Program Policies on this website are complete and up-to-date.  Program Policies are reviewed and approved by the Children's Sanctuary Board of Directors in January of each year.  For actual revision dates see the CSI Policy Manual at each office site.

CATEGORIES: Agency-100. Finance-200. Risk Managment-300. Health and Safety-400. Personnel-500. Foster Care-600. Clients-700. Programs-800.

ACCESS TO ADMINISTRATOR

ADMISSIONS CRITERIA

ADOPTION AVAILABILITY

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FOSTER PARENTS

AUDIT

BILLING FOR SERVICE

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

CLIENT CIVIL RIGHTS

CLIENT DISCHARGE

CLIENT FUNDS

CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS

CRISIS COUNSELING

CRITICAL INCIDENT

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE FOSTER HOME

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

DAY CARE CENTER IN A FOSTER HOME

DISCIPLINE AND BEHAVIOR INTERVENTION

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

EMERGENCY CONTACT( EMPLOYEE)

EMPLOYEE CONVICTIONS

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTION

EVACUATION PLAN

EVALUATION OF ADMINISTRATOR

GOOD CAUSE

GRIEVANCES (FOSTER PARENT)

INCORPORATION

INDEPENDENT LIVING

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

INSURANCE: FOSTER PARENTS

INSURANCE: AGENCY

INTERNAL CONTROL

JOB DESCRIPTIONS

LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY

MATCHING FOSTER FAMILY WITH FOSTER CHILD

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

MEDICALLY FRAGILE FOSTER CARE

MEPA COMPLAINT PROCEDURE

MEPA STANDARDS OF CONDUCT

MISSION STATEMENT

NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE  (CONVICTION OF YOUTH 12-18)

ORGANIZATION OF THE AGENCY

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART: CSI

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART: INDIANA

ORGANIZATIONAL CHART: OHIO

PAYMENT TO FOSTER PARENTS

PERSONNEL POLICIES

POTENTIAL FOSTER CAREGIVERS (FOSTER PARENTS)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

PROGRAM EVALUATION

PROTOCOL FOR REPORTING ABUSE AND NEGLECT

RECORDS MAINTENANCE

RECRUITMENT (FOSTER PARENT)

REDRESS OF GRIEVANCE (CLIENT)

RELIGIOUS PARTICIPATION

RESEARCH PROJECTS

RESPITE CARE

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

The following procedures will be adhered to unless otherwise specified by the Executive Director. 

Administrative response will be available Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM according to the normal chain of command.

After hours, weekends, and holidays, CSI on-call staff will be available via pager.  The on-call staff and pager number will be given to all foster parents.  The pager numbers for all staff, including the Regional Director, will be available on the office answering machine after hours.  The Regional Director and the Executive director may also be accessed via pager after hours and on weekends. 

If additional assistance is needed, on-call staff will contact the Regional Director.  If the Regional Director is unavailable, on-call staff will contact the Executive Director.  If the Regional Director and Executive Director are unavailable, on-call staff will contact the assigned administrative management delegate. 

The Regional Director will be notified immediately of any allegation of abuse or neglect of a child in the CSI foster care program.  

Documentation regarding any emergency or serious incident will be sent to Regional Director as soon as possible. 

The CSI Executive Director will be notified in the event of third party involvement in any serious incident, if a client is seriously injured, if a client develops a serious medical condition, and if law enforcement or the media are involved or likely to become involved.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc.  

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

ESTABLISHMENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

I. BYLAWS

There is hereby created a Board of Directors to be known as the Children's Sanctuary, Inc. Board of Directors. The Board shall be comprised of seven or more volunteers from the community who are interested in the welfare of troubled children and families. 

II. NOT-FOR-PROFIT STATEMENT

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. is a not-for-profit child-placing agency.  The primary function of the organization is to provide therapeutic foster care and case management services to neglected, abused, and emotionally disturbed children.  In providing these services, the organization operates according to the following guidelines:

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future tax code.

No part of the net earnings of Children's Sanctuary, Inc. shall insure to the benefit of, or be distributed to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons.  The organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof.  No substantial part of the activities of Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office.  The organization shall not engage in activities not permitted for an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c) (3) of the internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.  The organization shall not engage in activities not permitted for an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170 (c) (2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

Upon the dissolution of Children’s Sanctuary, Inc., assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code. Or its assets shall be distributed to the federal, state, or local government, for a public purpose.  Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located. Said assets shall be disposed exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

III. THE BOARD

The Board of Directors shall review, make recommendations, and approve all areas concerning programs and policies as they relate to the general care and treatment of the children placed in Sanctuary foster homes.  The Board is the authority for ensuring compliance with the requirements of the public agency’s administrative regulation and federal, state and local law. 

The Board shall approve the mission statement delineating the purpose, objective, and scope of services to be provided and approve an intake policy specifying type of child to be accepted in care.

The Board shall review the agency’s policies and programs and the Executive Director annually.  It shall randomly inspect several foster homes at a time when the children are present and make written recommendations to the Executive Director.  This inspection and any recommendations will be noted in the minutes of the next scheduled Board meeting.

IV. VOTING

Voting shall be by simple majority. Any majority constitutes a quorum.  The President or Acting President will have one vote and a casting vote when the meeting is equally divided on any question.

V. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Each officer and member shall serve a term of two years commencing on January 1 of each year and shall serve until his or her successor is appointed or he or she is re-appointed.

PRESIDENT: The President shall preside at all meetings of the Board.  The President shall have, besides one ordinary vote, a casting vote when the meeting is equally divided on any question.  In the absence of the President, another board member will be chosen by a consensus of the members present, to act as President. 

VICE PRESIDENT OR ACTING PRESIDENT: The First or Second Vice President will serve in the absence of the President, or an Acting President shall be chosen by a consensus of the members present and serve in the absence of the President or Vice Presidents.

SECRETARY/TREASURER: The Secretary/Treasurer shall keep a written record of all the proceedings and accounts of the Board.  The Secretary/ Treasurer shall have charge of such papers and documents as shall be entrusted to him or her by the President.  At each meeting the Secretary/Treasurer shall present for approval or correction, the minutes of the previous meeting and a report of finances.  The Secretary shall prepare an annual report to be presented to the Board and the Executive Director.

VI. COMMITTEES

The President may appoint committees to assist and advise the Executive Director on policies, programming, fund raising, and public relations.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE: The President shall appoint a nominating committee annually to review the membership. The committee shall present names of prospective members to the Board and the Executive Director.  The committee shall prepare a slate of officers to be presented to the Board for approval in January of each year. Elections will be held every two years, or as needed, to fill vacancies.

VIII. ORIENTATION OF NEW BOARD MEMBERS

On notification of Board membership, a new member will receive an orientation of Children's Sanctuary, Inc. and his or her duties as a Board member by the President of the Board and the Executive Director.  This orientation will take place within thirty (30) days following the appointment and will be noted in the minutes of the next Board meeting.  This orientation will include a tour of the administrative offices, several foster homes, a review of policies and programs, and a description of Board organization and responsibilities.

IX. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Executive Director is appointed by the Board of Directors to serve as the chief administrator of Children's Sanctuary, Inc. The Executive Director is responsible for the care and protection of the foster children, hiring, training, and supervision of social workers and support staff, and for the efficient management of the financial and physical resources of the agency.  The Executive Director serves as a non-voting member of the Board of Directors and answers to the Board of Directors for the management and operation of Children's Sanctuary, Inc.  The Executive Director or designate attends all Board meetings and keeps Board members informed in all aspects of the operation and needs of the agency.  The Executive Director submits any changes in programs or budgets to the Board of Directors for approval.

X. DISTRIBUTION OF ASSETS ON DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. is a not-for-profit social services agency and, as such, has no shareholders.  The Board of Directors is a voluntary governing body formed to uphold the public trust by monitoring the general operation, maintaining the mission, vision, focus and objectives of the agency, assisting with public relations and fund-raising, and serving as an appellant body for clients and the public.  In the event of cessation of operation, the Board of Directors will oversee the distribution and liquidation of all assets, including funds, buildings, and equipment, and payment of all outstanding debts or claims.  Any remaining funds or assets will be disposed according to paragraph C, Section II above.

XI. CONFLICT OF INTEREST (Based on Govt. Ethics Code Act 11/18/97)

Board Members shall not :

Use their position as a Children’s Sanctuary Board Member to obtain private gain, employment, or advantage for themselves, a relative, or an entity in which they have a present or potential financial interest.

Disclose or use confidential information related to the operation of Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. that is not generally available to the public for their own or another person’s financial benefit.

Disclose or use confidential information including medical information regarding a foster child, foster parent, staff member, or other client of Children’s Sanctuary, Inc.

Participate or influence transactions if they know that a relative, friend, or associate has a substantial financial interest in them.

Use Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. funds, time, or equipment for personal gain.

Participate in, vote on, influence or attempt to influence an official decision if they or the business they are associated with, have a financial interest or can potentially benefit from the matter, unless the interest or benefit is incidental to their position or would normally accrue to them in their profession or occupation.

Participate in any matter which will affect the financial interests of an individual or organization with which they are negotiating future employment.

Authorize or request another person on their behalf to perform an act prohibited by the Children’s Sanctuary Board By-laws conflict of interest provision.

The above Conflict of Interest provision is based on the Government Ethics Code – Conflict of Interest: www.opacnmi.com/ethics_conflict.html.  This is not the complete code, but that part of the code that substantially relates to the Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Board of Directors.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. operates its foster care program in Indiana and Ohio through a management agreement with Res-Care, Inc.  The Res-Care Division of Persons with Disabilities and its designated employees are responsible for the day to day operation of Children’s Sanctuary programs.  The Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Executive Director maintains management authority over the foster care program.  The Children’s Sanctuary Board of Directors maintains overall authority and responsibility for the program. 

The Organizational Charts represents the flow of responsibility throughout the agency.  CSI provides case management coverage and access to an administrator 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.  When a case manager (foster care social worker) is off work, another case manager (foster care social worker) is assigned to provide backup.  The Executive Director, Program Director, Clinical Director or his or her delegate is available at all times to clients, foster parents, and other interested parties.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

Standard: 100.09

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. in accordance with the management agreement with Res-Care, Inc., will establish an effective procedure for the use of Res Care, Inc. Information Technology System to support the agency’s information management and performance improvement activities.

To utilize Res-Care’s Information Technology Department and to insure according to the needs of the agency and its clients:

• The agency has appropriate hardware and software to support and maintain its information management systems.

• The security and confidentiality of the system.

• The system is protected from computer viruses.

• The agency has a backup system, on-site and off-site.

• The agency has technological assistance when needed.

• The agency has an in-place information recovery system in case of computer malfunction, power outage, or other disaster situation.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

WEBSITE

Standard: 100.10

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective policy for the development and maintenance of an internet website.  This website will contain information about CSI programs, services, outcomes, finances, employment, and other information for use by clients, stakeholders, and the general public.

To provide clients, stakeholders, and the general public current information about the agency twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week.

