1. Why do children need foster care?

Children enter foster care for one or more of the following reasons: physical abuse, sexual abuse, and neglect (i.e. malnourishment, environmental conditions, disregard to vital medical care, etc.) Under certain circumstances biological parents are mentally/physically disabled to the extent that they are unable to adequately provide for their children. Another reason is called “risk of harm.” These are situations where it is determined that a child would be at serious risk of being harmed if they were to continue living with their biological parents (i.e. drug exposed, substance abuse or history of having children in the system for very serious abuse/neglect.) Children placed with Kornerstone families almost always come into foster care with a combination of these problems.

The purpose of the Kornerstone foster care program is to provide quality care in a licensed family setting for children and adolescents who cannot remain with their birth family because of a crisis in the family. A guiding principal of our foster care program is to support children and their families of origin in their efforts to be reunited when at all possible. The overall goal of foster care is to provide the child with a safe and nurturing environment and the services needed to place the child back with family or make another permanent placement arrangement.

Generally foster care is a short-term out-of-home placement for a child experiencing a family crisis. Allegations of abuse or neglect of a child and/or his/her siblings usually precipitates this crisis and the child is placed in the custody of Child Protective Services (CPS). CPS is the division of the state governmental agency that investigates allegations of abuse and neglect of children and determines whether the home environment is safe for that child. CPS becomes the Temporary Managing Conservator (legal guardian) once a child is removed from the biological home. Kornerstone works closely with the child and CPS toward a plan for reuniting the family.

Many foster care placements occur on the same day as Kornerstone receives the referral from CPS. The child needs an immediate placement without preplacement visits and planning.

Because of the various needs of the children in foster care, Kornerstone licenses families for both basic and therapeutic foster care. Families may be licensed as foster only or dual-licensed (foster to adopt). Foster parents may be able to adopt a child in foster care, however, the goal of foster care is to return the child or youth to his or her family as soon as possible. Any consideration of adoption is after all comprehensive efforts at returning the child home, or to relatives, are exhausted.

Therapeutic Foster Care

Therapeutic foster homes are designed for children who need intensive care and specialized treatment, and those who would benefit from receiving treatment in a family setting rather than in an institutional setting. Each child's special needs are carefully considered when determining which foster parents are most appropriate. There are special requirements for therapeutic foster care homes. Therapeutic foster homes are distinguished by two factors: (A) The child has emotional, psychological, behavioral, developmental, or medical problems or needs. (B) The foster parents have received additional training and meet therapeutic foster care requirements.

Emergency Foster Care

Emergency foster care is designed to provide care for a child on an immediate basis. Emergency foster homes are designed to meet the emergency and/or temporary placement needs of children, generally for up to 30 days. Some foster homes specialize in doing emergency care. These homes are designed to keep a child only until a longer term placement is found or the child returns home and children tend to stay up to 30 days. Any foster home that is willing to take an appropriate emergency placement may be designated as an emergency foster home for the purpose of that placement. However, emergency foster care may be changed into a long term foster care placement if the child, custody holder, family, and foster parents think the foster home is the best placement option for the child. In addition, regular foster homes may provide emergency placement for a child if (1) the child needs an immediate placement without pre-placement visits and planning, and (2) the foster home is willing to take the child immediately. The child being placed immediately without benefit of pre-placement or time to share information distinguishes emergency foster care from other types of foster care. Emergency care is provided when long-term care options are unavailable to the child or the child is in clear and immediate danger of abuse, neglect, or exploitation.

Specialization

Most foster families specialize in the type of child they serve. For example, therapeutic foster homes specialize in caring for emotionally or behaviorally disturbed children. Other areas of specialization include: independent living, pregnant or parenting teens, medically fragile children, homes for mentally retarded children, homes for physically disabled children, etc.

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2. What types of foster care does Kornerstone provide?

Basic Foster Care

Basic foster homes care for children without significant medical or mental health needs.

Therapeutic Foster Care

Children who may have experienced a great deal of trauma as a result of their abuse or neglect, may have behavioral problems and/or emotional needs requiring more intensive parenting, which therapeutic foster homes can provide. Therapeutic foster parents receive additional training and meet therapeutic foster care requirements.

