Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC_2019-05-28_Minutesr CITY OF ATASCADERO CITY COUNCIL MINUTES Tuesday, May 28, 2019 City Hall Council Chambers, 4th floor 6500 Palma Avenue, Atascadero, California (Entrance on Lewis Ave.) City Council Regular Session: 6:00 P.M. REGULAR SESSION — CALL TO ORDER: 6:00 P.M. Mayor Moreno called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and Council Member Newson led the Pledge of Allegiance. I ROLL CALL: I Present: Council Members Fonzi, Funk, Newsom, Mayor Pro Tem Bourbeau and Mayor Moreno Absent: None Staff Present: City Manager Rachelle Rickard, Administrative Services Director Jeri Rangel, Public Works Director Nick DeBar, Police Chief Jere[ Haley, Community Development Director Phil Dunsmore, Fire Chief Casey Bryson, City Attorney Brian Pierik and Deputy City Clerk Amanda Muther Mayor Moreno called for a moment of silence in remembrance of former Mayor and Council Member Bob Kelly. APPROVAL OF AGENDA: MOTION: By Mayor Pro Tem Bourbeau and seconded by Council Member Newsom to: 1. Approve this agenda; and, 2. Waive the reading in full of all ordinances appearing on this agenda, and the titles of the ordinances will be read aloud by the City Clerk at the first reading, after the motion and before the City Council votes. Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. Atascadero City Council May 28, 2019 Page 1 of 5 PRESENTATIONS: 1. Proclamation recognizing Islay 2019 as Foster Care Awareness Month Christopher Key and Angella Holm�s gave brief presentations on foster care and provided the Council with related liter ture (Exhibit A). The City Council presented them with a Proclamation recognizing May 219 as Foster Care Awareness Month. A. CONSENT CALENDAR: 1. City Council Draft Action Minutes -- May 14 2019 and May 15 2019 ■ Recommendation: Coun it approve the May 14, 2019 and May 15, 2019 Draft City Council Meeting Minutes. [City Clerk] 2. April 2019 Accounts Pavalille and Payroll ■ Fiscal Impact: $1,855,50 .44 ■ Recommendation: Coun it approve certified City accounts payable, payroll and payroll vendor check for April 2019. [Administrative Services] 3. Atascadero Tourism Bu iness Im Appointment of Three Boaid Membei 4. ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Coun JI appoint to the ATBID Advisory Board, Jack Mahar for a term expiri ig June 30, 2020 and Jacki Dawson and Tom O'Malley for terms expirir g June 30, 2021. [City Manager] i Tourism Bi Assessment ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendations: Cour 1. Approve the ATB1D A 2. Adopt Draft Resoluti Improvement District Atascadero Tourism hearing for June 11, re nt District (ATBID) Annual nual Report. n declaring intent to levy an annual Business assessment on lodging businesses within the lusiness Improvement District, and set a public X19. [City Manager] v. Parking & Business Improvement ement Area PBIA Assessment ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Coun it adopt Draft Resolution, declaring intent to levy an annual Downtown Parking and Business Improvement Area assessment, and set a p blic hearing for June 11, 2019. [City Manager] 6. Adoption of Atascadero T ■ Fiscal Impact: The Ci of Atascadero benefits from Federal Transit Administration capital and operating assistance funding. Federal funds could be withheld from AtascaderoTransit should the City fail to submit a Title Vl Plan. ■ Recommendation: Coun it adopt Draft Resolution approving the Title VI Plan and Limited Englis Proficiency Plan for Atascadero Transit services. [Public Works] Atascadero City Council May 28, 2019 Page 2 of 5 n n 7. Annexation of the La Plaza Mixed -Use Proiect into Communitv Facilities District 2005-1, Annexation No. 19 - 6300. 6320. 6420. 6450. 6490. and 6500 EI Camino Real Parcel Map AT 17-0088 ■ Fiscal Impact: None. ■ Recommendation: Council adopt Draft Resolution, declaring its intention to annex territory, into Community Facilities District 2005-1 (Public Services) and to authorize the levy of special taxes therein — City of Atascadero Community Facilities District 2005-1 Annexation No. 19 (6300, 6320, 6420, 6450, 6490, and 6500 El Camino Real: Parcel Map AT 17-0088). [Community Development] Deputy City Clerk Muther noted that there were two clerical errors on Consent Calendar Item #A-1. She reported that Item #C-2 on the May 14, 2019 Draft Minutes noted a public speaker but there were no public speakers for this item. She also noted that there was a public speaker, Karen Peterson, whose name had been overlooked in the May 15, 2019 Special Meeting Draft Minutes. A representative for the La Plaza project, Max Zappas, requested that Item #A-7 be pulled from the Consent Calendar for further discussion. Following a brief explanation from Mr. Zappas regarding his concerns, Mayor Moreno recommended that Council vote on the remaining Consent Calendar Items, then come back to Item #A-7 for further discussion. MOTION: By Council Member Fonzi and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bourbeau to approve the Consent Calendar Items Al through A6. (#A-4: Resolution No. 2019-034) (#A-5: Resolution No. 2019-035) (#A-6: Resolution No. 2019-036). Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. Mayor Moreno asked City Manager Rickard to speak about Consent Calendar Item #A-7 and explain options available in response to Mr. Zappas' concerns about annexation costs. City Manager Rickard and Mr. Zappas both answered questions from the Council. After a lengthy discussion and Council direction to staff, Mayor Moreno proposed an ad hoc Committee of Council Member Fonzi and Mayor Pro Tem Bourbeau, to work with staff to develop a recommended annexation fee level for La Plaza and similar future developments in the Downtown to bring back to Council for consideration at the June 11, 2019 meeting. There was Council consensus to implement the proposed ad hoc committee. UPDATES FROM THE CITY MANAGER: City Manager Rachelle Rickard gave an update on projects and issues within the City. COMMUNITY FORUM: The following citizens spoke during Community Forum: Kimberly Davidson. Mayor Moreno closed the COMMUNITY FORUM period. Atascadero City Council May 28, 2019 Page 3 of 5 B. PUBLIC HEARINGS: 1. Amendments to Fee Schedule ■ Fiscal Impact: There will be an increase in operating revenue resulting from l JI the CPI increase, with an offsetting increase in costs to provide the services. ■ Recommendation: Council adopt Draft Resolution adopting amended fees and deposits to offset costs incurred in planning services and a schedule of fees and charges for City services. [Administrative Services] Ex Parte Communications: None. PUBLIC COMMENT: The following citizens spoke on this item: None. Mayor Moreno closed the Public Comment period. MOTION: By Council Member Fonzi and seconded by Mayor Pro Tem Bourbeau to adopt Draft Resolution adopting amended fees and deposits to offset costs incurred in planning services and a schedule of fees and charges for City services with a revision to Zoo admission fees for children of $5 (ages 3-4) and $8 (ages 5-12). Motion passed 5:0 by a roll -call vote. (Resolution No. 2019-037) n C. MANAGEMENT REPORTS: None. D. COUNCIL ANNOUNCEMENTS AND COMMITTEE REPORTS: The following Council Members made brief announcements and gave brief update reports on their committees since their last Council meeting: Mayor Moreno 1. Economic Vitality Corporation, Board of Directors (EVC) Mayor Pro Tem Bourbeau 1. City / Schools Committee 2. City of Atascadero Finance Committee Council Member Fonzi 1. Air Pollution Control District 2. City of Atascadero Design Review Committee Council Member Funk 1. League of California Cities — Council Liaison n Atascadero City Council May 28, 2019 Page 4 of 5 E. INDIVIDUAL DETERMINATION AND 1 OR ACTION: Council Member Fonzi expressed concerns about notices PG&E has issued regarding potential power outages in the summer months. F. ADJOURN Mayor Moreno adjourned the meeting at 7:54 p.m. MINUTES PREPARED BY: A?u n da 2&LA� Amanda Muther Deputy City Clerk The following exhibit is available for review in the City Clerk's office. • Exhibit A —Literature regarding foster care APPROVED: June 11, 2019 Atascadero City Council May 28, 2019 Page 5of5 City Council Minutes Exhibit A Date: j What Our Elected Officials Can Do To Serve Children and Youth in Foster Care I. Sharing media and content provided by the Department of Social Services regarding the need for resource family homes and how people in their sphere of influence can help support the foster care community through social media. 2. Distributing publications of inspirational stories from the Department of Social Services in citywide publications like newsletters and emails/blogs. I Allowing informational brochures and flyers to be displayed during National Foster Care Month in May. 4. Becoming "Awareness Advocates" and aiding the Department of Social Services in creating video content demonstrating city leadership encouraging their constituents to learn more about resource family care and the other opportunities for serving children and youth in foster care BENEFITS _ Becoming a Resource Family will enable you to become an important part of a family's life, whsle providing a child in need with a feeling of safety, permanence, and well-being. 1►NIVANr:11W41ONI[iil]4r71:101CS]►d� There is an application process to complete prior to your home approval. The Department of Social Services is here to guide you through the approval process and support you as a certified Resource Family. Resource Family Training For a current schedule of classes: www.slofostercare.com/home/calendar/ For more information, contact us: (845) 781-1705 BECOMING A RESOURCE FAMILY: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW THE ULTIMATE GOAL Department of Social Services County of San Luis Obispo Provide safety, stability, and lifelong Department of Socia! Services connections for children. 