Required Training for Foster Parents Providing Specialized Care 624-05-20-10-10

(Revised 2/10/07 ML #3053)

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Foster parents receiving specialized payments (EMP) are required to take the following training:

  1. Initial orientation
  2. PRIDE Core Service Course
  3. PRIDE Core Training Curriculum, as appropriate
  4. Annual Training – 12 hours

 

The initial orientation training is to be conducted by the county social service board, regional human service center staff, the private agency or a combination of these agencies. Foster parents licensed July 1, 1985 to January 1, 1998, were required to take the basic foster family course within six months of licensure. Since January 1, 1998, prospective foster parents must also take the PRIDE Pre-service Course prior to licensing. (PRIDE training for foster parents commenced January 1, 1998, and availability has increased since that time.) The foster parents must take, if provided or approved, at least twelve hours of training per year effective July 1, 1985. Foster parents must also be willing to take the specialized training PRIDE Care modules that will be required when available and prior to receiving the enhanced maintenance payment.

 

It is the responsibility of the county social service boards and regional human service centers or the private agency to assure that this training is made available, either through direct provision or written approval to the foster parents providing specialized care. It is the responsibility of the foster parent to avail themselves of the training when provided or approved.

 

Foster parents who do not take the above identified training even though it is available to them and even though they are providing foster care to a child whose behavior would qualify them as providing specialized care will not be eligible for excess maintenance payments. It is the responsibility of the regional foster care supervisor to assure that all foster parents receiving EMP’s care meet the above requirements. The regional foster care supervisor does have the authority to waive the required training under appropriate circumstances. (Example: If a foster parent had a degree in special education and was caring for a mentally retarded child, then it would be appropriate to waive the training in this type of situation.)