Specialization

Foster families may specialize in the type of child they serve. For example, therapeutic foster homes specialize in caring for emotionally or behaviorally disturbed children. Other areas of specialization include: independent living, pregnant or parenting teens, and homes for physically disabled children, etc.

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3. What does Kornerstone look for in a foster parent?

Kornerstone is a Christian agency. We are not affiliated with a specific denomination or church. We are looking for people who feel called into a ministry to help children.

Foster parenting is not for everyone but for some it is a wonderful way to make an important difference in the lives of hurting children and their families. Foster parents must have the personal qualities and relationship-building skills needed to work effectively with children, parents, social service personnel and Kornerstone. The following are some of the characteristics of effective foster parents:

• Positive feelings and attitudes about people and the ability to convey these feelings/attitudes to others, including an ability to show openness, warmth, and acceptance with children and adults.
• Ability to create and continue a mutual trusting relationship with children.
• Capacity for unconditional giving – to give without expecting too much from children and families in the way of gratitude, affection, or behavioral changes.
• Evidence of satisfying and sustaining relationships over a reasonable period.
• Evidence of flexibility in their expectations, attitudes, and behavior toward the needs and problems of children and families, and the ability to accept help when it is needed to work on problems of family living.
• Sensitivity to the child’s need for structure and discipline, education through natural and logical consequences, positive reinforcement and encouragement, and a commitment to non-violence.
• Sensitivity to the child’s need for structure and discipline, education through natural and logical consequences, positive reinforcement and encouragement, and a commitment to non-violence.
• Interest in learning new methods of childcare and openness to training.
• Ability to accept and support the parents of a child in foster care and to accept the child’s feelings, both positive and negative, about his/her parents, and work with the agency in helping the child resolve his/her conflicting feelings.
• Ability and willingness to work toward permanency for the child (i.e. return home, adoption, etc.)
• Commitment to the spiritual and moral development of self and others and to the agency’s mission.
• Ability to work effectively with others, including an ability to communicate openly and respectfully with children and other adults.

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4. What are the benefits of being a foster parent?

Foster parenting is not an easy task. It takes individuals with great patience, dedication, and commitment. It takes individuals who are willing to give more than they receive. It takes individuals who truly exemplify Christ’s example of compassion. The payoff doesn’t come in money, praise, or necessarily even love. It comes only in knowing that you have helped a child. As a foster parent you will gain:

• A sense of accomplishment
• The chance to help children feel good about themselves
• Pride in doing a meaningful and important job
• The ability to give a child a family and a home
• Challenging experiences
• The opportunity to meet and work with new people
• A chance to pursue special talents and knowledge
• The opportunity to make a lifetime of difference in a short period of time

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5. Where do the foster children who are placed with Kornerstone come from?

Child Protective Services (CPS) is one division of The Texas Department of Family and Protective (TDFPS). CPS is the state agency that receives and investigates referrals of abuse and/or neglect from the public. If it is determined from an investigation that a child has been abused and/or neglected, and the parents or guardians of the child have been determined as unable to provide a safe environment for the child, CPS may remove the child from their birth home. The State of Texas , through CPS, then becomes the legal guardian of the child, or in legal terms, they’re Temporary Managing Conservator. Kornerstone has a contract with CPS for both foster care and adoption. CPS refers children to Kornerstone for placement.

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6. What is Residential Childcare Licensing?

Residential Childcare Licensing (RCCL) is the division of TDFPS that established the Minimum Standards for foster care. These standards are the minimal requirements that must be met by agencies that provide foster care and adoption, agency staff, and foster and adoptive parents in relation to their roles. RCCL or “Licensing” is also responsible for monitoring and ensuring agency compliance with these standards relating to the care of the foster and adopted children. The document listing regulations and requirements for CPS foster homes and private agencies and their foster homes is referred to as Minimum Standards. They may be found at standards & regulations. Licensing also investigates (or requires agencies to investigate) any complaints or allegations of violations of the Minimum Standards.

