Information Obtained from the National Resource Center for Permanency and Planning Connections

FULL DISCLOSURE

Information obtained from the National Resource Center for Permanency and Planning Connections at: http://www.nrcpfc.org/cpt/component-two.htm

DEFINITION OF FULL DISCLOSURE

Full disclosure is the respectful, candid discussion that begins when a child is placed in foster care. Full disclosure is offered to the parents and other team members, and continues throughout the life of the case. It includes:

·  Parents’ rights and responsibilities,

·  The problems that have been identified that led to their child’s placement in foster care,

·  The changes needed/the expectations of the agency and the court,

·  Alternative decision-making, and

·  Possible consequences

WHO IS ENTITLED TO FULL DISCLOSURE?

·  Birth parents,

·  Extended family,

·  Children and youth,

·  Foster parents,

·  Relative caregivers,

·  Tribal representatives (when appropriate),

·  Attorneys,

·  Guardians ad litem, and

·  Service providers

WHAT INFORMATION SHOULD BE DISCLOSED

Parents should be fully advised of the following:

·  That foster care is temporary and it is not good for children to grow up in foster care

·  That because of the emotional and developmental impact of foster care on a child, the urgent need for permanency either through reunification with the parent or another legally permanent family

·  Their rights and responsibilities

·  The problems that have been identified that led to their child’s placement in foster care

·  The changes needed/the expectations of the agency and the court

·  Available assistance and support services

·  Alternative permanency decision making. They should be told about the time frames for permanency planning.

·  Possible consequences: Parents should be told that if they do not meet the agency’s and court’s expectations, the alternative plans for the child may become the primary permanency plan and the focus of permanency efforts for the child.

OTHER THINGS THAT PROSPECTIVE PARENTS HAVE A RIGHT TO ASK FOR INCLUDE:

·  Reunification goals & his/her progress toward them,

·  The amount of reunification time left to demonstrate progress,

·  The alternative concurrent permanency plans being made ,

·  Medical records,

·  School records, including IEPs (and teacher comments)

·  Family history,

·  police reports,

·  CPS history,

·  Reports from CASAs

·  Reports from social workers

·  Reports from therapists

·  Psychological evaluations

·  Mental health evaluations and diagnoses

·  Names, dates of previous caregivers

·  Reasons for removal

·  Do children still have connections with foster or birth family?

·  Are the children in contact with other siblings?

·  Pictures of birth family?

·  Pictures of the children when they were young

·  How long the children have been in care?

·  Religion or faith preferences?

·  Do they participate in sports/music/club?