NCJ Number
168448
Date Published
1993
Length
64 pages
Annotation
This manual is intended to answer many of the legal and practical questions that incarcerated parents have about the foster care system in New York and to assist incarcerated parents in helping themselves maintain contact with their children and strengthen family ties for a better reunion after the parent's release.
Abstract
The manual is based on the efforts of the Inmate Foster Care Committee formed by inmate mothers at the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility in New York. Individual sections cover visiting, voluntary placement of the child in foster care, issues that can be included in the voluntary placement agreement instrument, and the procedures after the child is voluntarily placed in foster care. Additional sections explain involuntary court-ordered placement of the child in foster care, the hearings involved, the development of a plan with the caseworker for the future care of the child, issues to discuss with the caseworker, kinship foster care, and alternative arrangements to foster care. Further sections discuss the termination of parental rights, adoption, the court proceedings involved, facts to know to protect parental rights, procedures for working with foster care agencies, and planning for the child's return. Sample letters and forms and brochure in English and Spanish