Oregon Statutes - Chapter 418 - Child Welfare Services - Section 418.648 - Rights of foster parents.

A foster parent has the right to:

(1) Be treated with dignity, respect and trust as a member of a team, including respect for the family values and routines of the foster parent.

(2) Be included as a valued member of a team that provides care and planning for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.

(3) Receive support services, as resources permit, from the Department of Human Services that are designed to assist in the care of the foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.

(4) Be informed of any condition that relates solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent that may jeopardize the health or safety of the foster parent or other members of the home or alter the manner in which foster care should be provided to the foster child. The information shall include complete access to written reports, psychological evaluations and diagnoses that relate solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent provided that confidential information given to a foster parent must be kept confidential by the foster parent, except as necessary to promote or to protect the health and welfare of the foster child and the community.

(5) Have input into a permanency plan for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.

(6) Receive assistance from the department in dealing with family loss and separation when the foster child leaves the home of the foster parent.

(7) Be informed of all policies and procedures of the department that relate to the role of the foster parent.

(8) Be informed of how to receive services and to have access to department personnel or service providers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

(9) Initiate an inactive referral status for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 12 months, to allow a foster parent relief from caring for foster children.

(10) Not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability.

(11) Be notified of the foster parent’s right to limited participation in proceedings in the juvenile court and provided with an explanation of that right. [2005 c.676 §1]

Note: The amendments to 418.648 by section 24, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, are the subject of a referendum petition that may be filed with the Secretary of State not later than September 26, 2007. If the referendum petition is filed with the required number of signatures of electors, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, will be submitted to the people for their approval or rejection at the regular general election held on November 4, 2008. If approved by the people at the general election, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, takes effect December 4, 2008. If the referendum petition is not filed with the Secretary of State or does not contain the required number of signatures of electors, the amendments to 418.648 by section 24, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, take effect January 1, 2008. 418.648, as amended by section 24, chapter 100, Oregon Laws 2007, is set forth for the user’s convenience.

418.648. A foster parent has the right to:

(1) Be treated with dignity, respect and trust as a member of a team, including respect for the family values and routines of the foster parent.

(2) Be included as a valued member of a team that provides care and planning for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.

(3) Receive support services, as resources permit, from the Department of Human Services that are designed to assist in the care of the foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.

(4) Be informed of any condition that relates solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent that may jeopardize the health or safety of the foster parent or other members of the home or alter the manner in which foster care should be provided to the foster child. The information shall include complete access to written reports, psychological evaluations and diagnoses that relate solely to a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent provided that confidential information given to a foster parent must be kept confidential by the foster parent, except as necessary to promote or to protect the health and welfare of the foster child and the community.

(5) Have input into a permanency plan for a foster child placed in the home of the foster parent.

(6) Receive assistance from the department in dealing with family loss and separation when the foster child leaves the home of the foster parent.

(7) Be informed of all policies and procedures of the department that relate to the role of the foster parent.

(8) Be informed of how to receive services and to have access to department personnel or service providers 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

(9) Initiate an inactive referral status for a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 12 months, to allow a foster parent relief from caring for foster children.

(10) Not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age or disability.

(11) Be notified of the foster parent’s right to limited participation in proceedings in the juvenile court and provided with an explanation of that right.

Note: 418.648 was enacted into law by the Legislative Assembly but was not added to or made a part of ORS chapter 418 or any series therein by legislative action. See Preface to Oregon Revised Statutes for further explanation.

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Last modified: August 7, 2008