Children's Sanctuary will develop and maintain a website on the world wide web that can be accessed by anyone seeking information about the agency. The website will contain the agency’s history, mission, and a description of programs.  It will contain information on placement, foster parenting, per diem rates, program outcomes, critical incidents, and demographics information on placements, discharges, and diversity of clients, foster parents, and staff. Children’s Sanctuary will publish the board bylaws, current board membership, the annual financial report, and the agency’s current strategic plan.  Job openings, office locations, and information for anyone wishing to make donations to the agency will also be available on the website. 

• The Children’s Sanctuary web address will be www.childrenssanctuary.org. 

• The website will be for the purpose of public information. 

• The Executive Director or his or her delegate will maintain the website. 

• The website will be accessible 24/7 and kept up-to-date at all times. 

• No confidential information will be posted on the CSI website. 

• Access to editing will be password protected. 

• The web host is Addr.com, URL: www.addr.com.

• Email address: support @addr.com.  Telephone: 877.233.7266.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

WEBSITE PRIVACY POLICY

Standard: 100.11

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective policy to protect the privacy of anyone visiting its website: www.childrenssanctuary.org including the families and children for whom the agency provides services, foster parents, public agency clients, employees, board members, and others visiting the CSI website for information about the agency.

The Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Privacy Policy covers the treatment of personally identifiable information displayed on the CSI website and any personally identifiable information received via email, regular mail, or telephone. 

This CSI website will contain information about CSI programs, services, outcomes, finances, employment, and other information for use by clients, stakeholders, and the general public.

The Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. website provides the community information about CSI programs, outcomes, foster parenting, financial stability and planning.

 The CSI Website Provides Information:

• To public placing agencies regarding services and referral of clients.

• To families and individuals interested in becoming foster parents

• To individuals interested in employment opportunities with the agency.

• To prospective donors wishing to make gifts to Children’s Sanctuary, Inc.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. assures all who visit its website that any information disclosed to the agency via email, telephone, or application will be treated as absolutely confidential and will not be disclosed to anyone outside of CSI. 

No confidential or personal information on any individual or organization will appear on this website without the expressed permission of the individual or organization. 

Warning! Other similar agencies may be linked to the CSI website. 

This privacy policy applies solely to Children’s Sanctuary, Inc.  CSI is not responsible for the privacy practices of other sites.  CSI encourages users to read the privacy statements of any website they visit that collects personally identifiable information.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

ANNUAL BUDGET

Standard: 200.01

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) foster care program will establish an effective procedure for preparation, approval, and maintenance of the annual budget.

To insure Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. maintains financial responsibility and solvency.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc will work with Res-Care, Inc to prepare and maintain an annual budget.  In September of each year, the Executive Director and the Director of Operations will prepare the annual budget.  Budget information will be entered into Res-Care's Oracle program.  Once completed, Res-Care will review the preliminary budget and make recommendations for changes.  This process will take 60 days.  The Executive Director and Director of Operations will work with Res-Care's financial department to make final adjustments to the budget.  In November of each year, the completed budget will be submitted to the Res-Care Board of Directors for approval.  Once the Res-Care Board approves the budget, it is submitted to the Children's Sanctuary Board for review and approval.  Children's Sanctuary's budget process will include the CSI Executive Director, the CSI Director of Operations, the Res-Care Regional Director, and Res-Care's Regional financial person with input from the CSI regional directors.

Note: Per management agreement, Res-Care Inc and its Board of Directors will have final approval of the annual budget.  The CSI Board of Directors will have final approval over expenditures from CSI surplus and non-specific donation funds.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

ANNUAL AUDIT

Standard: 200.02 OH: 5101:2-5-04(B)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc., (CSI) foster care program will establish an effective procedure for acquiring an independent annual audit of its financial position.

To insure all Children’s Sanctuary financial statements and accounting practices are inspected annually.

Children’s Sanctuary will engage an established licensed auditing firm to conduct an independent audit of its financial practices and position at the end of each fiscal year.  The auditor’s report will be available to all agencies doing business and the general public.  The resulting financial statement will also be available on the company’s website: www.childrenssanctuary.org.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

BILLING FOR SERVICES

Standard: 200.03

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc., (CSI) foster care program will establish an effective procedure for billing for services provided by the agency

To insure all Children’s Sanctuary maintains financial responsibility and solvency

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc will prepare a bill for each county within 30 days of a client's placement in foster care. This bill will be submitted by the first working day of each month.  Billing will be in accordance with per diem rates for services as established by the CSI Executive Director. The established rate will be listed on the CSI admissions agreement.  This agreement must be signed by the public custodial agency.  Some state custodial agencies establish leveled rates for each client.  CSI will recognize and adhere to leveled rates as established by the state custodial agency. 

Billing will be reviewed, approved, and submitted by the CSI Director of Operations or delegate.  Each quarter, the CSI Director of Operations or delegate will review the billing log for accuracy. Corrections will be made as necessary.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

CONTRACTUAL RELATIONSHIPS

Standard: 200.04

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for financial internal controls.

To insure Children’s Sanctuary maintains financial responsibility and solvency.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc will maintain internal control practices over petty cash and purchasing.  Petty cash transactions and purchasing less than fifty dollars will go through the Administrative Assistant with approval from the Director of Operations.   Any purchase over fifty dollars requires approval from the Director of Operations.  Purchases over five hundred dollars requires approval from the Executive Director. 

The Executive Director will oversee all transactions conducted by the Director of Operations. This includes receiving of cash, checks, and distribution of funds. The Director of Operations will prepare a Deposit Detail/Check Detail report and submit to the Executive Director for review each month.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

INTERNAL CONTROL

Standard: 200.05

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for financial internal controls.

To insure Children’s Sanctuary maintains financial responsibility and solvency.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc will maintain internal control practices over petty cash and purchasing.  Petty cash transactions and purchasing less than fifty dollars will go through the Administrative Assistant with approval from the Director of Operations.   Any purchase over fifty dollars requires approval from the Director of Operations.  Purchases over five hundred dollars requires approval from the Executive Director. 

The Executive Director will oversee all transactions conducted by the Director of Operations. This includes receiving of cash, checks, and distribution of funds. The Director of Operations will prepare a Deposit Detail/Check Detail report and submit to the Executive Director for review each month.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

REVIEW OF FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Standard: 200.06

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) foster care program will establish an effective procedure for review of financial statements.

To insure Children’s Sanctuary maintains financial responsibility and solvency.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc will review indirect and direct costs each month.  A report is generated by Res-Care, Inc and submitted to Children’s Sanctuary for review and analysis. The analysis will explain any differentiation from CSI's approved budget. 

A monthly conference call between the CSI Director of Financial Operations, the Res-Care Regional Finance Department, and the CSI Executive Director as needed, will examine the past month's expenditures and any variation from the approved budget.  When necessary, journal entries will be made for corrections and spending may be modified.  This process will ensure that Children’s Sanctuary, Inc operates in accordance with its approved budget.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

CRITICAL INCIDENTS

STANDARD: 300.01  Attachments: CSI Incident Report Form, Res-Care Incident Report Form,  Safety Committee Review Form

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for identifying, reporting, tracking, reviewing, and analyzing critical Incidents.

To assure critical incidents are accurately identified and reported to the appropriate staff and authorities.  To assure that all incidents are reviewed quarterly and preventive strategies and program improvements are developed including additional staff and foster parent training when indicated.

Children's Sanctuary foster parents (caregivers) will identify and report critical incidents involving clients in placement to the appropriate state authorities, CSI and Res-Care. Staff will be trained in recognizing and reporting critical incidents at orientation and annually thereafter.  Foster caregivers will be train in recognizing and reporting critical incidents during pre-service training and annually thereafter.  Staff and foster parents will be trained in the state protocol for identifying and reporting incidents abuse and neglect.

• Critical incidents will be reported immediately to local child protective services, the public custodial agency, the CSI Regional Director, the CSI Executive Director, and the Res-Care  via hotline.  A written report will be submitted to all of the above within 24 hours (see critical incident report forms).

• Staff and foster parents will follow the state protocol for reporting critical incidents to the state especially incidents of abuse and neglect of a client.

• The written report will describe the incident in detail, action taken, and follow-up my administrative staff.

• Each region will develop a Safety Committee to review all incidents at least four times a year. To decrease the number of future incidents, the Safety Committee will review incidents and make recommendations for improvements including staff and foster parent training when indicated.  The tracking and review of critical incidents will be included in the quarterly Quality Control Initiatives report and the annual outcome report.

The following is a list of critical incidents that will be reported to Child Protective Services and/or the child's public agency worker, Res-Care, and the CSI Executive Director:

• Any act that endangers a client’s emotional wellbeing

• Any act that endangers a client’s physical wellbeing

• Incidents involving the use of, or exposure to, a bio-hazardous substance or material.

• Incidents involving the use of a weapon, i.e. club, knife, gun, bow, etc.

• Client attempts suicide

• Client buys or sells or attempts to buy or sell a controlled substance

• Client is abused by an adult

• Client is hospitalized

• Client is injured

• Client is involved in an accident

• Client is involved in sexual activity

• Client is neglected by an adult

• Client is physically assaulted

• Client is physically held

• Client is seriously ill

• Client is sexually assaulted

• Client overdoses on medication

• Client physically assaults another

• Client receives incorrect medication

• Client runs away

• Client sexually assaults another

• Client threatens suicide

• Client uses a controlled substance

• Death of a client

• Client elopes with another person.

• Client contracts a communicable disease

• Client is exposed to hazardous materials

• Client is exposed to a communicable disease

• Client is involved in a homicide

• Environmental disaster: flood, storm damage, tornado, serious, power failure.  Environmental disasters should be reported to Res-Care and the CSI Executive Director.   Report to local child protective services and the public custodial agency worker if a child in care is injured or placed at risk as a result of the problem.

Critical incidents will be reported to the custodial agency's hotline, Res-Care's critical incident hotline (800.866.0860, ext 5777) and the Children's Sanctuary Executive Director (800.792.9581).  The Children's Sanctuary Critical Incident Report Form and the Res-Care Consumer Critical Incident Report Form will be completed and emailed within 24 hours to the following:

• CSGCriticalIncidentUpdate@rescare.com

• jbush@rescare.com,

• dmalley@rescare.com

• crgeary@rescare.com

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

INSURANCE: PROPERTY AND LIABILITY

Standard: 300.02 (Also see 600.10)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for property and liability Insurance.

To insure all Children’s Sanctuary offices maintains financial responsibility and solvency.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc and Res-Care, Inc will provide insurance to protect all assets. 

Liability coverage will be provided to protect and defend personnel, volunteers, board members, and foster parents against reasonable and unreasonable claims resulting from events for which the organization may or may not be responsible. 

Property insurance will cover offices, equipment, vehicles, and property liability. 

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc and Res-Care will review the insurance coverage annually to ensure the organization maintains enough property and liability coverage to protect personnel, board members, foster parents, and company assets.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

RECORDS MAINTENANCE: STORAGE, ACCESS, DISPOSAL

Standard: 300.03 OH: 5101:2-5-13 (A)(30)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure to ensure that all client clinical records, foster parent records, personnel records and administrative records are maintained in a central, secured area at the Children’s Sanctuary office.

