General Information

What is foster care?

The temporary placement of a child in a licensed home. Foster care is supported by the government and it is the job of the childcare agency and case worker to provide a safe home when a child has been neglected or the parents have created an unhealthy life style.

Why can they do this?

The case workers have the right to remove children from their home because the case workers have been legally certified by state and local governments. One of the government’s priorities is to make sure every child is safe and can get help if they need it. When a child becomes part of foster care system there is a foster care plan that is created for the child's benefit by a case worker. The age and goals of the child are taken in to consideration in order to do what the best for each individual child.

Reasons why Kids are in foster homes:

Parental Neglect

Abuse

Exploitation

CPS (Child Protective Service) took the children away

Parents/Guardians have insufficient founds to support children

Child has radical behavior

Parents/Guardians deceased

Natural Disaster displaced children

The process of being removed from the home:

1. Each child will be given a case worker

2. A social worker that makes sure each child will have a safe place to be and that he or she will be well taken care of.

3. A child should discus why he or she is being placed in foster care.

Legal Representation:

Every foster care child has an attorney when it is time to go to court. Communication between the lawyer and child is set up by the foster parent or case workers. Please note children in foster care may not always be required to go to court.

Some foster kids will have a "shelter hearing", which is a court meeting, after the child has been put in foster care. In the hearing, the case worker explains, to the child why they are in foster care. This is known an as a petition, a legal document detailing the child's home life and background. The petition will be reviewed by the judge who can either result in the legal placement of the child in foster care or the return to the parents.

If for any reason the parents disagree with the judge's decision they will ask for adjudication or fact finding hearing. This is when the judge will review the petition. If it is all correct or if incorrect children might be allowed to return home. If it is found all are true there will be a disposition hearing.

Parents can get their children back!

The foster cares number one priority is family reunification so every case is different for which the requirements will vary. Many times the parents have to attend parenting classes, have a job, a good home environment, anger management classes, end every relationship that can be a danger, be sober, and go to counseling.

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Work Cited:
"Kids Health" <2/6/6><http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/
foster_families.html>

"Help in Child Welfare Law Responses to Hurricane Katrina"
<2/14/6><http://www.abanet.org/katrina>

"Foster care".

Glossary of Legal Terms. Utah State court. None. March 14, 2006 <www.utcourts.gov/resources/glossary.htm>

"Foster care Q&A".FYI3.   Jim Casey Youth Opportunity Initiative.
None   March 14, 2006
<http://www.fyi3.com/fyi3/informed/FAQ/index.cfm?topicReq=2>