June 2024 Issue 75

June is National Reunification Month

As all caregivers know, the goal of foster care is reunification. It is not always easy to actively support and encourage reunification, and it comes with its own unique sense of accomplishment, which is also tinged with grief and loss. Nevertheless, we forge on in the best interest of the children in our care and do what we can to put their family back together.

What is the difference between actively and passively supporting reunification?

Foster parents who actively support reunification understand that reunification is most often in the child's best interest and are committed to doing what is best for the child, even if it involves complexity or loss for the foster family. They are an engaged member of the team working toward reunification, and they have a clear role on that team. They embrace the approach of shared parenting, and they are committed to building a positive, child-focused relationship with the birth family. They see themselves as an important resource for the birth family, and they view the birth family as experts of the child's needs and care.

In contrast, a foster parent who passively supports reunification doesn’t interfere with the achievement of the plan goal but doesn’t work toward it. They understand that foster care is temporary and that the system will seek to reunify the child with their family, but they don’t see themselves as part of the team working toward that goal. They are committed to providing warm and loving care for the child, but they see this as the only role they play.

Ideally, all caregivers should actively support reunification. Here are some tools and resources to help children and families on this journey.

Respect the birth parents and be compassionate. This seems simple enough, but it can be difficult to remember this, especially when we see that the children are hurting. Often, so are the parents, and they are trying the best that they know how to care for their children. Some ways to put this into practice are:

• Express genuine concern for the family's well-being.
• Communicate to the family (through words and actions) that your goal is to help them get their children back.
• Use the terms "Mom" and "Dad" when referring to the parents.
• Assume positive intent. Few parents set out with the goal to harm their children, and they may make mistakes. Keep this outlook when working with families.
• Look for ways to break down barriers. Attempt communication, even when you get none in return.
• Act as a support for the family, both during the dependency and post-reunification, when possible.

Encourage visitation and regular contact. Visitation is a right that DCS must provide to the family. There can be challenges, including children not wishing to attend, parents not attending consistently due to barriers, etc. There are some ways to encourage visitation:

• Advocate for increased or modified visitation. DCS typically offers 4 hours per week, but if you feel that the children would benefit from additional time, reach out to the Specialist. Or if the current schedule is not working, ask for a change. Be sure to state why it is in the child's best interest, while also considering how the change will support reunification.
• Encourage the children to have regular phone calls or video chats with their parents or other family members, as approved by DCS.
• Invite the parents to community events for visitation, when safe to do so. Or make arrangements for a visit the parent wouldn't be able to afford, such as a zoo trip.
• Transport the children to or from visits, if possible and safe.
• Send the children with snacks or activities to visits.

Communicate with the family regularly. DCS encourages Shared Parenting to help build a strong relationship between the family and the caregiver. The family should be seen as the expert on their child, and it will help alleviate some of their anxiety and fear (possibly anger, as well) to know how and what their child is doing.

• Ask the parents about the child's life and history before DCS involvement, medical history, likes and dislikes, etc. The more you know, the better you can support the child and family.
• Send pictures, artwork, report cards, etc. to visits with the children.
• Ensure that the parent is aware of medical and behavioral health appointments, and invite them to attend. If they cannot, provide them updates following the appointment.
• Include parents in decisions about their children. They retain educational and medical rights, but including them in other decisions shows that you value their expertise on their child.
• Involve parents or other family members in school functions/meetings. Invite them to sporting events, Parent Teacher Conferences, the science fair, etc., as is safe and appropriate.

Remember that safe reunification is best for the children. Children benefit from being with their family whenever possible. Keep this in mind in your words and actions.

• Reunification is the first and best option.
• It is comforting to children to know that their caregivers understand their wish to be with their family.
• Remember, it is not about the adults in the situation, it is about the child's best interest, which is to be with their family.
• All caregivers could benefit from additional training on reunification. There is always more to learn and consider. Be open to new experiences!

The American Bar Association has compiled resources for National Reunification Month that include articles, webinars, videos, podcasts, a calendar of possible activities, and more!

For more information or ideas to help support reunification, reach out to Rhiannon Schaudt-Hobkirk.

Reasonable & Prudent Parenting Standard: Travel

It's that time of year again where we want to get out of the heat for a while, visit family in another state, or even take a cruise. So how does that work when you have a kiddo in your care? Check out the Reasonable and Prudent Parenting Standard regarding travel below!

Here are a couple of additional things to keep in mind:

• Bio parent permission is NOT needed for any sort of travel. It is best practice and common courtesy to let them know about travel plans. If they wish to do so, they can file a motion with the court to object to it, but it is not in DCS policy or Arizona law that their permission is needed.
• Bear in mind that you do NOT need DCS Specialist permission for in-state or out-of-state travel of less than 7 days. You simply need to inform them of the plan and how you can be contacted. 24-48 hours should be sufficient notice.
• The DCS Specialist can deny out-of-state travel of more than 7 days, however the only major considerations should be if the child has medical needs (i.e. they need regular medical treatments that they would not be able to get while out of state) or if there is court-ordered visitation (not the standard visitation that DCS is required to provide, as those visits can be made up. In this case, court-ordered means that DCS has been specifically ordered by the court to ensure that the child is at the visitation.). There may be other issues at play, but they should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
• If you wish to travel out of the country with the child, you will need permission of the court and a passport for the child. (Note: this includes Mexico and cruises, even if the child will not be leaving the ship in the other country.) First, notify the DCS Specialist as soon as you know the dates and destination. They will file a Motion for Out-of-Country Travel, which is what will grant you permission to take the child. They will also file a Motion to Apply for a Passport. It must have the caregiver's name listed as the person who will be granted permission to apply for the passport, otherwise it defaults to DCS. In addition to this court order, you will need a certified copy of the child's birth certificate, which the DCS Specialist can request, if it is not already in the file. You will need to take original, certified copies of both the orders and the birth certificate to the passport office. The child must have either a passport or passport card, depending on your method of travel. This is a US Department of State requirement. Please visit their website for additional information regarding passport and international travel requirements. Be sure to save your receipt and request passport reimbursement through the DCS Specialist.
• For out-of-country travel: You will also need to purchase travel insurance for the child, as their Mercy Care DCS CHP coverage is not valid outside of the United States.

