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I. RATIONALE

It is the right of every child to grow up and be nurtured by his/her family. Family life, coupled with the satisfactory relationships between parents and the child results into the wholesome personality development of the child. The right to a family is a basic right under the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Philippine and Youth Welfare Code.

The biological family is responsible for providing family life to a child and for this reason should be fostered and nurtured whenever possible. There are instances, however, when this may not be possible. When problems of broken home, unwed motherhood, abandonment, illness, extreme poverty seriously disrupt the family to fulfill its primary function as a basic institution in rearing a child to adulthood, then substitute parental care becomes necessary. The child has to be cared for elsewhere temporarily before his/her biological family or to a more permanent placement.

While there are residential facilities available, a child grows best in a family where all his/her needs are met.

Foster family care is considered the best substitute parental arrangement for children in need of temporary care. As such, it is part of an over-all treatment plan for the child's permanent placement.

The Department's foster care program has only provided infants and younger abandoned and neglected children individualized family care. However, there are still other children with special needs who continue to linger in child caring agencies/institutions or rehabilitation centers or are with parents who are unable to care for them.

Fostering children with special needs requires love, patience and adequate parenting skills. It also requires an understanding of the particular needs of each child. It is for this reason that the foster care program is being expanded to provide family life and care to children with special needs. Guidelines follow the regular DSWD foster care program.

II. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The Foster Care Program is the provision of substitute parental care to children with special needs, such as: youth offenders sexually and physically abused children. Children with emotional difficulties, children whose parents are suffering from HIV/AIDS and street children.

Considering the challenges of caring children under this category, the regular foster care program was expanded to include the following to sustain the foster families' motivation and interest:

> Capability building for foster parents to hone their knowledge, attitude and skills to care for children with special needs.
> Provision of support services e.g. monthly subsidy to foster parents referral for legal, medical services for children, food and non food assistance, educational assistance, medical/dental needs and hospitalization, if indicated.
> Provision of respite care to identified foster families who need to take temporary relief from fostering to avoid being burnout.
> Strengthening partnership with child caring NGOs and GOs in the implementation of the program.

A.        General Specific - The program aims to provide family life to children with special needs.

B.        Specific Objectives

1.         To afford children with special needs of their right to a family in the absence of their biological parents.

2.         To develop a pool of foster families who will provide care to children with special needs.

3.         To decongest child caring institutions/agencies and rehabilitation centers through placement of children with special needs in foster homes.

4.         To imbibe special responsibility and train foster parents in understanding, caring and management of children with special needs.

5.         To provide subsidies and other support services to foster parents.

6.         To create public awareness to gain support in the implementation of the program.

III. COMPONENTS

1.         Advocacy and Social Mobilization

1.1.   Mobilization of other governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, volunteers and support groups as partners in mobilizing people and the community to introduce and advocate amendments to existing laws, policies and procedures related to foster care.

1.2.   Education, information and dissemination activities which are aimed at raising public awareness on foster care through the following:

1.2.1    Development and production of information, education and communication (IEC) materials such as brochures, poster, etc.
1.2.2    Conduct for a on foster care
1.2.3    Use of tri-media (radio/television/magazines, etc.)

1.3    To further strengthen partnership with GOs, NGOs and POs. Consultation/dialogues/meetings shall be conducted with agencies and groups involved in foster care as well as child welfare agencies and people's organizations and government agencies who can be mobilized for support to the program.

Key partners in advocacy and social mobilization activities are DSWD-NCR, KBF, NORFIL, Parenting foundation, Concordia Children's Services, CRIBS, Home of Joy and the Foster Care Association of the Philippines.

2.         Development and Maintenance of Foster Families

2.1.   Continuous recruitment, development, assessment and maintenance of foster families in order to have a ready pool of foster families for placement of children with special needs when the need arises.

2.2.   Sustenance of foster families' motivation and interest through the provision of subsidies as well as support services to qualified foster families e.g. financial material assistance, legal or medical services, respite care to identified foster families who need to take temporary relief from fostering to avoid being burnout.

3.         Training and Capability Building

3.1    Conduct of Trainer's Training on fostering children with special needs. This shall be attended by the Social Workers of DSWD-NCR and NGOs and the Regional Specialist.

3.2    Strengthening of qualified foster families through a capability building activity aimed at enhancing their knowledge, attitude and skills in understanding, caring and handling children with special needs.

4.         Monitoring and Evaluation

4.1    The Bureau shall conduct quarterly and monthly monitoring with the Field Office staff/specialist and provide technical assistance to DSWD-NCR.

