Successful Foster Home Licensing in NC - Training Matters
Successful Foster Home Licensing in NC - Training Matters
Successful Foster Home Licensing in NC - Training Matters
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understand<strong>in</strong>g of the importance of ma<strong>in</strong>ta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g attachments and family and cultural<br />
identity”) followed by specific examples to support that conclusion (Example - “Mrs.<br />
Smith supports her sister’s efforts to keep her adopted niece and nephew connected to<br />
their culture of orig<strong>in</strong> by celebrat<strong>in</strong>g Vietnamese new year with them and by prepar<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Vietnamese food”) (Need – Mrs. Smith will research traditions and cultural values of the<br />
foster children as they enter her care.<br />
• Example - Strength: “Mrs. Smith communicates effectively and develops successful<br />
partnerships.” followed by specific examples - “Mrs. Smith is a deacon <strong>in</strong> her church and<br />
teaches Sunday school.” “Mrs. Smith is a store manager who leads team meet<strong>in</strong>gs and<br />
supervises five employees.” “Mrs. Smith was an active member of the pre-service group<br />
who asked appropriate questions at the right time and listened to others.” Need – Mrs.<br />
Smith wants to be a better listener and will seek out tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g to develop this skill.<br />
• Avoid affective/cognitive language such as “understands,” “knows,” “feels,” and<br />
“appreciates” <strong>in</strong> the examples you give to support your conclusions<br />
• Instead, support your conclusions by describ<strong>in</strong>g the applicant’s specific behaviors or the<br />
words that she used. “Mrs. Smith, who lost her grandmother five years ago, says she<br />
recovered from the loss through prayer, <strong>in</strong>creased <strong>in</strong>volvement <strong>in</strong> her church, and by<br />
spend<strong>in</strong>g additional time <strong>in</strong> her garden.”<br />
• Remember that applicants can demonstrate the 12 skills <strong>in</strong> ways that don’t <strong>in</strong>volve<br />
children, such as <strong>in</strong> their job, volunteer work, or hobbies.<br />
• For further guidance concern<strong>in</strong>g the 12 skills refer to pages 19-24 <strong>in</strong> the document “A<br />
Supplemental Guide to <strong>Foster</strong> <strong>Home</strong> <strong>Licens<strong>in</strong>g</strong>” at the follow<strong>in</strong>g web site:<br />
http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/licens<strong>in</strong>g/docs/Guide-chp3.pdf<br />
III. Assessment of Shared Parent<strong>in</strong>g<br />
Provide more <strong>in</strong>formation than they understand and are will<strong>in</strong>g to participate. For further<br />
guidance see page 26 <strong>in</strong> the document “A Supplemental Guide to <strong>Foster</strong> <strong>Home</strong> <strong>Licens<strong>in</strong>g</strong>” at<br />
the follow<strong>in</strong>g web site: http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/licens<strong>in</strong>g/docs/Guide-chp3.pdf<br />
IV. F<strong>in</strong>ancial Ability<br />
Give the TOTAL monthly <strong>in</strong>come of applicants and the anticipated TOTAL monthly expenses.<br />
You do not have to itemize the <strong>in</strong>come or expenses, just give a grand total. We ask agencies to<br />
pay close attention to the suitability of applicants who are <strong>in</strong> arrears for child support payments.<br />
The <strong>in</strong>come needs to be more than the expenses. Applicants need to be able to absorb the<br />
extra f<strong>in</strong>ancial stra<strong>in</strong> that can come from provid<strong>in</strong>g foster care.<br />
V. Dates and Locations of visits<br />
Please note that Rule 10A <strong>NC</strong>AC 70E .0802 requires the applicant(s) to be <strong>in</strong>terviewed by the<br />
licens<strong>in</strong>g social worker <strong>in</strong> the family's home and <strong>in</strong> the supervis<strong>in</strong>g agency’s office. For twoparent<br />
homes, separate as well as jo<strong>in</strong>t discussions with both parents shall be arranged. For<br />
foster homes with more than two parents, separate as well as jo<strong>in</strong>t discussions with all parents<br />
shall be arranged. Interviews should also be scheduled with the children of the prospective<br />
foster parents to determ<strong>in</strong>e their feel<strong>in</strong>gs and response to foster children be<strong>in</strong>g placed <strong>in</strong> the<br />
home.<br />
Tra<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g, phone, e-mail contacts do not count.<br />
XI. Recommendations<br />
Unless your agency is recommend<strong>in</strong>g the applicant you should not send an application to the<br />
<strong>Licens<strong>in</strong>g</strong> office.<br />
Signature Page<br />
Make sure Applicant(s), Social Worker and Director or Designee have signed and dated the<br />
application.