Goliath comes in many forms~
It is time to stop the devastation to innocent families which is occurring daily across the country.
My Family Rights Affiliation

Disclaimer

Friday, July 22, 2011

Protecting Children and Strengthening Families> A Good Mix??




If you look at the Logo Below, Note the two phrases
  1. PROTECTING CHILDREN
  2. STRENGTHENING FAMILIES


For those Families in US, was this a Good Decision to have ONE Agencies handle these concerns???
May you find Strength in Your Higher Power,
Granpa Chuck
Keeper of the web files for http://nfpcar.org

The Importance of Heritage: Just a few Thoughts to Consider for Our Families

 Don't let the title fool you. Yes, NFPCAR, was created in 2001 by Foster Parents Falsely Accused. 
However, over a decade of Sharing, Caring, and Guidance, we have become an Organization recognizing that All Families are in this together. Our children are Our Future.
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 Foster Families Examiner
Part 1 of 5
 The Importance of Heritage
"We are going to do something a little different in this series. We never discuss personal experiences, but sometimes examining a word is better emphasized by seeing the meaning through another’s eyes, through someone experience, we will tell you about that experience a little later on. " ....Read More
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Marilyn, the National Administrator for Foster Parents Legal Solutions, business for 12 years, and National Director for NFPCAR one of the most successful support groups on the internet on behalf of Foster/adoptive/and biological parents. Her outstanding articles published in Fostering Families Today magazine, the author of Standing in the Shadow of Law. She offers an unequaled educational facilitation in the field of Administrative Law, Pro Se, handling your own case, or assistance to your attorney. She has assisted thousands of foster parents facing an epidemic of allegations across our Nation. She is not an attorney, but an advocate.
Also Check Out It is called Educational resources guide. There are several different articles listed that will probably answer most of the questions. Answers are far and in between. http://www.examiner.com/foster-families-in-national/foster-parents-educational-resource-guide . For future reference will be archiving these comments http://nfpcar.org/Archive/Phoenix/

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May you find Strength in Your Higher Power,
Keeper of the web files for http://nfpcar.org

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th & Spreading the Word for Our Families

Happy Fourth to All Families!!!
Eventhough, Our Oganization (NFPCAR) is jut a dot in this big, big world, would like to leave, those who read this post, of some of the efforts many of us are doing... We, All Families, are in this movement together... And indeed not asking us to join hands, but at least go in the same direction.


So FYI, here are just a few thoughts for your consideration:


It may seem like we are not making progress for Our Families, but one must remember the Pendulum of Injustices has been a process over many years.. Like I have put on my Family Reform Blog: (Link: http://familyreform.blogspot.com/  )

Goliath comes in many forms~
It is time to stop the devastation to innocent families which is occurring daily across the country.

And then I borrowed your statement for my Defend Yourself Blog (Link: http://defend-yourself-go-pro-se.blogspot.com/  )
"Do you know your rights? If not, you have none." Marilyn Harrison, National Director, NFPCAR

Plus, add another important blog.. ie examiner.com that has created some very informative issues: (Link: http://www.examiner.com/foster-families-in-national/marilyn-harrison ) The latest of the "Did You Know" series on Allegations >> Here is Part 6>> http://www.examiner.com/foster-families-in-national/foster-parents-did-you-know-allegations-part-6-6

And let's not forget to reach those on FB,
NFPCAR>> https://www.facebook.com/pages/National-Foster-Parent-Coalition-for-Allegation-Reform-NFPCAR/129897873702083
FPLS>> https://www.facebook.com/pages/Foster-Parents-Legal-Solutions-FPLS/135399203137366

All the above, Plus Training from FPLS is summarized on this page: Our Affiliation>> http://nfpcar.org/FPA/emails/Current.htm

We ask that all of you, whether on the Discussion Group and/or on a one to one basis to Guide others, who may have concerns. Simply put, "We must become Advocates for Ourselves to Protect our Precious Family"

So much for this ol' guys rambling. But since this post is on one of the most important holidays for our nation, Do have a fruitful 4th of July.. And remember this day is in remembrance of our nation's Independence.. And part of that independence is the Protection of Our Families.

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May you find Strength in Your Higher Power,
 GranPa Chuck
    Defend Yourself>>

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Research on Retaining Foster Families

Below are resources and information about factors that influence foster parents to continue or end their services, and strategies to help retain them.

As stated in the first document, perhaps the most important reasons for Foster Care Givers leaving are:
   >>lack of agency support
   >>poor communication with caseworkers
   >>lack of say in foster children's future
   >>difficulties with foster children's behavior

Needless to say, the role of Foster Families is just one piece of the puzzle for the care of Our Children. 

