Foster Care Services Handbook

Transcription

1 Foster Care Services Handbook Motivated by the compassion of Christ, we help people improve the quality of their lives. Janesville Appleton La Crosse Eau Claire 612 N Randall Avenue Janesville, WI (608) Fax: (608) A N. Richmond Street Appleton, WI (920) Fax: (920) South Avenue La Crosse, WI (608) Fax: (608) Clairemont Avenue Eau Claire, WI (715) Fax: (715)

2 Table of Contents Page Welcome 3-4 Licensing Application 5 - FBI Background Check 6 - Annual Updates 7 - License Renewal 7 - Foster Parent Evaluation 8 - Grievance Procedure 8 - Appeal Process 8 Levels of Care Certification Levels 9 - Training Requirements 9-11 Placement Policies and Procedures Matching and Pre-placement Visits 12 - Child and Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment 13 - Placement Treatment Plan 15 - Independent Living Plan 15 - Support Plan Respite 16 - Requesting a Change in Placement Emergency Change in Placement 17 - Successful Discharge and Transition Reporting to LSS Financial Reimbursement Additional Policies and Procedures Transportation Mileage Reimbursement 20 - Driver s License 20 - Medication Management 21 - Mail 21 - Telephone 21 - Computer Confidentiality and Social Networking 22 - Movies/TV/Video Games 22 - Sleepovers 22 Receipt of Manual Form 23 Appendices - PDS Online Access Form - Training Log/Checklist - Media Training Report - Initial Screening for Communicable Diseases - Child File Table of Contents - Crisis/Support Response Guidelines - Respite Provider Agreement - Respite report - Medication Log - Service Log (instructions for completion included) - Incident Report (instructions for completion included) - Foster Child Health Report Ongoing - Health Check - Child s Personal Inventory List - Rate Brochure 2

3 WELCOME! Lut heran Social Services Fost er Care Staff would like t o welcome you int o our program. The work you have complet ed t hus far has been ext ensive and time consuming. Yo u have already come a long way and in doing so have made a st at ement about your dedication t o become a Fost er Parent. Yo u r int erest s, dedication, time and understanding t hroughout t he licensing process has been t ruly appreciat ed. It is only because of unique individuals like yourself t hat so many children and yout h, who for many reasons require placement in fost er care settings, are able t o experience t he life and love of a family. As a Foster Parent for Lut heran Social Services, you are now also a member of an even larger family. Lut heran Social Services, est ablished in 1882, has provided a wide range of services t o children, youth and families for over a century. Foster care, an int egral part of t he diverse realm of LSS services, dat es back t o This program was designed wit h a st rong philosophy, making it s program unique t o t he area. The power of shared vision is recognized wit hin our program, where t he im port ance of t he t reatment t eam is cent ral. This t eam works t oget her in part nership and includes t he yout h in care, his/ her biological family, t reatment providers, you as t he fost er family, and ot her significant individuals in t he yout h s life. We are committed t o working in part nership wit h referral sources, schools, ment ors, ot her vendors and family members as well. Toget her, t he collaborative goal is t o reunify t he yout h wit h his/ her family. If effort s t oward t hat goal are unsuccessful, it may mean placement of t he yout h in a permanent family home. No single resource or entity can work alone t o resolve difficult, syst emic and oft en complex challenges facing families. As an int egral part of t he t eam, it is im perative t hat everyone becoming lic e ns e d underst and and agree t o follow t he six core values t hat drive our st andard of service. These are list ed here: Families are full partners with providers in caring for their children. We are dependent on t he involvement of both biological and foster families in all phases of service delivery and regard t hem as essential resources deserving t he utmost respect. They are equal members of t he planning t eam and active participant s in t he development, im plement ation, monit oring, and modifying of t reatment provided. 3

4 Services provided to children and their shared families must be culturally competent. Services are sensit ive and responsive t o t he uniqueness of our cust omers. The diversit y of t he families we serve goes beyond et hnic differences and inc lud e s cultural differences. Sensit ivit y and respect for individual differences is communicat ed t hroughout t he assessment, mat ching, im plement ation and discharge phases of t reatment. Children learn best to become competent and productive adults if they live in and learn from a normalized environment. This goes beyond t he concept of placement in t he least rest rictive environment. It is a belief in keeping children connect ed t o t heir own family and cult ural s etting. Unconditional care is provided to children regardless of the severity of their behavior, emotional or mental uniqueness, physical disability, age, sex, race, or ethnicity. It is our commitment t o do what ever it t akes t o never give up. Services provided are rooted in Trauma Informed Care practice. Challenging behaviors or difficult service needs are not considered justification for discharge. Services are individualized and developed t o fit t he youth/ family, as opposed t o t he youth/ family needing t o fit t he services. Collaboration wit h ot her providers, which incorporat es as broad an array of innovative services as possible, is mobilized t o serve families. Those serving t he families must be committed t o working t hrough challenging sit uations. All families have strengths that when recognized and nurtured promote independence. The asset s and coping skills of t he yout h and his/ her families are emphasized in t he development of t he t reatment plan, as t heir unique t alent s, skills and life hist ories are t ools t o fut ure success. Individualized services must be child-centered and family-focused. Family t reatment planning and delivery must be client driven and cannot be bound by one model or philosophical approach. The needs of t he youth and his/ her families must dict at e t he t ypes of services provided. We are committed t o adapting t he services and t heir delivery syst em t o families, and we do not expect families t o conform t o a program in place. In so doing, we demonstrat e flexibilit y and creative coordination t o create opportunit ies for involvement and client self-det ermination. Non-t radit ional risks must, at times, be t aken when approaches t hat are more t radit ional are ineffective. Creativit y in providing services is rest rict ed only by law and concerns of healt h and safety. All services are delivered in a coordinat ed and effective manner in accordance wit h t he changing needs of both families and t he youth. Lut heran Social Services has chosen t hese guiding principles for it s Foster Care Program, as it continues t o demonstrat e it s commitment t o t he healt h, safety and well-being of t he children, youth and families served. 4

