Ins and Outs of Foster Care

Ins and Outs of Ins and Outs of Foster CareFoster Care

Presented by Jane Wusik MSPresented by Jane Wusik MS

Program Director Necco Program Director Necco Foster CareFoster Care

OutlineOutline

• Overview Of The SystemOverview Of The System• Foster Parent InformationFoster Parent Information• Referral ProcessReferral Process• Who To ContactWho To Contact• Differences In Ohio And KentuckyDifferences In Ohio And Kentucky• Psycho/Social IssuesPsycho/Social Issues• Changes In Foster CareChanges In Foster Care

Overview of the systemOverview of the system

• Each year 32,000 children are Each year 32,000 children are removed from homes due to abuse removed from homes due to abuse and/or neglect. This is enough and/or neglect. This is enough children to fill half of Paul Brown children to fill half of Paul Brown Stadium.Stadium.


• Types of foster homesTypes of foster homes– Family foster homesFamily foster homes

• Caregivers have no previous experience with childrenCaregivers have no previous experience with children• Caregivers participate in 36 hours of pre-service training Caregivers participate in 36 hours of pre-service training • Caregivers participate in 40 hours of ongoing trainingCaregivers participate in 40 hours of ongoing training• Foster home is re-certified every two yearsFoster home is re-certified every two years

– Treatment foster homesTreatment foster homes• Caregivers have at least two years experience with Caregivers have at least two years experience with

children through foster care, education, employment etc.children through foster care, education, employment etc.• Caregivers participate in 36 hours of pre-service trainingCaregivers participate in 36 hours of pre-service training• Caregivers participate in 60 hours of ongoing trainingCaregivers participate in 60 hours of ongoing training• Foster home is re-certified every two yearsFoster home is re-certified every two years


• Types of agenciesTypes of agencies– County agenciesCounty agencies

• Maintain custody of youth who were removed from their Maintain custody of youth who were removed from their county regardless of where they are placed.county regardless of where they are placed.

• Hold custody of the youth while they are involved with Hold custody of the youth while they are involved with the systemthe system

• Issue medical cards for the youthIssue medical cards for the youth• Workers are considered to be the guardians of the youth Workers are considered to be the guardians of the youth

and have to have a bachelors degree.and have to have a bachelors degree.• Can recommend homes for licensure, typically for a Can recommend homes for licensure, typically for a

family foster homefamily foster home• Butler County Children Services, Hamilton County Butler County Children Services, Hamilton County

Childrens Services, Clermont County Childrens ServicesChildrens Services, Clermont County Childrens Services


• Types of agencies cont.Types of agencies cont.– Private agenciesPrivate agencies

• Do not hold custody of the youth while they are Do not hold custody of the youth while they are in carein care

• Cannot issue medical cards for the youthCannot issue medical cards for the youth• Workers are not considered to be the guardians Workers are not considered to be the guardians

of the youth and have to have a bachelors degree of the youth and have to have a bachelors degree plus a license.plus a license.

• Can recommend homes for licensure, typically for Can recommend homes for licensure, typically for a treatment foster homea treatment foster home

• Necco, Focus on Youth, Lifeway, St. Joe’s Necco, Focus on Youth, Lifeway, St. Joe’s OrphanageOrphanage

Foster parent Foster parent informationinformation

• Certification processCertification process– Caregivers have to attend 36 hours of pre-Caregivers have to attend 36 hours of pre-

service trainingservice training– Pre-service training is offered on Wednesday Pre-service training is offered on Wednesday

afternoon, Thursday evenings and every other afternoon, Thursday evenings and every other SaturdaySaturday

– Classes consist of:Classes consist of:• Orientation and overview of agency policies and Orientation and overview of agency policies and

proceduresprocedures• Team building/foster caregivers participation in Team building/foster caregivers participation in

permanency planning for children and their familiespermanency planning for children and their families


• Certification processCertification process– Pre-service classes continuedPre-service classes continued

• Abuse and neglect and the impact on child Abuse and neglect and the impact on child developmentdevelopment

• Attachment and separationAttachment and separation• Discipline and behavior managementDiscipline and behavior management• Cultural issues in placement/ MEPACultural issues in placement/ MEPA• Working with primary familiesWorking with primary families• Effects of care giving on the familyEffects of care giving on the family


• Certification processCertification process– Pre service classes continuedPre service classes continued

• First aid/CPR/Prevention, recognition, and First aid/CPR/Prevention, recognition, and management of communicable diseasesmanagement of communicable diseases

• Independent living/ Community Health and Independent living/ Community Health and social services available to children and social services available to children and familiesfamilies