3433 S. Higuera Street San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 INITIAL INQUIRY After receipt of an inquiry regarding the Resource Family Approval process, a Resource Family Recruiterwi11: • Make contact with the interested individual(s) • Mail informational packet ■ Invite individual(s) to a Resource Family Informational Meeting or meet 1:1 to provide information The Resource Family Approval Process is a family -friendly and child -centered caregiver approval process for relatives and prospective foster and adoptive parents to be better prepared to meet the needs of vulnerable children in the foster care system. Emergency Situations A child can be placed with a relative or non -related extended family member (family friend) in emergency situations if certain requirements are met, including: • Pass a criminal records check ■ Satisfactory home and grounds a inspection ■ All adults in the home must complete Live Scan r: Fingerprinting within ten days REQUIREMENTS Following is a partial list of requirements for approval. The Department of Social Services will assist you in meeting these requirements at no cost to you. • Completed application packet • Live Scan fingerprints • Attend and complete Resource Family Training (RFT) • Home and grounds assessment • Permanency assessment • Complete and provide proof of current CPR/First Aid • Provide DMV records • Provide references Participate in face to face interviews COUNTY RESPONSIBILITIES • Support potential Resource Families throughout the application process • Approve or deny applications • Provide pre -placement training and post -approval training • Monitor Resource Families and investigate any complaints received 1_1»4W-1iGl ridrMMT►�T� The California Department of Social Services requires that the approval process be completed within 90 days after receipt of a comoleted RFA aoolication. "Did You Know?" Statistics for SLO County Community Leaders to share for National Foster Care Month • The first bullet is ideal for a newsletter, email, or Facebook post; o the sub -bullet has been shortened for a tweet/talking point. • National Foster Care Month Fact #1: There are over 430,000 children, youth, and teens in the foster care system nationally, over 60,000 kids in foster care in California, and over 350 kids in foster care here in SLO County. You can make a difference in the life of just one of those children Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www, slofastercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! ❑ Over 350 children and teenagers in San Luis 0bispo County are in foster care. Will you be the person to make a difference in the life of a child in foster care? Please visit www.slofostercare.corn to learn more. National Foster Care Month Fact # 2: Did you know that there are many ways to support youth in foster care other than being a full-time resource (foster) parent? SLO County Department of Social Services is looking for individuals and families who would be interested in being respite care providers, short-term shelter homes, awareness advocates, mentors, tutors, business supporters, etc. There are so many ways to help serve our youth in care and the families that work so diligently to care for them. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Many people think that the only way they can help youth in foster care is to become full-time foster parents. There are a wide -range of service options that need filling by caring and committed members of our community. Please visit www.slofostercare.com for more information. ■ National Foster Care Month Fact #3: Children enter foster care through no fault of their own. The three most common causes for a child entering care in San Luis Obispo County are neglect, abuse, and abandonment, which often stem from substance abuse or mental health challenges in the home. Whenever a child cannot be with their family in a safe and stable home environment, Social Services relies on local foster families to provide a safe, stable, and loving home environment for a child. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! ❑ The most common reason children are placed in foster care is due to neglect. The plan for every child is to be reunified with their family when safe to do so, but more families are needed to provide foster care in SLO County! Please visit www.slofostercare.com to learn more. National Foster Care Month Fact #4: On average, a child can spend between 12 and 20 months in foster care. The average age of a child entering foster care is between the ages of 7 and 8 years old. In SLO County, 26,8% of youth in care are ages 0-5, 26.6% are ages 6-12 and 46.6% are ages 13-20. Our biggest needs are homes for teens and sibling groups. Is there room in your heart and room in your home for a youth or teen in care? Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Families are needed in San Luis Obispo County to provide foster care for youth from birth through age 18 — the highest need is for families to care for teenagers, or siblings so they can stay together. Please visit www.slofostercare.com to learn more. National Foster Care Month Fact #5: In San Luis Obispo County, Social Services strives to keep youth and teens in their communities of origin when being placed in foster care. However, with the lack of resource family homes being at an all-time high, only 24% of youth remain in their community of origin, where a support network has often been established. Can you be a safe and stable home for a youth from your community? Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child) o When children are placed in foster care, there often is not a family in their area able or willing to care for them and 76% in SLO county are placed outside of their home communities. Can you be that safe home in your community? Visit www.slofostercare.com to learn more. ■ National Foster Care Month Fact #6: In 1995, a two-year was study conducted by Kaiser Permanente in which 17,000 patients were surveyed regarding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) (aka childhood trauma) and the correlation between those experiences and health and social problems across lifespans. These experiences include, substance abuse, domestic abuse, emotional neglect, incarceration, mental illness, etc. It was discovered that for each child that experienced 4 or more of these experiences, their chances of having chronic pulmonary disease increased by 390%, depression 460%, and suicide was 1,220%. Can you be the home that heals a hurting youth and promotes their physical, mental, and emotional health? Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! ❑ Youth in foster care have generally experienced trauma, which is why they are in care. The Kaiser Permanente ACEs Study discovered a shocking correlation between the number of instances of trauma experienced and increased risk for serious physical and mental illness in adulthood. Be a part of the healing process. Visit www.slofostercare.com to learn more today. National Foster Care Month Fact #7 Nationally, 20,500 youth are emancipated from foster care without reunifying with biological families or being adopted. Children and adolescents with foster care experience are diagnosed with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at twice the rate of U.S, war veterans and 25% of youth who age out of the foster care without adequate support systems are incarcerated within two years. Our County's teens in care deserve the same opportunities for a safe, stable, and loving home as their peers — with your help, we can make sure they don't fall through the cracks. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Youth with foster care experience are diagnosed with PTSD at twice the rate of U.S. war veterans. 25% of youth who age out of the foster care without adequate supports are incarcerated within two years. Can you help a youth who needs you? Visit www.slofostercare.com today. ■ National Foster Care Month Fact #8: National data suggests that youth in foster care may lose four to six months' worth of academic progress with each change in foster homes. Can you provide temporary care for a youth in your local school district to support their education? Can you help raise awareness to the need for more foster homes in SLO County? Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www,slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o When a child changes foster homes, they can lose between 4 and 6 months' worth of academic progress. Can you help keep kids in their schools and home communities? Please visit www.51ofostercare.com for more information. • National Foster Care Month Fact #9: In SLO County, due to the lack of available resource family homes (foster homes), only 42 percent of youth who enter care as part of a sibling group can remain with all of their siblings. Studies show that maintaining sibling relationships is of vital importance to the well-being of children. Often, children who are abused or neglected by their caregivers form especially strong ties to their siblings. The emotional support of the sibling bond may nurture a sense of stability and continuity and help to provide a sense of safety for children in foster care placements. Please help us develop more homes so that we can keep s!bling groups together. Cali the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www,slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Did you know that due to the lack of available foster homes in our county, only 42% of sibling groups who enter foster care are placed in in the same home together? Is there space in your home and in your heart for a set of siblings that needs you? Visit www.slofastercare.com today. National Foster Care Month Fact #10: It is the goal of San Luis Obispo County Child Welfare Services to transition children, youth, and teens out of foster care into safe and stable families in the shortest possible timeframe. At the beginning of 2019, 57.6 % of youth have been in care less than one year, 13.6% between 1 and 2 years, 8.5% between 2 and 3 years, 7.6% 3 and 4 years, 2.3%4 and 5 years, and 10.5% over 5 years. The more safe and stable homes available for our youth, the sooner they can exit care and be a part of a loving family either through reunification with safe and stable parents or through long term foster care, guardianship or adoption. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Did you know that in SLO County, 20% of youth in care have been in care for longer than 3 years? Help us shrink these numbers and provide permanency for our youth! Please visit www.slofostercare.com for more information. National Foster Care Month Fact #11: In 2018, the Five -Cities Service Area (Arroyo Grande, Grover Beach, Pismo Beach, Oceano, Shell Beach) of the SLO County Department of Social Services received 1053 child abuse and neglect referrals and of those referrals, 94 were substantiated. With around 70 children, youth, and teens coming into care from the Five - Cities Service Area, only 27 youth (38.5%) were able to be remain in their hometown due to the lack of available resource (foster) homes in the area. Can you help us bridge the gap? Please help us develop more homes so that we can keep youth in their home communities. Cal the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Due to the shortage of foster homes in our county, only 27 of the 70 youth (38.5%) who enter foster care from Arroyo Grande can be placed in Arroyo Grande foster homes. Help us bridge the gap and keep youth in their home communities. Please visit www.slofostercare.com today. ■ National Foster Care Month Fact# 12: In 2018, the Atascadero Service Area (Atascadero, Creston, Templeton, California Valley, and Santa Margarita) of the SLO County Department of Social Services received 1020 child abuse and neglect referrals and of those referrals, 99 were substantiated. With around 55 children, youth, and teens coming into care from the Atascadero Service Area, only 12 youth (22%) were able to be remain in their hometown due to the lack of available resource (foster) homes in the area. Can you help us bridge the gap? Please help us develop more homes so that we can eventually keep youth in their home communities. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! ❑ Due to the shortage of foster homes in our county, only 12 of the 55 youth (22%) who enter foster care from Atascadero can be placed in Atascadero foster homes. Help us bridge the gap and keep youth in their home communities. Please visit www.slofostercare.com today. ■ National Foster Care Month Fact# 13: In 2018, the Morro Bay Service Area (Morro Bay, Cambria, Harmony, Cayucos, Los Osos, and San Simeon) of the SLO County Department of Social Services received 516 child abuse and neglect referrals and of those referrals, 28 were substantiated. With around 17 children, youth, and teens coming into care from the Morro Bay Service Area, only 4 youth (24%) were able to be remain in their hometown due to the lack of available resource (foster) homes in the area. Can you help us bridge the gap? Please help us develop more homes so that we can keep youth in their home communities. Call the 4 San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofastercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child! o Due to the shortage of foster homes in our county, only 4 of the 17 youth (24%) who enter foster care from Morro Bay can be placed in Morro Bay foster homes. Help us bridge the gap and keep youth in their home communities. Please visit www.slofostercare.com today. ■ National Foster Care Month Fact# 14: In 2018, the Paso Robles Service Area (Paso Robles, Shandon, Cholame, Bradley, and San Miguel) of the SLO County Department of Social Services received 1342 child abuse and neglect referrals and of those referrals, 111 were substantiated. With around 55 children, youth, and teens coming into care from the Paso Robles Service Area, only 14 youth (25%) were able to be remain in their hometown due to the lack of available resource (foster) homes in the area. Can you help us bridge the gap? Please help us develop more homes so that we can keep youth in their home communities. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information. Together we can find a home for every child1 ❑ Due to the shortage of foster homes in our county, only 14 of the 55 youth (25%) who enter foster care from Paso Robles can be placed in Paso Robles foster homes. Help us bridge the gap and keep youth in their home communities. Please visit www.slofostercare.com today. National Foster Care Month Fact# 15: In 2018, the San Luis Obispo Service Area (San Luis Obispo and Avila Beach) of the SLO County Department of Social Services received 654 child abuse and neglect referrals and of those referrals, 58 were substantiated. With around 72 children, youth, and teens coming into care from the San Luis Obispo Service Area, only 10 youth (14%) were able to be remain in their hometown due to the lack of available resource (foster) homes in the area. Can you help us bridge the gap? Please help us develop more homes so that we can keep youth in their home communities. Call the San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services today at 781-1705 or visit us at www.slofostercare.com for more information, Together we can find a home for every child! o Due to the shortage of foster homes in our county, only 10 of the 72 youth (14%) who enter foster care from San Luis Obispo can be placed in San Luis Obispo foster homes. Help us bridge the gap and keep youth in their home communities. Please visit www.slofostercare.coi-n today. Note: Data provided by San Luis Obispo County Department of Social Services, UC Berkeley Center for Social Services Research, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Kaiser Permanente, and American Society for the Positive Care of Children 5 Resource Family Approval (RFA) Program and Service Options There