foster care seminar press release national seminar on effective … · 2019-06-08 · or her parent...

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Foster Care Seminar

Vathsalya Charitable Trust

Press ReleasePress ReleasePress ReleasePress ReleasePress Release

National Seminar on Effective Foster CareFebruary 27 and 28, 2003, Bangalore

uniform policies andguidelines, or rules andregulations all overIndia.

Aims of the

Workshop

� To make foster caremore organized, andensure that rules and

regulations are in the best interests ofthe child. As it is said in Article 3(1)of the UN convention on the Rights ofthe Child. “In all actions concerningchildren, where undertaken by publicor private social welfare institutions,courts of law, administrative authoritiesor legislative blocks, the best interestof the child shall be a primaryconsideration.”� To consider setting up of a panel ofsocial workers, foster parents andgovernment officials, to effectivelypromote foster care.� To share experiences, difficult ortouching, with other participants.

Vathsalya’ Foster Care

Programme

Vathsalya Charitable Trust, formed in1989, works in partnership with HoltInternational Children’s Services, U.S.to find families for abandoned andrelinquished children.

Vathsalya has a successful foster careprogramme since 1990. It is thereforecommitted to the cause and interestedin propagating this concept nationally.

Bangalore: February 27,2003: Foster care is a formof child welfare thatprovides an alternativefamily that cares for achild who has beendeprived of his or herbirth family. Of course,the best home is thechild’s biological home oran adoptive home. But foster care isthe first priority when the child doesnot have a home. However good aninstitution is, the nurturing of a childwith care and love in a familyenvironment is undoubtedly the bestalternative for a homeless child. Thiswould be on a temporary basis till hisor her parent can resume thisresponsibility or until a permanenthome is found.

To make people more aware of thisalternative child welfare, VathsalyaCharitable Trust, a child welfareagency, has organized a NationalSeminar on Foster Care, in Bangalore.

In India, while Foster Care is not anew concept, it is not as organized asadoption is. In fact, most social workersin the field of childcare recognize thisas an alternative or pre-requisite toadoption. But Institutions, bothGovernmental and Non=Governmentalare vague about and at times indifferentto this necessity of providing fosterfamily care to children. The public isalso not aware of the need and thefeasibility of the project. There are no

Foster Care Seminar

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More than 60 per cent, between theages of one month and five years areplaced in foster care with families.Having seen the healthy and beautifultransformation in the children,Vathsalya has realized institutionsshould be the last resort for anyhomeless child.

In fact, Vathsalya has plans to makeits office a reception centre, where onlymedically weak and older children will

be accommodated, while the rest areplaced in families because every childhas the right to a family. The child isentitled to love and affection and togrow up in the care of and under theresponsibility of parents in anatmosphere of affection.

In the Philippines, Vietnam andThailand almost all children are placedin temporary care with families, and theirinstitutions are only reception centres.

All children are beautiful when lovedAll children are beautiful when lovedAll children are beautiful when lovedAll children are beautiful when lovedAll children are beautiful when loved- Grandma Holt

1. What is Foster Care?

Foster care has been with us for at leasta century. The origins of foster care canbe traced to biblical times. It was firstknown as "placing out" when it beganin the German town of Leipzig in 1866.

Many children in our society areabused or neglected, or are severelydisabled because of which their ownfamilies can't care for them.Sometimes, in order to be protectedor given the special help they need,these children have to live apart fromtheir natural families.

The Foster Care Programmesupports foster families - families whoopen their homes to children in needof care. These children range in agefrom birth to 5 years. As a foster-parent, you open your home to suchchildren. That child might stay for afew months or a few years. It willdepend on when the child's family’sconflict or crisis can be resolved. Eachchild's situation is different, but thegoal of foster care is always the same:

to return the child to his or her naturalfamily, to a permanent alternatefamily, or help towards preparing thechild to live independently.

Most children experiencingseparation from their own families willexhibit some emotional or behavioralproblems. Some children may bemoderately-to-severely mentally orphysically handicapped.

The most effective way to care forthe wide variety of foster children’sneeds usually involves a combinationof skills. These include good parentingskills and firm kindness, coupled withthe skills gained in the foster parenttraining. However, it is important toremember that each child is anindividual and, as such, no amount ofpersonal background experience ortraining will cover every situation,which may arise in the course of fosterparenting. The role of the agency is toassist in decisions regarding the careof the child and to help foster parentsover those rough spots.

Kids in Institutions Need Parents too!

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The foster parents can help fosterchildren reach their fullest potentialby providing them a healthy homeenvironment.

2. The Three R’s –

Responsibilities, Rights, Role

Many foster parent responsibilities willclosely resemble those of any parentproviding day-to-day supervision andsupport in a stable and loving homeenvironment. And yet, foster parentingis different from parenting your ownchild. The foster parent educationprovided prior to approval is intendedto give you a clear understanding ofthe role you will assume and to provideyou with some tools for dealing withthis new experience.

While foster parents must cooperatewith the agency's plan for parentalvisitation, the agency respects yourprivacy and will not release your name,address, or telephone number withoutyour permission.