5 Thank you for your compassion for ot hers and for your motivation t o work t owards a collaborative goal. This handbook will assist you wit h questions or concerns you may have. Please feel free t o contact a member of your LSS t eam if you need anyt hing furt her. Let the journey begin Application LICENSING A number of t hings must be complet ed before an individual is able t o acquire a Fost er Home license. Please feel free t o use t his as a checklist t o ensure you have complet ed all t hat is required. Foster Parents, check each item when it has been completed and submitted: [ ] Formal Foster Care Licensing Application [ ] Child Foster Care Licensing Checklist [ ] Completed Home Inspection (Physical Environment Checklist optional) [ ] Application for Foster Home License (one page) [ ] Criminal Record Check Authorization (one for each household member 12 and over) [ ] Background Information Disclosure (one for each household member 12 and over) [ ] Fingerprint Cards (parent s only; may also be required for ot her adult s residing in t he home) [ ] Waiver Agreement and Statement (required for any person fingerprint ed) [ ] Foster Family Health Report s (proof of physical exam for each household member) [ ] Letters of Reference (4) [ ] Verification of Documents Form [ ] Verification of 21-point vehicle inspection and vehicle registration [ ] Fire Escape Plan Posted in the Home (copy to agency) [ ] Disaster Plan [ ] Water Supply Test (if applicable) [ ] Receipt of DCF 56 [ ] Receipt of State Brochures [ ] Receipt of Foster Care Handbook (State and LSS) [ ] Pre-placement Training [ ] PDS Online Access Form [ ] Foster Home Agreement [ ] Respite Home Agreement [ ] Notice of Confidentiality [ ] Networking Form 5

6 [ ] Releases [ ] W-9 (for payment purposes) [ ] ACH Authorization (for payment purposes) [ ] Consent previous licensing agency (if applicable) In addit ion t o t he completion of t hese documents, t he licensing process includes lengt hy int erview process, during which t he foster family is assessed and a home st udy is complet ed. Aft er you have complet ed all application mat erials, t raining, and gone t hrough t he assessment, a decision will be made about your acceptance int o t he program. If accepted, you will ult im at ely receive your license. The license is effective for a period of t wo years and must be posted in a visible area in your home. For more information about t he licensing of your home, waivers, modifications, and responsibilit ies you acquire upon becoming licensed, please refer t o DCF 56 or feel free t o contact t he LSS t eam member t aking you t hrough t he licensing process. 6

7 FBI Background Check Foster Parents are required under t he Adam Walsh Caregiver Act of 2007 t o submit fingerprint cards for use in background checks t hrough t he Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ) and t he Federal Bureau of Investigation. The cost associat ed wit h t he record checks is absorbed by t he agency. Agency st aff will supply t he cards and either t ake your print s or direct you t o a local law enforcement agency t o complet e t he process. Yo u must show photo identification at t he time your print s are obtained. A waiver agreement and st at ement form must also be complet ed. Yo u r Foster Care Licensor or law enforcement agency will mail t he print s to DOJ and we will receive t he result s via a secure government websit e. If t he print s could not be read for any reason, you will be asked t o again go t hrough t he fingerprinting process. Should t he print s not be able t o be read after t he second submission a name-based search must be complet ed, which could delay t he licensing process. Upon successful submission of fingerprint s and/ or t he completion of a name-based search, t he result s of t he record checks will be print ed and st ored in your foster parent file, which is located in a locked filing cabinet in an access-rest rict ed area. The result s will remain t here for seven years after closure of t he foster home license, after which time such records will be shredded. Information gat hered from t he FBI will only be used for t he purpose it was gat hered for, and will no t be shared wit h any ot her agency. Only agency personnel who have been t rained in t he proper use and handling of crim inal hist ory record information and have a need t o examine such records may have access. If no records are found, t hen t he licensing process will continue as usual. If records are found, information will be obt ained from t he law enforcement agency (-ies) identified and you will have an opport unit y t o challenge t he accuracy and/ or t o complet e any information cont ained in t he crim inal record hist ory. FBI background checks are only conduct ed during t he init ial licensing process. Once your license is issued, you will not be required t o be fingerprint ed again unless t here is a lapse in your license. 7

8 Annual Updates and License Renewal The following will be complet ed every year you are licensed in order t o keep t he file up t o dat e: Foster Parent Check When Completed [ ] Completed Home Inspection [ ] Foster Family Health Report s (proof of physical exam for each household member) [ ] Verification of Documents Form [ ] Verification of 21-point vehicle inspection and vehicle registration [ ] Water Supply Test (if applicable) [ ] Receipt of DCF 56 [ ] Receipt of State Brochures [ ] Receipt of Foster Care Handbook (State and LSS) [ ] Foster Home Agreement [ ] Respite Home Agreement [ ] Notice of Confidentiality [ ] Training Hours Log and certificat es/ document ation of complet ed t raining [ ] Fire Evacuation Plan (if any changes) [ ] Disaster Plan (if any changes) At t he end of t he t wo-year period, license renewal is necessary. Should you wish t o continue your license, you will need t o submit all of t he annual document s list ed above, in addit ion t o t he following, at least 30 days before t he expiration of your license. Foster Parent Check When Completed [ ] Formal Foster Care Licensing Application [ ] Child Foster Care Licensing Checklist [ ] Application for Foster Home License (one page) [ ] Criminal Record Check Authorization (one for each household member 12 and over) [ ] Background Information Disclosure (one for each household member 12 and over) *No applicant or former licensee previously denied a license, or whose license was revoked for substantive reasons, may reapply for a license within a period of two years following the effective date of denial or revocation. **You are required to submit copies of homeowners or renters insurance, vehicle insurance, and pet vaccinations as they are updated, which may occur more often than once a year. 8

