Frequently Asked Questions re:
New Foster Care Arrangements For Foster Homes Managed by Child and Family Services Agencies
1. Will I be needed in the new system?
Foster homes will continue to be the primary source of placements for children in care. Agencies will be assessing their own needs for foster homes and foster families are encouraged to contact specific agencies or the new Child and Family Services Authorities with questions or concerns.
2. Will the children I’m currently fostering remain in my home?
Decisions about whether children will or will not remain in a foster home will be based on what is in the best interests of the child. Such placement decisions are the responsibility of the agency providing services for a particular child. We encourage you to contact the agency responsible for children in your home if you have questions.
3. When the new agency is planning for the children in my care, will I be able to participate in these discussions?
Yes. While child and family services agencies hold the final responsibilities for services and service plans for children living in foster homes, foster parents are viewed as a valuable source of advice. We strongly encourage foster parents to contact the appropriate child and family services agency with any questions or concerns regarding their situation.
4. Will I be able to apply to the agency I want to foster for?
Yes. Every agency will be able to license foster families anywhere in Manitoba and foster parents may pursue a licence with any of the agencies. Foster parents can also apply to an agency to transfer their current licence, however, both the existing and prospective agency must agree on the transfer. Existing licenses will remain in effect until such time as a new license or transfer is granted.
5. Can I apply to more than one agency?
Foster parents and applicants can have only one active application at a time. A central registry will track both licences and applications.
6. How will I decide which agency I should foster for?
Information about the AJI-CWI transition will be provided to foster parents through contact with their managing agency, as the information becomes available. Additionally, information about the Authority Determination Process (ADP) for the children in your care will also be shared with you. Starting the first day when cases are transferred in a region, foster families in that region will have up to 3 months to select which agency they wish to apply to for a transfer or renewal when their current licence expires. During that time, you will have the opportunity to learn about the agencies and the Child and Family Services Authorities in Manitoba.
7. How many foster home licences will I need / can I get?
There will only be one licence per home and no one will be able to hold more than one licence.
8. Will I still be able to appeal the removal of a foster child from my home?
Yes. There will be three steps available in the appeal process. The first step would be the foster family contacting the Executive Director (ED) of the agency responsible for the child and requesting a review. The ED will then offer an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process and if the appeal is not resolved through ADR, the ED will review the agency’s decision. If the foster family disagrees with this decision, they may request that the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Child and Family Services Authority under which the agency operates review the decision. If the Foster Family disagrees with the CEO’s decision, the Minister of Family Services and Housing will appoint an independent adjudicator to review and make a final decision.
9. Will I still be able to appeal the removal or cancellation of my licence, or an agency’s decision not to license?
Yes. The licensing appeal will occur in a manner that is similar to how these appeals are currently handled. The major difference will be that the final decision will be made by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Child and Family Services Authority, rather then by the Director of Child Welfare. There are identified timelines for each step in the appeal process.
10. How will rates (basic maintenance rate and special rates) be set?
In the immediate future, the Basic Maintenance rate will continue to be set by the provincial government. Special rates will be set by agencies, in keeping with the policies of their respective Child and Family Services Authorities.
11. Will my current special rates change if the children are transferred to another agency?
Your current rates will not decrease for the first six months after the child is transferred. This will allow the new agency to learn about the child before reviewing the case planning including rates. However, this will no longer apply if a placement change is made during this time.
12. If I have an open bed, will other agencies be able to place children in my home?
Yes. Sharing arrangements will be developed by each Child and Family Services Authority to facilitate access to foster care spaces. There will be a mechanism (possibly a database) through which agencies will be made aware of openings in foster homes. This will only happen with the permission of the foster parent and the licensing agency.
13. What supports will be available to me (including training, respite, and special rates)?
This will vary, depending upon the needs of the child and the manner in which the agency and Child and Family Services Authority decide these needs are best met.
14. Will the foster parent support programs (Legal Aid Assistance Program and Foster Parent Intentional Damage Compensation Plan) continue to exist?
Yes, these programs will continue to exist.
