"Fostering the future"

If you are not in the FPAWS email loop, you may find topics of discussion here that some feel are important toward moving the foster care conversation forward. Feel free to comment at fpaws@fpaws.org . This is a new string, short but effective. Thanks Mike, Very powerful video.  Good to see this happening for children. We are not alone in the struggle.  Tess This top string relates to:  Campaign to Reform Child Welfare for 10,000+ Kids Moves Ahead Landmark ruling advances efforts to bring dramatic improvements to vulnerable kids in Oklahoma and nationwide.  Find out how you can help. http://childrensrights.createsend.com/T/ViewEmail/r/32E32AC3E1F22475/594D4EC5C3D9FC3244D0DD5392A9C75A
 
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This string relates to: COMMUNITY RESOURCES FESTIVAL AT THE INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE TO BE HELD APRIL 29, 2010. The next string came from a discussion on transportation reimbursement. Start at the bottom or anywhere you want. The bottom of a string is marked by a line of New Topic, New Topic, etc. 
 

I went to these when I was teaching pre-school and ALWAYS found them to be helpful.  Great statistics on things we face like FAE and Drug impacted infants - long term prognosis- An amazing assortment of knowledge that I still use today!  GO if you can!!!  Mary
 
 

From: Beth Canfield <bethcanfield@comcast.net>
Here’s a great resource.
 
Beth & Mike Canfield  Co-President FPAWS 360-377-1011
The Foster Parent Association of Washington State (FPAWS) a volunteer organization that receives no state funding of any kind. Our toll-free adoption/kinship/foster family support number is 1-800-391-CARE and our web address is: www.fpaws.org

From: Luque, Michael J . (DSHS/CA) [mailto:LUMI300@dshs.wa.gov]
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 3:53 PM
To: Beth Canfield
Subject: FW: Community Resources Festival at the Infant and Early Childhood Conference
 
Hi Beth,
Free opportunities for caregivers…they need to register.
M
 

From: Tracy Ulrich [mailto:tracyulrich@verizon.net]
Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 7:50 AM
To: 'Tracy Ulrich'
Subject: Community Resources Festival at the Infant and Early Childhood Conference
 
Please distribute this message to your email lists.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
COMMUNITY RESOURCES FESTIVAL AT THE INFANT AND EARLY CHILDHOOD CONFERENCE TO BE HELD APRIL 29, 2010
 
Attend a FREE training in Tacoma !
 
The Community Resources Festival will be held on Thursday, April 29, 2010 from 5:00 until 8:00 PM.  There is no charge to attend this event hosted by the Infant and Early Childhood Conference (IECC).  Parents and early care and education professionals are encouraged to attend.  The Community Resources Festival will be held at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center and will feature more than 60 different exhibits and nine featured speakers, who will offer an array of training topics. The free event is open to the public. 
 
Participants have the opportunity to earn three STARS credits.  You must register to attend.  Click here for additional information – http://www.ieccwa.org
 
Featured topics/speakers include:
·        Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Working with Parents of Infants and Toddlers with Sleep Problems, presented  by Angelique Millette, Sleep Consultant, Parent Educator, and Infant/Child Therapist in California
·        Mosaic Art with Tumbled Safe Glass.  Presented by Tim Lowell, Artist and Educator, Active Art and Science in Seattle , Washington
·        Love the Beat, presented by Tessa Grigg and Brian Ringrose, Early Childhood Educators in Christchurch , New Zealand
·        Sensory Integration with Gook and Gak, presented by Chris Cuneo, Social Worker, and Lyesha Gosnell, Elementary Special Education, Holly Ridge Center in Bremerton, Washington
·        Tips for Talking to Parents about Autism, presented by Susan Ray, Family Involvement Coordinator, Department of Health in Tumwater , Washington
·        Valuing Play and Including Children with Special Needs, presented by Victoria Jones, Child Care Resource & Referral in Tacoma Washington
·        Community Drumming, facilitated by Ray Soriano, Program Manager Skagit Islands Head Start in Mt. Vernon , Washington
·        Is There a Book In You?  Presented by Patricia Nan Anderson, Author and Private Consultant in Seattle , Washington
·        A New and Exciting Look for Preschool. presented by Dr. Nancy Frailey, Project Manager of Early Reading First, Carolyn Cross, Early Literacy Coach, and Dr. Hahid Nader-Hashemi, St. Louis Public Schools
 
Three hours of STARS credits are available for child care providers required by WAC minimum requirements to take STARS training.  The IECC, which plays a critical role in helping parents and professionals explore Early Childhood Education topics in order to significantly improve children’s opportunities to live fulfilling lives, will be held April 28, 29, and 30th. 
 
