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| Children's Foster Care Placement Types and Placement Criteria |
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When a member of the community reports possible abuse, neglect or abandonment of a child by the parent, legal guardian or any other person responsible for the child's health or welfare, Children's Protective Services (CPS), a program within DHS, investigates the situation to determine if it is safe for the child to remain in the home (see Children's Protective Services). If after assessment CPS determines the child is unsafe DHS may petition the family court to intervene. At that time, the court may issue an order to remove the child from the home and place the child into foster care (a court ordered placement).
A voluntary placement is a service for families only when the parent(s) is temporarily unable to care for the child(ren) for reasons beyond their control. Some acceptable reasons are incarceration or hospitalization of the parent when no one else can provide care for the child. Voluntary placements are usually for three weeks or less, however, extensions can be given.
Children in foster care may live with relatives, a licensed foster family, or a family who plans to adopt. Foster care, at times, can also include emergency shelter homes, child care institutions or residential care.
Placement decisions for each child are based on an evaluation of the following criteria:
- The goal of permanence for the child.
- The child's safety, physical and emotional needs.
- Placement with relative (extended family or kin).
- Proximity to the child's family.
- Placement with siblings.
- The child's and the family religious preference.
- The least restrictive setting which will meet the child's needs.
- The continuity of relationships with friends, teachers, etc.
- The availability of placement resources for the purpose of timely placements.
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