Foster Care Bill of Rights: How You Can Make It Work For You, Tony Blash

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JudyR7: Ok. Tony what are a couple of main points that you think we need to know about the Foster Care Bill of Rights?

tony: we now have a grievance policy that will help clear up the loss of accountability that sometimes happens.

tony: yes. the state had did away with he original policy so the bill of rights has forced them to resolve disputes or complaints that foster parents have in a more timely manner. Things used to fall into a black hole and you never heard anything else. The caseworkers would sometimes not pass on value information to their supervisors about problems foster parents were having.

JudyR7: What is the proper way to file complaints to ensure that they are being resolved in the proper way and also what type of follow through is the foster parent able to do?

tony: The policy will state that within 2-5 days a commitee of foster parents , dfcs representatives, and a rep. from the office of child advocacy will receive the complaint and monitor the resolution process. The committee will be there to make sure that there is a smooth line of communication between the parties.

JudyR7: Is there a form that the foster parents need to use to file the complaint and to whom at DFCS is the complaint to be filed?

tony: This will keep everyone focused on resolution and bring a quick end to dispute that may arise because personal agendas or efforts to squash the voice of the foster parent.

tony: It is getting louder. We of course have to work better with dfcs and the new commisioner of dhr in order air out the difference we have but overall it will increase our need to work together for our children.

tony: foster parents now can have an advocate once trained that can be there with during times of investigation because you often feel alone during this process.

tony: the advocate will have to be trained in dfcs policy and the bill of rights in to be an effective support system for the foster parent in their time of need.

JudyR7: Will there be advocates in each county? Each region? Who will do the training?

tony: the advocacy arm is yet to come in fact, we have completed the rough draft of the grievance form and now we are working on setting a timeline for training the region advocacy board that go out and serve the foster parents.

tony: the trining will be done by dfcs and the adoptive and foster parent assoc. of ga.

JudyR7: Great! So this is actually in the implemention stage as we speak?

tony: yes. you will be impressed the final product and with the collaboration between dfcs, afpag , and the office of child advocacy.

JudyR7: What is another primary focus of the "Foster Care Bill of Rights"

tony: the bill of rights got us to talk and i think the state is now watching to see what those conversations will generate. will it be rhetoric or real progress.

tony: there is also an increased ability to get information released to you concerning the children taht come into your home . that info. has to be forwarded to you as soon they are able to get it. we also will have a way of reaching a responsible party at dfcs 24 hrs a day and 7 days a week. this definitely will help in times of midnight crisis.

JudyR7: Tony, Something that I have heard many times from foster parents that have a grievance is that they are afraid to rock the boat too much or their children might be removed from thier home. Especially when the children have been in the home for a long time and they are planning to adopt. What reassurances does this type of family have?

tony: Moreover, the foster parent will be thought of as a primary member of the team because the best interest of the child is the important issue.

tony: they will feel more secure because the committee that will oversee this process has the backing and support of the governor legislature and "it is law"

tony: we should not be afraid to discuss our concerns with the caseworker, supervisor, or director if need be because the state law says that they have to consider this bill of rights even when they propose new policies.

tony: please email me at T4Bla@aol.com if you have any further questions. I have to log off now in order to get to work on time.

JudyR7: Thank you for joining us tonight and sharing information on the Foster Care Bill of Rights

tony: you can get a copy of the bill of rights on our website at www.afpag.org.

Foster Care Bill of Rights: How You Can Make It Work For You, Tony Blash

Monday, the 13th of September 2004