Eligibility requirements for Families First of Virginia
Therapeutic Foster Parents:
- All foster parent(s) must be at least 21 years of age. Foster parent’s age must be verified through the viewing of their valid Drivers license.
- All couples must be married and show the agency a legally recognized marriage license.
- All members of the family, currently living in the home must have a completed health statement which gives a description of the persons health, if their health will affect the care of the foster child placed in their home and if the individual has tuberculosis. The individual must have this form signed by a physician or physician assistant. The individual’s health must not affect the care of the foster child and they must be free from tuberculosis. The foster parents must be aware that additional test will be required if any family member comes in contact with a known cause of tuberculosis or develops chronic respiratory symptoms.
- Foster parents must be able to demonstrate that their current income and financial resources are sufficient to cover the current living expenses. The financial resources and income shall be sufficient to assure continuing maintenance of the foster family.
- All foster parent or parents must have an agency approved childcare plan in the case of emergencies, illness or any other absences.
- All adult members of the home must give their consent to a search of the Child Protective Services Central Registry, DMV record checks and FBI Finger Printing Criminal History check-including a Sworn Disclosure. The foster parents must be free from any criminal convictions of any barrier crimes, as defined by the Virginia Commonwealth regulations for foster parents.
- All foster parents must have three positive letters of references; only one letter of reference can be from a relative. Foster parents with previous experience as a foster parent with another agency or agencies shall sign a release of information in order for those references to be requested.
- The foster parents must agree to have all household members to be interviewed during the home study process.
- The foster parents must have access to reliable means of transportation. The foster parent must have avalid driver’s license and show current registration of the vehicle and current auto insurance.
All foster homes must have the following:
- A working telephone
- Screens on all doors and windows used for ventilation
- Proper ventilation for rooms where the foster children sleep
- Closet and drawer space for the foster children
- A bed for the foster child
- Separate beds for each foster child
- A written plan for evacuation in case of fire and evacuation plan must be displayed in home. The evacuation plan must state who is responsible to contact the fire department in the case of a fire and where the family members must meet outside the home after evacuating the home. The fire/evacuation plan must be show and explain to any child place in the home within 5 days of the placement.
- All firearms must be stored in locked cabinets and ammunition must be stored in a separate locked container. The key to each locked container must be stored in a place not accessible to any children in the home.
- All foster parents must complete the agency’s pre-service training and agree to participate in on-going training after the home is approved.
- All foster parents and any other adult living in the home must agree not to use, and agree not to allow others to use, any form of corporal punishment (as defined by the agency’s corporal punishment policy) with children placed in their care. All foster parents must sign the agency’s corporal punishment statement agreeing to adhere to the agency’s policies regarding the use of appropriate forms of discipline or the use of punishment.
FOSTER PARENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
You have the right:
- To be treated with dignity, respect and consideration as a team member who is making an important contribution to the agency’s objectives.
- To a clear understanding of your role as a foster parent, the role of the agency and the roles of the members of the child’s legal family.
- To continuation of your own family patterns and routines.
- To receive training and support to improve your skills in providing care and meeting the special needs of the child in your home.
- To know how to contact the agency and receive assistance, twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.
- To timely financial reimbursement for your care of a child.
- To view all legally available information placed in your foster home file by agency staff.
- To have a clear understanding of children placed in your home both initially and on an ongoing basis. Prior to placement, to review information received by the agency from the legal guardian (local DHS) to determine an appropriate match, or to answer any questions or concerns related to the child’s behavior, or history.
- An obligation to say no to a placement or to have a child moved when absolutely necessary.
- To ask for short term foster care when needed, either planned, during an emergency, or when a “break” is needed. Its encouraged that a foster parent utilize respite when they need a “break” from the role of foster parenting, however, Families First prohibits short term foster care being used as a form of punishment to the child.
- For your family to be considered first when issues of health and/or safety occur.
- To be notified of all meetings in a timely manner in order to actively participate in the case planning and decision-making process regarding the child in your home.
- To file a grievance if any of the above rights have been violated or denied. If you have a grievance, either call or write your Family Counselor. If the Family Counselor does not respond to your satisfaction, call or write to the Executive Director and Chief Executive Director.
Responsibilities to the child:
- Health and safety – responsibility for the child’s health and safety.
- Commitment – following through with what is in the best interests of the child, working with your treatment team on stabilizing and maintaining the placement, keeping in mind that often times security comes from working through a crisis with a child.
- Acceptance – acceptance of child, conveying care for the child through their diagnosis or behaviors
- Family environment – teaching the child how to participate in normal family life in the home, for example, sitting down to dinner for foster youth can be intimidating and new since many haven’t been exposed to that kind of family structure. Consistent structure and patience can be key in helping the child assimilate.
- Communication – being open about expectations in the home, talking with child concerning problems of daily living and interpersonal relations.
- Preparation – talking with the child regarding in both planned and unplanned recreational activities, including trips away from the residence, and respite.
- Treatment plan – carrying out responsibilities in the treatment team related to the child’s goals and objectives
- Contact with birth parents – Families First of Virginia values maintaining relationships with birth family and kin. Contact will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will always be coordinated by a FamiliesFirst worker. It is a foster parent responsibility to encourage and support healthy family relationships and to cooperate with the visitation plan.
Responsibilities to Families First:
- Cooperate with staff members of Families First of Virginia
- Attendance to monthly ongoing foster parent training facilitated by Families First of Virginia
- Providing feedback related to the child’s placement, behaviors, needs, and emotionally stability, and participating in treatment team meetings
- Adherence to state standards for foster care and all Families First of Virginia Policies and Procedures
- Submitting all required documentation in a timely manner, i.e. Youth Behavioral Checklist
