Caregivers' Corner

Here you will find...

• Normalcy and the Reasonable and Prudent Parent Standard
• Training on E-Track Usage
• Caregiver Resources
• Human Trafficking Training for Caregivers
  
• Info on Helping Youth Emancipate
  
• Info on Caregiver Training
• Anti-Bullying Resources
• Info on Caregivers in E-Track
• Caregiver ITNA (Paper Version)
• Caregiver ITNA (Electronic Version)
• Initial Caregiver ITNA
  

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Caregiver Resources:

	Preservice Youth Version is a self-study packet for prospective adoptive and foster parents to review with their children as they are attending the Preservice series.  This tool, developed by Bethany Strauss and Leah Wasburn-Moses at Miami University, helps parents discuss important topics with their children in preparation for an adoptive or foster child.
	Ohio Family Care Assn  http://www.ofcaonline.org/ [Conference; Advocacy for Ohio’s foster and adoptive families; newsletter]
	North American Council for Adoptable Children http://www.nacac.org/ [Information on adoption subsidies; advocacy for adoptive parents; conference; newsletter]
	Tapestry http://www.tapestrybooks.com/?gclid=CJznsbrnvaECFQENDQodOGNmYA [Online book store for books about adoption for parents, professionals, and children]
	Ohio’s Adoption Guide:  http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/file.asp?id=521&type=application/pdf [booklet created by Ohio Dept of Job & Family Services to provide information about adoption in Ohio]
	Child Welfare Information Gateway  http://www.childwelfare.gov/ [articles and information for adoptive and foster parents as well as staff]
	Foster Parent College  http://www.fosterparentcollege.com/?gclid=CKnOi63ovaECFUNJ5wodEmWXAQ [online courses for foster caregivers; public agency foster caregivers can access free credits through the Ohio Child Welfare Training Program.  Contact your foster care specialist for more information.]
	Survival Strategies for Foster Caregivers
	Healthy Foster Care America: http://www.aap.org/fostercare/
	VStreet: http://www.vstreet.com/login/index.jsp  (interactive online educational resource for older youth to learn independent living skills; small fee involved)
	Ohio Dept. of Education document explaining rules and resources for children with special educational needs:http://www.eric.ed.gov/PDFS/ED486385.pdf
	Free Meals for Foster Children The Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 provides categorical eligibility to foster children for free meals served under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. If you would like to reach out directly to your State Child Nutrition Programs to collaborate on the implementation of the new law or to find out more information about implementation in your State, contact information can be found here: http://www.fns.usda.gov/cnd/Contacts/StateDirectory.htm.
	Information on grandparents providing kinship care: http://www.ohiograndparentkinship.org/
	Adoption Photo Listings: www.adoptionphotolistingohio.org  Ohio Adoption Photolisting http://adoptionphotolistingohio.org/browse.php  Adopt US Kids
	Accessing Free School Lunches
	A List of Resources on Dealing with Bullying
	Promoting Connections with Incarcerated Parents
	Communicable Disease Information
	Finding and Using Post-Adoptive Services: http://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f_postadoption.pdf
	Video about Adoption Tax Credit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eQryETwRziA
	Helping Youth Transition from Foster Care to Empancipation: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/socwork/nrcfcpp/info_services/independent-living.html
	Psychotropic Medication Resources: http://www.ohiomindsmatter.org/Parents.html
	Supporting LGBTQ Youth in Foster Care: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/LGBTQyouth.cfm
	Ohio Adoption Subsidies: http://www.odjfs.state.oh.us/forms/file.asp?id=751&type=application/pdf
	Information about Childhood Trauma:  http://www.nctsn.org/resources/audiences/parents-caregivers
	Social media tips for foster caregivers:   https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/smtips_parent.cfm

 

Information on Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood:

Ohio Youth Transition Plan

Helping Youth Transition to Adulthood
https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/youth_transition.pdf

GED
Job Corps is a great way to complete a high school education, and even provides housing!  Ohio has three Jobs Corps Centers .

Healthcare
Foster care youth who "age out" of the system can receive Medicaid until age 21. Navigating the adult Medicaid system can be challenging. Don't assume that the staff at the Medicaid office will be aware of this program -- bring a copy of the flyer.

Higher Ed
Ohio Reach is a statewide initiative to increase the number of foster care youth who enroll in and graduate from college. A good place to start in choosing a college is to look over the list of Ohio Reach Campus Liaisons.

Education and Training Voucher Program for foster youth:
http://studentaid.ed.gov/sites/default/files/foster-youth-vouchers.pdf

Legal Assistance
Capital University Law School is currently piloting a Foster Youth Advocacy Center. Another free online source is the Foster Youth Rights Handbook created by the Ohio YAB.

Literacy
Have you contacted your local library and/or Literacy Council?  The Ohio Literacy Network offers a free online membership.

Social Security
Emancipating foster care youth with disabilities can submit SSI applications up to 90 days before federal foster care payments are supposed to end. Remind the staff member that this is an exception to the general rule regarding this process

OCWTP Training for Foster Caregivers on Helping Youth Emancipate:

(Enter the appropriate E-Track course number below in the "What Would You Like to Learn Today" box in E-Track, select the "Code" radio button beneath that box, and hit "search" to see full descriptions of these courses and view available offerings/enroll in E-Track):

202-35-NOS - Youth Development: The Vital Link
210-26-NOS - Life Long Connections: Permanency for Older Youth
202-36-NOS - Engaging Youth in Transition Planning
926-FF9-S- Fostering Self-Reliance in Children and Youth: Roots and Wings

 

Information on Caregiver Training:

Overview of the Fundamentals of Fostering Series of Workshops

Use E-Track to Search for and Enroll In Caregiver Training. New to E-Track?

Caregiver Training Requirements

Caregiver Training Companion Resources

Online Course: Caregivers Transcending Differences

Anti-Bullying Resources:

Colorosa, Barbara. The Bully, the Bullied, and the Bystander (2003). This book is a great resource for parents and caregivers to understand what bullying is, the dynamics, the adult role

Davis, Stan. Schools Where Everyone Belongs (2007)

Secretary Arne Duncan's speech "Myths About Bullying" at US Summit on Bullying www.ed.gov/news/speeches/myths-about-bullying-secretary-arne-duncans-remarks-bullying-prevention-summit (Aug 10, 2010)

Websites:

• www.stopbullying.gov
• www.stopbullyingnow.com

Anti-bullying programs to explore:

• Stop Bullying Now www.stopbullyingnow.com
• Operation Respect www.operationrespect.org