Foster parents, of course, can decidethe sex and age range of children theycan best provide care for, as well as whattypes of problems or handicaps theycan or cannot deal with. Foster parentsalso have the right to accept or rejectany child offered for placement. If youare unsure of whether you can care fora particular child, you may also requesta pre-placement visit to give you anopportunity to get to know the childbefore he or she is placed in your home.Sometimes, even with the most carefulpreparation, you may find that youmay need to request the return of thefoster child to the agency. It isimportant not to be overly harsh witheither yourself or the child, and to workclosely with the agency to ensure asmooth transition from your home to

another placement. The more flexibleyou are, the better chance, the agencyhas of finding a home for the child whoneeds you.

A foster home worker visits eachfoster home regularly to assist inobtaining and/or providing neededservices. Each agency placestremendous importance on beingaccessible to foster parents to providethe support that they often need.

3. Why become a Foster

Parent?

Why indeed. It's not easy to be afoster parent, however it could be oneof the most worthwhile and importantroles you could ever play. There isnothing more heartwarming thanproviding a child with love andsecurity at a time when he needs itmost.

4. What do we look for in a

Foster Parent?

There are some basic requirements thatour foster parents should meet:� A marital status unchanged over

the past year, be it married orsingle.

� You are at least 30.� No major illness or trauma in

your life during the past year.� Applicant should be

emotionally, physically andfinancially stable.

� You have a crib or bed for eachchild, although children canshare a room.

� You have attended theorientation sessions.

� All family members should beinterested in fostering.

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Vathsalya’s Foster Care Programmedesirable for a husband and wife tocomplete the course together.However, if both cannot attend, theprimary care giver must complete thetraining.

The aim of this training sessionThe aim of this training sessionThe aim of this training sessionThe aim of this training sessionThe aim of this training sessionis to:is to:is to:is to:is to:1. Give the foster parents theinformation needed to handle routinematters such as medical andpsychological care, clothing needs andeducation.2. Provide the foster parents with theskills needed to handle problems asthey arise.3. Teach the foster parents the ethicaland legal standards for whichcompliance is required.4. Assist the foster parents inanticipating the negative, critical orsuspicious attitudes that foster childrenoften exhibit.5. Identify those elements of the fosterchild’s behaviour, which can beattributed to his/her experience ofbeing a foster child.6. Expose the prospective fosterparents, with particular emphasis onbuilding positive relationships with theagency’s staff.

Vathsalya’s trained staff gives anorientation session so that fosterparents have a better idea of what toexpect from themselves, the childrenand us. Then, if they think fosteringis for them, they are invited tocomplete an application. Thereafter,there is another important requirement– that of patience. The approval processdoes take time. It could take two tothree months from the orientationsessions until a social worker(specializing in foster care) visits thefamily. The visit is one step in theapproval process. Once the home isapproved for foster care, Vathsalyamatches a child who will becomfortable with the family.

Among the training programmesAmong the training programmesAmong the training programmesAmong the training programmesAmong the training programmesthat that that that that VVVVVathsalya ofathsalya ofathsalya ofathsalya ofathsalya offers are:fers are:fers are:fers are:fers are:� Pre-service training� Health and hygiene� Stages of development of a child� Family life and value education

Foster Parents are supported:Foster Parents are supported:Foster Parents are supported:Foster Parents are supported:Foster Parents are supported:� By a team of highly skilled staff� With an additional subsidy in

case of a special needs child.� With expenses relating to the

child's medical, dental andeducation

� With a 24-hour emergencyphone number

At Vathsalya, foster parents gothrough a week of intense hands-ontraining, where they watch thechildcare givers, nurses and learn howto take good care of the child.Attendance is mandatory. It is

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A Report OnThe National Seminar On Effective Foster Care

Inaugural DayInaugural DayInaugural DayInaugural DayInaugural DayThe National Seminar on EffectiveFoster Care, organized by VathsalyaCharitable Trust, was held at Ashirvadon February 27 and 28, 2003.

The seminar started with a welcomedance by the children of Vathsalya. Ms.Diana Tholoor, Founder, ChrysallisTheatre Group, directed the dance.

This seminar fostered in a new era,a new understanding of what a familyis, beyond the biological, a passionbeyond prescription, a bonding thatis binding, a networking of people andplaces, of children and families to forma Kutumb which in Sanskrit meansfamily.

Ms. Mary Paul-Executive Director,Vathsalya introduced Dr. AlomaLobo, Chairperson of VCA - K, theChief Guest, who very lucidlyexplained the importance of keepingthe child as the focus. In hisinaugural address, Mr. Gary Gamer,Vice President for InternationalProgrammes, Holt InternationalChildren’s Services, highlighted HoltProgrammes worldwide as well as the

tangible effects of children growingup in institutions. Mrs. Lata Joshi,Founder of ANUJ and formerconsultant for Holt India whodelivered the keynote address focusedon the various aspects of the actual0rogramme. Mr. J. Retnaraj .Chairperson of Vathsalya gave thevote of thanks.

On the evening of February 27,2003, a welcome dinner was organizedfor the participants.

Concluding DayConcluding DayConcluding DayConcluding DayConcluding DayMrs. Lata Joshi summarized the two-day workshop with practicalrecommendations.

Mr. Gary Gamer gave the valedictoryaddress.

Participants were presented withcertificates in appreciation of theircontribution to the seminar.

Vathsalya children presented a skitcalled the ‘Judgement’, directed byPartho Ganguly and his wife Apala.

Sandra Jacob, daughter of SherlyThomas, Sr. Social Worker gave aBharata Natyam recital.

