Strategies for Enhanced Foster Parent Recruitment and Retention
Phoenix Homes will support regular "respite breaks" for foster parents. At least one weekend every month, the foster parents will be required to take a respite break. During this weekend the foster child will either take part in planned Phoenix Homes activities or will be placed in another trained foster home for the weekend. In addition all Phoenix Home foster parents will get one week per year of paid time off during which the foster children will be cared for outside the home.
All Phoenix treatment foster homes will be required to have a working computer with a connection to the Internet, in their home. The treatment foster parents will be required to use the computer to complete their daily, weekly and monthly reports. The reports will be completed on line and saved at our secure server. These records will be available to the local Phoenix Homes staff, the entire Administrative team and our referral sources (with proper security clearance). These forms will be available via the Internet in real time. The computer (and Internet) can also be used for e-mail communications between treatment foster parents, between treatment foster parents and local staff and between treatment foster parents and administrative team members. Additionally, the computer will allow the foster parents to access our numerous on-line training courses. These courses will sharpen treatment foster parent skills in such areas as Attention Deficit Disorder, eating disorders, discipline as well as provide access to national and international experts for on-line discussions in chat-rooms organized by Phoenix.
Phoenix Homes will assist with the financial burdens of care by covering the cost of treatment foster parent liability insurance. In addition, restitution may be provided for damages in the home caused by a placed child.
Treatment foster parents will be rewarded for longevity of service and quality of care. Incentives may include educational scholarships, paid travel to training conferences and an increased per diem for quality continued care of the same child.
In order to decrease stress and enhance well being, The Phoenix Homes staff will emphasize the adoption of health and wellness strategies by both the treatment foster parents and the youth they serve. Information and training will be provided on topics such as: healthful diet, exercise, stress-reducing social and recreational activities, getting emotional support, etc. Incentives will be provided to reinforce the development of healthy behaviors and habits.