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LET US INTRODUCE YOU TO OUR PROGRAM 
Placer County Family Connections is a therapeutic or treatment foster care program. Treatment is a planned and specific course of action developed by the individual child/family team to address the goals of placement for the child and the child’s family.
The words “therapeutic” or “treatment” are often confusing and threatening to foster families. The general connotation of these words often leads one to think of illness and foster parents, particularly when new to the field, do not see themselves as prepared to work in this way. The majority of children we work with have experienced disruptions, traumas and stressors that can and do significantly interfere in their healthy emotional, physical and social development. It is the effects of these experiences we are treating or working in a therapeutic way to help the child heal and reach their potential. 
- Websters Dictionary in part defines "therapeutic" as "serving to heal or preserve health". This seems very consistent with what most foster parents hope to help their foster children attain.
- "Therapy" is a form of treatment and the definition of treatment states that it implies a "systematic course". So Family connections' definition of therapeutic in our operation implies that we use a planned course of actions to help children and their families heal and preserve health. "Planned course" is an extremely important part of what we do. Treatment is not random, and we utilize a specific course of action to determine the needs and interventions to help a child and their family. Cooperation and teamwork by all who are involved are paramount to our success.
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Foster parents play a highly important part in both the assessment and “planned course” of intervention to preserve health and cause healing. Foster parents, of course, are the ones who are with the foster children most of the time and have the greatest impact. As Treatment Specialists in this program, it is our responsibility to use our expertise to guide, listen, assist, coordinate, train, and support the foster family and others involved to help assure the greatest potential outcome of service.
We believe that to be successful, we must work as a
team with all other involved people, including parents,
extended family members, schools, therapists, other
agency workers, etc.
Working as an interdisciplinary team member adds additional
responsibilities for all members.
We need to communicate regularly and develop treatment plans that are agreed upon and valued by the whole team. Problems need to be addressed by the team. Strengths should be identified, enhanced and respected, as opposed to focus on family deficits or dysfunction.
When a child enters our program, the Treatment Specialist completes a thorough psychological, social, educational, and biological assessment to ensure we have a thorough understanding of the needs of the child and his/her family. It is only through this assessment that we can design an individual service plan or “planned course” of action to address the specific and unique needs of an individual and their family.
The Treatment Specialist works closely with the therapeutic foster family in helping to develop an understanding of the child’s and family’s needs. The foster parent’s input at all
phases of placement is paramount to a successful case plan.
In-home meetings occur weekly, or more often if initially needed, with the foster parents, child, and Treatment Specialist. During the weekly meetings, progress and/or concerns are discussed and specific interventions or plans are developed to address the need. Communication is coordinated by the Treatment Specialist between all involved parties to ensure that all needs and aspects of service are considered and addressed.
From our own experience and the experience of others in this field, it has become clear that children benefit from continued contact and relationships with their families. This needs to be balanced with safety considerations, but we strive to help children and their families obtain their highest potential together. This “highest potential” may be reunification for some children and their families; for others it may mean that there is some form of contact and relationship development, but without reunification.
Consistent with the treatment philosophy of the Children’s System of Care, Family Connections strives to respond to the individual needs of a particular child and family, and we utilize our own resources and the resources in the public and private sectors of the community to reach our goals. As a “system of care” we work both cooperatively and closely with other public and/or private providers or involved persons.
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All children in Placer County reach adulthood having experienced a safe, healthy, and nurturing environment. Our families and the communities in which they live are our greatest strength. To support families and communities we commit to:
- Empower children and families to achieve their highest level of functioning and self sufficiency.
- Promote mutual respect, rapport, and partnership with the community, families, natural supports, community providers, and agency providers.
- Advocate for the values of families and the dignity of each family member while we;
- Reduce institutional barriers that prevent the joining of resources in providing the most effective services to our children, families in our communities;
- Promote an integrated service system to meet the unique needs of each child and family.· Cultural Competency will be integrated into all services to children, youth and their families including policy, service delivery, and evaluation.