To implement a procedure to ensure storage of and regulated access to CSI client and foster parent files personnel files, financial records and administrative files.

CSI will follow these security procedures for client and foster parent files:

1. All CSI files and records will be maintained in locked cabinets.  CSI staff will have access and control over confidential information. Others who may have access to records or specific information include the client, the custodial parent's or legal guardian, auditing, licensing, or accrediting personnel, and those persons for whom the agency has obtained a signed consent for release of information.  Anyone reviewing client or foster parent records other than CSI staff must complete the File Access Log (see attached Access Logs). 

2. Upon discharge, all client information will be transferred to an inactive client record status.  All inactive client records will be maintained in a locked area.

3. Written, specific release of information shall be obtained from the client or his authorized legal guardian and the custodial agency whenever external agencies or parties request information from client records.

4. Authorized Releases of Information shall only involve material produced through services of CSI and will not be extended as an umbrella release to include reports in the files from other sources.

5. All inactive client and foster parent records will be maintained for five years in Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky; and three years in North Carolina from the discharge date, or date of foster home closing.

6. Within 30 days following the fifth anniversary of a file becoming inactive, the inactive record will be destroyed by burning or by processing through a mechanical paper shredder.

All CSI Personnel records, financial record, and administrative records will also be maintained in locked cabinets in the CSI offices.  Administrative CSI staff will have access and control over these files due to the confidential information they contain.

CSI Personnel records, financial records, and administrative records are not destroyed.  They continue to be maintained in boxes in a locked storage room at the CSI office.

CSI will follow these security procedures for personnel, financial, and administrative record

1. Personnel Files:  Original files are kept in the Ft. Wayne Human Resources Office in locked files.  Only access is by HR Supervisor, HR Director, Executive Director and Payroll backup.  Closed files are kept in a locked room and never destroyed.

2. Administrative & Financial: All files are kept in the Fort Wayne office in licked files, locked room for closed files.  Only access is by Executive Director, Director of Financial Operations, Account Assistant.  Have never been destroyed.
    

3. Board Minutes:  Kept in a separate folder on the computer and also hard copy. Never destroyed.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

RESEARCH PROJECTS: HUMAN

Standard: 300.04 OH: 5101: 2-5-13 (A)(32)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure relating to the use of clients and client information for research, fund raising, and publicity activities.

To ensure that any CSI human research project, fund raising event, or other publicity activity shall not include any child without written permission from the child’s parent, legal guardian, and custodial agency.

Prior to any CSI human research project, fund raising event, or publicity activity, the agency will obtain written consents from the parent or legal guardian and the custodial agency. 

This written consent shall be maintained in the child’s case record. 

Prior to requesting consent, the agency shall take into account the child’s age and level of functioning to determine the appropriateness of the child’s participation.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

RISK HISTORY AND SAFETY PLAN

Standard: 300.05

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will a establish an effective policy for obtaining a Risk History of each referred client from the custodial agency and sharing this information with the prospective foster parent (caregiver) prior to placement.  In addition, Children's Sanctuary will prepare a Safety/Service Plan, based on the client's Risk History prior too, or within seven (7)days of the client's placement in the foster home.

To obtain initial background information to insure that the public agency worker, CSI treatment personnel, and the foster parent are aware of a client’s immediate needs and past/risk history, including medical, psychological and behavior issues.

The CSI case manager will develop a Safety/Service Plan based on the client’s needs as indicated on the Risk/History Checklist within seven (7) days of placement.  The Safety/Service Plan will address the client’s risk/history, medical and psychological needs, and behavioral interventions.   This plan must be approved and signed by the public agency worker, the CSI Treatment Director, the CSI Case Manager, and the foster parent).   The signers must agree to enforce the Safety/Service Plan.  The CSI Case Manager and the foster parents have primary responsibility for seeing that the plan is adhered too at all times while the foster child is in the foster home. The CSI Case Manager will maintain weekly (daily if necessary) contact with the foster home and note any problems with the Safety/Service Plan in his or her case notes, treatment plans, and monthly progress reports.  Any serious problem that may place the client, another child, or the foster family at risk will be brought to the attention of the Treatment Director and public agency worker.  The CSI Case Manager will have the responsibility and authority to immediately move the client to a respite placement if remaining in the foster home will place the client, the foster family, or other children in the home at risk.

If a child has a history of sexual acting out, violence, or delinquent behavior, the Safety/Service Plan will be completed and reviewed by the public agency worker, the CSI Treatment Director, the CSI Case Manager, and the foster parent) prior to placement of the child in the foster home.

If a client is placed in respite or changes foster homes, a copy of the Safety Service Plan will be given to the new foster parent.  The foster parent) must read and sign the plan prior to placement of the client.

CSI will not place a child in a foster home, if any child, including the child being placed, will be at risk as a result of this placement.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

TRANSPORTING CLIENTS

Standard: 300.06

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for the transportation of clients by foster parents, staff, or other designated drivers.

To ensure clients are transported to and from school, activities, court, counseling, medical, or other required appointments safely by foster parents, staff, or other approved individuals.

CSI foster parents, case managers, or other approved individual will transport a child to and from court, school, and visits, counseling or medical appointments.  CSI case managers will  provide transport when the foster parent or other approved party is unavailable.

Safety seats and booster seats will be used for small children in accordance with state law.  Each office will have at least two safety seats and booster seats available for use.

As standard practice, a CSI case manager or staff member will not transport a teenage client of the opposite sex unless accompanied by another adult, i.e., case manager or foster parent, of the same sex as the client.  The exception to this standard is when a client needs immediate transportation and an adult of the same sex as the client is unavailable to either provide the transport or accompany the staff member providing the transport.  In all cases involving transportation of a client, staff will adhere to the following protocol:

• CSI staff will provide required transportation for clients when the foster parent or other approved party is unable to do so

• Only staff with good driving records in accordance with Res-Care policy will transport clients

• When transporting a teenage client of the opposite sex, the transporting staff member will be accompanied by an adult of the same sex as the client whenever possible

• CSI staff will not make any personal stops when transporting a client. The transportation log will be completed noting the date, destination, time of departure, time of arrival, name of client, and name of staff. 

Important: The foster parent or staff member transporting the client will ascertain that the client is in the vehicle with seat belt attached prior to departure to and from each destination.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

PROTOCOL FOR REPORTING ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Standard: 300.07

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish a procedure for staff and foster caregivers reporting suspected incidents of abuse and/or neglect of a child.

To insure Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. standards and state regulations are followed by staff and foster caregivers when reporting suspected abuse and/or neglect of a child in care.

PROTOCOL FOR REPORTING ABUSE AND NEGLECT

Allegations of abuse or neglect of a child by a parent, relative, foster parent, CSI staff member, another child, or unknown person or persons is serious.  Steps must be taken immediately to protect the child and the allegation must be investigated as soon as possible.

Allegations of abuse or neglect will be reported immediately to the county or state Child Protective Services by the person who observed or is informed of the alleged neglect or abuse.  If the report is made after normal working hours and the county does not have a hotline, the person reporting the allegation must call the County Sheriff’s Department.  The person reporting the allegation will document the date, time, and to whom the allegation was reported. 

The person who observes or is informed of an incident of abuse or neglect will report the allegation to the Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Executive Director or delegate and to the Res-Care Critical Incident Hotline (see CSI Critical Incident Policy 300.01). 

The person who observes or is informed of an incident of abuse or neglect will complete the Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Critical Incident Report Form and the Res-Care Critical Incident Report Form.  Within 24 hours, both reports will be submitted to the CSI Executive Director or delegate.  The Res-Care report will be faxed to Res-Care (see Critical Incident Policy 300.01: Res-Care Incident reporting instructions). 

The Children’s Sanctuary foster care social worker will inform the child’s public custodial agency worker as soon possible of the incident.

If the alleged abuse or neglect occurs in a foster home, the child may be removed from the home and placed in respite until the incident can be investigated.  The CSI foster care social worker will inform the child’s public custodial agency worker of the move as soon as possible. 

When the alleged abuse or neglect is sexual or physical in nature, the child will be removed from the home immediately, receive a medical examination and medical care if needed, and be placed in respite care until the incident is investigated. 

The child’s Children’s Sanctuary foster care social worker will contact county or state Child Protective Services and the child’s public custodial agency worker on the first working day after reporting the incident to determine if the incident was correctly reported and what additional measures should be taken to protect the child and assist with the investigation. 

If abuse or neglect is substantiated on a foster parent, all foster children will be immediately removed from the foster home.   Children’s Sanctuary will no longer use this home and will request the state to close the home’s license. 

If a staff member is accused of abuse or neglect of a child, the incident will be reported immediately to county or state Child Protective Services and the child’s public custodial agency worker.  The staff member may be suspended until the incident is investigated.  If substantiated, the employee may be suspended and/or terminated depending on the seriousness of the abuse or neglect.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Standard: 400.01

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for maintaining readiness in the case of emergencies regarding the welfare of the clients and staff.  All staff will be trained in procedures for the following emergencies annually.  This will be documented in each staff member’s file.

To insure that staff responds appropriately to emergency situations such as fires, natural disaster, bomb threats, and power failures.

Fire: Children’s Sanctuary offices will have clearly marked exits and a fire escape plan.  The plan will be posted in plain sight of staff and visitors.  Children’s Sanctuary will hold emergency drills and reviews of policy at least twice each year.  The safety officer will keep a log of emergency drills. 

Children’s Sanctuary staff will receive annual fire safety training, including a fire drill twice a year. Fire escape plans will be posted throughout the building. A fire extinguisher will be located on each level. Staff will be trained in the use of fire extinguishers.

If the fire alarm sounds or emergency lights start flashing, staff and visitors will exit the building according to the posted evacuation plan.  Staff will assist visitors in evacuating the building.  The delegated safety officer will notify other offices in the building of the fire emergency.   Employees will meet at a designated place outside the building and not re-enter the building until the director or safety officer announces "all clear".  If this is a real fire emergency, The Director or designate will call 911.  Fire Emergencies will be reported to the Executive Director and called into the Res-Care hotline.

Instructions for Staff, Clients, and Visitors:

Evacuate the building according to posted evacuation route.

Walk calmly and orderly to the exit or, if upstairs, to the stairwell.

Do not use elevators during a fire emergency or drill.

Once outside the building, proceed to the designated gathering area.

Your supervisor will take a head count.  If this is a fire emergency and someone is still in the building, report this immediately to rescue personnel.

Do not enter the building until the safety officer announces all clear.

Safety officers will assist in evacuating the building and:

Ensure all areas are evacuated and doors closed but not locked.

Ensure that restrooms are evacuated

Help or get help for handicapped, injured, or incapacitated personnel.

Natural Disasters: In the event of a natural disaster, i.e.: flooding, tornado, hurricane, earthquake, etc, employees would follow the directions from the Emergency Broadcast System. Employees will remain in the building until the proper authorities say it is safe. Once safe, a designated employee will inform the Executive Director of the disaster and the Res-Care hotline. 

