Division Of Youth Services

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ES/FC

Emergency Shelter/Foster Care

Emergency Shelter Mission Statement

The Division of Youth Services (DYS) Emergency Shelter is designed to provide temporary placement of a child who is placed under DYS custody as a result of child abuse and/or neglect. The primary function of the shelter is to serve as “home away from home” to ensure the protection of the child, and to provide the quality services that will address the best interest and special needs of the child.

Emergency Shelter Goals and Objectives

The Emergency Shelter program’s ultimate goal is to provide quality services for clients during this short transition period and assist in the reunification process of children and their families. This goal will be accomplished through the following objectives:

*To provide a safe, temporary placement where clients are provided appropriate care and nurturance.

*To coordinate programs and provide services that will serve in the best interest of and special needs of the client.

*To assist the child in the transition period from the time he/she enters the shelter to the time they are ready to go back into their homes.

*To secure more funding for staffing and daily operational needs for the shelter.

*To coordinate with caseworkers in developing and implementing service plans.

Foster Care Program Goals and Objectives

The DYS Foster Care Program is designed to enable children who cannot remain in their homes to receive appropriate care and nurturance in an effort to strengthen and promote a healthy family unit. It is intended to promote the positive integration and collaboration of appropriate services, consistent with the child’s best interest. The Foster Care program must ensure that the placement selected fro each child is designed to achieve placement in the least restrictive environment and consistent with the best interest and special needs of the child. These program goals can be achieved through the following objectives:

To actively pursue a safe relative placement realizing that relatives may provide the least restrictive, most family-like setting that meets the individual, cultural and special needs of the child.
To provide resources to promote, support and retain appropriate foster care providers.
To recognize the need for collaboration, flexibility and responsibility of all involved parties in the meeting the case plan and goals.
To develop and implement a foster care support system.
To coordinate programs and incentives for foster child (ren) and foster parent (s).

Program Services

Emergency Shelter Services

The Emergency Shelter is a 24-hour, 7-days a week operation. The daily delivery of client services consists of the following:

Client Service Plans
Client room and board
Hygienical needs
Client Meals/Snacks
Medical Care/Medicinal Supplies
Clothing and School Supplies
Tutoring Sessions
Shelter Programs/Activities
Transportation to and from school and appointments

Foster Care Services

The Foster Care program services are delivered upon placement of the child in a foster home. These shall include, but not limited to the following:

Client Service Plans
Medical care/medicinal supplies
School Supplies
Clothing and Footwear
Foster Parent Stipend
Foster Parent Training
Foster Parent Support System

Last Updated ( Friday March 14, 2008 )