Foster Care and Adoption Program. Fact Sheet. TheUpCenter.org

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1 Foster Care and Adoption Program Fact Sheet Licensed: Child Placing Agency, Virginia Department of Social Services Member Agency: United Way of South Hampton Roads, Inc. Virginia Association of Child Placing Agencies Foster Family Treatment Association Family Service Council of Virginia Alliance for Children and Families The Up Center s Foster Care program accepts placement referrals for children from local Departments of Social Service and other child welfare agencies from all over Southeastern Virginia. Referrals from other parts of the state are considered on a caseby-case basis. The Up Center is licensed to place youth ages birth to 17 years. If a teen in foster care pursues higher education or employment, he or she can stay in care until age 21. The Up Center has 7 local offices, an annual budget of over $14 million, and over 25 innovative prevention and treatment programs. We are a private, non-profit agency serving over 10,000 people each year. Locations: 150 Boush St., Suite 800 & 500, Norfolk 222 W. 19th St., Norfolk 1011 W. 25th St., Norfolk 800 Tidewater Dr., Norfolk 1805 Airline Blvd., Portsmouth 109A Clay St., Suffolk 100 W. 4th St., Franklin For more information, visit TheUpCenter.org About Our Agency The Up Center (formerly Child & Family Services of Eastern Virginia) is the regions oldest and largest family services agency. We have been a safety net for the Hampton Roads community for over 130 years. Our mission is to strengthen families, protect children, assist people in crisis, and help individuals with disabilities maximize their independence. Why I Became a Foster Parent Every child deserves a safe and loving home. Marie & Ricky, Foster Parents since March 2014 July 10,

2 Eligibility Requirements Benefits of Joining Our Team Foster and adoptive parents with The Up Center must: Be at least 25 years old Have adequate space in the home to accommodate 1 or more children in foster care Possess a valid driver s license Own a working, inspected and registered motor vehicle Be financially stable (You cannot be receiving any federal or state financial assistance such as welfare, Section 8, HUD housing or food stamps nor can you rely on a foster parent reimbursement to make ends meet.) Have clear background checks DMV National FBI fingerprint database VA State Criminal Child Protective Services (CPS) National Sex Offender Registry Opportunities to Serve Full Time Foster Parenting Part Time Foster Parenting (short term care; formerly respite) Single Parent Homes Homes with Working Parents Adoption from Foster Care TRAINING FREE pre-service training to include CPR & First Aid and Non-Violent Crisis Intervention certifications 24 hours of in-service training throughout the year provided by The Up Center INVOLVEMENT Opportunity to share information and help guide decisions about the future of the child placed in your care SUPPORT 24 hours/7 days a week/365 days a year on-call availability Regular staff visits and unlimited telephone contact Participation in The Up Center s foster family support group where you meet other families who have made a commitment to caring for youth in foster care REIMBURSMENT Receive paid vacation days each month for each child placed in your home: 2 days for therapeutic placements (children with certain medical or behavioral needs) 1 day for regular placements Monthly reimbursement for each child placed in your home. The amount will depend on the age of the child and his/her level of care RECOGNITION & INCENTIVES Annual Foster Family Spring Picnic (June) and Holiday Gala (December) Financial incentives for referring prospective foster parents who become approved through The Up Center THE YOUTH YOU HELP Making a difference An opportunity to help a child grow, heal and learn Why I Became a Foster Parent We were empty nesters. Carolyn, Foster Parent since 2013 July 10,

3 Foster Parent Responsibilities Respect the child s confidential information Use discipline not punishment (NEVER use corporal punishment) Provide transportation for all appointments Medical Dental Therapy Ensure that the child s medical and dental exams are current Actively participate in all required meetings Be an advocate for each child placed in your home Work with the treatment team to support the child s permanency plan Reunification Custody to a relative Adoption Be sensitive to the needs of your child and his/her experiences of abuse and neglect Inform your family clinician of all pertinent information regarding your home and the child placed in your home Follow the recommendations of The Up Center clinician, counselor/therapist, treatment team, and physician Ensure that the child is adequately supervised at all times Cooperate with the family clinician when home visits are required Provide adequate personal space for a child Attend all family support group meetings Adoption Facts Adopting from foster care is affordable little to no cost. Many employers offer financial reimbursement and paid leave for employees who adopt and Federal and/ or state adoption tax credits are available to most families. Support and other post-adoption resources are available. Adopting from foster care is permanent. Once a child is adopted out of foster care, the birth parents cannot regain custody. Why I Became a Foster Parent It s the path we chose to meet our children. Natalie, Foster Parent since 2011 July 10,

4 Foster/Adoptive Parent Training, Assessment & Approval July 10,

5 Home Approval Checklist Working telephone with voic or answering machine Operable heating, ventilation and cooling system Operable refrigeration, cooking, and toilet facilities Children s bedrooms are not used as passageway and must have doors for privacy Closet and/or drawer space for child s clothing and possessions Bedroom will have adequate square footage for each child Separate bed for each foster child Children over age of 2 will not share a room or bed with a resource parent or other adult Children over the age of 3 will not share a bedroom with a child of the opposite gender Children under the age of 7 will not be on the top bunk of bunk beds Children with documented cognitive or physical disabilities will not be on the top bunk of bunk beds Bed furniture will be equipped with clean, safe, and comfortable sleeping furnishings Rooms used by children are well lighted for activities and safety Space for recreation activities If a household member smokes, a safety plan will be put in place It will be documented if alcohol is kept in the home Written evacuation plan in case of emergencies posted & practiced at least once a month Written plan for seeking professional emergency assistance, including phone numbers A written emergency preparedness & response plan All firearms and other weapons kept unloaded and stored in locked cabinet or area Ammunition stored in a locked place separate from the firearms and weapons Operable smoke alarms: in all cooking areas and one additional per level of house Cleaning supplies and other toxic substances stored away from food and locked--out of reach of children Shower or tub has non-skid surface, mat or strips At least one operable type ABC fire extinguisher, 2A rated, installed on each floor Operable carbon monoxide detector installed (if gas is used in home) First aid kit or the makings of one Prescribed and non-prescribed medications are stored in a locked area and out of reach of children Exposure control kit (provided during training) Operable flashlight Homeowner s or renters insurance (optional) The home shall be free from exposed wiring The walls and ceilings shall be free from holes and lead The home shall be free from rodent and insect infestation Screens on all doors/windows used for ventilation Safety plan if the home is accessible to any open bodies of water that could pose a danger to a child Proof of shots and license will be required for household pets If there are pets a veterinarian statement will be required The home will be clean, in good repair and free of hazards The grounds around the home will be properly maintained, free of litter and debris, and free of hazards July 10,

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