Bomb Threat: If someone calls or reports a bomb threat, the employee taking the call will be attentive to the caller and take notes if possible (see attached Bomb Threat Report Form). As soon as possible, call the police or 911 and report the bomb threat.  Report the incident immediate to the Executive Director or delegate.  The Executive Director or delegate will instruct all staff and customers to immediately evacuate the building.  The Executive Director or delegate will notify all offices in the building of the emergency and instruct all individuals in these offices to evacuate the building.  Once everyone has been made aware of the emergency the Executive Director or delegate will leave the building and proceed to the designated meeting area outside the building.  Employees are not to re-enter the building until cleared by authorities. 

Power Failure: In the event of a power failure, the Executive Director, Regional Director, or delegate will first determine the cause of the power failure.  If the problem can not be determined or is due to a general power outage, employees will remain on the job until instructed to do otherwise. 

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

EMERGENCY CONTACT

Standard: 400.02

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) foster care program will establish an effective procedure for maintaining contact information on its employees that can be accessed immediately in case of an emergency, i.e., medical problem, injury, auto accident, etc.

To insure the availability of contact information in case of an emergency involving a Children’s Sanctuary staff member.

CSI staff members will complete the information form from the Human Resources Department.  This information will be kept in a card file in the medical cabinet to be used in case of an emergency involving the staff member.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH AND SAFETY INSPECTION

Standard: 400.03

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for maintaining the organization’s health and safety practices through inspections of the internal and external physical environment of all offices owned or leased by the agency.

To assure accessible, safe, clean environments at Children's Sanctuary offices.

The designated CSI safety officers at each Children's Sanctuary site will inspect the offices daily for any repair needs or safety hazards.  The building maintenance person or the fire marshal will complete the annual inspection. 

The safety officer and/or building maintenance and fire marshal will provide a written report when and if repairs or changes are needed to insure a safe and functional work environment.  The report will identify the areas and location of inspection, date, and the name of the person who conducted the inspection. The report will note compliance deficiencies and areas needing improvement. Areas out of compliance or needing improvement will be immediately addressed.  The inspection record will be kept on file in the office of the Executive Director. 

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

EVACUATION PLAN

Standard: 400.04

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for maintaining the organization’s health and safety practices during an evacuation of the building.

To help personnel to internalize current health and safety requirements into everyday practice during an evacuation of the building.

In the event that employees need to evacuate the building, regardless of the type of the emergency all employees must remain calm. Evacuation plans will be posted on each level of the building.  Evacuation routes will be clearly marked.  The Executive Director, Regional Director, or delegate will be responsible for bringing the sign in sheet to the designated meeting area outside the building to ensure all persons are accounted for.  Employees that have clients in their care will ensure the clients' safety during the evacuation process and will be responsible for staying with them until their foster parent or guardian is able to assume responsibility.  A designated employee will be assigned to notify the proper authorities of the reason for the evacuation.  All employees are to remain at the designated area until released by the proper authorities. A designated employee will notify the Executive Director and the Res-Care hotline.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

Standard: 400.05

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for maintaining the organization’s health and safety practices during a medical emergency.

To help personnel to internalize current health and safety requirements into everyday practice during a medical emergency.

Each location will complete a medical emergency drill each year. 

• Assess situation.
• Call 911 or the local emergency hotline.
• Administer first aid and/or CPR as necessary.
• Keep patient as comfortable as possible until medical help arrives.
• Report incident to local CPS hotline.

• Report incident to the client's foster parents.

• Report incident to client's parents if indicated.

• Report incident to the CSI Executive Director.

• Report incident to the Res-Care hotline.

• Complete and fax CSI and Res-Care Incident Reports.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

VIOLENCE IN THE WORKPLACE

Standard: 400.06 (Also See Res-Care Policy:  6.17)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for maintaining the organization’s health and safety practices in the event workplace violence.

To help personnel to maintain and utilize the current health and safety practices in the event of workplace violence.

In the event of a violent or threatening situation, employees are to remain calm. Employees are trained in Crisis Intervention.  Each location will complete a yearly drill. If the employee is unable to resolve the situation then a designated employee will notify the proper authorities.  Once the situation is under control a designated employee will notify the Executive Director and the Res-Care hotline.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

CONFIDENTIALITY

Standard: 500.01 OH: 5101:2-5-13(A) (31)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for guarding confidentiality of a client and the client’s family.

To assure the confidentiality of information concerning a client and the client’s family.

All Children’s Sanctuary staff and foster caregivers will sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to protect the confidentiality of clients and client families.  Children’s Sanctuary will obtain a written, signed release from the custodial agency, and/or parent or guardian before sharing information concerning a child or a child’s family with other relevant, involved parties. 

The written, signed release will state the specific information to be released and for what purpose this information will be used. 

The written release of information may be time limited per request of the legal guardian or custodial agency or it will be valid until the child is discharged from the Children’s Sanctuary Therapeutic Foster Care Program. 

Information concerning a child or a child’s family will be released only to approved persons.  Any exception is a breach of confidentiality. 

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

EMPLOYEE CONVICTIONS

Standard: 500.02  OH: 5101:2-5-13(A)(26)(E), 5101:2-5-09

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish a policy regarding employees convicted of violations of the law according to rules stated in the Ohio Administrative Code.  Due to the nature of the management agreement between Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. and Res Care, Inc. the following policy has been reviewed and approved by the Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Board of Directors.

To allow Res Care, Inc. to provide human resources support and personnel policies for Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. and its employees.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. will use the Human Resource Policies of Res-Care, Inc. as it relates to personnel working in the CSI foster care program.

Subject : Employees Convicted of Violations of the Law.  Res-Care: Policy Number 6.9.  Effective Date: 3/11/97 (see Res-Care Human Resources Manual).  The policy corresponds to Ohio Standard 5101:2-5-13(A)(26)(E).

CSI and Res-Care employees working in the CSI foster care program must adhere to the following procedures and to ODHS rule 5101: 2-5-13 (A)(26)(E):

An employee must notify his or her immediate supervisor within 24 hours if charged with a criminal offense.  The supervisor is responsible for informing the administrators of Res-Care and Children’s Sanctuary.

Failure of an employee to notify his or her supervisor within 24 hours of a criminal charge or conviction of a criminal offence will result in the employee’s immediate dismissal.  This includes offenses listed in rule 5101:2-5-09 of the Ohio Administrative Code and codes and regulation in states in which Children's Sanctuary is licensed.

If charges brought against an employee result in a conviction, the employee must notify his or her immediate supervisor within 24 hours. Failure to do so will result in an employee’s immediate dismissal.

Conviction of any crime listed in state rules governing individuals working with children or in 5101:2-5-09 of the Ohio Administrative Code will result in an employee’s immediate dismissal.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

JOB DESCRIPTIONS (See attached Job Descriptions)

Standard: 500.03 OH: 5101:2-5-9(A)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for providing employees with a description of requirements and responsibilities prior to employment.

To assure that all employees have a description of job requirements and responsibilities.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. positions and job descriptions: 

• Executive Director

• Clinical Director

• Treatment Director

• Family Therapist

• Regional Program Director

• Home Resource Coordinator

• Foster Care Social Worker

• Director of Quality Assurance

• Director of Financial Operations

• Personnel Director

• Administrative Assistant

Training: Initial and ongoing training for all staff regarding person and family centered services, prevention of work place violence and cultural competency will be provided annually with opportunities for training each quarter.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

PERSONNEL POLICIES (See Res-Care Human Resources Manual)

Standard: 500.04 OH:5101:2-5-13 (A)(33)

The Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) Board of Directors in accordance with the management agreement with Res-Care, Inc. will establish an effective procedure for the use of Res Care, Inc. personnel policies for all Res Care employees managing Children’s Sanctuary foster care programs.

To insure that all persons employed to operate and manage the Children’s Sanctuary foster care programs are provided personnel policies and procedures.

To allow Res-Care, Inc. to employ and manage all staff in the CSI foster care programs in accordance with its management agreement with Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. and to insure that all Children’s Sanctuary employees are provided with personnel policies and procedures.

All employees of the Children's Sanctuary are employees of Res-Care, Inc.  In accordance with its management agreement with Children’s Sanctuary, Inc., Res-Care, Inc. Human Resource Policies will apply to all Res-Care employees managing the Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. foster care programs in Indiana and Ohio.  This includes recruitment, hiring, termination, benefits, promotions, demotion.  CSI will use Res-Care Personnel Policies for all personnel actions.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS (See Job Descriptions)

Standard: 500.05 OH: 5101:2-5-09(A) and 5101:2-5-09(C)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure relating to staff qualifications.

Children’s Sanctuary will employ professional staff members who possess the appropriate education, licenses, and credentials for each designated position within the foster care program.

STAFF QUALIFICATIONS

he Executive Director will possess a minimum of a graduated degree in Social Work (MSW) and other qualifications and experience as determined by the governing body (see Job Descriptions:500.03). 

The Clinical Director and/or Treatment Director will possess a minimum of a graduated degree in a Social work or related field, five years professional experience working with troubled children and their families, and any additional licensing requirements of the state in which they practice.  Each office will have a minimum of one Treatment Director who supervises the foster homes and foster care social work staff. 

The Foster Care Social Worker and/or Case Manager will have an undergraduate degree in Social Work or related field and two years experience with a child-placing agency. 

All Professional Staff will possess the credentials and experience required by state mandate and Children’s Sanctuary, Inc.  Where state regulation requires a license or certification, the professional staff member will furnish Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. with a copy of the current license or certification.  The employee is responsible for keeping the required license or certification current.

EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENTS

All CSI employees will undergo a criminal history check prior to hire and annually thereafter.  CSI will provide the prospective employee a list of disqualifying offenses and inform him or her d that a conviction for any listed offense will bar him or her from employment with CSI.

Prospective CSI employees will be required to have at least three (3) written and/or verbal references prior to being considered for employment.

All CSI employees will be provided with written job descriptions specific for the position applied for prior to accepting a position.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

VOLUNTEERS AND COLLEGE INTERNS

Standard: 500.06 OH: 5101:2-5-13(A)(35)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for utilization of volunteers and interns.

To clarify and specify the CSI foster care program’s use of volunteers and college interns.

INTERNS: College or university students preparing for a degree in social work or a related field will be considered for internships with Children's Sanctuary as indicated by their academic program and approved by their college or university. The CSI Treatment Director or Clinical Director will monitor and supervise all interns.  The student intern will be provided a structured learning experience in accordance with his or her academic requirements.  This learning experience may include working directly with the children in care, their families, and the foster families.  All Interns working with Children's Sanctuary will complete the new employee application and orientation that will include a complete background and criminal history review, FBI finger print check, and any other required checks in accordance with CSI employment policies and the state's regulatory requirements for persons working with children and families.

VOLUNTEERS: Children's Sanctuary does not use volunteers to work directly with foster children and families.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

CULTURAL DIVERSITY IN THE WORKPLACE

Standard 500.07

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. will establish an effective procedure to demonstrate respect and value of cultural diversity in the workplace including respect and equitable treatment for all regardless of cultural or ethnic differences.

