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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 08071990 - 2.1 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA Adopted this Order on August 7, 1990 , by the following vote: AYES: Supervisors Powers, Schroder, McPeak, Torlakson, Fanden NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None ------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------ SUBJECT: Foster Parent Retention The Board received the attached report dated July 19, 1990 from James Rydingsword, Social Services Director, in response to a report dated June 5, 1990 from the Family and Children' s Services Advisory Committee (FACSAC) relative to recruiting and retention of foster parents in Contra Costa County. IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that the attached report is ACCEPTED. cc: Social Services Director County Administrator 1 hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: -4"`'"*1�c a . /990 PHIL BATQKELOR,Clerk of the Board of Supervisors and County Administrator 2- 001 SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT Contra Costa County TO Board of Supervisors DATE July 19 , 1990 FROM Jim Rydingsword SUBJ RETENTION OF FOSTER PARENTS IN CONTRA COSTA COUNTY J� REF FACSAC's Report to the Board of Supervisors and the Social Service Department --------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- On June 5 , 1990, the referenced FACSAC Report was presented to the Board and was then referred to the Social Service Department for response. The FACSAC report notes the Department's self-declared foster care mission; i.e. : "It is our belief that these children shall be given each possible option to grow and develop into well-adjusted, healthy and productive adults. " The Children's Services Bureau continues to hold this belief and strives to achieve it for the children in our system. We are not always successful . The reasons for the lack of success include inadequate Medi-Cal and mental health funding, high caseloads for social workers, inexperienced and untrained social workers, lack of community resources, numerous court requirements and inadequate state funding for foster care payments, licensing and foster parent support services. The Department values foster parents as they continuously give their homes, love and frequently their personal resources to children placed in their homes. Without our foster parents, there would be no foster care system. It is our belief and expectation that foster parents are to be treated with respect and consideration. (See attachment A--Basic Beliefs of Children's Services Bureau. ) The Department plans to take the following actions to further emphasize the manner in which foster parents are to be treated: • Develop, in concert with the Foster Parents Association, a value statement on roles and relationships of foster parents. This statement will be issued to all staff and foster parents. • Utilize foster parents as trainers in the Child Welfare Training Unit (CWTU) . Additionally, curriculum for the CWTU already includes training on the respectful treatment of foster parents. 1 S Board of Supervisors July 19 , 1990 Page 2 . • We have met with the Foster Parents Association and encourage foster parents to discuss any incidents of deviation from policy on respectful treatment of foster parents by social work staff with the supervisor of the worker. RESPONSE TO FACSAC REPORT The FACSAC report provided a series of recommendations on retention of foster parents in Contra Costa County. The recommendations and the Department's responses are detailed below (FACSAC's recommendations are in bold) : A. Better Serving the Interests of Foster Children 1 . Create a permanency plan on schedule: natural parents should complete rehabilitation; they should not have more than 18 months without forfeit; they should demonstrate changed parenting skills; don't have in-home visits by natural parents. The majority of issues identified in this recommendation are determined by state law and the juvenile court. The Department agrees that parents should complete rehabilitation, demonstrate changed parenting skills and, in addition, demonstrate that the child is not at risk if returned home. Generally parents have 12 months, sometimes 18 months, to meet the court-ordered reunification plan. If, in the view of the court, the parent met the court- ordered requirements, the child is returned home'. Occasionally the court has ordered reunification services even after there has been a permanency plan finding. The parents' attorney advocates for the parents' rights, and the court has the responsibility to provide the parents due process. The issue of in-home visits by natural parents is a complicated one, and the views expressed by some foster parents in the survey does not represent all foster parents. The majority of the foster parents do object to natural parents knowing the foster parent's address immediately after a child is placed in their home on an emergency basis. County Counsel advises the Department that we must notify parents of the whereabouts of their children unless we have a court order allowing us to withhold the address. The Department has discussed this issue with foster parents and is currently redrafting a revised policy for County Counsel review which allows for non-disclosure of foster parents' addresses in specified situations. The statewide Board of Supervisors July 19 , 1990 Page 3 Foster Parent Association has introduced legislation to address this issue. 2 . Review alternate foster child placement systems that prevent warehousing. Consider contracting the service out to a nonprofit provider. The Department is currently using some nonprofit foster care providers for specialized populations; i.e. , FamiliesFirst Fragile Infant Program, FamiliesFirst Treatment Foster Homes, Children's Garden's Specialized Foster Homes and Casey Foundation. State program regulations ao not provide for contracting out the entire child placement system. The Department must retain case Management responsibility. 