Foster parents should be aware that all foster family agencies are notified of the availability of children at the same time. With rare exceptions, specific homes or agencies may be called, depending on their area of expertise.

The Central Placement Unity (the county), sends out notifications of children to all agencies. Agencies then consult internally to identify homes.

When the agency receives a referral regarding a child that we feel is appropriate for your home, agency will contact you and discuss the possible placement with you. Keep in mind that this may be during regular business hours, and in some cases, after hours.

Although the agency will do the very best to obtain as much information as possible about the child, if the child is new to the foster care system, the agency will have very little information available.  Also the agency may not know how long the child might be with you.  If the child has been in foster care, the agency will inform you of as much background information as is available. 

Please know that children are not in a warehouse or housed somewhere indefinitely, which means the agency cannot “hold” or wait. If you cannot accept the child, just let us know.

However, do not hesitate to say that you are not interested in considering a particular child.  Turning down a referral will not result in any negative consequences, and you will be considered for other children.

However, once you have agreed to accept a child, the resource parent may not reject or request immediate removal. Once the agency  (or the county worker) take a child to your home that you have consented to accept, you may NOT reject the child at your doorsteps. 

This is UNACCEPTABLE!All requests for transfers, changes in placement, or removals, must have a previous Child Family Team meeting (i.e. meeting of resource parents, agency family social worker, county social worker, child/youth) to discuss potential solutions to the concerns.

Requests for transfers, removals, or general changes in placement will only be considered in situations in which there is immediate danger or threat to the child or resource family.