are many ways members of our community can positively influence the lives of children in foster care. Resource Family: Certification is the process through which community members apply, receive education and training, complete background clearances and meet state requirements to care for children and youth in foster care. Most frequently, the children's biological parents receive reunification services; the primary goal is to support families in becoming healthy and safe so children can reunify with their parents. If it is determined that the children cannot safely reunify with their parents, Resource Families may be asked to become the youth's forever family through adoption or guardianship. Respite Care Provider: Respite care is a crucial support to existing Resource Families. Providing respite care is an option for those who are interested in a short term experience of providing care. Some families try this prior to pursuing full certification. Resplte providers are trained similarly to Resource Families and complete the same background checks. Emergency Foster Care (Shelter): Resource families committed to emergency shelter are typically on -call and available on short notice to provide immediate, temporary, short term care for children entering the foster care system or waiting on availability for more permanent placement. Options for Recovery (OFR): Resource families designated as "OFR" are specially trained to support the needs of our youngest children, newborn through age five, as well as focused on taking an active role in the reunification process through mentorship of birth families. Home is the Goal: Home is the Goal was created to develop an emergency network of pre -approved families in each school or district (dependent on the Resource family's preferences), willing and available to care for students who enter foster care when needed. Home is the Goal will allow children to remain with their classmates, teachers, and school counselors by keeping students in their same school. DSS RFA 90 (New: 4117119) Faith in Motion: This collaborative effort engages local faith communities throughout the County of San Luis Obispo to meet the needs of youth and families who have been impacted by abuse and neglect. All faith communities are unique and many communities Feel called to provide care and support to children and families impacted by foster care. Faith in Motion recruits potential resource/adaptive homes for children and youth in the foster care system and also builds a tremendous support network.for the families caring for these children. Mentoring and Tutoring: There are several local agencies with whom we partner which provide training, volunteer management and support to individuals who are interested in providing mentoring or tutoring services to youth in foster care. Ask us for more information. Local Business Awareness and Support: Local businesses have a unique and valuable connection to the members of our county community and can often be a strong ally in helping raise awareness regarding the need for more resource family homes. Local businesses can also support youth in foster care with discounts for resource families, providing window space for awareness materials, or even job opportunities for older youth. Becoming an Awareness Advocate: A recent survey suggested that only 40 percent of local respondents are aware of the critical shortage of loving and caring Resource families. Raising awareness through social media, distribution/posting of printed materials, and word of mouth can help immensely in sharing the need for Resource families, as well as the myriad of ways everyone can be involved. COUNTY o SAN LUIS OBmPO County of San Luis Obispo Department of Socia[ Services 805.781.1705 / SLOfostercare,com We have local children in need of safe, stable and compassionate families. Being a Foster Parent means caring for a child or youth temporarily while family reunification or a long-term solution is made possible. To help you be successful, Family Care Network provides: ■ Support and assistance from a professional staff person 24 hours a day, seven days a week ■ Excellent Foster Parent training and education prior to any child being placed in your home ■ Financial support (in certain programs, this support enables one stay-at-home parent) You can choose to provide either short or longer-term Foster Care within the following programs; Emergency Shelter Care — For one to 30 days Respite Care — For one to 30 days Basic Foster Care — For six to 12 months Foster -Adoption — Adopt a child/youth through foster care Intensive Services Foster Care — For four to nine months Here are some necessary qualities: Have a genuine desire Be open to learning new to help foster children °.................... • skills by going to trainings ..........., transition to permanency. and engaging in support efforts Meet all FCNI and state - Work well in a team mandated licensing requirements i/ —have a safe home, have no C Be able to safely and reliably criminal record, and be free of :.... d transport a foster child, rug and/or alcohol problems especially in emergencies As a Foster Parent, you will receive: Tax-free