Final Report - RI Department of Children, Youth & Families

APPENDIX L: FOSTER CARE COMMITTEE REPORT
! Increase awareness of the Foster Parent Liaison protocol through the Foster Parent
Pre-service classes and staff orientation.
! Improve timely conflict resolution through Administration Hearing process.
! Continue and enhance Communications Committee monthly meetings with foster
parents to improve relationships.
! Establish regional chapters of the RIFPA to organize and improve retention and
communication.
! Increase awareness of Family Centered Practice initiative.
! Initiate Foster Parent Retention Survey in conjunction with RIFPA to gather data
and make necessary modifications to improve retention.
! Respite services must be expanded and made more available.
! A rapid response system. This system would be set up to respond to the needs of
biological, adoptive, and foster families who are experiencing a non abuse/neglect
related crisis during hours when an assigned worker is not generally available.
RIFPA
In order to achieve the goals for the Association, additional funding in the way of an
Executive Director is required. The Executive Director would possess the ability to control,
guide, and direct the Association in a professional manner that would enable the
organization to be stable, provide a solid foundation for the growth it needs, and prosper
with the leadership skills necessary to accomplish its goals with positive results. In order to
attain success in recruitment and retention from the Association, the Executive Director will
work collaboratively with the DCYF recruiter in regards to a media campaign elaborating
on the services and programs of the Association. He/she will work with the Life Skills
Coordinator to enhance the recruitment and retention of foster families of teens through
their own initiative.
! Working with the Mentor Coordinator, the Executive Director will advocate for
additional support services for new foster families as well as veteran foster families who
are experiencing difficulties and are at risk. These additional services may include
resources such as literature, videos, or training which the Association would like to host
with guest speakers.
Community Providers
Community agency personnel participated in the subcommittee and contributed to the discussions
and recommendations as well. It was noted in several discussions that community agencies were
better able to provide the wrap around services to families that were necessary in many situations.
Families, whether they are biological, foster or adoptive, need to know who and where to turn
when they are in need of information or services. An ideal system of care will not only be able to
System of Care Task Force Report (January 2003) 146