4.2.   An evaluation shall be conducted by the Bureau in coordination with the Field Office and NGOs to determine the extent of the implementation of the project and to determine areas for technical assistance and modification of policies, procedures, enrichment of the program.

IV. GENERAL POLICIES

A.        Policies

1.         The placement of a child in a foster family shall only be considered when his/her continuing stay with biological family is inimical to his/her welfare.

2.         The social worker shall exhaust all efforts to keep the child with his/her biological family.

3.         A thorough study of families shall be undertaken before issuance of license to determine their motivation, capabilities and potentials for development as foster homes for particular types of children.

4.         No child shall be placed in a foster family who has not yet been licensed, except on an emergency, but in which case, evaluation of the family should be done not later than one week after receiving the child. A license shall be issued immediately if the family has been found capable by the social worker.

5.         Placement of a child in a particular licensed foster family shall be based on the judicious matching of the needs of the child and resources of the foster family.

6.         No child of the foster family shall be at a disadvantaged by the placement of a foster child. Only one (1) child with special needs shall be placed with a foster family at a time.

7.         Periodic evaluation of the child's placement shall be undertaken. Foster care shall not be more than one year except when the situation so requires as assessed by the social workers especially in cases of children with special needs which may require long-term foster care.

8.         Any transfer of a foster child shall be subjected to a case conference where the assessment of the transfer will redound to the child's best welfare and interest.

9.         No child under foster care shall be alienated from his/her biological family hence the social worker shall facilitate visits of the biological parent/s to the child.

10.       In case of death or any untoward incident that has happened to a foster child, such should be reported immediately to the DSWD Central Office within 24 hours after which an incidental report together with the medical and/or death certificate shall be forwarded within two (2) days after the child's death, accident or ailment.

11.       Older children whose family or relatives could not be located and where no other permanent plan is applicable shall be provided with opportunities to prepare for independent living.

B.        Eligibility Requirements

1.         Children for Foster Placement

1.1    Children 0-17 years of age
1.2    Children who are either abandoned or orphaned
1.3    Children whose parents are in crisis and temporarily unable to provide adequate care.
1.4    Children who need special care and protection due to:

> sexual or physical abuse or in danger of further abuse or neglect by his/her parents or guardian
> emotional difficulties as a result of neglect, abuse or exploitation e.g. street child, victim of child labor
> developmental or physical disability
> parents suffering from HIV/AIDS and who is found negative from HIV
> committing a minor offense but has been released on recognizance or on custody supervision but whose family or relatives are not capable of providing him/her care.

2.         Foster Parents

2.1    Prospective Foster Parents

2.1.1    Applicants should not be over 60 years of age but not under 25 years old and should have a genuine interest in parenting a non-related child with special needs.

2.1.2    Applicants may either be legally married or single and should be able to provide a family life for the foster child. In cases where the applicant is either a widow or single, a male adult should be available in the home to provide a father figure in the family.

2.1.3    Family members should be mentally and physically fit and free from contagious and infectious diseases to cope with the added stress of caring for a child with special needs.

2.1.4    Applicants should have a healthy and harmonious relationship with each family member

2.1.5    Applicants must have good moral character and emotional maturity.

2.1.6    Applicants are willing to be trained to hone their knowledge, attitude and skills in caring for children with special needs.

2.2.   Licensed Foster Parents

2.2.1    Licensed foster parents, who in consultation with their children, signify their willingness to care for children with special needs which require different degrees of time, attention, care, emotional strength/stability and patience.

2.2.2    Licensed foster parents who are willing to be trained to further hone their knowledge, attitude and skills in caring for children with special needs.

C.        Support Services - Support services are provided to foster families caring for children with special needs to sufficiently meet the needs of the child. These may be in the form of any of the following:

1.         Foster Care Subsidy - Any foster family caring for a child with special needs shall be given a monthly subsidy of one thousand pesos (P1,200) during the stay of a child in their home.

The subsidy is meant as an incentive and not as a means to augment their income but rather to further encourage them to continue caring for children with special needs.

2.         Supplies for Foster Children

2.1.   In addition to the subsidy, licensed foster families shall be given supplies and other assistance for the child under their care in the form of milk, food, clothing, medical/dental needs, educational assistance and hospitalization, if indicated based on the child's needs and assessment by the social worker of not more than P3,000 per child/month.

2.2.   An Emergency Fund shall be made available for medical/hospitalization needs of a child in the amount of five hundred pesos (P500.00) a month.