To maintain a climate of respect and value in the workplace for cultural and ethnic diversity.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. recognizes that employees have different backgrounds, values, needs, and styles. Employees have differences in gender, age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, and cultural backgrounds. They may differ in terms of education, personality, and family responsibilities.  Respecting and valuing differences improves the workplace for employees and enhances the overall performance of a team.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. and its management personnel will set an example by role modeling value and respect for diversity. CSI management will value the unique perspectives and knowledge that each employee brings to the workplace and show appreciation for, listen to, express interest in, support, reward, and recognize all employees regardless of cultural or ethnic differences.

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. will

• Treat all employees with respect and dignity.

• Make judgments based on equity and merit.

• Make observations about personal, unique talents.

• Identify, address and ensure unfair barriers do not inhibit employees.

• Provide an environment free from discrimination and harassment.

Provide, and participate in, cultural diversity training annually for staff and foster parents.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

NOTIFYING CAREGIVER OR RECOMMENDING AGENCY THAT A CHILD IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION

Standard: 600.01 OH: 5101:2-5-13(A)(12)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) foster care program will establish an effective procedure for notifying and assisting its foster parents whenever a foster child placed in their home becomes available for adoption.

To insure all Children’s Sanctuary foster parents are informed regarding adoption notification and availability for adoption of foster children placed in their home.

The recommending and/or custodial agency contacts the Children’s Sanctuary foster care program when a child from the custodial agency becomes available for adoption.

Upon notification from the custodial agency, Children’s Sanctuary will inform the foster caregiver of the adoption process should a foster child placed with the foster caregiver become available for adoption.  If the foster caregiver is interested in adoption, this will be reported to the custodial agency.

If the foster caregiver is eligible to adopt the foster child and chooses to do so, Children’s Sanctuary will assist the foster caregiver and all involved agencies throughout the adoption process.

Children’s Sanctuary will assist the custodial agency and the foster caregiver in the adoption process as requested by the custodial agency, and within the guidelines and the requirements contained in Rules 5101:2-48-11, 5101:2-48-11.1 and 5101:2-48-16 of the Ohio Administrative Code.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

ALLEGATIONS AGAINST FOSTER PARENTS

Standard: 600.02 OH: 5101:2-5-13(A)(12)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for foster parent - client separation during investigations.

This procedure will outline the steps for protecting the rights of foster parents and the safety of clients when allegations of abuse are made.

Note: Any allegation against a foster parent will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.

1. Allegations may be received by CSI from a client or other source.

2. The Case Manager, Treatment Director, or Regional Director will immediately report the allegation to the appropriate child protective services agency in the county where the alleged offense occurred, and to the client’s home agency.

3. The Treatment Director and Regional Director may conduct an internal investigation with prior authorization from the child protective services agency and the CSI Executive Director.  The internal investigation will be completed on a Foster Home Internal Rule/Policy Investigation Form and contain a recommendation regarding any licensing action that should be taken.

4. The Regional Director will provide a summary to the foster home stating the findings, conclusions, and any anticipated action regarding the foster home, i.e., corrective action plan or formal closing of home.

5. Pending the final outcome of the investigation, decisions will be made by the Regional and Executive Director regarding the status of the home with CSI.  Any allegation made against a foster parent may result in the foster child being placed in respite pending completion of the investigation.  The decision to place the child back in the home will be by mutual agreement of the Executive Director, Regional Director, Case Manager and the custodial agency.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

APPROVAL OF APPLICANTS FOR FOSTER CARE AND ADOPTION

Standard: 600.03 OH: 5101:2-5-13 (A)(4)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish a policy for assisting foster families interested in adoption.

To define the Children’s Sanctuary role in assisting approved foster families interested in pursuing adoptive placements.

Children’s Sanctuary is licensed to provide foster care services.  Children’s Sanctuary is approved to provide adoption services in Indiana.  Children's Sanctuary is not approved to provide adoption services in Ohio except for specific services to assist a foster family in adopting a foster child.  Any such services must be approved by the state licensing agency and the child's custodial agency.  

If a prospective foster family desires to become a foster family and an adoptive family, Children’s Sanctuary will assist the family in locating a local private or public agency to assist in the adoption process.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

ASSESSMENT DOCUMENTATION

Standard: 600.04 OH: 5101:2-5-13(A)(5)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure relating to documentation required for foster family certification.

To establish clear procedures for the completion of assessment of initial applications for foster family certification.

Children’s Sanctuary will schedule and conduct all required or indicated home visits, interviews and investigations as are deemed necessary to facilitate the documented completion of the required state public placing agency home study process in the assessment of initial applications for foster home certification.  Children’s Sanctuary requires that foster parent applicants provide the following:

• Completion of the JFS 01691 “Application for Child Placement.

• Verification of a valid driver’s license of each member of the home that will be transporting foster children (Provider must be 21 to transport a child).

• Verification of auto liability insurance on any vehicle in which a foster child will be transported.

• A Release of Information to facilitate police checks signed by all residents in the home over the age of I8 and witnessed by a CSI staff member.

• Background checks of prospective foster parents including, but not be limited to, a local, county, and state limited criminal history check, a complete FBI criminal records finger print check where required by state regulation, a personal and/or professional reference check, and a county Child Protective Services records check.

Children’s Sanctuary requires that each foster parent applicant sign a confidentiality statement to insure protections of the rights and privacy of all children and families in care.

The Children’s Sanctuary program requires that each foster parent applicant complete a standardized Foster Parent Questionnaire.

OHIO: Applicants must be a legal resident of the United States and reside in the state of Ohio. A search by name, date of birth and Social Security number through SACWIS/Central Registry System will be completed on each adult household member to determined suitability.

INDIANA: Applicants must be a legal resident of the United States and reside in the state of Indiana   A search by name, date of birth and Social Security number through USIS will be completed on each adult household member to determined suitability.

Applicant must provide 3 unrelated references in Ohio (4 in Indiana), and additional references if the applicant was previously certified as a foster caregiver or provided care and supervision of children. 

OHIO: Completion of the JFS 01348 “Safety Audit” of the foster home is required.

INDIANA: Completion of the Environmental Checklist .

The Children’s Sanctuary foster care program requires that each parent applicant complete 36 hours (30 in Indiana) of orientation and pre-service foster parent training.  In addition to pre-service foster parent training, foster parents must complete 8 hours of training in First Aid and CPR prior to being certified.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

CONFIDENTIALITY (Foster Caregivers)

Standard: 600.05 OH: 5101:2-5-13(A)(31)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for guarding confidentiality of a client and the client’s family.

To assure the confidentiality of information concerning a client and the client’s family.

All Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. staff, interns, volunteers and foster caregivers will sign a confidentiality statement agreeing to protect the confidentiality of clients and client families.  Children’s Sanctuary will obtain a written, signed release from the custodial agency, and/or parent or guardian before sharing information concerning a child or a child’s family with other relevant, involved parties. 

The written, signed release will state the specific information to be released and for what purpose this information will be used. 

The written release of information may be time limited per request of the legal guardian or custodial agency or it will be valid until the child is discharged from the Children’s Sanctuary Therapeutic Foster Care Program. 

Information concerning a child or a child’s family will be released only to approved persons.  Any exception is a breach of confidentiality.

In the event of a child’s death, Children’s Sanctuary will cooperate with the local and/or state Child Fatality Review Board and release any requested information on the child and involved parties to the Child Fatality Review Board.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

SPECIALIZED PROGRAMS ACCESS TO CRISIS COUNSELING

Standard: 600.06 OH: 5105:2-5-13(A)(19)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for assuring all foster children and all foster caregivers and their families affiliated with the Children’s Sanctuary therapeutic foster care program will have access to crisis counseling for issues or problems caused by a specific incident related to a child receiving treatment within the caregiver’s home including the death or hospitalization of a child.

To provide crisis counseling for children and foster caregivers and their families for critical incidents and problems related to a foster child receiving care and treatment in the foster home.

A Children’s Sanctuary foster care social worker and supervisor will be available 24 hours 7 day a week to foster children and foster caregivers and their families for crisis intervention.  Critical incidents such as neglect, abuse, hospitalization, or the death of a child in care, will be reported immediately to the county and/or state Child Protective Services Hotline and other county or state authorities as required by regulation or code.  

Children’s Sanctuary will maintain professional staff trained in crisis intervention within reasonable travel time to the foster home.  In a crisis situation, a CSI foster care social worker or supervisor will go immediately to the home to assist the child and foster family. 

The Children’s Sanctuary Treatment Director will provide ongoing crisis counseling to the foster child and the foster family as needed due to a serious incident or crisis situation related to the child’s placement in the foster home. 

If the Children’s Sanctuary Treatment Director is unable to provide the appropriate counseling or therapy to a foster child or foster family, Children’s Sanctuary will seek a counselor or therapist in the community to provide services to the foster child or foster family.  Children’s Sanctuary will obtain approval from the public placing (custodial) agency prior to obtaining counseling in the community for the foster child.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

DAY CARE CENTERS IN A FOSTER HOME

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective policy and guidelines regarding the operation of a day care center in a foster home.

1. Children's Sanctuary, Inc. will consider placement of a foster child in a foster home if a Day Care Center is being operated in the foster home on a case by case basis.  Children's Sanctuary, Inc. will consider recommending for licensure or certification as a foster home any prospective foster home that is operating or plans to operate a Day Care Center within the home.
2. If a foster parent (caregiver) operates a Day Care Center in the foster home or is employed by a Day Care Center in the community, the foster child is not to have any unsupervised contact with the Day Care Center children.
3. Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. is not to be held responsible for any incident that occurs as a result of a foster parent disregarding or violating this policy.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

GOOD CAUSE

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure for “Good Cause” for foster parents who fail to complete their required continued training hours in accordance Children’s Sanctuary policies.

In situations where the foster parent has not completed the required hours, consideration may be given to the foster parent to show “Good Cause” why he or she was not able to meet the required hours.  “Good Cause” would be considered under the following circumstances:

1. Documented illness that prevented foster parent from attending training
2. A critical family crisis.
3. Lack of accessible training programs.
4. Other circumstances CSI deems to be a “Good Cause”.
5. If a foster caregiver has served in active duty outside of Ohio with a branch of the armed forces of the United States for more than thirty days in the preceding two year period, foster caregiver has served in active duty as a member of the Ohio organized militia, as defined in section 5923.01 of the Revised Code, which includes the Ohio national guard, the Ohio naval militia and the Ohio military reserve, for more than thirty days in the preceding two-year period and that active duty relates to either an emergency in or outside of Ohio or to military duty in or outside of Ohio.

If any of the above situations occur, Children’s Sanctuary will meet with the foster parent to discuss what problems occurred to prevent the foster parent from getting the required training hours.  CSI will work with foster parent to develop a plan of correction to complete the required number of training hours.  CSI will establish a time frame with the foster parent to complete required training hours. 

