Foster Parent's Bill of Rights

The following legislation was enacted by the Tennessee General Assembly in 1997: An Act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, Chapter 2, Part 4, relative to foster care and to enact the "Foster Parent Rights Act."

(a) To the extent not otherwise prohibited by state or federal statute, the department shall, through promulgation of rules in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, implement each of the following tenets. With respect to the placement of any foster child with a foster parent, which is contracted directly with the department of children's services, pursuant to this part:

(1) The department shall treat the foster parent(s) with dignity, respect, trust and consideration as a primary provider of foster care and a member of the professional team caring for foster children;

(2) The department shall provide the foster parent(s) with a clear explanation and understanding of the role of the department and the role of the members of the child's birth family in a child's foster care;

(3) The foster parent(s) shall be permitted to continue their own family values and routines;

(4) The foster parent(s) shall be provided training and support for the purpose of improving skills in providing daily care and meeting the special needs of the child in foster care;

(5) Prior to the placement of a child in foster care, the department shall inform the foster parent(s) of issues relative to the child that may jeopardize the health and safety of the foster family or alter the manner in which foster care should be administered;

(6) The department shall provide a means by which the foster parent(s) can contact the department twenty-four (24) hours a day, seven (7) days a week for the purpose of receiving departmental assistance;

(7) The department shall provide the foster parent(s) timely, adequate financial reimbursement for the quality and knowledgeable care of a child in foster care, as specified in the plan; provided, that the amount of such financial reimbursement shall, each year, be subject to and restricted by the level of funding specifically allocated for such purpose by the provisions of the general appropriations act;

(8) The department shall provide clear, written explanation of the plan concerning the placement of a child in the foster parent's home. For emergency placements where time does not allow prior preparation of such explanation, the department shall provide such explanation as it becomes available. This explanation shall include, but is not limited to, all information regarding the child's contact with such child's birth family and cultural heritage, if so outlined;

(9) Prior to placement, the department shall allow the foster parent(s) to review written information concerning the child and allow the foster parent(s) to assist in determining if such child would be a proper placement for the prospective foster family. For emergency placements where time does not allow prior review of such information, the department shall provide information as it becomes available;

(10) The department shall permit the foster parent(s) to refuse placement within their home, or to request, upon reasonable notice to the department, the removal of a child from their home for good reason, without threat of reprisal, unless otherwise stipulated by contract or policy;

(11) The department shall inform the foster parent(s) of scheduled meetings and staffing, concerning the foster child, and the foster parent(s) shall be permitted to actively participate in the case planning and decision-making process regarding the child in foster care. This may include individual service planning meetings, foster care reviews, and individual educational planning meetings;

(12) The department shall inform a foster parent(s) of decisions made by the courts or the child welfare agency concerning the child;

(13) The department shall solicit the input of a foster parent(s) concerning the plan of services for the child; this input shall be considered in the department's ongoing development of the plan;

(14) The department shall permit, through written consent, the ability of the foster parent(s) to communicate with professionals who work with the foster child, including any therapists, physicians and teachers that work directly with the child;

(15) The department shall provide all information regarding the child and the child's family background and health history, in a timely manner to the foster parent(s) The foster parent(s) shall receive additional or necessary information, that is relevant to the care of the child, on an ongoing basis; provided that confidential information received by the foster parents shall be maintained as such by the foster parents, except as necessary to promote or protect the health and welfare of the child;

(16) The department shall provide timely, written notification of changes in the case plan or termination of the placement and the reasons for the changes or termination of placement to the foster parent(s), except in the instances of immediate response for child protective services;

(17) The department shall notify the foster parent(s), in a complete manner, of all court hearings. This notification may include, but is not limited to, notice of the date and time of the court hearing, the name of the judge or hearing officer hearing the case, the location of the hearing, and the court docket number of the case. Such notification shall be made upon the department's receiving of this information, or at the same time that notification is issued to birth parents. The foster parent(s) shall be permitted to attend such hearings at the discretion of the court;

(18) The department shall provide, upon request by the foster parent(s), information regarding the child's progress after a child leaves foster care. Information provided pursuant to this subsection shall only be provided from information already in possession of the department at the time of the request;