• Foster parent handbook and rights and Foster parent handbook and rights and responsibilities of foster caregiversresponsibilities of foster caregivers

– These classes are the same for treatment These classes are the same for treatment foster homes with the addition of:foster homes with the addition of:


• Certification processCertification process– These pre service classes are the same These pre service classes are the same

for treatment foster homes with the for treatment foster homes with the addition of:addition of:• De-escalationDe-escalation• Treatment care givingTreatment care giving• Educational advocacyEducational advocacy

Foster parent Foster parent information information

• Certification process Certification process – Submit to a federal, state and local Submit to a federal, state and local

background checksbackground checks– Submit to a medical exam by a doctorSubmit to a medical exam by a doctor– Participate in the home study process, Participate in the home study process,

which can take up to 30 hours. which can take up to 30 hours. • Home study process consists of interviews Home study process consists of interviews

regarding life history, family history, regarding life history, family history, employment, layout of the homeemployment, layout of the home


• Post certificationPost certification– Depending on the type of home the Depending on the type of home the

foster parent was certified for they have foster parent was certified for they have to participate in a specified amount of to participate in a specified amount of ongoing training.ongoing training.

– Family foster homes Family foster homes • 40 hours of ongoing training within 2 years40 hours of ongoing training within 2 years• Required classes consist ofRequired classes consist of

– Cultural diversity/MEPACultural diversity/MEPA– First Aid/CPRFirst Aid/CPR


• Post certificationPost certification• Required classes continuedRequired classes continued

– Foster caregiver handbook trainingFoster caregiver handbook training– Independent living/life book trainingIndependent living/life book training– Safety in the homeSafety in the home


• Post certificationPost certification– Treatment foster homeTreatment foster home

• 60 hours of ongoing training60 hours of ongoing training• Required classes are the same as family Required classes are the same as family

homes with the addition of:homes with the addition of:– De-escalation re fresherDe-escalation re fresher– Education advocacyEducation advocacy


• Post certificationPost certification– Additional training topics can include Additional training topics can include

but are not limited to:but are not limited to:• Abuse/neglect issuesAbuse/neglect issues• Educational advocacyEducational advocacy• Behavior management techniquesBehavior management techniques• Life booksLife books• Developmental stagesDevelopmental stages• Substance abuse issuesSubstance abuse issues• Recognizing symptoms of abuseRecognizing symptoms of abuse


• Post certificationPost certification– Additional topics continuedAdditional topics continued

• Reactive attachment disorderReactive attachment disorder• Conduct disorderConduct disorder• ADD/ADHDADD/ADHD• Psychotropic and other prescription Psychotropic and other prescription

medicationsmedications• Documentation instructionsDocumentation instructions• Rules and regulations reviewRules and regulations review• Increasing self-esteemIncreasing self-esteem• Specific issues relating to treatment foster Specific issues relating to treatment foster

childrenchildren


• Post certification continuedPost certification continued– Necco offers ongoing training once a month, Necco offers ongoing training once a month,

the last Monday or Thursday of the month.the last Monday or Thursday of the month.– Food and childcare are provided for the Food and childcare are provided for the

foster parentsfoster parents– Necco receives payment from the state for Necco receives payment from the state for

providing these trainings to foster parentsproviding these trainings to foster parents– Foster Parents are paid a small allowance Foster Parents are paid a small allowance

for attending the training, $10 per hour.for attending the training, $10 per hour.


• Foster parent paymentFoster parent payment– Foster parents are paid twice a month.Foster parents are paid twice a month.– Foster parents are typically paid two Foster parents are typically paid two

rates depending on the type of child they rates depending on the type of child they accept for placement.accept for placement.• Non-Therapeutic foster youthNon-Therapeutic foster youth

– Minimal issues, typically 0-7 years old, don’t Minimal issues, typically 0-7 years old, don’t participate in therapy or take psychotropic participate in therapy or take psychotropic medications.medications.

– Foster parents are typically paid $25 per day to Foster parents are typically paid $25 per day to care for these youth. This includes transportation, care for these youth. This includes transportation, clothing, and food.clothing, and food.


• Therapeutic or treatment foster youthTherapeutic or treatment foster youth– More profound issues such as medical, emotional More profound issues such as medical, emotional

or educational. Typically older than 7 although or educational. Typically older than 7 although children younger than 7 can be considered children younger than 7 can be considered treatment. Typically participate in therapy treatment. Typically participate in therapy and/or are prescribed psychotropic medications. and/or are prescribed psychotropic medications.

– Foster parents are typically paid $35 a day to Foster parents are typically paid $35 a day to care for these youth. This includes their care for these youth. This includes their transportation needs, clothing and food. transportation needs, clothing and food.