Inaugural AddressMr. Gary Gamer is Vice President, International Programmes, Holt International

Children’s Services, USA. Holt’s projects around the world propagate temporary fostercare as an intermediary step toward reunifying a child with his/her birth family, orplacing a child in adoption – either in the country of the child’s birth or with afamily in another country. Holt’s experience is that foster care has proven itself culturallyneutral.

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Who benefits?Who benefits?Who benefits?Who benefits?Who benefits?Temporary foster care is not for everychild in residential care. The Holtmodel of temporary foster care is bestsuited for infants, toddlers and youngerchildren in general; who have a highprobability for permanent placementin a family ideally within a year’speriod.

However, there is no definitive andexact standard in terms of age and lengthof time in foster care – this depends on anumber of factors, foremost of which isthe specific situation and characteristicsof a child, how long it takes to place achild in a permanent family and childwelfare regulations.

Training and preparation of fostercare families is obviously an importantaspect of developing a foster careprogramme. However, special needschildren can be placed in, and benefitfrom foster families. In some cases, theplacement is temporary and en routeto a permanent family. In others theplacement is a long-term alternative tofar inferior residential care.

How children benefit?How children benefit?How children benefit?How children benefit?How children benefit?It will come as no surprise to mostpeople that the kind of one-to-onefamily care given to children in a wellfunctioning foster care programme isfar better than institutional care.Connecting and caring for a child in aclose, intimate and continuous way,helps to stimulate the electrical activityin key sectors of the brain. This hasbeen explained through a PET scan of

Temporary Foster Care as an Alternative toInstitutionalising Children

- The Holt Modela child that has grown up within afamily and an orphan child that livedin an institution. The child that grewup within a family exhibited brightcolours such as red, yellow and greenin the scan of the temporal lobes. Incontrast there were ominous dark areasin the temporal lobes of the child whogrew up in an orphanage.

Who else benefits?Who else benefits?Who else benefits?Who else benefits?Who else benefits?The foster care programme enables theinstitution to potentially devote itslimited human and financial resourcesto a lower number of children and thusincrease the likelihood of improving theoverall care of children under itsjurisdiction. The foster careprogramme is a means to address issuesof homelessness while providing somesupport to families.

Essential principles and elementsEssential principles and elementsEssential principles and elementsEssential principles and elementsEssential principles and elementsofofofofof temporary foster care temporary foster care temporary foster care temporary foster care temporary foster care

When a child is separated from itsfamily, the State ensures appropriatealternative care for a child, includingfoster care.� A foster parent can be married orsingle, if married the relationship mustbe stable.� The age of the foster parents canvary widely, but the important thingis assessing their capacity in parentingand caring for the child.� The family must have a steady andpermanent source of income� Housing must be safe and clean,strict space requirements may not be a

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deterrent to a placement if other factorsin the family are satisfactory� The family must have good moralcharacter and no criminal record, thereshould be some kind of backgroundcheck� Every member of the family mustconsent to being a foster family.

FinallyFinallyFinallyFinallyFinally, and very importantly…, and very importantly…, and very importantly…, and very importantly…, and very importantly…The family must be able to ‘let go’ ofthe child, since the foster careplacement is on a temporary basis. Inother words they must understandfully and be prepared for the child toleave… sometimes they will needassistance with the grieving process ofa child leaving.

After selecting a foster family, thesocial worker then engages the familyin a series of preparation activities. Onceplaced, there should be a regular andongoing monitoring and evaluationsystem. In addition to financialassistance, medical assistance shouldalso be provided to the foster families.

Lessons learned after 35 yearsLessons learned after 35 yearsLessons learned after 35 yearsLessons learned after 35 yearsLessons learned after 35 yearsof foster careof foster careof foster careof foster careof foster care� The biggest fear – fear of theunknown about the safty and care of

the child� Foster care is one of the best waysto involve and benefit the communityat large in the child welfare crisis� Foster care is cost effective

Lessons learned aboutLessons learned aboutLessons learned aboutLessons learned aboutLessons learned aboutmeasuring success in themeasuring success in themeasuring success in themeasuring success in themeasuring success in theprogrammeprogrammeprogrammeprogrammeprogramme� Strategic planning is an importantfirst step to attain success� There is a direct relationshipbetween increased permanentplacements� The kind of training and socialwork skill required in an effective fostercare programme is complementary topermanent placement services� Important indicator of a successfulprogramme is the health and wellbeing of children in the programme� Satisfied and effective foster familiesare vital for the development andvitality of a foster care programme.

Footnote: Gary Gamer’s personalexperience reinforced his faith infoster care. His son was receivedjoyfully from the loving arms of afoster mother.

Keynote AddressMrs. Lata Joshi was former consultant for Holt–India and is the founder of ANUJ(Adoptees’ National Union for Joy), Pune

Guidelines For Family Foster Care

PART I: Principles of Foster CareThe first part focused on the preamble,justification and the present status offoster care in India. She defined family

foster care as a form of child welfarethat provides a planned period ofalternative family care for a child, who

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has been deprived of his/her birthfamily, either temporarily orpermanently, due to a family crisis orproblem. It offers to a child, protectionand a nurturing environment in afamily atmosphere, which is conducivefor a healthy normal growth.

The terms used in the concept offamily foster care are alternative familycare, temporary care, agency, staff,foster family, permanency plan,continuum of services, team effort, etc.

