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Course Overview
A new federal rule gives states the flexibility to establish approval standards and policies for kin foster homes that differ from those required for “traditional” foster homes. As a result, many jurisdictions are re-imagining the kinship licensing process to reflect the unique strengths, needs and circumstances of kin caregivers. In this session we will review the new rule – it’s rationale, what it means and what it doesn’t mean. We will explore the recommended model standards created by national organizations and identify some of the key areas states are most commonly addressing as they update requirement for kin foster parents. Time will be built in for discussion and sharing among participants.
As a result of participating in this training, participants will be able to:
Describe key provisions of the new federal rule on approval standards for kinship foster homes.
Consider how they can integrate into their own work elements of the model standards recommended by national organizations.
Implement state and local updates to the kinship approval process with an awareness of the rationale for a kin-specific approval process.
Maureen Heffernan, MSSA, LISW-S
Maureen Heffernan, MSSA, LISW-S is an independent child welfare consultant and trainer. She has worked across the United States assisting child welfare jurisdictions to achieve better and more equitable outcomes for vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Her focus areas include kinship care, family search and engagement, youth permanency, foster care, and the recruitment, development and support of foster and adoptive families. She has extensive work experience in public and private child welfare settings, including direct service, supervision and leadership positions.