Vol. 2, No. 1 • Fall 1997

Influencing Your Child's Placement Plan
by Elaine McMichael

We all know that as foster parents, we are considered "volunteers" for the department of social services, and we agree in writing to uphold the placement plans DSS makes for the children placed in our homes. As volunteers, we have no "official" voice in matters pertaining to our children--that is up to DSS and the Guardian ad Litem. But we are on the front lines observing, correcting, advising, and consoling our children 24 hours a day, and no one knows them as well as we do. What we do with the knowledge we have about our children can have a tremendous impact on their placement plans.

In this article, I will describe effective ways to share the knowledge we have on our children so that the very best placement plan can be developed for them. I have formed these ideas over the past 17 months; during this time I was a foster mother and interacted with social workers, medical care providers, GAL, and county attorneys. My ideas are not miraculous or earth shattering--they may not even be new. But I hope they will be helpful to you.

Help your child's social worker know as much about your child as you do. Call the social worker frequently not only for help with problems, but also to share good news about your child. Any accomplishment or milestone your child may attain, or any special happiness experienced should be shared with the social worker. When I told the social worker that our child had finally mastered pumping a swing, we celebrated this achievement together. This helped us build a warm relationship based on mutual trust and respect.
Purchase a notebook and keep a log on your child. Make notes of the dates and times of any conversations or encounters you have with the child's social worker, your licensing worker, medical care providers, GAL, therapists, etc. Also, jot down any noteworthy behaviors your child may have. Once a month, make three photocopies of your notes for that month and mail them to the child's social worker, your licensing worker, and the GAL. This way, everyone is kept up to date, and you have documentation on all aspects of your child's care. This record is especially helpful if your actions are ever called into question, or if you are investigated.
Keep a calendar just for your child's medical history. Note on the calendar the days they are sick, medications given, doctor appointments, telephone conversations with medical care providers--anything pertaining to your child's health care. Bring this calendar with you to the doctor's office and refer to it when describing your child's health. A detailed record may help the doctor diagnose and treat a condition that may not have been noticed before because of incomplete medical history. For example, when our daughter's pediatrician saw the number of days she was down with respiratory infections and croup, she evaluated her for asthma. It turned out that she was indeed asthmatic, and preventative treatment was begun. With this treatment, she has had dramatically fewer sick days.
On your medical history calendar also note any cuts, bruises, or injuries your child may have and how they were hurt. Call the social worker immediately and report all but the most minor of injuries. If your child has unsupervised visitation with the birth family, make a note of any cuts or bruised he or she may have immediately before the visit. Ask the social worker who transports the child to examine the child before leaving your care, and to initial your note. If your child goes to the visits directly from day care or school, ask the provider or teacher to initial your notes. When the child is returned, check him or her over carefully. If there are any new marks, call the social worker immediately and report them. You will have your initialized note as proof that the child did not have the marks when he or she left your care. Also make note of the the child's emotional state after the visit, and write down any comments he or she makes about the visit.
. Obtain copies of medical record request forms from your child's pediatrician or medical center. Sit down with your child's social worker and fill out a request for each doctor or medical care provider your child has seen before coming to you, asking that the child's medical records be sent to his or her current pediatrician. This will allow you to compile the most complete medial record possible for your child.
Take lots of pictures of your child. These pictures can be put into the "Life Book," and given to social workers, therapists, and GALs. They will love receiving them! Call the county attorney if you have questions about your child's case in Juvenile Court. A short conversation with him or her can often clear up the puzzling issues that can arise in proceedings such as termination of parental rights. Remember to make a note of your conversation in your log.
Join your county's foster parent association and get to know other foster parents. They have probably gone through all that you are or will be facing and can provide valuable advice and information that will save you time, energy, and tears.
If you are lucky enough to be able to adopt your foster child, call the North American Council on Adoptable Children (612-644-3036) and ask them to send you the information packet for adoption assistance for the state of North Carolina. This packet lists eligibility requirements and benefits your child may need. If your child is designated Title IV-E eligible, you can be reimbursed up to $2,000 for costs related to the adoption under the Title IV-E nonrecurring adoption expenses provision. For example, you can be reimbursed for legal fees, medical and psychological evaluations, or adoption-related travel.

Elaine McMichael is a foster parent in Durham, North Carolina.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families