Myself and many others have stated that "Until those closest to the children..ie Natural Parents, Foster Care Givers, etc are heard, there will be no Reform."

Throughout the last decade, many of us have shared our stories and so many times we have found that the only "Bad Child" was the Agency itself.. Please note the original intent of establishing the agency was for these two primary reasons:
  >>Protecting Children
  >>Strengthening Families
The above phrases can be found in the heading from which the information below is listed.
One can only ask "Have these phrases been a conflict for one agency to administer? After all, for most cases, in the Care of Our Children it equates to Foster Care VS Family Preservation.

So do read some of the studies below.. And yes we are all responsible for our actions. But, each and everyone of us must "Become and Advocate for ourselves to Protect Our Families"

Please note, I am not asking for all of us to join hands and sing our favorite song together. Just go in the same direction by sharing, caring, and guidance of Our Children. Plus realizing that conflict within a Family is a natural occurrence and teaching responsibility is not necessarily a democratic process.

May you find Strength in your Higher Power,
GranPa Chuck
Keeper of the web files for http://nfpcar.org

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Research on Retaining Foster Families


  • A Comparison of Family Foster Parents Who Quit, Consider Quitting, and Plan to Continue Fostering.
Rhodes, Orme, & Buehler
Social Service Review, 75(1), 2001
View Abstract
Examines why some foster families continue to foster while others do not. Reasons for quitting include lack of agency support, poor communication with caseworkers, lack of say in foster children's future, and difficulties with foster children's behavior.

  • Concept-Mapping the Challenges Faced by Foster Parents
Brown & Calder
Children and Youth Services Review, 21(6), 1999
View Abstract
Results from a study that asked 49 foster parents to describe what would make them consider stopping foster parenting.

  • Foster Carers: Why They Stay and Why They Leave
Sinclair, Gibbs, & Wilson (2004)
View Abstract
Who foster parents are, what diminishes or increases their stress, and what makes them likely to find foster care fulfilling.
  • Foster Family Resources, Psychosocial Functioning, and Retention
Rhodes, Orme, Cox, & Buehler
Social Work Research, 27(3), 2003
View Abstract
Presents findings of a longitudinal study that examined the effect of family resources and psychosocial problems on retention.

  • Foster Parent Unmet Needs: A Retention Factor
Evans & Terpstra (2001)
View Abstract
Results of agencies' surveys of foster families to identify unmet needs and reasons for leaving foster care service. These surveys are presented as an easy and cost-effective way to reveal information that can be used to recruit and retain foster parents.

  • Hardiness of Foster Families and the Intent to Continue to Foster
Hendrix & Ford
Journal of Family Social Work, 7(2), 2003
View Abstract
Findings from a study that showed foster families who reported an intent to continue to foster scored higher on the Family Hardiness Index than foster families who reported they did not intend to continue.
  • Lighting the Way: Attracting and Supporting Foster Families. Ten Broad Principles to Light the Way Through the Challenges of Promoting Stable Foster Placements
Casey Family Programs (2000)
View Abstract
Outlines ten principles for agency and worker practice and provides examples from nine exemplary programs.
  • The National Survey of Current and Former Foster Parents
James Bell Associates & Westat (1993)
View Abstract
Describes a study that collected and analyzed data from surveys of current and former foster parents in 16 counties in 9 States to provide guidelines for future policy development, including recruitment and retention issues.
Retaining Foster Parents (PDF - 1220 KB)
U.S. Department of Health & Human Services (2002)
A study that found States can prevent the loss of experienced parents by improving support for foster families and collecting information about the causes of resignations from service.

  • Understanding Foster Parenting: Using Administrative Data to Explore Retention. Final Report.
Author(s): RTI International., U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services. Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.
Gibbs
Availability: View
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Year Published: 2005 - 68 pages
This study was designed to extend current understanding of foster parent retention by producing unbiased estimates of length of service and examining factors associated with licensure, provision of care, and length of service. The study used administrative data, applying data management and analytic methods that have been used to describe the length of stay for children in foster care. Principal research questions include: How have the characteristics of foster parents changed over time? How can variations in activity levels be described, and what foster parent characteristics are associated with varying activity levels? What is the typical length of service for ...
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Related Reading: P.R.I.D.E. or beyond? (from Foster Parents Examiner.com blog)

Quote from Part 3 of 5 : "..We are, that is, the Foster parents who faithfully serve their communities, their nation. Those who risk reputations, integrity, our economic well being. We are risking it all, they are not! where are the foster parents needs in the two trainings we have examined?.."