Services provided by the Foster and Indigenous Support Workers will include the following:
Support
Ongoing support and input to individual foster parents with respect to following care plans and achieving placement goals for children in their homes. The support will include:
- Consultation regarding crisis management where there is a risk of placement breakdown,
- Consultation regarding the creation of a healthy home environment
- Support to foster parents regarding balancing the needs of their own families with the needs of children and youth in their care.
- Assist with the development of Safety Plans, service plans, case conferencing
- Assist foster parents in writing reports and communication with professionals
- Provide Information on Community Based programs that they can access
Protocol Support
- Caregivers share responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of children in care with MCFD and VACFSS. Carrying out this responsibility in day-to-day life is not always easy.
- Foster/Extended families face a lot of challenges and sometimes these lead to differences between Caregivers and MCFD/VACFSS. Fortunately, most issues are worked out by talking things over with your Resources Social Worker. However, there are other situations that require a formal process called a Protocol that clearly spells out what will happen and when.
- Our program provides support and advice when this occurs. The support person can answer your questions, attend any interviews with you and give you information about the process.
To access this service or if you have any questions please call our Toll-Free Support Line: 1-877-926-1185.
Case Management
Facilitation of Case Management in order to develop support systems designed to meet a comprehensive service delivery. Case management will include the following:
- Support foster parents to be actively involved in case management,
- Train foster parents to be actively involved in child- centered case management.
- This service will be delivered by coordinating case conferences. Foster Home Support Workers will facilitate case conferences when necessary as well as prepare and distribute decisions from case conferences.
Phone Support and Consultation
Provision of ongoing support to foster parents to effectively manage situations as they arise. The telephone support line is 1-877-926-1185
Indigenous Cultural Training and Support
- Indigenous teachings aimed at building understanding in indigenous history and culture for care givers.
- Cultural events throughout the year to support caregivers in connecting children in their care with their culture.
- Elder support for consultation on specific concerns arising for caregivers and for support in planning relevant trainings and teachings.
Teachings and Training
- Facilitation and Provision of Training to foster parents in order to develop new skills and knowledge.
- Staff resources and materials within HFS will be utilized to provide training for foster parents.
- Provide the opportunity to participate in specialized training.
Community Liaison
Facilitation and provision of identified community resources and referral information to foster parents regarding local resources/programs within their community.
Child and Youth Development Services
Providing time limited one to one support, which focuses on skill development to children/youth within the family. If service is deemed beneficial by the Social Worker, a referral can be put into the Resource Worker and then assigned by the Central Referral Team
Liaison
Foster Home Support Program Supervisor will meet with the Central Referral Team once per month to review program development and activity. Where appropriate, program staff will provide clear and regular communication with individual case social workers.