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Foster Care Report - September 2006
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BRITISH COLUMBIA
Introduction
Foster homes provide substitute parenting in a family home for children in the charge, care, custody or guardianship of "a director" designated under Section 91 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act. The goal for children in foster care is to return them to their own families, where possible. This goal may be successfully met when there is a cooperative partnership between the fostering family, the child's family and staff of the Ministry of Children and Family Development. Each foster home is the administrative responsibility of the MCFD district office, or delegated Aboriginal agency in whose jurisdiction the home is located.
Types of Care Settings
Range of Care Setting Options
A child in the charge, care, custody or guardianship of the director must be placed in a director-approved resource. The director chooses from two main types of directly funded residential services: family care homes and specialized residential services.
Family Care Homes
Family care is the out-of-home living arrangement which most closely replicates the preferred environment for a child's upbringing. Most family care homes offer interim substitute parenting to children while supporting important relationships of children to their parents and extended families. Long term family care homes meet the permanency needs of children under continuing custody orders when adoption is not the option being pursued in the child's plan of care for specific reasons.
Additional services are available to family care homes on an as-needed basis according to each child's plan of care. The type of service offered and its intensity varies according to the level of the home and the needs of the children placed.
There are five kinds of family care homes: restricted family care, regular family care, and specialized family care, Levels 1, 2, and 3.
All types of family care homes may provide respite and relief services (relief services are discussed in detail later under Relief/Respite Care). Restricted family care homes may provide respite or relief only for a child already approved to reside in that home.
Restricted Family Care
Restricted family care homes are director-approved families who provide care for a child already known or related to them. Approval is restricted to the specific child placed in the home, and terminates when that child leaves or is discharged from care. A restricted home may be re-approved if the child previously in care at that home returns to it, or to provide respite or relief services for that child.
Regular Family Care
Regular family care homes are director-approved families who provide care for children of varying ages and needs. Unlike restricted family care homes, the child placed in the home is not normally known to the caregiver.
Specialized Family Care Homes
Specialized family care homes provide care in a family setting for children placed by the director who may present with special needs including complex health needs, moderate to extreme challenging behaviours or developmental delay. Each of the three levels of specialized family care homes has specific approval, experience, training requirements, and Level 2 and 3 homes may also provide specialized assessment and intervention services.
Generally, a foster home may not have more than six children, including the foster parents' own children. No more than two of the six children may be under two years of age.
Bed Subsidy Homes
The Ministry contracts bed subsidy services with private individuals or non-profit societies. Generally, the services include only basic care and nurturing. Services are typically provided on a 24-hour basis, with guaranteed emergency placement for individuals or family groups.
Under exceptional circumstances, when it is clearly in the best interests of a child, a bed subsidy home may be used as a family care home.
A bed subsidy home may have capacity for between one and six children.
Respite Resource Services
Respite resource services assist families by providing parents with periods of rest giving daily care to their children. Services are child-focused and designed to meet the day-to-day needs of specific children during the period of respite. The broader aim is to relieve family stress and enhance long-term family stability. Respite may take place in a contracted resource or family care home or in the family's own home.
Relief for Family Care Homes
Relief is a support service that is available for all foster homes for up to 3 days per month. Relief services must be provided by approved caregivers and is most commonly arranged between foster parents.
Supplementary Relief
In situations where more than three days per month relief is required to maintain a placement and the cost would require the caregiver to spend an unreasonable or disproportionate amount of the service payment, supplementary relief may be approved for both in-home and out-of-home relief.
Training and Approval
Provided the references, criminal record check, medical report and home study are satisfactory, the supervisor will, on the recommendation of the social worker, approve the home for placement. Where a home is found to be unsuitable, the Ministry advises the applicants in writing of its decision. The applicants have the opportunity to have the decision reviewed.
Once a family care home is approved, a Family Care Home Agreement is signed by both the family care providers and the director (or designate). The agreement for Regular Family Care Homes (and level one) is renewed every three years, whereas a Restricted Family Care Home agreement is valid for one year only. Specialized Family Care Home Agreements, levels 2 and 3, are renewed every 18 months.
All foster parents must participate in a 15-hour pre-service orientation program prior to their first placement. They must also complete a 53 hour standardized BC Foster Care Education Program. The local foster parent associations also offer workshops to help family care providers develop their parenting skills. The director may also provide funding to individual family care providers to meet additional training needs. The BC Foster Care Education Program is currently delivered under contract by regionally based foster parent support agencies.
Review/Evaluation
All family care homes must be evaluated annually to ensure a high quality of care. Reviews occur within 30 days of the anniversary date of approval. Reviews include a file review and a home visit where the family care providers are interviewed.
Where a family care home has been inactive for two months or more, a review of the home must be conducted to determine if it should be kept open.
Appeals/Complaints
Disagreements between individual foster parents and social workers are dealt with by a dispute resolution mechanism developed between foster parents and each region. The processes are guided by the Protocol for Resolving Issues Between Foster Parents and Ministry Staff Framework.
All children-in-care have specific legal rights under the Child, Family and Community Service Act. Allegations of abuse of these rights may be taken to the Office of the Ombudsman.
