In part one of this series we were exploring the role of your agency, that is their obligation to you as a foster parent. We were talking about the agency giving you accurate information regarding the child you have just taken into your home, your life?

Now remember accurate information does not include the background of the child, that would be under the "Privacy Act", wording is everything.

Let us continue with the rules according the one state randomly chosen by your examiner;

• Note; you will find a-h listed on part 1 of the series. Missed part one, go back. (i) Respond as soon as possible to crisis situations that may arise from the foster child’s placement in the foster home; (is removal a crisis situation)?
• (j) Assist the foster parent in preparation for the separation of the foster child from foster care placement;
• (k) Explain and provide pre-service and in-service training;
• (l) Assist the foster parent in the selection, preparation, and completion of in service
  foster parent training;
• (m) Re-evaluate the foster parent and foster home annually and whenever there are major changes in the foster parent’s ability to care for foster children or in the foster home, and recommend either renewal, suspension, or revocation of the license as appropriate;
• (n) Act in accordance with § 6024 (§ = Statute) when abuse or neglect is suspected in a foster home; and
• (o) Obtain and maintain all pertinent records on the foster parent and each foster child for whom the foster parent has cared.

Sorry, we don’t mean to bore you, but you had to see this for yourself. Now that you have carefully read the obligations of the Agency, let us go on from there. Time to ask you a couple of questions;

•  In part one, we mentioned that we would be looking a (h). This one merits Sig again; (h) Provide appropriate supportive services, when available, that will enable the foster parent to meet the unique needs of the foster child and deal effectively with problems inherent in the foster child’s adjustment to care;

Have you ever had any of the services listed above? Was that a no!  Notice it say's when available! As we said before wording is everything. Are services available, such as training, support, or counseling when we need them?  Again we hear the answer no. Would  removal qualify as a crisis situation? Then why are we often told it will take two, or three weeks to find another sutable placement?

Maybe some of these have been mentioned to you, but we can just about guaranteed not all of them. Take another look at (a-c) and (i- & k) these are especially interesting.

Now remember this is just one state pulled at random by your Foster Families Examiner.

Just for your own knowledge you should read your agencies responsibilities from your own State Statutes. How? Go to part three.