Kenora
Association for Community Living
Discussion Paper on
Specialized
Foster Care
In
approximate 1993 the Association received a call from a Children’ s Aid
Society requesting KACL’s assistance in providing a family for the care
of a young individual rather than institutionalization. KACL had adopted a strong
anti-institutionalized policy and was opposed to any individual be placed in an
institution. Following discussion, the young individual was placed in a foster
home found by KACL and approved by the Children’s Aid society.
Subsequently
the Association has assisted the agency with a number of individuals some of
whom would otherwise be placed in institutionalized care.
Definition and clarification of KACL’s
role in Specialized Foster Care
A parent
may contract with anyone to provide for services and care of their
children. A Children. Aid Society
may operate a “Foster Care Program” where by a family is paid a per
diem to provide for the care and nurturance of a child. KACL merely assists the
parent or a Children’s Aid Society to live in warm, family like, caring
environment and integrated in the main stream of the community. The association must be cautious in the commitments
it makes. The association is not the guardian or next-of-kin of either life
sharer, merely a provider of services. The association must not make any
unconditional commitments it cannot reasonably deliver on.
Nature and Amount of Funding to Support Specialized
Foster
Funding for
specialized Foster care is negotiated with the relevant Children’s Aid
Society. As a guideline, current rates
are $2790 per month plus a $200 a month administration fee paid to KACL. The amount of $2790 is paid to the foster
Family to cover all care including food, lodging and miscellaneous
expenses. In addition the
Children’s Aid society may pay medical expenses and clothing allowance
which must be specified in the agreement.
Except as agreed no additional charges may be made against the child of
family of origin if such family is involved.
Other Foster Children
Funding
is provide to the foster family on the understanding that the foster family
will provide a healthy, safe and nurturing environment for the child with
special needs. A child with special
needs requires additional care to ensure that the child grows and develops, increases
his or her personal support network and involvement in the community. For this reason KACL does not except in
exceptional circumstances become involved in assisting in the administration of
foster care where the foster family insists in taking in additional children. Where KACL is requested to get involved in an
existing arrangement with numerous foster children, generally it will only do
so where there is a commitment on the part of the foster children to take in no
additional children including replacements for any child or children who leave.
Notice of Termination of Specialized Foster Care
The
nature of expected notice of termination of Lifesharing will be dependent on
various factors that must be considered at the time of drafting or reviewing a
memorandum of understanding.
Memorandum of Understanding
A
contract between the funding agency and any specialized funding Care provider is
essential for accountability purposes.
Appendix B provides a boiler Plate agreement.
Appendix A
The goal of
KACL is to ensure that all persons with special needs have the opportunity to live
a meaningful and satisfying lifestyle and interact as an equal in their
community by providing continuing opportunities for personal growth through
education, training, support, advocacy and an informed public.
Appendix B
Memorandum of Understanding
Between
Kenora Association for Community
Living (KACL)
And
ABC Child and Family Services
And
Foster parents
1. The Kenora Association for Community Living
(hereinafter referred to as"KACL") is an incorporated association of members,
who have as their mission statement and goal,
to ensure
that all people with special needs have the opportunity to live a meaningful
and satisfying lifestyle and interact as equals in their community by providing
continuing opportunities for personal growth through education, training,
support, advocacy and an informed public
And a set
of service delivery principles found in schedule A of this memorandum.
2. ABC is a designated Children’s Aid
Society.
3. Axe, (hereinafter referred to as the
"Caregivers") residents of the Kenora area, are desirous of sharing
their life with yyy. They accept the
Principles of Service Delivery adhered to by KACL and have agreed to assist yyy
to live in a state of respect and dignity in the community.
ABC is a designated
Children’s Aid Society.
5. In order to achieve one’s personal
dreams, desires and aspirations it is necessary to plan. The Caregivers commit themselves to building
a circle of support that will assist yyy in achieving her dreams, desires and
aspirations.
6. Subject
to the conditions and agreements mentioned in this memorandum, KACL will pay
the Caregivers a per diem of $65.75 payable monthly in arrears ($2,000)
7. KACL
agrees to pay an additional per diem of $13 for food and miscellaneous
expenses, payable, in arrears in the monthly sum of $390 as well as an
additional $400 a month for room. These
additional amounts will be discontinued upon the receipt of Family Benefits at
age 18.
8. ABC
agrees to provide a maximum of $500 a year, upon receipt of invoices for
materials needed within her home schooling curriculum.
9. ABC
agrees to provide suitable clothing for yyy. As well as all her medical
supplies, including transportation to any specialist appointments in Winnipeg.
10. The
Caregivers will provide all personal supports, services and care required by to
permit her to live a meaningful and satisfying lifestyle in the community.
11. Foster
Parents agree that during the course of this agreement they will not accept
other foster children into their home (Any starting position exceptions must be
specified with an undertaking that no new foster children will be taken in once
existing child or children leave).
11. The
Caregivers accept a responsibility to assist Donna in her personal growth and
development and plan for Donna's transition into the home and community.
12. The Caregivers accept the responsibility of
KACL, as long as it is involved, to assure a minimal standard of care.
13. The
Caregivers accept the responsibility of notifying KACL of any serious
occurrence.
14. This agreement may be terminated by Notice,
(1.) Immediately by yyy's Guardian,
(2.) Upon 30 days notice by The Caregivers,
(3.) Upon 30 days notice by KACL.
15. The payments specified in paragraph 6, 7,
8 and 9 are conditional upon continued funding provided by ABC Child and Family
Services.
16. The Caregivers accept that the funding
provided by this agreement is provided in lieu of all other funding, other than
specialised service assistance by KACL (e.g. augmentative communication or
other training provided by KACL, or specific funding for training specifically
approved by KACL).
17. KACL does not save harmless the
Caregivers from any income tax liability that may become due and payable on the
monies paid to the Caregivers by KACL and the Caregivers agree to obtain
independent advice regarding any income tax or other charges to which the
Caregivers may become liable.
18. This agreement shall be reviewed annually
by the parties, and failing agreement by the parties within 30 days, may be
unilaterally altered by KACL upon 30 days notice.
18. This agreement is effective from ________
to ________.
Kenora Association for Community
Living
Date
Per:
______________________________
Date ABC
Child and Family Services
Per
_______________________________
________________________________
Date Caregivers