Guiding principlesGuiding principlesGuiding principlesGuiding principlesGuiding principles� Every child has the right to growup in a family� Priority over biological family� Foster care – alternative solution forthe full and harmonious developmentof the child

Benefits of foster careBenefits of foster careBenefits of foster careBenefits of foster careBenefits of foster care� Displaced young children whoneed care away from their birthparents, benefit more� Neglected and abandoned children– intellectual stimulation andopportunities to develop positive socialskills and relationship, essential to

healthy development� Provides a stable and nurturingenvironment as well as individualizedcare and opportunities for thedevelopment of the child to his/her fullpotential.

Goals and objectivesGoals and objectivesGoals and objectivesGoals and objectivesGoals and objectives� Provides children with protection,care and nurturing for a limited time� Reunify a child with the parents� Place the child in an adoptivefamily either in-country or inter-country as appropriate

Aims of foster care serviceAims of foster care serviceAims of foster care serviceAims of foster care serviceAims of foster care service� Protect and nurture children whoare placed with the agency approvedfoster families� Meet the child’s physical, mental,social, health and educational needs� Provide ongoing supervision andsupport to the foster families, childrenand if necessary the birth families� Ensure the early and timelyachievement of permanency forchildren in foster care by returningthem to their birth families or placingthem in adoptive families

PART II: Recruitment of Families for Foster CareIt is essential to have the objective of aplanned programme of publicity anddistribution of information to thegeneral public, regarding the need ofthe children to be in the family; andalso gain their support for theprogramme. Also motivate prospectivefoster families to join hands with thescheme.

How to plan the recruitmentHow to plan the recruitmentHow to plan the recruitmentHow to plan the recruitmentHow to plan the recruitmentcampaign?campaign?campaign?campaign?campaign?� Involvement of the community andlocal authorities� Personal contacts by the agencypeople� Direct appeal to specific groups

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Information for the publicInformation for the publicInformation for the publicInformation for the publicInformation for the publicThis includes the philosophy and goalsof the foster family care programme,criteria for eligibility for foster family,policies of the agency, process andpurpose of foster care, the roles andresponsibilities of the agency and thefoster families, the impact of separationand loss for all parties involved.

Medium of communication ofMedium of communication ofMedium of communication ofMedium of communication ofMedium of communication ofsuch informationsuch informationsuch informationsuch informationsuch information� Organizing a family foster careforum gives the applicants and thegeneral public an opportunity to learnmore about the programme� Disseminating relevant andpositive information through massmedia� Holding exhibitions anddistribution of brochures and posters

A. INQUIRY STAGEApplicationApplicationApplicationApplicationApplicationIt is essential to identify� The stability of the marriage� That the foster family does nothave a child below 3 years� That the age of the foster motheris between 20- 50 and that of thefather is below 60 years� The permanency of the residence� The health of all family members� There is Sufficient family income

and parenting abilities, etc.

Process of assessmentProcess of assessmentProcess of assessmentProcess of assessmentProcess of assessmentAfter identifying the above saidmatters, it is essential to do the fosterfamily assessment study. This can bedone through a structured interview.

For effective foster placement, a childstudy report also should be prepared.Included in this are the needs, statusand justification for foster care. Thischild study report will form the basisfor matching the child with theselected foster families. Thisinformation should be shared with thefoster parents.

Pre-placement preparation should bestarted to ensure the child has a smoothtransition into the foster family. Theagency is responsible for supervising andsupporting the foster care placement aslong as the child is in the foster care.Documentation should be done of allthe pertinent happenings in the child’slife while in foster care.

Attachment, detachment andseparation are the three crucial stages offoster care. Through counselling, a socialworker can support the child and thefoster care parents as well as the birthparents. Before the discharge, documentssuch as health records, reports on specialevents, developmental stages andassessment of the child during foster careto guide the parents should be prepared.After care services and follow up is anessential part of this work.

PART III: Records And Record-keepingAll documents relating to the servicesprovided to the child, birth parents andthe foster family, the progress and status

of the case focusing on the permanencyof plans and those relating to the legaldefenses if necessary should be

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maintained. Case records should betreated as confidential and should bekept in the agency office and not withthe foster family.

It is the responsibility of the agencyto provide a high quality of service, sothat focus is on the child’s best interest

and to establish and monitor standardsand procedures for foster care. FamilyFoster Care involves teamwork betweenthe agency and the foster parents andthe roles and responsibilities of the fostercare parents should also be explained.

PART IV: FormatsFormats include the following:1. Foster family intake form2. Foster care placement licence3. Initial social history4. Follow up of children from birth

to 6 years5. Admission form6. Extension of foster care period7. Report of the child hand=over8. Reports of receiving9. Foster care placement agreement10. Concepts of separation and

attachment

11. The life book12. Recommended list of child care

supplies13. Progress report14. Developmental milestones of

children15. Monthly caseload inventory form16. Updated foster families, forms17. Minutes of transfer of the child

from foster family to agency18. Report of the transfer of the child

from agency to birth family /child care agency

19. Discharge report form20. Closing report form

COMPARISON BETWEEN CARE AT ANINSTITUTION AND A FOSTER FAMILY

INSTITUTIONAL CARE

� All group activities� Everything shared� Limitations on education� Less communication with society� No close relationship� Feeling of insecurity� No sense of belonging� Only institutional gatherings� Always longing for own family� Less problem of attachment /

detachment

� Adjusts to group easily� Routine medical / expert advise� Close supervision possible

FAMILY FOSTER CARE� One to one relationship� Individual care� Good possibility for education� Interaction with family and

community� Relates well to family� Feels secure� Sense of belonging developed

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Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra’s Foster CareProgramme

Mrs. Asha Avdhani is the Programme Director for Child Care at BSSK, PuneBharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK) isa non-political Indian charitable trust.BSSK offers several services such asadoptions, unwanted pregnancycounselling, and childcare centres. Theyalso have a foster family unit and areinvolved in community services.