Referral processReferral process• County agencies receive information County agencies receive information

regarding neglect and abuse from schools, regarding neglect and abuse from schools, neighbors, police, etc.neighbors, police, etc.

• An investigation is completed by the counties An investigation is completed by the counties or the police and a conclusion is made either to or the police and a conclusion is made either to remove the children or leave them in the home.remove the children or leave them in the home.

• If the children are removed from the home the If the children are removed from the home the county looks for a foster home.county looks for a foster home.

• Typically the county sends the referral to their Typically the county sends the referral to their own foster homes, typically family homes.own foster homes, typically family homes.

• If no foster home can be found the referral is If no foster home can be found the referral is sent to the private agencies, typically sent to the private agencies, typically treatment homes.treatment homes.

Referral processReferral process• Necco receives the referral and utilizes a Necco receives the referral and utilizes a

matching process with the treatment team to matching process with the treatment team to match the youth with a home that can meet match the youth with a home that can meet the youths needs.the youths needs.

• If placement is found a per diem is negotiated If placement is found a per diem is negotiated between the county and the private agency.between the county and the private agency.

• An intake is coordinated between the county, An intake is coordinated between the county, private agency and the foster family.private agency and the foster family.

• Intake paperwork is completed typically in the Intake paperwork is completed typically in the foster home.foster home.

• Youth receives a health screening and a Youth receives a health screening and a mental health screening with in 48 hours of mental health screening with in 48 hours of placement.placement.

Referral processReferral process

• Private agency case worker and County Private agency case worker and County case worker coordinate services for the case worker coordinate services for the youth such as school enrollment, therapy youth such as school enrollment, therapy services, med/som evaluations, medical services, med/som evaluations, medical services and visitation.services and visitation.

• County case worker has the ability to County case worker has the ability to authorize and sign off on services.authorize and sign off on services.

• Private agency case worker has the Private agency case worker has the ability to coordinate these services ability to coordinate these services between the foster parent, provider and between the foster parent, provider and the county.the county.

Who to contactWho to contact• The county worker is considered the guardian The county worker is considered the guardian

of the child and authorizes who the private of the child and authorizes who the private agencies can share information with regarding agencies can share information with regarding the childthe child

• The county worker can sign off on The county worker can sign off on authorizations for treatment, such as medical authorizations for treatment, such as medical and genetic testing.and genetic testing.

• The private agency can give out information The private agency can give out information regarding the name, address and phone regarding the name, address and phone number of the county worker.number of the county worker.

• It is best to start with contacting the county It is best to start with contacting the county worker directly. If you are unable to get a worker directly. If you are unable to get a quick response contact the private agency quick response contact the private agency case worker, they may be able to assist you.case worker, they may be able to assist you.

Differences in Ohio and Differences in Ohio and KentuckyKentucky

• Ohio is a county based system. Ohio is a county based system. – Guardians of the children are referred to Guardians of the children are referred to

as county workers.as county workers.– Each individual county has different Each individual county has different

contracts with each individual provider. contracts with each individual provider. This can mean differences in payment This can mean differences in payment and services provided to children and and services provided to children and foster parents.foster parents.

– Youth are not allowed to obtain a drivers Youth are not allowed to obtain a drivers license while in the custody of the county.license while in the custody of the county.

Differences in Ohio and Differences in Ohio and KentuckyKentucky

• Kentucky is a state based systemKentucky is a state based system– Guardians of the children are referred to Guardians of the children are referred to

as state workersas state workers– Payment is standardized across the state Payment is standardized across the state

and between private and state agenciesand between private and state agencies– Youth are allowed to obtain a drivers Youth are allowed to obtain a drivers

license while in the custody of the state, license while in the custody of the state, typically if they re-commit after turning typically if they re-commit after turning 18.18.

Psycho/Social IssuesPsycho/Social Issues• 67% of youth who age out of the foster care 67% of youth who age out of the foster care

system are in jail, homeless or dead by their 19system are in jail, homeless or dead by their 19thth birthday.birthday.

• Youth who are in the custody of the state of Ohio Youth who are in the custody of the state of Ohio are not allowed to obtain their drivers license.are not allowed to obtain their drivers license.

• Youth are not allowed to spend the night at Youth are not allowed to spend the night at anyone’s house unless members over the age of anyone’s house unless members over the age of 18 submit to a federal, state and local 18 submit to a federal, state and local background check.background check.

• Youth typically are moved from home to home so Youth typically are moved from home to home so they lack stability in their home life as well as at they lack stability in their home life as well as at school.school.

