You recently learned that a family member (sibling, niece, nephew, cousin or grandchild) has entered foster care. Emotions and questions will flood your heart and mind.
Why is my nephew in foster care? Where is the child now? Can I see them? Are they ok? You should also ask yourself, ‘Am I willing to be a resource for this child, and to what extent?’
Gathering Information
It may feel overwhelming at first. However, you should try to learn as much as you can about the situation. This way, you will understand your options better. Below are some questions to consider.
What foster care agency is working with my family member?
The first thing you can do is find the phone number of your local Department of Family and Child Services and call them. Ask what foster care agency has the case and contact them.
In the foster care system, often the county or state works with nonprofit foster care agencies. Those agencies are responsible for the safety and well-being of the child that was removed. They recruit, train, certify, and support foster parents to ensure that foster homes are available to accept children in need. They often work with parents to help them and address the situation that led to the removal.
Where is the child?
After you figure out who is in charge of the case, ask the foster care agency about the child’s placement. Some children are temporarily placed in a dorm-like setting while being matched to a foster home. Older children might be placed in a group home, where youth are segmented by gender and placed together in a staffed, home-like setting.
Most children are placed in licensed foster homes with foster parents. The licensing process includes background checks, a determination that they are fit to parent, and a review of their home, also called a home study. Licensed foster parents also receive safety and parenting training.
What is the child’s permanency plan?
Foster care is meant to be temporary, and each foster care agency is required to make a plan for the child beyond foster care. This is called the permanency plan and most often, the goal is to return the child to the parent (also known as reunification).
Other permanency planning goals can be adoption, living long-term with family/friend/foster parent, or independent living. Ask the foster care agency what the permanency plan is for the child.
Who is the child’s Case Planner?
This person manages the overall care of the child and coordinates health, education, foster care placement, and court appointments. They are the best person to be in touch with to receive updates about a child in foster care. This person develops a permanency plan and helps the parent and child take steps to reach their case plan goals.
Who is the child’s Guardian Ad Litem / Court Appointed Special Advocate® (CASA)?
The child will be appointed an advocate by the judge. They are responsible for getting to know the child and their situation and keeping regular contact with the child in foster care. They advocate for the child and make recommendations to the court for what is in the best interest of the child.
How do I stay connected to the child?
If you wish to be connected to a child in foster care, contact the foster care agency as quickly as possible and identify yourself as a family resource. Foster care agencies are required to locate the biological family and chosen family (called fictive family) of the child and prioritize placing the child with their family.
If you are willing to be a placement resource for the child, learn more about the process of becoming a foster parent and what kinship placement is. If you would want to visit with the child, you can make that known to the agency.
Additional Questions You May Have
Who makes the decisions about a child in foster care?
The Family Court, in consultation with other parties, makes all decisions related to the physical and legal custody of the child. The court also makes decisions about visitation, permanency plans, and case plans. Typically there’s a hearing every 6 months where all of the people caring for the child and working with the parents come together to discuss progress with the case plan and the judge decides what placement is in the best interest of the child.
What supports are given to the parents that the child was removed from?
Parents are provided a detailed case plan outlining what needs to be done to have their child returned to them. This may include counseling and treatment for substance abuse. It can also involve referrals for food, clothing, and housing.
These steps aim to strengthen the family unit. The parents are assigned a person to help them work through their case plan. Progress is presented to the family court at regular intervals and the judge will make ongoing decisions about the child’s custody and placement based on the parents’ progress on their case plan.
Will siblings in foster care be placed together?
Keeping siblings together can make entering foster care less traumatic for children. Many states have established rights for siblings in foster care. When a sibling group enters foster care, the agency should try to place them together. However, finding foster parents who will accept more than one child at a time is challenging.
This often makes it difficult to find a home to place a group of siblings together. If you have siblings in your family who are separated, ask for them to have regular visits. This is often required by law.
Can I foster my family member in foster care?
Family becoming a placement resource for children in foster care has countless benefits. Living with and being connected to family improves a child’s mental health and sense of identity and belonging. If you can keep siblings together, you will be providing additional stability as the children can navigate this change together and support each other.
Explore the options available to you, including kinship foster care. Many resources are available to support kinship foster parents, including Kinship Navigator Programs. Keeping families together is part of Cayuga Centers’ mission, and we are here to help you keep your family together. Find out more about becoming a foster parent today.
What do all of these foster care terms mean?
Below are some terms that you will hear and should know related to the foster care system. Click the arrow next to each term to learn more about its meaning
Case Plan
The plan of action, meaning the steps needed, for a parent to have their child returned to them. Each child also has a case or service plan that details the support that they receive while in foster care including mental and physical health, visitation, educational and placement planning.
Background Check
A comprehensive examination of an individual’s history, encompassing various aspects such as criminal records, credit history, employment, and education history.
Home Study
A review of a prospective foster parent’s life and home to determine if they are suitable to foster a child. It includes interviews to determine if someone is fit to parent and an inspection of the house to ensure that it is safe for children to live there. Learn more about how to prepare for you home study here.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC)
An agreement between all the states to create a process for placing children outside of the state where they entered the foster care system. This is most used for placing children with biological or fictive families that live in a different state.
Kinship Navigator Program
Most states provide these programs, which provide information and referrals for kinship caregivers. It helps caregivers apply for benefits such as Medicaid, SNAP and TANF, and connects them to information and services such as legal assistance and training. You can find a directory of Kinship Navigator Programs here.
Permanency Plan or Permanency Goal
This is the current goal of the child’s placement. It is determined by the judge and is re-evaluated every 6 months. Foster care is meant to be temporary. This means the team working with the child is aiming for a longer-term goal for where the child will live and how they will be cared for.
