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| Database should audit high $$ in Foster Care system
On 12 Jul 2003 16:46:25 GMT, (Fern5827) demonstrated
Toadstool ignorance once again: The recent debacle in NYC regarding ACS and its monitoring (or non-monitoring) of *high risk- special needs* children within the Foster Care system should alert the auditors to target and carefully monitor those who reap over 6 figures from the Foster Care (read taxpayer's) system. Do you seriously think that foster care subsidy payments are NOT kept in a database for review? What a maroon...r r r r FWD asfp: Subject: Database to audit high earners in FC system From: (Fern5827) Date: 7/11/2003 2:44 PM Eastern Daylight Time Message-id: Most of the abuses exposed by the high-profile foster deaths, points out the need for the CPS systems to audit most thoroughly those who earn high salaries in caring for *special needs* children, All children in foster care are by definition "special needs." Get your terms correct. In many states the population you are referring to are designated, "special rates," meaning they have extraordinary needs for supervision and attendance over and above what most foster children require. Usually "special rates" are connected to medical needs though some firesetters, or children with severe deviant behaviors that would endanger themselves or others can qualify...rare though. Usually the foster parent just has to take on the load of these latter kids without extra compensation...though it costs the fp in time and monies to care for them. Many times the extreme health needs of the child would require hospitalization were it not for trained professionals (often retired pediatric or other nurses) who do indeed get paid for their professional expertise...at a considerable saving over hospitaliazation rates.. Take a peek at the state of Texas rates: http://tinyurl.com/gqvp At first glance it appears to support the contention that big money can be made off foster children. With a bit of digging though, and you might has your fellow Mushroom, Doug, you find out what it really means. Ask Doug what a Level 4 child is. Most mental health treatment facilities SCREEN OUT level 4 kids. They can't handle them except in the most extreme lockup situations. And that is very very expensive indeedy. Here's another state's entire listing of various daily rates and reimbursements for fp care and other items: http://cfc.state.ky.us/pandp_process...e_per_diem.htm None of them are excessive in today's economy. And they reflect real needs being met by real people that have to pay their own way in life...unlike you, apparently. Say, why don't you take up doing something with your worthless life and volunteer? The URL below will give you the table of special rates for the state of Oregon. Notice the HUGE amounts of money over and above the standard foster subsidy. I'm sure those Oregon fp's are getting inordinately wealthy .... r r r r http://tinyurl.com/gqsa Hourly Rate for Supervision $4.61 Transportation Cost - Per Mile $ .34½ Laundry - Per Additional Load $1.00 Relief Care - Hourly Rate $4.61 (fp must foot the bill for any more than that) Program Educational Expenses Direct Cost Incurred (reimburse $ for $ only) Diet Cost Direct Cost Incurred (reimburse $ for $ only) And from a similar state page these are some of the criteria that could, but do not necessarily, fall under special rates. Each has to be proven to an evaluator (usually an experienced pediatric RN) for merit any rates over the standard subsidy: http://tinyurl.com/gqta ................... (2) Family foster care may be used for a child who is unable to fit into regular family living, but can benefit from family life that has been adapted to the child's needs. Placement of such a child in family foster care is dependent upon locating foster parents who have the skill and stamina to care for the child. Children placed in foster care with the following behaviors or attitudes shall have a written care plan, or clear guidelines of care, provided to foster parents. Such children include, but are not limited to: (a) A child with severe health impairments or developmental disabilities requiring specialized medical and physical care who can benefit from family life; (b) Children with diagnosed impairments who can receive day or outpatient treatment; (c) Youth with emotional/behavioral problems who need care following residential treatment and are able to live in the community with special help; (d) A teen mother who requires both parental guidance for herself and assistance with learning to parent her child; (e) Delinquent children in the custody of SOSCF who can benefit from close family supervision; (f) A child whose emotional/behavioral problems are so disturbing that they require extraordinary support, so that a family or community is unable to cope with the behavior; (g) A child or adolescent who cannot accept parental care and guidance; (h) A child who requires a regulated environment integrated with social treatment services and training. And just for fun, and for those that value, unlike you, accurate information I thought I'd include this list of requirements to be a foster parent: http://tinyurl.com/gqx7 These are the Texas requirements. Basic Requirements for Foster/Adoptive Families: The prospective foster/adoptive parents may be single