(19) The department shall provide the foster parent(s) the training for obtaining support and information concerning a better understanding of the rights and responsibilities of the foster parent(s);

(20) The department shall consider the foster parent(s) as the possible first choice permanent parents for the child, who after being in the foster parent's home for twelve (12) months, becomes free for adoption or permanent foster care;

(21) The department shall consider the former foster family as a placement option when a foster child who was formerly placed with the foster parent(s) is to be re-entered into foster care;

(22) The department shall permit the foster parent(s) a period of respite, free from placement of foster children in the family's home with follow-up contacts by the agency occurring a minimum of every two (2) months. The foster parent(s) shall provide reasonable notice, to be determined in the promulgation of rules, to the department for respite;

(23) (Effective February 1, 1998) Child abuse/neglect investigations involving the foster parent(s) shall be investigated pursuant to the department's child protective services policy and procedures. A child protective services case manager from another area shall be assigned investigative responsibility. Removal of a foster child will be conducted pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated and departmental policy and procedures. The department shall permit an individual selected by the membership of the Tennessee Foster Care Association to be educated concerning the procedures relevant to investigations of alleged abuse and neglect by the department and the rights of the accused foster parent(s). Upon receiving such training, such individual shall be permitted to serve as advocate for the accused foster parent(s). Such advocate shall be permitted to be present at all portions of investigations where the accused foster parent(s) are present; and all communication received by such advocate therein shall be strictly confidential. Nothing contained within this item shall be construed to abrogate the provisions of chapter 1 of this title, regarding procedures for investigations of child abuse and neglect and child sexual abuse by the department of children's services and law enforcement agencies;

(24) Upon request, the department shall provide the foster parent(s) copies of all information relative to their family and services contained in the personal foster home record;

(25) The department shall advise the foster parent(s) of mediation efforts through publication in departmental policy manuals and the Foster Parent Handbook. The foster parent(s) may file for mediation efforts in response to any violations of the preceding tenets.

(b) In promulgation of rules pursuant to subsection (a), the department shall provide forty-five (45) days written notification of public hearings, held pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in Title 4, chapter 5, to the president of the Tennessee Foster Care Association and the president's designee. (Acts 1997, Ch. 549, &&2,3.)

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURES

(1) Complaints and Mediation

(A)Any foster parent who determines that the Department is in violation of the Foster Parents' Bill of Rights or otherwise has a complaint should first discuss their concerns with the Case Manager assigned to the foster home and attempt to work out an agreement. This step may involve showing the foster parent the written policy and procedures relative to approval of a foster home or ongoing casework activities. The Case Manager must respond to the foster parent's complaint within three working days.

(B)If the Case Manager and the foster parent cannot reach an understanding, then the foster parent shall notify the Team Leader and request assistance from the Team Leader in mediating the conflict between the Case Manager and the foster parent. The Team Leader must respond to the foster parent's complaint and request for assistance within five working days.

(2) Grievances

(A) If the Case Manager and the Team Leader cannot make corrections or adjustments, the foster parent shall notify the Team Coordinator in writing of their concerns and request an appointment with the Team Coordinator. A scheduled meeting between all parties with the Team Coordinator must take place within 7 working days of the receipt of the foster parent complaint. The results of this meeting shall be documented in writing within 2 working days of the meeting; responsibility for the documentation is with the Case Manager with approval of the Team Leader. The Team Coordinator must then make a recommendation in writing for corrective action (or no action). Copies of the Team Coordinator's decision must be forwarded to all participants.

(3) Appeals

(A)Within 7 working days of the grievance hearing, the foster parents may elect to file an appeal with the Regional Administrator of the Department of Children's Services. Upon receipt of an appeal, The Regional Administrator reviews all the information, and either accepts the recommendation of the Team Coordinator, or, at their discretion, may schedule an additional interview with the foster parent(s), DCS staff, or other relevant parties. Copies of the Regional Administrator's approval or modification of the Team Coordinator's recommendation must be forwarded to all participants.