|
Dear NFM,
Since you've already suffered the slings and arrows of an 'over the top' shot...keep going.
1. Request an emergency meeting with the worker, the worker's supervisor, and the agency director. All three must be present.
Don't accept anything less. director should be willing to meet with foster parents. It's possible agency has a FP grievance policy with steps you must follow prior to that. Get a copy in writing and get busy.
Whether meeting is with 1st group above or another group, try to get worker, wker's super, and as high a level administrator as you can. If not, just keep going up the grievance 'ladder.'
Your goal is a new social worker, either literally or figuratively. Bring the child to the meeting. Bring a short, written, 3 sentence description of the problem, a short written 3 sentence history of how the child came into your home, and a short written 3 sentence description of the child's relationship with your family and what you have done for the child.
Then your verbal message: good foster parents, good relationship, this worker is probably a good worker with more work than she can handle. Not able to get back to us. We want what is best for these children. We want to work successfully with this worker/super so that the foster children in our home get what they need and we can provide a good home to (nephew) also if possible.
If current worker isn't able to do that, we'd like a new worker who can commicate/support us in a timely manner.
Go into meeting asking for worker to treat you/your foster children as if she was willing/able to meet all your needs. Bring a list...friendly, timely, caring, cooperative, communicative, professional, supportive, meets kids needs without undue delays, etc. etc.
If I can't have this, I want a new worker. My foster kid deserves nothing less than what I'm asking for...and what I'm asking for is reasonable...all I'm asking for is what your agency is supposed to be doing for me anyway.
Get a copy of agency's current written publicity flyer where they identify mission statement, how much they care about kids, how well and how popsitively they work with FPs, etc. Point it out to them....'this is what I want.'
2) call your state's licensing department (agency's get licensed, too, or at least to meet professional practice standards. You may have to call your state's 'central office).' Ask if any agency licensing rules prohibit worker from doing what (she's?) doing. Rules that apply to agencyorganization, administration, competency of staff should all apply.
All state's licensing standards for child welfare agencies require minimally acceptable staff behavior/professionalism and caring about children.
Chances are, your worker isn't allowed to do what you have described.
Don't file a licensing complaint yet, but have this as an arrow in your quiver when you have your agency meeting(s). 'Your worker/agency is not allowed to do this (point/read).
If you don't guarantee me the quality service guaranteed by your state (legislator), I'm going to file a licensing complaint. I don't want to do this, but I sill if I have to. I want to be cooperative with your agency, but I must first fight for my foster child.
3) call Gov's office. Get to Omsbudsman. If none, talk to the gov's secretary. Explain your problem. Can you help me?
4) do the same with your stte senator and representative.
5) go to the most local newspaper who has written stories on fp's. Offer to be interviewed for an article on what it takes to be a good foster parent and the need for more of them just like you. Spotlight your relationship with your foster child. Don't mention your problems with the agency. Try to do this before 1-4 if you can.
This will shine the light on you and make it harder for the agency to be vindictive, controlling, retaliatory, etc.
Be sure 1st, to tell all your children that you care about all of them and are going to fight for what is best for them, and no matter what happens, you love them, and care about them, and will always fight for them and what is right.
Good luck.
Find me at Im4kids.com
chris
|