• Youth in foster care typically have difficulty Youth in foster care typically have difficulty attaching to peers and adults.attaching to peers and adults.

Psycho/Social IssuesPsycho/Social Issues

• All medications must be kept in a lockbox in All medications must be kept in a lockbox in the foster home. Foster parents have to the foster home. Foster parents have to administer medications to the foster youth.administer medications to the foster youth.

• Youth are not allowed to ride with anyone in Youth are not allowed to ride with anyone in the car who is not over the age of 21 and the car who is not over the age of 21 and needs to produce a copy of their drivers needs to produce a copy of their drivers license and car insurance.license and car insurance.

• Agencies make every effort possible to place Agencies make every effort possible to place sibling groups together. Sometimes this is not sibling groups together. Sometimes this is not possible and sibling groups have to be split possible and sibling groups have to be split between two homes.between two homes.

Psycho/Social IssuesPsycho/Social Issues

• At times youth are removed from their At times youth are removed from their homes unexpectedly and come into care homes unexpectedly and come into care without any of their belongings.without any of their belongings.

• Youth are missing their own clothing, Youth are missing their own clothing, toys, blankets, and pillows. They are toys, blankets, and pillows. They are scared and unsure of their surroundings.scared and unsure of their surroundings.

• Typically they have to stay at the county Typically they have to stay at the county office until a placement can be found.office until a placement can be found.

• Youth have been removed/moved from Youth have been removed/moved from home to home in the middle of the night.home to home in the middle of the night.

Changes in foster careChanges in foster care• Major changes have been implemented in the foster Major changes have been implemented in the foster

care system since the death of Marcus Fiesel in August care system since the death of Marcus Fiesel in August of 2006.of 2006.– Rule and regulation changes are occurring weeklyRule and regulation changes are occurring weekly– Changes are occurring on the state level as well as with the Changes are occurring on the state level as well as with the

individual county agencies.individual county agencies.– Hamilton county requires Foster parents to fill out a release Hamilton county requires Foster parents to fill out a release

form so daily local background checks can be runform so daily local background checks can be run– Butler county requires Necco to visit therapeutic foster children Butler county requires Necco to visit therapeutic foster children

weekly with one of the visits being unannouncedweekly with one of the visits being unannounced– Clermont county only requires Necco to visit therapeutic foster Clermont county only requires Necco to visit therapeutic foster

children three times per month.children three times per month.• More intensive process to become a foster parent.More intensive process to become a foster parent.• Have to submit to yearly FBI, BCII and local checks. Have to submit to yearly FBI, BCII and local checks.

Prior only had to submit to BCII checks every two years. Prior only had to submit to BCII checks every two years. FBI’s were required only if lived outside of the state FBI’s were required only if lived outside of the state within the last 5 years.within the last 5 years.

Changes in foster careChanges in foster care

• More intensive process to become a More intensive process to become a foster parent.foster parent.– Have to submit to yearly FBI, BCII and Have to submit to yearly FBI, BCII and

local checks. local checks. – Prior only had to submit to BCII checks Prior only had to submit to BCII checks

every two years. every two years. – FBI’s were required only if lived outside FBI’s were required only if lived outside

of the state within the last 5 years.of the state within the last 5 years.


• Home study process has become more Home study process has become more intense and invasive for foster parents.intense and invasive for foster parents.– 1349 versus the 16731349 versus the 1673– 1673 used to be required for adoptions and 1673 used to be required for adoptions and

the 1349 was used for foster care. Now the 1349 was used for foster care. Now 1673 is used for adoptions as well as foster 1673 is used for adoptions as well as foster care.care.

– Central registry checks are required yearly Central registry checks are required yearly for all adults in the home over the age of 18for all adults in the home over the age of 18• Central registry notifies agencies of any cases of Central registry notifies agencies of any cases of

substantiated abuse or neglect against the substantiated abuse or neglect against the foster parentsfoster parents


• New transfer rule went into effect on 12/11/06New transfer rule went into effect on 12/11/06– Foster parents are not allowed to “agency hop”Foster parents are not allowed to “agency hop”– They can only transfer once during the certification They can only transfer once during the certification

period, which is two yearsperiod, which is two years– Foster parents are not allowed to transfer if there is Foster parents are not allowed to transfer if there is

an open investigation or corrective action against an open investigation or corrective action against them.them.

– There is more communication between agencies There is more communication between agencies when a foster family is in the process of transferringwhen a foster family is in the process of transferring

– Foster parents can only initiate/request one transfer Foster parents can only initiate/request one transfer in a certification period or two yearsin a certification period or two years

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Ins and Outs of Foster Care

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