Allegations of Abuse or Neglect
Any allegations of child abuse in a family care home are to be reported immediately to the director. The Ministry has developed a provincial Protocol Framework for investigating such reports for regions to use in the development of Regional Protocols. Such protocols are developed in collaboration with foster parents in the region and the two provincial foster parent Federations.
British Columbia Federation of Foster Parent Associations (BCFFPA)
This registered, non-profit association maintains a working partnership with and is funded by the Ministry of Children and Family Development. It assists foster parents through support, consultation and information and improves public understanding about foster parenting. The federation encourages foster parents, social workers and other interested people to work together to improve services for children. The Federation consists of representatives from the local and regional foster parent associations.
Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents (FAFP)
The Federation of Aboriginal Foster Parents listens to, supports, and advocates for Aboriginal Foster Parents. It works with the Ministry to develop processes that are consistent with its goals and beliefs as Aboriginal people. It also develops and provides education and training for Aboriginal Foster Parents, and works to educate mainstream society to the specific needs of Aboriginal caregivers and the children in their care.
Insurance
The British Columbia Federation of Foster Parent Associations has a group insurance rider for extended property damage caused by a child placed by the director. This rider is limited to the extent of the foster parents' current property damage coverage. The Ministry for Children and Family Development funds the insurance coverage through an agreement with the federation. In addition, there is a third-party liability policy coverage provided under the province's Master Insurance Program for all foster parents for actions related to carrying out their fostering responsibilities. All foster parents with a signed agreement are automatically covered; this coverage is in addition to their regular insurance policy.
Motor vehicles used to transport children placed by the director must have at least $1 million third party legal liability coverage.
Foster Care Rates
Establishment of Rates
Foster care rates are established and reviewed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
A. Restricted and Regular Family Care Homes
Restricted and Regular Family Care Homes both receive the foster family care payment which is intended to cover the day-to-day costs incurred in caring for a child over an extended period of time. The payment covers expenses such as food, household expenses, transportation, education, clothing, health, personal care and family recreational outings.
| Age | monthly | per diem1 |
| 0 - 11 | $701.55 | $23.39 |
| 12 - 19 | $805.68 | $26.86 |
| 1 Based on a 30 day month. | ||
Additional Allowable Expenses
The payment for Regular and Restricted Family Care is intended to be all-inclusive, covering the day-to-day needs of the child in care. However, there are provisions for annual clothing payments, or one-time only or exceptional ongoing monthly payments to meet exceptional or unusual costs.
One - Time Only Payments
Examples of situations that may warrant such payments are:
- long distance travel for recreational, cultural, medical and visiting purposes;
- exceptional medical requirements not covered by the Medical Services Plan;
- exceptional clothing needs;
- cost of insurance deductible; and
- other exceptional and unusual costs that the caregiver cannot be expected to manage.
A review of the family care payment rate is required before additional funding is approved, to ensure that the family care payment rate has been committed or expended.
Exceptional Ongoing Monthly Payments
Some caregivers require ongoing additional monthly payments, for example to pay for shelter, transportation, relief, day care or child and youth care workers directly related to a child in their care. These monthly payments to meet known ongoing exceptional costs are based on the needs of a specific child, negotiated with the service provider, and must fall with in an accepted pricing range.
Before additional payments are made, the family care payment rate is reviewed to ensure all available funds are either committed or expended.
Annual Clothing Grant Payments
This payment is provided when a child entering care or moving from one resource to another has an inadequate clothing supply.
B. Specialized Family Care Homes - Levels 1, 2 and 3
The Specialized Family Care Home Rates are all-inclusive and consist of the Foster Family Care rate and a Service payment. The Foster Family Care rate provides for the child's basic needs and the Service payment covers all direct program costs of the caregiver in providing service, including relief, transportation capital/leasing costs and insurance costs. The Service payment varies according to the designated level of care and the number of children or beds in the home.
For Level 2 and 3 Homes, the Ministry may enter into a "child-specific" or a "bed-specific" agreement. Bed specific agreements are the most common, and are used when a home will be used on a regular basis. Child specific agreements are occasionally used to purchase one bed for a specific child.