9 Foster Parent Evaluation The Fost er Care Licensor and/ or Program Supervisor will complet e annual evaluations of t he services you provide in your role as a fost er parent. These evaluations will assess your abilit y t o provide appropriat e care as outlined in DCF 56, as well as t he LSS handbook, and will not only cover duties and expect ations, but also personal qualit ies im perative for t he care of fost er children. Areas needing im provement will be addressed wit h a correction plan. The plan will identify t he area of concern and t he st eps you will be required t o t ake in order t o rectify t he concern. The evaluations and any plans creat ed are kept at Lut heran Social Services; you will receive a copy for your personal files. Grievance Procedure Lut heran Social Services Foster Care Program encourages your open communication wit h all s t aff. Please address your concerns directly wit h t hem. If t his is not successful, please contact t he Program Supervisor. If you believe your right s have been violat ed in any way, or if you are not in agreement wit h a specific procedure, policy et c., your communication about t hose concerns are im perative for t he success of our program. As st at ed previously, you are a partner in t his endeavor, whose voice and opinions are powerful. If for any reason you are not satisfied wit h t he reception or action t aken by t he Program Supervisor, please feel free t o contact Lut heran Social Services Foster Care Manager: Jacquelyn O Flahrity Lutheran Social Services 612 N. Randall Avenue Janesville, WI Appeal Process If you as an applicant are denied a license or if you have your license revoked, you may appeal t he decision by asking t he Department of Administ ration for a hearing. That request must be received by t he Department wit hin 10 days of t he decision and shall be addressed t o: Department of Administration Division of Hearings and Appeals Work/Family Services Unit PO Box 7875 Madison, Wisconsin Lut heran Social Services reserves t he right t o revoke a Fost er Care license if t he fost er parent s have subst antially and int entionally violat ed LSS rules 9

10 and/ or have failed t o follow t he Wisconsin Administ rative Codes outlined in DCF 56. Writ t en notice of revocation and t he grounds for t hat decision will be given t o fost er parent s if/ when det ermination is made. LEVELS OF CARE Certification Levels LSS currently certifies fost er parent s at Levels 2-5; only Levels 2-4 will be covered in t his handbook. Levels of certification are based on individual qualifications (found in DCF 56) and t raining requirement s. Training Requirements Be fore a child can be placed in your home, each foster parent is mandat ed t o complet e hours of orient ation and training according t o their certification level this is called pre-placement t raining. Such t raining must be approved by Lut heran Social Services and t he Department of Children and Families and shall be provided at no cost t o you. Whenever possible, t raining will b e provided at flexible times t o accommodate work and family schedules. It is our hope t hat t he t raining will prepare you t o meet t he challenges of caring for emotionally dist urbed, developmentally delayed, and/ or behaviorally challenging youth and partnering with t heir families. In 2016, the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard was put into effect. The Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard is a standard of decision making characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, cultural, religious, or tribal considerations, and best interests of a child while at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the child. This standard allows out-of-home care providers to make reasonable and prudent parenting decisions which encourage normalcy for children and youth in their care to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. This will be among the training topics you receive during initial licensing, and will influence your rights and responsibilities of foster parenting. Ongoing t raining will continue t o occur after licensing. Annual t raining requirement s also vary depending on t he level of care for which you are certified. Training can include a combination of: media t raining (video and audio t ape present ations, books and periodicals, t elevision and radio present ations, int ernet seminars, et c.), classroom t raining (conferences, workshops, seminars, et c.), ongoing t raining sponsored by Lut heran Social Services. Training may also be given t o you by a ment al healt h professional 10

11 t reating t he yout h placed in your home for t he purpose of assisting you wit h better underst anding, handling and meeting t he yout h s needs. All media t raining must be approved by your Fost er Care Licensor. A report* from each individual wishing to receive credit must be submitted to your Foster Care Licensor following the completion of any media training (See Appendices). If a report is not received, t hose t raining hours will not be accept ed and applied t o t he t ot al hours required. Any classroom t raining must be document ed wit h a certificat e and/ or ot her form of verification of attendance; a copy of such verification must be submitted t o your Fost er Care Licensor. Finally, Lut heran Social Services will offer in-house t raining opport unit ies. If you choose t o not t ake part in such opport unit ies you may only make up t hose hours by attending classroom t raining. LSS fos t e r care lice nsors (and oft e n cas e m anage rs als o) will collaborat e wit h each foster parent to develop your annual training plan, an individualized training plan based on topics required by DCF ch 56, child specific topics, and other id e nt ifie d are as o f int e re s t o r ne e d. If there are additional trainings you require, please feel free t o discuss t his wit h a member of your LSS t eam, who will assure t hat your needs are met. Lut heran Social Services does not want you t o feel overwhelm ed or unprepared t o meet t he needs of a yout h placed in your home. Training is an essential element t o success. Professional Development Services (PDS) Online is used to find, register for and keep record of foster parent training hours, located here: / wcwpds.wisc.edu/. Each foster parent has a unique log in and profile on PDS t hat cont ains t heir t raining log. You have a choice bet ween maintaining your PDS account and training log, or allowing a LSS Foster Care Services staff member to have access to your account for the purpose of managing your training log. If you wish to allow FCS staff access, you can still log on anytime to access/modify your inform at io n o n PDS Online. If you s ho uld c ho o s e no t t o allow staff access, you ll be responsible for managing your online training log ind e p e nd e nt ly. Please see t he PDS Online Access Form* in t he appendices. Please not e t hat failure t o complet e t he required t raining will negatively im pact your abilit y t o carry out your role as a fost er parent wit h Lut heran Social Services. If you do not maint ain your necessary t raining hours you risk not receiving addit ional placement s or having your license put on hold, not renewed or even revoked. The world of fost er care, including t he children, families, and syst ems we work wit h, is complex, challenging and ever changing. We must grow in it to effectively work in it. Training is our sust enance; we cannot grow wit hout it. Aft er all, The purpose of learning is growt h, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue t o live. ~Mortimer Adler 11