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7. How long does it take to become a foster/adoptive parent?

The amount of time to become a foster or adoptive parent is largely dependent upon the prospective foster parent’s ability to meet the requirements and paperwork needed to become licensed. It is the prospective foster or adoptive parent’s responsibility to complete the Kornerstone Application, as well as to provide the agency with copies of documents needed, such as driver’s license, etc. A list is included in your foster and adoptive information packet as to what is needed to become licensed. In addition, prospective foster/adoptive parents must participate and successfully complete all components of the required pre-service training, which will be discussed in further detail with you. Once training has been completed and all required documentation has been submitted to Kornerstone by the prospective foster/adoptive parents, Kornerstone will then complete the remaining items needed for licensure, including the home study interviews. Kornerstone treatment staff will then assess, review, evaluate, and make a recommendation as to licensure of the prospective foster/adoptive parents based upon the documentation received, pre-service training observations of prospective foster/adoptive parent’s participation, feedback from supervised childcare, and the home study process, including reference information. The license procedure generally may range from one to three months, depending upon the effort put forth by the prospective parents and your availability to attend the required training.

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8. What is a home study?

A home study is required by the state of Texas for foster and adoptive parents to be considered for a child who is available for placement. The purpose of the home study is to gather information during personal contacts with the prospective foster/adoptive family to assess the family’s stability and their ability to effectively parent a child who has experienced abuse or neglect. The individual study process will include at interviews with each applicants, interview with the marital couple, individual interview with each family member of school age and an interview with the family group when all family members are present. Depending upon the size of your family and the issues to be addressed, the home study may be conducted in just one visit to your home. During these sessions we will discuss with you your family background and life experiences, education and career, quality of relationships, including marital relationship and support system, financial stability, problem solving techniques, experiences with children, feelings regarding discipline and other parenting issues, feelings about birth parents and other foster/adoption related issues. Each adult child of applicants and minor children who are not living in the home 12 years of age and older must be contacted and interviewed by Kornerstone. Information gathered from the initial assessment, survey, application references, training participation, and visits to the home are used to evaluate the prospective foster/adoptive parent’s ability to successfully parent a child who has been abused. A written evaluation will be compiled by Kornerstone based upon the above information gathered during the home study screening process. Once the home study is completed, it is reviewed by the treatment team at Kornerstone. Upon approval, you are issued a foster care license by Kornerstone or verified as an adoptive home and then are able to begin accepting placements for fostering and/or adoption.

During the home study process the following factors are reviewed in determining licensure of a foster/adoptive home:

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9. How many children can I have in my home?

The amount of children permitted per home is based upon the evaluation and recommendations of Kornerstone staff, with consideration of factors including the foster parents’ preferences and perceived capabilities, square footage of the home, availability of foster parents/staff, Kornerstone’s evaluation of parental capabilities, and fulfillment of specific criteria as outlined in Minimum Standards. Homes providing care for 6 children or less, including biological children, are considered regular foster/adoptive homes. Homes with 7-12 children, including biological children are referred to as foster/adoptive group homes. The Minimum Standards require licensed homes to have at least 40 square feet of floor space for each occupant in the sleeping rooms. Single occupant bedrooms must have at least 80 square feet of floor space. Group homes must have one bathroom for every 8 children. Group homes must also maintain a 1-8 child-to-staff ratio during waking hours for children five years old or older, and a 1-4 staff-to-child ratio for children under age five. Minimum Standards require that group homes have at least 50 square feet of floor space for each occupant in sleeping rooms, with a minimum of 80 square feet of floor space in single occupant bedrooms.

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10. What is the process for placing a foster child into my home?

CPS notifies Kornerstone of children who need a foster care placement through it’s Centralized Placement Unit (CPU). Kornerstone will then nominate and discuss with the CPU the foster homes they have available that would be an appropriate placement for the child. Meanwhile, Kornerstone staff will also discuss the possible placement with the nominated families to ensure they are agreeable to being nominated for placement.

