OCO - Foster Parent Information

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Foster Parent Information

The Office of Children's Ombudsman (OCO) suggests that foster parents and relative care providers try to resolve any concerns about a case using existing remedies before contacting the OCO to file a complaint. The following are some suggestions that may be helpful in assisting you in resolving conflicts or questions regarding your foster child, the case plan, or the agency's recommendations. While this list is not comprehensive, it provides some basic steps you can take when a question or concern arises.

Problem Resolution

• Talk directly to the child's foster care worker if you have a question or concern about the child's case plan or the agency's recommendations. Talk directly to the child's foster care worker if you have a question or concern about the child's case plan or the agency's recommendations.

• Be sure you have all of the case information to which you are entitled regarding your foster child's case. Be sure you have all of the case information to which you are entitled regarding your foster child's case.

• Initiate and maintain contact with the child's Lawyer Guardian Ad Litem, the person appointed by the court to represent the child in abuse/neglect proceedings. Initiate and maintain contact with the child's Lawyer Guardian Ad Litem, the person appointed by the court to represent the child in abuse/neglect proceedings.

• Attend each court hearing relevant to the foster child's case. Attend each court hearing relevant to the foster child's case.

• Provide a written statement to the worker and request that it be attached to the service plan. Provide a written statement to the worker and request that it be attached to the service plan.

• Attend and participate in the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) proceedings. Attend and participate in the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) proceedings.

• Exercise your right to appeal the decision to remove a foster child from your home. Exercise your right to appeal the decision to remove a foster child from your home.

• Educate yourself about the policies that govern children's protective services, foster care, and adoption. Educate yourself about the policies that govern children's protective services, foster care, and adoption.

• It is important for foster parents and relative care providers to be a part of the team that plans for the foster children in their home. It is important for foster parents and relative care providers to be a part of the team that plans for the foster children in their home.


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