Module 6: Resolving Foster Parent Concerns

/ Time:5hours
Module Purpose: The purpose of this module is resolve concerns that present in foster homes and to addressfoster parent concerns and motivation.
/ Demonstrated Skills:
  1. Describe the primary events and elements of foster care investigation andreferral process.
  2. Identify foster care problem situations requiring resolution and the types of concerns a foster parent might have.
  3. Given a case scenario, use a corrective action plan as a response to problem resolution.
There are 2units in this module.
Materials Needed:
  • Trainer’s Guide.
  • Participant’s Guide (participants should bring their own).
  • Markers.
  • Flip chart.

Agenda:
Unit 6.1: Foster Care Referrals
  1. Foster Care referral process.
Unit 6.2: Techniques to Manage Problems
  1. Types of problem situations that may need to be resolved.
  2. Corrective action plans.
  3. Foster parent motivation.
  4. Foster parent concerns.
  5. License revocation.
  6. Chapter 120 hearing.

Trainer Instructions and Script:
Display Slide 6.0.1: Module 6: Resolving Foster Parent Concerns (PG:1)

Display Slide 6.0.2: Learning Objectives (PG:1)

Display Slide 6.0.3: Agenda (PG:1)

/ Say: Before we move into content, I want to share the learning objectives for Module 6:
  1. Describe the primary events and elements of foster care investigation and referral process.
  2. Identify foster care problem situations requiring resolution and the types of concerns a foster parent might have.
  3. Given a case scenario, use a corrective action plan as a response to problem resolution.

Unit 6.1: Reporting and Responding to Concerns in Foster Homes

/ Time:2hours
Unit Overview: The purpose of Unit 1is to review the primary events and elements of reporting and responding to concerns in the foster home including calls to the hotline, investigations, and foster care referrals.
/ Learning Objectives:
  1. Distinguish between a report of abuse/neglect and a foster care referral.
  2. List and explain the steps if a report the hotline results in an investigation.
  3. List and explain the steps if a report to the hotline results in a foster care referral.

Trainer Instructions and Script:
Display Slide 6.1.4: Unit6.1:Reporting and Respondingto Concerns in Foster Homes (PG:2)

Display Slide 6.1.5: Learning Objectives(PG:2)

/ Say: The purpose of Unit 1 is to review the primary events and elements of reporting and responding to concerns in the foster home including calls to the hotline, investigations, and foster care referrals.
Display slide 6.1.6:When Referrals and Abuse/Neglect
Investigations Happen(PG:3)

/ Say:Despite our best efforts, abuse/neglect investigations and foster care referrals do happen.
  • The agency has the right to inspect a foster home at any reasonable time and must investigate all complaints and foster care referrals alleging licensing violations.
  • Licensing specialists must have the skills and knowledge to receive, manage and respond to concerns in the home. You must be able to assess whether there is reasonable cause to suspect child abuse or neglect in a foster home. If reasonable cause is determined, you should immediate report it to the hotline.
  • The vast majority of foster parents understand that investigations of foster parents are absolutely necessary when the allegations rise to the level of abuse/neglect.
  • However, they do express frustration, hurt, confusion and a reluctance to continue fostering when multiple investigations with no findings are damaging to the children in their homes and to their own families.

Display slide 6.1.7:The Benefits of the Process (PG:3)

/ Say:Here are a few things to keep in mind about how Florida’s approach to investigations and referrals, found in CFOP 175-12 and CFOP 175-21, are beneficial to children as well as foster parents:
  • Children are not confused or upset by an “investigation” and will experience less trauma because these approaches are less intrusive and are more closely matched to the severity of the allegation or concern reported.
  • Licensing issues are handled by staff familiar to/with the child and foster parents.
  • Foster parents have the opportunity to develop skills without feeling threatened.
  • Law enforcement is involved only in abuse/neglect reports (when required).They may be involved in a foster care referral is the allegation is a child on child sexual abuse case (COC).
  • Limited staff resources are used more efficiently and therefore more effectively.
  • Volunteer foster parents are recognized as partners in the system of care and treated as such.
  • Foster parents are less likely to leave fostering because they are better satisfied with their experience.
  • More quality foster parents are available to provide the care that children need because there is less attrition.

Display slide 6.1.8:Abuse/Neglect
Investigations orFoster Care Referral (PG:4)

/ Say:Foster care referrals do NOT meet the criteria for abuse/neglect investigations.
  • Foster care referrals refer to “calls to the Hotline regarding concerns about the care provided in a licensed foster home, group home or emergency shelter that do not meet the criteria for acceptance of a report of abuse, abandonment, or neglect.” F.A.C. 65C-30.001(57).
  • Foster Care referrals are not handled by CPIs but by licensing or foster home support staff.
  • Foster care referrals are most often licensing violations. A common foster care referral is corporal punishment without injury.
  • Abuse/neglect investigations must meet criteria specified in law and must be handled by CPIs.
  • Hotline counselors are trained to ask questions to determine the difference.

