FOSTER PARENT NOTIFICATION OF HEARINGS AND OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD IN COURT

To: REGIONAL EXECUTIVE STAFF, CIRCUIT MANAGERS, AND CHILDREN’S DIVISION STAFF
From: PAULA NEESE, INTERIM DIRECTOR

Federal and state law has affirmed that foster and adoptive parents, including relative caregivers, have the right to receive notice of court hearings relating to the children in their care and the right to be heard at those hearings. Pursuant to Program Improvement Plan (PIP) Item 29.1, it is imperative that the foster/adoptive parent’s correct name/address is documented in court records by the Children’s Service Worker. Upon the notification of a court hearing, the Children’s Service Worker shall mail a notice of this hearing to the foster/adoptive parent. This notice should be mailed no later than (14) days prior to the hearing. Once the notice has been mailed, the Children’s Service Worker will follow-up with the foster, adoptive, relative parent reminding him/her of the hearing. The notice should be copied and placed in the legal section of the child’s case record along with documentation of the follow-up call in the narrative.

NECESSARY ACTIONS:

Review this memorandum with all Children’s Division staff.
Review revised Child Welfare manual chapters as indicated below.
All questions should be cleared through normal supervisory channels and directed to:

PDS CONTACT:

Veronica Stovall, PDS

573-522-5060

Veronica.E.Stovall@dss.mo.gov

PROGRAM MANAGER:

Kathryn Sapp

573-522-5062

Kathryn.Sapp@dss.mo.gov

CHILD WELFARE MANUAL REVISIONS:

Section 1, Chapter 1: Roles and Responsibilities of Children’s Division, Supervisor, Agency Administrator, and Children’s Service Worker;

Section 1, Chapter 3: Responsibilities of Placement Resources.

Section 6, Chapter 1: Attachment A: Foster Parent Job Description

FORMS AND INSTRUCTIONS:

N/A

REFERENCE DOCUMENTS and RESOURCES:

N/A

RELATED STATUTE:

Public Law 105-89

210.720

211.183

ADMINISTRATIVE RULE:

N/A

COUNCIL ON ACCREDITATION (COA) STANDARDS:

N/A

PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT PLAN (PIP): (Employee Access Only)

Item 29.1-Provides a process for foster parents, pre-adoptive parents, and relative caregivers of children in foster care to be notified of hearings and have an opportunity to be heard in, any review or hearing held with respect to the child.

P2.16.2-Increase parent, caregiver (alternative care provider) and child involvement in case assessment, plan development and reassessment.

SACWIS REQUIREMENTS:

N/A

PN/VES