Session 1 : Session 1 Connecting With PRIDE P arents’ R esource I nformation D evelopment E ducation
HARVEST of HOPE “Who We Are” : HARVEST of HOPE “Who We Are” Contract Agency to DYFS Pastor Soaries , Founder – responded to need for homes for Boarder Babies The Need African American children 3 to 1 ratio Decrease in foster parents Children without homes which makes them candidates for prison Over 500,000 US children need homes Our Response Network – providing placement for children Develop support systems, partnerships, faith-based institutions, public advocacy HoH Stats We have achieved a 95% retention rate Over 320 families, some have adopted and closed their homes Some homes just foster Family atmosphere – you become a part of Harvest of Hope family
AGENDA – (1–B) : AGENDA – (1–B) Part 1: Welcome and Introductions Review of Session One Competencies, Objectives, and Agenda Discussion of Teamwork Agreements Part 2: Connecting w/Family Foster Care and Adoption: What? Why? Who? How? “Making a Difference!” Video Discussion of Perspectives Introduction to NJ DYFS Policies New Jersey Resource parent licensing process
Purpose of the Foster Pride Program : Purpose of the Foster Pride Program Teamwork – What is a team? Has two of more people. Shares a common goal. Has complementary roles. Has an established way of working together, through procedures and common terms. Team agreement for the class Starting and ending on time Confidentiality Commitment to obtaining and answering participants questions Requirements for Participation in the Foster Training Program. (Pg. 1C) Each session has a specific set of competencies. These are the knowledge and skills that are essential for prospective foster parents and adoptive parents. The competencies help to define the learning objectives.
FOSTER PRIDE / APOPT PRIDE (Pg. 7) : FOSTER PRIDE / APOPT PRIDE (Pg. 7) P R I D E Foster Adoptive ESOURCE NFORMATION ARENTS DUCATION EVELOPMENT for
Typical topics in child welfare work : Typical topics in child welfare work Why do both foster and adoptive parents need to know about these topics: poverty & homelessness physical abuse sexual abuse emotional maltreatment agency regulations the feelings of children for their birth families reuniting children with parents and kin multicultural issues
The Outcome of this Training (Pg. 8) : The Outcome of this Training (Pg. 8) We mutually agree that you are competent and your interests in fostering fit with our program goals, and we invite you to become a foster/adoptive parents We mutually agree that your competencies and interests do not fit with our program goals. You choose not to foster of adopt at this time. The agency finds that your competencies fit with the program, but you are not interested and you select out of the program at this time. You feel that you are competent and your interests fit the programs goals, but the agency does not agree. The agency has the final say because we are legally required to protect the children in our care.
Connecting with Family Foster Care and Adoption : Connecting with Family Foster Care and Adoption “Making a Difference” Video There are over 470,000 children in foster care in the USA. Each of these children come from different stories. The video is a docudrama that gives examples of some of these stories and the people who made measurable difference in the lives of these children and their families. Most of the children and parents have experienced the tragedies of poverty, homelessness, chemical dependency, physical abuse, neglect, sexual abuse, special medical circumstances, and/or HIV. As a result, the children like their parents have a range of special extraordinary needs. Foster care offers children and their families an opportunity to heal the hurt, to grow and develop, and to learn safer nurturing ways of being a family.
Connecting with Family Foster Care and Adoption (cont.) : Connecting with Family Foster Care and Adoption (cont.) It is the goal to make every effort to reunite children and parents when we are reasonably certain the parent will be able to protect and nurture their children. You will see example of this reunification in the video. When reunification is not possible, then adoption can provide a child with a safe, nurturing relationship intended to last a lifetime. Other outcomes, such as helping older youths in care prepare for young adult living because neither family reunification nor adoption are options. So the PRIDE is to educate you on your ideas about fostering or adopting.
“Making a Difference!” : “Making a Difference!” In what ways is the foster care story what you expected, and in what ways not? In what ways did the foster parents help and/or support the birth parents? Which characters did you like most? What message do you get from the video?
Making a Difference Video : Making a Difference Video Examples of 5 competencies in video Promoting & nurturing Meeting developmental needs & addressing development delays Supporting relationships between children & their families Connecting children to safe, nurturing relationships – intended to last a lifetime Working as a member of a professional team Who supports foster and adoptive parents? Challenges of fostering Challenges of adopting
Why are children in the Foster Care System : Why are children in the Foster Care System Tragedies Alcohol, drug abuse, HIV/AIDS, medical, physical or sexual abuse, neglect, emotional maltreatment Parents are unable to care for children and end their parental rights Poverty and homelessness should not be reasons for separating children from their families Goals of DYFS/Harvest of Hope Protect & nurture children Provide children & families with services Adoption & Safe Families Act of 1997 safety, permanence & well-being as outcomes How do children come to DYFS By reports from teachers, neighbors, doctors or family members By the courts, runaways, etc
Home Study Process : Home Study Process If married both husband and wife must attend the training classes. Release Info Form School Reference Pre-Service Training Certificate Home Visits and Checklists Marriage License Divorce Decree Foster Care Agreement Description of Child Application CARI – Child Abuse Record Police References Fingerprints Medical References Employment References Financial Statements & Verification