or married and must be at least 21 years of age, financially stable, and responsible, mature adults; complete an application (staff assistance is available); share information regarding their background and lifestyle; provide relative and non-relative references; show proof of marriage and/or divorce; agree to a home study which includes visits with all household members; allow staff to complete a criminal history background check and an abuse/neglect check on all household members 14 years of age and older; and attend free training to learn about issues of abused and neglected children. This training provides an opportunity for the family and PRS to assess whether foster care or adoption is best for the family. The family may withdraw from the meetings at any time. Foster/adoptive parents generally train together. Some Additional Foster Care Requirements: In addition to the basic requirements, foster parents must have adequate sleeping space; not provide foster care or day care for more than six children in your home; agree to a non-physical discipline policy; permit fire, health and safety inspections of the home; vaccinate all pets; obtain and maintain CPR/First Aid Certification; obtain TB testing as required by the local health department for household members; and attend 20 hours or more of training each year. Responsibilities of Foster Parents: provide daily care and nurturing of children in foster care. advocate for children in their schools and communities. inform the childrens caseworkers about adjustments to the home, school and community, as well as any problems that may arise, including any serious illness, accidents or serious occurrences involving the foster children or their own families. make efforts as team members with the childrens caseworkers towards reunifying children with their birth families. provide a positive role model to birth families. help children learn life skills. Foster Care Reimbursements: The monthly reimbursement is provided to foster families for child-care-related costs, such as food, clothing, recreation, transportation and housing. In extraordinary circumstances, special rates may be reimbursed to foster families that care for children with exceptional needs. See, Rugosa, it's easy. Even you could do it. r r r r and who are NOT being visited, checked up on, or examined every month as CPS promises. Why just audit fp's where CPS isn't visiting? By the way, in honoring my commitment to Cultivate you and Mulch and Fertilize you regularly, in the way of education and facts to replace your abysmal ignorance, I'll add this bit of info: CPS is NOT obligated to visit EVERY child in every state once a month. Children in long term care, often called "permanent foster placement", guardianship settings (the state is still the legal custodian), children in treatment centers, and children in relative placement (in some states), have a limit of every 90 days. If you are going to consider yourself a real reformer you'd best start getting serious, after all these years, in educating yourself. Remember not ONE STATE has passed the AUDIT of CPS states, mandated by the Federal Goverenment. And that would tell a reasonable person, not a Plant, that something is a bit amiss here. Could it be that the requirements of ASFA were not defined BEFORE the fact, but are only now being determined by the Feds as to what is and isn't reasonable? I've read, and did back in 1997, the ASFA requirements. They were, with the funding levels involved, obviously goals not attainable. States were hijacked into agreeing because of the STATE TAX PAYER'S MONIES being offered back to the states. Typical fed solutions....just like good old Doug wants more of. Why isn't this being done? Too many friends of friends holding these sinecures? It is common knowledge that employees and foster volunteers recruit heavily among people they know....apparently it's just a bit difficult to find folks willing to do what must be done to help these badly damaged children. Hence, yes, they are friends. Personally I tend to seek out friends that are doing good work. As for "sinecures" si·ne·cure ( P ) Pronunciation Key (sn-kyr, sn-) n. A position or office that requires little or no work but provides a salary. Archaic. An ecclesiastical benefice not attached to the spiritual duties of a parish. So tell us, have you ever fostered? If so tell us how very easy it was. I'm sure current fp's would love to know your secret. Would be reformers like you wouldn't lift a hand or spend a dime of their own to actually help a child. You just get off on dancing in their blood. Best, Kane |
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Database should audit high $$ in Foster Care system
"Kane" writes:
All children in foster care are by definition "special needs." Get your terms correct. Hi, Kane! Absolutely not. Many children in foster care do not qualify for the specific determination of "special needs." "Special needs" is a specific term defined by federal childwelfare statutes, state law, and agency protocols across all fifty states. The term has very specific meaning and is intertwined throughout child welfare practice. "Special needs" is a term so central to child welfare practice it is virtually inconceivable that someone with even superficial contact with the system would not be aware of it. In fact, the primary reason for the terminlogy is to make distinctions among individuals within the foster care system, many foster kids are not special needs at all. In many states the population you are referring to are designated, "special rates," meaning they have extraordinary needs for supervision and attendance over and above what most foster children require. I have never heard of the term, "special rates." However, the population that the writer refers to would be designated by the federally defined, specific term, "special needs." It is crucial in our discussions about child welfare that we attempt to use terminlogy correctly. Otherwise, readers can be severely mislead. Could it be that, in your enthusiasm to derate another member of this newsgroup with a lecture on terminlogy that you juxaposed the terminlogy yourself. Could you really mean, "special needs" rather than "special rates."? In the case of this particular term, readers seeking to adopt would be seriously mislead by your misinformation, Kane. "Special needs" is a criteria used to determine adoption subsidies. Usually "special rates" are connected to medical needs though some firesetters, or children with severe deviant behaviors that would endanger themselves or others can qualify...rare though. Usually the foster parent just has to take on the load of these latter kids without extra compensation...though it costs the fp in time and monies to care for them. Again, I have never heard of the term "special rates." However, the state does receive additional funding for "special needs" kids in foster care. That increase in funding is not, of course, passed on to foster caregivers. States go through considerable effort to try to qualify kids taken into state custody as "special needs" kids precisely because they want the additional funding. In a mental illness diagnosis was attributed to the "firesetting" in your narrative above, it could be a criteria to determining the child to be "special NEEDS." Behaviors is not the focal point -- mental illness, physical disabilities, members of sibling groups, and racial factors are. This is what the writer to whom you respond was trying to tell you. The federal statutory definations and criteria for "special needs" children can be found in the Social Security Act - sections 473(a) and (c) and more definitively at 45 CFR 1356.40-41. (You do know how to access the Registry, right?) See also 45 CFR 233.50 for newest revisions to defining "special needs" foster children and corresponding impact on RATES paid for foster care based upon this determination. As you can see, "special needs" is a very specific, legally defined term used to categorize individuals within the foster care population and directly applicable to determining adoption subidies for foster children. The contributor to which you reply, Kane, was using the terminlogy correctly. Generally, the conditions necessary for a child to be declared "special needs" are that he or she (in Connecticut): --have a physical, intellectual or emotional handicap --is over the age of eight --is a member of a sibling group that needs to be placed together --has racial or ethnic factors which are a barrier to adoption We can take a look at how the specific term, "special needs," applies to readers seeking to adopt in Maryland: The foster child must meet the "special needs" requirement, which in Maryland, is defined as any one of the following: Age six or older after November 1984 or 2 years old prior to November 1984; A Member of a minority race; A Member of a sibling group; Physically or mentally handicapped or emotionally disturbed; Child with a high risk of physical or mental disease. As of June 1999, 8,072 children were eligible and reimbursable for Title IV-E foster care and subsidized adoption. This represents 60.5% of the total active foster care population in Maryland. In Maryland and Connecticut, like all other states, "special needs" is defined by state statutory language that meets federally mandated wording. The wording is usually almost identical to federal criteria, except for age of child, where the states vary. To find out more about the specific criteria of "special needs," you may wish to check the child welfare practice manual published by USDHHS, ACF. Or you can simply do a search on google of "special needs and foster care." Many times the extreme health needs of the child would require hospitalization were it not for trained professionals (often retired pediatric or other nurses) who do indeed get paid for their professional expertise...at a considerable saving over hospitaliazation rates.. In some states, these folks are called "career foster providers." In most states, they are trained at level III. In all states that I am aware, candidates for level III care do not have to be retired or active nurses or trained professionals. They generally do have to be qualified at level I and II prior to applying, however. And, yes, they make considerably more money that foster caregivers at the other levels. If an agency is placing children who should be hospitialized with level III foster caregivers, they are doing the child a tremendous disservice. Such a placement would make the agency directly liable for malpractice. Kane, I would urge you to inform yourself of current child welfare law and policy. |
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