Family Interviews 622-05-20-20-15

(Revised 8/15/2010 ML #3224)

Family interviews shall include, but are not limited to, such issues as the parents’ philosophy of child rearing, child management, discipline, problem-solving and any other issues outlined on the foster care study form.

In addition to sessions held to provide information to potential foster families, there shall be a minimum of three interviews during the licensing process. Additional interviews are required in families where it is age appropriate for the children or extended family members live in the home.

A concluding interview is conducted with the family to complete the licensing study.

It should be noted that the number of sessions is not the issue. There should be sufficient sessions as required in a given family situation, but certainly not less than those indicated above.

The entire point of these sessions is to form a thorough and complete picture of the potential foster family’s ability to provide quality care to any children placed in their home. In order to do this, the social worker, along with other evaluative measures, needs to do a thorough assessment of any potential foster family, keeping in mind the safety and well-being of children who may be placed in the home.