Learning to Navigate the System

Court 

Most experienced foster parents will tell you to attend all court hearings, you will learn a lot about the family and child at these hearings because the case is openly discussed in the court room.

Don’t let a worker or GAL discourage you from going. If the courtroom is open, it is your right to attend.

Know and contact the child’s GAL (Guardian Ad Litem) and insist that they visit the child at least quarterly –
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- Send a letter of introduction
- Keep the GAL updated of any important information
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Link to Michigan GAL requirements here.

Family Team Meetings or FTMs

Understand the FTM process and always attend Family Team Meetings if allowed and appropriate.

Foster Parent Bill of Rights

• Know the foster parents bill of rights: 
Watch Video or Read the Text 

Become an Advocate

Advocating for your family and for the children in your care is essential. The “system” does not go out of its way to provide benefits, services or information to foster parents. Many new parents are afraid to advocate for resolution to ongoing problems but allowing issues to go unresolved can lead to burnout and compromised care for children placed within your home.
 
You will be a more successful foster parent if you build relationships with other parties

  • Birth Parents – A working relationship with the birthparents is invaluable!
  • Workers - Keep a list of all the workers that come to your home along with contact numbers. 
  • LGALs – The child’s court appointed lawyer will play an important role in the court room.  Know and contact your child’s GAL. 
  • Other members of the team and community – Schools, therapists, other foster parents
The Prudent Parent Standard released in November 2015 clarified the rights of foster children to participate many "normal" childhood activities. 

Link to the State's Policy Manuals Here 

Foster Parent Tips!

Give your input in writing every quarter for the Updated Service Plan. 

Ask for the following items from the agency in writing:
• ISP and USPs, court reports
• All court orders
•Medical Passport
• Copies of all medical, educational and mental health reports​

The Complaint Process

There are times when you may need to escalate a matter concerning your family or your foster children. We recommend that you put your inquires and issues in writing so that you have a paper trail.
Here are the ways that a problem can be handled: 
  • Your worker’s supervisor – The supervisor should be the first call you make if there is an ongoing problem. Also, this is the first question any other agency will ask you when you try to file a complaint; they will want proof that you gave the agencies' management a fair chance to correct the problem before helping you with any issue. 
  • Your agency’s complaint policy – Every agency should have a written complaint policy that will direct you on how to go up the chain of command within your agency with a greivance .
  • If you don’t receive a resolution with the worker, supervisor or through the escalation of a grievance through your agencies formal complaint policy then the agencies below may be able to assist you.

Foster Care Review Board Program (FCRBP)

The Foster Care Review Board  will respond to a foster parent's appeal when a foster parent objects to a change or a proposed change in a child’s placement. For example, if a child is being moved from your home against your wishes.

​The Office of the Children’s Ombudsman (OCO) 

The Office of Children's Ombudsman  is responsible for handling Foster Parent Bill of Rights complaints.
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They also investigate citizen complaints about children involved with protective services, foster care, adoption services, and juvenile justice to determine whether the Department of Human Services and/or private agency actions and decisions complied with laws, rules, and agency policy.

DCWL

The Division of Child Welfare Licensing (DCWL)  - has a formal complaint form on their website. Making a complaint to DCWL is a big deal because they supervise your agency. Please give your agency a fair chance on resolving a complaint before escalating it to DCWL.