The additional time for a caregiver who has served in active duty shall be one month for each month the caregiver was on active duty.  Any required training that is not met at the end of a foster caregiver's certification period applying the preceding sentence shall be waived by the agency.  When a waiver of training is approved by an agency under this paragraph, the required training for the next certification period shall be the same as for any other caregiver operating a foster home of the type for which the foster caregiver is certified.  The agency shall document any such extension of time in the foster caregiver's record.

Once the plan of correction has been established, the completion of the remaining training hours will be closely monitored Children’s Sanctuary.

If the foster parent does not complete the remaining required training hours within the designated time frame, Children’s Sanctuary will notify the foster parent of the non-compliance.  CSI will give the foster parent) the opportunity to voluntarily withdraw their certification (license) or CSI will report the situation to the public placing agency (state licensing or certification entity) and begin the process to request the revocation of the foster parent's license.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

FOSTER PARENT GRIEVANCES

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish a effective procedure for foster parent complaints and grievances.

This CSI grievance procedure is designed to prevent conflicts between the agency and its foster parents (caregivers).  Conflicts occur and may lead to a parent filing a grievance. 

A grievance is defined as a disagreement between an individual and the program.  A grievance usually deals with an interpretation of program policies and procedures that are governed by applicable state regulations. 

Filing a grievance is not a rationale for revocation of certification, denial of re-certification, or negative consideration of an application to provide foster care. 

Failure to follow the grievance procedure in order and in a timely manner may be grounds for invalidation of the grievance.  A foster parent or applicant may withdraw a grievance at any point in the grievance process.

Grievance Procedure Step 1:

1. The parent who has a potential grievance should arrange a meeting with the Regional Director to discuss the problem and try to come to some resolution that is satisfactory to all parties. The parent must request the meeting in writing.  A copy of the request for the meeting will be submitted to the Executive Director or designee.

2. The Regional Director receiving the request must schedule a meeting with the parent. The Regional Director must notify the parent of the scheduling of the meeting in writing. A copy of the notice will be submitted to the Executive Director or designee.

3. If the grievance involves staff members other than the Regional Director, the initial discussion will be with the Regional Director.  After hearing the parent) concern, the Regional Director may wish to consult with or involve other staff members in the discussion and resolution.

4. The Regional Director will document the results of the meeting.  Copies of this documentation will be submitted to the Executive Director.

Grievance Procedure Step 2:

1. If a foster parent is not satisfied with the results obtained in Step One, he or she may file a formal grievance.  The formal grievance must be filed within 14 days of the above meeting.  The foster parent must submit a formal grievance in writing to the Executive Director.

2. The Executive Director or designee will notify the Regional Director, in writing, that a formal grievance has been filed and request a written response from the Regional Director.

3. Upon receipt of the Regional Director’s written response, the Executive Director or designee will conduct a fact-finding investigation and generate a report.  In the course of the investigation the Executive Director or designee will interview the parent) filing the grievance, the Regional Director, and all individuals who may be able to provide pertinent information. The report generated by the Executive Director or designee must include the parent’s reason for filing the grievance, the redress sought by the parent, the Regional Director’s response, and recommendation for resolving the grievance.

4. The Executive Director or designee will review all information and seek counsel from other appropriate agency employees if necessary.

5. The Executive Director or designee will meet with the parent to discuss the results. This meeting will be held within 14 days of receipt of the grievance. The results will be in writing.  All involved parties will be informed of the results in writing.

Grievance Procedure Step 3:

1. If the foster parent) is not satisfied, he or she may notify the President of the CSI Board of Directors or designee, in writing, of his or her desire for the CSI Board to review the grievance.

2. The Executive Director or designee will immediately refer all materials concerning the grievance to the President of the Board of Directors.

3. The CSI Board will review all pertinent materials, interview involved parties as necessary, and render a decision on the grievance. The President of the Board will notify the parent and all other parties involved, in writing of the Boards decision. The Board of Directors’ decision is final.

4. The foster parent grievance policy includes a method of review by the highest administrative officer of the agency within 30 calendar days of filing the grievance.

Variances: The Executive Director or designee may allow variances in the steps outlined in situations where both parties involved agree.  Such variances must be defined in writing and signed by both parties.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

LIABILITY INSURANCE AND COMPENSATION FOR FOSTER CAREGIVERS

Foster parents must obtain insurance to cover any damages done to person or property by a foster child placed in their home.  Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. may not be held liable or responsible for any damages done to person or property by a foster child placed in the foster home. 

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TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

LEGAL REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY

Adoption: In cases where the foster parent wishes to adopt the foster child, CSI will follow the state regulations and guidelines in advocating for and representing the foster parent’s interests.  CSI will cooperate fully with the state public custodial agency in providing assistance and guidance to the foster parent throughout the adoption process.

Legal Representation: CSI will individually review all requests for legal representation and legal fees for foster caregivers.  Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. will provide assistance in legal representation or legal fees for any matter approved by the Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. Executive Director.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

MATCHING SPECIALIZED FOSTER CAREGIVERS (PARENTS WITH CHILDREN

Criteria for matching a child with a foster caregiver and community:

• The foster caregiver is capable of providing optimum care and treatment for the child according to the child’s physical, behavioral, and emotional needs.
• The school system is able and willing to provide for the child’s special and specific educational needs.
• Community resources are available for the child’s recreational, medical, and mental health needs.
• The neighborhood is receptive to and can nurture the child’s cultural needs and identity.

In some cases, Children’s Sanctuary may decide to place more than 2 children with exceptional needs in a treatment foster home. Such justification would include the need to place a sibling group together, or the abilities of a particular treatment family match the needs of the special or exceptional needs of a particular child.  When this occurs it shall be documented in the child's case record and in the treatment foster home record. If more than two children with exceptional needs are placed in a treatment foster home, all agencies holding custody of any other children  placed in the home shall be notified by the treatment foster care program within seventy-two hours of placement.

When possible, Children’s Sanctuary will arrange a pre-placement visit for the child with the prospective family to give the child and family a chance to get to know each other.  Depending on the presenting problems, placement may occur after one or more visits. The length of time before placement depends on the emotional stability of the child, his or her readiness for placement, and the needs of the public placing agency.  In an emergency, Children’s Sanctuary will try to locate a family who will take a child immediately.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

NOTIFICATION OF CHANGES IN A FOSTER HOME INCLUDING NOTIFICATION OF CONVICTION OF 12 TO 18 YEAR OLDS (Attachment: Appendix A, OH: 5101:2-7-14)

Children’s Sanctuary, Inc. (CSI) will establish an effective procedure requiring a foster caregiver or prospective foster caregiver to notify the agency of any changes in the foster home that impacts the family or foster child, i.e. additional person in the home, medical treatment for illness or injury of a foster child, AWOL of a foster child, death of a foster child, death of another household member or impending divorce of the foster parents. 

A CSI foster caregiver shall notify the recommending agency within one hour in any of the following circumstances involving a foster child:

1. A serious injury or illness involving medical treatment of a foster child.
2. The death of a foster child.
3. Unauthorized absence of a foster child from the home.
4. Removal of a foster child from the home by any person or agency other than the placing agency, or attempts at such removal.
5. Any involvement of a foster child with law enforcement authorities.

A CSI foster caregiver shall notify the recommending agency within twenty-four hours or the next working day when any fire requiring the services of a fire department occurs within the home.

A CSI foster caregiver shall notify the recommending agency and any agency which has placed a foster child in the foster home within twenty-four hours when the foster home becomes uninhabitable for any reason.

A CSI foster caregiver shall notify the recommending agency within twenty-four hours or the next working day of any of the other following circumstances:

1. Any impending change in the marital status of the foster caregiver or in the household occupancy of the home.
2. Any serious illness or death in the household.

A CSI foster caregiver shall inform the recommending agency at least four weeks prior to a planned move of the foster caregiver.

A CSI foster caregiver shall notify the recommending agency within twenty-four hours of any change of any criminal offense brought against the caregiver or any resident of his or her home. If the charges result in a conviction, the foster caregiver shall notify the recommending agency within twenty-four hours of the conviction. Failure to notify the agency in either of these circumstances shall result in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) seeking an order to revoke the caregiver’s certification to operate a foster home.  In Indiana, CSI will recommend revocation of the foster home license.

Pursuant to section 5103.0319 of Revised Code, a CSI foster caregiver shall also notify the recommending agency in writing within twenty-four hours if a resident of the foster caregiver’s home is at least twelve years of age, but less than eighteen years of age, and has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to any of the offenses listed in appendix A of this rule, or has been adjudicated to be a delinquent child for committing an act that if committed by an adult would have constituted such a violation. The notification is also required for any conviction or adjudication of delinquency resulting from a violation of an existing or former law of this state, any other state, or the United States that is substantially equivalent to any of the offenses listed in Appendix A of this rule. If the recommending agency learns that a foster caregiver has failed to comply with this paragraph, it shall notify ODJFS and ODJFS shall revoke the foster caregiver’s certification to operate a foster home.

OFFENSES LISTED IN PARAGRAPH (I) OF RULE 5101:2-7-14

OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE CODE

OFFENSES AGAINST ANIMALS

R.C. 959.13-- Cruelty to animals

HOMICIDE

R.C. 2903.01-- Aggravated murder

R.C. 2903.02-- Murder

R.C. 2903.03-- Voluntary manslaughter

R.C. 2903.04-- Involuntary manslaughter

ASSAULT

R.C. 2903.11-- Felonious assault

R.C. 2903.12-- Aggravated assault

R.C. 2903.15-- Permitting child abuse

R.C. 2903.13-- Assault

R.C. 2903.16-- Failing to provide for a functionally impaired person

MENACING

R.C. 2903.21-- Aggravated menacing

R.C. 2903.211-- Menacing by stalking

R.C. 2903.22-- Menacing

PATIENT ABUSE AND NEGLECT

R.C. 2903.34-- Patient abuse, neglect

KIDNAPPING AND RELATED ISSUES

R.C. 2905.01-- Kidnapping

R.C. 2905.02-- Abduction

R.C. 2905.04-- Child stealing (as this law existed prior to July 1, 1996)

R.C. 2905.05-- Criminal child enticement

SEX OFFENSES

R.C. 2907.02-- Rape

R.C. 2907.03-- Sexual battery

R.C. 2907.04-- Corruption of a minor Unlawful sexual conduct with a minor

R.C. 2907.05-- Gross sexual imposition

R.C. 2907.06-- Sexual imposition

R.C. 2907.07-- Importuning

R.C. 2907.08-- Voyeurism

R.C. 2907.09-- Public indecency

R.C. 2907.12-- Felonious sexual penetration (as this former section of law existed)

R.C. 2907.21-- Compelling prostitution

R.C. 2907.22-- Promoting prostitution

R.C. 2907.23-- Procuring

R.C. 2907.25-- Prostitution

R.C. 2907.31-- Disseminating matter harmful to juveniles

R.C. 2907.32-- Pandering obscenity

R.C. 2907.321-- Pandering obscenity involving a minor

R.C. 2907.322-- Pandering sexually oriented matter involving a minor

R.C. 2907.323-- Illegal use of a minor in nudity-oriented material or performance