CPS and Kornerstone will further discuss nominated families and CPS will make a decision as to the home most appropriate to meeting the needs of the child. Factors that may be considered are the child’s needs in relation to the location of the foster home, other children in the home, interest in fostering to adopt, experience, single vs. married couple, whether both parents work outside the home, etc. The Kornerstone staff will contact the family which has been selected and will schedule a time for the placement. If possible, a pre-placement visit will be scheduled to allow the child an opportunity to ask questions, discuss home rules and expectations, and further discuss whether or not the home is a “good match” between the child and foster family. Following the pre-placement visit, the child and foster parents will be given an opportunity to privately discuss with CPS and Kornerstone staff whether or not they are agreeable to the placement. If all are in agreement, a time will be scheduled for the placement to occur.

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11. Would I have to take every child referred for my home, or do I have a say in which children I would like to accept?

Kornerstone strongly encourages the foster family to voice their opinions and concerns regarding a prospective foster child. Kornerstone desires for the placements to be a “good match” between the child and foster family. The Kornerstone staff will provide the foster family with information about the child related to the child’s history, current needs, behaviors and emotional status, prior to the time of the pre-placement visit and placement. If a family does not feel comfortable accepting the child into their home, they are encouraged to discuss their concerns openly with staff. Foster families have the right to reject a possible placement without the fear of retaliation from Kornerstone. Families are in no way penalized for denying placements. Refusing a placement will not result in Kornerstone withholding future referrals from the home. Voicing your concerns about the placement before it occurs will help reduce the risk of the placement disrupting in the future, resulting in another move for the child.

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12. How long would a foster child be living in my home?

The amount of time a child lives in the home is dependent upon the individual case and permanency plan of the child. The initial plan for most children coming into foster care is that they be reunified with their biological family once the family has made enough progress to ensure a safe environment for the child. If this is not possible, then CPS will attempt to locate a relative placement for the child. These children are in foster care only as long as it takes for CPS to determine the family member is ready to have the child placed in their home.

Some teenagers who enter foster care may stay in foster care until the age of emancipation (age 18) or until graduation from high school. For children whose families are unable to provide a safe home environment, CPS will ask the court to terminate the rights of the parents, thus legally freeing the child for adoption. These children will remain in foster care until CPS locates an appropriate adoptive home. Generally, the older the child and the more needs the child has, the longer it takes to find a suitable adoptive home.

At the time of a placement, the foster parents are informed of the child’s permanency plan in an effort to provide some idea of the amount of time the child will need a foster care placement. However, permanency plans for children are subject to change, as determined by CPS. For example, if a child’s plan is to be reunified with a birth parent, but this parent does not cooperate with CPS requirements, the plan may eventually change to adoption and termination of parental rights will be sought. Each child comes with their own unique family and placement history and it is sometimes difficult to place an exact anticipated amount of time the child will need a foster care placement due to the many variables of each case (biological family, court system, state laws, etc.). However, since permanency for a child is a critical part of healthy development, the professionals involved with the child are committed to getting the child into their permanent placement as soon as possible.

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13. What is Level of Care?

Youth for Tomorrow (YFT) is an agency that contracts with TDFPS to provide assessment and review of foster children to determine the type of care they need based on their emotional, medical, behavioral, and educational needs and level of supervision requirements. They also make placement recommendations to CPS. Based on their assessment, YFT assigns each child a Level of Care (LOC). Their LOC is used to determine the least restrictive and most appropriate type of placement for a child (basic care foster home, therapeutic foster home, psychiatric facility/hospital, or residential treatment center) and what services need to be provided while in care.

Children may be assessed as needing basic, moderate, specialized or intensive services. The lower the child's level, the less severe his/her needs are, and thus fewer services the child will need. Moderate and Specialized children are considered “Therapeutic” and may only be placed in verified therapeutic foster homes. "Basic Care" children generally require typical parenting related to a safe home environment, food, clothing and shelter. They usually do not need therapy, psychotropic medications, or a structured behavioral management system. “Moderate Care” children may demonstrate more challenging behavior. They require more supervision and often benefit from therapy, psychotropic medications and a structured setting. “Specialized Care” children display more severe behavioral problems and emotional needs. They require a high level of supervision and any combination of more intensive therapeutic intervention (therapy, psychotropic medication, structured behavioral management and recreational programs in the home, and special educational services in the school, etc.). “Intensive Care” children usually require a more restrictive environment than a foster home can provide. Kornerstone provides basic, moderate and specialized services. Intensive level services are generally provided in residential treatment facilities or institutions.