monthly financial support Support from professional staff 24 -hours a day, consistent with level of care seven days a week which wraps around you, your family and the child(ren) placed in your care Inclusion in the treatment process of `.. °..... • your foster child, helping to promote their health, healing and wellbeing 10 , We have local children in need of safe, stable and compassionate families. Being a Resource Parent means caring for a child or youth temporarily while family reunification or a long-term solution is made possible. To help you be successful, Family Care Network provides: ■ Support and assistance from a professional staff person 24 hours a day, seven days a week ■ Excellent Resource Parent training and education prior to any child being placed in your home ■ Financial support (in certain programs, this support enables one stay-at-home parent) You can choose to provide either short or longer-term Resource Care within the following programs: Emergency Shelter Care — For one to 30 days Respite Care — For one to 30 days Basic Foster Care -- For six to 12 months Foster -Adoption — For a parent(s) seeking to adopt a child/youth through foster care Intensive Services Foster Care — For four to nine months To help you decide, here are some of the most frequently asked questions answered by our Resource Parents. How will being a Resource Parent impact my life? Your goal as a Resource Parent is to integrate your foster child into your family and provide for them as you would for your own child you'll be involved in their education, activities, as well as their social and emotional development. What if I become too attached as a Resource Parent? All things in life are not about you. You have to trust that you will be able to heal and find comfort, knowing that you've impacted the life of vulnerable child, regardless of the outcome. Be willing to take the risk in order to prevent children from experiencing the hurt of not having a family to care for them. Are there both short and longer -tern Resource Parenting options? Yes! Foster Care is not the long-term solution for any child. For this reason, there are a variety of programs you can choose from based on your current life circumstances, including programs which require only a day or two of care to others where you could provide care for couple of months to a year. If you are looking to provide more permanent care for a child, we also offer a Foster -Adoption option. What is the financial impact of becoming a Resource Parent? There shouldn't be any financial impact. Resource parents receive tax-free monthly support based on the care and supervision. Foster Care rates are based on level of care the child needs. For those who choose to provide a higher level of care, the tax-free financial assistance is considered wage replacement meant to enable one parent to stay at home. What type of training and support is available for Resource Parents? All parents receive specialized training and have access to 24-hour support seven days a week in addition to ongoing training, support groups and mentoring opportunities with experienced foster parents. What type of services can I expect to help me meet the needs of children/youth placed in my home? An individualized and evolving plan will be developed for your child and family, and you will play an important part in this process. Your social worker will help you and the child develop a network of support, and you will be provided support to meet the child's health needs, along with counseling, educational support and life skill development. As a parent, how will having a foster child impact my children? In my experience, inviting a foster child into our home, helped my children develop a stronger sense of care and compassion for others. It also helped shape their priorities as adults by giving them a strong desire to make the world a better place. Do I have to house any child offered to me? No, children are placed with a Resource Parent(s) based on the placement preferences of the Resource Parent/Family (i.e., age, gender and culture). Every effort is made to ensure placement success by matching the best family for the individual child. Here are some necessary qualities: Have a genuine desire to help foster children transition to permanency. P 0 9 8 D 0 0 "0000000aera0000Daa050000 work well in a team v a D O B F1 m P 0 9 9. D B O m A 0 0 P D Q Be open to learning new skills by going to trainings and engaging in support efforts 0 6 O O Meet all FCNI and state- • mandated licensing requirements —have a safe home, have no criminal record, and be free of drug and/or alcohol problems Be able to safely and reliably .. ... a transport a foster child, especially in emergencies As a Resource Parent, you will receive: Tax-free monthly financial support consistent with level of care s .......00oaaooevnm.aoe6aacuoacve..a.a.® r_ a e Support from professional staff 24 -hours a day, seven days a week which wraps around you, your family and the child(ren) placed in your care C) a va 9 0 0 0 .. a. a. a. a. a u n c_^ o 0_- c r. Inclusion in the treatment process of your foster child, helping to promote their health, healing and wellbeing