OCO - It is important for foster parents and relative care providers to be a part of the team that plans for the foster children in their home.

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It is important for foster parents and relative care providers to be a part of the team that plans for the foster children in their home.

However, there may be times when foster parents or relative care providers have an opinion different from the agency regarding what is best for a particular foster child. As a result, foster parents or relative care providers may disagree with the case plan or the agency’s recommendations. While foster parents and relative care providers are encouraged to advocate for what they believe to be in the child’s best interest, it is important to understand that the agency is ultimately responsible for making the recommendations regarding the specific plan for the child.


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•	Talk directly to the child's foster care worker if you have a question or concern about the child's case plan or the agency's recommendations.
•	Be sure you have all of the case information to which you are entitled regarding your foster child's case.
•	Initiate and maintain contact with the child's Lawyer Guardian Ad Litem, the person appointed by the court to represent the child in abuse/neglect proceedings.
•	Attend each court hearing relevant to the foster child's case.
•	Provide a written statement to the worker and request that it be attached to the service plan.
•	Attend and participate in the Foster Care Review Board (FCRB) proceedings.
•	Exercise your right to appeal the decision to remove a foster child from your home.
•	Educate yourself about the policies that govern children's protective services, foster care, and adoption.