YFT does a quarterly utilization review of children receiving specialized and intensive services and a yearly review of children needing moderate services to reassess their current level of functioning as related to the services they will need. At these reviews, the child’s LOC may increase, decrease, or stay the same based on YFT’s assessment of the child’s functioning over the last 30 days. During these utilization reviews, YFT also assesses Kornerstone’s compliance with their contract with CPS and may interview foster parents and children.

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14. What kind of training and support can I expect to receive from Kornerstone?

All parts of Kornerstone’s program is intended to directly or indirectly support the foster and adoptive parents so that they will have the resources to help the children heal, and rebuild their lives. Some of the special benefits Kornerstone foster & adoptive families receive include:

• Free CPR and First Aid Training for prospective and licensed foster and adoptive parents and their respite workers
• Ongoing support by dedicated and experienced professionals through regular telephone contact and home visits
• Prayer support
• Competitive reimbursement rates
• Allowances for birthday gift purchases and graduation gifts
• Numerous training opportunities throughout the year with free childcare provisions, including quarterly support groups and “mother’s day out.”
• Collaboration with other agencies for training opportunities
• 24-hour on-call emergency support from qualified Kornerstone professionals.
• Texas Foster Family Association (TFFA) involvement, including local and TFFA membership for each family and tuition reimbursement for therapeutic
• Mileage reimbursement for therapeutic families for treatment related activities.
• Respite support and reimbursement for therapeutic families.
• Monthly paperwork that is the least cumbersome possible while still meeting state and YFT requirements, to allow parents as much time as possible to directly interact with the children.
• Each home that has foster children is assigned a Kornerstone case manager. The Kornerstone case manager:
• Serves as a liaison between the foster family, child, therapist and CPS worker.
• Maintains and provides to CPS monthly documentation of the child’s progress.
• Maintains regular contact with and provides support to the child and foster family through regular phone calls and home visits.
• Monitors the implementation of interventions as outlined in the child’s service plan to meet the child’s goals.
• Facilitates Kornerstone service plan staffings for the child by scheduling and writing the service plan and distributing it to treatment team members upon completion.
• Assists foster parents in securing medical/dental services, educational services, recreational activities and any additional services needed for the child.
• Assists the foster parents in establishing and implementing a behavior management system within the home aimed at improving the child’s behaviors based on effective rewards and consequences.
• Monitors the foster home’s compliance with Minimum Standards and Kornerstone policies and procedures, including foster parent’s training hours and licensing due dates, such as fire inspections, health inspections, CPR and First Aid re-certification, etc.

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15. What would my responsibility be as a foster parent relating to a foster child’s education? How much should I advocate for my foster child within the school system?

Foster parents are encouraged to be as involved in the foster child’s schooling as they are in their own biological child’s schooling.

• Upon placement, the foster parents (with assistance from their case manager) are responsible for enrolling a child into the appropriate grade level at the local school.
• Because these children often have many educational needs, the foster parent is expected to maintain frequent communication with the child’s teachers.
• The foster parents serve as an advocate for the child, helping to ensure that appropriate classes are selected depending upon the child’s academic capabilities and needs.
• The foster parents also need to be accessible to the school at all times to handle any school emergencies, (behavioral, medical, etc.).
• The foster parents should also allow and encourage the child to participate in school activities that the child expresses an interest or special talent in, such as athletics, choir, band, etc., supporting the child’s involvement with verbal prompts, providing transportation to practice and events, and attendance at events related to these activities (i.e. choir and band concerts, athletic games and competitions, etc.).

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16. Am I required to transport foster children to doctor visits, family visits, and other appointments?

As a parent would transport their biological child to all appointments, it is the foster parents’ responsibility to schedule and transport foster children to all doctor visits or other necessary appointments.