Family Connections is committed to the above philosophy as a part of the broader S.M.A.R.T. Children’s System of Care. We believe that the use of therapeutic foster family homes will add an important alternative. We believe Placer County Family Connections offers an important treatment alternative when out of home placement is being considered.
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OUR HISTORY IS…
Family Connections began in 1990 as the first licensed
“public” foster family agency in northern California.
The program started with a federal block grant to Placer County Mental Health. At that time, our target population was high risk ED (Emotionally Disturbed) children, youth, and their families. As a public agency, our target population has also been Placer County residents. It was our desire to work in a cooperative and productive way with other public or private service providers involved to best service this target population and reduce the need for more restrictive types of placements. The program design incorporated knowledge and experience in working with this population in a residential treatment setting and adapted it to work with children and youth in a therapeutic foster home environment.
By 1992, the Placer County Welfare Department asked that we expand our program to serve the more general population of foster children who are also at high risk, but may not be identified ED. It took over a year to develop a two tier system and expand the target population we serve. Family Connections continues to be a small foster family agency offering intensive and quality service to foster children and their families in therapeutic home environments.
In 1994, Family Connections became a part of the unique collaborative, system of care of public agencies providing service to children, including probation, welfare and education. Being a part of Placer County Children’s System of Care has enhanced our ability to work cooperatively and coordinate quality service to the children and families in our program.
and reduce the need for more restrictive types of placements. The program design incorporated knowledge and experience in working with this population in a residential treatment setting and adapted it to work with children and youth in a therapeutic foster home environment.
By 1992, the Placer County Welfare Department asked that we expand our program to serve the more general population of foster children who are also at high risk, but may not be identified ED. It took over a year to develop a two tier system and expand the target population we serve. Family Connections continues to be a small foster family agency offering intensive and quality service to foster children and their families in therapeutic home environments.
In 1994, Family Connections became a part of the unique collaborative, system of care of public agencies providing service to children, including probation, welfare and education. Being a part of Placer County Children’s System of Care has enhanced our ability to work cooperatively and coordinate quality service to the children and families in our program.
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HOW WE RECRUIT AND TRAIN…
Services to foster parents begin with the first contact in the form of helping interested people to understand the program and make an informed decision as to the appropriateness of this program for them.
We recruit foster parents who are Placer County residents. Foster parents come with a variety of backgrounds and experience. A critical part of providing quality foster care to children and families is recruitment and training of potential foster parents.
We welcome all inquiries but are selective in choosing foster families we feel will be able to support the principles of this program and work cooperatively and collaboratively.
Most of our families are licensed foster parents in Placer County and join us with an Exclusive Use Agreement that keeps their license active. We will be happy to explain this Agreement to you. Occasionally, we have certified foster parents transfer to us from other foster family agencies. These families are not licensed.
Once you are a part of Family Connections, we strongly 
encourage on-going training for foster parents and
Treatment Specialists. Our jobs, whether as parents or
staff, are demanding. New information, as well as reviewing
certain types of training, helps to keep us sharp and able to
offer the best service to children and families.
On-going training requirements are 15 hours minimum per calendar year. These hours can include mandatory trainings that Family Connections offers, usually six to eight hours per year, and foster care training classes at Sierra College or Placer Kids.
We offer alternatives of videotapes or on-line classes for up to five hours of the yearly total. All trainings need to be verified in writing and pertain to your role as a therapeutic foster parent in Family Connections. Please ask if you have specific questions about trainings you are interested in.
 Interested persons must attend the Placer Kids Orientation and pre-service training as a part of being certified or becoming licensed and "Exclusive Use" to Family Connections.
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Once in the program, clinical staff work closely with foster parents to understand their family, experience, values and strengths toward the goal of making the most appropriate foster child and foster family match.
In-home weekly clinical support is a routine service to foster parents, along with telephone contact as needed and "after hours" crisis services. Routinely we work closely with our foster families to address the behavioral and emotional issues, social and daily home and school responsibilities of the children placed in their home.
Foster parents will be included in all aspects of the child's treatment and placement process. We strive to keep our foster families highly informed of past historical information regarding their foster child as well as current issues, treatments, decisions, etc. Family Connections provides coordination services on all children for educational needs, family contacts, individual treatment services and case planning.
