‘It can reach the point where it all boils over’
By Randy Rieland — For Foothills Forum
The county’s Department of Social Services is renewing its efforts to recruit new foster care families.
In recent years, the agency has struggled to find temporary homes in Rappahannock for children needing foster care. Instead, it has had to rely more on placing at-risk kids in group homes or therapeutic facilities outside the county, some in locations as far away as Richmond and Roanoke.
And, the COVID-19 pandemic could escalate the need, according to Jennifer Parker, the department’s director. She said state officials have told local agencies to expect a surge of child protective services reports when schools reopen. Often, it’s teachers who become aware of potential abuse cases.
“I’m also concerned about more parents feeling financial stress with the loss of federal unemployment payments,” Parker said. “There are financial needs. They still have kids at home much of the week. It can reach the point where it all boils over.”
Parker said she hopes to start in-person foster care training sessions in late September, but only if at least three couples participate. Virtual training is not permitted.
To qualify to serve as foster parents, couples must undergo a physical, a home study, background check and a review of their finances. They must also attend five training sessions and complete an online program.
Since the goal is to not keep children away from their families longer than necessary, most placements in foster homes last less than a year, typically about eight months or so, said Aubrey Driggers, the department’s Family Services Supervisor.
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Monthly payments vary by the age of the child. Foster parents receive $486 a month to care for a child age four or younger, $568 a month for kids eight to 12 and $721 a month for teenagers up to 18. There’s also an annual clothing allowance between $300 and $448, again depending on the child’s age.
Another motivation to recruit more local foster families is the Family First Prevention Services Act, which goes into effect next January 1. To discourage moving kids into group homes, it stipulates that the federal government will only cover the first two weeks of a group home placement. After that, the expense falls on the county where the boy or girl lived.
Currently, 18 Rappahannock children 18 or younger are in foster care, with one in a residential facility and three in group homes.
The remaining 14 are living with families or in a therapeutic foster home. Six are with families in Rappahannock, although five are living in relatives’ homes. Only one is now with a family to which he isn’t related.
To find out more about foster care training, contact Jennifer Parker at 540-675-4843 or Aubrey Driggers at 540-675-4845. You can also email Parker at [email protected].
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