Some children are required to visit their biological family members and it will be discussed at the time of placement the exact transportation arrangements. Generally CPS and Kornerstone expect foster parents to provide transportation to all regional family and/or sibling visits.

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17. Who is responsible for purchasing the children’s clothes?

Kornerstone foster parents are responsible for purchasing the children’s clothes and ensuring an appropriate inventory of clothing for each child. The money that foster parents receive from Kornerstone is considered as “reimbursement” for the care that the foster parents provide to the child, this includes food, clothing, and shelter, as well as other incidentals such as allowances, school pictures, yearbooks, etc.

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18. Is spanking permitted?

Physical discipline is particularly ineffective for children who have suffered abuse and neglect. For children who have been abused, spanking or smacking can be terribly damaging. They may be so used to being physically abused and emotionally hurt that they don’t “feel” the pain. Therefore, they have to be hit or spanked harder and harder to feel any effects. Furthermore, they may find pleasure or relief in getting the spanking because it's the only way they have learned to get attention. Therefore, they will work hard to get their new parents to show attention the same way that their birth families showed attention. Using alternatives to physical punishment has two important benefits. First, it minimizes the risk of additional hurt to a child. Second, it helps break the intergenerational cycle of physical abuse.

Kornerstone policy and Minimum Standards both state that any type of physical punishment or discipline, including spanking, swatting, and smacking, is not permitted under any circumstances. Even if a foster parent administers some type of physical discipline to biological children, foster children are NEVER to be physically disciplined at any time. Prior to becoming licensed and following licensure, Kornerstone provides extensive training on alternative methods of effective discipline.

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19. How much contact do foster parents need to have with the biological parents of the foster children?  

Some foster parents enjoy being involved and interacting with birth parents to some degree and view this as an opportunity for ministry. Experienced foster parents can be a valuable tool in helping a child to successfully transition back into their biological home. The foster parents’ insight into the child and support to the biological parents and child can help facilitate a successful move for the child. However, this involvement is based upon foster parent preference, treatment team recommendations and CPS approval.

The amount of foster parent contact with biological parents largely depends upon the foster parent’s preference. Kornerstone does not require that foster parents be in communication with biological parents. However, in some cases this may be a condition of placement of a particular child in your home. Foster parents are required to transport foster children to biological family visits, but if the foster parents are uncomfortable communicating with the birth parent, these visits may be arranged at the CPS office or in a neutral location to prevent the foster parents from having to interact with biological parents. The foster parents may request that their address and telephone number be kept confidential and not be given to birth family members.

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20. Is anyone allowed to baby-sit my foster child?

Kornerstone has policies related to both babysitting and respite care Babysitting is distinguishable from respite care. Respite care is a temporary (generally not exceeding 30 days), planned service to the foster parents that requires the respite provider to be certified with Kornerstone or be a licensed foster parent. Respite care is provided to foster children in order to give the youth’s foster parents a rest from caregiving responsibilities and to prevent placement disruption.

Babysitting , on the other hand, is using adults for temporary care for a few hours. It is not overnight care. The babysitter does not have to be licensed as a child care provider or foster parent, or certified as a therapeutic respite provider. Kornerstone’s policies and guidelines with regard to babysitters and respite providers will be explained to you in further detail during training and are based on the youth’s level of care.

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21.Do I receive reimbursement for providing foster care services? When do I receive my first reimbursement check?

Foster parents are reimbursed for caring for each foster child based on a daily rate depending on the child’s " Level of Care" as assessed by YFT.  Children who require the most time, supervision, services, and care, are assessed the highest level, and the daily reimbursement rate for these children is therefore larger. Reimbursement for foster care services is provided on the 15 th and last day of each month, either by direct deposit or check, according to the request of each foster home.

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22. How much paperwork is involved ?

