Health, Injury Control DFCS Program Planning and Policy Development Unit Alabama DHR Foster Parent Handbook Arkansas DCFS Foster Parent Handbook The Child Welfare League of America Massachusetts DSS Foster Parents Manual Mrs. Clean Jeans Housekeeping With Kids by Tara Aronson New York State Foster Parents Manual Tennessee DCS Foster Parent Handbook The Pew Commission on Children in Foster Care www.askdrsears.com On behalf of the foster and pre-adoptive parents of Georgia, thank you! Georgia Division of Family and Children Services The Foster Parent Manual 1 - 1 -Rev. May 2006 Table of Contents DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN SERVICES ........................................................................................................... 6 Department of Human Resources.............................................................................................................................................. 7 Mission and Goals of................................................................................................................................................................. 8 Foster Care ................................................................................................................................................................................ 8 Legal Basis for Foster Care....................................................................................................................................................... 8 Types of Family Foster Homes ................................................................................................................................................. 9 ROLES AND RIGHTS ............................................................................................................................................................... 11 Skills for Successful Fostering................................................................................................................................................ 12 Foster Parent Rights ................................................................................................................................................................ 13 Foster Parent Responsibilities ................................................................................................................................................. 13 DFCS Rights and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................................... 14 Confidentiality ........................................................................................................................................................................ 16 TRAINING ................................................................................................................................................................................. 17 IMPACT Pre-Service Training ............................................................................................................................................... 19 On-Going Training.................................................................................................................................................................. 19 THE PLACEMENT PROCESS................................................................................................................................................. 22 Why Children Come Into Foster Care..................................................................................................................................... 23 How Placement May Affect Children ..................................................................................................................................... 23 Comprehensive Child and Family Assessment (CCFA) ......................................................................................................... 23 Number of Children in A Home.............................................................................................................................................. 24 Matching for Good Placements............................................................................................................................................... 24 Transcultural Placements ........................................................................................................................................................ 25 Information at Placement ........................................................................................................................................................ 26 Agreement Supplement........................................................................................................................................................... 27 Placement of the Child from Another Foster Home................................................................................................................ 27 Questions to Ask ..................................................................................................................................................................... 27 Things to Have Available Before Placement........................................................................................................................... 28 First Day of Placement............................................................................................................................................................ 28 Mommy and Daddy: What will the children call you?............................................................................................................ 28 Family Rules and Routines...................................................................................................................................................... 29 THE DISCIPLINE POLICY...................................................................................................................................................... 30 Discipline ................................................................................................................................................................................ 31 Prohibited Discipline Practices ............................................................................................................................................... 33 MAINTAINING FAMILY CONNECTIONS ............................................................................................................................ 35 Life Books............................................................................................................................................................................... 36 Family Visitation..................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Helping The Child................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Manage Visits ......................................................................................................................................................................... 37 Other Contacts......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 REIMBURSEMENTS................................................................................................................................................................ 39 Per Diem Amounts................................................................................................................................................................. 40 Clothing................................................................................................................................................................................... 40 Child Care Expenses ............................................................................................................................................................... 41 Foster Parent Training Costs ................................................................................................................................................... 41 Educational Costs.................................................................................................................................................................... 41 Child Safety/Restraint Devices ............................................................................................................................................... 42 Medical Costs.......................................................................................................................................................................... 42 Obtaining Reimbursement....................................................................................................................................................... 42 Insurance................................................................................................................................................................................