resource - fostparent

Searchable Knowledge Base

Foster Parent Resources Page

Florida Foster Child Scholarship 2009-10

Scholarship for school aged children currently placed, or during the previous state fiscal year was placed, in foster care. Click here for applcation and more information.

Foster Parent Resources

This page supports foster parents in their invaluable work by providing useful resources, tools, contacts, services, training, as well as other documents, information, and links.

Choosing the Right Treatment: What Families Need to Know about Evidenced Based Practices

This May 2007 NAMI publication (National Alliance on Mental Illness) is designed to inform families about evidence-based practices (EBPs) in children’s mental health and to share information on an array of treatment and support options. Click here to view this document.

Information on Becoming a Foster Parent

2008 Tax Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents and Kinship Caregivers

Publication from the National Foster Parent Association offers information pertaining to Federal Tax Benefits

"Answering the Call" Family Pocket Guide (AdoptUSKids)

Guide to the process of becoming a Foster or Adoptive parent

Florida's Foster Care Program

DCF website with information on becoming a Foster Parent

Florida State Foster Adoptive Parent Association Inc

Foster Parents Considering Adoption: Factsheet for Families (Child Welfare Information Gateway)

National Foster Parent Association

Bilateral Service Agreement form (DCF)

Bilateral Service Agreement - Attachment A (DCF)

Safety Policy and Discipline Policy

Criminal Background Check Requirements for Perspective Foster and Adoptive Families: Summary of State Laws (CWIG)

Foster Parent Confidentiality Agreement (DCF)

On-Line Training Resources for Foster Parents

Bio Families

Two on-line trainings in this category -- "The Sibling Bond" and "Foster Care With a Changed Focus" -- from FosterClub.

Child Welfare Staff and Foster Parents: A Team Approach

Court System

Three on-line trianings in this category -- "A Child's Journey Through the Welfare System," "How Does the Child Welfare System Work?" and "Foster Care: Voices From the Inside" -- from FosterClub.

Education

Two on-line trainings in this category -- "Learning Disabilities" and "Youth Perspectives on Permanency" -- from FosterClub.

Effects of Abuse and Neglect: A Focus on Typical Development

An online training from the Wisconsin Child Welfare Training System

Foster Care and Adoption Community Training

An online training offering 110 courses related to working with children at risk and Certificates of Completion

Foster Parent College

Online trainings for adoptive, kinship and foster parents

Helping Your Foster Child Transition to Your Adoptive Child

From Child Welfare Information Gateway - information for families who are adopting their foster child.

Keys to Success in Expediting Adoptions

Child welfare stakeholders in Duval County (the courts, CBC, DCF, parents and children) share in this video their insights and strategies that have resulted in unprecedented success in achieving permanency for children this past year.

Mental Health

One on-line training in this category -- "Helping Children and Adolescents Cope with Violence and Disasters" -- from FosterClub.

Parenting a Child Who Has Been Sexually Abused: A Guide for Foster and Adoptive Parents (Child Welfare Information Gateway)

Factsheet for Families

Special Needs Children

Five on-line trainings in this category -- "SSI (Supplemental Security Income) and Social Security Benefits for Children and Youth In Out-Of-Home Care," "Helping Abused Kids in Care Heal," "Parenting the Sexually Abused Child," "Improving Special Education For Children with Disabilities in Foster Care" and "Learning Disabilities" -- from FosterClub.

Various On-Line Trainings

Youth Transition to Adulthood

Three on-line trainings in this category -- "Challenges in Helping Youths Live Independently," "Permanency Planning" and "Youth Perspectives on Permanency" -- from FosterClub.

Recommended Resources on Psychotherapeutic Medications

Guide to Psychiatric Medications for Children and Adolescents

Link to NYU Child Study Center, offers information on the use of psychotropic medication. Information is consistent with the DCF guidelines on the use of these medications.

Choosing the Right Treatment: What Families Need to Know About Evidence-Based Practices

Link to National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) publication. Recommended by DCF as a resource on psychotherapeutic medications.

Florida Best Practice Medication - Child/Adolescent Guidelines

Link to information developed by FL Medicaid and Fl Mental Health Inst. Guidelines were developed for medical professionals but are also a DCF recommended resource on psychotropic medication.

Florida Laws and Policy

Florida Administrative Code (FAC) 65C

Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children CFOP 175-54

Normalcy for Children in State Custody (8/31/05 Memo)

Prevention, Reporting and Services to Missing Children CFOP 175-85

State Institutional Claims for Damages Caused by Shelter or Foster Children CFOP 175-60

Florida Statutes - Chapter 39

Support Groups

Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group Contacts

Circuits 1 through 4

Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group Contacts

Circuits 5 through 11 (including SunCoast)

Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Group Contacts

Circuits 12 through 19

Foster Care Central

Social networking site for people dedicated to enhancing the lives of foster youth

Foster Parent Net

Working with the Child Welfare System

A Coordinated Response to Child Abuse and Neglect - The Foundation for Practice

From the Children's Bureau Child Abuse and Neglect User Manual Series, provide an overview of the system

Making Visits Better: The Perspectives of Parents, Foster Parents, and Case Workers

A study funded by a grant from the Children and Family Research Center, a collaboration between the University of Illinois School of Social Work and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services