Matching foster children with Wisconsin foster parents is a complex task, but the results can be incredibly fulfilling. Our Referral Coordinator, Brian, is at the heart of this process, handling daily referrals from counties across Wisconsin. On average, CCR receives 60 referrals monthly. Each referral is unique, reflecting the diverse needs and trauma levels of the children in foster care. Brian's role is crucial in ensuring that CCR's matching process leads to successful outcomes for both foster children and parents.
What does the matching process look like, and what do we look for in potential foster parents?
We spoke with Brian Sullivan, Referral Coordinator at CCR, for 25 years to help us understand.
I am the primary contact for our contract counties and agencies who want to refer a child or sibling group for CCR foster care services. When a county agency needs to place a child outside their county due to resource limitations, they contact me. My primary responsibility is collecting comprehensive information about the child, including their requirements, history, and issues, to find the most suitable CCR foster home. I carefully assess the pool of available foster parents to make the best possible match based on my understanding of the child's needs and the strengths of our foster parents.
Some things to consider are:
I receive 55-65 referrals monthly from counties and tribes throughout Wisconsin. However, I can only place a small percentage of those children, primarily due to the need for more licensed foster families. Only 15% of those kids are in a safe, loving CCR home. At CCR, our foster care matching process is carefully designed to ensure that the needs of the young people in our care are always the top priority. Despite my best efforts, which often include other team members, there are many cases in which a suitable match is not found, and the referral is passed back to the referring agency. The ongoing shortage of Wisconsin foster parents means we only sometimes have a family available to meet the child's needs.
The difference between basic county-level and treatment-level foster care lies in the level of service provided to the child and the foster family. For instance, a child in a county foster home may not receive necessary support services. A county worker may visit the house once a month, whereas, in treatment-level foster care, visits are required twice a month. However, CCR is the only agency in Wisconsin that provides weekly in-home visits. We offer support for the placement, allow foster parents to manage the child in care, and help maintain a stable placement.
In recent years, we have noticed an increase in sibling groups displaced from their family homes. Also, finding homes for teenage girls and boys is our biggest challenge. Many new foster parents are hesitant to foster teens, but our experienced foster parents find older youth less challenging than younger children. Regardless of the ages and behaviors of the children placed, our foster parents must adhere to strict flexibility requirements. Being available for multiple appointments and interruptions during the week should be expected.
Yes, I work closely with the potential family to arrange a meeting with the child. We schedule a pre-placement visit, which typically includes overnight or weekend stays. These visits allow foster parents to meet the child and gather as much information as possible to decide whether to pursue the placement. The visits also aid in the transition process so that the child has some knowledge about the family before joining them.
The foster family always has the option of accepting or declining a child. I strive to provide all available information to help them make the best choice for their family. A placement can last anywhere from 12 to 24 months and often longer. I work closely with the referring agency and county worker during this time to ensure we communicate effectively. We will also continue to gather any additional information about the referral that is available.
The support and guidance provided by our team during the decision-making process help instill confidence and security in foster parents. This is a serious process that we do not take lightly. It is important that our families feel they have received all the support they need. Once a placement is made, our commitment to providing 24/7 support starts right away. Our families truly appreciate this high level of support.
When foster parents are open to different types and ages of kids, they can have unique experiences. The greatest need is to find foster homes for young sibling groups and teenage girls and boys. It's challenging to find one family that can accommodate a sibling group of 3, 4, or 5 kids, both logistically and practically. Many foster parents care for sibling groups, while others prefer working with teenagers. We respect the family's choice and never push them either way. Knowing that the decision is theirs is essential, and we will never make it for them.
We understand that fostering a vulnerable child or sibling group can be complex and challenging. Many foster children come from difficult backgrounds and have heightened behaviors and emotions. These emotional and behavioral challenges require ongoing management and can be challenging for both the child and the foster parents. Because our Clinical Case Managers are in the home weekly, breakdowns and disruptions are often avoided.
Older children are encouraged to speak with their Clinical Case Manager. The CCM, in turn, will typically talk with the youth and the foster parent to understand where the placement is breaking down and implement steps to rebuild these areas. Well-planned meetings seek solutions and strategies for remedying the situation and resolving problems with the placement while considering the child's best interests. A 30-day notice to move the child may be unavoidable if this doesn't work.
Can I adopt my foster children? Children are often adopted by their CCR foster parents. However, the goal is most often reunification. Adoption happens less than 20% of the time.
CCR is committed to improving the outcomes of all the children and youth placed in our care. We have dedicated, compassionate team members with decades of field experience working diligently with our foster parents and county agencies to provide each child with the most suitable, safe home.
If you want to learn more about CCR and becoming a foster parent, please explore our website or contact us anytime. We are glad to answer your questions and provide more details.
