Frequently Asked Questions

• What is treatment foster care?

  Treatment foster care is an out-of-home placement in a family setting under the supervision and support of a Clinical Case Manager and other team members, such as social workers, therapists, and psychiatrists. Foster children are referred from county Departments of Human Services all over the state and typically range in age from 9-18. Treatment foster care youth in general have some type of emotional or behavioral issues that they are dealing with.

  During the placement, the child or youth is expected to address treatment goals related to his/her behavioral and emotional. The foster parents are trained by Community Care Resources, Inc. to work with the child so that he/she can improve his/her behavior and learn to interact with others in healthier ways. To assist with this process, the Clinical Case Manager will meet with the child or youth and the foster parents in their home, on a weekly basis and help coordinate services with other service providers, and maintain regular contact with the child or youth’s county social worker and biological family.

• What are the responsibilities of a foster parent?

  Community Care Resources, Inc. foster parents are committed to the treatment foster youth and their families. They have the skills necessary to effectively work with this challenging population. Community Care Resources, Inc. foster parents are viewed as a vital part of the child’s treatment and are expected to play a central role in facilitating treatment. Other responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Maintain a safe, clean living environment.
  • Provide adequate direct supervision for children placed in the home.
  • Schedule and transport to all appointments, court hearings, and family visits.
  • Enroll and monitor the child’s progress in school.
  • Encourage and support child’s involvement in school and community activities.
  • Provide age appropriate allowance and clothing expenditure of a minimum of $50 per month.
  • Be available for weekly meetings with the Clinical Case Manager.
  • Have positive and professional interaction with school, community, and mental health providers.
  • Maintain accurate records and completion of monthly paperwork regarding the child.
  • Be in compliance with training requirements.
• What types of kids are referred?

  Josh, age 9
  He has been diagnosed with ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder). He takes medication to help settle him and enable him to concentrate and focus better at school. Josh wets his bed many nights per week. He does not deal with frustration well, and sometimes has tantrums. Josh has been in two previous foster placements, and has been hospitalized in a child psychiatric hospital ward when he became out of control and unmanageable. He is in special education in school, in the 3rd grade. Josh has difficulty getting along with other children, and does not handle conflict well. Josh has a grandmother, who calls him regularly, but her health is poor, and she is unable to have him come to live with her. Josh is on a Child in Need of Protection & Services court order (Chips) because he experienced abuse by his mother’s boyfriend.

  Melissa, age 14
  She has school issues; she skips school, and does not perform well when she does attend. Teachers like her, she has a friendly personality, but she is a difficult child for them to manage at school. Melissa is several years behind on school credits due to poor attendance and poor performance. She also sneaks out of the home, running away for short periods with negative peers. She has experimented with alcohol and marijuana, and has been sexually active. Melissa was sexually abused from age 5-10 by several perpetrators. She cuts superficially on her arms, legs and stomach, and has some piercings, which she and a friend did (through her eyebrow, her navel, and several piercings through her ears.) Melissa can be sweet and winsome, and she can be manipulative and argumentative. She has been diagnosed with features of borderline personality disorder, and with a mood disorder. Melissa has been hospitalized several times, and has had her stomach pumped more than once after taking pills. Melissa is very attention seeking, and likes to wear loud colorful clothing, jewelry, and to dye her hair unnatural colors. She has been in group home care and in several foster placements in the past.

  
  Thomas, age 15
  Mixed racial child, African-American and Latino, He likes to portray himself as a gangster. Thomas has engaged in some criminal activity including retail theft, operating a vehicle without owners consent (car theft) vandalism and criminal damage to property. Respect for authority is an issue for him. He resists following rules, and does not show remorse when he is confronted about his behavior. Thomas has convictions on his record and the court is considering corrections for Thomas, but is going to try treatment foster care first to see if higher structure and monitoring can cause some changes in his behavior and criminal thinking patterns. Thomas is on a delinquency court order. Thomas expresses distrust for most adults. He is diagnosed with conduct disorder.

• What are the benefits for foster parents?

  Emotional

  Foster parents have the ability to make a difference in a child’s life as well as making a significant contribution to society as a whole.  Your ability to provide a nurturing, stable family environment can be a very effective means of helping a child succeed in life. Foster children often need help dealing with their past experiences that may involve abuse, neglect, and loss. A person considering becoming a foster parent should be prepared to deal with these types of issues and feel that making a difference in someone’s life is a rewarding experience. Foster parents can help troubled children learn to feel safe around adults and connect with other people.

  Financial

  The foster care system is designed so that foster parents receive what it costs for them to care for the child. This amount varies by individual cases and largely depends on the needs of the child. Financial reimbursement is usually meant to cover basic costs of living such as food, clothing, and shelter. This support makes it easier for a parent considering foster parenting.

  Concurrent Planning/Adoption

  Foster parenting is especially beneficial for families that may consider adopting a child in the future. Many foster parents become interested in adopting the foster children they care for. According to U.S Department of Health and Human Services, 54 percent of children who were adopted in 2009 were adopted by their foster parents. Additionally, parents who adopt from the foster care system have had the opportunity to spend time with the child in their home and therefore have a better understanding of how the child will fit into their home and lifestyle. Community Care Resources, Inc. provides information and resources when adoption becomes a consideration.

  Respite Care

  Foster parents are provided with a minimum of one respite day per month per child, again depending on the needs and complexity of behavioral treatment issues of the child.

  Training/Education Classes

  Opportunities for training and education are offered by the agency at multiple sites to assist with developing the skills necessary for  foster parenting.

  Enriching the lives of your own children

  Sharing your home with a foster child can enrich the lives of your own children by broadening their horizons. It is a revelation for your own children to experience life situations outside of their norm. Some parents find that in return their own children turn out to be  more appreciative and compassionate adults.