Please consider publishing on your company/agency website or in your newsletter/magazine.
 
For Additional Information: 
 
Tracy Ulrich
Infant and Early Childhood Conference
http://www.ieccwa.org
Mark your calendar:  April 28, 29, & 30, 2010 - Greater Tacoma Convention Center 
Email:  TracyUlrich@verizon.net
 
The purpose of the Infant and Early Childhood Conference {IECC} is to provide opportunities for families and service providers to come together to learn, share and advocate on behalf of all young children, especially those with developmental delays, disabilities and/or other special health care needs.
 
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A discussion on transportation reimbursement. 
Well said Shala. Have you noticed an increase in the frustration of foster parents over the last few years as Pre-service training has increased and In-service training has decreased?

      When we had the 60 hour In-service training mandated within the first two years of licensing foster parents were connected to relevant information at a time that they could use it and they were also given the information for where and how to get their needs met in the future. Even then, caregivers were asking for more advanced training in order to have the ability to address the needs that our kids come to us with, more support and better communication. I would be interested to see "data" on how many less "veteran" foster parents there are with the training requirements today.
There are foster parent "networks" still in place that were created in
(live) classes many years ago. Some of those same caregivers are now advocates for newer caregivers, sharing there knowledge and experience.
RIFTI used to have the ability to provide more before pre-service was prioritized and added to their workload.
      When there is an attitude/culture that recognizes what the expectations should be of a caregiver and what that caregiver would need to be successful in "parenting" and helping heal these children, we will not only have better retention of foster parents we will also have more consistent care and support for our children and their families. I believe the number one reason a caregiver quits is because they feel like a failure, with more knowledge more would succeed. The "system" continues to look for improved "services" to provide support to children and families while at the same time lessoning the value of the support a caregiver can provide. Where is the biggest potential for creating positive change for our kids and their families? A few hours a month available from various "services" alone (the
professionals) or a team that includes a trained/competent caregiver that is willing and able to expand some of those services in their home? What would it look like if a part of those services was to teach/support the caregiver?
How successful can those "services" be if the caregiver is frustrated by how challenging the child's behaviors are or "the system" is in providing them with the support (tools) they need? Then the ultimate consequence is more disruptions for the child and their family. 
      In my opinion the best example of disrespect and lack of understanding of the daily life of a foster parent is to tell us that in order to be prepared to fulfill the role, (knowing what the predictable challenges of care giving are) you can watch a movie or two to fulfill some of your training requirements. Back to the original question, do we get transportation reimbursed if 5 foster families meet at one home and watch the approved movie together? Or do we get reimbursed for transportation for attending training on how to help a traumatized child while he is living with you 24/7? It makes sense that caregiver's motivation is often times seen as "suspect" when the role is undefined the expectations from our "system" are so low.
      A few examples of what I would like to see implemented:
*Specific mandated trainings in the first year or two of a completed license covering what we know a caregiver needs to succeed with any placement they accept, including what you need to be respected as the caregiver in "the system" and get the help you need.
*Caregivers are informed and educated on all of the challenges a child may have and what that means on a day to day basis in order for them to make an educated decision if they should say "Yes, I can meet this child's needs, and will take them as a placement in my home". Or, Yes I can meet most of the needs but will need training/resources for some of the needs.
*For at least the first year a mentor or liaison is not a resource that you can access if you have problems they are an expectation for you to have contact with 1 or 2 times a month (We already know that there will be questions that can lead into problems.
* Specific training for age groups i.e. Understand and support healthy development and how to access resources/information when there are developmental lags in order to help the child catch up. Understand the parenting requirements when parenting a child that is diagnosed ADHD, ODD, PTSD........and the expectations in accessing resources/knowledge.
*You need to qualify in order to care for a child above a level 1 or 2.
*Acknowledgment and value for the number of years of training and experience which would lesson the requirements for future training.
*Prioritize retaining social workers.       Thanks for being there, Beth
                                   
 Beth & Mike Canfield Co-President FPAWS
What I know for sure is I deal daily with foster parents who have taken in kids they have no experience or training to deal with. There are lessening "services" to back them up or help them out. The only help they will usually find is within themselves to educate themselves. We have kids weekly being removed from foster homes and put in another home to just have them blow out because foster parents don't know how to deal with those behaviors. We have children who are being labeled and a large part of the problem is teaching foster parents how to parent kids with baggage and issues.
When Foster Parents feel frustrated they QUIT! Shala
 