If you experience challenges with the RPPS Guidelines, attempt to elevate the issue through the DCS Program Supervisor then the DCS Program Manager. If you still need assistance facilitating communication, reach out to Rhiannon Schaudt-Hobkirk.

Foster Adoptive Kinship Training Series

Foster Adoptive Kinship Training Series (FAKTS) Trauma Informed Care (TIC) sessions:

• June 11, 2024 1:00-3:30 PM TIC11062024
• September 3, 2024 1:00-3:30 PM TIC09032024
• November 12, 2024 2:00-4:30 PM TIC11122024

What you will learn during the training:

• An understanding of what Trauma Informed Care (TIC) means for you and the children in your care.
• What are the key elements to Trauma Informed Care and how they apply to you
• The impact of Adverse Child Experiences (ACEs)

As a result of experiencing this course, you can:

• Apply TIC to help build your relationship with children
• Empathize with a child who has experienced trauma
• Describe the importance of relationships in trauma recovery

OLR Reminders

When you begin fostering, veteran caregivers will often tell you that it is not a matter of "if" but "when" there is a licensing concern. In most cases, it is easily remedied and often preventable. Below are some reminders from the OLR Concerns Unit to help you out:

If there is a licensing concern, be aware that your participation is required, according to Title 21 rules, specifically R21-6-418 (B), which requires a foster parent to fully cooperate with any DCS investigation and/or licensing concern, and R21-6-415 (B) which requires all household members to be interviewed individually at any time. Additionally, all foster children have the right to confidential discussions with members of their team without fear of retaliation by a foster parent, per R21-6-321 (A) (15) and (16). Please allow the OLR Concerns team to do their job and investigate any allegations. Attempts to blockade will only draw out the process and could result in adverse action against your family foster home license, up to and including disruption of the children placed under the license.

Your licensing agency is partnered with DCS to be your family's support throughout your fostering journey, including bumps in the road. Reach out to your licensing worker for resources, such as support groups or a mentor who has experienced something similar.

Teen Reach Adventure Camp

Royal Family Kids Summer Camp - Phoenix

Royal Family Kids Summer Camp - Payson

CCV Summer Camp

Azura Free Virtual Reading Program

Mentor Program

Arizonans for Children has mentors available for kiddos between the ages of 5-18 with an open DCS case in Maricopa County. Children can be in any placement setting, including licensed, kinship, and congregate care. Children cannot have a current safety plan due to behavior, as volunteers are not professionally trained to manage that level of need. Anyone on the child's team can complete the application, as long as they have sufficient information on the child's case.

Foster Cooperative

Foster Cooperative is an open-sourced online community powered by Foster Arizona for anyone helping children and youth facing adversity to find connections, peer support, quality resources and training, community events, and innovative communication methods to be empowered with tools needed to succeed.

ASA Now

ASA Now is a non-profit organization that ADVOCATES for, SUPPORTS, and ASSISTS children and families impacted by foster care. We are passionate about providing support to families and professionals by restoring hope and empowering them to better serve these children in need.

Services we offer include tutoring & extracurricular activities, food pantry, clothing, and meeting basic necessities. Other services include life skills for youth, respite care, therapeutic programs, family activities, peer-to-peer support groups, education and training on utilizing Jacob's Law to obtain behavioral health services, providing resources to families and caregivers to successfully navigate the foster care system, raising awareness, recruiting new foster families, and advocating for families and their children.

The Foster Alliance

The Foster Alliance provides essential needs for children in foster care in an effort to help every foster child feel safe and loved. Our programs provide beds, clothing, hygiene items, birthday packages, backpacks filled with school supplies, licensing safety items, foster footlockers, and more. Our services are open to kinship and foster families with a current Notice to Provider.

Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents

Christian Family Care Training

Helen's Hope Chest

At Helen's Hope Chest, our mission is to engage the community to provide for the basic needs of children and teens in foster and kinship care. Helen's provides more than just clothes for kids in care. It is important that every youth who comes through our door feels a sense of confidence, acceptance, and dignity. Our boutique environment allows kids to choose their favorite items and feel like they are in a regular store, all at no cost to the foster/kinship family.

Families with a current foster or kinship placement are encouraged to call us at 480-969-5411 to schedule an appointment.

A Mighty Change of Heart

A Mighty Change of Heart provides FREE duffle bags to foster children with new, age-appropriate items inside: 2 outfits, shoes & socks, underwear, a book, diapers/wipes, hygiene items, and more. These bags have the children’s names embroidered on them and are something that they can call their very own. They have delivered over 3,500 bags across the state.

Please check out their website for more information: www.amchaz.com. If your family, business, church group, or school would be interested in holding a donation drive, please contact A Mighty Change of Heart. Items are always needed.

Aviva Children's Services - Tucson