Foster Parent Field Guide (Version 1)

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For more information about us, please visit: necco.org

Welcome to the Necco Family!

DAN (VP of Foster Care)

KELLY (Director of Safety and Risk)

What’s the purpose of the guide?

The purpose of this field book is to guide new Foster Parents on how to prepare before and guide their way through their first placement. This booklet will guide you through the many support outlets that Necco provides through our staff, local resources and even include some tips from our very own foster parents. And that’s just the start of it!

The Hobbs Principles

Life is to be lived now. Trust between child and adult is essential. Competence makes a difference.

Time is an ally. Self-control can be learned. Intelligence can be taught. Feelings should be nurtured.

The group is very important. Ceremony and ritual give order. The body is the armature of the self. Communities are important.

A child should know joy in each day.

Nicholas Hobbs (Psycologist)

The House Rules!

Structure is extremely important for children to thrive, especially for kids in foster care looking for stability! Defining your house rules ahead of time will help you be prepared for your 1st placement (expecially since timing can be unexpected).

THINK ABOUT: When should this be discussed with your child?

Use kind words only! Keep your hands and feet to yourself. Wait until it’s your turn to speak. Treat people and things with respect. Ask to borrow, don’t take!

Room ChecklistPrep

From knowing what to bring and what to have, it can seem daunting to newly placed children. But with this checklist, it’ll make it easier to ease themselves into their new homes.

Quick Tip

Take your child with you when you shop! It’ll promote individualism and self-expression for the child. And even build a connection with you and your child!

School Enrollment Checklist

To-Do! Don’t Do!

• Enroll your foster child/children into school within 48 hours

• Use a placement letter and proof of residencecy to get them into school.

• Create a folder with your proof of residence, a copy of your ID, and a placement letter for that youth.

• Never sign school documents, have DFCS sign them.

• Never let the school tell you the placement letter is not enough.

Because the youth is in foster care, you have 30 days to provide a birth certificate, social security card, or withdrawal form.

To-Do! Don’t Do!

• Contact the school before the youth’s arrival. Explain that you have a new foster child and ask for the process.

• Always make yourself the first line of contact, second should be the Necco Caseworker, and third the DFCS Worker.

• Contact your educational advocate when a child is disciplined at school.

• If your youth is having behavior problems and the school calls, ask them if they are “suspending the youth”.

If not, DON’T attempt to pick the child up from school. The school should be equipped to handle these behaviors.

School Resources

What is Respite Care?

Respite Care is a service Necco provides to give temporary relief for our full-time foster parents who need a few days to themselves, or who may be dealing with a personal emergency of their own. The state gives a foster parent 10 paid respite care days, per year, per placement. More days are allowed to be used, but after 10 they become unpaid.

Needa break?

Using this service does NOT make you a bad foster parent! Everyone needs a break now and then. Not even just us as parents, but the children as well.

Medical Checklist

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“Everyday is not going to be easy, but with love, structure, and kind words any child can succeed and achieve!”

Willis Patterson Foster Parent at Necco (Atlanta, Georgia)

Independent Living (IL) Program

Independent Living (IL) is a program Necco offers for foster children who “age out” of the system. It is a stepping stone for youth to gain independence and learn the life skills needed to thrive on their own.

In our IL program you will benefit from the following services:

Fully furnished apartments To learn more and to make a referral, please visit this site: www.necco.org/independent-living

Behavioral Health (BH) Program

Behavioral Health (BH) is a program that Necco offers. In this program highly trained counselors provide the help and guidance to children, young adults, their family members, and adults need to face life’s challenges with confidence.

In our BH program we help others overcome: • Anxiety and Stress

Depression

Substance Abuse

Eating Disorders

Trouble Focusing

Low Self-Esteem • PTSD To learn more and to make a referral, please visit this site: www.necco.org/counseling

“Don’t let fear stop you from saying yes. Get to know other foster parents. They are a great support group.”

Kriebel Foster Parent at Necco (Albany, Georgia)

Amanda

Communities are Important! COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Necco’s Community Resources

It takes a village to raise a child and an important part of that is your local community! Thats why we work to create strong partnerships with local businesses so that our Foster Parents recieve all the support and tools they deserve.