3 . Drop the constraints on placement regarding race and ethnicity as it perpetuates the shortage of foster parents and denies County realities. In discussing the issue with the Foster Parents Association, their issue is one of adoption and long-term placement of children. Their concern is regarding the Department's past practice of placing children of African- American ancestry for adoption or long-term foster care in only African-American homes. This issue is a sensitive one requiring thoughtful consideration. Generally, we believe children should be placed in homes of similar race and ethnicity. We also are committed to finding permanent adoptive homes for those children who cannot be returned to .their parents. A task force has been formed to make recommendations to the Department on this critical issue. The task force is comprised of social workers, foster parents and a FACSAC representative. Their report is due mid September. B. Increase Support for the Foster Parent 1 . Perform the regulated professional duties as required by law. Have the Bureau honor its mission to serve the children. The recommendation is a worthwhile one and one we strive to do daily. Until all Children's Services social worker positions are filled, we will not be making all visits required on each case. Although state regulations do not require monthly visits with all foster children, we agree monthly visits are a good practice and helpful to foster_ parents and the foster child. We agree it is critical for social workers to provide foster parents with correct and complete information on the Board of Supervisors July 19 , 1990 Page 4 children in their foster home. A draft form to be provided to all foster parents when a child is placed is being "tested" by our Child Welfare Training Unit. The "testing" of the form is to assess not only content, but effectiveness of the form. We are also asking foster parents and placement staff to review the form. Once it is adopted, foster parents will have correct, complete and current information about children in their care. 2 . Require the documentation of completed training or education by all foster care workers in the areas of child development and development patterns and psychopathology of special population children. We believe specialized training as suggested by FACSAC is critical for all Children's Services workers, not just those in foster care. For those social workers who have their MSW, child development is part of their professional training. For those staff who do not have their MSWs, the need to have training in normal child growth and development and psychopathology is being addressed in the following ways: a. Both issues are addressed in the curriculum of the new Child Welfare Training Unit; and, b. A Children's Services Training Committee chaired by Bill .Weidinger has been charged with developing recommendations for core curriculum for all Children's Services staff. When the curriculum is identified, training will be mandatory for all staff in areas of identified core curriculum. 3. Adjust pay scales to more closely approximate actual costs to foster parents and to attenuate the loss of parents to competitors. Enable foster parents to directly inquire about payment status. The State Department of Social Services sets foster care rates and COLAs. Foster parents are able to directly inquire about payment status. If after discussion with the social worker the foster parent still has questions or is dissatisfied, they should contact the supervisor or division manager of the person immediately. 4. Assist foster parents with clothing and diaper expenses that often strain a family's budget while waiting for the first month's check. Board of Supervisors July 19, 1990 Page 5 At the current time there is no mechanism for a voucher system. The Department will explore the possibility and feasibility of such a system. Many of our emergency foster homes receive a box of Pampers and receiving blanket when babies are placed directly from the hospital . Volunteer Services in some parts of the County provide this important service. We will request Volunteer Services to provide the service Countywide to emergency foster homes. The Foster Parents Association has established a used- clothes exchange, and it is available for all foster parents. The used-clothing exchange has sizes for children aged 0-18 years. 5. After foster care program's needs are identified and prioritized, seek specific volunteer help to accomplish many of the suggestions contained in this report. Tap the resources in the community for help. We agree with this recommendation. C. Information Support 1. Actively seek and incorporate child-related information from foster parents. Make them partners in planning and verify that they perceive themselves to be valuable. Establish and preserve a two-way line of communication between foster parents and the Social Service Department. We agree with this recommendation. Action was taken several months ago to have veteran foster parents participate in the Social Service Department's orientation for prospective foster parents. Additionally, the Department developed and is in the process of implementing a pilot project in the minority community. We will contract with minority foster parents to recruit foster homes and adoptive homes in the black churches using the successful "one church one home" approach. 2. Upgrade the completeness and accuracy of information available to new foster parents. FACSAC has identified some creative ways to ensure foster parents have accurate information. We will request FACSAC to assist the Department in this endeavor by assuming responsibility for assembling a videotape lending library for foster parents. The Department will discuss funding alternatives with the Chair of FACSAC. The Department agrees that additional training courses need to be developed for foster parents. The Department will assign the Foster Care Developer to meet with foster Board of Supervisors July 19 , 1990 Page 6 parents interested in identifying core and specialized training needs, and we will utilize the listing in the development of training. Social workers and foster parents joined together for two consecutive years for an annual training retreat. We will continue this joint venture and increase the number of Social Service Department staff attending. FACSAC, the Foster Parents Association and the Social Service Department have agreed to sponsor and plan a one-day training for foster parents and social workers. 