 
 
 
Hello Rick, actually training is already mandated. Our goal is to make those mandated training hours more effective. The ideas being promulgated are designed to take advantage of money being spent already. If we develop tracks that make sense for a foster parent's goals in foster care, we can make sure money isn't wasted on classes that are cancelled because only a couple, if any, foster parents show up. Over a few years we will have developed well trained parents allowing for more targeted placements. This will be more helpful for the kids and the foster parents. There will be folks that change tracks and the training will be in place. It is all about the kids, but having foster parents feeling more capable will increase their longevity as foster parents.
      So many issues between foster parents and the Department stem from poorly placed kids that end up bouncing between placements. You know how multiple moves are disastrous for a kid's mental health. We can pass laws every year to try and stem the tide, but without a trained work force, we will not get very far from where we are now. The State will continue paying out millions in lawsuits. While we need to focus smaller targeted issues such as working relations with the Department, we also need to keep working on the culture of foster care.
      Though some believe that foster care will be greatly reduced by 2020, some believe that the role of foster parent could grow to better meet the needs of our children and the system. 2106 says that kids are not getting their needs met by the department, so let's see if private agencies can do a better job. The vast preponderance of the evidence that we see shows that 2106 won't make a difference for kids. It will make some people rich. It will cost the tax payer a lot more money. We got here because nobody listened to the foster parents. Nobody thought we could ask more from those wonderful people who opened their hearts and homes to these children.
      Why didn't they listen? Beth says it is partially because they don't understand what kind of person would do this. How many DSHS administers are foster parents? How many would take level 2 sex offenders? Because they did not listen, foster parents past a law saying that Children's Administration will meet and consult with Representatives from the foster parent community on a quarterly basis. HB1624 is the most effective relationship building, future pacing, get the job done process ever enacted in the foster care world.       Unfortunately, 2106 came along a year later and the foster care world was shaken, and the view into the future contains some uncertainty. Though, one thing certain is that we will all be working to take care of the kids that enter that world.
      We have a new legislature in session. There are always opportunities to create change. Mike
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Rick Williams [mailto:rwilli4786@gmail.com]
Subject: RE: A Transportation Question
 
Shala,
 I can't say that I agree with those ideas...far to difficult to manage. The subjects are good but trying to mandate them and do follow up seems difficult. From my experiences, Sharon and I decided the areas we needed based upon need. Eventually we found ourselves taking level 2 sex offenders and doing well with them until a neighbor decided he needed to post pictures but until that point (years) we took every class we could based upon that need. Yes, I know that not everyone would do the right thing but how far do we take this and do we really want to saddle ourselves with issues that aren't there? Why complicate our lives? Let's concentrate on issues that make our working relationship with the Department better for the sake of our kids. (your ideas are with the ideals of our kids, I agree). I just hate to see us heap more upon our shoulders than we already have. Let's work on better treatment for our work. Those are my thoughts and yours aren't bad but I look towards a different idea on what to fix.  Please feel free to
disagree. :)   Rick Williams
 
-----Original Message-----
From: Shala Crow [mailto:fosterhearts@hotmail.com]
Subject: Re: A Transportation Question
 
What about making "mandatory trainings" for foster parents that they are most likely to use during their first 3 years of licensing. Sexual acting out, parenting, parenting children with attachment issues, drug effected children, FAS, ADHD, Educational Advocating for foster children. Those are the issues a large percentage of foster parents will deal with in the first
3 years.
 
To get them the first training once they have their first placement maybe require the Foster Care 101 follow up class. Those would be easier to track with licensing. Maybe give them 60 days to get the class after their first placement.
 
Some of these trainings are already out there but.....not always in the same county as the foster parents.
 
As the liaison who has trainings at the support groups we give the certificates and the licensor logs the trainings into the foster parents file. Maybe have a list of required trainings and it is up to the foster parent to make sure they get those trainings before they are up for relicense just like we make sure we have a current CPR card?
 