ARSON

R.C. 2909.02-- Aggravated arson

R.C. 2909.03-- Arson

R.C. 2909.22-- Soliciting or providing support for act of terrorism

R.C. 2909.23-- Making terroristic threat

R.C. 2909.24-- Terrorism

ROBBERY AND BURGLARY

R.C. 2911.01-- Aggravated robbery

R.C. 2911.02-- Robbery

R.C. 2911.11-- Aggravated burglary

R.C. 2911.12-- Burglary

THEFT AND FRAUD

R.C. 2913.49--Identity Fraud

OFFENSES AGAINST THE PUBLIC PEACE

R.C. 2917.01--Inciting to violence

R.C. 2917.02-- Aggravated riot

OFFENSES AGAINST THE FAMILY

R.C. 2919.12-- Unlawful abortion

R.C. 2919.22-- Endangering children

R.C. 2919.23-- Interference with custody (that would have been a violation of R.C. 2905.04 as it existed prior to July 1, 1996 if violation had been committed prior to that date)

R.C. 2919.24-- Contributing to unruliness or delinquency of a child

R.C. 2919.25-- Domestic violence

WEAPONS CONTROL

R.C. 2923.12-- Carrying a concealed weapon

R.C. 2923.13-- Having a weapon while under disability

R.C. 2923.161-- Improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation or school

DRUG OFFENSES

R.C. 2925.02 -- Corrupting another with drugs

R.C. 2925.03 -- Trafficking in drugs

R.C. 2925.04 -- Illegal manufacture of drugs or cultivation of marijuana

R.C. 2925.05 -- Funding of drug or marihuana marijuana trafficking

R.C. 2925.06 -- Illegal administration or distribution of anabolic steroids

R.C. 2925.11 -- Possession of drugs or marijuana that is not a minor drug possession offense

OTHER

R.C. 2927.12-- Ethnic intimidation

R.C. 3716.11 -- Placing harmful objects in food or confection

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

PAYMENT TO FOSTER CAREGIVERS (FOSTER PARENTS)

A foster parent will be reimbursed on a per diem basis for the care and supervision of each child placed with the foster parent.  The per diem rate is defined in the Foster Parent Contract.  The contract will be reviewed with the foster parent prior to the placement of a child.  If public custodial agency changes the per diem rate it pays the agency, the per diem paid to the foster parent will be adjusted accordingly and a new contract will be issued. The CSI financial office must approve all contracts and agreements.

When a child is placed in respite, the respite parents will receive the same daily rate as the regular foster parents.

Routine transportation of a foster child is the responsibility of the foster parent and is covered by the foster care per diem.  If a foster parent transports a child over 50 miles one way, the foster parent may be reimbursed at the rate of 25 cents per mile for each additional mile beyond the 50 mile limit if one of the following conditions apply:

• Child must be transported for counseling, court, or administrative hearing.

• Child must be transported for a medical reason: doctor or hospital visit.

• Child must be transported to school (public transportation unavailable)

• Non-routine travel requested by CSI or the placing agency.

The Director of Financial Operations must approve payment for transport in advance. 

Children’s Sanctuary shall make stipend payments to foster caregivers to compensate them for their cost of attending training sessions.  Such stipend payments must be made to the foster caregiver within sixty calendar days of the completion of the training event.  Training stipend payments may not be held or otherwise deferred pending reimbursement by the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS).  The stipend rate paid shall be ten dollars per foster caregiver per training hour successfully completed within a training session that is a minimum of one training hour in duration.  Stipend payments shall be rendered for fractional hours in increments of not less than one-quarter hour.

OHIO ONLY: Children’s Sanctuary shall make stipend payments to foster caregivers to compensate them for their cost of attending training sessions.  Such stipend payments must be made to the foster caregiver within sixty calendar days of the completion of the training event.  Training stipend payments may not be held or otherwise deferred pending reimbursement by the Ohio department of job and family services (ODJFS).  The stipend rate paid shall be ten dollars per foster caregiver per training hour successfully completed within a training session that is a minimum of one training hour in duration.  Stipend payments shall be rendered for fractional hours in increments of not less than one-quarter hour.  Pre-Placement training will be a lump sum payment and shall be equivalent to ten dollars per training hour multiplied by the minimum required training hours and will be deferred until certification. Continuing training will be paid at ten dollars per training hour completed, within a training session that is a minimum of one hour, and will be paid within 60 days of completion of the training event.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

POTENTIAL FOSTER CAREGIVERS (FOSTER PARENTS)

DESCRIPTION: Foster parents are singles or couples trained to care for children with mild to serious emotional, behavioral, and medical problems. They must be mature individuals who are capable of exercising and exercise good judgment in the care of children.  Foster parents are licensed or certified by the state to provide foster care to children and adolescents.

Foster parents provide room, board, behavior management, guidance, emotional support, public school education, academic help; social and cultural activities, love, and safety to the foster child.  They treat each foster child as an integral part of their family.

Children’s Sanctuary foster parents work with the treatment team in developing the treatment plan and progress reports.  They attend court and review hearings, and school conferences.  They provide transportation for the child to school, counseling appointments, medical and dental appointments, visitation, and recreational activities.  Foster parents work with the biological parent when indicated to assist with reunification.

TRAINING: Foster parents complete 30 (Indiana) and to 36 hours (Ohio) of pre-service training.  They receive training in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, Universal Precautions, First Aid, and CPR prior to licensing or certification.  Foster parents receive additional training specific to the needs of each child placed in their care.  Foster parents complete a minimum of 20 hours (Indiana) and 30 hours (Ohio) in-service training annually.

BACKGROUND CHECKS: Children’s Sanctuary foster parents undergo extensive background checks including criminal history, sex and violent crime registry in accordance with state regulations, and a minimum of four references.

SUPERVISION: Foster parents work under the direction of the Case Manager and Clinical Director.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

FOSTER CAREGIVER (FOSTER PARENT) RECRUITMENT

• A sincere desire to provide a nurturing environment for children in the need of care.
• A willingness to participate in all phases of the certification process in a timely, cooperative, and candid manner.
• A willingness to work cooperatively with CSI program staff as a member of the care and treatment team to facilitate and insure delivery of quality services to each foster child.
• A willingness and ability to address the physical, developmental, emotional, cultural, racial, and ethnic needs of foster children, ages 0 to 21, who require varying levels of care due to being displaced by circumstance, catastrophe, disability or behavior.  Note: Children’s Sanctuary is not the custodial agency. Generally information regarding the children served will be placed in recruitment materials.  Child specific information will not be disseminated by CSI, but by the custodial agency. The Race, Color and Natural Origin of the children we currently and previously have served are Caucasian, African American, bi-racial, Indian, Appalachian, and Hispanic.
• A willingness and ability to provide an environmental climate of respect, preservation, and enrichment of the cultural and ethnic heritage of minority foster children.

Children’s Sanctuary will recruit foster parents throughout the year.  CSI will recruit families in Ohio and Indiana and maintain offices within reasonable proximity to its foster homes and the areas designated as “recruitment areas”.

In Ohio, Children’s Sanctuary will recruit foster families in Lawrence, Scioto, Gallia, Jackson, Pike, Clermont and Megis, and Montgomery Counties.  In Indiana, Children’s Sanctuary will recruit families statewide.

General information regarding the agency and the children served will be provided through the following:

• CSI will use printed visual and audio media and recruitment bonuses in designated service delivery areas to facilitate this process.  In Ohio and Indiana, this includes flyers, yard signs, church bulletins, newspaper ads, the CSI website, and radio and television announcements when possible.
• CSI will utilize service and civic organizations, county agencies, and community message centers to recruit potential applicants, particularly when necessitated by the demographics or isolation of a designated geographic area.  In Ohio, CSI has foster parent appreciation day, a block party and will secure a spot at the county fairs in Lawrence and Scioto Counties.  In Indiana CSI collaborates with other agencies in sponsoring an annual banquet.
• Public speaking engagements and opportunities to speak in open community forums will be utilized by CSI to increase efforts to recruit potential applicants from audiences and to reach other potential applicants through word of mouth.   These engagements are scheduled as they come available and vary from year to year.

Children’s Sanctuary will ensure accessibility to the application process by providing the name of a contact person, a toll free number that is accessible 24 hours a day, and a physical address.

Children’s Sanctuary will provide pre-service training, including training specific to the needs of the child.  Children’s Sanctuary will maintain flexible training hours, especially pre-service training, so all individuals interested foster parent certification will be able to attend the training.   Applicants may also attend pre-service training at other agencies, including the Regional Training Centers.  Contact information will be provided to those applicants who wish to utilize other training sites.

Children’s Sanctuary staff will be required to participate in ongoing training to increase their knowledge and skills in working with diverse cultural, racial, ethnic and economic communities. CSI will provide staff with opportunities to participate in training that addresses linguistic barriers as needed. In the event CSI encounters a linguistic barrier, including the hearing impaired, arrangements will be made to seek an interpreter through Ohio University South Campus or Marshall University.

Children’s Sanctuary continually recruits, certifies, and trains foster parents from diverse ethnic, racial, and cultural backgrounds to ensure availability of services to all children in need of care.  In Ohio, recruitment efforts in the Ironton, and South Point areas ensures CSI is recruiting in areas of diversity.  The Children’s Sanctuary assessment is designed to prepare all families to parent children with diverse histories, needs and situations.

Children’s Sanctuary will implement procedures for a timely search for foster parents, including interagency efforts, and providing that such procedures ensure that placement of a child in an appropriate home is not delayed by the search for a same race or ethnic placement.  The treatment team, consisting of the CSI Treatment Director and two or more CSI case managers will utilize all information regarding the child received from the custodial agency, to determine the most appropriate foster home for the child.  The team will target foster homes that can and will accept a child based on the foster families’ identified placing characteristics and the needs of the child.  The staff will contact the identified foster families to see if placement in their home is an option.  If so, the CSI Treatment Director or delegate will present the targeted families to the custodial agency for the final decision for placement.

Children’s Sanctuary will develop strategies for dealing with linguistic barriers, including hearing impairments.  Community agencies that provide services to the hearing impaired will be utilized by Children’s Sanctuary when needed.  See “E” above for specific information on services to be utilized.

Geographic location will be used when it is in the child’s and biological family’s best interest for the child to remain in his or her school district and in closer proximity to the biological family.

Children’s Sanctuary recruitment activities and materials comply with MEPA – and Title VI, the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978, 25 U.S.C.A. 1901, et seq., as amended, and the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

RESPITE CARE: Treatment Placements and Medically Fragile Placements.

Respite care is the temporary care of a foster child by another foster parent, to give the primary parent a break, either planned, unplanned, or due to a crisis situation.  The executive director or his or her designee must approve utilization of respite care.  The designated individual for each regional program is the regional director and/or the on-call case manager.  

CSI foster caregivers (foster parents) provide respite care for other Children’s Sanctuary foster caregivers.  CSI foster parents are encouraged to take four days respite each month. Respite is available to foster parents and children 24 hours a day 7 days a week for emergencies or other crisis situations. 