• Would I make a good treatment foster parent?

  Would I be willing and able to deal with kids who have emotional and behavioral issues? Examples include:

  • Difficulty getting along with others (argues, bullies, etc.)
  • Verbal outbursts
  • Aggressiveness
  • Oppositional and defiant behavior
  • Truancy
  • Running away
  • Alcohol and drug issues
  • Impulsivity and poor judgment
  • Poor coping skills
  • Trauma victim/sexual abuse victimization
  • Cognitive limitations
  • Learning disabilities

  Do I have the time and energy to devote to a needy youth?
  Either parent must be available to supervise a youth at all times.

  Am I familiar with or willing to learn about children’s mental health issues?
  A calm and organized home with people who are willing to learn and apply new parenting techniques will be very beneficial for these youth.

  Do I have the physical and emotional room for a treatment foster child?
  You will need to take good care of yourself and be able to “act” not “react” with these youth. Your children be good reporters to you and have lots of self-care skills.

  Our foster youth may not share a bedroom with a biological child.

  Do I have medical or mental health issues which interfere with my everyday life?
  We do not discriminate towards people with disabilities, however we may ask for a letter from your mental health professional verifying your ability to foster.

  Am I financially stable to provide for my family’s needs?
  State law requires foster parents to be financially stable. That means not relying on a foster youth’s maintenance payment for financial support.

• How long does it take to become licensed?

  The licensing process takes approximately 60-90 days depending on completion of all required training and paperwork by the foster parents.

• Do I get to choose the child that is placed in my home?

  Foster parents are given the opportunity to review information about a child as well as consult with their Clinical Case Manager regarding appropriateness of the child for their family. In many cases, foster parents also have a pre-placement visit with the child before making a final decision.

• How long will the child be placed in foster care?

  The length of a placement varies depending upon each individual situation. However, placements generally last from six to eighteen months.

• Where will the child attend school?

  When placed in foster care the child will attend school, day treatment, or a charter school in the district within which the foster home is located.

• Can I work while I am a treatment foster parent?

  The ideal model for Community Care Resources, Inc. foster homes require that one parent be in the home or at least be available at all times, while the other parent may be able to work or provide an income for the family.

• Can I become a foster parent if I have children of my own?

  Many of our foster parents have children of their own. The safety of biological children is of primary importance and, thus, a child who may present a safety risk due to issues such as physical aggression or sexual acting out will not be placed in a home with younger children.

• Can the child accompany us on vacation? To church?

  Foster children can accompany their foster families to church or on vacations. However, permission to do so must be granted by the child’s parent or legal guardian, who may exercise the right not to allow the child to participate in such activities.

• Who pays for medical and dental services?

  Youth are issued a Medical Assistance card at the time of placement in foster care, which covers medical, dental, vision, and psychiatric services. Foster parents are not responsible for any medical expenses.

• Can I adopt a foster child?

  In some instances, where parental rights have been terminated by the court, foster parents may adopt a child out of foster care.

• What happens if the placement does not work out?

  When a placement appears to be failing, a more intense clinical review of the case will be initiated in the interest of maintaining the placement. If these efforts are unsuccessful, other placement options will be explored and pursued. A 30-day notice of discharge is required.

• It is possible to be a “part-time” Foster Parent?

  One can see what treatment foster care is like, and what our population of children is like, by providing respite care. Sometimes it is a first step toward becoming a foster parent by “trying it out” on a limited basis. It may be a one-time stay at your home, or a regularly scheduled visit by the same child. Respite care is a short-term break provided periodically for our foster families. If the foster parents want an evening out, or a weekend off, care for the foster child is provided by a certified respite provider. It is a way to help support foster families and children and can be both challenging and rewarding. Respite providers can care for a foster child for up to 72 hours, in either the foster home or the respite provider’s home. Providing respite care is a way to help support our foster families and to work with the children we have in care, without making a full time 24/7 commitment to have the child live with you. All respite providers must be certified, and able to provide quality, reliable temporary care consistent with the child’s treatment plan.

• What are the qualifications to become a Community Care Resources, Inc. respite provider?

  21 years old, at least 5 years older than the child being cared for, have experience or training working with children, especially with children with special needs, accept responsibility, be reliable, flexible, work independently, exercise good judgment, maintain authorize the agency to conduct background checks (including criminal records, & any offenses against children through Child Protective Services,) provide proof of vehicle insurance and a valid drivers license, become familiar with foster care rules and regulations and abide by them, have one’s home inspected for compliance if respite is provided in one’s home and be physically able to provide the care needed.

• How is Community Care Resources, Inc. different from other agencies?
  • All Clinical Case Managers have their Master’s Degrees and are trained mental health clinicians with an emphasis on Trauma Informed Care.
  • Foster parents have weekly home visits with a Clinical Case Manager, and phone support available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
  • We offer extensive training opportunities to expand the foster parents’ expertise and skills.
  • Community Care Resources, Inc. offers outpatient therapy programs including S.T.O.P. (Sexual Abuse Treatment/Offender Program), TF-CBT (Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).
  • We have a licensed child psychologist on staff available for consultations and evaluations.
• What support services does Community Care Resources, Inc. offer?

  Once you become licensed, each foster family is assigned a Clinical Case Manager. Every Clinical Case Manager holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work or a related field. The Clinical Case Manager provides weekly face-to-face contact with the foster parents to assist in the coordination of case planning and the treatment implementation. The Clinical Case  Manager also serves as a liaison with the school, mental health providers, law enforcement, and the county social worker. Foster parents are provided with 24-hour on-call crisis support by phone in the event of an emergency involving a foster child. In addition, opportunities for training and support are available on a monthly basis.