Documentation is the primary means of determining a foster child’s progress towards accomplishing goals formulated in the service plan such as decreasing targeted negative behaviors, increasing targeted positive behaviors, and healing emotional issues from past experiences. Foster parents are therefore required to complete quite a bit of paperwork on each child. Each form has its own criteria concerning time frames for completion. Some forms must be completed more than once a day, some daily, and some weekly. Foster parent documentation includes such items as Behavior Logs, Medication Logs, Medical Exam reports, Dental Exam reports, Social and Recreation Logs, Communication Logs, Incident Reports, and Restraint reports, etc. Kornerstone case managers review this documentation during each home visit and collect the paperwork at the first of the month for the preceding month (Example: February paperwork is collected during the first home visit in March). Case managers are available to answer any questions and explain documentation procedures to foster parents. The amount and type of paperwork required is based upon the child’s age and level of care.

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23. What kind of training is required?

Once you become licensed as a foster parent, you are required to have a minimum of 50 hours annually per single parent and 30 hours annually for each person in a married couple. When parents complete training in excess of the minimum requirements in a given year, they may carry some of those hours over into the next year. Kornerstone offers many training opportunities throughout the year, with regular childcare provisions, to enable parents to meet their training requirements. Families may also earn hours by attending other accredited courses, taking courses online, college credit, or by reading a pre-approved book on a relevant topic. Kornerstone offers a resource library containing books and videos, as well.

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24. What happens if my home becomes investigated due to allegations of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, for example, a foster child claims a parenthit him/her?

Foster parents are investigated when there are any allegations of abuse/neglect, or allegations of being in violation of a Minimum Standard. When information is presented to Kornerstone concerning any of these occurrences, either Kornerstone or RCCL will conduct an investigation into the allegation(s). The investigator will come to the home (or school) to interview foster children, biological children, and the foster parents concerning the allegations. Depending upon the nature of the allegation, the visit to your home may be pre-arranged with you or unannounced.

Although investigations are not generally viewed as a pleasant experience, it is important for the foster parents not to panic, as investigations are common. The best thing for a foster parent to do is to be cooperative, open, and honest. At the time of the investigation, the foster parent will be informed of the nature of the allegation, although the informant/complainant will not be disclosed. Based upon the investigation, if Kornerstone or RCCL believes that the foster parent is in violation of a Minimum Standard or a Kornerstone policy, a Corrective Action Plan will be developed outlining specific requirements that direct the foster parent as to how to correct the violation within a certain time frame. An example of this would be if a foster parent left a foster child in the care of an uncertified respite worker. A Corrective Action Plan would then serve as the first warning and would specify criteria to follow in order to return to compliance with state and agency policies.

If the allegation is concerning abuse or neglect of a child, depending upon the severity of the allegation and findings, the home is ether placed on a Corrective Action Plan or Kornerstone may choose to rescind the contractual relationship with the foster family and close the home. Kornerstone has an established appeal process for foster parents. Foster parents have the right to appeal all actions and decisions made by Kornerstone which affect them.

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25. What if my foster child gets sick? 

Medical and dental coverage is provided through the Medicaid program.

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26. Can I still work?

For working parents, appropriate child care arrangements must be made by the foster parents.

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27. Am I allowed to travel with my foster child?

Kornerstone encourages you to plan trips with your foster children and include them in your family outings. You are allowed to travel with your foster children within the state and out of state. There are specific guidelines for both, which you will receive as part of your training.

Adoption Specific Questions:

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28. What is adoption?

Adoption is a legal process which permanently gives parental rights to adoptive parents. Adoption means taking a child into your home as a permanent family member. It means caring for and guiding children through their growing years and giving them the love and understanding they need to develop their full potential.

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29. What type of children need adoptive homes?

Children available for adoption through the CPS are generally older, children of color, or sibling groups and may have some type of special needs. Because CPS must work with the biological family towards reunification or seek a relative placement prior to termination of parental rights, it is extremely rare for an infant to be available for adoption. Only families who are licensed as foster or foster-adoptive (dual-licensed or legal risk) homes will be able to accept infants for placement through Kornerstone.

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30. Do foster parents ever adopt?

