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Vol. 7, No. 2 May 2003
NC
Foster Parents Association Proposes Foster Parents Bill of Rights
The North
Carolina Foster Parents Association is urging state legislators to consider
passing the following Foster Parent Bill of Rights. Several other states,
including Tennessee, have such bills. If you have feedback about the
following proposed rights, which have not yet been endorsed by the legislature
or made into law, contact the N.C. Foster
Parents Association.
Proposed
Foster Parents Bill of Rights
WHEREAS
foster parents provide a critical service to the State of North Carolina
caring for thousands of foster children every year, and WHEREAS foster
parents allow the State of North Carolina substantial financial saving
each year through providing care to children at extremely low cost to
the state, 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 there is
a need for statewide uniformity in the effective application of foster
care in North Carolina, now therefore, the North Carolina State Foster
Parents Association encourages the passage of this Foster Parent Bill
of Rights Act.
Foster Parenting
is not a lifetime commitment to a child, but a commitment to make it
meaningful during a childs lifetime.
North
Carolinas Proposed Foster Parent Bill of Rights Act
- The department and private
contractors 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.
- The department and private
contractors shall provide the foster parent(s) with a clear explanation
and understanding of the role the department, private contractors,
and birth family members will play in the care of children in foster
care.
- The 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.
- The foster parent(s)
shall be provided training and support for the purpose of improving
their skills in providing daily care and meeting the special needs
of the child in foster care.
- Prior to the placement
of a child with foster care parent(s), the department or private confractors
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.
- The department and private
contractors shall provide a means by which the foster parent(s) can
contact the department twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days
a week for the purpose of receiving departmental assistance.
- The department and private
contractors shall provide the foster parent(s) timely, adequate financial
reimbursement for the quality and knowledgeable care of a child in
foster care, as specified by 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.
- The department and private
contractors 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)
the department or private contractors shall include, but is not limited
to, all information regarding the childs contact with the childs
birth family and cultural heritage, if so outlined.
- Prior to placement,
the department and private contractors 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, the department
or private contractors shall provide such information as it becomes
available.
- The department and private
contractors shall permit foster parent(s) to refuse placement within
their home, or to request upon notice to the department or private
contractors, the removal of a child from his or her home for good
reason, without threat of reprisal, unless otherwise stipulated by
contract or policy.
- The department and private
contractors 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 other pertinent meetings.
- The department and private
contractors shall inform foster parent(s) of decisions made by the
courts or the child welfare agency concerning the child.
- The department and private
contractors shall solicit the input of foster parent(s) concerning
the plan of services for the child; this input shall be considered
in the departments ongoing development of the plan.
- The department and private
contractors shall permit, through written consent, 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.
- The department and private
contractors shall provide information regarding the child and the
childs family background and health history in a timely manner
to the foster parent(s).
- The department and private
contractors shall notify 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 hearing and the name
of the judge or hearing officer hearing the case. Such notification
shall be made upon the departments private contractors 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.
- The department and private
contractors shall provide upon request by the foster parent(s) information
regarding the childs progress after the child leaves foster
care. Information provided shall only be provided from information
already in possession of the department or private contractors at
the time of the request.
- The department and private
contractors 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).
- The department and private
contractors 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 or other
permanent placement.
- The department and private
contractors shall consider the foster family as a placement option
when a foster child who was previously placed with the foster parent(s)
is to be reentered into foster care.
- The department and private
contractors shall permit the foster parent(s) a period of respite
(free from placement of foster children) in said familys home
with follow-up contacts by the agency occurring a minimum of every
two (2) months. The foster parent(s) shall provide the department
or private contractors with information regarding their need for respite.
- Child abuse/neglect
investigations involving the foster parent(s) shall be investigated
pursuant to the departments or private contractors child protective
services policy and procedures. A child protective service case manager
from another county shall be assigned investigative responsibility.
- Removal of a foster
child will occur pursuant to North Carolina codes and departmental
policy and procedures. The department shall permit the Foster Allegation
Support Team (FAST) volunteers to be educated concerning the procedures
relevant to investigations of alleged abuse and neglect by the department
and the rights of 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 item shall be construed to abrogate to the provisions
of North Carolina codes regarding procedures for investigations of
child abuse and neglect and child sexual abuse by the department of
social services and law enforcement agencies.
- The department and private
contractors shall provide the foster parent(s) copies of all information
relative to their family contained in the personal foster home record.
Copyright �
2003 Jordan Institute for Families
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