Shala Crow
Foster Parent Liaison
Recruitment & Retention
Foster & Adoptive Families
360.220.3785
 
Fostering Together is a program of Olive Crest Our Families.....Our Children www.fosteringtogether.org
 
--------------------------------------------------
Subject: RE: A Transportation Question
 
> Lila Rose, much to be said for that thinking pro and con. One
> question, how would that be tracked and if the trainings were tailored
> to the sex, age and issues of the child, how would those mandatory
> trainings be decided? Would
> there be a cost issue involved?    Rick W
> 
> > Subject: RE: A Transportation Question
> 
> As the Liaison for Support and Retention in Region 2 , I believe that
> some trainings be mandatory and should be reimbursed for mileage.
> I also think that if caregivers were given less training when they
> are applying . and THEN more mandatory training when their first child
> is received, we would be doing a better job for them. They forget so
> much from the trainings to help them when a child is received.
> I think that is one of the reasons we are getting more allegations
> and loosing homes at a very fast rate.
> When a foster home has no training on drug affected infants, then
> receives one, they are so overwhelmed. Thankfully ,we have some
> mentors that we can direct them to.
> Trainings should be directed toward the children in their care.
> 
> --
> Lila Rose-Families for Kids
> Regional Coordinator for
> Retention and Support
> 509-969-8554
> 
> ---- Rick Williams <rwilli4786@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I believe the answer should be simple. If the transportation is for
>> the benefit, to fullfill the need of or in support of a foster child,
>> then the transportation should be reimbursed. Others may wish to add
>> or
> modify this
>> simple language?   If the state moves to restrict a workers reimbursment,
> it
>> might likely substract from a F/Ps reimbursment if the language is tied
>> together.         Rick Williams
 

>>> Dinah,
>>> 
>>> Amy has sent me copies of the documents that were handed out at the
>>> Jan 1624 meeting. I have had a chance to read all over of them and
>>> did see an opportunity to use our teamwork skills with this
>>> Transportation Policy Draft. I do see a few spots on this draft
>>> that concern me. Is there a 1624 subgroup still working towards a
>>> unified position on transportation? If not, then maybe we ought to
>>> have one... especially before the word DRAFT comes off the page.
>>> 
>>> Very well said, Beth. And thank you for including the bigger group
>>> on this question. I know I missed the last 1624 meeting due to a
>>> combination of the office's phone issues and being out of town but
>>> being in the loop on transportation is my desire. At the last 1624
>>> meeting, maybe there was a group that raised their hands offering to
>>> be on the transportation subgroup... I don't know... but if I would
>>> have been there, I would have raised my hand like I have in the past
>> regarding transportation.
>>> 
>>> I know that the population of FPs won't be too concerned about the
>>> draft of this transportation policy until they turn in their mileage
>>> and try to get approval/reimbursement for their expenses. It will
>>> be too late at that point for them to do anything about it. AND,
>>> they will have already forked out the money from their personal
>>> savings accounts to buy the gas to shuttle their little darling across town.
>>> I don't know any social workers that use their personal saving
>>> account to put gas in state rigs. In other words, as a teammate and
>>> in specific relation to the original question about paying for
>>> transportation to/from training, I would pose the question and
>>> derive the answer by asking, "Does a social worker get their gas
>>> covered (whether
>> from a state car or their own car) when they attend a training?"
>>> 
>>> Currently, FPs in my neck of the woods are not being paid for
>>> transportation to/from trainings. Are there offices allowing for
>>> this currently? Some might suggest cutting this out of the budget
>>> for this year, but not out of the policy and that this might be a
>>> fiscal choice but one that needs to be re-evaluated when our economy
>>> is
> healthier.
>>> 
>>> I love that we are moving towards a more fair, CONSISTENT policy. I
>>> look at this conversation as a positive, appreciated and respectful
>>> opportunity to BE a team.
>>> 
>>> THANKS, Dinah!
>>> 
>>> ~M
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>   _____
>>> 
>>> From: bethcanfield@comcast.net
>>> >>> Subject: RE: A Transportation Question
>>> Date: Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:40:57 -0800
 