CSI uses state licensed/certified foster homes for respite. Only foster parents certified as therapeutic (treatment) foster caregivers will provide respite for special needs children.  Only foster parents certified as medically fragile foster caregivers will provide respite for medically fragile children. 

Prior to each occasion of respite care, CSI will provide the respite care provider, in writing, the child’s education and health information and a summary of the child' service plan and any information required to be shared with a foster caregiver by rule 5101:2-42-90 of the Administrative Code. For the medically fragile child, CSI will provide the respite parent any nursing treatment plan containing the physician’s orders.  Documentation that this information was provided by CSI to the respite care provider will be maintained in the child’s case record.

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

FOSTER HOME SHARING WITH ANOTHER AGENCY

Children's Sanctuary, Inc. 

TREATMENT FOSTER CARE PROGRAM: OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE MANUAL

PRE-PLACEMENT AND CONTINUING TRAINING: Traditional Foster Family Homes, Treatment Foster Family homes and Medically Fragile Foster Family Homes (includes training curriculums for Indiana and Ohio).

The primary goal of Children’s Sanctuary’s pre-placement training program is to prepare individuals and families to make informed decisions about providing foster care for non-special needs children, special needs children and medically fragile children.  These decisions are based on the capability and willingness of the individual or family to continue to develop the skills to fulfill the role of foster caregiver. 

The secondary goal of Children’s Sanctuary’s continuing training program is to help foster caregivers of non-special needs, special needs, and medically fragile foster children to continue to develop their skills and acquire new skills and knowledge. 

Pre-Placement Training – Indiana 30 hours, Ohio 36 hours in the Institute of Human Services Program for Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption (FAKT.).  In addition, foster caregivers will receive 30 hours training in Cornell University Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (T.C.I.)

Indiana and Ohio: CSI foster caregivers will receive training in First Aid, Infant, child, and adult CPR, Universal Precautions, and the state’s abuse/neglect protocol.  Foster caregivers working with children with specific disabilities, i.e. Autism, cerebral palsy, or a medically fragile child will receive 12 or more hours training specific to the needs of the child.

The programs listed above are established, nationally accepted training curriculums for foster caregivers, kinship caregivers, adoptive parents, and child care workers who care for children with a variety of emotional and behavioral problems.  Certified trainers will conduct all training.

Continuing Training: Children’s Sanctuary will provide a minimum of 30 hours continuing training for its foster caregivers annually in Ohio and 20 hours in Indiana.  Specific classes will be based on an annual assessment of each foster caregiver’s general and specific needs.  Core classes will be offered as required by Children’s Sanctuary and Ohio regulation 5101:2-5-33, and other applicable regulations in Indiana.  Twice a year Children’s Sanctuary will provide a 10-hour refresher course in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (T.C.I.) in Indiana, Ohio.  Twice a year Children’s Sanctuary will provide First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions training to maintain the foster caregiver’s certification current at all times.  When required by regulation or school district, CSI foster caregivers will receive surrogate parent training from an education professional licensed or certified to provide such training.  A foster caregiver caring for the special needs, disabled, or medically fragile child will receive ongoing training specific to the needs of the child.

Children’s Sanctuary sponsored training will be held at the CSI office.  CPR, First Aid, Universal Precautions and TCI classes will occur every six months.  Classes may be held at other locations depending on the size of the class.  Foster caregivers (foster parents) will be informed by letter and given directions.

Development and Evaluation of Training: The Executive Director, Regional Director, and Home Resource Coordinator is responsible for developing, organizing and monitoring all training program in accordance with the needs of the children, foster caregivers, and state guidelines.  Foster caregivers will be evaluated at the beginning and conclusion of training to assess their knowledge, grasp of principles, and successful completion of the course.  The CSI Home Resource Coordinator will notify the recommending agency or the foster caregiver’s agency of the successful completion of the course.

Selection of Trainers: Children’s Sanctuary will employ a full time trainer to provide training to foster caregivers.  The CSI trainer will possess a combination of academic credentials and experience to provide training to foster caregivers (see Job Description-Home Resource Coordinator).  Children’s Sanctuary trainers will be certified by the organization responsible for the specific training course, i.e., The Institute of Human Services Program for Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption, the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPPS), Cornell University Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Safe Crisis Management Intervention (SCMI), and the American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions.

Selection of Trainers: Children’s Sanctuary will employ a full time trainer to provide training to foster caregivers.  The CSI trainer will possess a combination of academic credentials and experience to provide training to foster caregivers (see Job Description-Home Resource Coordinator).  Children’s Sanctuary trainers will be certified by the organization responsible for the specific training course, i.e., The Institute of Human Services Program for Foster Care, Kinship Care, and Adoption, the Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting (MAPPS), Cornell University Therapeutic Crisis Intervention (TCI), Safe Crisis Management Intervention (SCMI), and the American Red Cross First Aid, CPR, and Universal Precautions.

Trainers From Other Agencies: The Children’s Sanctuary Executive Director, Regional Director, and CSI trainer must approve all courses provided by trainers from other agencies to its foster caregivers.  Trainers from other agencies must provide documentation to CSI of academic and professional credentials and experience prior to providing training to CSI foster caregivers.  The CSI Executive Director, Regional Director, and Trainer are responsible for evaluating each trainer’s credentials. The Children’s Sanctuary Executive Director approves all training.  A record including subject, date, training hours, trainer’s name, credentials and experienced will be kept in a training file in the CSI office.

Evaluation of Trainers: The CSI Executive Director or Regional Director evaluates the CSI Trainer annually.  CSI will evaluate the Trainer’s performance and competency based on supervisor observation, foster caregiver surveys, and completion of job requirements, including personal annual on-going training.

Evaluation of a Trainer from another Agency: Foster caregivers will complete a survey at the end of each training course evaluating the trainer and the training.   These evaluations will be kept in the training file at the CSI office and will be used by the Executive Director, Regional Director, Trainer, and training team members to evaluate the trainer and effectiveness of the training.

Notifying Agencies and Foster Caregivers of Upcoming Training: Children’s Sanctuary will maintain a calendar of training opportunities available from CSI and in the community.  This calendar will be sent to foster caregivers each month. CSI will post upcoming training on its website, www.childrenssanctuary.org, and in the local newspaper whenever possible.  CSI will also notify its foster caregivers by letter or telephone of upcoming training events, especially mandatory re-certification training such as TCI, CPR, First Aid, and Universal Precautions.

Foster caregivers from other agencies may attend any CSI sponsored training.  Those interested in attending courses at CSI will be asked to RSVP to maintain appropriate class size.  All CSI sponsored training will be offered free of charge except for certain material costs, i.e., training manuals.

Maintenance of Training Records: A record of each training course, including subject, hours, date, trainer, trainer’s credentials, and attendance will be kept at the CSI office.  The CSI trainer will use the attendance log to track training by course to determine needs and interests.  A record of each CSI foster caregiver’s training, including the dates of the training, course title, hours completed, and trainer will be kept in the foster caregiver’s file at the Children’s Sanctuary office.

Foster Caregivers from Other Agencies: The CSI Trainer will provide foster caregivers affiliated with other agencies with the course title, curriculum outline, hours completed, and a training certificate when the foster caregiver successfully completes the course.  CSI will send copies of these documents to the foster caregiver’s referring agency or agency with which the foster caregiver is affiliated.

Evaluation of Training: Training courses and trainer effectiveness are evaluated after each training session and on completion of the training by the attending foster caregivers. A group discussion will occur at the completion of training to assess the degree of new knowledge and effectiveness of the course.  Documentation of the group discussion for each training event will be kept in the training file at the CSI office.  In addition, foster caregivers will complete an anonymous survey assessing the course and trainer after each session and at the conclusion of the training curriculum.  These surveys will be kept in the training file at the CSI office.

A written evaluation of the effectiveness of each training course and the overall effectiveness of the training program will be prepared every two years by a Children’s Sanctuary Training Team.  The Training Team will be comprised of the CSI Regional Director, Trainer, Case Manager, and at least one CSI Foster Caregiver.  Training files for each course, foster caregiver surveys, foster caregivers’ needs assessments, CSI foster care social workers surveys, and surveys from other agencies that referred foster caregivers to CSI training will be used.  The evaluation with recommendations will be submitted to the Executive Director for approval.  The evaluation will be available to foster caregivers, other foster care agencies, and county and state public custodial agencies.  The CSI Training Team will use the evaluation as a tool for planning future pre-placement and continuing training.

Overview of CSI Training Plan:

1. Orientation and Pre-service Training
2. Red Cross First Aid and CPR
3. Child specific training
4. Monthly in-service classes for on-going training requirements
5. In-home foster parent training and Video and workbook training

Orientation and Pre-placement Training Description:

1. Orientation:  All prospective foster caregivers will have an orientation about the CSI program, including agency policies and procedures, agency and foster caregiver responsibilities, state policies, procedures, and requirements for certification of foster caregivers, and the state’s abuse/neglect protocol.
2. CSI foster caregivers will complete at least 30 to 36 hours of pre-service training to meet CSI and state requirements.  The training will be divided into 4 and 6 hour sessions.  Training will be held at the Children’s Sanctuary office.
3. Foster caregivers complete 5 to 30 hours TCI training per state requirements.
4. Foster caregivers will be trained in First Aid, Infant, Child, and Adult CPR, and Universal Precautions.  Foster caregivers will receive an additional 12 hours training specific to the child’s needs prior to receiving the child in their home. The Children’s Sanctuary Executive Director has approved the following training programs and curriculums for foster caregiver pre-service and in-service training.  Children’s Sanctuary employs trainers certified in the specific training program to conduct the following training programs and curriculums.

OUTLINE OF PRE-PLACEMENT TRAINING PROGRAM 

INSTITUTE OF HUMAN SERVICES: FOSTER CARE, KINSHIP CARE AND ADOPTION (FAKT). INDIANA – 30 HOURS. OHIO – 36 HOURS

FAKT: SESSION I. (5 hours)

• Overview of Foster Care, Kinship Care and Adoption
• Goals of Pre-service Training 
• Introduction to the World of Child Welfare
• Program Information
• Policies, Procedures, Responsibilities
• Legal Rights and Responsibilities of Foster Caregivers
• Preparing for, receiving, and working with the adjudicated delinquent who has committed violent acts
• Information the foster care provider should have prior to accepting a delinquent child who has committed violent acts into foster care
• Pubic Placing Agency Requirements for Certifying Foster Caregivers, i.e., Ohio Department of Jobs and Families rules, regulations, and procedures for certifying foster caregivers
• Community Health and Social Services Available to Children and Their Families.

FAKT: SESSION II. (3 hours)

• Welcome and Introductions
• Child Welfare System Overview
• Presentation of Terms and Definitions
• Agency Goals and Purpose for Service
• History of Foster Care and Adoption: Application Activity
• The Importance of Team Approach: Overview of Team Building
• Understanding the Case Manager’s Perspective
• Exploring the Advantages and Disadvantages
• Wrap up Activity

FAKT: SESSION III. (3 hours)