Dear Angels Families,
Here are some additional updates/guidance for Resource Parents in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Again, the situation is so fluid that you will likely continue to receive updates daily as we are informed of new information. As an extension/contractor of child welfare, we (Angels and Resource/Foster Families) fall under the category of “essential services” and therefore are exempt from some of the government orders in order to perform the necessary services we provide. Having said that, we will take every measure possible to keep ourselves and others safe and healthy while still working to support our children and families.
Emergency Reporting Requirements
- If anyone in your household tests positive for COVID-19 or if you have been exposed to COVID-19 please let your CCM know right away. We have additional reporting requirements on our end if this is the case.
- Please update your Emergency Disaster Plans to include contingencies for providing care to children in the event that you or your family member is impacted by an outbreak of illness.
Home Visits
- As of right now, home visits between CCMs and children/families are still required on a weekly basis for most cases, but this will all be done via some form of video-conferencing (Skype, FaceTime or similar) in most cases and until further notice. There will be few exceptions to this and this will be determined on a case by case basis. If a CCM does need to perform a home visit or meet with a family/child for any reason, they will practice social distancing and this visit will be limited in time and scope to only what is necessary. CCMs may also be wearing masks or gloves in an abundance of caution to ensure minimal exposure to germs for our kids/families. The times where we may decide to do in-person visits may include placements, necessary home inspections, and urgent issues such as significant injuries. Should any family need additional time and support, this can be provided remotely via phone or video conference or in-person depending on the issue.
- The County has been permitted to do virtual visits as well if needed, but generally will still try to make in-person visits occur and practice safety and social distancing in the same way as us.
- The County has informed us that in regards to child abuse referrals, staff will still be expected to make unannounced visits for investigatory purposes, as these services/investigations are also considered “essential”.
Parent/Family Visitation
- The court order currently in place suspending visits between children and their biological parents/families has been extended until 5 pm on Wednesday, March 25. The order may or may not become extended again. Please continue to provide these visits via video whenever possible or a phone call.
- Since Foster Family Agencies are considered an "essential service" provider, I fully expect that at some point suspension of visitations will be lifted.
- Whether or not the suspension of visits continues to be extended, we have to anticipate as an agency, and Resource Parent as an extension of our agency, how we will make biological parent/family visitations work while being as safe as possible.
- Angels is developing some protocol to follow based on what we think this may/could look like. Again, nothing has been determined yet but we continue to try to operate by being proactive instead of reactive as much as possible.
Medical appointments/Injury reporting
- No real updates to this, read below.
- We have heard from many families they were unable to be seen by medical personal for routine injuries not requiring medical attention, and for routine well-child exams. Please check in with your child's pediatrician if you have a scheduled WCC or other appointment to see if the medical visits are still happening. If you are not able to be seen, document it and let your CCM know.
- So far we have received no additional guidance about changes to the injury reporting requirement and doctor's visits for head/neck/face injuries. But based on medical providers not seeing kids for non-essential visits, I would say do your best to follow the policy and document all your attempts if you are not able to be seen for routine injuries. Continue to report injuries to your CCM/on-call line so we can continue to write incident reports and follow our reporting requirements to the county/state.
Service Providers
- Many service providers for our kids are moving to virtual support.
- FFAST and CASAS both informed us that their services would be provided to children/families virtually in upcoming days/weeks.
Juvenile Court/Attorneys
- Currently, the juvenile courts are closed to any hearings/trials other than detention hearings (those hearings that determine whether or not a child can be brought into care) or other urgent matters that need court intervention. All hearings/trials that were scheduled through April 6th will be continued.
- Minor’s attorneys are working remotely and may check in with youth placed with Resource families virtually, and are available to reach out to if we need to advocate for youth in any way. If this is the case, talk with your CCM about ways to do this.
Need for Resource Homes
- I don’t know what the future holds for child removals in the current climate, but so far we have still been getting daily referrals for kids that need homes. I know there is some risk associated with taking placements of children at this point, but the need is still present.
- You are all supporting this need by continuing to care for children placed in your home. So THANK YOU so much. If you feel like you can help in other ways (being open for placement, helping with emergency respite/child care if needed, etc) please talk with your CCM or let me know.
Words of positivity:
Once again, thank you all for being patient and flexible during this difficult time. Everyone is dealing with their own set of stressful circumstances right now and we understand that. We have been collecting a lot of resources and I’m sure you are receiving many resources as well (tips to help stay calm, busy, help with kids, etc.) Should you need any additional support or guidance for these things, please don’t hesitate to reach out to your CCM. Here is a link to an awesome resource about talking to your young child about what’s going on: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WPkPt_RglfbfnuX6g9neDw3Wk9S3f0RKeQ-duRTuTHI/mobilepresent?slide=id.p
At this time of isolation, it’s even more important that you remain in phone/video communication with people in your support network and your CCM. Thank you for doing your best to bear with us, follow guidelines and safety requirements, and continue to take wonderful care of your children.
Again, if you need anything, please always check in with your CCM or me and we will see what we can do to help. We have quite a few families/parents/others connected with Angels who have volunteered to help out in any way they can so if you have any child care needs or need help with supplies or something similar, we may be able to link you with helpers.
Please stay healthy and safe! Thanks, everyone.