>>> Hi Dinah,
>>> 
>>> Although it is all related I went beyond the original question that
>>> you will find on the bottom of this page.
>>> 
>>> I have added more people to participate in this conversation.
>>> Marjorie is offering to meet and talk about the training that is
>>> offered now, in the near future. I hope you don't mind.
>>> 
>>> In the past foster parents were reimbursed mileage expenses to
>>> attend mandated training. We are now mandated to choose from a
>>> variety of trainings to meet our required hours.
 There does not always seem to be the same level of value I would place on relevant high quality training being prioritized as a resource to foster parents, to help improve their success in reaching their goals with their foster children i.e. Maintaining placements, Setting up a home for everyone's success, Wellbeing, Safety, Parenting a traumatized child, sexual acting out, aggressive, physically aggressive, Complying with a supervision plan or can you? Know where to get help that isn't intimidating and feels supportive. Education support expectations from the foster parent, Understanding and supporting appropriate anger, Teaching anger control, Teaching skills towards success, The quickest/safest permanency, Support after the return home, when needed, Understanding families living in poverty, why some of their decisions seem different than what we might want them to be and why  that might be okay. How to set boundaries while mentoring and teaching a parent what is expected from their parenting and why, Brighter futures for kids and their family than before coming into care, The knowledge and ability to be successful in all areas of their lives. To name a few.
I believe we need to raise the expectations of a foster parents, minimally by requiring them to know and have the information they need for each child offered to their home, or be willing and have to resources to get it. Without this it could leave foster parents that are caring for some of our communities most challenging children in a place where they might have to learn by "trial and error" until they have gained the  knowledge they need to meet and understand all of the child's needs. Less targeted training being available will cause more failures on  multiple levels. Some of our states evidence based training was included with some of the first rounds of cuts. I would vote to not reimburse mileage for a specific training if it can then become a budget "cut" item. It would be a very sad day for our caregivers and the families we serve if the next budget cut could slash training back even more. I would hate to see that day
>>> that we could call a foster parent prepared to meet foster children
>>> and their families needs by using the less expensive "approved
>>> training" that you can watch alone in your home on your computer or
>>> TV, in order cut back spending. That should be the least desirable
>>> training that is very
>> limited in its use.
>>> 
>>> I would prefer to do fund raisers to support a foster parent's
>>> ability to attend a live training that is pertinent to the
>>> information they need to meet the needs of children they are caring
>>> for. And someone might need to tell them what that training is and
>>> support them with child care resources so that they can be there.
>>> 
>>> Personally I find it demeaning to foster parents to tell them that
>>> our current amount of training offered will leave them prepared and
>>> they can choose what it is that they do not know enough about and
>>> need to be trained about. I believe that there should be general
>>> mandated training list as well as a specific mandated training list
>>> that depends on the needs of the foster children that you are caring
>>> for. I also believe that a new foster parent should require more
>>> hours of training than a foster parent of 27 years. On a side note a
>>> person that has taught Pre-serve for 20 years should not have their
>>> license held up for not have a participant certificate. It would be
>>> a good think to look at each person individually and access where
>>> the training needs are. i.e. if they are a school teacher they wont
>>> be needing how to advocate for your child in school training. For
>>> new foster
>> parents, Mentors and Liaisons should be a mandated resource to meet
>> with not a choice after
>>> you're stressed and ready to quit.    Thank you for including us in this
>>> conversation, Beth
 Beth & Mike Canfield Co-President FPAWS 360-377-1011
>>> 
>>> The Foster Parent Association of Washington State (FPAWS) a
>>> volunteer organization that receives no state funding of any kind.
>>> Our toll-free adoption/kinship/foster family support number is
>>> 1-800-391-CARE and our web address is: <http://www.fpaws.org/>
>>> www.fpaws.org
>>> 
>>>   _____
>>> 
>>> From: Martin, Dinah (DSHS/CA) [mailto:MADI300@dshs.wa.gov]
>>> Sent: Thursday, January 28, 2010 2:22 PM
>>> To: MICHAEL AMY GARDNER; Beth Canfield; Mary-Jeanne Smith
>>> Subject: A Transportation Question
 
>>> HI guys. We've been working on getting the new transportation
>>> policy ready to go out and it occurred to us that there is an issue
>>> that never came up in our discussions and I'm wondering what your
>>> positions might be on it..Should CA be reimbursing transportation
>>> for caregivers to go to training? We're kinda leaning toward
>>> generic training to maintain your licensing isn't reimbursable, but
>>> if you are attending a training related specifically to the unique
>>> needs of a child in your home,
>> is reimbursable.
>>>  
>>> What do you guys think? We're kinda going back and forth here and
>>> this seems like the time to address this, while the ink is not yet
>>> dry on the policy.
>>> 

 
 
New Topic, New Topic, New Topic, New Topic, New Topic, New Topic, New Topic, New Topic
 
Related to HB3143 http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summary.aspx?bill=3143&year=2009

I hope everyone received this and understands what this can mean. Without specific funding, the privatization of foster care can be stopped. In this time of budgetary crisis, I think it will be extremely hard to pass a new budget item of an experimental nature (demonstration sites) when all the current evidence <other states that have done this> shows this will harm our child welfare system.
Please ask your Reps to support HB 3143. I’m sure most of the paid CWAC members will be against it because they are funded by agencies that want privatization. Remember that privatization has never saved money nor improved services in any state that has tried it. In fact, it has done the opposite.
Please also call Reps Haler and Goodman and thank them for boldly taking a stand for our families and children.
 