3 . Update the list of resources and services available to foster families periodically, specifically attempting to equalize the distribution of medical providers across regions in the County. FACSAC's recommendation to advocate for changes in Medi- Cal coverage is laudatory, however we believe these changes will only occur by legislative change. We recommend FACSAC take an advocacy role in this endeavor and encourage the state Foster Parent Association to assist. The Department will recommend to the CAO to have this issue addressed in the County's next legislative package. 4 . Create a history ("rap") sheet on each foster child, relying on foster parents for updates. Give that record to the parent at each new placement. We agree with this recommendation. The foster parent form discussed on page three will provide the necessary information. D. Mental Health and Civil Rights Support 1. Respite to protect sanity of foster parents and ensure quality care for the child. • Again we concur with this need. Because of our commitment to this, we have joined three other Bay Area counties to apply for a SDSS grant to provide respite care to foster parents. The grant will not pay for emergency care while a foster parent is visiting another child in the hospital, but will cover for weekend and vacation respite. The Department will explore possible funding of SDE Child Care Vendor Program. 2. In collaboration with foster parents, plan and sponsor events that bring several foster families together; e.g. , picnics, to reduce the isolation families experience and to promote networking. y - Board of Supervisors July 19 , 1990 Page 7 Our new recruitment plan assigns two staff joint responsibility for recruitment and development functions. The Foster Care Developers will be asked to assume responsibilities for developing or supplementing regional foster parent support activities (see Attachment B) . 3 . Explore ways to fund ongoing support groups for foster parents. Foster Parents Association currently sponsors support groups in each part of the County. This issue will be discussed with the Foster Parents Association Executive Committee at the next quarterly meeting of the Foster Parents Association Executive Team and the Children's Services Administrative Team. We will explore the possibility of a community organization, such as Crisis and . Suicide Prevention or Family Stress Center, sponsoring and facilitating such groups. 4 . Protect foster parents' rights by not disclosing their address or phone number to natural parents immediately after removal of a child by CPS. This issue was addressed on page two. We will continue to explore possible modifications to policy within County Counsel interpretation. E. Respect Foster Parents as Professional Partners 1 . Compel social workers to interact with foster parents in a way that leads those parents to report feeling that they are valued members of a professional team. The Department cannot hold staff accountable for acceptable treatment of foster parents solely on basis of anonymous complaints. Social workers also have the right, as do foster parents, of due process and have the right to know who is accusing them so they can respond to the complaint. If a foster parent is treated badly, s/he must be willing to discuss the incident with administrative staff. Until foster parents are willing to discuss the incident, the Department will not be able to successfully address the problem. 2 . Create a master foster parent, or support specialist, (similar to Illinois' Master Foster Parent Program) or employ a veteran parent to assist with the orientation, resolve problems, keep the Department informed about foster parent concerns and to be "on call" for helping peers. Board of supervisors July 19, 1990 Page 8 The Department will obtain information on the Illinois program and consider implementation of such a program. 3 . Brainstorm ways to meet both the parents' need to be listened to and the conflicting workers' need to place too many children. The Department will continue to consider ways to address foster parents' needs to be listened to. Also, we will discuss this with the Foster Parents Association and individual foster parents. Until sufficient in-home services are available to prevent removal and placement of children in foster care, there will continue to be large numbers of children to place and few resources to place them in. CONCLUSION It is of concern that 21 of the 42 foster parents completing the survey do not feel they receive adequate support by Social Service staff and that .18 foster parents responded they do not feel valued by staff. It is also troubling that 31 foster - parents feel they have too little contact with the worker. The conditions leading to the foster parents' dissatisfaction will not be changed without training and additional staff with time available to spend with foster parents. We are committed to improving the treatment of foster parents and the system of care for foster children. We will work with staff, foster parents and FACSAC to­ensure there continues to be improvements in the Service Delivery System. JR:ceb Attachment a:retenfp.sup m-disk 44 Attachment A BASIC BELIEFS ♦ Every child deserves to grow up in a home, free from abuse or neglect. ♦ Cultivating strengths in families is a more powerful approach to helping than focusing on negative behavior. ♦ A nurturing, supportive family is a life-long need. Weakening of the unique bond between parent and child poses harm to the child. Parents and family are a resource to children through adulthood. When it is necessary to separate children from