If a foster child's problems require more than what can be realistically provided by the foster parent(s), additional services can be authorized by the System of Care to support the continued placement. These could include: out-of-home respite, in-home respite, in-home support services, and behavioral consultation.
Other services provided to the child could include psychological evaluation, individual or family therapy, sexual abuse treatment, family preservation services, foster youth services, independent living skills, special educational services, crisis services, and medication services.
Foster families earn respite hours that theycan accrue,
to use as needed, up to six months. Thirty-six hours per
month are earned per child.
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 OUR RATE REIMBURSEMENT
You will be assigned a monthly rate based on Family Connections’ Two Tier Rate Scale and the age of the foster child.
TIER I: This is our most intensive level of service and addresses the needs of children who are designated emotionally disturbed (ED) in their educational plan or have other significantly high risk behaviors or circumstances. The families fostering these children would be experienced with children and active participants in the therapeutic milieu process.
TIER II: This level was designed for children who have risk indicators in their histories but have not as yet demonstrated the most severe symptoms. Our hope is that in these cases a planned intervention will deter them from becoming placement failures and at greater risk in later years. This is the larger group of children in our program.
The rate will be paid on a monthly basis before the fifteenth of the month following the month of foster care service (i.e. for the month of May, you would be paid by June 15th). If the child is in your home a part of one month, the monthly reimbursement will be pro-rated according to the number of days in the month and the number of days the child was in your home.
Funding begins on the day that the foster child is formally placed in your home. Neither Family Connections nor our foster parents will receive reimbursement for the last day the child is in placement. Pre-placement visits will not be reimbursable.
The rate reimbursement is to cover monthly expenses for the foster child including: housing, food, room furnishings, clothing, allowance, school supplies, recreational supplies and activities, child care and other reasonable needs.
Generally, a foster child’s medical and dental care is covered by Medi-Cal. If occasionally there are medical or dental needs not covered (e.g. over-the-counter medication) the reimbursement will be expected to cover these costs.
Family Connections has set our rates to try to adequately cover necessary foster child expenses and provide some reimbursement for time to our foster parents. As the foster care rate may vary over time relevant to placement changes, we encourage our foster parents not to rely on this reimbursement for basic living expenses. We recognize your work as a foster parent will be demanding, and we hope any additional reimbursement you receive beyond child-related expenses will be able to help enrich and replenish your lives. |
Family Connections accepts educational, social service, and probation referrals. Family Connections serves the same target population as the Children’s System of Care. We emphasize the match between foster parent, children, and birth or adoptive family. We consider individual needs, family styles, other children in the home, and cultural issues. If an appropriate match is not available we do not make a placement.
Family Connections commits to knowing the foster families in our program and developing positive working relationships. This allows us to assist in placements that will provide the most opportunity for success.
When we present a referral to a family, we want you to listen and consider the information, ask questions, and let us know if you are interested in the placement or feel it is not the right match for your home. We will do our best to answer questions or help you understand any concerns more thoroughly.
It is our policy to share all the information we have on a referral with our families. Foster parents need to be well informed during the matching process in order to understand the potential demands of a particular placement. This information is always confidential and needs to be treated as such.
Placement and Initial Treatment Planning
The Treatment Specialist working with your family will develop initial needs and service plan with you at the time of placement. Any specific safety issues are addressed in detail. The Treatment Specialist will also want to know what you observe, hear, or experience with the foster child. Your input is critical to the Treatment Specialist. Your information will assist the Treatment Specialist in developing good plans to address problematic behaviors, emotional, and developmental issues of concern, as well as build on individual strengths.
We work closely with our foster families, which allows us to assess and monitor their responses to the often-stressful job of fostering children. We support them with respite and in-home support as needed, as well as supervision and guidance in working with difficult situations. This approach allows for the greatest level of quality case planning and service intervention to children and their families.
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CONTACT US...
After reviewing the information, please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Our telephone number is
(530) 886-5486
If you would like to speak to a foster parent in Family Connections, we will be glad to put you in touch with one.
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