RS 286.13 - Rights
Foster parents shall be entitled to the following rights granted to them by the Department of Children and Family Services:
(1) The right to be treated with dignity, respect, trust, and consideration as a primary provider of foster care and a member to the professional team caring for foster children. This right includes the right to uniform treatment throughout the state by the department in the providing of information to foster parents and in ensuring the exercise of the rights granted to foster parents.
(2) The right to receive explanation and clarification as to the expectations and roles of all team members and to receive evaluation and feedback on their role as foster caregiver. Information provided to foster parents by the department shall include written information explaining the rights and duties of foster parents, and a record shall be kept by the department showing the signatures of the foster parents acknowledging receipt of this information.
(3) The right to receive all information on a child, at placement, and on an ongoing basis, that could impact the care provided the child, the health, and safety of the child and foster family members. Information shall include the case plan and the health, medical, educational, legal, and social history as known to the Department of Children and Family Services to better meet the needs of children in their care.
(4) The right to receive the necessary training and support to enable them to provide quality services in meeting the needs of children in their care, including reasonable relief and respite, as allowed by agency resources.
(5) The right to be informed of available support services, case planning meetings, court hearings, and other decisionmaking meetings in a timely manner in recognition of the importance of their role as foster caregivers. This includes information concerning participation as foster caregivers in legal and administrative actions as authorized by law.
(6) The right to actively participate in the development of the child's case plan, educational plan, and in other service planning decisionmaking processes.
(7) The right to access agency staff for assistance in dealing with emergencies on a twenty-four-hour basis, to assistance in dealing with family loss and separation when a child leaves their home, and access to available advocacy services to help support the foster parent in their role as caregiver.
(8) The right to receive information concerning agency policies and procedures related to their role as a foster parent or to the child in their care, and information contained in the foster parents' record, as allowed by law.
(9) The right for first consideration as a placement option for a child previously placed in their home and for a child placed in their home who becomes available for adoption, if relative placement is not available.
(10) The right to permit a member of the Louisiana Advocacy Support Team to accompany a foster parent into meetings with departmental staff during investigations or grievance procedures.
Acts 2006, No. 439, §1; Acts 2007, No. 122, §1, eff. June 25, 2007.