BSSK has a foster care programmewith about 20 families, and is trying toexpand the programme.

Foster mothers have to do tests forHIV and the Australia Antigen test, inaddition to chest X-ray. In case thegeneral health of the mother shows anyconcerns, the physician might ask her toget some more tests done. Whileselecting foster families, one importantthing that is taken into account is thenumber of people who would be involvedwith the child. Also considered is thecleanliness of the house, water supply,physical hygiene of the foster mother andher nature and liking for babies.

After selecting the foster family, thefoster mother is then trained at thechildcare centre by the trained nursesand child development workers for aboutfour to seven days.

BSSK’s foster families are from thelower middle class, those who need somefinancial support to complement theirincome. While the husband or head of

the family is at work and the childrenare in school, the mother, who is ahousewife is at home. Even though shehas had some education and can readand write, she cannot go out and earn,but would like to earn something. Mostof the foster families have their ownchildren. A child is not placed in a fosterfamily who has a child below three yearsof age. This ensures that total care andlove is given to the BSSK child.

Relinquished babies who havecompleted one month of age or aboveand weigh at least 2.5 kgs. are placedwith foster families, so also babies whodo not have any major medical concernsand who do not require constant healthmonitoring.

Due to some reasons if a child cannotbe placed in adoption the childcontinues to stay with foster families tilltheir future rehabilitation takes place.

Once a week the foster mothers visita clinic along with the babies. Once intwo months, training programmes areorganized. They are periodicallyevaluated.

Once a baby is placed with a fosterfamily, BSSK does its best not to movethe baby to another foster family or thechildcare centre, unless there areunavoidable circumstances.

� Exposed to family – socialgatherings, etc.

� Nurtured in family environment� Attachment / detachment at high

level

� More self demanding� Close supervision of the agency

is not possible because of thedistance between the agency andthe homes

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BSSK strives to give all the services,love and security to the children whoare under their institutional care;

however, they believe that individualfamily care is the best alternative for achild-physically and emotionally.

Foster Care at SOFOSHMrs. Sangeeta Pawar, Administrator is of Foster Care, Society of Friends of Sasoon

Hospital (SOFOSH), PuneFoster family care provides a child withits basic needs of love, affection andundivided attention. A foster homesatisfies a child’s inherent need for a‘mother’.

A foster family should be chosen onparameters like family atmosphere,location, cleanliness, and biologicalchildren of the foster family, experienceand the motivation behind the fostercare families.

Supervision and training is thebackbone of any foster care exercise. Careshould be taken to explain to the familywhat would be expected of them; i.e.their role and their responsibilitiesshould be clearly spelt out. Besides thisthe organization has to introduce a familyto foster care through effective andefficient training. Consequently, whenthe organization is satisfied with the caregiven by the new family, prematurebabies, sick babies or babies with specialneeds may be placed with them.

It is essential to motivate fosterfamilies so that they may continue togive good care to the children placed

with them. It is also very important forthe coordinator of these foster familiesto maintain warm and friendly relationswith them. She must ensure that thereis transparent and unrestrictedcommunication between the fosterfamilies and her so that any problemsthat they might face may be brought toher notice immediately.

The child gets the all-important‘motherly care’ and a foster familycompensates for the loss the child hasexperienced early in life. The shower ofattention and care that the child gets fromthe foster family helps preserve a child’sinnocence. A child who has been infoster care is introduced to a family beforehe/she goes in for adoption. Hence, it iseasier for the child to adjust to a familythat actually adopts him or her.

Foster parents are those specialpeople who enjoy parenting, who wantto partner a centre in the care ofhomeless children and are willing toshare their home, time, energy, loveand their hearts with these childrenwho are in need of care.

Foster Care in KarnatakaMs. Nina Nayak is President of the Karnataka State Council for Child Welfare

Karnataka is among the few states tohave initiated the Foster Care Schemein 1997. The Karnataka State Councilfor Child Welfare has initiated

programmes to de-institutionalizechildcare with the solution of groupand family foster care . At that point oftime, nobody in the government knew

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what foster care was about. With helpfrom the International Foster CareAssociation, guidelines were draftedand Rs. 10 lakhs was sanctioned forthe pilot project. A co-coordinatingagency was formed to identify families.We had to create awareness not just inthe public but among the staff as well.The concept of foster care has beenintroduced to Govt. officials from thevarious districts of the State.

But this had its own problems. NGOswere reluctant to state the number ofchildren with them because it was linkedto the government grant. If you had even

one child less, you would lose the grant.However, under the destitute cottagescheme, group foster homes were openedin Mangalore. Each foster family, withtheir own children, looked after fourhomeless children. At the RamakrishnaInstitution in Puttur, 150 children (8children: 1 mother) were looked after.And you could see the change. Frombeing withdrawn, the children becameoutgoing.

What Does The Law Say About Foster Care?Ms. Arlene Manoharan is Research Officer, Center For Child and the Law,

National Law School, BangaloreThe Juvenile (Care and Protection ofChildren) Act 2000, (JJ (CPC) Act2000), has been instrumental inintroducing the concept of Foster Careinto law in India.