Display slide 6.1.9:Two Ways to Respond: Response Tips(PG:4)

/ Say:So, there are two distinct ways to respond to concerns in foster homes:
  1. Abuse/neglect reports are investigated by CPIs.
  2. Foster care referrals are handled by CBCs.
Here are some response tips for investigations conducted by CPIs:
  • Respond with local licensing staff.
  • Communicate – explain time frames, outcomes, etc.
  • Use the approach warranted for the situation.
  • Ensure foster parent knows how to get follow-up information.
Here are some response tips for Foster Care Referrals handled by CBCs:
  • Determine if additional services are needed.
  • Connect Foster Parents with other training and supports.
  • Use the opportunity to teach/inform/mentor.
  • Coordinate with case manager, GAL, CLS as needed.
  • Communicate next steps.
Specifically,
  • Foster parents express the need for more information. They want to know the status of their investigation as soon as possible – they share stories of how hard it is to wait even if it “seems” like the investigation will result in no findings.
  • Experienced CPIs, case managers, and licensing staff understand the value of the teamwork and sharing information. This leads to better decisions and improved relationships.
  • The division of roles is not only better in terms of workload management, it also provides opportunities for foster parents to obtain needed services for children and learn additional skills.
  • Collaborative approaches in both response types are credited for informed planning and decision making.

Display slide 6.1.10:CPI Investigation Intake(PG:5)

/ Say: If the hotline determines the concern meets the criteria for an investigation, the CPI coordinates as needed with the licensing staff.
  • The CPI is the lead during the investigation and all communication relating to the open investigation must be authorized and coordinated by the CPI, including discussions with the foster parent and alleged child victim.
  • When investigating the allegations involving foster parents, all parties must be sensitive to the fact that there may be other children placed in the home who may be traumatized by the unannounced arrival of a CPI, case manager, licensing specialist or law enforcement.
  • CPI notifies, with pertinent information, the case manager, CLS attorney, GAL, alleged victim’s birth parents if rights remain intact.
  • The time, place and manner of home visit(s) depend upon a variety of factors.
  • If the alleged child victim is currently placed with the foster parent, the CPI coordinates a home visit with the licensing specialist and case manager. The licensing specialist should respond on a joint visit if CPI determines it is appropriate.
  • If the alleged child is not currently placed with the foster parent and no other child is placed with the foster parent, the CPI will visit both the child and the foster parent.
  • According to statute, the initial visit with the alleged child victim will be unannounced.
  • If other children are known or suspected to be in the care of the foster parent against whom the allegations are alleged, the initial visit will be unannounced.
  • A CPI does not need to notify nor does a joint response need to occur if an intake is received with no allegations against the foster parent, but the alleged child victim is placed with a foster parent.
  • During initial contact, the CPI must explain the investigative process to the foster parent and provide him/her with the Child Protective Investigations Involving Foster Parents Information Sheet. The foster parent has the right to ask questions and raise concerns and contact the CPI at any time.
  • When the supervising agency or regional licensing authority is notified of an investigation a staffing shall be coordinated according to local protocol.
  • A follow-up staffing will occur if the investigation closure decision is not known at the time of the staffing.
  • Investigation closure letters are sentout at the close of the investigation.

/ Ask: What measures can we take to be sensitive to the fact that there may be other children placed in the home who may be traumatized by the unannounced arrival of a CPI, case manager, licensing specialist or law enforcement?
Trainer Notes: Pause and let participants respond. Participants should identify measures that include, but are not limited to:
  • Conduct interviews without the children present.
  • Find supports to take care of the children during the investigation.
  • Conduct investigation while children are at school.

/ Refer participants to PG 6and look at Additional Resource Material: Child Protective Investigations Involving Foster Parents Information Sheet.
Trainer Notes: Discuss this information sheet and how it can be used to help communicate the investigation process with foster parents.
Display slide 6.1.11:Foster Care Referral (PG:8)

/ Say:Sometimes referrals do not meet the criteria for an abuse report, but concerns are still present. These concerns may result in a report to the hotline or may result in a referral. The most common types of licensing concerns include:
  • Quality of care.
  • Foster parent not working in partnership.
  • Inappropriate methods of discipline.
Upon receipt of a foster care referral by the child protection investigation unit, the foster care referral shall be immediately forwarded to the appropriate licensing staff. The licensing staff receiving the foster care referral shall:
  • Respond to the foster care referral and document any needed actions within forty-eight hours.
  • Prepare a written corrective action plan to correct the deficiencies that are a result of a foster care referral. The plan shall be developed by the supervising agency in conjunction with the licensed out-of-home caregivers and shall be approved by the Regional Licensing Authority.
  • If there are concerns regarding abuse or neglect, a call shall be made to the Abuse Hotline. The Abuse Hotline staff shall immediately notify the placement unit, or on-call unit if after hours.