3.         Respite Care

3.1.   This is a one week break for the foster parents from their task of fostering children with special needs to provide them with temporary relief to prevent burnout. With the provision of respite care, foster parents would be able to provide better quality care to children.

3.2.   The social worker shall identify the foster family qualified and in need of respite care.

3.3.   Foster parents on respite care shall receive the full amount of their P1,200 monthly subsidy and if identified, shall receive an allowance of one thousand pesos (P1,000) on top of their monthly subsidy which shall be used when they go on leave for their break.

3.4.   The social worker shall plan the necessary arrangements with the foster family to ensure that the foster child shall be cared for by responsible adults within the family with the assistance of another licensed foster family within the area.

3.5.   The social worker shall conduct a daily visit to the foster family during the time the foster parents are away.

4.         SupportGroups

4.1.   The Foster Care Association of the Philippines (FCAP) is an organization composed of foster families, social workers and other professionals from various child welfare agencies and institutions which provide a support system to foster families including potential foster families.

4.2.   Foster parents shall be grouped according to their geographical area. Members of these formed groups shall provide support to each other in terms of sharing experiences in caring for children with special needs, providing assistance or help in times of crisis, provide/substitute care when the foster parents go on a temporary break (respite care), etc.

5.         Other Assistance

Other assistance may be provided to the foster family in the form of medical assistance, legal advice/services should they be qualified to adopt their foster child after a case conference, livelihood programs, etc., through referrals to the Department of Health, government and private hospitals and other GOs and NGOs.

V. IMPLEMENTING GUIDELINES

The project shall be piloted in the National Capital Region.

1.         Family Recruitment and Development - Recruitment and development of foster families may be done through the following:

1.1.   Interpretation of the service to the community through use of tri-media e.g. television, radio, posters, magazines, etc. as well as personal contacts to recruit/develop foster families.

1.2.   Conduct of regular fora/group orientation on foster care - The Field Office in coordination with the child placing NGOs shall conduct a series of foster care fora to interested groups. Such fora shall be a tool for self-screening, assessment of applicants and development of foster families.

2.         Family Assessment - A thorough study and reassessment on all foster parent applicants and their families is necessary to determine their motivations and whether they fully meet the requirements and to evaluate their capability to provide a safe, secure, and loving home for a foster child with special needs.

2.1.   Conduct of Homestudy for Foster Care - The Field Office/NGO through their social worker shall conduct planned interviews, home visits and collateral interviews with the applicants, their children, if any and other persons who will have direct involvement with the child. This will provide the social worker the opportunity to know the applicants and their family, to determine their motivation to foster a child and to do a thorough assessment of their parenting capability to foster child with special needs.

2.2.   The homestudy shall be prepared by the social worker as basis for the recommendation for licensing the foster family.

2.3.   A license shall be issued to an approved foster family.

3.         Capability Building - The foster family, after being licensed, shall undergo a training together with other licensed foster families on the understanding and management of children with special needs to enhance and develop their parenting capability.

4.         Matching or Family Selection - Matching refers to the judicious pairing of a child with a family based on the child's needs and his/her capability to benefit from the placement as well as the capability and interest of the foster parents to meet the child's needs.

As much as possible a roster of approved foster families will be available to which the social worker will be able to identify the best family to meet the child's needs.

5.         Pre-Placement Services

5.1.   Preparation of Foster Parents - After matching, the foster families shall be informed one week about the child matched with them. Information on the child shall be shared to help them understand and develop plans for the child. This shall include the following:

> Family background
> Child's developmental history
> Personality
> Medical history focusing on child's special needs
> Report of psychological examination, if appropriate
> Recent photograph of the child

In addition to the above informations, the foster parents shall be informed that they shall not alienate the child from his/her biological parents.

5.2.      Preparation of the Child - Preparation for placement shall be consistent with the child's age, understanding and emotional maturity. An older child, if applicable, shall be helped to understand what foster care means and why he/she will be going to his/her foster family.

A lifebook/memory book of the child prepared by the social worker and child, if appropriate, which contains pictures/short stories from the time the child was admitted in the institution shall be given to foster parents to provide additional information about the child's past. They shall continue the lifebook/memory book with the assistance of the social worker.

The foster child shall be helped to understand, if indicated, temporary nature of care and placement and that visits/contacts shall be made possible with the child's family.

6.         Placement

6.1.   Placement refers to the physical transfer of a child either from a child caring agency or biological family to the foster family who shall be responsible for his/her care and custody.