The key principle that shouldunderline decisions for children whoare in need of alternate care is that theyare to provide a healthy home andcommunity experience for the childwhile the conditions, which caused theplacement away from the birth/legalfamily, are being resolved. The firstpriority is for the child to return to hisbiological family and foster care shouldnot keep a child in limbo, denying himright to his/her own birth family, orto a permanent adoptive family.

Foster care may be defined as a 24-hour substitute care for children placedaway from their parents or guardiansand for whom the State has placementand care responsibility, whether the

State has placement and careresponsibility, whether or not theplacement is licensed or payments aremade. Long-term foster care is theintentional and planned placement ofa child in foster care for an extendedperiod. After adoption has beenexplored and not selected, and kinshipplacement options are not feasible, agoal of planned long-term foster caremay be seen as a viable goal.Section 42 of the JJ (CPC) Act 2000 isas follows:� The foster care may be used fortemporary placement of those infants whoare ultimately to be given in adoption.� In foster care, the child may beplaced in another family for a short orextended period of time, dependingupon the circumstances where thechild’s own parent usually visitsregularly and eventually after therehabilitation, where the children may

Footnote: Nina Nayak continues tolobby for foster care and has madeseveral initiatives.

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return to their own homes.� The State Government may makerules for the purposes of carrying outthe scheme of the foster careprogramme for children.This section fails to clarify the conceptof foster care adequately.

Article-20 UN Convention on therights of the child (UN CRC) providesfor alternate care for children whocannot remain in their biologicalfamilies because of being dysfunctional.

Article 21 of the CRC lays downbasic standards with regard to adoption.Karnataka Rules under the JJ (CPC)Act Rule 29.1

29.1 a) Short term FC – when thefoster care child’s natural guardians areunable to take care of the child andgiven an application to the recognizedadoption agency accordingly.

29.1 c) Temporary FC refers tophysical custody/care of the child tillhe/she is able to return to thebiological family as soon as the familycircumstances improve and shall notexceed four months.

29.1 d) Temporary FC can beextended and the total period shall notexceed five years. After five years, if thechild cannot return to the biologicalfamily, the child shall be given inadoption to the foster family.The team involved in the Foster CareServices delivery under the Act:

Child – Biological Family – licencedplacement agency – Foster parent/s -Child Welfare Committee / JuvenileJustice Board – Probation Officer –Department of Woman & ChildDevelopment.

FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE AND AND AND AND AND THETHETHETHETHELALALALALAWWWWW IN INDIA IN INDIA IN INDIA IN INDIA IN INDIAJuvenile Justice (Care and Protectionof Children) Act 2000These are ‘children in need of care andprotection’ (CINOCAP) and ‘childrenin conflict with law’ (CICWL). The Actcovers all persons who have not attainedthe age of 18 years. This act makes asignificant shift from the earlierJuvenile Justice Act 1986, byintroducing the concept of ‘restoration’.Sec.39 of the act deals with restorationand protection of a child. Sec.40 of theAct deals with the rehabilitation andsocial integration of children. Sec.42attempts to define foster care and doesnot clarify basic issues such as therights, responsibilities and duties of anyof the parties involved.

KEYKEYKEYKEYKEY ISSUES RELA ISSUES RELA ISSUES RELA ISSUES RELA ISSUES RELATED TED TED TED TED TTTTTOOOOOFOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE FOSTER CARE AND AND AND AND AND THETHETHETHETHELALALALALAWWWWW� Rights of children in foster care� Responsibility of foster parents� Fit person, Guardianship and

Licensing in foster fare� Funding issues

Bridging gaps and buildingcongruence with structure set up foradoption is the aim of the foster careprogramme.

ROLE OF PROFESSIONALROLE OF PROFESSIONALROLE OF PROFESSIONALROLE OF PROFESSIONALROLE OF PROFESSIONALAND SENSITIVE STAND SENSITIVE STAND SENSITIVE STAND SENSITIVE STAND SENSITIVE STAFFAFFAFFAFFAFFLinking Up Foster Care AndSponsorshipA family focused, community-basedapproach to foster care is the basis onwhich we can build a fully responsive

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service system. Foster care can providea ‘safety net’ to families in crisis.However, it cannot on its own meetthe full range of complex needs thatchildren and families have. As fostercare looks to the future, communitypartners will be critical to the goal of

MSV responds to calls concerningchildren’s needs for immediatecounselling, medical aid, temporarycare for missing/lost/found children,abused children, etc. Training andsensitizing of police personnel, MSVstaff and volunteers and staff of thenetworking agencies is also undertaken.

Stripped of false sentimentality, thefamily remains the most important anduseful human institution, which weneed. Each generation has spoken ofits deterioration, feared for its survival-but it still exists and will continue todo so, as long as we do not confine itto conventional strains and rigiddefinitions and as individuals andgroups we are willing to give up a bitof our freedom, a bit of ourindividuality to help the family live,even in different forms!

Makkala Sahaya Vani, the CommunityCollective working as an ombudsman for

providing children with temporary careon their way to permanency with afamily. All this is possible if we commitourselves to value based childdevelopment in family settings asopposed to State nurseries.