12 Training requirement s are as follows: Level of Certification Training Level 2 Basic Level 3 Moderate Level 4 Specialized Pre-placement Before initial license/first placement Minimum of 6 hours (online) Minimum of 36 hours (6 hours online; 30 hours classroom) Minimum of 40 hours (6 hours online; 30 hours classroom; 4 hours child/ population specific training) Initial Licensing The first 12 month period of your initial license. 30 hours 24 hours 30 hours (4 hours child/population specific training) 12

13 Ongoing Each 12 month period following initial licensing period. 10 hours in each 12- month period of licensure 24 hours in each 12-month period following licensure 30 hours in each 12- month period following licensure (8 hours must be child/population specific) *See the Foster Care Training Log* in the Appendices for required topics. PLACEMENT PROCEDURES Matching and Pre-placement Visits By t he time you are ready t o welcome a yout h int o your home you have complet ed a great deal of work work t hat has t aken time and patience. This is rewarded when you are ready t o be mat ched wit h a yout h who, like you, has spent time and demonst rat ed patience, while wait ing for your family t o open it s doors t o him / her. Yo u t h who require fost er care services are referred t o our program by surrounding count y Human Services Department s or ot her affiliat ed agencies. These agencies are called placing agencies. The program t hat you are now a part of exist s t o serve children and yout h whose special needs are severe enough t hat, in t he absence of our program, t hey would be at risk of placement int o more rest rictive settings. Most of t he children and yout h t hat qualify for our program will present wit h mult iple special needs due t o t raumatic hist ories involving physical, sexual, emotional abuse and/ or neglect. Some yout h do not have a hist ory of t rauma, but st ruggle due t o a psychiat ric diagnosis, development al or int ellect ual d elays, and/ or medical disorders. These yout h may be currently residing in a family home, fost er home or in a t reatment cent er await ing reint egration int o t he communit y. 13

14 While our program is aim ed at successfully serving t he above individuals, we will not put ot hers at risk. During t he home st udy assessment process, time will be spent discussing what would be considered a good mat ch for your family. When a referral is received for a youth in need of placement, t he information is reviewed by a Program Supervisor and your licensor, and ot her LSS t eam members, if necessary. Should it be det ermined t hat your home is a perspective mat ch for a youth, you will be asked t o review t he mat erial LSS has obtained. In most cases you will have an opport unit y t o ask questions and/ or request addit ional information before moving forward wit h t he placement process. LSS will attempt t o obtain and supply you wit h as much information about t he youth as possible so t hat you can make an informed decision about moving forward. Ideally, you will meet wit h t he yout h, a LSS worker, and pot entially t hat yout h s t reatment t eam prior t o placement. The yout h could also spend a short period of time wit h you and your family in your home (oft en referred t o as a preplacement visit ) so t hat you may get t o know one anot her and decide whet her or not placement will indeed be possible. Then, if, and only if, you and t he yout h are comfort able, he/ she will be placed in your home. At no time will a yout h ent er your home unless you are comfort able wit h t he placement. If for some reason you are not comfort able, please share your t hought s wit h a LSS t eam member. It is im perative t hat you be honest for t he yout h s sake, as moving from home t o home is det rim ent al t o a yout h and can leave lifelong scars. If at any time prior t o placement, for any reason, you do not feel connect ed, it is accept able t o wait for anot her mat ch, for children deserve t o feel t hat connection t o anot her. Simply denying a placement does not mean anot her yout h will not be referred t o you. Child/Adolescent Needs and Strengths (CANS) Assessment Placement of children in your home and rat e det ermination will largely be based on t he child or adolescent s Level of Need (LON), which is det ermined by a st andardized assessment t ool - t he Child and Adole s cent Ne e ds and Strengths (CANS) assessment. The CANS is designed t o use out come measures t o assess t he child s st rengt hs, behavioral issues, ment al healt h needs, well-being, and level o f functioning. The assessment also identifies t he child s t rauma experience and addresses t he needs and st rengt hs of t he current caregiver. The CANS assessment is currently being utilized wit hin t he first 30 days of placement during t he init ial t reatment t eam meeting and quart erly t hereaft er t o assist in developing a child s t reatment plan. An updat e of t he assessment can be request ed at any time by t he child s t reatment t eam members. The assessment seeks input from t he child and t he t reatment t eam members. A child s LON recommends placement of him or her wit h a specific Le vel of Care (LOC). Addit ionally, t he assessment also assist s in det ermining t he finances a caregiver will receive t o support t he 14

