By Allyssa DelPiano, Marketing Specialist at Cayuga Centers
Foster parenting is a deeply rewarding journey, and it comes with significant responsibilities at home and periodically in the courtroom. While these responsibilities can seem overwhelming, Cayuga Centers offers guidance and support to help you navigate these situations with confidence. We talked with one of our Behavioral Case Planners, Nichole Johnson, for expert advice on this important topic. Look for her thoughts and tips with the lightbulb icon.
Understanding your role in the courtroom
As a foster parent, your role in court is unique. Unlike biological parents, lawyers or Case Planners, your primary focus is providing firsthand observations of the youth in your care.
Specific guidelines for foster parents vary by county and state. The Child Welfare Information Gateway is a great source to research rules in your specific area. However, in general, the following are common responsibilities foster parents might have in court.
Attend court hearings and communicate honestly
Youth in foster care are typically required to appear at permanency review hearings at least once every six months. While foster parents may not be mandated to attend, it’s highly encouraged. Court hearings often discuss the child’s well-being, and your input can provide valuable insights.
Be a neutral participant
Avoid taking sides in legal disputes. Your input should focus on the child’s needs, not personal opinions about biological parents or other parties. Maintain open communication with your child’s Guardian Ad Litem (GAL), attorneys and case planner to ensure everyone is aligned in supporting the best interests of the child.
Advocate for your youth and provide testimony
Share insights about their well-being, including progress, challenges, medical care, visitation schedules, and milestones.
💡 Nichole noted, “Foster parents often see things that professionals can’t because they’re with the youth daily—they can describe what makes them feel safe, what worries them, or what’s helping them thrive.”
Preparing for court
Preparation is key to feeling confident and making a meaningful contribution as the child moves towards permanency.
Understand your rights
Check with your case planner, legal representative or Guardian Ad Litem to understand what you can, and cannot do in your role. Remember, legal custody lies with the agency or biological parents, not the foster parent.
Stay organized with your documentation
Keep thorough records of milestones, school reports, and medical appointments. These details help build a clear picture of the youth’s progress.
Understand the case plan
Familiarize yourself with permanency goals, visitation schedules, and other key details. Work with your case planner to understand the goal and strategy in court.
💡 In Nichole’s experience, “Some foster parents worry they don’t have enough information or the right words. It’s important to know that your perspective, however small it seems, could make a big difference.”
Tips for success in court
Speak clearly and confidently
Share your observations calmly and factually, avoiding overly emotional or subjective language.
Respect the process
Be patient and professional, even when court proceedings feel slow or procedural. Be a good role model for your child.
Seek support
If the process feels overwhelming, connect with your case planner or your Cayuga Centers foster parent support group for advice from fellow foster parents.
Maintain confidentiality
Respect the privacy of the youth and their biological family by keeping case details confidential outside the courtroom.
💡 “It’s natural to feel nervous about court,” Nichole explains. “But by focusing on what you’ve observed and staying child-centered, you can feel confident that you’re making a positive contribution.”
Supporting youth before, during and after court proceedings.
Court may not always be mandatory for foster parents, but it remains a significant part of a youth’s life. It’s essential for them to understand the process and see how everyone is working together to support them. Day-to-day care, emotional support, and active communication with your foster care team are equally important.
Help reduce their fears
Explain the legal process in an age-appropriate way, offer reassurance and answer questions with patience. Consider visiting the courtroom in advance so they can become comfortable with the environment. Collaborate with your case planner to learn what questions may be asked of the youth and give them the opportunity to rehearse expressing their feelings or concerns. You can help prepare them emotionally for hearings and potential outcomes.
Encourage stability
Create a nurturing environment to help the child feel safe and secure at home and in the courtroom. Maintain a calm and positive demeanor to ensure they feel safe enough to ask questions and discuss their fears.
💡 Nichole emphasizes – “Be open and honest. Let the youth know they can always ask for a break if they need one (while in court session).”
Facilitate positive communication:
Strive for healthy interactions with the child’s biological family. Acknowledge and remember their importance in the child’s life. Share updates about the child’s progress to help prepare them for visits or reunification.
Participate in meetings
Stay engaged in team discussions and case planning to remain informed and involved. If you are willing to continue caring for the child in perpetuity, talk to your case planner.
Typically a petition to terminate parental rights can occur when children have been in foster care for 15 of the last 22 months. The child welfare agency responsible for the child’s case will usually file the petition. The judge will decide whether terminating parental rights is truly in the best interest of the child.
💡 “A foster parent’s willingness to work with the biological family and case team shows the youth that they are surrounded by people who want the best for them.”
Navigating the legal system as a foster parent is no small feat, but with the right support, it can be a manageable and even empowering experience.
At Cayuga Centers, fostering success isn’t just about meeting legal obligations—it’s about ensuring every child and family feels supported, understood, and valued. Our case planners strive for regular and clear communication, prioritize keeping you informed, can attend court with you, testify on your behalf and prepare you for what to expect. We are here for you every step of the way.
Additional resources:
National CASA/GAL Association: Supports and promotes court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe, have a permanent home, and the opportunity to thrive.
National Foster Parent Association: National organization that provides foster families with opportunities for advocacy, networking, and education.
Books/Media for reference:
- “The Foster Parenting Manual: A Practical Guide to Creating a Loving, Safe, and Stable Home” by John DeGarmo
- See You in Court, Second Edition: A Social Worker’s Guide to Presenting Evidence in Care Proceedings 2nd Edition, Kindle Edition by Lynn Davis (Author)
- “To the End of June: The Intimate Life of American Foster Care” by Cris Beam
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