|
Foster
Care Program
When a child cannot safely remain in his or her home while
the child and other family members receive child welfare
services, the child will be removed from the home and
placed in out-of-home care. Depending on the care and
service needs of the child, he/she may be placed in the
home of a relative (i.e., kinship care), a foster family
home, a certified home of a Foster Family Agency (FFA),
or a group home.
While
a child is in out-of-home care, efforts are made to
prevent further abuse or neglect. County social workers
arrange for services to be provided to the parent(s),
the children and other family members to reduce the
risk of further abuse/neglect and reunite the children
with their families. Unfortunately, many children may
not be reunited with their families. In these instances,
the children remain in foster care until permanency
is achieved (e.g., the children are freed for adoption
or guardianship is established), or until they emancipate
at age 18.
Children remaining in foster care at age 16 or older
may receive Independent Living Program services and
activities to help them in the transition from foster
care to independent living. In addition, some foster
youth aged 17 can participate in a Transitional Housing
Placement Program (THPP). This program allows the placement
of 17 year-old youth involved with the Independent Living
Program in supervised apartment-type settings to prepare
for emancipation from foster care.
How
To Get Help
Contact the Department of Employment and Social Services
to make inquiries about becoming a licensed Foster Parent
or if you are a parent looking for temporary placement
services.
|