| Level 1 for each child (maximum number of children per home is six (6), including caregiver's own children) | ||||||||
| Age | Service Payment | Foster Family Care Rate | Total Monthly Rate | Per Diem 1/ Per Child | ||||
| 0 - 11 | $358.02 | $701.55 | $1,059.57 | $35.32 | ||||
| 12 - 19 | $358.02 | $805.68 | $1,163.70 | $38.79 | ||||
| Level 2 maximum number of beds is three (3) (i) for each Child-Specific agreement or each Bed-Specific agreement for one bed |
||||||||
| Age | Service Payment | Foster Family Care Rate | Total Monthly Rate | Per Diem 1/ Per Child | ||||
| 0 - 11 | $1,040.40 | $701.55 | $1,741.95 | $58.07 | ||||
| 12 - 19 | $1,040.40 | $805.68 | $1,846.08 | $61.54 | ||||
| (ii) for two children - Bed-Specific | ||||||||
| Age | Service Payment | Foster Family Care Rate | Total Monthly Rate | Per Diem 1/ Per Child | ||||
| 0 - 11 | $1,768.68 | $1,403.10 | $3,171.78 | $52.86 | ||||
| 12 - 19 | $1,768.68 | $1,611.36 | $3,380.04 | $56.33 | ||||
| (iii) for three children - Bed-Specific | ||||||||
| Age | Service Payment | Family Care Rate | Total Monthly Rate | Per Diem 1/ Per Child | ||||
| 0 - 11 | $2,392.92 | $2,104.65 | $4,497.57 | $49.97 | ||||
| 12 - 19 | $2,392.92 | $2,417.04 | $4,809.96 | $53.44 | ||||
| Level 3 - (maximum number of beds is two) (i) for each Child-Specific agreement or each Bed-Specific agreement for one child |
||||||||
| Age | Service Payment | Foster Family Care Rate | Total Monthly Rate | Per Diem 1/ Per Child | ||||
| 0 - 11 | $1,716.66 | $701.55 | $2,418.21 | $80.61 | ||||
| 12 - 19 | $1,716.66 | $805.68 | $2,522.34 | $84.08 | ||||
| (ii) for two children - Bed-Specific | ||||||||
| Age | Service Payment | Foster Family Care Rate | Total Monthly Rate | Per Diem 1/ Per Child | ||||
| 0 - 11 | $2,913.12 | $1,403.10 | $4,316.22 | $71.94 | ||||
| 12 - 19 | $2,913.12 | $1,611.36 | $4,524.48 | $75.41 | ||||
| 1 Based on a 30-day month. | ||||||||
Relief / Respite Care
"Relief" means both in-home and out-of-home relief for the family care home. "Respite" means out-of-home care provided by the director to a child's parents with whom there is a support service agreement.
Costs for three days of relief (per child or bed) are part of the service payment component of the Specialized Family Care Home rates. The following rates are paid to the home providing the service and apply to both relief and respite care (under intermittent care agreements).
| Level 1 | $48.79 |
| Level 2 | $61.54 |
| Level 3 | $84.08 |
Additional Allowable Expenses
The Specialized Family Care Home rates are intended to be all- inclusive; however, the following provisions for additional payments exist.
One - Time Only Payments
Level 1, 2 and 3 homes are eligible for one-time only payments according to the Regular Family Care Home policy. However, supplementary relief or professional support services are assessed differently.
Exceptional Ongoing Monthly Payments
Specialized Family Care Homes are also eligible for ongoing additional monthly payments, for example to pay for shelter, transportation, relief, day care or child and youth workers directly related to a child in their care. These monthly payments, to meet known ongoing exceptional costs are based on the needs of a specific child, negotiated with the service provider, and must fall within an accepted pricing range.
Professional Support Services
Where the Specialized Family Care Home is unable to meet some of a child's service requirements, external supports to support the placement can be authorized.
Substitute Care Arrangements
Independent living placements can be provided to 16-18 year-old youth in care.
Kinship Care
Under section 8 (Kith and Kin Agreements) of the CFCSA, the director may enter into a written agreement with a person who has established a relationship with a child or has a cultural or traditional responsibility toward a child and is given care of the child by the child's parent. It is considered a temporary care providing arrangement until such time as the parent(s) is able to resume care of their child (hence, supporting permanency planning for a child).
Under section 54.1 of the CFCSA, guardianship can be transferred from the director to a relative or significant adult. In addition, these individuals may obtain custody and guardianship under the Family Relations Act.
Financial assistance may be available to:
- Ministry approved individuals who care for a child under an out of care provision of the CFCSA e.g. section 8, section 35(2)(d), 41(1)(b), and,
- Ministry approved persons to whom permanent custody is transferred from the ministry pursuant to section 54.1.
Specialized Residential Services
Specialized residential services include bed subsidy homes, group homes, staffed/specialized residential child care resources, intensive child care resources, receiving, assessment and planning programs and therapeutic network homes (also known as satellite homes). A non-profit society, private agency or an individual may operate them.
Group Homes
Group home services are contracted on an annual or more frequent basis with private individuals (private group homes) or non-profit societies (society-operated group homes).
Generally, group home core services include 24-hour skilled parenting and child care services, group and individual counselling and activities, and programming for individual children designed to achieve the specific goals of the child's comprehensive plan of care.
In addition to these core services, individual group homes may also offer certain specialized services such as receiving services, longer term care, or respite and relief care.
A group home may have capacity for between three and eight children.
Residential living for pregnant and young mothers
Services may be offered to pregnant young women, usually in the last trimester of pregnancy, and young mothers who require a stable and supportive residential environment before and after giving birth. The service provides a place in a residential facility suitable for the accommodation of young mothers and their infant children, along with a program of assistance and guidance before and after the birth of their child. The counselling component addresses the training needs of the mother and the developmental needs of the children.
Contact
Alex Scheiber
A/Manager Strategic Policy Initiatives and Protocols
Standards, Policy and Research Branch
Child and Family Development Division
Ministry of Children and Family Development
Tel.: (250) 387-7061
Email: Alex.Scheiber@gems4.gov.bc.ca
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