Resource Family Support Services
Services are required to provide education to resource families related to the requirements and responsibilities of being a resource parent for children in foster care. The successful agency will coordinate with the Department to ensure services provided are consistent with federal and state mandate and current policy. Among the services provided to resource families is education regarding the importance of maintaining family and community connections for children in care. This includes the importance of working with birth parents on reunification efforts and maintaining sibling connections. The agency promotes placement of siblings in the same home whenever possible and maintaining the childs placement in the school of origin whenever possible. Such efforts are consistent with the philosophy of the OCFS Practice Model; with OCFS policies; as well as with Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, federal law which amends parts B and E of Title 1V of the Social Security Act to assist children and youth in foster care by promoting permanent families for them.
