[tands2007]

Hello fellow foster parents,

i am in a support group for foster parents and its my turn to teach a subject in a few weeks. i was given "confidentuality". i am making a flyer of "common mistakes foster parents make in regards to confidentuality". i'm seeking the input of other foster parents...stuff you've done/learned from, heard of, questioned...etc.

i already have an example dealing with social media (facebook/twitter, etc). i would LOVE to hear if you have any others i can use for discussion points and flyer...

THANK YOU!!

[TXHopeful1]

Foster families need to protect their own confidentiality too- permanency conference notes, etc should not have any of the foster parent's personal information - they won't so long as the Foster parents know not to supply it, and also give a friendly verbal reminder to the CWs that this is a concern of yours.

I declined to provide my address when I took my AD for DNA testing, but in retrospect could just as easily put the DSS office, care of the CW.

In most cases nothing would happen, but why take a chance?

[wcurry66]

We were entered J into when she came to us. Since she was foster to adopt and from another state, CW requested we fill in her paperwork.

School paper work asks if she had any health or mental issues that she be noted. I made the call to list FAS. It does impact her learning style. But, i did so knowing I was not protecting her confidentiality.

[ImpactingLives]

Assuming that another foster parent won't repeat something you said. Even if they just an off handed comment to the wrong person can get you in trouble.

Also, assuming anonymity on this or any other forum. I know several people on this forum IRL.

[eeettt]

My Foster son is Hep C positive. His bioMom is Hep C positive. I struggle with protecting the people who he interacts with him and keeping his privacy about the HepC.

For example I absolutely do not let anyone change him. But at the same time when someone has offered, I don't really want to say no because.....

My sister and MIL baby sit once in a while so I felt I had to tell them to protect them.

Also my nephew whos is 20 years old was visiting for Christmass, he was holding the baby and let the baby put his (my nephews finger in his mouth). I had to instruct hime to give me the baby and go wash his hands. I had to tell him why.

I know Hep C being transmited in this matter is very minute, but people who interact with him have a right to know.

This is what I struggle with. How do I balance it.

[hopefulandwatching]

It's amazing to me the number of people (visit supers, etc) who will tell me information about the parents in our FC case, when that is confidential information! We only have our first two fosters kids now...haven't even been fosters for a year, and I can't tell you the number of times I have heard the phrase "you didn't hear this from me" or "don't repeat this to anyone"...um...so, why are YOU repeating it to me???

I am new enough to all of this...I am looking forward to learning from peoples responses, myself! Any chance you could post a compilation of your flier points when you have it done?

[blueflower]

Originally Posted by TXHopeful1

I declined to provide my address when I took my AD for DNA testing, but in retrospect could just as easily put the DSS office, care of the CW.

In most cases nothing would happen, but why take a chance?

This is what I did this go around; I updated all the doctor's offices to the agency's contact info. I did put my phone number down, but my name is no where on the files.

[missypea]

One of the things that I struggle with is telling my support people too much about my FD's case. It's just so easy to do! And not even in a maligning way- just in a conversational-what-they're-up-against way. I guess I always want others to have a realistic picture of what's happening in the case so that they don't get too hopeful about adoption.

[skc515]

Be careful what you share with extended family members of the children, such as grandparents, aunts, etc that have contact with the children.

Unless they have a release signed, you technically can't talk to them about the kids. They can talk *to* the kids, but the rest is iffy.

It's usually not an issue, but we had a parent who's way to control everything was by using confidentiality as an excuse for EVERYTHING.

I personally struggle with having the need to "vent" to someone IRL, knowing that by venting I'm sharing details that I probably shouldn't have. I have only one person that really knows details.