Your Rights
The following agreement was done in cooperation with Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association, Pennsylvania Children and Youth Administrators and Pennsylvania Council of Children, Youth and Family Services. This agreement was put into place using all the points in the Resource Family Care Act. It has also been reviewed by the policy department of Office of Children Youth and Family Services.
- Treatment with consideration and respect for personal dignity.
- Notification of scheduled meetings concerning the child in order to actively participate and have input into the case-planning and decision-making process regarding the child.
- Support services to assist in the care of the child, consistent with the child’s approved permanency plan.
- Open, complete and timely responses from the county or private agency when contacted by the resource parents.
- Information about the child’s medical history, general behaviors, and information regarding the relationships between the child and his or her parents shall be provided to the resource parents as soon as that information is obtained by the county or private agency. Within a reasonable amount of time the agency shall provide information concerning the educational history, life experiences, and placement circumstances of the child.
- Consultation with the resource parents in the development of the permanency plan.
- Consultation with the resource parents in the decision to release the resource family’s address to the child’s parent and be informed when such information has been shared.
- Assistance with the coordination of services for dealing with family loss and separation when a child leaves the resource family’s home and when relocation is not the result of an immediate threat to the health and safety of the child caused by the resource family.
- Information on all county or private agency policies and procedures that relate to the role of a resource parent.
- Appropriate training that will enhance skills and ability of the resource parent.
- Information on how to receive services and reach county or private agency personnel on a 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week basis.
- Confidentiality regarding allegations of abuse involving a member of the resource family. The provision of confidentiality shall not interfere with the safety of the child.
- Opportunity to be heard regarding agency decisions or practices. The agency shall not discharge, threaten or otherwise discriminate or retaliate against a resource parent for questioning the decisions or practices of an agency.
Provided by the Pennsylvania State Resource Family Association.