15 child while t hey are in care. Be low is a more t horough explanation of t he children served and services provided according t o a child s LON: Level of Need Description of Children Served Description of Services Provided Level 2 Basic Level 3 Moderate Level 4 Specialized Youth have basic behavioral/emotional challenges: truancy, failure to comply with rules and expectations, frustrating behaviors criminal behavior such as vandalism or shoplifting, poor and impulsive judgment in peer interactions, family problems, depression anxiety and fear, a history of neglect and/or abuse, school problems, AODA, delinquent behaviors, and/or mental health issues. Youth have moderate behavioral/emotional challenges requiring greater levels of supervision and training, such as school suspension, specialized school programs, failure to comply with reasonable rules, attachment issues, inappropriate sexual behavior, displays of anger, cruelty to animals, destruction of property, complex trauma and/or multiple out of home placements/disruptions, etc. A more structured, supportive setting is required by the foster parents. Youth who present severe behavioral/emotional challenges and require exceptional supervision and intervention to be maintained in the community. Youth have significant challenges that require the highest levels of supervision and training, such as school expulsion, threats to others, behaviors and activities requiring 24/7 supervision, sexual offenses, attachment disorders and mental illness. Because of these challenges, there is limited or no availability for other children to reside in the home. Monthly contact with child/foster family, 24/7 crisis response/support, individualized Support Plan, quarterly CANS assessment and progress report, ILS assessment within first 60 days for children 8 years and older (annually thereafter for children 8-13 and every 6 months thereafter for children 14+), 2 nights of respite/month, a coordinated team approach. Increased supervision, intensive school coordination, increased complexity in treatment team facilitation, coordination of respite days, treatment plans, monthly progress reports, CANS assessment every 3 months, ILS assessment within the first 60 days (annually thereafter for children 8-13 and every 6 months thereafter for children 14+), every other week contact with child/foster family, 24/7 crisis response/support, individualized Support Plan, 2 nights respite/month, a coordinated team approach. Increased supervision, intensive school coordination, increased complexity in treatment team facilitation, coordination of respite days, treatment plans, monthly progress reports, CANS assessment quarterly, ILS assessment within the first 60 days (annually thereafter for children 8-12, and every 6 months thereafter for children 14+), weekly or every other week contact with child/foster family, 24/7 crisis response/support, individualized Support Plan, 2 nights respite/month, a coordinated team approach. Foster home is provided with child specific/specialized training. Placement When a yout h is placed in your home t he following t asks must be done in accordance wit h DCF 56. Please use t his as a checklist t o ensure you have complet ed all t hat is necessary t o be in compliance.! Have a qualifie d me dical pract it ioner com ple t e t he Init ial Scre e ning for Communicable Dis e ase/ Imme diat e Me dical Care Form* (see Appendices) within 48 hours of placement. (If the youth has not had a physical in the last 30 days, one will be required during this 48 hour period.) 15

16 ! Schedule t he yout h t o receive a complet e physical by a physician. (Required during first 30 days of placement, then annually.)! Schedule t he yout h t o receive a dent al examination. (Required during the first 30 days of placement, then every 6 months.)! Schedule t he yout h t o receive an optical examination. (Required during the first 30 days of placement.)! Review wit h t he yout h t he list of emergency t elephone numbers near your home t elephone.! Review wit h t he yout h emergency and fire evacuation rout es.! Ensure you have a first aid kit in your home and in your vehicle(s).! Prepare a file of t he yout h s information t hat is st ored in a locked location. (* A t able of cont ent s for t he child s file can be found in t he Appendices.) Treatment Plan At t he first treatment team meeting, you, as t he Foster Parent, t he youth, and t he youth s t reatment t eam will d evelop a t reatment plan. This plan outlines what t he t eam will be working on while t he youth is in placement and includes a number of short and long-term goals for t he youth and his/ her family. This plan will be reviewed monthly and revised quarterly wit h members of t he t reatment t eam. These reviews are also an excellent opportunit y for t eam members t o share concerns, offer support, and provide encouragement for t he youth and his/ her family. The t reatment plan may look something like t his: Short Term Treatment Goal #1: During the next month (youth s name) will complete school assignments when they are due and hand them in on time to the appropriate teachers. This is an example of what one goal might be for one yout h. This goal, targeting the next month of placement, must be monit ored closely by you, school st aff, and addit ional t reatment t eam members on a regular basis t o assess whet her or not t he yout h is nearing it s completion, or st ruggling wit h it and why. Int erventions t o assist t he yout h t o meet his/ her goals are also outlined on t his t reatment plan. For example: Interventions/Means to the Goal: 1. (Youth s name) will participate in a nightly study hour every Sunday through Thursday. (Foster Parent s Name) will be available at that time to assist (Youth s name) with any assignments needed. This is only one example of what one int ervention might be t o assist a yout h who is working on completing assignment s and handing t hem in as well. Independent Living Plan 16

17 An Independent Living Plan (ILP) is developed aft er a yout h t urns 8 years old. If t he yout h is age 8 upon ent ering your home, t he plan will be developed wit hin t he first 60 days. Online assessment s will be complet ed by t he yout h and t he caregiver t o more accurat ely assess t he yout h s needs. The Fost er Care Case Manager will t hen creat e a plan designed t o increase t he yout h s independence and prepare him / her for adult hood. The t eam will review it at t reatment t eam meetings. Fost er Parent s are responsible for monit oring t he plan and assisting t he yout h wit h learning new skills. The Fost er Care Case Manager will also assist as able. Progress is present ed quart erly at t reatment t eam meetings and on mont hly report s. A 90-day t ransit ion plan will be incorporat ed int o an ILP if t he yout h will be aging out of care. Support Plan General Crisis Support Guidelines* are in place (see Appendices); however, an individualized support plan is also developed for each child placed in an LSS foster home. The support plan is developed by t he t reatment t eam wit hin t he first 30 days of placement. All t reatment t eam members will follow t his plan when crises arise in t he home, school, and communit y environments. This plan will t hen be reviewed quarterly or as needed. If at any time you believe t hat you would not be prepared should a crisis occur, please share t hat information wit h your Foster Care Case Manager so t hat t he t reatment t eam might st rengt hen t he plan. Failure t o follow t he support plan may result in disciplinary action being t aken by Lut heran Social Services. Be aware that a Foster Care worker is available 24 hours a day through our Crisis number is If in doubt, call! We are here to support you when you need it. Please reference the Appendix for Crisis Support Guidelines. Respite TAKING RESPITE In t he world of foster care we call vacation respit e, and our policy is t hat you can t ake respit e as needed. Taking respit e consist ently is encouraged; t herefore, LSS pays for two respit e days for each child on a monthly basis (see Services Provided on page 11). The days do not accumulat e, so if you do not use t hem, you lose t hem. Respit e days cannot be t ransferred from one child t o anot her. The individuals providing respit e are paid directly by LSS. If you choose t o have a child in respit e for more t han t he two provided days, t he addit ional cost must be exchanged between you and the respite provider, at a rate equal to the nights paid by LSS. Your Foster Care Case Manager can help you connect with respite providers. RESPITE PROVIDERS 17

