General Foster Care (GFC) is the temporary placement of children and youth with families outside their own homes due to child abuse or neglect. The goal is to provide a safe, stable, nurturing environment. Foster care is meant to be a short-term resolution until a permanent placement can be made. In most states, the primary objective is to reunite children with their biological parent(s). However, if the parent(s) is incapable or disinclined to care for the child, then the first choice of adoptive parents is a relative (e.g., grandparent, aunt, etc.), known as kinship care. Kinship care is typically favored to other forms of out-of-home care.
If no related family member is willing or able to adopt, the next preference is for the child to be adopted by foster parents or by someone else involved in the child’s life (such as a teacher or coach). This is to maintain continuity in the child’s life. If neither of these options is available, the child may be adopted by someone who is a stranger to the child.
GFC is full-service case management provided for at-risk youth and their families until reunification/permanency is reached.
Some tasks GFC caseworkers are responsible for:
- Monitoring the safety and well-being of a child(ren) through bimonthly visits.
- Establishing contact with the biological family and implementing supports as needed.
- Engaging the kinship triad (child/youth, caregiver and birth family).
- Allowing children in our care the opportunity to thrive by ensuring their medical, dental and educational needs are met.
- Assisting families in navigating the court system.
For more information about GFC services, please contact Ronesha Carter at 215-817-7519 or roneshac@asecondchance-kinship.com.