Interview with a Foster

Parent
BY HANNAH STOCKTON
3/28/17
Background
Foster parent is currently a foster parent to a baby boy.
Child placed in her care about a year ago
Foster parent expresses wishes to adopt child
Parents not compliant with family reunification services
Adoption and TPR is the plan
Problem Statement
Mother previously involved with RCDSS due from being incarcerated
Mother released two years later, but got involved with RCDSS again
RCDSS assumed custody of mothers first child
Mother and father were non-compliant with family reunification
services
Referral made regarding foster parents now foster child
Tension exist between mother and her mother
Mother and father still non-compliant
RCDSS can no longer ensure childs safety without court intervention
Child eventually placed in foster home
Pre-interview Biases
Interview was more laid back than what I thought
Pictured foster parent being an elite community member based on
communication skills during previous phone contact
Did not think I would see the child playing
Value Differences
Foster parent

Native American

Me

Caucasian
Foster Parents Influential Events and Life
Experiences
Foster parent received license to foster one child at a time
Foster parent continues to desire being a foster parent
Prior to caring for child, just her and her daughter resided in home
Foster parent has strongly bonded with child, desiring the child to
permanently stay with her
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths

Provides proper care

Financially stable Weaknesses

Provides an explorative Single parent

atmosphere
Stay-at-home foster parent
Provides an environment
that helps child develop
sufficiently

Manages time efficiently

Assessment Goals
Gain information that will help me begin making recommendations
that promote the childs best interest and wishes
Services and Specific Interventions
Mother and father have received family reunification services
No known services or specific interventions provided for client
What Does Research Say about the
Problem and Treatment
Plan for abused and neglected child involved in court is for them to
have permanent placement

Adoption or family reunification

Family reunification is always initial plan

If alleged parents or caregivers not compliant with court orders and
put no effort forth in reunification, then family reunification no longer
an option
Staff Recommendations about Diagnosis,
Interventions, or Treatment
RCDSS continuous efforts to ensure family reunification have failed, so
now recommend TPR
Current recommendation are adoption with foster parent
Recommendations for Agency or Service
Specific recommendations solidified later as permanency court
hearing date approaches
Recommendations will revolve around ensuring childs best interest
and wishes are met

Look for unmet needs that currently prevent interests and wishes
for being met

Use unmet needs to help write recommendations

Core Competencies
1.1, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 4.1, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 8.1, 8.2, 9.1