Foster Care and Adoption Process in Ventura County

Foster care organizations each follow different practices. Therefore, foster parents receive different information and training dependent upon the authorizing entity. Due to the foster parents’ expectations and the reality of the HSA process, some foster parents become confused and disillusioned with foster care and adoption. (FA-10, FA-11, FA-12, FA-16, FA-17)

When foster parents decide to adopt a child in their care, they don’t always know the processes involved, e.g., a home study, which can take six to eight months to complete. (FA-07, FA-08, FA-09, FA-10, FA-11, FA-12, FA-13, FA-23)

Due to inadequate information on the adoption process, foster parents often have an expectation of being given priority when wanting to adopt the child in their care. (FA-06, FA-07, FA-09, FA-10, FA-11, FA-12) Foster Care and Adoption Process in Ventura County 5

Inadequate communications among the foster parents, HSA, the Court, and private and religious organizations can result in foster parents sometimes not knowing the child’s status, nor their own, in the adoption process. (FA-12, FA-13, FA-19, FA-20, FA-21)

Many nine-year-old children are not at the appropriate maturity level and therefore may not know what’s best for their welfare. A child’s input into adoption placement may be misleading. (FA-13) Recommendations

If a child has been in foster care for 15 of the most recent 22 months, “States are required to file a petition to terminate parental rights immediately and, concurrently to identify, recruit, process and approve a qualified adoptive family….” [Ref-01]

California’s fundamental law regarding foster care children requires family reunification. HSA’s top priority for foster care children is family reunification. [Ref-01, Ref-04]

Even if the home is unstable, 95% of children in foster care want to go back to their biological parent(s).

Next to reunification, adoption is a secondary or concurrent plan for foster care children. If the child cannot be returned to a biological parent and no other relative is available and can satisfy the adoption criteria, the foster Foster Care and Adoption Process in Ventura County 3 care parent has the option to move forward with adoption planning. [Ref-01, Ref-04]

Foster parents sponsored by private and religious organizations, e.g., Arrow Child & Family Ministries, often lack necessary information on the process to adopt a foster child. [Ref-01, Ref-04, Ref-05, Ref-10]

Some foster parents do not know HSA’s priorities on adoption. The foster parents’ goal is to “save a child.” HSA’s priority is the child’s welfare.

Some foster parents have an expectation of adopting a foster child in their care.

The Court allows foster children age nine and above (age established by County Counsel) input into adoption placement. The child often prefers a biological relative or a home with a similar cultural background. [Ref-13]

From January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2014, HSA finalized 253 adoptions. Of these, nonrelatives adopted 2 foster children; nonrelative foster parents adopted 124; and relatives adopted the remaining 127.

All foster care homes utilized by HSA must be licensed. The State’s Community Care Licensing Division grants HSA the right to issue foster care licenses. [Ref-14]

Steps to becoming a licensed foster parent through the County include 20 hours of preplacement training comprised of a 3-hour informational meeting and 17 hours of orientation and training. Private and religious organizations certify, not license, foster family homes. They do not have the same training requirements. [Ref-02, Ref-11, Ref-15]

Additional foster care requirements include, but are not limited to:  Background check  Criminal clearance  Livescan fingerprinting  Home fire, health, and safety inspections  CPR/First Aid certification [Ref-12]

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 changed the background check process for all prospective foster families beginning January 1, 2008. It stated the following:  “A completed FBI criminal history check is now required prior to licensure or certification.”  “Any prospective foster parent or other adult in the home who has lived in another state in the past five years must have a completed out-of- state child abuse/neglect check prior to licensure, certification or approval.” [Ref-16] 4 Foster Care and Adoption Process in Ventura County

HSA’s Children and Family Services Division interfaces with many organizations, including Casa Pacifica, CASA, the Court, and private and religious foster care agencies. These entities work in conjunction with the assigned County social worker, who must see the foster child at least every 30 days. [Ref-07]

Sometimes there is a lack of communication between foster parents and supporting parties, e.g., private organizations and the Court.

The role of the CASA is to advocate for the foster child and communicate with the assigned County social worker. “A CASA provides the court with carefully gathered information about how the child is doing while they are part of the dependency court system.” They also “offer children trust and advocacy during the complex legal proceedings. CASAs contact the child on a regular basis to observe and gather information about the child's well being. They encourage the child to express his or her own opinion and hopes while remaining objective observers. They explain to the child the events that are happening, the reasons they are court dependent, and the roles the judge, lawyers and social workers play.” The CASA does not have the privilege of access to the County foster care case records. The focus is placed on the child’s needs—not family dynamics or problem solving. [Ref-17]

It was reported that adoption of a foster care child by a County social worker or CASA is a conflict of interest.

HSA must complete a required home study prior to the foster parent adopting the child. The State-mandated HSA home study consists of interviews and completion of paperwork dealing with issues such as finances, health, employment, family of origin, and parenting. Documentation such as marriage certificates, divorce documents, military discharge, and child support information will be requested. The study takes six to eight months to complete. [Ref-18] Findings