(Posted 2023 May)
Our foster families – also known as resource families – go through a lot to become foster parents and support children in Fairfax County. Here at the Department of Family Services’ Foster Care and Adoption we are so grateful for the willingness of well-meaning people who take the necessary steps to be thoroughly vetted and trained for this position.
What some might not realize is that in order to continue in that role, those same families need to complete a recertification every three years. This is a strict state level policy, and unfortunately, there is little leeway for missed deadlines. Ultimately, resource homes that are out of compliance run the risk that children may need to be moved from their home and placed elsewhere. This causes a disruption to the child(ren)’s routine that no one wants.
What are the basic requirements?
Everyone in the home who is 18 and older must complete three separate background checks, Central Registry, VA State Police, and Request for Conviction Data. These background checks must be completed every 36 months. All three checks for all adult family members must be completed within 90 days of the start of the first background check. The background checks will have to be processed well before the due date to meet the necessary deadlines.
In addition, families must complete additional forms* and provide driving records for each driver, proof of insurance and inspection for each car, pet vaccination records, records of current TB shots for the entire family, and schedule a home visit with the resource specialist.
What is the process to remain in compliance?
Families should be on the lookout for the recertification packet to arrive in the mail three months in advance of the date the recertification must be completed. This may seem like a lot of time, but background checks can take up to two months to be returned from the state of Virginia, which can affect the recert process. So please start getting the background checks back to the department no less than a month after getting the recert packet.
Remember, your family is one of many going through the recertification process, so as soon as you receive your packet it’s a good idea to start filling out the forms, get the needed personal paperwork, set up appointments to complete TB shots for the entire family, get driving records for each driver, find pet vaccination records, and set up the home visit with the resource specialist. All forms should be presented together so that we can process them at the same time. The quicker the forms are done, the quicker that we finish the recertification.
We can’t stress enough that if background checks are not completed in a timely manner, the home will be out of compliance. If there are children placed in the home, this could result in the children having to move from the home until the home is in compliance. The process for the home to meet compliance after failure to turn in forms is less convenient. The family would have to complete several extra steps to meet the standards set by the state.
What if my child is turning 18 years old?
Within 60 days of youth in a foster home becoming 18 years old, including biological or foster youth, the results of background checks must be obtained by our department. These include a national criminal record check (FBI), a CPS Central Registry search, and Request for Conviction Data. A written Sworn Statement or affirmation disclosing any criminal and child abuse and neglect history in Virginia and any other state of residence within the past five years must be completed when the individual becomes 18. If the 18-year-old will be transporting the child placed in the home, a DMV check is also required.
In order for the forms to be processed on time, families must complete them and return them to the department immediately after the youth turns 18. To facilitate this, we will send out the paperwork packet two months before the youth turns 18. It will be the parents’ and the youth’s responsibility to complete the paperwork and return it to the department.
If paperwork is not received within a month of the 18th birthday, the home will be put on hold. If the forms are not received within two months, the home will be out of compliance, and the department will have to decide how to proceed. If there is a child(ren) in the home, this will jeopardize the placement and we may have to move that child(ren).
What if I add a new household member over the age of 18?
When a resource family adds a new household member to the home, this does not include visitors, the new household member must complete the New Household Member background check packet. This will include a national criminal record check (FBI), a CPS Central Registry search, and Request for Conviction Data. A written Sworn Statement or affirmation disclosing any criminal and child abuse and neglect history in Virginia and any other state of residence within the past five years also must be completed.
The process does not have to be completed before the person can enter your home, but it needs to start within a week of arrival. If you know a family member will be moving in, it would be ideal to get the background checks started before the person arrives. Additionally, if the person resides in another state, they can get the needed checks processed and completed in that state. As checks from other states often take time to process, if planning can be done, this is preferred.
If the new household member does not complete the background checks in a timely manner and there is a child in the home, this could result in a disruption for the family as we would ask that the family member move out of the home until checks are completed or we would have to disrupt the child’s placement and have them move until the process is completed.
The resource family will need to request a New Household Member background check packet from their resource specialist.
*Items that need to be completed by the family, to include the background checks:
- TB tests/screenings for everyone in the household, including all children, even children in foster care.
- DMV driving record for all household members responsible for transporting the child.
- FBI & State Police Privacy Act Statement for all members of the household 18 and older.
- Release for Virginia and Local Criminal Record Request for all for all members of the household 18 and older.
- Discipline Agreement
- Confidentiality Agreement
- Vehicle Registration and inspection (the resource specialist will need to see each of these during the home visit)
- Auto insurance (the resource specialist will need to see proof of auto insurance during the home visit)
- Vendor Agreements (2)
- Emergency Shelter and Transportation. Only the parent receiving the foster care payment should sign these two forms.
- W-9
- Pet Vaccination Record, if applicable
This article posting is part of the Foster Family News monthly newsletter designed to keep foster parents informed about all the new and notable happenings in Fairfax County.
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