Display slide 6.1.12: The Licensing Specialist’s Role During Investigationor Referral (PG:8)

/ Say:Remember that if a foster home concern appears to meet the criteria for an abuse report, you must call it into the hotline as it is the responsibility of the CPI division to investigate.
In cases where you receive a foster care referral you believe you cannot handle or believe they may meet the criteria for an abuse report, notify your supervisor who may then instruct you to call the abuse hotline and report concerns that the referral may rise to the level of an abuse report.
During the investigation or referral process, the licensing specialist/staff is responsible for:
Cooperating and Investigating:
  • Investigating complaints against the foster parent that meet the criteria for acceptance of a report of abuse or neglect jointly with the Child Protective Investigator whenever possible.
  • Working in cooperation with the lead agency and supervising agency to ensure a thorough investigation is conducted.
  • Limiting the focus of your investigation or assessment to violations of licensing standards.
  • Completing all complaint investigations or foster care referrals within five working days of the receipt of the complaint unless otherwise authorized by the licensing authority.
Interviewing and Contacts:
  • Thoroughly documenting all contacts.
  • Interviewing the child or children listed as subjects of the referral and visit the family foster home or emergency shelter home within twenty four hours of receipt of the referral by the licensing unit unless a staffing is held with the licensing unit supervisor and a determination is made and documented in the licensing file, that a home visit is not necessary.
  • Contacting the foster parent to discuss the referral within twenty four hours of receipt of the referral if a home visit is not made.
Staffing:
  • Participating in a staffing for complaints meeting the criteria for acceptance of a report of abuse or neglect, closed with verified or some indicators of abuse or neglect. This staffing must be held prior to the closure of the report. Upon completion of the investigation, the protective investigator must notify all pertinent parties to arrange a suitable time and place to convene the staffing. Complaints against a licensed out-of-home caregiver not meeting the criteria for child abuse or neglect may also be staffed.
Assessing and Corrective Action:
  • Completing the assessment of the referral within five working days of receipt of the referral.
  • Documenting the results of the assessment and any necessary corrective action plan in the licensing file and a copy forwarded to the licensing authority within seven working days of receipt of the referral.
  • Forwarding the results of the complaint and any necessary corrective action plan to the licensing authority within seven working days of the staffing.
  • Developing and monitoring corrective action plans in conjunction with the supervising agency. Corrective action plans must be in writing and identify specific dates by which corrective measures shall be completed. The written corrective action plan shall also state that failure to comply with the corrective measures within the time frames identified may result in administrative action including suspension, revocation or denial of the license.
  • Thoroughly documenting the complaint investigation or foster care referral assessment information in the licensing file. The supervising agency must give written notification to the foster parent and the department of the outcome of the investigation as it relates to the licensing violations, and, if appropriate a corrective action plan.
Assessing and Corrective Action:
  • Completing the assessment of the referral within five working days of receipt of the referral.

Display slide 6.1.13: Foster Allegation Support Team (FAST) (PG:9)

/ Say:The Foster Allegation Support Team (F.A.S.T.) supports foster parents through the pain and fear of the allegation, clarifies the process, provides clearer communication, helps the children avoid the trauma and helps retain foster homes.
The purpose of F.A.S.T is to:
  • Provide an immediate response as well as support to foster parents when an allegation has been, or might be, brought against them.
  • Be there when any foster parent asks for help or support.
  • Keep foster parents informed of the procedures and the processes a foster parent can expect during an investigation.
  • Work toward better investigations, more compassion, tolerance and respect for foster parents, children and families.
  • Maintain the confidentiality of the reports.
  • Offer support and help, which means listening to foster parents when they have a need to vent a sense of hurt, anger and shock at what has happened to them.
  • Never allow themselves to get involved in name calling, accusations, or other counterproductive behaviors which may cause foster parents to stray.
  • Helpfoster parents learn the concept of "fair fighting", treating the other side with absolute respect and insist on the same.
  • Help foster parents gain an attitude of honest and straightforward integrity which allows their point to be viewed.

/ Ask: As a licensing specialist, how can you best help foster parents utilize the services of F.A.S.T.?
Trainer Notes: Pause and let participants respond. Participants should identify uses that include, but are not limited to:
  • Make sure foster parents are aware of the service.
  • Make sure foster parents follow the F.A.S.T. recommendations, including:
  • Beginning a dated, written journal of events and communications.
  • Keeping good records.
  • Insisting on giving full input into the investigations.
  • Calling the F.A.S.T. hotline for immediate support.
  • Requesting assistance from department in explaining to the children what is happening and why.
  • Maintaining their sense of professionalism as foster parents.
  • Cooperating with the investigation.

Display slide 6.1.14: Impact of Allegations Against Foster Parents(PG:9)

/ Say:Foster parentsaccused of neglect and abuse experience the accusation of integrity as a form of assault or victimization. People who have been accused of abuse often experience the same types of symptoms as those who have actually been abused.