6.2.   A Foster Placement Authority (FPA) shall be prepared and signed by the foster families and social worker which shall be approved by the Field Director. The social worker shall discuss the terms of the Authority and ensure that these are understood including the special needs of the child and the handling of child's behavior and other special concerns such as continuing medical/psychological evaluation, etc.

The Authority should be issued before the child's actual placement.

7.         Supervision of Placements - After the child has been placed to his/her foster family, the social worker shall help the family and the child in the adjustment process. This is done through home visitations. This period shall be for at least six months after placement.

The primary goal of supervision of foster homes is to ensure the proper adjustment of the child to his/her foster family and vice-versa. Furthermore, the social worker shall follow-up the foster family's participation in the case management of the child towards the treatment and achievement of the goals on the child who is with special needs.

During the supervision, the social worker also updates the foster family on the status of their foster child, if appropriate, e.g. child is now available for adoption, the child is to be returned to his/her biological family/parent/s, the child will have to stay longer with them due to the difficulty of a permanent placement for the child, etc.

Group sessions for foster parents shall be conducted quarterly or as need arises to provide a venue for foster parents to share their experiences in caring for children with special needs where others may also learn from.

8.         Termination of Placement

8.1.   Disruption of Placement - There is disruption when foster care placement is not completed or is discontinued due to problems arising either or both on the part of the child and/or foster family. Refrain from using the word failure so as not to reinforce feelings of guilt and inadequacy of the foster family, the child or the social worker.

8.2.   Termination of Placement - Termination of placement shall be done by the agency under the following circumstances:

1.    Return of the child to his biological family, extended family, relatives
2.    Placement for adoption
3.    Transfer to another foster family, in group care or residential care or training center where the child shall benefit more
4.    Death of the child

9.         Post Placement/After Care Services - After the return of the child to his/her biological parents, the social worker shall be available to ensure the child's reintegration adjustment to his/her family/relatives:

a.      Parents/relatives shall be helped to understand and cope with the child's adjustment problem to his/her immediate environment.

b.      The child shall be helped to understand his/her return to his/her own home. He/she shall be helped to work out his/her feelings about his/her return to his/her own home, relatives and separation from his/her foster family.

c.       Older children who have been referred to training centers for job placements shall also be provided with after care services to ensure his/her smooth adjustment and integration into his/her family and community.

VI. OUTPUT AND IMPACT INDICATORS

A.        Output Indicators

> Number of foster families licensed to care for children with special needs
> Number of children with special needs from centers/institutions or child caring agencies placed under foster families
> Number of foster families trained to understand and care for children with special needs
> Number of foster children served by other agencies/organizations as a result of interagency collaboration
> Number of program materials/developed (e.g. brochure, flyer)
> Decreased number of cases of children in child caring institutions

B.        Impact Indicators

> Increased number of older foster children living independently
> Gained public support in implementing foster home program for children with special needs
> Increased number of children with special needs with improved behavior

VII. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A.        DSWD — Programs and Special Projects Bureaus

1.    Prepare the project proposal, department order and develop program materials;
2.    Oversee and provide technical assistance to DSWD-NCR in the implementation of the project;
3.    Conduct regular monitoring and supervision of the project;
4.    Allocate funds for the implementation of the project;
5.    Network with DSWD-NCR and child placing NGOs in the conduct of IEC materials;
6.    Initiate networking with GOs and NGOs to facilitate assistance as part of support services to foster families and foster children;
7.    Conduct orientation for implementors (NCR and NGO social workers) and capability building activities to foster families in coordination with the FO and HRDB;
8.    Prepare status report of the project;
9.    Conduct evaluation and documentation as basis for the refinement/enrichment of the program and policies; and
10.  Coordinate over-all implementation of the project.

B.        DSWD — NCR/Child Placing NGOs

1.         Identify and assess potential foster families to be included in the project;
2.         Assess and prepare home studies of prospective foster families and recommend to DSWD for their approval and issuance of license;
3.         Implement the project in accordance with the set guidelines;
4.         Ensure the judicious utilization of project funds;
5.         Conduct monthly foster care fora in coordination with the Bureau, NGOs or as the need arises;
6.         Conduct regular monitoring and supervision and provision of technical assistance to social workers;
7.         Assist in the evaluation and documentation of the project;
8.         Submit quarterly accomplishment and financial report to the Bureau.

All previous orders contrary to this are hereby revoked or rescinded accordingly.

Adopted: 20 May 1998

(SGD.) LINA B. LAIGO
Secretary