18 Respit e providers must meet t he qualifications outlined in t he Respit e Provider Agreement* (See Appendices). This form must be signed by all individuals providing respit e. In addit ion, background checks must be complet ed successfully. By becoming a licensed Fost er Parent, you will meet and exceed all of t he crit eria for being a respit e provider. Fost e r pare nt s and re spit e provide rs ut ilize a Re spit e Re port * (see Appendices) to communicate the child s current needs and strengths (i.e. medications, new triggers, recent successes, new talents, etc.) and a summary of the respite. This form also serves as a checklist for the items the respite provider should receive, such as a copy of the youth s MA card in case of an emergency. Requesting a Change in Placement It is Lut heran Social Services goal t o have a youth maint ain placement wit hin a foster home until he/ she is able t o reunit e wit h his/ her family or find permanency via placement wit h a fit / willing relative, adoption, guardianship or t ransit ion t o living independently. As t he foster parent, you have been required t o undergo a lengt hy assessment, t rainings, consult ations, et c. t o ensure t hat t he youth will have successful placement in your home. Unfort unat ely, at times, for one reason or anot her, foster parents are forced t o decide whet her t o request a youth s permanent removal. Oft en times, numerous efforts have been made t o keep t he youth wit h t he foster family. If t his occurs, DCF 56 requires t hat a foster parent give a 30-day notice of t heir request for removal of a youth from t heir home. During t hose 30-days, a new plan is made for t he youth and anot her placement is explored. This time is t aken so t hat t ransit ion t o a new home can be well planned for. Unp lanned disruptions can cause more significant t rauma for children. Failure t o give a 30-day notice may result in disciplinary action being t aken by t he agency. Emergency Change in Placement If a youth s behavior is creating a safety concern in your home and t hey are beyond your control, t emporary removal from t he home may be necessary. The investigating police officer and/ or t he LSS worker managing t he crisis is responsible for deciding whet her or not removal from your home is t he only safe solution t o t he sit uation. Yo u r role is t o clearly describe t o t he officer t he nat ure of t he problem and t he basis upon which you may believe removal is necessary. The officer has t he legal aut horit y t o grant or deny your request. 18

19 Law enforcement may t hen t ransport t he youth t o shelt er care or secure det ention. This is considered t emporary removal because you and/ or an LSS st aff will be responsible for picking up t he youth (from shelt er or det ention), usually wit hin 24 hours after placement. This is not a long- t erm solution t o a control problem and may result in increasingly difficult behaviors t o manage upon ret urn from shelt er or det ention. Once t he yout h ret urns, t he t reatment t eam will come t oget her t o discuss t he sit uation, revise t he t reatment plan or crisis plan if necessary, and discuss any addit ional concerns or opport unit ies for t he yout h. Please remember that any situation that requires police notification requires you to notify the Foster Care Case Manager or on-call worker. It should be not ed t hat if law enforcement denies your request, you should consult wit h your Fost er Care Case Manager or on-call worker about how t o proceed. In some circumst ances, it may be necessary t o arrange emergency respit e services and a LSS worker can assist you wit h making such arrangement s. Emergency respit e services are for safet y relat ed emergencies only. Pre-arranged, consist ent respit e is encouraged t o help prevent t he need for emergency respit e services. Successful Discharge and Transition The t reatment t eam will work t oget her t o formulat e a plan for a successful discharge and t ransit ion when it is det ermined t hat it is time t o move t he youth t o anot her setting (i.e. home, an adoptive home, anot her foster home, et c.). An example of t his plan may include several visit s in t he new setting and t hen ext ending t hose visit s as appropriat e. Once t he youth has become comfort able in his/ her new setting a discharge dat e is planned and a final meeting is scheduled. Follow-up after t he youth is discharged from Lut heran Social Services Foster Program is t he responsibilit y of t he placing social worker. If t he youth contacts you, you are encouraged t o remain a posit ive adult role model for t he youth. Reporting to LSS LSS is in need of very specific information about children in care in order t o satisfy reporting requirement s of agencies purchasing our services, and t o ensure t hat payment t o fost er parent s is provided in a timely manner. Fost er parent s will need t o submit t he following it ems for each child in care eit her by (preferred), fax, or mail: Service Log*(See Appendices; inst ructions included) To be completed monthly and returned to the Program Supervisor by the 25 th of that month. Include dates of all doctor/dental appointments, visits, respite, etc. and a 19