Home and Family in a Volatile Society

– The Alternatives?Ms. Brinda N. Adige is Coordinator, Makala Sahaya Vani, Bangalore

the protection of children and their rightsin Bangalore-India, has been constantlystriving to reunite/restore children backto families, either their own biologicalfamilies, adoptive families or their grand=parents/relatives and sometimes even withshelter/group homes where children canbe housed during a transitory periodbefore rejoining their families. Sometimes,in certain cases, placing children backwith their families (which is dysfunctionalfor all practical purpose) is not possible;in such instances; children continue tolive in shelter (transit home).

Children are often kept ininstitutions managed by thegovernments, shelter homes. These arerather ineffective when it comes tohelping children reintegrate into afamily set=up, especially when familiesof these children refuse to take anyresponsibility for them or are incapableof responding in a healthy and positivemanner with these children.

Foster Care – A Parent’s PerspectiveJeroze Dalal is an adoptive parent

“Generally, care of children on a full-time, temporary basis by persons otherthan their own parents" Foster care as

described in the ColumbiaEncyclopaedia.

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FOSTER PFOSTER PFOSTER PFOSTER PFOSTER PARENTINGARENTINGARENTINGARENTINGARENTINGA commitment to help a child andfamily through a specifically difficultperiod by providing consideration,understanding, and guidance to thechild.

WHO NEEDS FOSTERWHO NEEDS FOSTERWHO NEEDS FOSTERWHO NEEDS FOSTERWHO NEEDS FOSTERCARE?CARE?CARE?CARE?CARE?Foster care services are offered tochildren who require out-of-homeplacement and who are capable offunctioning in a family setting.

GETTING STGETTING STGETTING STGETTING STGETTING STARARARARARTEDTEDTEDTEDTEDQuestions that cross the mind� Will the children have multiple

problems?� Will they have mental or physical

disabilities?� What background will they have?� Will I be a good foster mother?� How will I know that I am doing

the right things?Is Foster Parenting for you?� It isn’t for everyone.� Be prepared for situations that

you may not think of.� It can be demanding on the

household and the family.� Be fair to yourself and know your

limits� Decide what type of child -- age,

sex and the level of difficulty ofcare

� Are you willing to do the worknecessary to handle a child whohas medical, physical, social, orother difficult problems?

The challenges foster parents face� The children may have

experienced abuse, neglect,abandonment, or death of lovedones

� Some may have broken the law� They could have emotional,

behavioural or physical problems� Sometimes for their needs, foster

parents may have to look for helpoutside of their home

Positives of foster care� Helping keep children safe� Giving them a better quality of

life� Sharing and giving a part of

yourself� Helping a child reach his/her full

potential� Feeling satisfied that you are

making a differenceNegatives of foster care� Disapproving friends and family� Having your property damaged� Theft in your home� Frustration when you realize your

lack of immediate influence� Feelings of inferiority when your

child does not mature� Difficulty to deal with anger

being released on you� Integrating foster children with

your own children� Need for being better organized.

eg. appointments that will occurweekly and monthly with doctors,teachers, shopping, friends. Theirneeds must be coordinated with

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the needs of your own children,your spouse and yourself

� After-care plan

FOSTER CARE MAY REQUIRESPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS� Emotional� Behavioural� Special needs

FOSTER CARE: INDIA� Public Awareness Campaigns to

make people aware of the needfor foster homes

� Need for special training andsupport services

� Parent Helplines

CONCLUSION� Foster parents have theopportunity to make a positivedifference in the lives of their children� By doing so, they often enrichtheir own lives as well� It can be a valuable and rewardingexperience for the entire family

Foster Care at Family Service CentreMs. Nigama Mascarenhas is Director, Family Service Centre

Foster care is an interim arrangementwherein a needy child is placed in thecare of near relatives or a family withsimilar cultural and social background.It ensures the child’s right to a family.The child grows up in the milieu ofsimilar cultural and social familysurrounding, making it possible towean the child and be integrated withhis own biological family as and whenthey have over-ridden the crisis.

The social worker plays a pivotalrole; doing the balancing act betweenthe children, foster family andbiological parents. Regular counselingand monitoring is maintained with allthe three stakeholders. Biologicalparents are counselled and supportedto resolve the crisis for an early reunionwith their child.

The CSWB launched a pilot fostercare project in 1964 in the Third FiveYear Plan. In 1994, the Governmentof Maharashtra instituted the schemeBal Sangopan Yojana with the

following rationale that family is thebest environment for the all rounddevelopment of the child. The schemespecifies the eligibility criteria forchildren and for parents.

Rules Related To The Scheme

a) Not more than two children willbe placed in foster care with one family.The only exception will be in case ofsiblings who should be preferablyplaced all together in one family.b) Not more than two children fromany one family will be given the benefitof the scheme, for e.g. if a widow hasfour children, only two can be eligiblefor subsidy under this scheme.c) The foster parents will beresponsible for providing food,education, clothing and all other care,protection and emotional support to thechild. The foster parents must ensurethat the schooling of this child is notdisrupted under any circumstances.d) After the completion of the foster

Foster Care Seminar


need to find families from similar groupswho themselves are fighting for survival.b) The maintenance cost offered bythe Government is very little to meetthe basic needs of the child. Relativesmay accept this but this is not the casewith unrelated foster care. It is thespirit of service alone that sustains themotivation of foster parents.c) We can reach out to few childrencompared to the demand for theservice. We need to think of strategiesto sensitize the communities to takeresponsibility for their children. Thisis a difficult task.

care period, the child may be returnedto its own biological family, or sentback to the original institution, ifnecessary. However, full efforts shouldbe made to ensure that the child isproperly rehabilitated.

