Foster Parent

Vested Child Placing Agency provides child placement and adoption. The best place for a child to be is with his/her family. Unfortunately, there are many children who cannot safely live with their own family. When relatives and kin are unable to provide a temporary home, foster parents become the temporary family. If children are unable to return home, adoptive parents become their permanent family. Fostering and adopting children who are victims of child abuse or neglect can be rewarding, challenging, and will forever change your life. Many friends and relatives will support you in your direction, while others may think you’ve lost your mind. 

Report: A report of child abuse/neglect is made and reported to Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400.

Investigation: Child Protective Services (CPS) conducts an investigation.

Determination: CPS determine Child Safety Risk or Immediate Harm/Neglect.

Removal: CPS seeks a court order to remove a child, if risk is high or abuse has been substantiated. 

Placement: CPS contacts Child Placing Unit (separate entity within CPS). CPU contacts Child Placing Agency (CPA) like Vested Child Placing Agency. Then the child(ren) is placed with a verified Vested Child Placing Agency foster family.

Assignment: Caseworkers are assigned to the child and to the parents for family reunification

Adoption: Caregiver/Parents rights have been terminated and at that time the child is eligible for adoption.

• Becoming a Foster Parent and helping a child(ren) in crisis is a calling and not only changes a child’s life, but changes the lives of parents who chose to serve and support them. Vested CPA will complete a preliminary assessment to determine your purpose and/or desire to become a foster parent. Vested CPA is committed to impacting you and the child by ensuring we find the right match for your home. We will provide you special training and understanding of what it means to be foster parent along with a case manager who will assist you and your child. If you desire to enrich a child’s life, consider becoming a Vested CPA foster parent. You do not need to be wealthy, married, have your own children, nor a college degree. What you need is a desire and willingness to provide a safety, nurturing and normalcy to a child. 

Role of Foster Parent: 

Some children require basic need + services to treat and/or support:

• Emotional Disorders
• Intellectual Disabilities
• Pervasive Developmental Disorders
• Primary Medical Needs

Benefits for Foster Parents:

Fostering is not meant to be "profitable"

• Daily reimbursement, (non-taxable income)
• Covers natural expenses (food, clothing, and recreational activities)
• Children are covered by Star Health through Superior Health Network
• WIC assistance for infants and toddlers
• Clothing reimbursement based on Vested CPA's policies

Helpful Links: 

(DFPS) Department of Family and Protective Services

All have experienced trauma and disruptions with their biological families in varying degrees.

Many have issues due to abuse and/or neglect:

•  Developmental Delays
• Emotional Disturbances
• Behavior Problems
• Grief and Loss

• NO spanking or physical discipline
• NO large outdoor trampolines
• NEVER leave children unsupervised
• MUST be over 18 and pass a criminal background check on individuals who have unsupervised access to the children.
• MUST send all items the children came with and acquired while in foster home
• MUST meet a number of safety requirements
• MUST have locked fences to prevent accidental drowning for homes with swimming pools
• MUST complete 3-30 Medical Appointments

Also, children are allowed face to face visits with their biological family in their home county every week, unless specified differently by the judge and report Department of Family and Protective Services. 

• Held at local CPS office or off-site.
• Most visits are supervised by CPS.
• It is the foster parents' responsibility to transport the child to visits. 

• Significant criminal or abuse/neglect history
• Major Life Changes in past year
• Unresolved traumatic experiences
• Space/Ratio issues
• Safety issues
• Financial Concerns
• Criminal History with Frequent Visitors or Home Visits

You can become verified in about 3 months if:

• You are diligent about completing all trainings and paperwork in a timely manner (some families are verified faster than this)
• Your progress and speed for verification is up to you. 

Next Steps:

Phase 1: Complete these application forms:

• Family Application
• Authorization for Criminal Background Check
• Criminal History Disclosure From
• Release of Information
• Complete a criminal background check

Phase II and III

Complete all Pre-Verification Training:

• Pride Training (pre-service training)- 8 hrs.
• CPR/First Aid training (Infant, child, and adult)- 4 hrs.
• Emergency Behavioral Invention Training- 8 hrs. or 16 hrs. 
• Psychotropic Medications- 2 hrs.
• Medical Consent Training online- 2 hrs.
• Trauma Informed Care- 8 hrs.
• Transportation Training online- 1 hr.
• Water Safety Training- 1 hr.
• Cultural Diversity/Competency- 1 hr.
• Other specified trainings

Home Screening:

• A comprehensive assessment and evaluation of prospective foster or adoptive family.
• Home Approval
• Post-Placement Services
• 
  

Ongoing training will be conducted annually by all foster parents/homes.

• Fire and Health Inspections by local fire department
• Pet Vaccinations
• TB Testing
• Child Status Reports, Medication Logs, Serious Incidents Reporting
• Auto Insurance and Vehicle Inspection
• Re-occurring Criminal Background and Driver Checks