Foster families are often the adoptive placement of choice for children in their homes. In fact, a high rate of foster parent adoptions has become the norm in recent years. Some individuals know before becoming licensed as foster parents that they want to eventually adopt a child from CPS. Therefore, they may wish to become licensed for both foster care and adoption. They are referred to as “dual-licensed” or “legal-risk” homes. They may accept foster children into their home who are free for adoption and/or they may accept foster children into their home who are not legally free for adoption, but whose permanency plan is adoption. This dual certification increases the opportunities for the family for successful adoptions. Other individuals may be initially interested only in fostering but become attached to a foster child in their home who becomes free for adoption. They may then request to be licensed as an adoptive home in addition to their foster care license (dually-licensed) so that they can be considered by CPS as a potential adoptive family for the child in their home.

There is a great need for individuals who will foster and adopt older children and teenagers. Some people believe children get “too old” for adoption. Children are never too old to want and need a family of their own. Even grown children seek comfort and wisdom from their parents. Making the transition from a teenager to a young adult is difficult for most youth. It’s especially hard without a stable family. Adopted children and foster children become participating members of your family. Your reward is the storehouse of good memories, the enjoyment of seeing young people grow, and the satisfaction of making a difference in the lives of others!

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31. What are the special needs of children available for adoption through Child Protective Services?

Special needs include one or more of the following:

• Older children -- mostly age 6 through 18
• Physical, mental, or emotional disabilities or problems
• Minority race
• Siblings who need to be placed together
• Children for whom the plan is adoption, but who are not legally free to be adopted and who need foster parents who will commit to adopting them in the future

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32. How long does it take to adopt?

It is not possible to tell any approved family how long it will be before a placement occurs -- or even if it will occur. Not every family is right for every child. When a child that needs a family is available, a careful "match" is done, based on the child’s individual characteristics and needs. The focal point of an adoptive placement must be meeting the needs of the child. The time from the placement until the consummation of the adoption in court must be at least six months. If the child has special needs, the need for agency supervision might extend that time.

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33. If so many children are waiting, why is it so hard to get a child?

There are many children waiting who require special care and consideration of their past experiences and their physical, emotional, or behavioral needs. Many families who desire adoption are not willing to take the special needs children. Even families who are willing to accept placement of a challenging child cannot be guaranteed a placement, because not every family can meet every child’s individual needs. 

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34. If I am licensed as a foster-adoptive home will I continue receiving a LOC reimbursement once I adopt a foster child?

If you are fostering a child and wish to adopt them, you will not continue to receive a LOC reimbursement from Kornerstone for that child once you have signed the adoption agreement. Adoption means taking on the financial responsibility of the child(ren). However, financial assistance (subsidy) may be available based on the child’s needs but these funds must be approved yearly through TDFPS subsidy office. Local families must document the child’s needs at renewal, and funds may be discontinued due to changing needs, funding availability and/or family circumstances. Kornerstone will be providing you with more information about subsidy and will assist you with the application process.

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35. What fees are involved in adopting a child from CPS?

The fees for adoption of children in the custody of CPS are all related to the actual expenses for the adoption, such as court costs and attorney fees. However, the adoptive family may apply for the Non Recurring Reimbursement available through TDFPS for adoption legal expenses incurred, including court costs and attorney fees. This application is to be submitted to the subsidy committee at the time of finalization of adoption. This is a one-time reimbursement. The actual funds cannot be awarded until the adoption is finalized. You are responsible for any financial arrangement with your attorney. There are many attorneys in this area who are familiar with the CPS adoption process and will work with you regarding their fee. The maximum amount of reimbursement is the lesser of $1500 or actual documented costs.

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36. Are there any support services available to me once I adopt a child from CPS?

Post adoption services are available to any family where their adopted child was in the custody of TDFPS, they have legally finalized their adoption, and their child is under the age of 18. TDFPS views adoption as a lifelong process and provides post adoption services through primary providers who deliver specified services directly or through subcontractors in the community. In most regions the primary providers are licensed child placing agencies who have adoption and post adoption experience that is specific to children with special needs. Post adoption services include the following:

Information and referral
Casework and service planning
Parent education and support groups
Counseling
Respite care
Day treatment
Residential placement services
24-hour crisis intervention
Therapeutic camps