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Most agencies now require the completion of numerous training hours to become licensed foster parents to care for children. In Michigan, parents who want to foster children for the Department of Human Services are expected to complete nine PRIDE classes. Each class is about three hours long, which is quite an initial time commitment for two active parents. One of the sessions addresses the agencies expectations of foster parents in the reunification plan. While many foster parents pursue licensing with the hope of adopting a foster child, the agency makes it clear that the initial goal is almost always reunification. Foster parents are considered part of the “foster care team.” They are expected to assist the agency in meeting service plan goals for reunification. The foster parents’ assigned goals vary somewhat depending on the age, developmental level, and needs of the foster child. Their progress towards achieving their assigned goals or services is reviewed every 90 days by the court at the review hearings.
The first goal for foster parents to achieve on our agency’s service plan is an initial physical and dental exam. The agency appreciates foster parents scheduling these quickly, so information gathered about physical abuse or neglect can be presented to the court at the adjudication (initial) hearing. If severe evidence is found, the goal at the initial hearing could be changed to termination of parental rights. After the initial examinations, the foster parents are expected to secure routine physical and dental exams at least yearly and assure that immunizations are up to date.
The foster parent must ensure that their foster children are available for parenting time. The foster parent must also make sure that children are available to meet at least monthly with the foster care worker, quarterly with the assigned attorney (GAL), and any other scheduled appointments. The foster parent needs to make sure school age children attend school. They also need to encourage educational and developmental progress and allow the parents to participate when appropriate. The foster parent is expected to provide transportation for the child to activities and visits just as they would for a child of their own.
Each child’s need for discipline or behavior management is different depending on age, developmental level, and special needs. No foster care agency allows corporal punishment (spanking). For children who have suffered trauma, abuse, or neglect, spanking won’t be effective anyway. These children have learned to disassociate from the experience rendering it useless. The foster care worker needs to agree on the management plan and has to be notified if changes are necessary.
The foster parents need to continue to develop the child’s cultural identity by encouraging participation in the community and cultural events. Those fostering teenagers are expected to teach life skills to prepare teenagers for independent living. Teenagers should be taught to budget, wash their laundry, cook, grocery shop, and clean house.
There are foster parents who do not do all of these things. Some are allowed to continue fostering because there is a shortage of foster parents, especially for teenagers and large sibling groups. However, workers, families, and foster children appreciate foster parents who do everything they can to help their foster children succeed. I should note that the children are not initially appreciative. However, as adults, many return and acknowledge what was done for them.
The Permanency Planning Meeting for Your Foster Child
The Adjudication Hearing Placing a Child in Foster Care
The Review Hearing for Your Foster Child
The Parents’ Reunification Goals When Their Children Are in Foster Care
Foster Child Goals for Reunification
Photo Credit: 2007 Julia Fuller.