Build your village. A child can’t have too many people in their life who love them, and neither can you.”

Jenny Yost Foster Parent at Necco (Fairmont, West Virginia)

Advice from Necco Foster Parents

Jess Ball (Cincinnati, Ohio)

“I was fortunate to be trained under a strong group of individuals that were very transparent, which I value and respect. In my first 30 days I learned quickly I needed to develop a checklist, make sure communication was open and that I understood all the appointments, meetings, people were met. I needed to understand what was missing and if so, how far I could proceed without what.

What was challenging was how to handle the different groups of people (Simply, people are different). I needed to better understand that other parties would consider my role in the situation differently, that the expectations would be always be the same (some would be unknown).

What I have carried with me, past those “first 30” is to stay focused on the child, trust my case manager, expect little (anything above is truly a blessing) and to remember that we are all in this together and working on the best interest of the child.”

April

Benforado (Cincinnati, Ohio)

“I think they biggest thing I didn’t know about was visits. I didn’t really learn anything about them in preservice training. It would have been helpful to know I had to do visits & what all they involved.

I guess what I wish I would’ve known ahead of time was that there were visits so I could’ve arranged for people to help me and be alternative providers for me. I wish I would’ve known it I guess before the first 30 days when I was in pre-service. Also I wish I could have had a little coaching on interacting with parents.”

Morgan Hinzman (Huntington, West Virginia)

“Becoming foster parents was always a thought, but we never imagined it would actually happen. We started the process in 2020. The paperwork wasn’t very difficult and the classes made us feel extremely prepared.

Our house officially opened in the summer of 2021. We are now with our second placement, that we are actually planning to adopt. We don’t think we will stop here. We still plan to foster and maybe adopt another child. Being a foster parent is one of the greatest joys of our lives.”

Heather Chatterton (Huntington, West Virginia)

“Never let the thought of forming a relationship with biological parents intimidate you. Whether reunification or adoption happens, that bond will only be healthy for the child/children placed in your home. You never know, the grace and love you show to parents may just be what helps them!”

Janice Bland (Atlanta, Georgia)

“I started fostering because I met a foster parent with these beautiful children, and she explained the process to me. Ever since that day I have felt inspired to help these amazing children. It may get hard, but don’t give up and keep the faith. You will see a change.”

Self Care! SOME HELPFUL TIPS

Practicing Self Care

Self care is extremely important for foster parents who give so much to others. You can’t fully love and care for others unless you love and care for yourself too! Make a committment to yourself to give yourself the care you need.

Self Care Tips NeccofromFoster Parents

Jess Ball (Cincinnati, Ohio)

“I was fortunate to be trained under a strong group of individuals that were very transparent, which I value and respect. In my first 30 days I learned quickly I needed to develop a checklist, make sure communication was open and that I understood all the appointments, meetings, people were met. I needed to understand what was missing and if so, how far I could proceed without what.

What was challenging was how to handle the different groups of people (Simply, people are different). I needed to better understand that other parties

would consider my role in the situation differently, that the expectations would be always be the same (some would be unknown).

What I have carried with me, past those “first 30” is to stay focused on the child, trust my case manager, expect little (anything above is truly a blessing) and to remember that we are all in this together and working on the best interest of the child.”

Jess Ball (Cincinnati, Ohio)

“I was fortunate to be trained under a strong group of individuals that were very transparent, which I value and respect. In my first 30 days I learned quickly I needed to develop a checklist, make sure communication was open and that I understood all the appointments, meetings, people were met. I needed to understand what was missing and if so, how far I could proceed without what.

What was challenging was how to handle the different groups of people (Simply, people are different). I needed to better understand that other parties

would consider my role in the situation differently, that the expectations would be always be the same (some would be unknown).

What I have carried with me, past those “first 30” is to stay focused on the child, trust my case manager, expect little (anything above is truly a blessing) and to remember that we are all in this together and working on the best interest of the child.”

Don’t give up!

Hang in there, it gets better with time, these kids need us!”

Annette Smith Foster Parent at Necco (Atlanta, Georgia)

We believe in these kids and believe that, with your help, we can make a difference in their lives.

From everyone at Necco, we thank you for being a foster parent.