20 detailed summary of key events. If a section is not applicable, please write N/A. Use of this form prompts foster parent payment. Incident Report * (See Appendices; inst ructions included) To be submitted to the LSS Case Manager within 24 hours. Includes incidents involving errors in administering medication. In it ia l Screening for Communicable Diseases (See Appendices) To be completed by a qualified medical practitioner within 48 hours of placement and returned to the LSS Case Manager. Healt h Check* (See Appendices, DHS form) To be completed by a doctor within 30 days of placement and/or at a child s annual physical, and returned to the LSS Case Manager within 48 hours or 2 business days. Fost er Child Healt h Report * (See Appendices, LSS form) To be completed by a doctor at all medical, dental and optical appointments, and returned to the LSS Case Manager annually, within 2 business days of the appointment. Report Card To be submitted to the LSS Case Manager following each quarter the child is enrolled in school. Child s Personal Invent ory List* (See Appendices) To be submitted to the LSS Case Manager within 30 days of placement. Submitting changes to this list as they occur is strongly encouraged. LSS is also in need of information about your home on an ongoing basis. The LSS Lic e nsor or Program Supervis or must be notified immediately by e mail, fax or mail of t he following: Changes in the home Someone entering/exiting the home; a change in employment; a new pet, arrests/ pending charges, illnesses/hospitalizations, marriage/divorce/separation, etc. Training Certificates/Media Reports/Supporting Documents It is your responsibility to keep track of training hours on PDS and/or your training log (See Appendices); however, LSS must have copies of certificates/media reports/supporting documents, or be able to view them on PDS, in order to count a training toward your required hours. Renewals/policy changes for auto/home owner s insurance Pet Vaccinations Financial Reimbursement 20

21 Fost er Parent s receive mont hly payment s in order t o meet t he needs of t he children placed in t heir care; t his is applicable only t o children placed full-time in t he home. At t he time a child is placed in your home, you may not know t he entire mont hly rat e you will be receiving, as a child s rat e is det ermined by mult iple fact ors: age, t he out come of t he CANS assessment complet ed (wit hin 30 days of placement ) and exceptional child needs. The st at e has set a Basic Maint enance Rat e for all children in care according t o age (* See Rat e Brochure in Appendices). This is t he only portion of a child s rat e t hat t he fost er parent s are guarant eed upon placement. Following t he completion of t he CANS assessment and addit ional conversation amongst t he t eam regarding exceptional needs, t he placing agency will propose a rat e for reim bursement. A LSS worker, serving as a neut ral part y, will cont act you about t he rat e and ask you t o accept or deny it. If you accept t he proposed rat e, LSS will inform t he placing agency of your decision and you will receive t hat rat e for t he next 6 mont hs, at minim um. If you deny t he rat e, you will need t o provide an explanation as t o why you believe t he rat e should be increased or decreased. LSS will share such information wit h t he placing agency and request a rat e redet ermination. Should t he placing agency accept t he request, LSS will come back t o you wit h a second proposed rat e, at which time you will have t he option of accepting or denying it. If at any time t he placing agency denies t he request for a rat e redet ermination, you may request a fair hearing and appeal t he rat e. While your LSS worker can provide you wit h information on t he fair hearing process, it is your responsibilit y t o request and attend t he hearing. Department of Administration Division of Hearings and Appeals Work/Family Services Unit PO Box 7875 Madison, Wisconsin Payment s for full-time placement s are int e nd e d for reim bursement, not income; t herefore, t hey are not t ax deductible. Also, it is expect ed t hat a portion of t he rat e goes t owards providing a child wit h spending money and an allowance, when age appropriat e. Addit ionally, foster parents will receive payment for respit e services provided. For such services, a daily rat e has been est ablished by LSS. Respit e services are considered t axable income. When your respit e payments exceed $600 in a calendar year, you ll receive a W-9 for taxable income. 21

22 ADDITIONAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES Transportation Lut heran Social Services Fost er Care Program has incorporat ed a t ransport ation policy in addit ion t o Wisconsin Administ rative Code DCF 56 that st at es: Any licensee or ot her person acting on behalf of t he licensee who t ransport s fost er children for any purpose shall possess a valid driver s license. The licensing agency may est ablish addit ional requirement s in t his area by writ t en policy. Addit ional requirement s regarding t ransport ation by Lut heran Social Services include: Any licensee or ot her person acting on t he behalf of t he licensee who t ransport s yout h in care for any purpose will not t ransport yout h in t heir care while under t he influence of alcohol or drugs. This includes drugs t hat im pair your abilit y t o drive, prescription or ot herwise. Any mot or vehicle utilized t o t ransport a yout h in care must be regist ered wit h t he DMV and be equipped wit h safet y belt s. All drivers of mot or vehicles and all passengers must wear safet y belt s in all front seat posit ions and rear seat posit ions wit h t hreepoint belt s. Children must be in a car seat until t hey reach age 4 and in a boost er seat until t hey reach age 8. Tiered st ruct ure now applies: 1. Each child who is le s s t han one ye ar old or who we ig hs le s s t han 2 0 pounds being transported in a vehicle shall be properly seated and restrained in a rear facing individual child car safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. 2. Each child who is at le as t one ye ar old but le s s t han 4 ye ars old or who weighs at least 20 pounds but less than 40 pounds shall be properly restrained in a forward facing individual child car safety seat in the back seat of the vehicle. 3. Each child who is at least 4 years old but less than 8 years old, who weighs at least 40 pounds but not more than 80 pounds, or who is 4 feet 9 inches tall or less, shall be properly restrained in a s ho uld e r p o s it io ning child booster seat. 4. Ke e p c hild ren in the back seat until age 13. Mileage Reimbursement 22