You can easily find all Reps at: http://www.leg.wa.gov/house/Pages/default.aspx
or your own District at:  http://apps.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/Default.aspx
 
Only one person out of 19 speaks up. Your call or email will speak for 20 people.
 
Thanks for the work you do for children and families. It’s not the football stars; you are the real heroes everyone should be cheering and applauding.
 
Steve & Daniele
 
"Speak to the wall; that the door may hear."
      - Sufi Saying
 
From: terri jones [mailto:tjterrijones@gmail.com]
Sent: Friday, January 29, 2010 6:31 PM
To: Curt Chambers; BOSTIANJP@MSN.COM; nancyt43@comcast.net Thompson; c_rosette23@hotmail.com; ceevueyang@yahoo.com; crumetlawrence@comcast.net; PamC Copeland; cstretch5724@comcast.net; coffmantoni@gmail.com; captain46@comcast.net; Disa Graham; dwaynet@comcast.net; DwayneThurman@aol.com; darrelljrogers@yahoo.com; dpcarney@aol.com; Dicus1124@msn.com; Liz Zumbuhl; Pam Eschbach; erichwendysig@msn.com; eliajsky@gmail.com; wendy fellowes; ginarmiles@yahoo.com; gnorgaard@hotmail.com; Karen Harwood; Karen Harwood
Subject: Fwd: Support HB 3143
 
Hi everyone!   PLEASE CALL AND EMAIL!!!!  Be sure and name this bill specifically, ie. HB3143 as otherwise it could get confused with other legislation that is not helpful.  It would be good for us to also email Rep. Haler and thank him.  We may want to do something
more for him as well.  Terri Jones
On Fri, Jan 29, 2010 at 10:59 AM, Jeanine Livingston <JeanineL@wfse.org> wrote:
Brothers & Sisters,
 
Our requested legislation to prevent the demonstration sites from moving forward unless specifically funded, HB 3143, has finally been read into the record and referred to the House Early Learning & Children's Services committee.  If it's going to get a hearing it will happen in the next week.  We need all the support we can get for this so please get calls in to the legislative hotline, 800-562-6000, and to your elected representatives to support this.
 
Please get the word out to your coworkers as well.  This is CRITICAL for us.  If ever we needed the back up of our membership it's right now.  Alia is kicking butt all over the hill but the legislators need to know YOU are behind us, that we're not just going off half-cocked.
 
Also, and equally important, Rep. Larry Haler ( r) 8th district, is the prime sponsor of this bill.  Larry needs to feel LOTS of WFSE love for this.  Please call or email him and thank him.  And tell a friend.  This is a major legislative move and he needs to feel our full strength on this.  Rep Roger Goodman (d) 45th district has also signed on and needs our support.
 
Legislative hotline:  800-562-6000
 
Go get 'em guys!!!!!!
Jeanine

 
 
I don't know how it should work or the easiest way to keep track. But many jobs/volunteer work has requirements (yes 36 hrs every 3 years). IF the State is going to require additional training why not make it a training they will use. I have heard many foster parents say they just turn on the computer training and walk away. Get the certificate and hours. What a waste!
 
A large percentage of my liaison calls are in reference to "this child is driving me crazy what should I do.....or I don't want to keep him/her because the child's behaviors are too much". Yes we can direct them to training classes but many don't take them. Very few foster parents renew their license after 3 years and many never get to the veteran foster parent title.
Even our RIFTY trainers feel there should be mandatory trainings on certain issues.
 
Another big issue is a large percentage of foster parents in our region are not even doing the required 36 hrs every 3 years (12 a year) to keep up the requirements. Why is the state not enforcing this requirement! Maybe that is the place to start!
 
Shala Crow
Foster Parent Liaison
Recruitment & Retention
Foster & Adoptive Families
360.220.3785
 
Fostering Together is a program of Olive Crest Our Families.....Our Children www.fosteringtogether.org