families , the staff of the Children's Bureau is committed to reunite families as soon as the child's safety is assured. ♦ Family and heritage are extremely important to a child. Relatives can often help in ways that no one else can. ♦ Families are entitled to careful consideration of indications of danger to their child. They are entitled to hear how we believe they are endangering their child and what they need to do to correct the problem(s) . Family strengths and weaknesses and the long-term importance of family bonds will be considered at all times in making evaluations of and recommendations to the family. ♦ Children have the right to safe care outside their own home when it is necessary to place them. The Children's Bureau has the responsibility for assuring safe care. ♦ Foster parents are valued members of the Foster Care System of the Children's Bureau and will be treated with respect, courtesy and dignity. ♦ Children have a right to quickly gain a permanent and nurturing alternative family when their own proves unsafe for every day is confusing and frightening to a child. ♦ When an alternative family is required, it is important that, whenever possible, the selected family reflect the child's ethnic heritage. ♦ The people that form the Children's Bureau are the greatest strength of the Bureau. The excellence of service provided our clients is dependent on an exceptional staff, enthusiastic leadership and teamwork. We expect every staff member to be client oriented, empathetic and professional ; to maintain a , high standard of integrity, honesty and open communication; to be flexible, mature and respectful in the delivery of service. a:bscbelfs.cw m-disk 35 Attachment B SOCIAL SERVICE DEPARTMENT Contra Costa County TO All Children's Services Staff DATE May 15 , 1990 FROM Rose Mann i Bureau Chief cc SUET FOSTER CARE ECRUITMENT PLAN FOR 1990 We are currently experiencing a critical shortage of foster homes , especially in the black community in the west end of the County. In order to remedy this situation, the Children's Services Administrative Team has devised a recruitment plan of action to increase the number of foster homes Countywide. The Licensing program is composed of four and one-half Licensing Workers and two Casework Specialist positions 'designated as Recruiter/Complaint Investigator and Developer Trainer. One and one-half Licensing positions are currently located in our Hilltop office; the remainder of the staff operates from our Muir Road office in Martinez . The following is our proposed plan of action. 1. Effective June 1, 1990, the Recruiter/Complaint Investigator position and the Developer Trainer position will be redesignated as two Recruiter/Developer positions. i 2 . Esther Gordon will be assigned to West County and will join our Licensing staff in the Hilltop office. 3 . Jan McDonald will be assigned to Central/East County and ' will be located in' the Martinez Licensing unit. 4 . The procedure for foster home complaints will be: a. Serious allocations of abuse/neglect in a foster home will be investigated by the ER staff in the appropriate office. b. Lesser complaints regarding facility violations or minor offenses (such as supervision) will be handled by the Licensing staff. 5. There are unique problems in the west end of our County, and careful attention must be given to minority recruitment. We plan to enlist the help of interested minority staff to aid us in our minority foster home recruitment, specifically _ targeting the black community. Minority staff could participate in orientation and training as well as speaking to churches and service organization in West County. Limited overtime or adjusted time will be given to assist us in this endeavor. In addition, we plan to obtain contracts with our foster parents (a minimum of two for each area of the County) who J All Children's Services Staff , May 15 , 1990 Page 2 will be paid to assist with our foster care recruitment, orientation/training and speaking engagements throughout the County. At the present time our primary target will be West County and our black community. If this technique is successful , it may be expanded to other areas of the County. 6 . We will combine our orientation meetings and pre-service meetings into a more cohesive presentation. There will be two meetings per month in each district combining elements of orientations and training. This will result in a reduction from eight to six Countywide meetings thus allowing more staff participation. A panel of staff members and foster parents will moderate these meetings. 7 . Our networking with the school system will be expanded. Beginning in West County, the Recruiter/Developer will become our liaison with the school districts. We currently work only with the foster care trainer at the community college level. This will be expanded to working with Early Childhood Development classes, perhaps offering one-day workshops three or four times per year. Another avenue will be working with the adult education programs throughout the County. We will begin in West County and have a workshop offered quarterly. Adult education information is mailed to every home in the area, so this will also be free advertising! 8 . Our monthly meeting schedule will be listed on community service channels throughout the County. 9. We will have "waiting child" columns once a week in the West and Central/East Contra Costa Times. (We will use fictitious scenarios of children so as not to break confidentiality. ) 10 . The Recruiter/Developer will visit newly licensed foster homes shortly after licensing to ensure proper placement and a feeling of team support with the Agency. 11 . As time allows , the Recruiter/Developer will visit homes who give up foster care licenses within 30 days of closure in order to conduct an exit interview. We hope that this plan will ensure a significant increase in the number of foster homes in our County. The success of our plan will rely on your continued support as we strive to "survive" this foster care crisis. RM:ceb a:fcrecrt.stf m-disk 43