23 Fost er Parent s are expect ed t o provide t ransport ation for yout h in care for t hings such as appointment s, employment, school, home visit s, respit e, and court. Transport ation may be required at ot her times in order t o meet t he needs of t he yout h in care. The mileage incurred on your vehicle is included as part of t he mont hly stipend for t he yout h s care. Occasionally, reim bursement can be considered in exceptional cases and wit h prior approval and aut horization from t he Program Supervisor. Such reim bursement will be in t he form of gas cards only. Driver s License Yo u t h in care are permitted t o obt ain a driver s license. The cost of driver s education, obt aining a driver s license, and vehicle coverage will be discussed amongst t he t reatment t eam. It should be not ed t hat fost er parent s ret ain liabilit y if t hey allow t heir fost er child under t heir insurance policy. This could result in increased premiums if t he fost er child is in an accident or commits t raffic violations. Medication Management Many yout h are prescribed medications by t heir prim ary care physician, psychiat rist, or ot her healt h professional. All medications must be t aken as prescribed by t he yout h s doct or and logged in t he yout h s medication log* (See Appendices). If a dose is missed and it has been an hour since t he time it was supposed t o be t aken, you must cont act t he yout h s doct or or a local hospit al/ pharmacy t o acquire information on how t o proceed. Yo u will t hen need t o log all of t he actions you t ook t o acquire such information including t o whom you spoke, when, what information you were given, and t he actions you t ook. An incident report (See Appendices) will need t o be complet ed and sent t o LSS wit hin 24 hours; LSS will t hen be required t o report t he error t o t he Stat e. All medications must be kept out of children s reach and should be administ ered only by t he fost er parent s at t he designat ed times. Youth should not be responsible for controlling their own medications or for taking them on their own. While t his responsibilit y is im port ant, it is ult im at ely up t o t he fost er parent s t o ensure medications are being t aken consist ently and safely. The yout h s medication should remain in it s original cont ainer and should be t ransferred only from adult t o adult when t he yout h goes t o respit e, t he det ention cent er, on a family visit, et c. It is your responsibilit y t o be aware of any pot ential side effect s your fost er child may be experiencing because of prescribed medications and t o communicat e t hose t o t he yout h s medical p rovider and t reatment t eam. 23

24 Mail A yout h has t he right t o send and receive mail. Wit hin t he first 30-days of placement, members of t he t reatment t eam will identify any individuals whom t he yout h is able t o have cont act wit h. Individuals who promot e crim inal behavior, hinder progress in t reatment, endanger t he safet y or well-being of any yout h or fost er family will not be included. When a yout h receives mail from someone who is not on t he cont act list, t he Fost er Care Case Manager should be notified. Consult ation will occur wit h t he count y social worker t o det ermine if t he mail can be given t o t he yout h. If permission is not grant ed, t he Fost er Care Case Manger will log t hat t he it em was sent and will direct you t o ret urn t he letter t o t he sender. Telephone Fost er homes are required t o have a phone t hat is always accessible t o members of t he home. Yout h in care can use t his phone for calls wit h family and/ or friends. Ownership/ use of a cell p ho ne by a yout h in care will be decided by t he t reatment t eam. Computer Yo u are not required t o have int ernet access in your home; however, if you do, int ernet use by yout h in care must be discussed amongst t he t reatment t eam prior t o t he yout h utilizing t he comput er. It is required t hat fost er parent s have a secure password and t ake ot her means t o ensure t hat yout h in care use the computer and internet appropriately. The use of rigid firewalls is also st rongly suggest ed. The comput er must be locat ed in an area of t he home where it can be easily observed by ot hers. Confidentiality and Social Networking Maint aining confidentialit y as a fost er parent ext ends t o Facebook, Twit t er, In s t a g ra m, Yo u Tu b e and ot her social net working websit es. To prot ect confidentialit y as a licensed fost er parent, pict ures or information pertinent t o t he yout h placed in your home must not be post ed on social net working websit es. It is im port ant t o maint ain boundaries wit h t he child s t reatment t eam. Under no circumst ances should a fost er parent ask t o become friends wit h im port ant members of t he t reatment t eam such as count y social workers, t herapist s, case managers, or ot her members of t he child s t reatment t eam. Yo u t h a re a llo we d t o h a v e s o c ia l n e t wo rkin g p ro file s, if t h e fo s t e r parent and treatment team decide it is appropriate for the youth s age and maturity. Foster Parents will be provided a Social Media and Technology use policy. A Social Media Consent and Technology User Agreement are included 24

25 in t he ap p e nd ix and s ho uld b e c o m p le t e d at t he t im e o f p lac e m e nt, o r o nc e the youth reaches the age and maturity to access technology and social media. Movies/TV/Video Games Movie/ TV/ Video game ent ert ainment must be determined to be appropriate for the child. In g e ne ra l, LSS s ugge s t s t hat foster parents follow t he movie ratings (G, PG, PG-13, R) or t he game ratings (ec, E, E1 0 +, T, M, Ao, RP). Movies rat ed R and games rat ed M-RP are oft en not appropriat e for t he yout h in care; t herefore, t he fost er parent s are expect ed t o discuss t his wit h t he t reatment t eam. Foster parents should use the Reasonable and Prudent Parent ing St andard t o det ermine t he appropriat eness of movies/ videos outside of the suggested ratings. Sleepovers If a child requests to sleepover at a friend s house, foster parents should consider what any parent would do, such as, have a conversation with the other parent, ensure they understand any necessary care needs of the child (medical or otherwise), ensure that a proper level of supervision will occur, and provide emergency contact information in the event it is needed. LSS staff may conduct public record searches by request or on a situational basis. If possible, sleepovers should be discussed at a t eam meeting or by phone t o get a t eam consensus. Ult im at ely LSS ret ains t he right t o say no t o a sleepover if safety is believed t o be compromised. Friends of the child may spend t he night at t he foster home. RECEIPT OF LSS FOSTER PARENT HANDBOOK I h a ve re c e ive d a n d re a d t h e LSS Fo s t e r Ca re Se rvic e s Ha n d b o o k. I understand all the policies and procedures within this handbook and agree to follow and implement them. I u n d e rs t a n d t h a t n o t a b id in g b y t h e conditions of our license or violating DCF 56 could result in a termination of that license. 25