an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
an overview georgia program improvement plan - Department of ...
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Length <strong>of</strong> time as a foster parent # From Bartow # From Fulton # From Harris<br />
9 years 1<br />
10 years 1<br />
14 years 1<br />
23 years 1<br />
Methodology<br />
A pl<strong>an</strong>ning session with DFCS subject matter experts was held to discuss the purpose <strong>an</strong>d design <strong>of</strong> the evaluation. The researcher crafted the<br />
interview guide with input from DFCS subject matter experts <strong>an</strong>d administrators. The Division Director contacted the county director at each <strong>of</strong> the<br />
three (3) research sites to let them know that resource families from their area would be interviewed. The interviews were conducted by phone <strong>an</strong>d all<br />
<strong>of</strong> the resource families contacted were willing to participate in the interview. The responses from the interviews were <strong>an</strong>alyzed <strong>an</strong>d a summary <strong>of</strong> the<br />
major findings is presented below.<br />
Major Findings<br />
The resource families interviewed underst<strong>an</strong>d respite as a service to be used when a foster parent is “sick, going on a vacation, when <strong>an</strong> emergency<br />
arises or if a break is needed”. Although none <strong>of</strong> the particip<strong>an</strong>ts explicitly stated that respite care is a service to prevent disruptions, several<br />
described respite as a service that would lead to enh<strong>an</strong>ced quality <strong>of</strong> care for the foster child. For example, a resource parent stated, “Children are<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten exposed to difficult conditions. Respite care helps the foster parent to get centered again”, relieve frustration, <strong>an</strong>d help prevent a sense <strong>of</strong> being<br />
overwhelmed. Another particip<strong>an</strong>t stated, “It allows me to rejuvenate <strong>an</strong>d refresh which makes me more patient.”<br />
When I described respite care as a service to prevent disruption, reactions varied. For example, one particip<strong>an</strong>t stated, “It’s never been put that way, if<br />
it had then I would have used it. I teach MAPP <strong>an</strong>d it’s never been explained that way.” One particip<strong>an</strong>t responded by saying, “Yes, it is something I<br />
have given a lot <strong>of</strong> thought to <strong>an</strong>d requested.” Other particip<strong>an</strong>ts reacted quite differently. For example, one particip<strong>an</strong>t stated, “I didn’t figure we<br />
were in this for that purpose.” Another particip<strong>an</strong>t said, “I don’t believe in it.” Yet <strong>an</strong>other stated, “I treat children like my own <strong>an</strong>d have not needed<br />
respite services.”<br />
Seventy percent (70%) <strong>of</strong> the total sample had used respite care services in the past. All eight (8) particip<strong>an</strong>ts or one hundred percent (100%) <strong>of</strong> those<br />
sampled in Bartow County had used respite care. Three (3) <strong>of</strong> the five (5) particip<strong>an</strong>ts or sixty percent (60%) <strong>of</strong> those sampled in Harris County had<br />
Safe Future – A Pl<strong>an</strong> for Program Improvement<br />
Georgia <strong>Department</strong> <strong>of</strong> Hum<strong>an</strong> Resources<br />
November, 2004 Quarter 8 - Work Pl<strong>an</strong> G Page 10