Limitations on normalcy for children in medical foster care. Guardian ad Litem Perspective: Five themes were most frequently Volunteers’ voiced by the 150 GAL volunteers who responded to this question. Most of these issues were raised by volunteers working with children living in group homes: Insufficient transportation available. * Insufficient funding to support the participation in activities.* children’s Availability of group home staff to make decisions. A behavioral problems may limit his or her participation in normal activities child’s to a greater extent than other children. Resistance of caregiver or foster parent to the participation in normal child’s activities. Resistance of biological parent to the participation in family vacations. child’s *Note: Most frequently cited concerns DCF Regional Perspective: The Directors addressed some of the Directors’ operational challenges being encountered by group home providers. Among these are: Establishing policies and procedures associated for the use of and accessibility to social media. Clarifying standards as related to out-of-county travel, out-of-state travel “normalcy” and background screening of respite providers and babysitters. Facilitating the process by which a teen is able to secure driver education, a driver’s license, and automobile insurance. Securing the necessary signatures and documents (i.e., birth certificates and social security cards) from case management organizations to enable a participation child’s in normal activities. Resolving conflicting views about normalcy between the group home provider and the dependency case manager. Ensuring that staff members fully understand the mandates of the law through ongoing training.
Limitations on normalcy for children in medical foster care. Guardian ad Litem Volunteers’ Perspective: Five themes were most frequently voiced by the 150 GAL volunteers who responded to this question. Most of these issues were raised by volunteers working with children living in group homes: Insufficient transportation available. * Insufficient funding to support the children’s participation in activities.* Availability of group home staff to make decisions. A child’s behavioral problems may limit his or her participation in normal activities to a greater extent than other children. Resistance of caregiver or foster parent to the child’s participation in normal activities. Resistance of biological parent to the child’s participation in family vacations. *Note: Most frequently cited concerns DCF Regional Directors’ Perspective: The Directors addressed some of the operational challenges being encountered by group home providers. Among these are: Establishing policies and procedures associated for the use of and accessibility to social media. Clarifying “normalcy” standards as related to out-of-county travel, out-of-state travel and background screening of respite providers and babysitters. Facilitating the process by which a teen is able to secure driver education, a driver’s license, and automobile insurance. Securing the necessary signatures and documents (i.e., birth certificates and social security cards) from case management organizations to enable a child’s participation in normal activities. Resolving conflicting views about normalcy between the group home provider and the dependency case manager. Ensuring that staff members fully understand the mandates of the law through ongoing training.