01/31/2025
Foster youth have so many people on their team that it can be quite confusing. The first step to understanding it is knowing who the groups of people are.
Each child's case is overseen by the county in which their case originated. Youth are assigned a DSS worker who over sees the case and visits with the youth at least once per month. This worker also has a supervisor who may sometimes help out; however, they are not typically actively involved in all of the fine details. Some counties also assign a person who's job is to ensure youth are up to date on medical appointments and receiving all the necessary medical care. All DSS staff are represented in court by an attorney who is employed by the department.
All children, whether involved or not, have a family of origin. Many youth have members of their family who they are still in contact with. This can include one or both parents, siblings, and even other members of their family. Most youth will visit with parents, siblings or family members on a weekly basis. Visits are determined during court hearings, and can be supervised, unsupervised, many varying lengths of time, etc.
While in care, each youth is also provided legal representation. This person is there to represent the best interest of the child, and talk with the child and members of their team to determine what that might be. Some youth also have a CASA worker, who spends time with the youth and is able to speak in court to represent the child's best interest.
In the case of youth within our program, various San Mar staff are also a member of the youth's team. The youth's initial contact is typically with the admissions coordinator who works to place them into one of our open foster homes. The foster youth is then assigned a case manager who builds rapport with the youth, advocates for them, and ensures their needs and met across a variety of domains. The case manager attends court and IEP meetings when possible, helps facilitate visits, can help with transportation, and monitors for possible needed services. Foster families are provided support from the licensing coordinator who's focus is on ensuring their needs are met as well. When needed, the program director for San Mar, TFC also may step in to support youth and foster parents.
Foster youth also often build a strong bond and relationship with foster parents, other youth in the home and even foster parent's extended family members. These individuals may attend sports events or dance recitals, give gifts for holidays, and even support with other things like tutoring or skill building. Foster youth also get to know and build relationships with other licensed foster parents through respite care when needed.
All youth in Treatment Foster Care must also be receiving some other kind of "support" or "Treatment". This can include Developmental Therapies such as Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, or Speech Therapy, Mental Health Therapy or Medication Management, or see specialized medical providers for a physical health diagnosis. These providers are also members of the youth's team and their support and feedback may be crucial to the care of the youth.
There are children who cannot remain with their families because of severe abuse and neglect. When children and families have difficulties, help must be given.
