Abuse, neglect and placement in foster care can cause a child to have adjustment problems in various areas of his/her life. Some examples of adjustment are:

• getting along in the foster family;
• fitting in at school;
• acting inappropriately for his age; and
• getting along with family and friends.

Counseling can help a child get through adjustment problems more quickly. Counselors can provide a foster family with specific strategies to help the child work through his feelings and personal problems. Professional counselors or therapists can also separate adjustment problems from problems caused by severe emotional disturbance.

To Request Counseling
Call the child’s caseworker. Private agencies are responsible for providing counseling and therapy for children and their parents. Counseling services for children placed with foster families through private agencies are either provided through subcontracts with outside community agencies, or by the private agency’s own treatment staff. Counseling services for children in DCFS-supervised foster homes are provided through contracts with community agencies.

If Your Request for Counseling Services is Denied
Caregivers who disagree with the child’s caseworker and supervisor about the child’s need for counseling or mental health assessment should continue up the agency’s chain of command until you reach the administration. A caregiver may also file a service appeal through the DCFS appeal system. (See Section 8, pages 26-29)