The way the Children’s Service Worker responds to individuals who inquire about becoming foster parents or adoptive parents is critical to the process of developing and supporting foster parents and adoptive parents as essential resources. It can set the tone, both attitudinally and behaviorally, for future contacts.

Many prospective foster parents and adoptive parents have given considerable thought to making this first call. Typically, it is not a spontaneous decision precipitated by viewing a recruitment poster or reading a newspaper story. Research indicates that individuals interested in fostering have thought about it for months and, sometimes, years. Individuals calling about adoption may have spent years of emotional and financial investment dealing with infertility issues.

The Children’s Service Worker who accepts the inquiry from a prospective foster family or adoptive family should do the following:

1. Introduce self by name and title;
2. Respond to the caller’s stated interest;
3. Educate the caller about the program;
4. Use the inquiry worksheet to give and get information;
5. Assess the caller’s knowledge of fostering and adopting to determine the information they and the Division need at this point in the licensing/certification process;
6. Give information about the fostering or adoption program, addressing the questions/concerns raised by the caller including:
   • Goals and challenges of the family foster care and adoption programs;
   • Importance of foster parents and adoptive parents;
   • Description of children needing foster families and adoptive families;
   • Specific requirements for fostering or adopting;
   • Competencies for fostering or adopting;
   • Importance of participating in the resource family’s development process; and
   • Steps in the licensing/certification process.
7. Conclude inquiry call, clarifying next steps;
8. Mail to caller a Foster/Adopt Home Assessment Application, CS-42; and
9. Schedule an at-home consultation meeting within ten days of the inquiry.

NOTE: Indicate a follow-up contact with callers who choose not to receive an information packet or schedule an at-home family consultation meeting at this time, but who appear to have the ability to foster or adopt.

Chapter Memoranda History: (prior to 01-31-07)

CD04-79

Memoranda History:

CD07-15, CD07-48, CD07-54, CD08-55, CD09-88, CD-105, CD09-110, CD12-84, CD12-85, CD14-09, CD15-75, CD16-65