FOSTER CARE: MODULE #2

Models and Levels of Care

FOSTER CARE MODELS

Foster care can be conceptualized as four distinct models based upon a structural or durational paradigm.

Structural Paradigm: Formal Foster CareInformal Foster Care

Durational Paradigm: Short Term Foster CareLong Term Foster Care

STRUCTURAL PARADIGM

Formal Foster Care The most common way of defining foster care in which there is a

statutory requirement for a governmental agency to remove children from their homes and place them in licensed regulated foster home. The governmental agency retains custody of the child.

Informal Foster Care A type of foster care that involves the practice of caring for

children by relatives and the community without any formal governmental intervention or support. It is likely the most common form of foster care.

DURATIONAL FOSTER CARE

Short Term Foster Care Children who enter care with a goal of reunification. The

average length of stay may be days, weeks or months but generally less than a year. During that time, intensive services are provided to the family to remedy the problems that lead to the child’s removal.

Long Term Foster Care Children who remain in care for long periods of time and for

whom reunification and adoption are not viable option. These children may have strong bonds with their family but the home environment is not suitable for their return. Children are likely to remain in care until the age of majority “aging out”. It is also known as permanent foster care.

GOALS OF FOSTER CARE

FOSTER CARE TYPOLOGY

Levels of Care - A general guide used to establish the needs of the child entering foster care based upon the child’s physical, psychological, emotional or behavioral needs.

It is used to determine the appropriate foster care placement setting and reimbursement rate to foster parents.

FOUR LEVELS OF CARE

Traditional Foster Care (Basic)

Treatment Foster Care (Moderate)

Specialized Foster Care (Exceptional)

Intensive Foster Care (Severe)

TRADITIONAL FOSTER CARE

Requires only basic services and care;Limited mental health problems;Adjustment problems due to transience;Slight signs of regression;Developmentally on target or minor delays; Occasional misbehavior due to stress; andMinor social adjustment problems.

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE

Occasional physical aggression;Ongoing mental health needs (depression);Difficulty with self care and daily living;Behavioral problems (lying, stealing);At risk or current substance abuse;Some developmental delays; andPoor social relationships

SPECIALIZED FOSTER CARE

Frequent acts of physical aggression;Severe mental health problems (suicidal);Habitual substance abuser;Poor self care ability;Significant developmental delays;Poor social skills in multiple settings; and Delinquent/criminal behavior.

INTENSIVE FOSTER CARE

Extremely violent and self injurious behavior;Serious mental health problems (psychosis);Substance abuse or dependency;Major impairment with self care;Major developmental delays;Requires constant supervision for safety of

others; and Involved in delinquent or criminal behavior.

GROUP EXERCISE #2

Break into small groups of 2 or 3 members.

Read the profiles of each child.

Review the levels of care.

Identify the appropriate level of care for each child.