Limitations And Difficulties

The limitations and difficulties facedin implementing the foster careprogramme are –a) It is extremely difficult to locategood, reliable foster families since mostof our children in need of care belong tothe lower socio-economic group. We

Group DiscussionsThe members were divided into fivegroups. Each group focused onpertinent and relevant issues such as1. The category of children needfoster care2. The kinds of families are bestsuited to take care of the special needs

children3. Monitoring of such a programme4. The Government’s role in theprogramme5. Long term foster care - for childrenwho cannot be adopted

Summary of the ConferenceThe two-day seminar had participantsfrom different States teaching as wellas sharing their valuable experiences.The focus was on family foster care howto make effective. Experts from variousfields including NGOs, medical, legal,and government organizations helpedto disseminate knowledge.

The participants felt that there wasan urgent need to create awareness ofthis concept between governmental,non-governmental and educationalinstitutions and lay persons byutilizing the media.

Although temporary foster care and

pre-adoptive foster care is familiar,many do not understand or appreciatethe importance of long term fostercare. The differences between the twoand the specific issues pertaining toeach have to be addressed.

There needs to be clarity onunderstanding foster care and endorsingthis as an alternative to Institutional care.foster care should also be promoted inorganizations other than placementagencies.

There should be a general consensuswith reference to recruitment, trainingand preparation of both families and

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children. There should be definiteroles and responsibilities spelt out forfamilies, agencies, birth families andthe government.

Pertinent Questions and

Observations

� Placement of an older child andspecific training that would benecessary to deal with emotional/psychological issues.� What happens if a child in fostercare meets with an accident or dies

after an illness?� What role does the StateGovernment play in this alternative toinstitutional care?� Involvement of biological parent –when / how� Financial backing by agencies –subsidy should be on a uniform basisat least region wise.� Consider positive / negatives of fosterfamily care from the child’s point of view.

What Needs to be Done?� Family Foster Care needs to belegalized. The State Governmentshould recognize suitable agencies torecruit, train and place children infamily foster care.� Need to create awareness not onlywith agencies but also with thegovernment / social work groups /

general public� To have a common procedure forrecruitment / enrollment / training /

supervision by the agency� Use of reformed guidelines as a base� Work out modalities in details

Conference Follow-up� Follow-up on the service after threemonths� Form a committee / VCT + + inBangalore� Discussion by participants andtheir agencies and feedback to be sent

within three months to Vathsalya. Alsoneeded are recommendation, changes,additions, queries, clarification, etc.� Drafting of revised guidelines byVathsalya.

Formation of a National Committee (Task Force)� Preparing of a final report onfamily foster care in India� Interacting with the StateGovernment regarding the guidelines� Clarifying legal aspects relating tothe guidelines� Distributing of copies of the foster

family care guidelines to governmentand non-governmental agencies, childwelfare agencies involved in adoptionor otherwise� Ensuring that the guidelines arefollowed and accepted by all concernedpeople

Foster Care Seminar


� Involving people in the localcommunity like State Government

authorities, police, local NGOs

Organisations and individuals whoparticipated in the Seminar

1. ACCESS, Bangalore2. Anantha Sishu Nivasa, Bangalore3. Bal Anand, Mumbai 4. Bharatiya Samaj Seva Kendra, Pune5. Centre for Child & Law, Bangalore6. Department of Social Welfare, Government of NCT of

New Delhi7. Family Service Centre, Mumbai8. IFCM, Bangalore9. India For Christ Ministries, Bangalore10. Kirubai Children’s Home, Bangalore11. Makkala Sahaya Vani, Bangalore12. Rose Susainathan, Bangalore13. Shreedevi Institute of Social Work, Mangalore14. SOFOSH, Pune15. Terre Des Hommes Core Trust, Tiruvannamalai 16. YMCA, Bangalore

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

WWWWWe are deeply indebted to:e are deeply indebted to:e are deeply indebted to:e are deeply indebted to:e are deeply indebted to:Ms. Lata Joshi, who had the courage to dream, conceptualize andbring to birth this National Seminar on Effective Family Foster Care.

Mr. Gary Gamer, Vice President, International Programme, HoltInternational Children’s Services, for inaugurating the Seminar aswell as delivering a very meaningful valedictory address.

Dr. Aloma Lobo, Chairperson, VCA-K, for delivering the Chief Guest’saddress from a professional and personal point of view.

Ms. Nina Nayak, President, Karnataka State Council for ChildWelfare, for sharing her expertise in the field of foster care.

Matilda and Peter Yorke who were there with us from the verybeginning.

Ms. Romola Joseph, Secretary, and Ms. Lata Jacob, Administrator,both from Medico Pastoral Association, for chairing key sessions veryeffectively.

Ms. Diana Tholoor, who helped us start the Seminar with a verytouching skit entitled “I don’t know”, performed by the children ofVathsalya.

Mr. and Mrs. Partho Ganguly for bringing out the latent talents ofour children in an excellent performance in the skit ‘Judgement’.

Ms. Sandra Jacob for making the valedictory lively with a BharataNatyam recital.

Fr. Shenoy and his team at Ashirvad for taking care of every need ofours.

Mr. Cyril D’ Souza for designing this report.

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