What can I expect? Our goal is to help you make the changes that the Court finds necessary for you to provide a safe home and bring your family together again. In order to do this, we will:
Work together to develop goals and a plan to meet those goals.
Work together to identify services that can help you meet your goals.
Meet regularly to assess your family’s needs and progress.
Arrange times for you to have regular parenting time with your child as allowed by the court.
Share information regarding any health care or educational appointments and meetings for your child.
Attend all court hearings (at least every three months) at which time the agency will report to the court regarding your progress and any ongoing needs.
Please refer to your parent manual for a more detailed explanation of the process, and discuss any questions with your foster care worker.
What are my rights? You do not lose all of your rights simply because your children are in foster care. Every parent who receives our services has the right to:
Have an attorney for legal advice and representation in court.
Confidentiality (Note: FCCS must report allegations of child abuse, criminal activity, or a threat of harm to self or others. We are also required to provide the Judge with any information requested)
Talk to your FCCS Foster Care Worker.
Be treated with respect, with no discrimination based on disability, age, race, sex, religion, ethnic
origin, economic status, or sexual orientation.
An explanation of why your child is in foster care.
Participate in the development and receive a copy of your Parent-Agency Treatment Agreement (PATP).
Services that are written in the PATP. (Note: You have the right to refuse services, but you are responsible for demonstrating that you have changed the situation that brought your child into care before the judge will order the child to be returned to your care.)
Receive a copy of your Initial or Updated Service Plan (ISP/USP).
Receive a copy of court orders.
An interpreter, if you do not speak English, or if you are hearing impaired.
Have reasonable accommodations made for you to attend hearings if you are disabled.
Have parenting time with your child at least weekly.
Information about your child’s health and well-being.
Send mail to your child (this is sent to the agency address and delivered by the case worker.)
Attend medical and dental appointments with your child (unless denied by the court, or unless your participation will delay the provision of health services).
Be consulted and make decisions about hospitalizations and/or medical and surgical treatment. (Consent may be authorized by the judge in your absence or if you refuse consent and treatment is determined by the Judge to be in the child’s best interest.)
Attend school meetings regarding educational planning for your child.
Be consulted and make decisions about your child’s Individual Educational Plan (I.E.P.).
Be consulted and make decisions about your child’s religion.
Be consulted and make decisions about out-of-state travel. (Consent may be authorized by the judge in your absence or if you refuse consent and it is determined by the Judge to be in the child’s best interest.)
Be consulted and make decisions about your child’s marriage or enlistment in the military.
Know if your child changes placement.
Have your child returned to your care once the Judge determines that the requirements of the court have been met.
File a complaint, if you feel your rights have not been respected.
